THE EVENT
Tonight is the welcome event of the Festival and the main event is the launch of a new Romeo y Julieta known as the Wide Churchill. We are all dressed to the "nines" as we make our way into a beautiful old opera house that has been restored to it's original grandeur.
What a cosmopolitan group (present company excluded) as it is the elite of the cigar world.... Habanos officials, PGA Golfers, Hollywood "types", people wearing turbans, old guys escorting their grand-daughters, erhhh, "friends" by the arm and of-course Cuban Government officials with an ever-present smirk over their faces.
The evening begins in the Gran Teatro de la Habana right across from the revolution museum. Totally restored and dressed up for the biggest event of the year, I grab a seat in the very front row of the Teatro.
The concert is fantastic and features Chuco Valdes as the headliner. Born in Cuba in 1941, Chuco is a pianist, composer and arranger. In 1972 he founded the group Irakere, one of the most important latin jazz bands ever formed.
Chuco is considered one of the top living pianists and composers today and is included in the top four list of best jazz musicians in the world. The videos capture some incredible and vibrant jazz that is an absolute joy. He was joined on stage by a delightful singer, Mariza, a captivating entertainer from Lisbon and Ivan Lins, a musician and composer from Rio.
After the concert we ventured next door to enjoy the new Wide Churchill and partake in just a little food and Havana Club... As we entered the venue, we were welcomed by a line of young delightful greeters, presenting us with our gift bag full of Wide Churchill cigars.
What a cosmopolitan group (present company excluded) as it is the elite of the cigar world.... Habanos officials, PGA Golfers, Hollywood "types", people wearing turbans, old guys escorting their grand-daughters, erhhh, "friends" by the arm and of-course Cuban Government officials with an ever-present smirk over their faces.
The evening begins in the Gran Teatro de la Habana right across from the revolution museum. Totally restored and dressed up for the biggest event of the year, I grab a seat in the very front row of the Teatro.
The concert is fantastic and features Chuco Valdes as the headliner. Born in Cuba in 1941, Chuco is a pianist, composer and arranger. In 1972 he founded the group Irakere, one of the most important latin jazz bands ever formed.
Chuco is considered one of the top living pianists and composers today and is included in the top four list of best jazz musicians in the world. The videos capture some incredible and vibrant jazz that is an absolute joy. He was joined on stage by a delightful singer, Mariza, a captivating entertainer from Lisbon and Ivan Lins, a musician and composer from Rio.
After the concert we ventured next door to enjoy the new Wide Churchill and partake in just a little food and Havana Club... As we entered the venue, we were welcomed by a line of young delightful greeters, presenting us with our gift bag full of Wide Churchill cigars.
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