by Kelly Rogge
The Kansas City Kansas Community College Jazz Band is getting ready for its once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cuba this December and is welcoming community members to join in.
The Havana Jazz tour 2014 is from Dec. 16 to 22. It will culminate in the KCKCC performance at the 30th annual Havana International Jazz Festival in Havana, Cuba. Bill Yeazel, KCKCC Havana Jazz Tour 2014 Coordinator, said individuals who are interested in traveling to Cuba with the Jazz Band should confirm their intent to travel soon.
“It is essential to make a $300 deposit with the travel agent in Toronto, Authentic Cuba Travel, in order to secure plane seats, which are limited,” he said. “The agency will discuss payment and cancellation options with you at that time.”
Individuals, either from KCKCC or from the community are responsible to make their own travel arrangements. Contact information for Authentic Cuba Travel in Toronto: Authentic Cuba Travel, 108 Earl Pl, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3B9 Canada, 1-877-280-2054.
Visit the tour website at kansascityjazz.org and selected the Havana Jazz Festival Tour link. This link shows the trip itinerary. The price for land tour inside Cuba is $1,769 per person. It includes hotel (double occupancy), most meals, daily activities with tour guides, buses and tours and an all access pass to the Havana International Jazz Festival. The pass is good for all admittance into Jazz Festival performances that week. For those who have additional interested beyond the itinerary, the Toronto travel agency can assist.
Individuals traveling with the KCKCC Jazz Band will also be responsible for booking their own airfare. At this time, U.S.-based airlines cannot sell tickets directly to Cuba. Instead, there will be two legs of the trip – Kansas City to Cancun and Cancun to Cuba. For more specifics on travel, contact Bill Yeazel at 816-665-0296.
Americans travel frequently and legally to Cuba for a variety of purposes but, according to the U.S. Treasury Department, a license is required. Ask Authentic Cuba Travel about the license as they are experts and can provide reliable information. There is an additional fee for community members to be licensed for legal travel to Cuba. A valid U.S. passport is also required for any international travel.
“Traveling with Kansas City jazz musicians to this festival will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Yeazel said. ‘I have been to Havana a couple of times, and it is truly a unique destination. The music scene at night is spectacular.”
For more information on the trip to Havana, Cuba with the KCKCC Jazz Band, contact Bill Yeazel at 816-665-0296 or by email at [email protected].