Sunset by Vladimir Iglesias.

Proyecto Palo Monte is an ongoing exploration of the AfroCuban values and traditions.
--- Visit www.AFROCUBA.org or write to PaloMonte@afrocuba.org
PALO MONTE VIDEO:
There is a 30 mints. documentary about the previous trips of PROYECTO PALO MONTE (Available by sending your mailing address and a check or money order for $10.00 to Stage Of The Arts, Inc. (P.O.Box 26688, Los Angeles, CA 90026) and refer to PayPal.
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Aché
Look at the previous Palo Monte Project's:

PALO MONTE 2000 Project
PALO MONTE 2002 Project

PALO MONTE 2003

SPRING EQUINOC VIA CUBA:

PALO MONTE TRIP (HavanaWay)

Our next trip will be in 2003, departure on March 21 with option to one or two weeks in Cuba.

The two week-long experience of Proyecto Palo Monte is guaranteed to stir the rhythms in anyone. Proyecto Palo Monte is an educational collaboration between Stage Of The Arts, Inc. of Los Angeles, California, Educational Opportunity Program and International Programs and Services of California State University in Los Angeles. It will be taught at (CNEART) Centro Nacional de Escuelas de Arte.

This course will focus on "but not be limited to" dance and/or percussion classes. We believe in giving the student more options as far as choosing a certain dance or rhythmic form that they are particularly passionate about, as well as giving them the chance to choose from a variety of teachers, many of which are highly respected in Havana for their knowledge and for their ability to relay that knowledge skillfully. This is further enhanced when a student picks teacher that he or she clicks with.

For dance students, subjects of study will be the folkloric traditions of the Yoruba, the Congo, and Arara, specifically, Rumba, Palo, the Orisha dances, Comparsas, and dances of the Oriente, "Afro-Haitian," with an introduction to accompanying music and songs. The popular dances will include, the Son, Danzon, the Mambo, the Chachacha, the Casino "Cuban salsa", Timba, Latin Jazz, and their relationship to Afro Cuban culture.

For drummers and percussionists, the folkloric rhythm "for congas" Bembe, Guiro, Rumba, Palo and Comparsa. And the techniques and rhythmic patterns of the Bata drums, with an introduction to the accompanying songs. *All these patterns can be adapted for drum set. The popular rhythm or Tumbaos of the more traditional styles for congas, bongos, timbales, guiro and maracas, include the Son, Mambo and Chachacha. And the modern styles, Songo, Timba and Latin jazz. *Music courses are not limited to drums and percussion. Classes are available in the full range of instruments with courses in understanding clave, phrasing, improvisation, concept in arranging and orchestration.

Everything from Stravinsky to Mozambique!

CNEART has been teaching all aspects of Cuban culture since its foundation 37 years ago, making it one of longest running companies in this field.

Located in the Miramar section of Havana, CNEArt comes equipped with large double and triple occupancy rooms which include: hot and water, air-conditioning, TV, refrigerator, closets, and access to e-mail and fax.

Right next door is a nice restaurant with an extensive menu, with breakfast and dinner included free.

The building where the schools are housed is equipped with large classrooms with wooden floors, mirrors and all the necessary apparatus for dance and music students. It is a 2-story building with dance rooms on both floors.

There are other classrooms for song infraction, drumming and lectures. With well over 50 instructors from ages 17 to 71, you shall get the most comprehensive learning experience possible in a 2 week period. In fact many of the other music and dance companies borrow instructors from CNEART to complement their classes.

For the above said reasons, CNEART is our first choice in dance and music instruction.

If you are a professor interested in providing academic credits for music, dance or arts classes at CNEART, we may be tailoring this experience to your needs. Contact Karel Hernandez, Cuban visiting scholar at IPS CalStateLA (administrative building) or contact him at Webmaster@afrocuba.org or phone/fax (323) 960-0389.

Our next trip will be in 2003, departure on Friday March 21, 2003 with option to one or two weeks in Cuba.

Please, register by Friday February 20, 2003 to secure participation. We need your name, address and passport number. A nonrefundable deposit of $500.00 is requested by March 1, 2003. Please, mail check of money order to Stage Of The Arts, Inc. P.O.Box 26688, Los Angeles, California 20026.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Tours through the old parts of the city and museums. During the tour we will also enjoy cultural events such as Sabado de la Rumba featuring the performers of the Conjunto Folklorico National. The performance takes place in a beautiful patio known as the Palenque (Cuban word referring to Sanctuary for runaway slaves, the Cimarrones). Also Callejon de Hamel (Hamel alley) in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood, very near the university of Havana, which is well over 200 years old, where we'll visit the would famous gallery and surreal dwelling of internationally acclaimed muralist and sculptor, Salvador Gonzalez. From here he directs his ambitious projects, most striking of which are the huge mural paintings portraying the entire Pantheon of Afro-Cuban folklore...a suitable backdrop for the best Rumberos in Havana, who play there every Sunday afternoon.

The group may also attend a Toque de Santo. This is a Santeria religious celebration to give our students the opportunity to take part in this religious celebration in an authentic environment so they can experience the mixture of music, song, dance and the feeling of the ceremony.

There will be a break from Havana in the middle of the 2 weeks for an Eco-tour in Viñales, one of the most scenic and beautiful provinces in Cuba.

It's famous for its large caves, limestone formations and tobacco and coffee plantations. It also stands out for the warmth and friendliness of it's inhabitants.

The group will also do a retreat into Matanzas, a stronghold of Afro Cuban culture, and experience the deep African history and culture, unique to this region.

The day to day schedule will be:

. Friday night March 21, 2003.............Airport pick up. Lodging at the residential houses of CNEArt ( 3 to 4 beds rooms). Welcoming Party for the group at the Rancho el Sauce, live music and drinks.

. Saturday morning 22.........Old Havana Tour, folklore show at the Palenque.

. Sunday 23...................Callejon de Hamel, 2nd. tour through Havana, museums, etc.

. Monday 24...................Departure for Matanzas in the morning.

Workshops begin with an "encounter with the local people", lunch, actors workshop, hand-made books workshop at La Vigia, visit to Pharmaceutical Museum and performance of Charlie Chaplin, the play (night time)

. Tuesday 25..................Workshop "Sensorial Interactive Experience"

(It boils down to participants telling a real life story or anecdote which will then be acted out by professional actors). Lunch then dance and music workshops by Afro Cuba de Matanzas. Dinner. Leave for Havana at night.

. Wednesday 26.................4-hour classes . Percussion and dance

. Thursday 27.................4-hour classes . Percussion and dance. Toque de Santo in the evening.

. Friday 28...................4-hour classes . Percussion and dance

1-week participants return to the States. Remaining participants continue to Valle deVinales.

. Saturday 29.................Departure for Vinales early in the morning. Lunch. Horse back ride through the countryside. Guateque Campesino

. Sunday 30...................Breakfast. Visit to El Moncada community for an 1-hr long underground tour through one of the largest caves in Latin America: Santo Tomas. Visit to the Acuaticos in the Infierno Sierra. Dinner.

Return to Havana at night.

. Monday 31...................4-hr classes. Percussion and dance

. Tuesday 1 April.............4-hr classes. Percussion and dance

. Wednesday 2..................4-hr classes. Percussion and dance

. Thursday 3..................4-hr classes. Percussion and dance. Farewell Party at sunset.

. Friday 4....................Airport drop off. Group departs for LAX, USA..

PAYMENTS

Cost for the trip is $1,995.00 USD for the two weeks.

$689.00 (or whatever is the current airfare at that time) should be paid to Marimar Travel, 3325 Tweedy Blvd. South Gate, CA 90280 Tel: (323) 569-7147; Fax: (323) 569-2007.

There should be a deposit of $500.00 paid by March 1 with the remaining total of $806.00 to be paid to Stage Of The Arts, Inc. for the two weeks trip before departure on March 21, 2003.

After paying the $500.00 deposit, the one week trip is $153.00 plus airfare.

www.afrocuba.org/palo2003.