|| Step 1: Select the province of your choice || Step 2: Tell us about preferred dates and time || Step 3: Tell us about your contact info ||

Please fill out the meeting request form below.
If you have any questions please contact us
.
Thank you and regards,

Gloria Paiz
Canada Cuba Sports & Cultural Festivals
1-800-818-8840

QUOI
Session d’information sur Cuba pour les écoles, les groupes en musique, les harmonies, les Stages Band, les groupes sportifs et les chorales ou des groupes communautaires autres.
QUI
La session est à l’intention des enseignants des écoles, des directeurs sportifs ou d’harmonies scolaires, des chorales.
OÙ
Au Québec, dans votre région
Le coût de la session
Gratuit
Quand
Du 14 au 16 November, 2011

SVP complèter la demande de réunion ci-dessous

Si vous avez des questions, svp contactez nous

Merci
Gloria Paiz
Canada Cuba Sports & Cultural Festivals
1-800-818-8840

Jonathan Watts our Executive Director is going to be in your area to make presentations to schools and organizations planning cross-cultural educational trips to Cuba during 2011 and 2012
Since he will be in town already, could he drop by at your convenience to explore any interest you may have concerning the benefits and possibilities for Cuba in the future.

If you’d like an informal exploratory meeting or to set up a presentation on the benefits of the Cuba experience to your group just let us know.

WHAT?
Cuba Arts/Music and Sports cross-cultural trip info session for schools, community organizations.
WHO?
This session is intended for school teachers, students, sports directors, music bands, choir groups, educators, and study/research groups.
WHERE?
In cities and towns throughout Ontario Canada. Toronto, Ottawa, Barrie, Guelph, Hamilton, London, Kingston, Kitchener, Niagara, Oshawa, Peterborough, Pickering, St. Catharines, Waterloo, Windsor and surrounding areas.
SESSION FEES?
Free
WHEN?
7 Nov – 11 Nov, 2011

Please fill out the meeting request form below.
If you have any questions please contact us
.
Thank you and regards,

Gloria Paiz
Canada Cuba Sports & Cultural Festivals
1-800-818-8840

Jonathan Watts our Executive Director is going to be in your area to make presentations to schools and organizations planning cross-cultural educational trips to Cuba during 2011 and 2012
Since he will be in town already, could he drop by at your convenience to explore any interest you may have concerning the benefits and possibilities for Cuba in the future.

If you’d like an informal exploratory meeting or to set up a presentation on the benefits of the Cuba experience to your group just let us know.

WHAT?
Cuba Arts/Music and Sports cross-cultural trip info session for schools, community organizations.
WHO?
This session is intended for school teachers, students, sports directors, music bands, choir groups, educators, and study/research groups.
WHERE?
In cities and Towns throughout Ontario Canada.
SESSION FEES?
Free
WHEN?
31 Oct- 2 Nov 2011

Please fill out the meeting request form below.
If you have any questions please contact us
.
Thank you and regards,

Gloria Paiz
Canada Cuba Sports & Cultural Festivals
1-800-818-8840

His trip was sponsored by Canada Cuba Sports & Cultural Festivals (CCS&CF), which is an organization that facilitates a variety of programs in Cuba for Canadian educational, cultural and sports organizations.

“The CCS&CF is interested in expanding the nature of their work by sponsoring exchanges of artists, academics and performers between Canada and Cuba. I was the test run, and it seemed to go well,” says Wasiak. “We are currently in the process of planning for Cuban jazz legend Bobby Carcassés and Alina Orraca, one of Cuba’s top choral conductors, to visit Western Canada next fall to conduct a series of workshops and performances. If all the arrangements fall into place, we will enjoy the benefits of a reciprocal Canada-Cuba exchange in southern Alberta next fall,” says Wasiak.

I certainly learned a lot as an educator and a musician. I witnessed Cuban music being performed authentically in its traditional setting, and I can now bring those experiences back to the University…

His work in the schools led to an exchange of ideas with Cuban music faculty and school administrators. “I had opportunities to share ideas from Canada and learn about what happens in Cuba,” says Wasiak. “Most of the Cuban national symphony orchestra members also teach at universities and conservatories. It was interesting to see how the whole music system works.”

The itinerary that CCS&CF scheduled for Wasiak also included a performance with Carcassés. “They told me to bring music that I wanted to play, so I selected a couple of well-known jazz pieces and did a lot of serious practice before I went,” says Wasiak.

Hundreds of people packed Teatro del Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Havana to hear the concert, which received a good review in Cuba’s national paper, Granma Internacionale. “Bobby and his band members are incredible musicians. Playing with them is kind of like being given the keys to a Ferrari and taking it for a spin. It was wonderful,” says Wasiak.

Wasiak also worked with two musical groups from Oak Bay Secondary School in Victoria, BC, who were in Cuba for a CCS&CF-organized tour. “Curriculum instruction is one of my areas of expertise. CCS&CF asked me to conduct some informal research with the Oak Bay groups and write an article about the educational outcomes
of this type of experience,” he says.

Wasiak found that visiting Cuba was a positive learning experience for him as well as the Oak Bay students. “I certainly learned a lot as an educator and a musician. I witnessed Cuban music being performed authentically in its traditional setting, and I can now bring those experiences back to the University,” he says. He looks forward to returning to Cuba in the future for CCS&CF work or his own research. “I am interested in exploring some aspects of Cuba’s music education system and writing a paper or two about it,” says Wasiak.

Canada Cuba Sports and Cultural Festivals in the News.
FROM THE MAY 2006 LEGEND

This week, students and faculty were treated to two performances – one of which was exclusive to our school – by the premiere Cuban vocal jazz ensemble, Novel Voz. The SMUS vocal jazz group opened for Novel Voz at Hermann’s Jazz Club on Sunday afternoon.

Novel Voz (Spanish for “new voice”) is a talented 7-voice ensemble made up of three men and four women. The group has been making cappella music together for the past 8 years and have recorded two CDs; they are on their first tour of Canada. Their repertoire included traditional Cuban songs and an array of international pieces. They’ve been described as a “vocal orchestra” and they easily live up to the name by performing vocal imitations of instruments such as percussion, strings, and piano to accompany their singing.

After their upbeat performance, they broke into vocal sections and worked with groups of students to teach them a Cuban song. At the end of the session, the students performed alongside the members of Novel Voz in an inspiring, enthusiastic performance.

Cuban Vocal Jazz at SMUS
June 8, 2007

The same thing happened with Bobby Carcassés at the end of his concert with the jazz group at this center for higher education: the Latin touch had been assimilated from the off and for the young performers, a new road along which to travel had been opened.

The prize-winning choral director and the Cuban jazzman par excellence traveled to this North American nation as protagonists on a long voyage aimed at demonstrating the special characteristics of vocal art and AfroCuban jazz to students and professors at centers for artistic and general teaching.

A significant section of them already had prior knowledge of the rigor of Cuban arts teaching, but many of them were approaching for the first time notions of a culture that on occasions is seen beneath the prism of prejudices encouraged by the habitual distortions that generally accompany the media’s treatment of Cuban realities.

For many years, the Cuba-Canada Sports and Cultural Festivals organization has been responsible for establishing bridges between the two countries and doing away with stereotypes, by way of exchanges to stimulate mutual knowledge.

The most recent event in that sense was specifically to promote the tour of Canadian schools and universities by Alina and Bobby, which also extended itself to other sections of the communities in that nation. Jonathan Watts, president of the institution, told Granma that the response of teachers and students alike was one of enthusiasm and eagerness for knowledge not just about the relevant aspects of Cuban musical culture but also about the Revolution’s educational and cultural achievements.

In such a way, the University of Lethbridge choir is set to visit the island this year, led by their director George Evelyn (they have surprisingly staged a version of “El guayaboso” by Guido López Gavilán). At that university, the eminent jazz musician Ed Wasiak expressed his gratitude for having the opportunity to share the stage with Bobby, whom he described as a living legend of Cuban jazz. “It’s a real privilege,” he said, “for our students to learn from and perform with this national Cuban treasure.”

With equal fervor, the multi-talented musician was received in Calgary by Kevin Williams, director of the West Winds Big Band at the Ernest Manning High School.

BY PEDRO DE LA HOZ —Granma daily staff writer—

Fourteen students of Richmond High School in Ladner, British Columbia, along with 16 parents and teachers, traveled to Cuba for a week to play baseball with Cuban teenagers, but more than anything to take part in the renovation of the Calabazar Stadium in the Havana municipality of Rancho Boyeros.

“More than us contributing, it has contributed to us. My students and I have received a lesson about how the society operates in a country whose reality is not all told around the world.”

For over a year, the Richmond High students and practically their entire community carried out an intense fund-raising campaign to enable the purchase of cushions for the stadium bleachers, field markers, paint, and an indispensable backstop behind the plate.

An earlier class of students that visited the island had done volunteer work to help repair the roof of a junior high school in the Matanzas community of Calimete, damaged by a hurricane.

When they were told the place to benefit from the efforts would be Calabazar, Ken Lawrence, an English language and literature teacher, understood and made others understand the choice.

“More than us contributing, it has contributed to us. My students and I have received a lesson about how the society operates in a country whose reality is not all told around the world.”

Ken and his wife Jane, also a teacher, were the chief promoters of the idea.

An example of community participation
For more than two decades, Jonathan Watts, has promoted exchanges between Cuba and Canada by way of the Cuba-Canada Sports and Culture Festivals. In this case, helping to make possible the project of the Richmond High School, he discovered new problems.

“We have seen that community participation is one of the pillars of democracy in Cuba,” Watts told Granma.

“The population of Calabazar had dreamed of having a first rate baseball field, and had made that desire known at the different levels of local government,” where it was approved.

“My compatriots and I were very much impressed to see the local representative from the area of the stadium and other community leaders working among the people in a spirit of cooperation and unbeatable participation. You know that in the majority of countries democracy is a formal act or purely electoral act. Here it is just the opposite.”

Fraternity and commitment
On the baseball field the Canadians and Cuban teenagers didn’t compete, they shared. Just as they worked together in the construction, they played on teams with players from each country. Jorge Andrade and Rosendo Ruenes, baseball promoters in the community, said the effort was a beautiful way to strengthen fraternal ties. When bidding farewell to the Canadians, tour operator Jorge Debasa said he could feel the positive effects of the encounter.

Local delegate Oasis Banderas said: “People show support when you give them a way to participate in accomplishing their ideas. We are grateful for the solidarity, and also take on the commitment to maintain what we have accomplished.”

Ken Lawrence made another commitment: “When we return to Ladner, our community of 15,000 inhabitants will know a lot more about a country that resists and triumphs, of marvelous people, and of the ethical values of simple people that opened their hearts to us.”

Original article Source: Granma International, 24 March 2007

http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/english/news/art46.html

Personally, this was my seventh time traveling to this Caribbean nation – five times as a player and two times as an assistant coach.

The Ryerson University Men’s Volleyball Team partook in its annual Cuba winter training camp. This year’s destination was Varadero, which is about two hours east of the capital, Havana. Personally, this was my seventh time traveling to this Caribbean nation – five times as a player and two times as an assistant coach. I must say, this was the best one yet! Let me tell you why…First of all, he weather was gorgeous! Even though we caught a few cloudy days after our arrival, the majority of the trip saw sunshine and temperatures in the mid-20s. Several of our Rams got the chance to work on their tans.Secondly, we got the chance to compete against elite international competition. Each morning we traveled to Matanzas (a nearby city) to train with the U20 Matanzas provincial team.

Mirek was even able to secure an exhibition game against the Cuban Junior National Team. Since a good chunk of the team was traveling outside of Canada for the first time, this experience provided a great opportunity for our guys to interact with athletes of another culture. The Cubans were athletic, passionate, and determined. They hate to lose – that’s why each game was a battle for pride. We managed to pull out the victory on the final and most important game day, winning 3-1 against the Matanzas provincial team. After the game, it was pleasant to see our guys mingling with The Cubans were athletic, passionate, and determined…the players, trading shirts and shoes, taking group pictures, and sharing some laughs.

The afternoon was time to put the indoor shoes away and apply the sunscreen. We set up the volleyball courts on the beach right beside our resort. We squeezed in as many games as we could before the sun would go down (or before we got hungry!). This year’s roster has a handful of firsttime beach volleyball players and it was satisfying to see that each player got better every day. In addition to the game play, our team met every evening to review volleyball tactics and engage in mental training. This was a vital part of the trip since the team is young and we are looking to bounce back from a rather disappointing first half of the season

Volleyball was not the only item on our agenda. Karina, our energetic instructor, lead us in intense power aerobics sessions on the beach. These sessions allowed us to work on our coordination and
endurance. The loud dance music drew in locals and tourists from the area. To our luck, we attracted a Yoga instructor and she offered to give our team a couple lessons on the beach. We took her up
on her offer and the next day we were showcasing our lackluster flexibility routines!

On top of all this, we managed to squeeze in a trip to Havana. After an exhibition game, we headed to Old Havana to bask in the rich culture and architecture. We managed to stop at the most popular flea market to pick up a few goodies (and practice our bartering skills) and then made our way to the best hotel in Cuba for a cabaret show.I tried to squeeze two weeks of experiences into one page. I was only able to give you a taste of the magnificent and productive time that we spent in Cuba. All in all, we accomplished our goals and managed to have some fun at the same time. Thanks to everyone who made this trip a memorable one!

Thank you one more time for all the help with organizing our 10 annual Winter Camp in Varadero. All worked the way I like it. We did not have any glitches. We really enjoyed our
time there and will be cherish all the memories with brought with us back to Canada. Attached a few pics a few stories from players perspective.
Mirek Porosa, Head Coach Men’s Volleyball, Ryerson University, Department of Sports and Recreation, Toronto

We provide joint programs of exploration in the arts, sports and education. Essentially what we do is bring together people who have a curiosity about each other. We are highly experienced in arranging sports and performing arts tours, conferences and events. Cuba is our home and this site is about CUBA. We also work in Canada and throughout Latin America. All enquires are most welcome.

Performing Arts:
In Cuba, you will be able to perform your own repertoire to appreciative audiences in both historic and modern world-class venues. You can choose to join Cuban performers and directors in combined concerts (English and Spanish) or study Afro-Caribbean, Cuban, or Latin American music and song in workshops specifically designed for your requirements. Cuba with Canada Cuba is Good!

Sports:
Whether you are taking down a local club or a nationally ranked university team we will have an appropriate Cuban team to play against. Or, you may choose to stretch your team’s potential against Cuban clubs of superior skill level. The Results are meaningful competitive matches and quality training sessions.

Interactive and unique!
Our Cuba Sports programmes are designed to provide coaches and athletes with a combination of competition and training in a warm climate and the opportunity to learn about the culture, history and people of Cuba. Participants will meet, train and compete with Cuban student athletes and coaches at Cuban high schools. Additional games will take place at venues arranged by the Cuban Ministries of Sport and Education. Visiting coaches and athletes may also train with Cuban National Program coaches. Competitions are arranged with Cuban athletes of similar skill levels to their visiting counterparts.

An interdisciplinary approach to performing arts:
Learn, Interact, Collaborate, Practice, Rehearse, and perform with your Cuban counterpart in Cuba. Each individual itinerary is designed in consultation with the teacher or artistic director to incorporate specific elements required to meet each groups needs.

Our team of caring professionals is highly experienced in arranging sports, and performing arts tours, conferences and events . We work together with you in planning and delivering every aspect of the trip for your group.

If an out of province music or sports trip is on your mind … I invite you to request the free information package and DVD/video. I know that after you review the material and talk to others who have travelled with us … CUBA will be on your short-list for your next tour.
Jonathan Watts, President

YOUR COLLEAGUES SAY IT BEST…

Find out what music educators, band directors, and music educators are saying…

Our band trip to Cuba was a profound experience touching our very souls. If you are looking for a truly worthwhile experience for your band students…go for it! The people at Canada-Cuba Sports & Cultural Festivals are excellent Terry Hill, Music Educator, Dartmouth, NS

We have gone to Cuba three times with Canada-Cuba Sports & Cultural Festivals. The focus is on interacting with the people and being a part of their culture and customs. This experience is authentic, real and invaluable. You experience music from beginning to end Blaine Workman, Band Director, Winnipeg, MB

What a fantastic trip! It was an honor for us to meet, work and perform with the professional Cuban choirs. Everyone we met made us feel welcome. We have toured extensively in the past, this tour was by far the best organized, and the easiest Martin Waltz, Choir Director, Moncton, NB

Find out what sports directors and coaches are saying…

Terrific experience, this was my 4th trip with a team and the best ever… the Cuban athletes were highly skilled … great attitudes … the coaches were great in running drills and instruction Albino Pereira, Volleyball Coach, St. Catherines, ON

I would do it again in a heartbeat… the Cuban athletes and coaches were competitive, spirited, skilled, friendly and willing to socialize and share…
Dawn Keith, Basketball Coach, Lethbridge, AB

Thank you. We were completely satisfied with all the arrangements. The organization and quality of the activities, events and competitions was first class. A highlight was the opportunity to interact with the Cuban players, coaches and officials. Brian Johnson, Field Hockey Coach, Toronto, ON

Excellent! Students got to train with athletes of their skill level and at the same time learned about Cuban culture, history and people… a once in a lifetime experience… we’ll be back Rick Lopez, Basketball Coach, Vancouver, BC

Canada Cuba Sports and Cultural Festivals facilitates educational and cross cultural programs in Cuba for universities, schools, community/professional organizations, and sports teams of all skill levels.

• Download Cuba Sports info pack: Brochure, Flyer, Peers review and references, Fax back form
• Download Cuba Arts info pack: Brochure, Flyer, Peers review and references, Fax back form
• Request Cuba info pack: DVD movies series on Performance Arts
• Request Cuba info pack: DVD movie on Focus on the Sports

FREE Cuba Info Pack DVD request now.

Questions and comments are welcome. Toll Free: 1-800-818-8840