PlazaCUBA - Music, Dance and Culture

03/02/2025

So many unforgettable moments from our recent Havana Jazz Festival tour! Every night was filled with world-class music and incredible energy with Cuba’s hottest musicians. 🎶🇨🇺✨

We can’t wait to do it all again! Our next Jazz Festival Tour is set for January 2027—join us for the experience of a lifetime! Email [email protected] for details.

02/26/2025

Billiards are making a comeback in Cuba as men and women take to tables in private bars and clubs, while fans hope someday the game will be officially recognized as a sport.

Billiards was banned along with poker after Fidel Castro's 1959 Revolution because of its association with U.S. mob-run casinos and dictator Fulgencio Batista. But after the fall of the Soviet Union, tables began to appear in hotels, then venues and homes, although gambling remains taboo in the country.

"If the Sports Institute were to promote a national federation, it would be excellent, because there is plenty of talent here," said carpenter Francisco Sosa, a former billiards player before the revolution. Sosa, 78, has installed four pool tables in his home in the Cerro municipality of Havana where he teaches the game to all comers, young and old, and male or female. Sosa built three of the tables from scratch -- no easy task, he said in a country of scarcity.

– Reuters

02/22/2025

We can’t wait! See you TOMORROW at Paramount Oakland. This lineup is incredible. Get your tickets at www.sfjazz.org

Posted • Legendary pianist Chucho Valdés and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval reunite as Irakere 50 with superstar Afro-Cuban vocalist Cimafunk this Saturday, Feb 22. SFJAZZ Education Director Rebeca Mauleón traces the history and future of the legendary group and its iconic founder:

“By the time Dizzy Gillespie got wind of Irakere in 1977 during his visit to Havana on the infamous Jazz Cruise, the stage was set for the band to wow audiences and blow minds on multiple continents. Irakere was the first Cuban band to successfully champion a repertoire that straddled the line between instrumental jazz and popular dance music, and Dizzy became their most ardent ambassador.”

02/21/2025

One of the many inspiring moments during our recent Havana Jazz Festival Tour was seeing the incredible Compañía BanRarrá. Watching these talented young dancers rehearse in their space is truly something special! Their passion, dedication, and energy never fail to leave us in awe.

02/18/2025

🎶 We can't wait for this weekend! 🌟 Join us this Saturday at Paramount for an unforgettable night with Chucho Valdés Oficial & Irakere 50, with special guests Cimafunk and Arturo Sandoval! 🙌 🎺🎉

Don't miss out on this incredible musical experience—get your tickets now at sfjazz.org! 🎟️

SFJAZZ

02/14/2025

🎉🎉🎉 SHARE TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS 🎉

Want to see Chucho Valdés & Irakere 50 featuring Arturo Sandoval and CIMAFUNK LIVE in Oakland? 🎶 Join us on Saturday, February 22 at the Paramount Theatre for a night of unforgettable music! 🎺🎹

✨ How to Share/Tag to WIN TICKETS:
1. Click share below
2. Type and and click on our names when they pop up!

📅 Winner selected on Tuesday – Check your DM's!
🎟️ Can't wait? Buy tickets for yourself or that special Valentine at www.sfjazz.org ❤️

We’re thrilled to be a sponsor for this incredible concert! 🎶
Stop by PlazaCUBA’s table to say hi! Suerte!

SFJAZZ Chucho Valdés Oficial Cimafunk

02/11/2025

Just a taste of the music at the this year - DRUMS HAVANA with Rodney Barreto and Yaroldy Abreu. 👏👏

02/08/2025

What an unforgettable Havana Jazz Festival Tour! From breathtaking jazz concerts, to exploring local art studios, and taking in the timeless beauty of Havana's classic sights, this tour had it all. Here’s a glimpse of a few moments from the trip. More to come!

02/07/2025

When Alexander Abreu joined Harold López Nussa on stage last week at the Havana Jazz Festival!
🔥🔥🔥

02/03/2025

Such a pleasure to take our travelers to Havana’s vibrant music schools, where we’re always blown away by the incredible talent of the next generation. This stunning rendition of Dos Gardenias was just one of many unforgettable moments we experienced. 🎶✨

02/01/2025

Pedrito Martinez at the Havana Jazz Festival last night!

02/01/2025

Dayramir González VIDA at the last night!

01/31/2025

Stay tuned for our upcoming ticket giveaway!! 🎊

SFJAZZ presents a once in a lifetime concert featuring two of most influential figures in Afro-Cuban jazz, virtuoso pianist Chucho Valdés and trumpet icon Arturo Sandoval with special guest Afro-Cuban superstar Cimafunk on February 22nd at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland reuniting as part of Irakere 50, the latest iteration of the legendary band that changed the course of Latin music in the 1970s and 80s and launched both of their stellar careers.

Discovered and introduced internationally by Dizzy Gillespie, the band’s unprecedented synthesis of folkloric Afro-Cuban rhythms, sacred drums, rock, funk, R&B, and jazz opened vast new frontiers, and helped pave the way for the pervasively popular dance music known as timba.

Don’t miss out - this is a once-in-a-lifetime concert event!

Tickets + More Information: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/24-25/chucho-valdes-irakere-50/

01/26/2025

We are only a couple of days away from our Havana Jazz Festival Tour, and we couldn't be more excited! 🎶🌟 It’s going to be an unforgettable experience for our travelers! 🎺💃🏽🇨🇺

Thanks to Rick Swig for these wonderful Jazz Plaza photos.

01/22/2025

Mark your calendars for our Dance in Cuba Tour, April 25 - May 2, 2026.

In the meantime, we’re gearing up for an unforgettable adventure on our Havana Jazz Festival Tour starting next week! 🎷✨

Can't wait to share the magic with all of you – stay tuned for highlights, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and all things jazz! 🎶🇨🇺

01/16/2025

President Joe Biden notified Congress of his intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, the White House announced, as part of a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners on the island.

The Cuban foreign ministry on Tuesday said that the government informed Pope Francis it will release 553 people who had been convicted of different crimes. It said that they will be gradually released, as the authorities analyze the legal and humanitarian ways to make it happen.

The Cuban government is conscious that the incoming government in the U.S. could reverse the decision, but that it will remain “ready to develop a respectful relation with that country, based on dialogue and non-interference in the internal affairs of both countries, despite the differences.”

President Joe Biden has notified Congress of his intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, the White House announced, as part of a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners on the island.

01/12/2025

We're finalizing all the details for our upcoming Havana Jazz Festival Tour. Check out the official teaser video for the festival Roberto Fonseca posted!