PRESS RELEASE FROM EVENT ORGANIZERS:
EVENT TITLE:
Cuba in Focus: A Multi-Media Presentation of Three Ashevilleans’ Journey to CubaLOCATION:
The Millroom in Downtown: Wednesday, Sept. 28th — FREE PARKING is available for this event directly across the street from The Millroom.EVENT DESCRIPTION:
With public interest in Cuba at an all-time high, a local multimedia crew, including painter Christopher Holt, photographer/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.
This unique travelogue is Wednesday, September 28th at The Millroom in Downtown Asheville.FREE PARKING is available across the street for all Millroom events at the Asheland Center parking lot.
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.SEATING IS LIMITED. Strongly suggest purchasing tickets in advance. This is an all-ages event that sold out in advance at the Waynesville presentation in August.
TICKET PRICE – ALL AGES EVENT:
Tickets are $7 each, with $1 from each ticket 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 PRESENTERS:
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 late Fall Exhibition of his work. This September 28th presentation will be an exclusive first-look at some of his Cuban artwork and pieces 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.
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.
These three friends and residents of Buncombe County rented a house together just outside of Havana in Guanabo, Cuba.
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