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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 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.

Gaia interior
Gaia interior
Gaia colonial doors
Gaia from Teniente Rey 2005
Gaia exterior 2007
Mask Workshop under construction
Gaia stage under construction 2007
Stage under construction 2007

References

^ ^a ^b "A cultural journey into the heart of Havana". The Observer. Archived from the original on 26 March 2007. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
^ ^a ^b "Time Out Havana: And the Best of Cuba (Time Out Guides)". amazon.com. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
^ "Teherán Aguilar. Biografía artística". Archived from the original on 15 December 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
^ "Eduardo Eimil". Archived from the original on 18 March 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
^ ""Cocinando con Elvis", un espectáculo del grupo Gaia Teatro de La Habana...estreno en octubre de 2008". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
^ "The history of Cuba". Cuba Now!. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
^ "Balance of Ice - Pt. 1". Retrieved 27 June 2023 – via www.youtube.com.
^ "playbacknet.org". Archived from the original on 1 October 2006. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
^ "Leysis". Archived from the original on 12 August 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2007.
^ "Awards".
^ "(La Sonora Matancera)". Archived from the original on 8 October 1999. Retrieved 19 February 2007.

Time Out: Havana, Penguin Books, 2001, ISBN 0-14-100029-5
Time Out: Havana, Time Out Guides, 2005, ISBN 1-904978-83-5
Time Out: Havana, Time Out Guides, 2007

External links

Gaia Teatro blog, a Spanish-language blog site and web portal for the Gaia Theater Troupe.

[autogenerated2-1] "A cultural journey into the heart of Havana". The Observer. Archived from the original on 26 March 2007. Retrieved 27 June 2023.

[autogenerated1-2] "Time Out Havana: And the Best of Cuba (Time Out Guides)". amazon.com. Retrieved 27 June 2023.

[3] "Teherán Aguilar. Biografía artística". Archived from the original on 15 December 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2007.

[4] "Eduardo Eimil". Archived from the original on 18 March 2011. Retrieved 19 February 2007.

[5] ""Cocinando con Elvis", un espectáculo del grupo Gaia Teatro de La Habana...estreno en octubre de 2008". Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2009.

[6] "The history of Cuba". Cuba Now!. Retrieved 27 June 2023.

[7] "Balance of Ice - Pt. 1". Retrieved 27 June 2023 – via www.youtube.com.

[8] "playbacknet.org". Archived from the original on 1 October 2006. Retrieved 27 June 2023.

[9] "Leysis". Archived from the original on 12 August 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2007.

[10] "Awards".

[11] "(La Sonora Matancera)". Archived from the original on 8 October 1999. Retrieved 19 February 2007.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=August 2022}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
 [[File:Gaia arts centre, Havana.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Gaia]]
-'''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.<ref name=autogenerated2>[http://travel.guardian.co.uk/article/2006/dec/17/escape.culturaltrips.cuba A cultural journey into the heart of Havana | Travel | The Observer<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>[https://www.amazon.com/dp/1904978835 Amazon.com: Time Out Havana: And the Best of Cuba (Time Out Guides) (9781904978831): Time Out: Books<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
+'''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.<ref name=autogenerated2>{{Cite web|url=http://travel.guardian.co.uk/article/2006/dec/17/escape.culturaltrips.cuba|title=A cultural journey into the heart of Havana|website=The Observer|access-date=27 June 2023|archive-date=26 March 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070326192122/http://travel.guardian.co.uk/article/2006/dec/17/escape.culturaltrips.cuba|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/1904978835|title=Time Out Havana: And the Best of Cuba (Time Out Guides)|website=amazon.com|access-date=27 June 2023}}</ref>
-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 [[Book of Ruth|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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.actualidadescenica.cult.cu/Teheran_Aguilar.htm |title=Teherán Aguilar. Biografía artística<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215111152/http://www.actualidadescenica.cult.cu/Teheran_Aguilar.htm |archive-date=2007-12-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cniae.cult.cu/eduardo_eimil.htm |title=Eduardo Eimil<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318161504/http://www.cniae.cult.cu/eduardo_eimil.htm |archive-date=2011-03-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In collaboration with the British Council, Gaia staged a rehearsed reading of ''Cooking with Elvis'', by [[Lee Hall (playwright)|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.<ref>http://www.granma.cubasi.cu/2008/10/21/cultura/artic02.html</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.actualidadescenica.cult.cu/cocinando_conElvis.htm |title="Cocinando con Elvis", un espectáculo del grupo Gaia Teatro de La Habana...estreno en octubre de 2008<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2009-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718163135/http://www.actualidadescenica.cult.cu/cocinando_conElvis.htm |archive-date=2011-07-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was the first new British play performed in Cuba since ''An Inspector Calls'' opened in 1947.<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>http://www.cubanow.net/pages/loader.php?sec=35&t=2&item=5553{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
+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 [[Book of Ruth|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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.actualidadescenica.cult.cu/Teheran_Aguilar.htm |title=Teherán Aguilar. Biografía artística<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215111152/http://www.actualidadescenica.cult.cu/Teheran_Aguilar.htm |archive-date=2007-12-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cniae.cult.cu/eduardo_eimil.htm |title=Eduardo Eimil<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318161504/http://www.cniae.cult.cu/eduardo_eimil.htm |archive-date=2011-03-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In collaboration with the British Council, Gaia staged a rehearsed reading of ''Cooking with Elvis'', by [[Lee Hall (playwright)|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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.actualidadescenica.cult.cu/cocinando_conElvis.htm |title="Cocinando con Elvis", un espectáculo del grupo Gaia Teatro de La Habana...estreno en octubre de 2008<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2009-06-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718163135/http://www.actualidadescenica.cult.cu/cocinando_conElvis.htm |archive-date=2011-07-18 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was the first new British play performed in Cuba since ''An Inspector Calls'' opened in 1947.<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cubanow.net/|title=The history of Cuba|website=Cuba Now!|access-date=27 June 2023}}</ref>
 <gallery>
-File:The Kings, Gaia.jpg|In the court of Minos -- ''The Kings'', Gaia
+The Kings, Gaia.jpg|In the court of Minos -- ''The Kings'', Gaia
-File:The Kings, Gaia 2.jpg|Calling on the gods -- ''The Kings'', Gaia
+The Kings, Gaia 2.jpg|Calling on the gods -- ''The Kings'', Gaia
-File:Cooking with Elvis.jpg|''Cooking with Elvis'' rehearsed reading, Teatro Nacional, Havana, 2000
+Cooking with Elvis.jpg|''Cooking with Elvis'' rehearsed reading, Teatro Nacional, Havana, 2000
-File:CenizasRuth.jpg|''Las Cenizas de Ruth''
+CenizasRuth.jpg|''Las Cenizas de Ruth''
-File:LaPielElisa.jpg|''La Piel de Elisa''
+LaPielElisa.jpg|''La Piel de Elisa''
-File:Maskperformance2.jpg|Mask performance
+Maskperformance2.jpg|Mask performance
-File:Maskperformance3.jpg|Mask performance
+Maskperformance3.jpg|Mask performance
-File:"Cooking with Elvis" (rehearsal, 2007).jpg|Rehearsals for ''Cooking with Elvis'', 2007
+"Cooking with Elvis" (rehearsal, 2007).jpg|Rehearsals for ''Cooking with Elvis'', 2007
 </gallery>
-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.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlLQOBBQ0Jw Balance of Ice - Pt. 1 - YouTube<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
+Gaia Dance has collaborated with 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlLQOBBQ0Jw|title=Balance of Ice - Pt. 1|accessdate=27 June 2023|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref>
-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.<ref>http://playbacknet.org/interplay/Previousissues/April%2003/cubascott.htm</ref>
+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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://playbacknet.org/interplay/Previousissues/April%2003/cubascott.htm|title=playbacknet.org|accessdate=27 June 2023|archive-date=1 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061001195349/http://www.playbacknet.org/interplay/Previousissues/April%2003/cubascott.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 <gallery>
-File:Felices1.jpg|''Felices Los Normales'' performance at Gaia
+Felices Los Normales (Gaia arts centre, Havana).jpg|''Felices Los Normales'' performance at Gaia
-File:Felices2.jpg|Carlos Borbon raising HIV awareness at Gaia
+Felices2.jpg|Carlos Borbon raising HIV awareness at Gaia
-File:UNESCO.jpg|UNESCO award for ''Felices Los Normales''
+UNESCO.jpg|UNESCO award for ''Felices Los Normales''
-File:Audience watching "Felices Los Normales".jpg|Audience watches ''Felices Los Normales''
+Audience watching "Felices Los Normales".jpg|Audience watches ''Felices Los Normales''
 </gallery>
@@ Line 30: / Line 30: @@
 <gallery>
-File:Gaia street performance, Havana.jpg|Street Performance in Old Havana
+Gaia street performance, Havana.jpg|Street Performance in Old Havana
-File:Mascara2.jpg|Street performance in Old Havana
+Mascara2.jpg|Street performance in Old Havana
-File:Lesson Mascara3.jpg|Mask lesson
+Lesson Mascara3.jpg|Mask lesson
-File:Mascara4.jpg|Mask Performance
+Mascara4.jpg|Mask Performance
 </gallery>
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 <gallery>
-File:reyeswell.jpg|Installation piece for Los Reyes
+reyeswell.jpg|Installation piece for Los Reyes
-File:angeldelgado.jpg|Angel Delgado's handkerchief created while in jail
+<!-- Deleted image removed: angeldelgado.jpg|Angel Delgado's handkerchief created while in jail -->
-File:Visuals5.jpg|Contemplation
+Visuals5.jpg|Contemplation
-File:Visuals6.jpg|Fragmentos: international exhibition
+<!-- Deleted image removed: Visuals6.jpg|Fragmentos: international exhibition -->
-File:throne4.jpg|Minos' throne
+throne4.jpg|Minos' throne
 </gallery>
@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 <gallery>
-File:Musica1.jpg|Percussion class
+Musica1.jpg|Percussion class
-File:Aris Garit in performance (Gaia arts centre, Havana).jpg|Aris Garit sings his trova
+Aris Garit in performance (Gaia arts centre, Havana).jpg|Aris Garit sings his trova
 </gallery>
@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 <gallery>
-File:Gaia arts centre, Havana (interior).jpg|Gaia interior
+Gaia arts centre, Havana (interior).jpg|Gaia interior
-File:Stained glass in the Gaia arts centre (Havana).jpg|Gaia interior
+Stained glass in the Gaia arts centre (Havana).jpg|Gaia interior
-File:Gaia arts centre, Havana.jpg|Gaia colonial doors
+Gaia arts centre, Havana.jpg|Gaia colonial doors
-File:Gaia arts centre, Havana (exterior - 2005).jpg|Gaia from Teniente Rey 2005
+Gaia arts centre, Havana (exterior - 2005).jpg|Gaia from Teniente Rey 2005
-File:Gaia arts centre, Havana (exterior) (2007).jpg|Gaia exterior 2007
+Gaia arts centre, Havana (exterior) (2007).jpg|Gaia exterior 2007
-File:maskworkshop.jpg|Mask Workshop under construction
+maskworkshop.jpg|Mask Workshop under construction
-File:Stage under construction (Gaia arts centre, Havana - 2007).jpg|Gaia stage under construction 2007
+Stage under construction (Gaia arts centre, Havana - 2007).jpg|Gaia stage under construction 2007
-File:Gaia2007construction2.jpg|Stage under construction 2007
+Gaia2007construction2.jpg|Stage under construction 2007
 </gallery>