Roberto Salas in Chicago

Fidel and Che -- Salas

Big News from Complete Cuba!

Complete Cuba is thrilled to announce that we are teaming up with Tamarkin Camera to bring famed photographer Roberto Salas from Cuba to Chicago for a special series of events in May.

Mr. Salas has taken many of the most famous photos of Cuba and its people, and has had privileged access to Fidel Castro and the 26 July Movement.  His photographs have shaped how the outside world sees and understands life in Cuba, beginning with the images he took as a teenager from New York traveling with Fidel Castro and the revolutionaries who would lead Cuba for 58 years and counting.  His contemporary images of Cuban architecture and people have been influential as well, revealing Cuban life beyond the postcards.

We’ve been visiting him in his home in Havana for years and are delighted to be cohosting his upcoming visit.  As Complete Cuba email subscribers, we want to give you the first opportunity to join us for an exclusive artist’s talk and dinner onThursday, May 4 at 6:00 p.m. in the second floor taproom at Cruz Blanca Cervecería & Taqueria at 904 W. Randolph Street in Chicago.  After appetizers, Salas will join Keith Sbiral for a conversation about his work, his life, and Cuba.  The conversation will begin at 6:30 p.m. The talk will be followed by an informal dinner and the chance to personally chat with Salas.  The cost for the dinner (including appetizers, a buffet dinner of wood-fired tacos from celebrated chef Rick Bayless, and craft beers by award-winning brewer Jacob Sembrano), is $80 per person, and the event will go from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.  To purchase tickets for the artist’s talk and dinner, please email focus@rangefindergallery.com or call 1-800-BUY-LEICA.

The next night, Friday, May 5, we invite you to join us for the opening reception for Cuba – Photographs of an Era in the Rangefinder Gallery at Tamarkin Camera.  The reception will be from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.  If you haven’t yet traveled with us to Cuba, the opening reception is your state-side opportunity to have a true Cuban mojito, compliments of Complete Cuba!  Attendees at the artist’s talk also have the exclusive opportunity to purchase images from the show before it opens; remaining images will be available for sale at the opening reception and during the course of the exhibit.

As this NBC Nightly News segment demonstrates, Roberto Salas is both an amazing photographer and master storyteller.  We hope you will join Complete Cuba and Tamarkin Camera for these special events!

We’ve heard from past Complete Cuba travelers planning to travel to Chicago for the weekend to participate in the Salas events.  If you need hotel or other recommendations, please let us know.  And in addition to the artist’s talk and opening reception, Saturday morning, May 6th, Keith will lead a photo walk for those who want to get out and stretch their photographic muscles.  Please stay tuned to our website and emails for details on that and a special announcement about the May 4th weekend.  (Here’s a hint: You’re going to want to reserve the afternoon of Saturday, May 6th!)

New Group Trip Dates to be Announced:

Our February group trip to Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Trinidad, Havana, and Viñales was a wonderful success!  Our small group — which included several Complete Cuba repeat travelers — enjoyed exploring Eastern Cuba as well as the more frequently visited central and western Cuba.  

Dates for our fall 2017 and winter 2018 trips are coming soon.  They will feature different itineraries to allow our guests to pick the type of Cuba experience they prefer — visiting more of the country, or spending more time in fewer places.

Please remember that if you prefer a private trip, we are happy to arrange that for you.  You have total flexibility to pick your dates and the cities you visit, and we do the work.  Just like our small group trips, you turn up in Miami and your visa, flights, guide/driver, lodging, itinerary, etc. are all arranged for you.  We provide all the information you need — including a packing list and background information — and you get to experience Cuba in the way that best suits your schedule.  100% of our past small group and private trip travelers all say they would recommend Complete Cuba to a friend or colleague.  We  have also had inquiries from solo travelers interested in traveling to Cuba.  While solo travelers are always welcome in our small group trips (and usually make up more than half of our groups), if you are interested in pairing up with another solo traveler for a private trip to Cuba, please email Amy@CompleteCuba.com.  We would love to connect you and help you experience the Complete Cuba.  

We look forward to seeing you in May for Salas’ artist’s talk and gallery show, and to helping you experience the Complete Cuba!

Amy & Keith