Mar 03

Love2

Cuba Eve—3/2 evening

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Cuba

‘Twas the night before Cuba

And all throughout Verb Ballets

Dancers bounded and babbled in a packing soirée!

…I could keep going with the poetry but I don’t want to lose any newer readers to my terrible rhymes and puns yet. Don’t worry, there will definitely be more as the blog progresses😏

That being said, lemme tell you about my soirée🙄

After I woke up to a still powerless apartment, I went to a fellow company member’s apartment and did laundry I needed for the trip. Thanks Mai!! You and your fabric softener are the bomb! After hanging my tights all over the dressing room to dry, I had company class followed by a public rehearsal of “Yarini”, the ballet we will be performing with the Prodanza company in Cuba. The choreography still feels very new, so it was a little nerve-racking, but it was a lot of fun overall (plus all of the dancers got to eat the extra cheese from the reception–score!). Thanks to everyone who came!

I then went back to my still powerless and freezing apartment to pack…only took me 6 hours, 8 candles, and a bunch of hot tea to make it happen! Below you will see a picture of the final product with my cute boyfriend wearing his winter gear and our adorable yet slightly alien looking dog (Leia doesn’t do well with flash). I miss them already!

Now I’m signing off for 4 short hours of sleep made possible thanks to fellow company dancers Omar, Nata, and Antonio, who have generously allowed me to crash at their place so I don’t turn into an ice dancer before Cuba. Thanks so much, guys! I enjoy watching ice dancing in the Olympics, but let’s just say I am ready to get out of icy CLE and into hot Havana.

Eeeep! It’s happening!!! Here we come, Cuba😎

Kate

Mar 03

Love5

We’re Here! Estamos Aquí!—3/3 pt. 2

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Cuba

Great news: We made it to Cuba without any problems! The flight went smoothly, no one got fatally ill and by some miracle all of our luggage got back to us. Stepping out of a plane to a 75 degree breezy day was a dream come truing traveling from cold CLE.

We are all staying in “Casas Particulares” which are extra rooms that locals open up to tourists. Lexy and are staying with a welcoming woman named Katia who has already given me vast architectural knowledge of the neighborhood (we are staying in a Spanish colonial style building) and made me some killer Cuban coffee. Let’s say I’m already a huge fan👌 Lexy and I share a room with a spacious bathroom and kitchen, all of which open up to a breezy balcony.

Most of us hardly slept the night before, but we got a second wind when we rode with bus driver/DJ extraordinaire to dinner. Armando is the man. Not only does he flash on and off the light on the resurrected American school bus that we are using as our main source of transportation to amp up the atmosphere, but he plays some terrific tunes. My new personal favorite is “Abrazame” by Laura BLAH. It’s so unabashedly over the top!

And now after a delicious dinner of croquettes, tostadas, and black bean salad I am going straight to bed. I am already falling in love with Havana!

🙂 Kate

P.s. For those of you who need a bit more of a background as to how Verb is in Cuba, google the “Cleveland-Havana Ballet”. You can also read up about our company members and artistic staff on our website if you want bios on anyone mentioned. I am working on a first name basis 😉

Mar 02

Love1

Ironic Beginnings—3/1 evening

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Cuba

Hello there!

I write this first blog post from a powerless apartment by candle (and laptop) light. People have been going on and on about how to prepare for touring in a less developed country (pack every drug you own! Pack all of the cliff bars! And lots of hand sanitizer!), yet I can’t even use wifi to post this or do the laundry I need to pack for tonight…womp. My first world problems are becoming increasingly apparent and I haven’t even left the country!

Speaking of no wifi, if you’re reading this blog then that probably means that you are wanting follow Verb’s tour to Cuba, AKA the land of spotty/non-existent Internet. So while I will do my best to keep you all updated, expect posts to be delayed or somewhat fractured between text and photos at times. And mom, if you’re reading this, that means I promise I’m still alive even if you don’t hear from me for 48 hours 😝💕

We are all so excited to head out to Cuba in less than 30 hours. We have been working very intensely with Laura Alonso for the past 2 weeks to prepare, and although we always wish we had more time to perfect our roles, we are ready to get out of snowy Cleveland and soak up sunny Havana. I will send all of the rays I can through this blog, so follow along!

Talk to ya soon,

-Kate

I title this high quality photograph “packing by candlelight”

Feb 14

Love2

Observe rehearsal with Laura Alonso

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet News, Cuba

Observe rehearsal with Laura Alonso

Join Verb Ballets for an exclusive lunch time rehearsal viewing on March 2, 2018 at Noon with Cuban dance legend Laura Alonso. The daughter of legendary ballet royalty Alicia Alonso, Laura Alonso is herself an award-winning ballet teacher with a 25-year career performing with Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Observe the artistic process as she sets the ballet Yarini- which has never been seen in America! The ballet highlights passion, power and struggles for freedoms that are the essence of the Cuban spirit. Verb Ballets will travel to Havana, Cuba the next day for nearly three weeks to join ProDanza. Together the two ballet companies will join forces in an international collaboration to form the Cleveland Havana Ballet. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to see rehearsal before the company leaves for Cuba!

Laura Alonso

Laura Alonso, daughter of world famous ballerina Alicia Alonso and renowned teacher and coach Fernando Alonso, is herself known as a teacher, coach and an expert at staging the well-known classics. For seven years she served as the personal coach and teacher for international prima ballerina assoluta, Alicia Alonso. Dance Theatre of Harlem artistic director, former prima ballerina and former editor of Pointe magazine, Virginia Johnson, calls her an, “international master teacher extrordinare.”

Ms. Alonso’s 25 year performing career with Ballet National de Cuba included soloist work in all of the traditional classics. Today she travels around the world teaching and staging the classics for pre-professional as well as professional companies such as London’s Royal Ballet School and The Royal Danish Ballet.
Although born in the United States, Alonso is a resident of Havana where she has an international dance school, Centro Pro Danza, which welcomes 1,500 students, and a professional performing company, The Ballet Classic of Havana.

A teacher of world-class experience, Ms. Alonso has taught for professional ballet companies all over the world including Cuban National Ballet, the Royal Danish Ballet, the Australian Ballet, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, the Cleveland/San Jose Ballet, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the Tokyo Ballet, the Toronto Ballet, the Alberta Ballet. She was a member of the faculty at the Regional Dance America’s National Festival in 1997 as well as at the RDA/NE Festival 1998 and the RDA/SE 1999. For seven years, she served as the personal coach for international ballerina Alicia Alonso.

Ms. Alonso was honored with an award as the best coach at the Jackson International Ballet Competition in 1990. Her student, Jose Manuel Carreno, won the Grand Prix de Ville, the highest award possible. Ms. Alonso has served as coach, jury member and teacher at the Jackson IBC and as jury member of the Concours International de Dance de Paris, France, the Alicia Alonso International Ballet Competition and other competitions around the world.

Along with her expertise in working with professionals and aspiring professionals, Ms. Alonso is extremely gifted at working with young dancers of all ages and experiences. She is willing to instruct anyone who wants to learn and has transformed students in just a few classes. Alonso’s mission is to bring the highest quality dance to students everywhere.

Jan 05

Love0

Cleveland Havana Ballet Tour

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Performances, Cuba, News

Cleveland Havana Ballet

In the spring of 2018, two ballet companies will join forces in an international collaboration to form the Cleveland Havana Ballet. Starring the dancers of Cleveland’s Verb Ballets led by Dr. Margaret Carlson, and Havana’s ProDanza under the direction Laura Alonso, this cultural exchange is a groundbreaking partnership supported through the Cleveland Foundation’s Creative Fusion initiative. This significant collaboration will encompass performances in Cuba by the combined companies in March 2018. Bringing Verb Ballets to Cuba for the first time is an enormous cultural exchange and will integrate American dancers to the very best of Cuba’s ballet scene.

Travel and trade embargo from Cuba that halted the art exchanges

Until 2014 there was a travel and trade embargo from Cuba that halted the art exchanges for decades. Cuban ballet has been at the pinnacle of international dance for years and Cuba continues to produce some of the ballet world’s best dancers. The daughter of legendary ballet royalty Alicia Alonso, Laura Alonso is herself an award-winning ballet teacher with a 25-year career performing with Ballet Nacional de Cuba. This is the second year of the cultural exchange with Alonso through the Cleveland Foundation’s Creative Fusion: Cuba Edition. She came to Cleveland, Ohio for two months this past spring to train Verb Ballets dancers in the Cuban method likely the first-of-its-kind exchange connecting cultural institutions of a major Midwestern city with a selection of celebrated Cuban artists for an extended project-based residency.

For the first time in history a Cuban and American ballet company will performed together in Yarini

The Cleveland Havana Ballet will present the full length classical ballet, Yarini, by international dancer and choreographer, Iván Alonso, the grandson of Alicia Alonso March 9-11, 2018 in the Alicia Alonso Grand Theater in Havana, Cuba. Yarini is based on an historical hero who reached mythical proportions within popular Cuban culture and imagination. The ballet centers around Alberto Yarini, known as the Prince of Old Havana, Louis Lotot, Yarini’s notorious rival, and the women they loved. The ballet is set in Havana during the Cuban War of Independence against Spain; during Yarini’s rise to power that led to his inevitable tragic death in 1910. The battle highlights passion, power and struggles for freedoms that are the essence of the Cuban spirit.

International tour will highlighting the unique styles of American ballet

Verb Ballets will travel to Havana, Cuba on March 3, 2018 for nearly three weeks to join ProDanza. Verb Ballets’ international tour will commence with a shared repertory program with ProDanza running March 16-18, 2018 highlighting the unique styles of American and Cuban ballet at The National Theatre in Havana, Cuba.

Join Verb Ballets for the cultural immersion trip of a lifetime March 15-19, 2018. Led by To Cuba Now, the people-to-people exchange program will provide an experience far beyond the typical cars and cigars tours in Cuba. Learn more about the customized five days/four nights immersion travel program here– that provides a unique opportunity to support Verb Ballets and to personally experience the people, arts and culture of Cuba. For more details visit To Cuba Now or call at 440-835-4040.

“The collaboration this year among Cuban and Cleveland artists has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Ronn Richard, president and CEO of the Cleveland Foundation. “It is exciting to be able to expand the partnership between the nationally-renowned Verb Ballets company and legendary Cuban artist Laura Alonso to catalyze a new work in Havana as part of our Creative Fusion initiative. In a climate of increasing divisiveness, it’s never been more important to show how the universal language of dance can bring people together across geographic and cultural boundaries.”

This cultural exchange is a groundbreaking partnership supported through the Cleveland Foundation’s Creative Fusion initiative.

March 15-18, 2018

Travel to Cuba with Verb Ballets

Experience Cuba in this once in a life time tour led by To Cuba Now. This well rounded itinerary showcases the culture, history and beauty of Cuba. This all inclusive trip will highlight the best that Cuba has to offer.

Learn more

Producing Artistic Director, Dr. Margaret Carlson

Associate Director, Richard Dickinson, MFA

Verb Ballets of Cleveland

Verb Ballets is a contemporary ballet company that presents dynamic programming through bold artistry, unique styles and technical excellence that captivates a broad audience. For the past 30 years the company has fostered dance appreciation and nurtured wellness through movement in outreach and education programs. Verb Ballets has also been named one of Five Great Tiny Troupes in America by Dance Magazine and was one of the 25 dance companies in America to watch.

Artistic Director, Laura Alonso

ProDanza of Cuba

ProDanza Center in Havana, Cuba was founded by world renown dancer and teacher, Laura Alonso. The technique of the prestigious Cuban school of ballet is an offshoot of the specialized teaching department of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba.

Jan 05

Love2

To Cuba Now Tour

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Cuba, Gala, News

Join Verb Ballets on a Cultural Tour to Cuba

March 15-18, 2018 To Cuba Now will led a cultural program to Cuba to understand and appreciate the history, culture and heritage of Cuba while Verb Ballets is on tour. Cuba is a melting pot of history, culture, creativity, and enduring potential; a potential that is today simply waiting to be maximized.

Once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Cuba

Verb Ballets embarks on an international tour to Cuba in March 2018 to join Laura Alonso’s ProDanza. Join Verb Ballets for the cultural immersion trip of a lifetime March 15-19, 2018. Led by To Cuba Now, the people-to-people exchange program will provide an experience far beyond the typical cars and cigars tours in Cuba. The customized five days/four nights immersion travel program provides a unique opportunity to support Verb Ballets and to personally experience the people, arts and culture of Cuba. For more details visit To Cuba Now or call at 440-835-4040.

Day 1 : Thursday, March 15, 2018

Welcome to Cuba! Arrive in Havana and check in at Hotel Nacional (or equivalent). The group will then tour Fábrica de Arte Cubano, Cuban Art Factory: Fábrica de Arte. This center has brought together famous and unknown artists’ exhibits in multi-media; paint, photography music and playwrights under one industrial roof. Opened in 2014 in a former electricity factory turned cooking oil factory turned multi-media arts project, visit this cutting-edge art project. Enjoy a delicous dinner at La Guarida prívate restaurant.

Day 2: Friday, March 16, 2018

Morning begins with breakfast at hotel. The afternoon the group will tour COLIBRI Record Company & Abdala Music Studio. We will discuss the central role of music in Cuban national life, Cuban musical genres, the work of emerging musicians, and more. Enjouu Maqueta de La Habana Vieja, a 1:500 scale model of Old Havana. Guided walking tour of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy lunch at Paladar Cuba 54, a private restaurant before heaidng out to tour the Vedado neighborhood. Dinner at El Zaguán private restaurant before attending a performance of the Verb Ballets alongside Grupo PRODANZA, at Havana’s Iconic Grand Theatre.

Day 3: Saturday, March 17, 2018

Breakfast at hotel before exploring the Revolutionary Museum. Originally designed and built for the Cuban government as the Presidential Palace. The 1957 attack on the Presidential Palace is one in a series that resulted in the “triumph of the revolution.” Today the Presidential Palace is a museum dedicated to the Cuban Revolution. The National Museum of Fine Arts in Havana – The Museum consists of two impressive buildings. The first houses a collection of Cuban art, the Palacio de Bellas Artes. The artwork is a visual history of Cuban culture and politics spanning from the seventeenth century until today. The second building, Palacio del Centro Asturiano, houses international collections. Feast on a delicious lunch hosted by José Fuster, one of Cuba’s most important ceramists and painters at his whimsical studio in Jaimanitas, just outside of Havana. Afternoon explore Muraleando, an art center in Havana founded by Manuel Diaz Baldrich. The goal of this center is to transform the lives of underprivileged children through music, dance and visual arts. Then feast on dinner at Cha-Cha- Cha a private restaurant.

Day 4: Sunday, March 18, 2018

Start with breakfast at hotel before heading out to visit Ernest Hemingway House – Finca La Vigia and Cojimar: Visit the home and estate of Ernest Hemingway, Finca La Vigia located in the town of San Francisco de Paula. It was here that Hemingway wrote some of his most famous works between 1940 and 1960. Visit the town of Cojimar, where Ernest Hemingway docked his boat, El Pilar. Explore the small ocean side community. Experience Cooking and Mojito Class at El Ajiaco, a private restaurant for lunch. Spend the afternoon at Arts and Culture – Almacenes de San Jose Market on the Port of Havana. Visit this famous open-air craft market. You will have the opportunity to browse the works and meet with local artists and vendors to bring home a touch of Cuba. Enjoy a farewell dinner at Mediterraneo Havana. Visit la Zorra y el Cuervo (The Fox and the Crow) where top jazz players perform on a nightly basis. For sure it’s the place to hear Cuba’s best jazz musicians.

Day 5 Monday, March 19, 2018

Breakfast and check out at the hotel. Depart to Airport and return to Cleveland.

Day 5 All Inclusive Cultural Tour to Cuba

Departing from and return to Cleveland. Price of the Program: $4,100.00 USD per person for single occupancy hotel room or $3,740.00 USD per person for double occupancy hotel room. Includes airfare, travel visa, hotel, ground transportation, meals, programming venues, translation/interpretive services, tour guides, and preplanned activity costs.

To Cuba Now was founded by a team of professionals dedicated to demonstrating the potential of modern day Cuba and to encourage the exchange of ideas, knowledge and information between individuals, organizations and institutions in the U.S. and Cuba.

Our team’s decades of experience in foreign trade, legal counseling, corporate management and work with entrepreneurs, along with the long awaited change in U.S.-Cuba relations, implemented in January 2015, inspired us to act.

We have attracted and mobilized a robust network of support from businesses, professional associations, non-profit organizations throughout the U.S. and our affiliates in Cuba to work on our goal of providing a world-class experience and engagement in accordance with the legal regulations of both countries.

You can reach To Cuba Now for more information about this cultural tour at 440-835-4040 or email at info@tocubanow.com.

Dec 19

Love0

The Cleveland Havana Ballet?

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Cuba, News

The Cleveland Havana Ballet?

Yes—Meet the Two Companies Joining Forces for a Rare Collaboration

By Amy Brandt of Pointe Magazine , December 19, 2017

”"Our intent is that this will be a long-term relationship."
Dr. Margaret CarlsonProducing Artistic Director

Photo Bill Naiman

Ever since President Obama reestablished diplomatic relations with Cuba in 2014, the two countries’ dance communities have been eager to strengthen relationships. Now, in spite of tightened travel and business restrictions by the Trump administration, an exciting new collaboration is on the horizon: Cleveland–based Verb Ballets is teaming up with Cuban ballet company ProDanza for a series of performances in Havana. There, the two companies will combine to form the Cleveland Havana Ballet, presenting a full-length production at the prestigious Alicia Alonso Grand Theater.

Last spring, the Cleveland Foundation, through its Creative Fusion: Cuba Edition program, brought ProDanza artistic director Laura Alonso to Ohio for a two-month residency with Verb Ballets, where she taught classes in the rigorous Cuban style. “We’re not a classical company, so the dancers needed that kind of training,” says artistic director Dr. Margaret Carlson in a phone interview. Alonso—a former dancer with the National Ballet of Cuba and daughter of its founder, prima ballerina Alicia Alonso—worked with the company to break technique “down to the little finger,” says Carlson, who points out that “it’s hard to get that kind of training anymore.”

Dec 17

Love0

Cleveland’s Verb Ballets headed to Cuba on cultural mission

By Ohio Contemporary Ballet Cuba, News

Cleveland’s Verb Ballets headed to Cuba on cultural mission to co-found Cleveland Havana Ballet

By Zachary Lewis, The Plain Dealer , December 17, 2017

”"It's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Margaret Carlson, artistic director of Verb Ballets. "Right now, it's something that's possible, so we're going to do it."
Dr. Margaret CarlsonProducing Artistic Director

Photo Susan Bestul

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The cultural causeway between Cleveland and Cuba is about to get significantly wider.

Inspired by its recent hosting of Cuban choreographer Laura Alonso, Cleveland’s Verb Ballets Sunday announced plans to visit the island nation next March and perform with local company ProDanza under the name Cleveland Havana Ballet.

That’s not all. In an effort to solidify the relationship, Verb’s directors have made arrangements for members of the public to travel to Cuba for the performances on a trip organized by the Cleveland-based group To Cuba Now.

“It’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Margaret Carlson, artistic director of Verb Ballets. “Right now, it’s something that’s possible, so we’re going to do it.”