With support from the California Arts Council, CubaCaribe will explore dance and music forms that reflect the shared experience and history of Afro-Brazilians, Afro-Cubans, and African Americans in overcoming systems of oppression. Titled Esperanca Negra to reflect Lead Artist Tania Santiago’s and CubaCaribe’s vision of the promise and hope for better days, the project will involve a series of conversations and gatherings with local dancers, musicians, scholars and community members representing these communities. Out of the gatherings, the lead artist and her collaborators will begin to develop choreography and shape the material in free classes for community members to perform at SF Carnaval.
Community is at the heart of all of CubaCaribe’s programming. Our unwavering focus is on building a thriving community of Caribbean artists in the Bay Area. CubaCaribe’s services include offering ongoing education and performance opportunities for artists and audiences. Core programs include: The Annual CubaCaribe Festival of Dance and Music,which includes performances, lectures, demos, workshops, film screenings, celebrations and more (2005-present); the resident Alayo Dance Company CubaCaribe’s artistic director’s innovative fusion of Afro-Cuban modern, folkloric and popular Cuban dance (2004-present); Cuba Camp, which offers adult campers an intensive two-four days of Caribbean dance and music classes (2004-2006, 2014, 2021, 2024); Annual Noche Caribeña Gala, a cabaret dinner and show fundraiser (2019, 2022-2024); Moving Juntos, Afro-Cuban Dance & Music classes for ages 4-12 (2021-present); Maestros y Raíces, a series of master classes by visiting teachers (2024), and the San Francisco Carnaval Contingent, featuring original choreography taught in a series of classes and performed to live music (2006, 2008 & 2019-present). CubaCaribe also provides fiscal sponsorship services.

