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Casa de la Cultura Events, Don Juan Ecuador, Earthquake Relief Ecuador, Enrique Males, las Artes por Manabi, Patricia Gutierrez
QUITO, Ecuador – Life sometimes gives us sweet little packages wrapped in unique ways. Because I planned to visit Quito’s Casa de la Cultura regarding the ‘on hold’ exposition of my paintings, I reviewed their website last week: CASAdelaCULTURA
The ‘Events’ page mentioned a fundraiser for the coastal community of Don Juan, which is 10 kilometers from Jama in Manabi Province. Casa Loca is about half way between the two areas!
Looking up the coast to Don Juan and Punta Prieta/Punta Blanca
Rio Jama’s “La Boca’ area – before the earthquake: Can you spot Casa Loca?
A fundraiser for the community of Don Juan? My imagination raced with possibilities as I tried to connect the WHERE with the WHO. Who inspired this, or was it a random and compassionate person or persons who visited Don Juan and realized they could use some support?
My plans were to be in Quito at Casa de la Cultura the same day the Las Artes por Manabí would be held at the National Theater! After the meetings – which went very well, I inquired about the event. Yes! It was scheduled for that night!
Friends Stephen and Xiomara joined me that evening, though we were not quite sure what we would be watching! We gladly paid our ten dollars to help support the Don Juan community in the canton of Jama.
Don Juan, Punta Prieta – from 2014
The show, which showcases Andean Contemporary Arts, started around 8 pm. Enrique Males, a popular musician, has been creating melodies for 50 years and calls attention to ‘cultural respect.’
Patricia Gutierrez and Enrique Males
“…His songs remember famous people of Andes. For example, the indigenous general Rumiñahui (from spanish conquerors of Quito, 476 years before) or Mama Dolores Cacuango, a political figure of 80’s that talked about human rights, but from the thoughts and traditions of indigenous communities.
With all this context, the performance tries to remind the people to love Allpa-Mama (Mother Earth), to be at peace with themselves and with each other.
The connection with Don Juan’s people is the joy for life, the desire to improve and be more sensitive and creative, using Arts and our ancestral culture to be a big family, from the coast (Jama) to the Andes (Quito). ” – Sayri Wladimir Cabascango – Las Artes por Manabí
Like thrilled children, we sat toward the front of the National Theater and looked forward to the show.
Image in the background is from a preColombian Jama Coaque Sello/Stamp.
Information about the community of Don Juan.
Poet Diego Velasco Andrade
The stage went dark, and as our eyes adjusted, musician Enrique Males swept us into a magical realm.
Wow. Double wow. We were entralled! Shhhh. Let’s get quiet and enjoy the show…
Patricia Gutierrez wearing a mask; later she wore two- one in front and one in the back!
Publicity was also in ElUniverso: ElUniverso Cultura Arte favor Manabi
Graceful and eloquent, Enrique Males and Patricia Gutierrez finished their performance with humble closings. They also invited everyone to join them on the stage for a final photo!
Las Artes por Manabí’s website is here: Artesxmanabi.org and because they are on WordPress, I ‘liked’ the posts, left a comment and stated that the performance deserved a much-larger audience and asked if the event would be performed in mid April on the coast at Don Juan.
Sayri W Cabascango was kind enough to send this lovely reply:
“Hi Lisa,
I’m Sayri, team leader of Las Artes por Manabí. It’s my first time writing in English. It was a shame that the public in Quito missed this opportunity to discover Andean art and to help Don Juan community.
We will present the performance in Jama on April 15th. The scenario will be the beach. Everybody is invited. It will be free.
On Monday 3rd, we will publish this information on Facebook, as a cultural trip for fundraising (between April 14-16). It will cost $150 and we offer: transport (Quito-Jama-Quito), local food (breakfast, lunch and dinner, each day) and the possibility to share with the community and with our artists. Participants should bring their tent, as we will sleep on the beach.
Please follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ArtesxManabi/
Jama needs a lot to flourish again.
Hugs.
Sayri Wladimir Cabascango”
Sunday, April 2 will be a very busy day in Ecuador, as voters will decide via run-off, who will be the next President – “Moreno or Lasso?” – Four of five taxi drivers that I asked this past week in Quito said that they were for Lasso.
That’s all until tomorrow; see you in Jama/Don Juan on the 15th? For more information, go here: Cultural Trip to Don Juan
🙂 Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
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Sayri added via email: ” All people who live in the coast can meet our team (including Enrique) …. at the performance in the beach!”
Wow, believe me, I would be there if I lived closer. Watching the photos and the video gave me goosebumps. I love that so much. It raises your own spirit and connects with something far greater!
Oh yes; their gifts are so much greater! And I am the lucky one to be able to experience it twice!
I am so happy for you! An event for heart and soul!!
Great opportunity for all who live there! I hope you will send pictures and words!
Thank you.. yes, I hope to learn more details when I meet them on the coast.
Great fun! And great pix!!!
Yes, it was a wonderful event. Thanks, Hugh!
Your photographs brought this wonderful performance to us so many miles away. Wonderful too see the featured costumes and see the video. Congratulations on your exhibition.
Thank you, Mary! Too bad I didn’t know about it sooner or perhaps we could have booked the Magic Carpet to pick up anyone who wanted to see the show!
How is the magic carpet? I’ve not read about your place and if it survived the earthquake. I hope it survived and escaped the wrath of mother nature, would be such a shame for a most gorgeous spot/place to be damaged beyond repair. We need your magic carpet to take us all away to a fanciful spot ~ think of you often. Take care my friend.
The locals say that the earth moved in huge waves, much like the ocean and it was very surreal. I am baffled that the Magic Carpet did not receive one crack/not one rip, aside from a few little bitty scratches that happened when a bookshelf fell on the floor. The house itself has damage on two outside corners closest to the shrimp ponds, but basically it’s in good shape. The solar calendar is now off by a few days, but I need to be there more often to check it more often.
The problem is that a lot of the yard jumped into the rivers.. the big rocks went first and the land went next, so the threat comes from the river. We are waiting to see what the rainy season does, as if the rio gets muy bravo, hmmmm. it’s best I’m in the cloud forest during this time of year.
Thanks so much for your concern.
Sigh of relief to read your note about the Magic Carpet Lisa – amazing right and also that your house didn’t sustain more serious damage. I can only imagine how concerned you are with the river claiming more of the land – that would scare me. Keeping my fingers crossed that the land stays intact and your home stays safe so it can continue to bring you joy whenever you are there. Take care Z!
Lisa, I agree with Mary. Your pictures bring the people and performances alive. Thanks for sharing the issue at hand. Keith
It was a great event; one that deserved a much larger audience, but those of us who attended felt very lucky to have seen it.
What an amazing show! Great captures of the performance, wow!!!
Yes, it was amazing, and I took many many more images, but there was so much movement it was hard to capture!
I’d just love to be there!
Maybe I can get that magic carpet to make a flight around the globe and deliver everyone to the beach!
Oh yes! Keep working on that Lisa!! 👼👼👼
Hi Lisa,
I’m new to your blog and have enjoyed perusing your insight, creativity, care and whimsy. Thank you for sharing! I recently moved to Jama, am doing work in the community, and would love to connect. Please give a holler if you’d be interested in meeting up sometime to chat about arts culture development in the zone!
All the best,
Tamara
095 912 3154
This looks like it was a great event, and thanks for posting some music at the end. It gives some context and I’ll be checking out some more.
It was a great event, and it’s going to be so nice to see it a second time on the beach! Thanks!
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What a fabulous event!
🙂 yes, it was a refreshing surprise that i might have missed.. lucky me!
Amazing, what a wonderful experience..love and hugs from San Clemente dear amiga
i felt very lucky to have found out about it, and that i was in quito and staying near the theater. they are going to perform it again on the 15th at the beach at don juan — free to the public….
That was serendipity – and maybe it was even better that you didn’t know what the show would be, that must have made it more exciting. I’m glad the fundraising is happening.
I’ve been wondering and wondering about Casa Loco, thinking I must have missed a post with information. I’m glad Mary asked, above. Stay safe during the rainy season, and then….I don’t know, it sounds like it’s a complex issue that you’ll need to think through carefully. Meanwhile, it’s good that you have connections in other parts of the country – and countries!
Thank you; when the earthquake shattered the lives of so many; where friends died or relatives of friends died, it also helped realize what’s really important – and material things are of little importance – as long s one has shelter and the basic needs are met. the quake propelled so many into survival and ‘existing’ – and my own needs and concerns seemed very minor.
i’m lucky that most anywhere i’m ‘planted’ i easily adapt and carry my happiness with me. wherever i am. i realize that this is a gift, one that i am grateful to have.
thank you dear friend.
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