The Brunswick Trinidad Sister City Association (BTSCA) is in its 12th year in the town of Brunswick. With the development of the improved relations between the United States and Cuba this year’s Cuba Week promises to be a jewel of an opportunity for educational opportunities as well as an interactive cultural experience.

The Gallery at 11 Pleasant on Pleasant Street has featured a large outdoor mural -The Dance of Two Cultures, by Christopher Cart, the first community art project of the BTSCA in 2008. [http://christophercart.com/portfolio/dance-of-two-cultures/]

This year the Gallery within the building will also feature Cuban art and photography featuring recent visits to the island. Local artists and adventurers who have traveled to Cuba are also sharing their art and creativity with purchased or created works. If you enjoy travel, cars, architecture, history, or more this show will be sure to amuse, delight and leave you questioning what you thought you knew. The Gallery at 11 Pleasant will be hanging Cuban visual arts from March 9 until April 3 and will be open business hours free of charge. 

March 24th, 7:00 pm, at the Gallery at 11 Pleasant will feature pianist, George Lopez, Bowdoin's Robert Beckwith Artist in Residence. A dedicated and dynamic performer, educator, and lecturer he is known in Europe, South America and the US for his clarity of conception in the standard repertoire as well as newly written works. Donations are suggested.

On March 27th there will be a panel discussion at the Curtis Library featuring recent visitors to Cuba. They will share their observations, knowledge and helpful hints for new perspectives to the island country. This is a free public event.

At the Frontier Cafe, there will be two major events, The band, Primo Cubano! will be playing a lively concert on March 28 at 8:00 pm.  Reservations are recommended for this sell out show. Tickets are available throughout the Frontier box office.

A movie, Havana Curveball, is featured at the Frontier Cafe on Sunday the 29th. This movie is the coming of age project of an American with Cuban roots regarding the interaction of baseball between cultures, bridging cultural differences with the love of the game.  For more about the personal nature of the movie you can peruse here- http://www.havanacurveball.info/ and watch a trailer on youtube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re3uKb1GaK4. Shows will be at 2:00, 6:00, and 8:00 pm.

Restaurants in the area will feature specials of Cuban cuisine to celebrate their anticipation of cross cultural exchange. Stop by our culinary partners, Henry and Marty’s, the Frontier Cafe, Big Top Deli, El Camino, Flip Side Pizza, Gelato Fiasco, Little Dog Coffee Shop, Scarlet Begonias, and Wild Oats Bakery & Cafe and try their delicious creations.