‘Cuba in Focus’ travelogue details Asheville travelers’ experience

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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cuba_asheville_5_2016Here are the pertinent deets:

EVENT TITLE:
Cuba in Focus: A Multimedia Presentation of 3 Ashevilleans’ Journey to Cuba

EVENT DATE & TIME:
Wednesday, September 28 — Reception from 6:00pm-7:00pm / Presentation with Q&A from 7:00pm-8:00pm

LOCATION:
The Millroom in Downtown Asheville — 66 Asheland Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 — FREE PARKING is available for this event directly across the street from The Millroom.

TICKET INFORMATION:
$7.00/ticket with portion of ticket sales going to purchase equipment for a Cuban photographer whose story will be told at the presentation. All ages event.
SEATING IS LIMITED. Strongly suggest purchasing tickets online in advance. This event that sold out in advance at the Waynesville presentation in August.
Tickets can be purchased on The Millroom website here.cuba_asheville_1_2016

EVENT DESCRIPTION:
With public interest in Cuba at an all-time high, a local multimedia crew, including artist Christopher Holt, filmmaker Wyman Tannehill and journalist Jon Elliston, takes us inside the “hidden island.” The trio recently visited Havana and several rural areas outside the capitol to take in the country’s people and culture in the midst of historic and ongoing changes.

What is the state of Cuban-U.S. relations after the recent diplomatic openings? How is Cuba changing, and how is it staying entrenched? How are Cubans expressing themselves through arts, music and media? Will the tidal wave of U.S. tourists “ruin” Cuba? And given the new opportunities to travel to the island, how can I go there to see for myself?

All of these questions and more will be answered at the Cuba in Focus presentation featuring photos, videos and stories from their journey. Also, select pieces of Christopher Holt’s artwork from this Cuban journey will be on display in an exclusive first-look before his November 18th Show of all his Cuba-created paintings and drawings.

This unique travelogue is Wednesday, Sept. 28, at The Millroom in Downtown Asheville. FREE PARKING is available across the street for all Millroom events at the Asheland Center parking lot.cuba_asheville_4_2016

6:00-7:00pm – RECEPTION WITH ARTWORK, PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO PLUS CUBAN/LATIN FOOD FOR PURCHASE:
At 6 p.m., a reception begins featuring Holt’s artwork and Tannehill’s photography.
Also, CUBAN & PAN-LATIN AMERICAN FOOD will be available for purchase from the extremely popular Smash Box Mobile Kitchen.

7:00-8:00pm – PRESENTATION FOLLOWED BY Q&A WITH ATTENDEES:
The one-hour Cuba presentation begins at 7:00 p.m. and includes stories, photos and videos from the journey. It is followed by a Q&A from attendees. Christopher, Jon & Wyman will be available after the Q&A to answer additional questions.

PORTION OF TICKET SALES SUPPORTS A CUBAN PHOTOGRAPHER:
A portion of ticket sales is going to support equipment purchases for Francisco, a Cuban photographer in need whose story and interaction with the travelers will be part of the presentation.

ABOUT THE TRAVELERS:
Long-time local artist Christopher Holt traveled around the island for a month, painting and drawing various scenes of all aspects in Cuban life for a November 18th Exhibition of his work from this journey. This September 28th presentation will be an exclusive first-look at some of his Cuban artwork and pieces will be available for sale.

Photographer, filmmaker and actor Wyman Tannehill accompanied Holt taking photos and video of Holt working in the Cuban streets in addition to capturing footage for a larger travel show concept that will be shared in the presentation. Some of Tannehill’s photo prints of Cuba will be available for sale.

Jon Elliston is a highly respected journalist who has been traveling to Cuba for 20 years. His focus for this 2016 journey was to survey how mass communication in Cuba has and hasn’t changed amidst the recent landmark changes in Cuban-U.S. relations. His investigative report on Cuban Media was recently published by Columbia Journalism Review and Investigative Reporting Workshop.

These three friends and residents of Buncome County rented a house together just outside of Havana in Guanabo, Cuba.

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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