A Note from Executive Director, Linda Shelton on The Joyce’s Cuba Festival:

Over the next two weeks, as part of our Cuba Festival, we feature the return of audience favorite Malpaso Dance Company and the New York debuts of DanzAbierta and Compañía Irene Rodríguez, two skilled and stylish companies that represent different aspects of the dance scene in Cuba today.

It is especially gratifying for me to acknowledge that this festival is a result of The Joyce’s long-standing relationship with Cuban dance. Since I first traveled to Cuba in 2000 as a guest of the Washington Ballet, I have made more than twenty visits. In addition to discovering the wealth of Cuban dance talent, these trips also allowed The Joyce to facilitate collaborations between Cuban companies and American choreographers like Ronald K. Brown and Trey McIntyre, whose work will be performed by Malpaso Dance Company in this festival. We are happy to introduce New York audiences to Compañía Irene Rodríguez, one of Cuba’s most exciting flamenco troupes, and DanzAbierta, one of the country’s most important contemporary dance companies.

Since 2001, The Joyce has not only presented Cuban companies on its stage, but also, through a People to People initiative, has made Cuba an annual destination in its travel program. Our travelers have found that the Cuban people are extremely passionate about dance, and their dancers are extremely well-trained. Our next trip will focus on Havana and will take place from September 13 to 18. I encourage you to join us for what promises to be meaningful interaction with this fascinating culture through private tours, performances, and discussions about dance, art, and life in this intriguing city. Please contact Lila Ziegler at lziegler@joyce.org if you would like more information about this trip, or to get on the list for a future trip.

As the United States and Cuba move toward the restoration of diplomatic and commercial ties, the path for cultural exchange is clearing, and I look forward to seeing more Cuban artists at The Joyce and at more venues throughout the U.S.