Ruthie Foster & Seth Walker-HAVANA!

Blues sensations RUTHIE FOSTER and SETH WALKER invite you to accompany them on their historic, first visit to Cuba, with Texas Rangers Hall of Fame radio announcer Eric Nadel as your guide. Join these great young American musicians for a landmark meeting between the people of Havana and this quintessential American blues tradition! The trip includes an in-depth look at the city and great musical experiences. You can be part of this unique and historic musical adventure by joining us from Wednesday, November 30 to December 6, 2016. Produced by our friends at Cuba Tours and Travel, the leading Cuban cultural touring company in the US, the trip is fully licensed and authorized as a “People to People” trip to Cuba. This is our second trip of this type. Rhett Miller and Daphne Willis performed on the first one, in February, to overwhelming acclaim. Eric has been invited to come back to the Fabrica de Arte with more of his favorite American musicians. Blues standouts Ruthie Foster and Seth Walker are his choices for this excursion. Some of the comments from our February travelers are highlighted below.

Ruthie and Seth have been invited to perform at Havana's most exciting new cultural Center Fabrica de Arte which is a huge cultural complex housed in an old cooking oil factory. FAC is where the young art and music scene goes in Havana and you will be there with them! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoNugvVoWMs

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"Visiting Cuba changed my life. The gracious spirit of the people, their resilience and positivity in the face of so many decades of hardship, have made it impossible for me to take for granted my own good fortune. What's more, Cuba is beautiful and fun! I can't wait to get back to that island filled with music, art and smiling people." Rhett Miller, New Paltz New York.

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This seven-day, six-night trip is focused on accompanying Ruthie and Seth to their major concert date at the FAC. In the process you will meet and get to know everyday Cuban people, experience different genres of Cuban music (salsa, son, rock, jazz) with Ruthie and Seth at the best and most innovative music venues, meet musicians and composers and visit artist studios. You will experience the wonderful architecture of Havana, dine at the best home restaurants (Paladares), and get to know the city and the people of Havana. Your trip leader will even take you to a baseball game at the a game at the famous Latino Americano Stadium if the Cuban League schedule allows. You will be staying at the historic Hotel Capri which was very recently restored. All activities will be consistent with the US Government “People to People” General License.

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"The most astounding, eye opening cultural experience I have ever had. From the music to the art, architecture and it's people, Cuba commands your attention. It is a snapshot you will not forget. Eric has deep knowledge from the many tours he has led and will delight you with over the top surprises hidden in the historic streets. Now is the time to go, before McDonald's finds its way in." Ron Riley, Lubbock, Texas

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Since President Obama liberalized “People to People” educational travel in January, Americans are allowed to travel to Cuba without much of the paperwork previously needed. This makes travel to Cuba infinitely easier. “People to People” travel is not tourist-oriented or self-directed but it is both rewarding and unique. It allows participants to visit a wide scope of organizations, institutions, and community projects that provide a deeper understanding of Cuba, its people and its culture. This trip includes a full time schedule of educational exchange activities designed to promote meaningful interactions between Americans and the people of Cuba.

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"The thing that really resonated with me about this experience was the value and wonder of a true cultural exchange. Watching Cubans interact with American music and watching our American group interact with Cuban music verified that music is truly a universal language. What made this experience even more special was the access to the musicians on trip which allowed for meaningful dialog deepening our understanding of culture." Scott Vieth, Baltimore, MD

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*Meet and greet and check in assistance at the Miami International Airport

*Round trip air MIA​­Havana­ Miami on Public Charter

*US Gvt. Paperwork including People to People GENERAL license

*Cuban Travel Visa

*Accommodations 6 nights at the H​otel Capri,​Havana TBD

*Breakfast every day at the hotel (6)

*Welcome and closing dinners + one dinner (3)

*5 lunches (14 meals total)

*Motorcoach or van transportation to all events for 12 hours a day

*Full translation by professional Cuba ​based guide

*Antique car ride to dinner one night

*Medical Insurance in Cuba

*City tours and visits to a variety of scenic places in Havana

*Day trip to ​Vinales valley​countryside

*Professional tour management in Cuba by our staff

PROGRAM PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: *Tips (baggage handlers, guide, driver & restaurants) *Single room differential ($550) *Trip Interruption Insurance *All other items not listed in “PROGRAM PRICE INCLUDES”

Land $4115.00

Air $545.00

Total $4660.00 Double Occupancy

* If you would like a single room please add $750.00 to price

RESERVE EARLY! Departure is a few short months away. This is a perfect time to book your visit to Cuba. Please sign up now to insure your place. We accept your reservation on a first come first served basis. Space is extremely limited--we urge you to bring a roommate!

Ruthie Foster was born in the small rural town of Gause, TX. Raised in a family of

gospel singers, Ruthie first learned to sing during worship services at her

community church. With a chapel-bred bravado trained on the works of powerful

women such as Mavis Staples and Aretha Franklin, her sound grew into an inspired

blend of blues, folk and gospel.

Seeking to define her own path, Ruthie left her hometown to serve in the Navy. She

discovered her love for performing while singing pop and funk tunes as the

frontwoman of Pride, a band that performed at Navy recruitment drives nationwide.

Ruthie’s time with Pride provided a window into varying American cultures coast to

coast, and after her service she moved to New York City to pursue a career as a

professional musician.

Ruthie moved back to Texas and settled in Austin. Her debut, Full Circle, was

released in 1997 and was followed by Crossover in 1999. The two albums secured

Ruthie as an up-and-coming singer/songwriter in the Austin scene and caught the

attention of Texas independent label Blue Corn Music.

Ruthie’s studio album releases on Blue Corn Music include Runaway Soul in 2002, The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster in 2007, The Truth According to Ruthie oster in 2009, Let It Burn in 2012 and Promise of a Brand New Day in 2014. The latter three were all nominated for Grammy Awards in the category of Best Blues Album. She has also released two live albums, Stages in 2004 and Live At Antone’s, a CD and DVD release, in 2011.

Ruthie’s career also reaches beyond her own releases and performances. She has

collaborated on stage with artists ranging from Bonnie Raitt to The Allman Brothers

to Susan Tedeschi, and has recorded tracks with Warren Haynes, Big Head Todd,

and The Blind Boys of Alabama, among others. Ruthie has also recently been

featured both as an actress, with a guest appearance on NBC’s television series

Revolution, and as a classical vocalist, with Austin’s prestigious vocal ensemble

Conspirare.

Over the past 10 years, Seth Walker has become recognized as one of the most revered modern roots artists in the United States; a three dimensional talent comprised by a gift for combining melody and lyric alongside a rich, Gospel-drenched, Southern-inflected voice with a true blue knack for getting around on the guitar. His latest studio album, Gotta Get Back, produced by Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers, is yet another masterwork that further expands upon this reputation.

Growing up on a commune in rural North Carolina, the son of classically trained musicians, Seth Walker played cello long before discovering the six-string in his 20s. When his introduction to the blues came via his Uncle Landon Walker, who was both a musician and disc jockey, his fate was forever sealed. Instantaneously, Seth was looking to artists like T-Bone Walker, Snooks Eaglin, and B.B. King as a wellspring of endless inspiration. The rest is history. He's released seven albums between 1997 and 2015; breaking into the Top 20 of the Americana charts and receiving praise from NPR, American Songwriter, No Depression and Blues Revue, among others.

In addition to extensive recording and songwriting pursuits, Seth is consistently touring and performing at venues and festivals around the world. Along with headline shows, he's been invited to open for The Mavericks, The Wood Brothers, Raul Malo, Paul Thorn and Ruthie Foster, among others.

Eric Nadel is an experienced Cuba watcher and has traveled to the island on multiple occasions for Baseball and to guide visitors who want an in depth understanding of the reality on the island. He is the winner of the 2014 Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame, has been broadcasting Texas Rangers baseball for 37 years. He has learned Spanish to better communicate with Latin American players and has traveled widely in Latin America, taking part in baseball broadcasts in Venezuela, Dominican Republic and Cuba. Eric is a seven-time recipient of the Texas Sportscaster of the Year Award and a member of the Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame. He grew up in Brooklyn, New York and graduated from Brown University with a B.A. in Political Science.

An avid music aficiando, Nadel hosts an annual birthday benefit concert in Dallas. He has served as the Music Director of Vagabond, booking the musical talent for the Greenville Avenue club.

Cuba Tours and Travel has over fifteen years of experience offering expert-driven cultural travel to Cuba. Our management and program-design team, working together with a team of superb Cuban travel associates in both Havana and Miami, are uniquely suited to offer you the finest in-depth travel program to the island. We are licensed by the US and Cuba and are fully insured. Most importantly, we have an abiding love for Cuban art and culture and have strong connections to the cultural institutions on the island.

Cuba Tours and Travel is a full-service agency licensed by the U.S. Government

TSP# CU-077926-b. CST number 2073790-40. Fla. Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST39635

Miami, FL. Office

10631 N. Kendall Drive

Suite 1208

Miami, Fl. 33176