Cuba | MetaMovements Travel Programs

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Cuban & Dominican Dance Experience
Presented by MetaMovements & J&L Studio!

Begins Saturday, April 13th, 2024

Join MetaMovements and J&L Studio for an inspiring trip to Cuba this April featuring cultural exchanges with dancers from Cuba, U.S. & the Dominican Republic! Regardless of your dance ability, learn from and dance with amazing instructors from all of these countries in styles that were birthed in each respective country like Bachata and Casino!

For this program we have flexible program dates so you can choose to go for 4 or 7 days (or extend for longer) and you can participate in one of our favorite outdoor dance festivals that features breath-taking performances from around the world juxtaposed against the historic plazas and squares of Old Havana!

If you are a dance and music aficionado looking to learn and explore in one of the most culturally rich and unique cities in the hemisphere, or if you are an artist looking to hone your craft while simultaneously supporting artists on the island, then this trip is for you!

This trip will give you the opportunity to:

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.

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.

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)!

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 Sat April 13, 2024

Final Payment Due: Thurs Feb 15

Bonus: Register by Sun Oct 1

for a FREE private lesson

Prices Increase Oct 20* & Dec 20**

Questions?

Program Details

PROGRAM DETAILS
(click on each tab to learn more)

Dance Intensive

Transform your movement with our Dance Intensive! Spend 2 hours each afternoon diving deep into Cuban Modern Technique with Master Instructors.

Cuban Modern Technique is the foundation for training of professional dancers in Cuba today. It is utilized in all of the top companies–from Afro-Cuban and Contemporary to Hip hop and Salsa–as the base of their continuing development. Created in the 1960s, it is now simply called “The Technique Class,” and it features unique exercises and series designed to help beginner through advanced dancers make large improvements in their form, fluidity, mobility, posture, extension and dynamic expression. Its structure is Graham-based Modern, with the unique movement vocabulary coming from Cuba’s historical roots–primarily Orishas, Congo, Arara and Rumba rhythms from Cuba’s Afro-Cuban Folkloric traditions, and on the European side, Ballet and Flamenco.

By the end of the intensive you will feel stronger, more powerful, and more connected to the Cuban rhythms than ever before. The beautiful undulations that are emblematic of this technique will flow naturally through your body as you move across the floor, and you will truly feel the transformation of your dancing!

Music Intensive

Take a musical journey by joining this Intensive! Spend 2 hours each afternoon diving deep into Rumba and Afro-Cuban rhythms with Master Instructors!

You will learn to identify, play and sing the traditional songs of multiple Orishas from the Yoruba Traditions, as well as Palo, Makuta and Yuka from the Congo region of Africa. You will also be able to perform songs from all three Rumba styles–Yambu, Guaguanco & Columbia, as well as being able to play Cuban Son.

You will have opportunities to play a range of drums and hand percussion instruments, as well as sing chorus–or lead vocals if that is your calling!

After honing your technique and building your repertoire, you will have the chance to practice, play, sing and improvise alongside your teachers as your fellow travelers dance. Don't miss out on this amazing experience for the serious music-lover or musician!

Private Lesson Packages

(Book in advance to guarantee your instructor and style!)

Get the personalized coaching that makes everything come together. Working privately can be the perfect link that helps connect everything you are learning in workshops and while social dancing in a format that is all about YOU. Instructors will focus on your individual goals and growth, giving the advice you need to take your dancing or music to the next level! We recommend three-hour packages because they have made a huge difference for our travelers, but you can request more or less time if you wish.

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 on music or more on 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).

The historic Cuban capital and the largest city in the Caribbean, Havana is a metropolis teeming with a vast variety of art and music. From salsa and rumba to jazz, fusion, electronic music, and nueva trova, the city’s vast musical lineage is present in all corners of the city. Often thought of as separated from the US, Havana (and Cuba as a whole) actually have longstanding cultural relationships with musicians, dancers, artists, organizers, and activists from the US.

In addition to its rich cultural legacy, Havana offers a range of environments and ambiances throughout its many neighborhoods. Vedado, home to la Universidad de La Habana and many central offices, is known for its wide avenues, hotels, parks, and cultural institutions. Centro Habana, the densest area in all of Cuba, is known for its narrow streets, clubs and nightlife, centrality in Yoruba religion, and for being home to the Cayo Hueso neighborhood - a pinnacle and origin point of Rumba and Afro-Cuban music and culture.

To the East, Old Havana constitutes the tourism center of the city with its theaters, art and history museums, gastronomy, wide pedestrian thoroughfares, nightclubs and ballrooms, and shops full with handcrafted and artisanal wares. To the West we find Playa, a large residential neighborhood, with beautiful parks and connections to nature, it is known for being home to a large majority of the embassies and consulates in the country, as well as a few exceptional points of interest for art and music lovers. Throughout the city you can find blends of modern and traditional architecture from various historical periods.

Sweeping through it all, the linchpin of the city, El Malecon (also known as the city’s “sofa”), is a main meeting and gathering point for friends and families, musicians, and celebration.

While the city stretches out much further to neighborhoods with their own flair and style, the above areas are where we will be spending most of our time. You’ll just have to make your way back in order to see all of the city’s magic!

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

PRICE & INCLUSIONS

Price & Inclusions

PRICE & INCLUSIONS

4 Days / 3 Nights (Long Weekend April 13-16): $1299/person, multi-occupancy

(+$200 to upgrade to single occupancy)

* Price after Oct 20: $1449/person + $250 for single upgrade

** Price after Dec 20: $1599/person + $350 for single upgrade

7 Days / 6 Nights (XXL Weekend April 13 -19): $1750/person, multi-occupancy

(+$320 to upgrade to single occupancy)

* Price after Oct 20: $1900/person + $370 for single upgrade

** Price after Dec 20: $2050/person + $420 for single upgrade

What's Included:

Lodging in shared rooms in comfortable Casas Particulares - (or upgrade to single)
Daily breakfast (Includes fresh fruit, coffee or tea, toast, eggs & juice)
Additional Daily Meal – mix of lunches & dinners (Includes main dish options, rice, beans, vegetables and more. Drinks available for purchase)
Farewell Event with artists & hosts
Transport to & from Airport if you travel within our flight window (or request taxi)
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)

Dance or Music Intensive - $250
Private Lessons: $50 - 1 lesson; $120 - 3 lessons
Taxi To/From Airport (If not in flight window): $60
Additional Items Upon Request (i.e shows, photo/video shoots, massages, etc.)

MetaMovements Program Activities

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)
Assistance in coordinating Free Time activities
Dance & music workshops each morning with renowned artists (plus add-on options for those who want more!)
3 evenings of dance & music with Cuban hosts
Cultural Exchanges with Los Fundadores, ViaDanza, La Colmenita, & more, accompanied by U.S. & Dominican dancers
The Panorama of Cuban Music & Dance–our popular interactive history presentation
Tours in Old Havana, including in an antique car!
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

A pre-departure briefing, travel preparation & consultation (including packing & spending advice, and Cuba travel tips).
Knowledgeable & friendly hosts who will meet with you each day to assist you with special requests and communicate updates to you regarding your schedule.
24-hour assistance available in the case of emergencies.
Consultation on how to fulfill & document US legal requirements.
MetaMovements Director, Anara Frank, as your personal guide.

Special Features

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!
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.
Visits to artists studios, Malecon and many beloved points of interest in Havana!
Explore the African roots in music, dance, art and other aspects of Cuban culture.
Opportunities to experience multiple types of live music or dance performances.

Not Included

Flights (We can make recommendations at no cost or book for you for a $45 fee.)
Visa (Purchased through your airline)
Any extra activities, transport, food or drinks
Tips & Gratuities (For local servers, bartenders, artists, hosts, drivers, house-keepers.)
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

Other Travel FAQs

Payments on the Ground

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.
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.
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.
Many activities or purchases do not offer refunds… although some may offer transfers.

Getting There

IMPORTANT ITINERARY INFO
- Arrival Window: Sat, April 13th, 1-3 pm. Bus will depart from Terminal 3 at 4 pm.
- Departure Window: Tues, April 16th or Fri April 19th, 1-3 pm. Bus will depart from lodging at 9:30 am, arriving at Terminal 3 around 10 am.

We recommend selecting your flights to fit within our “travel window” so that your airport transfers are included in your travel package.
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.
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

HOW TO REGISTER

Select Your Payment Plan

Pay in Full Now
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

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.)
Prefer staying alone? Request the single upgrade.
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.
Click the Register button to join!

Please Note: When you fill out the application form, you will have the option of making a $350 deposit or the full payment. Once you select, you will be redirected to our online payment system through Square. They charge a 3% processing fee for all payments made electronically. Your $350 deposit is required to process your application and reserve your spot. If you prefer, you can pay just the deposit via Square and then use another medium for the majority of your payment.

Cuban & Dominican Dance Experience Presented by MetaMovements & J&L Studio!

Begins Saturday, April 13th, 2024

QUESTIONS?

PROGRAM DETAILS (click on each tab to learn more)

PRICE & INCLUSIONS

PRICE & INCLUSIONS

What's Included:

Optional Add-Ons (purchased in advance)

​

MetaMovements Program Activities

MetaMovements Support Package

Special Features

​

Not Included

​

TRAVEL FAQs

HOW TO REGISTER

HOW TO REGISTER

Select Your Payment Plan

​

Complete Your Application

​

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Cuban & Dominican Dance Experience
Presented by MetaMovements & J&L Studio!

PROGRAM DETAILS
(click on each tab to learn more)

Subscribe to our newsletter
Don’t miss information about our upcoming trips, events, classes, and more!