The Musical Nomads opened their Cuenca home tonight for an evening of art, music and food. They are one of our favorite local bands, performing “Classic Hits For All Occasions” (the byline on their business card). They had a sold-out crowd for the event. Everyone first socialized while walking around the improvised art gallery, then […]
Could be a Wedding. Could be a Divorce. Who Knows?
Another day in Cuenca, another parade it seems. Last night we heard music blaring from Parque Calderon in the center of town, with fireworks later. This morning we heard a band going by at 5:15AM, but rolled over and went back to sleep. This afternoon I walked out my front door and discovered the largest […]
Art Exhibit Wrap-up Slideshow
Evelyn’s first art exhibit is now complete, and was a complete success. Here is a slideshow of the paintings, artists, and guests. Evelyn Art Slideshow 2014-07 from Burt Johnson on Vimeo.
Evelyn’s First Art Expo
After years of having friends try to convince her to have an art showing, Evelyn finally caved and had her first opening reception tonight. After weeks of being nervous and fearing nobody would come or like her work, she sold 6 out of the 14 she displayed within the first 3 hours — far more […]
33 Stages, 83 Bands, 2 Days of Music
Alliance Francaise is an international group that promotes French culture and language. Their Cuenca branch put on a massive music festival the last two days. There was very little tie-in to anything French, but there was music for everyone — jazz (our favorite), rock, metal, rap, electronic (actually a DJ when we went by that […]
Setenario Celebration (aka Feast of Corpus Christi)
Corpus Christi is a major Christian holiday in Ecuador. The celebration starts when the local Bishop leads a procession through downtown to the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception (aka “New Cathedral”) Following the Corpus Christi procession, the celebration of Setenario begins, as family businesses begin bullding castles. Castles always bring out large crowds to watch — […]
School’s Out!
Kerry Jones, our favorite niece (OK, our only niece, but still our favorite!) graduated high school today. After this week, she is officially a college student, attending University of California at Santa Barbara. She will be majoring in chemistry in the College of Creative Studies. With fewer than 350 students, this is a very elite […]
World Museum Day
Throughout Ecuador, there was yet another celebration — World Museum Day, or Dia Mundial de los Museos. Cuenca was represented by Museo Pumapungo, where folk dancers and bands performed throughout the day. We enjoyed listening to a band from Quito, and seeing the paintings of Ariel Dawi. Music at Pumapunga Museum from Burt Johnson on […]
Belly Dancing in Cuenca
Dance Performance at Colegio Santa Mariana de Jesus Every so often, we used to go to High School plays in California. They were a nice change from the polished Broadway shows we usually saw, and was a reminder of High School when I had several friends in the theater club, and used to help them […]
Granda Era Has Passed
Incoming mayor Marcelo Cabrera greets the audience, kissing babies while protesters hold up banners Mayor Paul Granda left office today, as the new mayor Marcelo Cabrera was sworn in during a ceremony in Parque Calduron tonight. Two brass bands competed on the square — neither was very good… About a dozen protesters walked around peacefully […]