Celebrated artist, TV personality, and LGBTQ+ member and advocate Big Freedia will perform at Havana’s Cuban Art Factory on November 17. A Grammy Award-winning artist, Freedia is known by many for her stance at the forefront of America’s gender identity movement. Freedia will be the first notable LGBTQ+ artist to offer a performance of this nature to the island.

Expressing her excitement, Big Freedia shares, “I am honored to be a part of this historic event. I know I’m following in the footsteps of esteemed American musical acts who have gone before me, but to be an LGBTQ+ artist in Cuba is something I never dreamed of. Sharing hip-hop, Bounce, and New Orleans with the Cuban people will undoubtedly be a career highlight.”

This news follows Freedia’s release of her Central City album earlier this year, a collaborative event with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and significant performances at music festivals like Jazz Fest and Bonnaroo.

On November 15, Big Freedia will arrive in Cuba, accompanied by friends, family, and a select group of fans. This unique experience allows participants to connect with Cuban artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs. Big Freedia will then curate an intimate, behind-the-scenes itinerary that delves into Cuba’s rich culture and history, exploring its African roots and the enduring connection between New Orleans and Cuba. Above all, her time in Cuba will be dedicated to learning from, supporting, and celebrating Havana’s LGBTQ+ community.

Big Freedia will undertake this trip with Cuba Educational Travel, the leading organization in U.S.-Cuba cultural exchanges. Notably, they have facilitated visits by local artists like the Soul Rebels, Tank and the Bangas, and Trombone Shorty. 

Big Freedia’s upcoming performance in Cuba is not just about music; it’s a significant step towards fostering connections and celebrating diversity, marking a distinctive moment in the journey of LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance on a global scale.