Music is largely free in Cuenca, Ecuador. We could go to multiple music venues every week without spending a cent. Tonight there was a free Blues concert at the Teatro Sucre — about 4 blocks from our condo. It was starring Adam Namm, the US ambassador to Ecuador, on keyboard and as lead singer. We […]
Nomadic Art
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Birthday Party, Ecuadorian Style
Adrian plays the charango, while Marcos plays guitar We were invited by an Ecuadorian family to join a combined birthday party tonight. Three members of the family (Gloria, Adrian and Stephanie) have birthdays in May, as does Evelyn, so they decided on one combined party for everyone. Charango from Burt Johnson on Vimeo. Let […]
Police Car Celebration
I have mentioned several times that Ecuadorians find any excuse to celebrate, and that I always carry a camera with me because I never know when I will stumble upon another parade or party. Well, how about celebrating the police getting some new cars? Yep, that’s enough reason for a celebration around here! Evelyn and […]
Semana Santa
Ecuador is a very Catholic nation, and Cuenca is a city with numerous free concerts and symphonies. It is therefore no surprise that there have been a series of symphony concerts all week, each at a different church. Tonight we attended one at “The Old Cathedral” on Parque Calderon. We arrived a little late and […]
30 Days of Madness
The last night of election campaigning included several fireworks displays, including this one shot from our living room window. Ecuador has an interesting election cycle — I think the USA could learn something from their process. Nobody is allowed to campaign until 30 days before the election. All campaigning must stop 48 hours before the […]
Love and Passion
Dinner at “That’s Amore” had only two choices tonight — “menu of love” or “menu of passion.” We had both! Valentine’s Day seems a bigger deal here in Cuenca than back in Berkeley. All day long, we saw women walking with single roses, and couples arm-in-arm. Though young couples dominated, there was plenty of […]