Contradance/Folk Studies Tour To Cuba
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Update on Cuba Folk Studies Tour
The American Dance Friendship Tour is organizing a citizen diplomacy
contradance tour to Cuba with Michael Richardson as Caller and Laurie Andres
and Armin Barnett as musicians. Michael is known to many in the Seattle area
for his spirited and humorous calling style. As an accomplished fiddle
player as well Michael will be a vital resource on the tour. Laurie is well
known as one of the most popular dance musicians at camps and festivals
throughout the country. His command of keyboards and accordions is
legendary. Armin has established himself for his versatile fiddle style and
his irrepressible sense of humor.
The tour will leave from Miami at 8:30 am on April 2. Participants will
arrive in Miami on the evening of April 1. (Please note that all dates are
subject to change. Travel arrangements have not yet been finalized.) This
will give the group some time to get to know one another and to have a dance
together before embarking.
In Cuba the group will visit Havana (La Habana in Spanish), Sancti Spiritus,
and Cienfuegos (literally translates as "100 fires"). Havana is the largest
city in Cuba and is near the water. Sancti Spiritus is east and a bit south
of Havana, inland. It's a small town. The hotel will be in the countryside,
near a large lake. Among other things tour participants will meet with a
"cooperative" there, bringing drink and snacks, and partying. Cienfuegos, a
small city on the beach, is a bit northwest from Sancti Spiritus. The group
may be honored with a block party, closing off the street for dancing and
socializing with residents. There will also be a day trip from Havana to
Matanzas or Cardenas, towns east of Havana and both on or near the beach.
Matanzas, in particular, is known for its strong music and dance traditions
and is the home of "Los Munequitos", an internationally recognized Cuban
music and dance group..
This is the first tour of its kind to Cuba combining folk studies with the
gift of music and dance in a spirit of friendship. Chances are that there
will never be another one quite like it. With the rapidly changing economic
and political forces impacting our relationship with Cuba it is unlikely that
anything will remain the same for long. We may never have another chance to
visit Cuba as it exists today.
Estimated cost of the tour is $1700 (from Miami). If you would like to be a
part of this adventure now is the time to make your intention known. The
tour is open to anyone who agrees with the citizen diplomacy purpose of the
tour. There are no dance skill requirements. To reserve a space send a
deposit check for $300 to ADFT, PO. Box 14351, Berkeley, CA 94701. For
further information call (415) 306-0464 or send email to <ad...@aol.com>.
Current Cuba Tour Participants
1/18/94
Sandy Allen, Aptos, CA
Lauri Andres, Seattle, WA
Armin Barnett, Seattle, WA
Irene Endresen, Seattle, WA
Margo Malone, Bellingham, WA
Greg Mc
Kenzie, Monterey, CA
Matt Mero, Seattle, WA
Cara Moore, Santa Barbara, CA
Dan Norman, Sc
otts Valley, CA
Michael Richardson, Seattle, WA
Merrie Sennett, Kensington, CA
Gary Shapiro,
Santa Barbara, CA
Laurie Stoerkel, San Francisco, CA
Mary Thompson, Los Angeles, CA