Gaia (arts venue)

Gaia is an arts centre in Havana, Cuba, set up on January 1, 2000, as a not-for-profit collaboration between Cuban and international artists.^[1]^[2]

The centre offers theatre, music and dance performances, workshops, programs for children and the physically disadvantaged, and exhibitions of works by young artists. Gaia Teatro, the centre's resident theatre company, has produced some interesting works: Las cenizas de Ruth was director Esther Cardoso's radical reinterpretation of the biblical story of Ruth. Los Reyes was a staging of Julio Cortázar's version of the tale of Theseus and the Minotaur. And Reciclaje used recycled items for wardrobe to explore environmental themes.^[3]^[4] In collaboration with the British Council, Gaia staged a rehearsed reading of Cooking with Elvis, by Lee Hall, directed by British director Sebastian Doggart, in the Teatro Nacional in 2000. Eight years later, on October 4, 2008, the show finally premiered, in the Sala Avellaneda at the Teatro Nacional.^[5] It was the first new British play performed in Cuba since An Inspector Calls opened in 1947.^[2]^[6]

In the court of Minos -- The Kings, Gaia
Calling on the gods -- The Kings, Gaia
Cooking with Elvis rehearsed reading, Teatro Nacional, Havana, 2000
Las Cenizas de Ruth
La Piel de Elisa
Mask performance
Mask performance
Rehearsals for Cooking with Elvis, 2007

Gaia Dance has collaborated with world-renowned Cuban ballerina Viengsay Valdes on a production of Balance of Ice, a contemporary dance piece inspired by the sounds of ice sheets calving. The piece was directed by Sebastian Doggart, and featured music by Canadian composer Andrew Staniland. which can be viewed on YouTube.^[7]

On the last Saturday of every month, Gaia hosts a mask workshop for children in the morning, and, at 5pm, a unique theatrical event, called Felices Los Normales (Happy the Normal). Targeted at Cubans with HIV/AIDS – and the community surrounding them—the program is directed by inspirational activist Carlos Borbon. He and his group, Teatro Espontaneo, invite participants to come forward to tell an HIV-related story which is then enacted by a group of professional actors and musicians. The stories are moving and dramatic, and the atmosphere is electric. In December 2006, UNESCO presented the company with an award for its efforts in combating HIV/AIDS.^[8]

Felices Los Normales performance at Gaia
Carlos Borbon raising HIV awareness at Gaia
UNESCO award for Felices Los Normales
Audience watches Felices Los Normales

Gaia also has a 'Casa de Mascara', teaching the techniques and traditions of masks to children and adults, and taking promenade performances into the streets of Old Havana.

Street Performance in Old Havana
Street performance in Old Havana
Mask lesson
Mask Performance

Gaia has hosted numerous exhibitions of Cuban and international artists, including Leysis Quesada Vera, Angel Delgado, Catherine Bertola, Paul Rooney (artist) and US artist Scott Griesbach.^[9] In 2006, it put on an exhibition -- Kachita, Mango y el Jim—startlingly documenting the havoc caused by two hurricanes that flooded the city in 2005.

Installation piece for Los Reyes
Contemplation
Minos' throne

Gaia has staged performances by musicians such as Chucho Valdes,^[10] Tony Perez, Los Jovenes Clasicos del Son, Sonora Matancera, Alicia Bustamante, Gaia Jazz, and Aris Garit.^[11] It offers percussion lessons for foreign music students.

Percussion class
Aris Garit sings his trova

Gaia Teatro is located at Calle Brazil (Teniente Rey) #157, between Cuba y Aguiar, La Habana Vieja.^[1] In 2007, Gaia embarked on major construction work to create permanent workshops for its arts and community activities, including the building of a new semi-outdoors performance space.