MANANA
With the end of the US trade embargo in sight it’s an electrifying time for Cuba’s world-renowned music scene. Cubans are hungry for change but not at the expense of sacrificing their cultural roots.
Through discussions with the Cuban government, musicians and institutions it is clear that creating meaningful cultural connections will help young Cubans not only preserve, but build on the vitality of their heritage and identity.
INTRODUCTION
Connecting Cuban Folkloric Music to the
pioneers of the Electronic Music Community
WE ARE
MANANA
In May 2016 MANANA will be the first international Cuban Folkloric and Electronic Music festival to be held in Cuba.
ABOUT US
Founded by a Santiaguero and a Londoner and backed by the Cuban Government, MANANA is a partnership between Cuba and the West designed to leave a legacy of music and cultural exchange.
MANANA grew out of a collaboration between Harry Follett & Alain Garcia Artola, two musicians from vastly different cultures.
OUR
ETHOS
For them MANANA is about hunger for knowledge and cultural development. It is based around community and friendship.
But most importantly it’s about making music.
MANANA (Ma’na’na) is a word that is deeply rooted in Cuban music. Put simply, it is the flow of an artist and the spiritual connection that opens up with their audience.
DEFINING
MANANA
ALAIN GARCIA ARTOLA - MANANA CO FOUNDER
CUBAN FOLKLORIC MUSIC
Is a part of the modern identity of all Cubans in one form or another - be it their connection to dance and their bodies, their religious beliefs or a way of strengthening bonds in their local community.
THE
MUSIC
ELECTRONIC MUSIC
Transcends borders and adopts varied cultural references. It is a way of listening and an attitude to the dance floor, but most importantly to MANANA it embraces new technology as a means of development.
MUSICAL
CONTEXT
Despite its importance within Cuba, Folkloric Music has been all but forgotten outside of the country. MANANA will provide the Electronic Music Community with the opportunity to learn from Cuban Masters who have spent a lifetime refining their artistic skill.
In return, Electronic Music offers diverse perspectives on innovation and technology that MANANA are incorporating into wider discussions about recording, production, promotion and distribution, helping Cuban Folkloric Music reconnect with the wider world on their own terms.
OUR
AUDIENCE
Our audience are the foundation of MANANA 2016 . They are the people who will transmit our ethos and cement our legacy. They include:
- Cultural representatives from both the Cuban Folkloric and underground Electronic Music scenes from across the country.
- Local Cubans from Santiago who will require ticket subsidies.
- Forward thinking members of the International Electronic music community.
APPROX AUDIENCE: CUBA: 10,000 // WESTERN: 2,000
THE STORY
SO FAR
OVERVIEW
OF THE PROJECT
THE
JOURNEY
We anticipate that most festival attendees will be flying in to Havana and spending between one and two weeks in the country. This provides us with an opportunity to curate their trip as they travel from the west side of the island to Santiago in the east.
Our goal is to set up cultural events along the journey, using our knowledge and connections to direct travellers off the beaten trail and into a Cuba that has long since fallen out of the guide books. By the time they reach Santiago they'll have a completely unique perspective on the island's breathtaking natural beauty and cultural heritage that will allow them to further appreciate the range of Folkloric music at the Festival.
THE
JOURNEY
THE
FESTIVAL
AMPHITHEATRE
15,000 MAIN HEADLINE
CUBA
ELECTRO
HALLS x2
1200
CURATED STAGES
ROOMS
LECTURES
WORKSHOPS
ART INSTALLATION
THEATRE
2,300
SIT DOWN CONCERTS
VISUAL SHOWS
OUTDOOR
1,500
LABEL STAGE
COMMUNITY
15 VENUES
(50-500)
MANANA PARTNERS
INSTITUTION EVENTS
CARNIVAL
LEGACY
MANANA RECORD LABEL
- Connect Cuban musicians with International musicians.
- Distribute Cuban music and collaborations with International musicians.
- Give International and Cuban musicians a platform to tour.
MANANA STUDIO IN CUBA
- Work with partner technology brands to deliver workshops and free studios in Santiago.
- Create a hub to train young Cuban musicians.
- Create a destination for International music exchange students.
MANANA DIGITAL PRESENCE
- Create a platform to share content from the festival.
- Educate Cuban musicians on how to self promote and circulate content on the internet.
- Create a listing site for musical events within Cuba.
The legacy that MANANA 2016 leaves is the most important aspect of this project.
OUR
FOUNDERS
ALAIN GARCIA ARTOLA
Alain is a musician from Santiago de Cuba. He is a founder of the Santiago rap movement and director of professional hip hop trio TNT la Rezistencia. He has been involved in many collaborative projects with both Cuban and international artists.
HARRY FOLLETT
Was a Strategic Director at WPP agency, Mindshare, looking after brands such as M&S, Chanel & Unilever. Harry has lived in Santiago de Cuba and trained as a percussionist with a selection of Cuban Masters.
JENNER DEL VECCHIO
Was a Digital Producer who has overseen website and app builds on brands including Pernod, Unilever, McLaren & Google. He has travelled extensively in Cuba and has organised Electronic Music Events for Beatabet in Edinburgh.