Cuban Dance Intensive!
Presented by MetaMovements & the MM Cuba Team!
Week 1: July 28 - Aug 3
Week 2: Aug 4-10
Both: July 28 - Aug 10
Join MetaMovements on an inspiring dance journey to Cuba! Our intensive program is a deep dive into the world of Cuban dance under the guidance of renowned master instructors. Each day begins with Cuba’s unique training program called Cuban Modern Technique, which focuses on developing organic, dynamic movement that translates across all dance genres. The rest of the day includes intensive training in traditional and contemporary Cuban styles like Rumba, Afro-Cuban, Salsa/Casino, Son & more!
This trip is more than just dance training; it's a cultural adventure featuring exchanges with groups like Danza Contemporanea de Cuba, Los Fundadores (the founders of Rueda De Casino), ViaDanza, and La Colmenita, as well as other incredible artists who will inspire you and take your movement, musicality and creativity to new heights!
By the end of the intensive you will feel stronger, more powerful, and more connected to the Cuban rhythms than ever before. If you are a dance lover looking to level-up, learn, and explore in one of the most culturally rich cities in the hemisphere while supporting artists on the island– then this trip is for you!
This trip will give you the opportunity to:
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Take a journey through time and learn more about the vibrant, living history of Havana through performances, personal conversations, city tours, art exhibitions, museums, and evenings out at some of the most lively nightlife options the city has to offer.
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Learn from some of the top instructors in Havana! Whatever your current level of dance or percussion is when you arrive… you will amaze yourself before you leave! We have dance & music workshops daily including Son, Rumba, Afro-Cuban, Timba & more
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Connect to the rhythms more deeply! Dancing, singing or playing percussion alongside renowned musicians is an experience like no other (and musicians who bring another instrument can also sit in)!
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Support local artists & entrepreneurs throughout your time on the island. This program is designed to help you make a true difference as people rebuild their small businesses post-pandemic. We will provide numerous ways that you can engage and help!
Register early and receive a FREE private lesson in the area that best suits you and your goals! (Dance, Music or Language)
QUESTIONS?
Program Dates: Begins Sun, July 28, 2024
Final Payment Due: Wed, May 15, 2024
Bonus: Register by Wed, May 1, 2024 for a FREE private lesson
Prices Increase Feb 20* & May 20**
PROGRAM DETAILS
(click on each tab to learn more)
Dance & Music Workshops
One of the highlights of our trips is seeing how each traveler’s skills elevate in such a short time! Every workshop will include the history of the genre, as well as the essential connection between the music and the dance. Each traveler will be able to choose if their focus is more music or more dance… or evenly divided between the two. Some workshops will take place in a studio, and others out in nature - all with distinguished instructors from Havana! All workshops will be divided into levels or styles when needed to ensure maximum enjoyment and learning for all!
Cultural Outings
Not only will you have the opportunity to grow your music and dance skills while in Havana, you will also have the chance to count some of the most thrilling experiences in the city among your adventures!
From exploring the historic streets and plazas of Old Havana, to learning about the world-famous classic cars that Cuban mechanics miraculously keep running, you will be enchanted by the electric aura of the city.
The arts come alive as you attend uplifting dance & music & performances, and visit artists’ homes and galleries. You will also get to take your new skills out on the town by going to cultural events with your instructors, and testing your new moves in an enthralling performance environment!
Free Time
While our travelers love our group workshops and cultural activities, they also love the fact that each day they have free time to do things on their own or with just a few friends.
Whether it’s taking a private lesson or scheduling a photo shoot, relaxing with a masseuse or exploring the city in a 1950’s convertible… you will tell us your hopes and ideas and we will make them a reality.
In Cuba google often is inaccurate, and you can’t make a reservation online. Our team on the ground will make it all possible, through their networks of contacts, and knowing who to call or where to go to find what you are looking for… or something even better than you had imagined!
Many things work best when planned in advance, so we will ask you about your interests and goals when you register, and will follow up with you when we have some recommendations you might enjoy. You can also make requests on the ground, and we will do our best to support you! (Although some things may not be possible without some pre-planning).
PRICE & INCLUSIONS
8 Days/7 Nights: $1975/person (shared room)
(single room upgrade: $350)
* Price after Feb 20: $2125/person + $400 for single upgrade
** Price after May 20: $2275/person + $500 for single upgrade
What's Included:
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Lodging in shared rooms in comfortable Casas Particulares (or upgrade to single room)
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Daily breakfast (Includes fresh fruit, coffee or tea, toast, eggs & juice)
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Additional Daily Meal – mix of lunches & dinners (Includes main dish options, rice, beans, vegetables and more. Drinks available for purchase)
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Farewell Event with artists & hosts
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Transport to & from Airport if you travel within our flight window (or request taxi)
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Transport TO all program activities, and home where listed. (When we do not include a taxi home, it's so that you have the freedom & flexibility to choose the time you wish to leave.)
Optional Add-Ons (purchased in advance)
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Music Intensive - $250
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Private Lessons: $50 - 1 lesson; $120 - 3 lessons
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Taxi To/From Airport (If not in flight window): $60
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Additional Items Upon Request (i.e shows, photo/video shoots, massages, etc.)
MetaMovements Program Activities
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A full-time schedule of activities that fulfills U.S. & Cuban regulations as well as your personal goals and requests (Includes 6-8 hours per day of activities that fit this license category, plus the additional requests you make for your Free Time)
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Assistance in coordinating Free Time activities
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Dance & music workshops each morning with renowned artists (plus add-on options for those who want more!)
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3 evenings of dance & music with Cuban hosts
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Cultural Exchanges with Los Fundadores, ViaDanza, La Colmenita, Fiesta del Tambor, & More!
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The Panorama of Cuban Music & Dance–our popular interactive history presentation
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Tours in Old Havana, including in an antique car!
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Add-on opportunities for private instruction & small group intensives with excellent instructors that will take you to a higher level in just a few sessions!
Schedule Guarantee: The schedule in Cuba is always subject to change, but the regulations are clear that you must complete a full program, regardless. In the event of an in-country schedule change, we will arrange or provide options for activities that will fulfill US regulations as well as meet your interests & goals. All dance & music add-ons booked in advance will be included in your final schedule.
MetaMovements Support Package
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A pre-departure briefing, travel preparation & consultation (including packing & spending advice, and Cuba travel tips).
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Knowledgeable & friendly hosts who will meet with you each day to assist you with special requests and communicate updates to you regarding your schedule.
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24-hour assistance available in the case of emergencies.
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Consultation on how to fulfill & document US legal requirements.
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MetaMovements Director, Anara Frank, as your personal guide.
Special Features
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Learn about how everything–from antique cars to musical instruments–stays working beautifully with scarcity of supplies in a humid climate, thanks to the human touch!
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Learn about daily life for artists and entrepreneurs, how they got started in their careers, what inspires them, and their hopes and dreams for the future.
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Visits to artists studios, Malecon and many beloved points of interest in Havana!
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Explore the African roots in music, dance, art and other aspects of Cuban culture.
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Opportunities to experience multiple types of live music or dance performances.
Not Included
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Flights (We can make recommendations at no cost or book for you for a $45 fee.)
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Visa (Purchased through your airline)
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Any extra activities, transport, food or drinks
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Tips & Gratuities (For local servers, bartenders, artists, hosts, drivers, house-keepers.)
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Guaranteed roommate for each traveler (If you sign up with a roommate and both request each other, we will put you together! If you are traveling solo, we can check if there is someone else who wants a roommate, or you can select the single upgrade!)
TRAVEL FAQs
Payments on the Ground
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We will help you request, reserve and pay for many things before your trip to ensure availability and so you don’t need to carry as much cash with you.
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In Cuba you cannot use U.S. credit cards, debit cards, travelers checks, ATMs, or electronic payment systems like venmo or paypal due to U.S. regulations.
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We recommend bringing cash for additional expenses you may have on the ground. We will help you exchange your dollars for Cuban pesos after you have arrived in Havana. There is not a legal way to do this in the US.
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Many activities or purchases do not offer refunds… although some may offer transfers.
Getting There
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IMPORTANT ITINERARY INFO
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Arrival Window: Saturday, January 6, 1-3 pm. Bus will depart from Terminal 3 at 4 pm.
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Departure Window: Saturday, January 13, 1-3 pm. Bus will depart from lodging at 9:30 am, arriving at Terminal 3 around 10 am.
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We recommend selecting your flights to fit within our “travel window” so that your airport transfers are included in your travel package.
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We also welcome travelers who need to arrive or depart at different times, but they will need to pay the additional cost of a private ride to or from their lodging.
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We recommend Delta, American, or JetBlue as they all utilize Terminal 3. United is also possible, but sometimes it's in Terminal 2, so there may be a wait if it doesn't arrive at Terminal 3.
HOW TO REGISTER
Select Your Payment Plan
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Pay in Full Now
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Pay $350 non-refundable deposit
We will send you an invoice for the remainder of your balance (including any additional add-ons you request).
Important: Trip is non-refundable. If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your program to another person for this same travel program and dates ONLY.
Complete Your Application
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Need a roommate? Fill out the roommate request . (We'll do our best to match you, but if there are none available, you will be charged for a single upgrade.)
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Prefer staying alone? Request the single upgrade.
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Check out the add-on options and let us know if you'd like to add a dance or music intensive or a private lesson package.
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Click the Register button to join!