Join Southside Johnny for trip to Havana Cuba
Voyage includes attendance at the 31st International Jazz Festival
Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes are offering members of the public a spot on their trip to Cuba.
The Jersey-based rock band will lead a people-to-people community exchange to Havana in December, Asbury Park Economic Development Director Tom Gilmour announced Wednesday.
“The visit is centered around the 31st International Havana Jazz Festival in which Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes will perform,” Gilmour said. “The program also includes visits to local schools for music sessions with students and an urban jam session with local artists.”
The historic visit will take place from Dec. 17 to 22 as part of the Local-2-Global Initiative Project led by former Asbury Park Mayor Ed Johnson.
Johnson, a community resource management consultant, works to connect Main Street to the Global Community by creating a dialogue that promotes cultural exchanges, professional development, joint project management expertise and business-cultural partnerships.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to bring two cutlures that have so much in common to start a great relationship,” Johnson said.
The trip is one of the first to take place since the restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba lifted travel restrictions earlier this year.
“There’s still a lot to be worked out but this was just a natural progression for us to go,” Johnson said.
The delegation of travelers also include Beverly Beveridge of Jersey Shore PR Agency, Choice Aire executives and the Asbury Park Music Heritage Foundation, who will document the trip.
There are 100 spots open to the public with travel visa, hotel accommodations, meals, in-country transportation, full access to the Jazz Festival, area tours and attendance at the closing night Gala included.
Johnson also said they will extend an invitation for educators and performance artists from Cuba to visit Asbury Park during the 2016 summer season.
More information will be unveiled 3 p.m. Saturday at Havana Tropical Café in Highlands. A full trip itinerary briefing will take place along with a photo opportunity with the SSJ Band and Program Crew, Gilmour said.
For those who cannot attend visit Johnson’s website for more information.
Travel plans are broken down into three-tier packages: the VIP ROCKSTAR LEVEL for $4,356; the SERIOUS FAN LEVEL for $3,931; and the FAN LEVEL for $3,421. All prices are per person and based on double occupancy rates. Requested single occupance rates must add $350 to the price.
For bookings, contact Choice Aire’s Sandy Lay at (786) 532-1751.
[photo courtesy of Southsidejohnny.com]
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