APRIL 12-19, 2026

An unforgettable week of cultural exchange in Cuba with the Orisha House Project, for dancers and arts patrons who seek a legal pathway to learn and build in this incredible community.

History and Purpose

In April 2023, we brought together the house dance community and orisha folklore community for the Orisha House Invitation Battle in Havana, a historic, electric evening with sixteen dancers, live bata drums, vocalists, and a DJ. We followed this with a premiere of El Alcance from the Orisha House Project dance company at the historic Bertolt Brecht theater to conclude our month residency, which was filmed for inclusion in the US Library of Congress.

In April of 2024, we hosted our first Orisha Festival to continue our work of cultural fusion, but at the international level, including American dancers from the United States, alumna of Beyonce, Janet Jackson and Lauryn Hill among others who came to Cuba to exchange with the Orisha House Project. We built on this vision in 2025 and continue to grow the community and spirit of exchange between global dancers.

And now, in 2026, we are thrilled to be hosting the third edition of the Orisha House Festival, with special workshops, sessions, performances, visits to cultural sites, parties and concept battle. This weeklong experience for dancers, musicians and DJs will create space to connect, learn and build. We emphasize deep respect for culture and community, historical accuracy and inclusivity, and joyful self-expression.

 While this festival was designed for the Cuban community to further develop local artistry, it is open to a maximum of 15 international visitors who wish to engage in meaningful interactions with  Cuban people and culture with respect and care in the spirit of the “people to people” exchange concept. Travel from the US for cultural exchange and support for the Cuban people is absolutely safe and legal for US citizens, who will have a full-time itinerary of meaningful interactions. Travelers will satisfy all conditions of the “Support of Cuban People” visa category pursuant to the regulations of the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

 We engage all applicants with a 20 minute interview/video call, to answer all of your questions, explain some of the unique elements of travel to Cuba, and ensure you get the most out of your experience. DM us at @orisha.house on Instagram to schedule your conversation or ask any questions after reading the below.

Schedule Details:

Sunday: WELCOME!

Arrival in Havana, welcome dinner with Orisha House company members

Monday: FOUNDATIONS

Intros: History of the Orishas and the Orisha House Project 10-11 am

Dance Class: Orisha dance fundamentals 11 -12:30 pm

Lunch: 12:30-1:30 pm

Dance Class: House Fundamentals 1:30-3 pm

Dinner at home: 5 pm

Excursion: Religious Ceremony 6-11 pm

Tuesday: ELEGGUA AND OCHUN

Dance Class: Eleggua and Ochún: 10-12 pm

Lunch: 12-1 pm

Music Class: Intro to Cuban Rhythms 1-2 pm

Dance Class: Orisha House 2-3:30 pm

Break: 3:30-5 pm

History of DJ Culture in Cuba with DJ Jigue: 5-7 pm

Dinner on your own

Optional: Salsa Party 10:30 pm

WEDNESDAY: YEMAYA AND OGUN

Dance Class: Yemaya and Ogun: 10-12 pm

Lunch: 12-1

Dance Class: House 1-2:30 PM

Optional: Walking tour of Old Havana 2:30-4 pm

Dinner at home: 5 pm

BATTLE!: 6:30-10 pm

Optional: Rooftop Kizomba/Salsa party 10:30 pm

THURSDAY: OYA AND SHANGO

Dance Class: Oya and Shango: 10-12 pm

Lunch: 12-1 pm

Music Class: Percussion 1-2 pm

Dance Class: House 2-3:30

Optional: 5:30 pm rooftop sunset kick back and dinner by the ocean

Optional: Salsa Party 10 pm

FRIDAY: OBATALA AND OCHOSI

Dance Class: Obatala and Ciclo Congo (Palo, Makuta, Yuca): 10-12 pm

Lunch: 12-1 pm

Rehearsal: observe an Orisha House Project Rehearsal, option to perform 1-2:30 pm

Dance Class: Reparto (Cuban reggaeton) 2:30- 4 pm

Optional: Jazz at 8 pm, Reggaeton party 10 pm

SATURDAY: CELEBRATION

Excursion: greet Yemaya with a white sand beach trip 10-4 pm

Orisha House performance and fiesta: 8 pm-1 am

SUNDAY: DEPARTURE

NOTE: Schedule is subject to changes, but always in the spirit of maximizing the opportunity for creative exchange.

TEACHERS

Classes will not only be taught by Orisha House Project members, but will also be taking class side-by-side with you to maximize cultural exchange and connection. Meet some of our distinguished artists below…we are thirteen dancers, four musicians, and one DJ. Some festival participants will be invited as well to give master classes in their styles—previous years have included house, West African traditional, locking, popping, etc.

PACKAGES AND PRICES

Program is FREE for all Cuban artists residing in Cuba. Prices for visitors are listed below in US Dollars. Visitors MUST pre-register by March 15, 2025.

International Artist Pass: $1,600 by Jan 19, $1,950 by March 15. Additional $250 discount for returning participants!

For dancers and musicians excited to engage in classes, battles, parties and people to people exchange. We will arrange for 7 nights of housing in a historic Havana home, daily lunch, transportation to all classes and events, plus access to a dedicated whatsapp support line from 7 am-10 pm daily.

Rooms are double occupancy and typically with a private bathroom. Single room supplement: $400. If you wish to extend your stay, the cost is $75/day including hotel, breakfast and transit to/from the airport. Two pre-excursions are available: Viñales (countryside) on April 10 and Varadero (beach) on April 11 for an additional cost of $100 per day to be paid at the time of registration.

Non-refundable deposit of $500 required to complete registration.

Visitors must provide proof of travel health insurance, book their own flights based on our recommended itineraries, and fulfill all visa requirements. We also ask that you bring medicine to share with Cuban artists as part of your contribution.

Please note that the Orisha House Project is a fiscally sponsored 501 ©3 non-profit organization with the goal of promoting urban folkloric styles globally. Beyond daily costs such as housing and meals, ALL fees go directly to Cuban members of the Orisha House Project to support their ongoing work. We aspire to have pricing that is both fair to our Cuban artists and accessible to visitors, while providing them with a 5 star experience (for instance, with at least 3 live musicians in each orisha dance class!). To maximize affordability, an optional, $350 discount will be offered to those who register BEFORE January 19, 2025, and a $250 discount to returning artists. Registration closes March 15.

Follow @orisha.house on IG and send us a message if you have any questions…we look forward to receiving you in Cuba!