Second Edition of Ballet Beyond Borders HAVBANA 2025 Announced
The Rocky Mountain Ballet Theater from the United States and Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba are jointly organizing the second edition of the Ballet Beyond Borders (BBB) HAVBANA 2025 festival, which will take place in the Cuban capital from January 7 to 11 next year.
The event will feature an in-person competition, masterclasses, and special activities with the participation of artists from across the five continents, contributing a rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and dance forms.
BBB was born in the United States as an initiative by Charlene Carey, founder of the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre, and is co-sponsored by Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba in its Havana edition, under the premise of celebrating the dynamic evolution of global dance.
The headquarters of Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba (LADC), Malecón ART 255, and the Martí Theater will host the initiatives of this second edition, with the closing gala taking place on January 11 at the Martí Theater in Havana.
For the first time, the event will extend beyond the Cuban capital, as a delegation of participants will perform a Special Gala on January 13 at the Tomás Terry Theater in the city of Cienfuegos, located in the central southern region of Cuba.
One of the special guests at BBB HAVBANA 2025 will be renowned director and choreographer Vincent Paterson, whose work spans cinema, theater, including Broadway, concert tours, operas, music videos, television, and commercials that have garnered awards in various countries. His career includes iconic choreography for Madonna and Michael Jackson, as well as directing the soprano Anna Netrebko on several occasions. Paterson also choreographed the musical sequences for Lars Von Trier’s film Dancer in the Dark, which won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, among many other accolades.
The competition for both professional and amateur dancers, identified with the trendy name Dance Challenge, will be divided into categories: ballet, contemporary/modern, young choreographers (up to 30 years old), and an open section that includes hip hop, flamenco, ballroom dancing, tap, and all forms of ethnic-cultural dance.
The international jury for the Dance Challenge will include Cuban director, teacher, and choreographer Lizt Alfonso, American director and choreographer Vincent Paterson, South African dancer Andile Ndlovu, Romanian teacher Domsa Radu, kathak choreographer and instructor Farah Yasmeen Shaikh (born in the United States but of Indian origin), Mexican dancer Ángel Vizcaíno Cortes, Canadian dancer Marsha Kwan, Cuban professor Caridad Martínez, and other directors, teachers, choreographers, and dancers from Belgium, Italy, Russia, Pakistan, China, Mexico, Australia, the United States, and Cuba.
All details regarding registration for BBB HAVBANA 2025 can now be found on the official website of Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba: https://www.liztalfonso.com/balletbeyondborders/. Upon registration, each participant will receive a message with their audition date.
The event organizers are committed to inspiring, connecting, and protecting the next generation of artists. BBB is not just a festival; it represents a global ballet nation, a beacon of cooperation and peace. Through dance, they advocate for human rights, justice, and world harmony, aiming to offer a vibrant platform that transcends borders, showcasing classical ballet alongside various genres such as folkloric, Native American, African, South American, hip hop, tap, and contemporary dance.
Cuba is famous for its rich cultural heritage, which blends African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences. For Cubans, dance is not just entertainment; it is a way of life that connects passion with professionalism. The country boasts a vast community of talent eager for experiences and opportunities. BBB HAVBANA 2025 can offer that and much more.
Source and photo: Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba
Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez
