Melissa Etheridge, Ben Folds Set Sail For Cuba

Fans of Melissa Etheridge or Ben Folds have never had a better reason to check out the Pearl of the Antilles: The artists each have their own separate “fan camp experiences” in Cuba, during which they will perform public and private shows with local talent.

Andy Martin / DeepSouthEntertainment.com – Ben Folds
Meymendi Hall @ Progress Energy Center, Raleigh, N.C.

The two artists each have separate trips booked and will not be playing together. Folds will dock in Cuba first, with his “Havana Getaway” scheduled for May 25-29. The following month, Etheridge will be in the spotlight for “M.E. in Havana” June 22-26.

Folds’ grandstand will see him leading music and photography workshops. He will also be joined during that period by El Noro, Otto Santana, Annie Garcés and Interactivo. “Cuba has always seemed like a magical place to me,” he said in a press release. “I’ve been inspired for the culture and art for as long as I can remember. This is going to be an incredible opportunity to experience the magic of Cuba firsthand.”

Etheridge has said she will make raising awareness of the country’s LGBTQ community a priority, and she will also be hosting music workshops and performing. “I’ve wanted to go to Cuba since I saw that sign on Key West saying the country is only 90 miles away,” Etheridge said in a press release. “I want everyone to be ready for an amazing musical journey.”

Both experiences will utilize an itinerary that includes sightseeing and cultural experiences.

Packages are on sale now and are expected to sell out soon.

Ben folds has shows in the Eastern U.S. in April and May. Melissa Etheridge is likewise booked in North America through the spring and has a few summer dates planned.

Learn more about the events at BenFoldsHavanaGetAway.com and MelissaEtheridgeInHavana.com.