Culture Clash in Cuba
ITINERARY: ARTISTS, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY
April 20-28, 2025
SPECIAL EVENT:
A Live skit and Q&A session about the tour
Join us on Monday, February 10, from 4-5 pm PST on Zoom to meet with Culture Clash and Project Por Amor in a discussion about our insider's journey to Havana on April 24-29. Culture Clash will tell jokes as we learn more about their upcoming unparalleled cultural immersion, blending captivating performances, enriching discussions, and unique encounters with Cuba's vibrant art scene. In addition we will share some of our favorite Cuban cocktails recipes, You’re invited to take part in this historical getaway. Let us answer all your questions and get a taste of what’s in store this Spring. Make sure to register for the webinar in advance!
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
DAY 1: SUNDAY, APRIL 20 | WELCOME TO HAVANA
Meet at Havana International Airport and transfer to our accommodations
When you arrive in Havana, you will pass through customs, get your bags, and exit the airport. Don’t be alarmed if it takes a long time to get your luggage. Cuba has a slow x-ray system to scan all bags. When you exit the airport, you will be greeted by our Cuban tour guide, chauffeur, and U.S.-based tour leader who will be holding a Performance Art Museum sign. We will gather outside the airport in groups according to arrival times and transfer to our Havana hotel. During the drive PPA travel staff will introduce themselves and introduce the artists to Havana and answer questions relevant to the artistic work they are about to embark on with Cuban theater artists
A smooth landing in Havana!
Check into the Casa Calis Boutique Hotel
We will be staying with Ricardo, Richard, and Herbert at one of our favorite private boutique hotels in the heart of Havana. This charming, comfortable, and stylish house is set in the centrally located Vedado neighborhood. The staff is very friendly and serves the best breakfasts in the city. This is an opportunity to support independent small businesses and get to know Cuban people on a more personal level.
Casa Calis boutique hotel
Plaza de la Revolución
On the way to our hotel, we will make a brief stop at the Plaza de la Revolución to see ministries, the José Martí Memorial, the giant wall sculptures of Che Guevara and revolutionary hero Camilo Cienfuegos, as well as learn the history of the plaza and the National Theater which was inaugurated in 1959 and a testament to Havana's wealth of Mid-20th Century architecture.
Plaza de la Revolución
6:00 pm ~ Classic Convertible Scenic Car Ride
We will travel to our evening events “Havana Style” in a fleet ofspecially selected 1950s American convertibles that will take us on a scenic route throughHavana’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Stop briefly at Plaza de la Revolución to see ministries, monuments to José Martí, and the colossal image of Che Guevara and other Revolution superstars.
Classic 1950s convertible ride
8:00 pm ~ Dinner at El Cocinero
Enjoy a welcome dinner at El Cocinero, a once dilapidated oil factory on the banks of the Almendares River transformed into one of the first 5-star private restaurants in Cuba, catering to Cubans, visitors from all over the world, famous stars and royalty in an eclectic ambience with international cuisine.
El Cocinero rooftop restaurant
10:00 pm ~ Rumba class and evening at Fabrica de Arte Cubano
Experience Havana’s hippest new magnet for the urban and chic: an old peanut oil factory transformed into a multi-level and seemingly infinite art and music space exhibiting contemporary photography, installations, sculptures, three music stages, tapas, and seven bars. This new cultural hangout is an entrepreneurial project of Cuban celebrity musician X Alfonso. The “Cuban Art Factory” is a shining reflection of what the future might hold for Havana and is the host venue for Culture Clash’s symposium and performance in Cuba. Join in the weekly Rumba class at the FAC and immerse in the traditional Cuban culture. Meet with the founders of FAC and their production team and discover how this unprecedented social, art and entertainment complex that has grown into Time Magazine's list of 100 Best Places in the World, creating an inclusive entertainment and culture.
Fabrica de Arte Cubano
DAY 2: MONDAY, April 21 | IMMERSION INTO OLD HAVANA
8:00am ~ Breakfast at our hotel
Wake up to a typical Cuban home-cooked breakfast of strong Cuban coffee served with fresh tropical fruit, eggs, toast, cheese, ham, and freshly squeezed juice.
Daily deluxe breakfast buffet at hotel
9:00 am ~ Production meeting at Casa Cali with project producers Adolfo Nodal and Maria Romeu (optional)
We will have a meeting on the objective of the day's activities and their relevance to the artistic project.
10:30 am ~ Strolling Tour of the Four Grand Plazas of Old Havana
Explore the heart of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where colonial architecture stands beautifully preserved alongside timeworn buildings. Wander through galleries, contemporary art spaces, and boutique museums, beginning at the vibrant Plaza Vieja with its stunning Cuban art exhibits. Stroll down Calle Los Mercaderes to Plaza de Armas, the birthplace of Havana, and discover the incredible restoration efforts led by City Historian Eusebio Leal, breathing new life into over 500 years of history.
Habana Vieja
12:30 pm ~ Rooftop lunch at Loft Bahia
Enjoy a stunning rooftop lunch at Loft Bahia, a restaurant created by the Estampa Collection. Savor panoramic views of the Bahia de La Habana, while soaking in the vibrant energy of La Avenida del Puerto below.
Loft Bahia
2:00 pm ~ Exploration of Old Havana
After lunch, visit Factoria Diseño, a remarkable gallery showcasing rescued mid-20th-century furniture and accessories that celebrate Havana's rich design history. Next door is L'Antigua Habana, an antique bookstore filled with Cuban history, offering a treasure trove of collectibles from vintage stamps to old vinyl records. The owners are on hand to guide you in finding unique pieces of Cuba's cultural heritage. Finally, explore the charming Plaza de San Francisco de Asis and Plaza de La Catedral, where you can meet local creators like CHIVO, a project dedicated to restoring antique bicycles. Join founder Alfonso Fernandez Castillo for a bike tour of Old Havana and see the city through the eyes of a true Habanero.
Factoria Diseño & L’Antigua Habana
4:00 pm ~ Time at leisure
Return to the hotel, recharge your batteries, check email, or take a siesta.
7:00 pm ~ First Workshop
Sit in on the introductory workshop with Culture Clash and Cuban artists at Galería Taller Gorria in the San Isidro District. We’ll be greeted by actor Jorge Perugorría and his son Adan (who directs the project) with an introduction to the neighborhood to discuss the community of San Isidro, Perugorria’s vision for the community, and the controversial role of San Isidro in recent history. Culture Clash will begin to demonstrate their signature style and methods for creating characters that personify the social, cultural and political attitudes of contemporary Cuba through comedy and social commentary. This is a style of creation that can be said to be "patented" by Culture Clash throughout their 40 years of notoriety. They will also introduce the "Chicano" culture and discuss the traditional solidarity of this culture with the Cuban people.
Jorge Perugorría
9:30 pm ~ Dinner at Yarini with Cuban artists
Yarini Habana is located on the top of the recently remodeled building that houses the Gorría art gallery, one of the most active cultural spaces in the city. A striking green neon hat displays the entrance, and after climbing a long staircase you arrive at the stunningly calm restaurant. The design is minimalist and modern, with a cool industrial vibe.
Yarini Habana
DAY 3: TUESDAY, APRIL 22 I AFRO-CUBAN RELIGION
Breakfast at our hotel
Wake up to a typical Cuban home-cooked breakfast of strong Cuban coffee served with fresh tropical fruit, eggs, toast, cheese, ham, and freshly squeezed juice. Take the morning to relax.
Daily Cuban breakfast
11:30 am ~ Ernest Hemingway’s Finca Vigía
Visit the hilltop house of American writer Ernest Hemingway where he lived from 1940 – 1960 with his wife, Martha Gellhorn, and their children. Cuba was Hemingway’s most frequented country where he wrote The Old Man and the Sea, To Have and Have Not, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Hemingway donated his Nobel Prize to the Cuban people. His home in San Francisco de Paula has recently been the subject of a massive preservation effort by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. At this estate, you will see his sport fishing boat, the Pilar. The Finca Vigia estate and the fishing village of Cojimar are considered the most significant locales for those interested in Hemmingway’s history. We will also do a short visit to a neighborhood arts project at the Lidice Theater.
Ernest Hemingway’s Finca Vigia
1:00 pm ~ Lunch at La Esquina
We'll have a light lunch at a neighborhood outdoor cafe called La Esquina. Family-owned and operated by an Italian and Cuban couple, they specialize in salads, calzones, and other unique innovations.
2:30 pm ~ Visit to the Homes of Afro-Cuban Spiritual Leaders
Meet Afro-Cuban religious practitioners in this authentic and once-in-a-lifetime invitation to go inside the homes of a “palero” (Palo del Monte) and a “babalawo” (Santería). As sacred Congo and Nigerian worldviews, respectively, combined with Catholicism, new belief systems emerged in Colonial Cuba. Members of these religious traditions will share their altars that are made to communicate with the dead, the saints, and a pantheon of African deities. The journey will take place in Cayo Hueso, beginning in Parque Trillo and ending at the Callejón de Hamel. This is an opportunity to discuss religious practices that continue to have great importance in Cuban culture.
Afro-Cuban religion
4:30 pm ~ Ferry to Regla
We will take the people’s ferry to the other side of the bay to Regla to explore the vibrant community there. We'll visit the Shrine of Yemaya - La Virgen de Regla, stroll through the neighborhood, and connect with locals, including Cuban residents and ex-pats dedicated to community efforts. We’ll arrange a meeting with Betty “Greensoul,” a yoga instructor and Thai masseuse, as well as a family of musicians and other notable community members.
Our afternoon concludes at Centro Bahía and a nearby ice cream shop in Regla, famous for its recently restored neon sign by Habana Light. Here, the troupe will learn about the significance of neon lighting in Havana and the restoration project led by Cuban artist Kadir Lopez and Project Por Amor aimed at revitalizing historic signage throughout the city.
Regla neighborhood
6:00 pm ~ Time at leisure
Return to the hotel, recharge your batteries, check email, or take a siesta.
8:00 pm ~ Dinner and live jazz at Fangio Habana
A vibrant bar and restaurant, within the Claxon Hotel, that offers a Mediterranean-Caribbean fusion with international influences. The menu is crafted around fresh, healthy ingredients and proudly collaborates with local producers. We will also enjoy jazz with the legendary Ernan Lopez Nussa at Fangio’s Rooftop bar.
Fangio Habana rooftop jazz
Optional: Late night pub-crawl
King Bar, Johnny, and other late night spots where the troupe can explore real Cuba by night for more material for workshops and performances.
El Johnny Club
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23 | CUBAN MUSEUMS
Breakfast at our hotel
Wake up to a typical Cuban home-cooked breakfast of strong Cuban coffee served with fresh tropical fruit, eggs, toast, cheese, ham, and freshly squeezed juice.
Daily Cuban breakfast
10:00 am ~ Cuban capitol tour
Cuba’s stunning Capitol building was constructed after the forming of the Republic of Cuba and adopted the exact same architecture as the U.S. Capitol but made to be one meter taller. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959 the Castro government moved out of this building into new government offices built around the Revolutionary Square. The former capitol sat empty for decades until undergoing a massive restoration initiated of over ten years. It is now being used again as the seat of the Parliament and the National Assembly under Cuba’s first new president post-Castro. It is also a museum that is open for guided tours only. We'll split into four groups for guided tours.
Cuban capitol building
11:30 am ~ Museum of the Revolution
Housed inside the former Presidential Palace and decorated by the world-famous Tiffany's, the Museo de la Revolución tells the – admittedly partial – story of the Cuban Revolution, with explanations provided in both English and Spanish. Bullet holes remaining after a failed assassination attempt of the palace's last resident, former president Fulgencio Batista, are still clearly visible in the hall area.
Museum of the Revolution in Batista’s Presidential Palace
12:30 pm ~ Lunch at Ivan Chef Justo
The style of the place is thoroughly Cuban-Mediterranean, located on the second and third floors of a building that is over 200 years old. Cooked by Fidel Castro’s former chef, the food is nothing short of spectacular. Here we’ll have an orientation to go over basics of being in Cuba.
Ivan Chef Justo paladar
2:30 pm ~ Time at leisure
Return to the hotel, recharge your batteries, check email, or take a siesta.
Clandestina
4:30 pm ~ Meet local fashion designers
Experience Havana’s vibrant fashion scene by meeting some of its top designers and ateliers. We will meet with Cucu Diamantes, renowned singer and designer, at her Capicua Atelier/Boutique in Centro Habana, where you’ll gain insight into the creative process and the efforts to revive Cuba's once-thriving fashion and design culture. While here, explore the beauty of Centro Habana and connect with local residents. Then, visit the Clandestina Printing Workshop at Almacenes San Jose, where the troupe can create custom T-shirts and learn about Clandestina’s journey as Cuba’s first post-revolution private label to achieve global recognition.
8:00 pm ~ Dinner at Rita y Champagne
We will enjoy a dinner prepared by renowned chef, Sahily Romero, who has re-opened her acclaimed restaurant after 3 years of anticipation. Her culinary delights have been enjoyed by the Obama's, world-famous stars, visitors and her loyal tribe of clients. This venue also serves a line of locally produced farm products and other locally sourced organic foods that is another of Cuba's newest enterprises with the goal of working towards sustainability and local economic growth.
Rita y Champagne
DAY 5: THURSDAY, April 24 | REHEARSALS
Breakfast at our hotel and morning on your own
Wake up to a typical Cuban home-cooked breakfast of strong Cuban coffee served with fresh tropical fruit, eggs, toast, cheese, ham, and freshly squeezed juice. Take the morning to catch up on work or explore Havana independently. Lunch on your own. We’ll make recommendations.
Daily Cuban breakfast
1:00 pm ~ Open rehearsals of Culture Clash (optional)
Sit in on rehearsals that begin at Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC). Lunch will be a working lunch catered.
3:30 pm ~ Visit to Museo de Bellas Artes Cuban Collection with curator Cristina Vives
Explore the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, a captivating journey through Cuban and international art. In the Palacio de Bellas Artes, you'll discover vibrant Cuban works, from stunning 17th-century landscapes to contemporary masterpieces by artists like Wifredo Lam. The experience continues at the Palacio del Centro Asturiano, where European paintings and ancient art provide a global perspective, all set in a historic building that adds to the immersive artistic experience. We will enjoy a private guided visit to accommodate the rehearsal schedule
Museo de Bellas Artes
5:00 pm ~ Cocktails at Cha Cha Cha
We will enjoy a cocktail and meet local poet, influencer and personality, George Wilson Perez aka Thiago, the doorman and main attraction (other than the food and cocktails) of this iconic venue.
Return to Casa Cali to freshen up
Return to the hotel, recharge your batteries, check email, or take a siesta.
8:00 pm ~ Dinner with fans tour & local artists at Antojos
We will enjoy an entertaining dinner at Restaurante Antojos in Old Havana, joined by the members of the fans tour. Antojos is a vibrant, must-visit restaurant nestled in Espada Alley on the edge of Habana Vieja. Known for its lively atmosphere, red parasols, and live music, Antojos offers a top-tier dining experience with classic Cuban dishes like croquettes and ropa vieja, alongside an impressive selection of handcrafted cocktails.
DAY 6: FRIDAY, April 25 | REGLASOUL
8:00 am ~ Breakfast at our hotel
Wake up to a typical Cuban home-cooked breakfast of strong Cuban coffee served with fresh tropical fruit, eggs, toast, cheese, ham, and freshly squeezed juice.
Daily Cuban breakfast
10:00 am ~ Presentation, discussion, cooking class, and lunch at ReglaSOUL
ReglaSOUL is a community project with a purpose to provide sustainable solutions for disparities as experienced by the Afro-descendant people in our neighborhoods. They seek to confront how day-to-day lives in our community are disproportionately impacted by issues of food apartheid, ecological racism. They have an urban farm and run workshops on many topics. We’ll meet with the founders, a Cuban Hip-Hop pioneer and activist Alexey Rodríguez and his wife, independent filmmaker, photographer, and food justice advocate Amberly Alene Ellis-Rodríguez. They’ll share their story, give us a cooking class, and treat us to a farm-to-table lunch.
Cooking class, discussion, and lunch at ReglaSOUL
2:00 pm ~ Time at leisure
Return to the hotel, recharge your batteries, check email, or take a siesta.
9:00 pm ~ Dinner and Live Music at Vitrola Social Club
We will reunite in one of Vedado's newest venues with excellent food - al carbón - in a beautifully eclectic venue with one of Havana's best live music stages featuring the top bands in Cuba every weekend.
Vitrola Social Club
DAY 7: SATURDAY, APRIL 26 | CHICANO SYMPOSIUM
8:00am ~ Breakfast at our hotel
Wake up to a typical Cuban home-cooked breakfast of strong Cuban coffee served with fresh tropical fruit, eggs, toast, cheese, ham, and freshly squeezed juice.
Daily Cuban breakfast
10:00 am ~ Discussion: The Cuban Political Economy with Marc Frank
Marc Frank is a well-known American author and journalist who has been living in Cuba with his family since 1993. He will tell us about how Cuba’s planned economy and political system works and doesn’t work and what changes the state is working on for the future with their new constitution, new currency system, and many post-pandemic challenges. Marc Frank is the leading economic correspondent to Cuba for Thomson Reuters. We’ll have a conversation with Marc, Culture Clash, and the Fan Tour.
The Cuban economy
11:30 am ~ Colón Cemetery guided tour
Visit one of the oldest, largest, and most famous cemeteries in the Americas. It is the place to really learn about Cuba. There are several centuries of scandals, intrigue, and history literally buried here. With raised tombs, this architectural landmark compares to Pere Lachaise (Paris) or St. Louis (New Orleans). Don’t miss the tomb of La Milagrosa.
Colón Cemetery
12:30 pm ~ Lunch at Grados Paladar
Enjoy lunch at Grados Paladar, where each dish showcases meticulous attention to detail and intricate recipes of traditional Cuban dishes creatively prepared in a contemporary vision. Witness the passion and energy of the kitchen as fresh ingredients are transformed into exquisite meals by the emerging generation of Millenial chefs. Make sure to try one of their home-made fermented drinks such as ginger beer, kombucha, or the Cuban “Pru oriental.”
2:00 pm ~ Time at leisure
Return to the hotel, recharge your batteries, check email, or take a siesta.
5:00 pm ~ Culture Clash Symposium on Chicano Culture at Fábrica de Arte Cubano
The troupe will impart a presentation to the Havana Arts Community and the general public about elements of Chicano Culture through a set of remarks and illustrations provided by Culture Clash to provide a better understanding of this unique American culture. The troupe will ask for audience participation to include attendants in a conversation.
Culture Clash Symposium on Chicano Culture
8:00 pm ~ Dinner party at Habana Light with fans
Celebrate at Kadir Lopez and Adolfo Nodal’s neon workshop and restaurant in Vedado. Habana Light Neon Studios is dedicated to restoring Havana’s iconic neon lighting, reviving the city's vibrant past by bringing historic neon signs back to life, blending art, heritage, and urban renewal. We’ll indulge in live band, catered Cuban dinner, and interaction with the Culture Clash fan tour on their back patio and neon gallery.
Dinner party at Habana Neon
DAY 8: SUNDAY, APRIL 27 | PERFORMANCE
Breakfast at our hotel
Wake up to a typical Cuban home-cooked breakfast of strong Cuban coffee served with fresh tropical fruit, eggs, toast, cheese, ham, and freshly squeezed juice. Enjoy a leisurely morning.
Daily Cuban breakfast
11:00 am ~ Fusterlandia
Meet the ceramicist who has transformed his entire neighborhood into a Gaudi or Brancusi-esque wonderland of sculptures, mosaics, and murals. Artist Jose Fuster’s home and neighborhood gallery has become internationally renowned for community projects where neighbors volunteer their houses to become part of a sprawling masterpiece known as “Fusterlandia".
Fusterlandia
12:30 pm ~ Lunch at Santi Pescador on the Jaimanitas River
Indulge in a seafood lover’s paradise at Grados Paladar, nestled along the picturesque Jaimanitas River. This hidden gem offers fresh seafood prepared with creativity and care, featuring a unique dining experience without a written menu. Enjoy friendly service and take in the spectacular views that surround you.
Santi Pescador
2:30 pm ~ Time to rest and prepare for performances
8:00 pm ~ Culture Clash performances at FAC
Culture Clash will perform, with Cuban actors, an adaptation of one of their original works arising from the group’s interactions in Havana. Two performances will be presented before live audiences in Havana. Dinner for artists in between performances will be at Tierra, a fine dining restaurant located inside FAC.
Culture Clash performance at FAC
10:00 pm ~ VIP Reception with FANS
Celebrate all of the hard work and collaboration throughout the week with the members of the fan tour at Fabrica de Arte Cubano.
Post-show reception
DAY 9: MONDAY, APRIL 28 | ADIOS HAVANA
8:00am ~ Breakfast at our hotel
Wake up to a typical Cuban home-cooked breakfast of strong Cuban coffee served with fresh tropical fruit, eggs, toast, cheese, ham, and freshly squeezed juice.
Transfer to José Martí International Airport
We will bring people to the airport in groups according to departure times. You will be assisted through check in and customs.
Flights Depart Havana for Home Cities
Please Note: Cuba remains a developing country and guests traveling here should adjust their expectations accordingly. Traveling to Cuba on a cultural exchange is quite unlike journeying to other destinations. Delays commonly occur and flexibility and patience on the part of visitors is a must.