Havana, City that Dances

The dance season in Havana is being prodigal (there are already a few premieres so far this year) and this weekend there will be options for almost all audiences.

It almost always happens in April, which by tradition is assumed to be the month of this scenic manifestation.

On this day in welcoming the International Dance Day (held on April 29), Contemporary Dance of Cuba will offer a season in Avellaneda room of the National Theater of Cuba with recent works from the group's active repertoire.

Since Friday, April 26-28, the company directed by maestro Miguel Iglesias will present a program made up of The Tribulation of Anaximander (Hombre, Arché, Ápeiron), with a choreography concept by George Céspedes, and Hands On , a creation of the Greek Yannis Mantsis.

Initially thought for the group Los hijos del director, The Tribulation... explores philosophical visions in a complex framework, marked by unique dynamics of interaction between the dancers.

Hands On recreates a creative universe based on universal references of art, culture, and religion in their often demanding integration into contemporary society.

The season is part of the celebrations for the 65th anniversary of Contemporary Dance of Cuba, which will be celebrated next September.

Also on Friday, the International Festival of Dance in Urban Landscapes begins in the historic center of the city, in its 28th edition.

It will be, as usual, an event spanning for three days, in which several Cuban and international companies will participate with the premise of taking on unconventional spaces for dance as a spectacle.

Streets, squares and parks of Havana will be the settings for much of the programming.

Running parallel, the 18 edition of the International Video Dance Festival DVDanza Habana Movimiento y Ciudad will take place.

The Festival, popularly known as "El calle" also includes theoretical events, choreographic composition workshops, yoga and body harmony, flamenco and tango.

The closing will be on Sunday, April 28, at the headquarters of Danza Teatro Retazos, the host company.

And returning to the National Theater, the Covarrubias ward welcomes one of the most popular and award-winning Cuban traditional dance companies: Camagua.

Under the direction of maestro Fernando Medrano, the Camagüeyan group will offer a program made up of the works El Perú Negro, Congos Trinitarios, Homenaje y Clave, guateque y son.

A lot to begin with...