2026 FESTIVAL EVENTS
Multi-media Presentation by John Santos
Wednesday, April 8th 7:00-9:00pm
At MoAD SF : 685 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
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De un Pájaro las dos Alas (Two Wings of the Same Bird): The Parallel Colonial Histories that Unite the Music of Cuba and Puerto Rico.
A two-hour, multi-media presentation by historian, John Santos
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The distinct musical traditions of Cuba and Puerto Rico are joined at the hip for good reason. Their shared colonial experience of genocide, slavery and US intervention created a similar foundation for musical resistance and self-expression that resulted in iconic, internationally renowned musical forms such as Salsa and Latin Jazz as well as lesser known forms.
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$20 general admission
$25 door
MoAD members get $5 off, please email programs@moadsf.org for code
Mirando atras, moviendo pa’lante/
Looking back, Moving forward
Friday & Saturday, April 10 & 11 • 8pm
Sunday, April 12 • 4pm
At ODC Theater 3153 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
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A mixed program of six diverse pieces that were chosen based on their artistry and impact from past festival performances over the last 20 years by artistic director Ramón Ramos Alayo and executive director Jamaica Itule Simmons.
Acclaimed Bay Area Caribbean and Latinx performing artists featured are: Alayo Dance Company (Afro-Cuban Modern), Arenas Dance Company (Afro-Cuban Folkloric), Los Lupeños de San José (Mexican Folkloric), Cunamacué (Afro-Peruvian), Alafia Dance Ensemble (Afro-Haitian), Juntos (Cuban Youth Ensemble)
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​Juntos are performing Saturday and Sunday shows only.
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Special Honoring Event of John Santos at the opening of the sunday performance.
Assigned Seating
$60 Adult VIP (seating in first 2 rows of theater)
​$38 Adult General Admission
$28 Youth (12 and under) / Senior (65 and older)
$20 Traditional Cuban Food by Glenda Suarez — Pay with cash or Zelle.
ODC WAITLIST POLICY: In the event of a sold-out performance, you may join the waitlist by checking in with the Box Office up to 30 minutes before the curtain. Being on the waitlist does not guarantee ticket availability. Seats will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on remaining capacity. The Box Office will begin distributing any unclaimed tickets five minutes before the show.
Afro-Cuban Modern Master Class w/ Marco Palomino
Saturday, April 11th 11-12:30pm
At ODC Theater 3153 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
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All Levels Welcome
Marco welcomes dancers of all skill levels to his workshop, inviting you to experience his unique approach to movement—a blend of contemporary dance and Cuban roots. Through his class, you’ll discover the joy of self-expression and learn to move with greater freedom, confidence, and authenticity.
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Marco Palomino is a choreographer, dancer, and director based in Los Angeles, CA. Originally born in Cuba, he graduated from Escuela Nacional de Arte. Marco has worked with Jacob Jonas The Company, Ballet Revolución, Rosario Cárdenas, Carlos Acosta’s Acostadanza in collaboration with Birmingham Royal Ballet. Recently nominated for the Princess Grace Award in Choreography. Marco has created commission works for dance companies, museums, film, immersive experience and live theater. He has shared his work in 11 different countries.
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$15 general admission
$25 door
Afro-Cuban Folkloric Dance Master Class w/ Francy Ramos
Sunday, April 12th 11-12:30pm
At ODC Theater 3153 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
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All Levels Welcome
Class includes Live Music by Bata Drummers
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Francy Ramos is a dancer and teacher who was born in Havana, Cuba, to a family of inspirational artists. She was trained by her father, Juan de Dios Ramos, and Concepcion Delgado (concha), both founders of the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba. She began working at the company Raíces Profundas at the age of 13, where she trained as a dancer, a soloist, and was also the company's assistant director. Francys was also part of major rumba groups in Cuba such as Yoruba Andabo and Rumberos de Cuba. In her role as a teacher, she strives to convey a legible dance style and traditionalism.
CubaCaribe is excited to host Francy Ramos as a teacher for the first time in the festival.
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$15 general admission
$25 door
Ritmo, Palabra y Movimiento:
Una peña
Wednesday, April 15 • 7-9:30pm
At Casa de Carnaval Indigenous Peoples Cultural Arts Healing Center : 683 Florida St, San Francisco, CA 94110
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Ritmo, Palabra y Movimiento: Una peña: preserving dance, music, culture and connection. An artistic community gathering & celebration. Showcase & Dance party with DJ Leydis. Homemade Cuban food & drinks available for purchase at the event.
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Travel to Cuba without leaving the city. ‘Cuban Night: Poetry, Rhythm, and Roots’ will take you from the emotion of poetry, to the passion of trova, the fire of salsa, the beats of DJ Leydis, and authentic Cuban food. An experience you can’t miss!
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Performances by:
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Agua Doce Dance (Brazilian Dance)
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SF Salimpour Collective (Belly Dance)
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Rueda Con Ritmo (Salsa Rueda)
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Trey Russell and Brandie Norris (Hip Hop)
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Ramon's Salsa Class (Cuban Salsa)
Poetry by Dominique
DJ Sets played by DJ Leydis
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General Admission
$20 Advance
$28 Door
$20 Traditional Cuban Food by Glenda Suarez — Pay with cash or Zelle.​
Enraizando/ Rooting Within:
Connecting roots from the Bay Area to Borikén
Friday & Saturday April 17 & 18 • 7pm
At Bay View Opera House, 4705 3rd St, San Francisco, CA
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Featuring Shefali Shah and Aguacero and guests
This will be an evening length performance that highlights the transitional experience and journey of young women facing womanhood through Puerto Rican Bomba music and dance. All tickets include Puerto Rican food by Sol Food and access to a photo exhibit in conjunction with the project opening at 5:30pm before shows.​
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Photo exhibit by Eli Jacobs-Fantauzzi
Opening night: April 17 with artist
Exhibit will run April 17- May 31st
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General Admission
All tickets include Puerto Rican food by Sol Food
$45 Adult (18-64)
$30 Youth (17 and under) / Senior (65 and older)
IMPORTANT TRAFFIC ADVISORY NOTE FRI & SAT 4/17 & 18:
Caltrans has scheduled a 55-hour full weekend closure of eastbound I-80 between 17th and 4th Streets and northbound and southbound US-101 connector ramps to eastbound I-80 in San Francisco, due to roadwork.
The closures start on Friday, April 17 at 11:00 PM through Monday, April 20 at 6:00 AM.
PLEASE LEAVE EXTRA TRAVEL TIME TO ARRIVE ON SATURDAY ​​
Bombatey
Sunday, April 19 • 2:30-6:30pm
At La Peña Cultural Center: 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94705
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A community gathering/Jam where dancers, singers, and drummers gather to celebrate Puerto Rican music and dance culture and tradition.
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This Batey event will start with an Artist panel & film screening featuring Shefali Shah and artists and collaborators of the Enraizando/Rooting Within project.
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General Admission
$15 Advance $25 door
$10 Youth 17 and Under
ACCESSIBILITY
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All of our Special Event venues (ODC Theater, Casa de Carnaval Indigenous Peoples Cultural Arts Healing Center, Dance Mission Theater, ODC Theater, BayView Opera House) are ADA compliant. Please email contact@cubacaribe.org if you need special accommodations or have any questions.
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