Cuba Wanderer - Fábrica de Arte Cubano - Traveller’s Guide to Cuba, not a tourist guide

F.A.C Fábrica de Arte Cubana, Havana, Cuba 2015 #Fábrica de Arte Cubano #FAC #Cubawanderer #FortuneTraveller #Havana #Cuba FAC Fábrica de Arte Cubano Fábrica de Arte Cubano (F.A.C) holds a very special place in my heart, I love this venue and spend at least one night a week there. Why? because there is nowhere else like it, whether it’s London, New York, Rome or Paris, maybe, just maybe, Berlin could compete but that would be stretch, a shot in the dark. Located at the west end of Vedado before crossing the river into Miramar, don’t let that deter you from checking this place out. Not yet a tourist attraction, the real deal authentic contemporary cuban cultural scene. A modern cultural Nirvana - a place of perfect peace and happiness. The concept of this venue beats any other venue because it is all done without any pretension that would accompany cities like Rome, London, NY and Paris. expression. La Fabrica is and has many possibilities, both indoor and outdoor, theatre, exhibits, drama acts, cinema, nightclub, live music, art gallery, fashion & design, café & contemporary Bars. You’re not just visiting FAC it is a life changing experience as it’s buzzing with excitement, creativity and with spirit. I enjoy a cheap killer strong Cuba Libre as I stroll around the white-wallled exhibitions and galleries, a maze-like area, whilst stumbling across small rooms on my way. A huge cinema screen upstairs, and downstairs the back hall, where I’ve listened to live bands play jazz, reggae/pop, junk, rock. I remember the night when I was the only British member of the audience at a tribute to the Beatles performed by over 10 different bands, that was just one Monday night in 2014, every night is different! We sit on furniture made from recycled materials watching a play or re-enactment of why Celia Cruz left Cuba, a warts and all no censorship performance, either in the script or no fear from the actors, or we gather outdoors under the night sky or within a variety of intimate indoor spaces. If it were not for Cuba I would never have found the jazz pianist Roberto Fonseca, if it were not for F.A.C I would never have witnessed the brilliant ability of percussionist Yissy Garcia and her band. At the age of 25 Yissy Garcia had already become a leading iconic female figure in percussion in Cuba. Deciding to launch her solo career as a bandleader of a new musical project that encompasses latin jazz, funk and electronic music. Her session left me without words and a new identity with jazz. For Director X Alfonso F.A.C is a labor of love with extremely talented curators and programming connoisseurs, a lifetime in the planning brings a quintessential multi-purpose factory of the arts experimental, culture, music, even poetry. Part contemporary art space, part nightclub, mostly crowded, in a completely unique environment, experimental moments shared with cubans young and old, mostly young. Encounter works of artists of the future and witness contemporary dance and musical concerts which the rest of the world will have missed. Now only open Thursday to Sunday, from 9pm with live events not starting until 11pm. Best arrival by Collectivo/Maquina and get there for just 10 Cuban Pesos. On Linea just before the tunnel (Calle 18 - 20) to Miramar and cross over Linea towards Calle 11 away from the Malecoń and turn right onto Calle 11 (towards Puente de Hierro) then walk a few blocks down to Calle 26. There is a small cover charge on the way in $2CUC or 50CUP, and you get a “card”, as you consume drink and food your card is stamped. Don't lose the card! The maximum the card can hold is $30 before been directed to pay and replacing your card. You pay for everything upon exiting the establishment. If you lose your card you pay the maximum, which is 30 CUC.