“…Sweepin’ the floors, open up the doors
Yeah – turn on the lights, getting ready for the night …” – Rodeo Clowns by Jack Johnson
Fernando Cevallos – juggling tasks for opening night.
Jama Ecuador – Grand re-opening of Kahlua Discoteque – July 15, 2017
Heartwarming; it was absolutely heartwarming to witness so many people helping Fernando Cevallos Sabando prepare for the grand opening of Kahlua K 7.8. Equally heartwarming was seeing those same workers dashing home to clean up, change into evening attire and return to celebrate the many months of hard work. Everyone hoped that the community would be equally thrilled to stop by and show off their dancing skills!
Fernando asked if I would take some photos to help record this happy event; hopefully the following pictorial will transport you to Kahlua via the magic of cyberspace. Pick up a paintbrush or help carry the heavy items upstairs, and your cover charge is free! Pack your work clothes and your party clothes and prepare for a festive evening!
Don’t be bashful; step inside and join us! It’s ladies’ night – no cover for you gals who like to dance!
“Sweepin’ the floors, open up the doors
Yeah – turn on the lights, getting ready for the night
Nobody’s romancing, ’cause its too early for dancing, but here comes the music…”
……….Please select, “Play” in the video below!…………
..
Oops! Flowers for the ladies’ room; but, it’s dark – can someone find flowers? No?Well, let’s work with what’s on the grounds…
Back at the entrance, a second paparazzi caught the first one!
Ha! It’s Ricardo! The artist/professor is also one of the bartenders tonight!
“…Bright lights flashing
They cover up your lack of so many people
So many problems…The rodeo clowns
Yeah, yeah, yeah, they pick me up when I’m down
The disco ball’s spinnin’, all the music and the women…”
Every single person shares a deep connection to last year’s 7.8 earthquake. They all deserve these much-needed social gatherings. Thank you, Fernando, for giving them a convenient place to drop in and enjoy visiting with friends.
“…What they really need, is just a little room to breathe…”
A rare glimpse of Fernando behind the bar!
…but did many people dance?
Leaving memories of last year’s earthquake outside the door, they stepped inside to celebrate friendship and the grand re-opening of Kahlua. They were still dancing when I left at 1:00 – perhaps they’re still dancing!
The final image for the night!
Kahlua 7.8 will open at 8 pm each Friday and Saturday night.
So much fun! And dancers all of them I believe. Nicely captured – I almost put on my dancing shoes too♥♥♥
On your next trip to Ecuador, we’ll try to arrange a night for dancing shoes!
Wow, what a great achievement, and what a fabulous time everyone had. So good to bring joy back to the neighbourhood.
Alison
Thank you! Yes, there was a collective aura of much-needed and appreciated joy! Thanks!
Wonderful to see the smiling faces !! congratulations to all who made the re-opening possible..
Yes, it was great to see so many people dropping by to help, or some ran errands so the maestros could keep working.
You’re about to have lots of your own heart-warming moments.. enjoy your time away!
Very colorful life. I can hear the music. Almost. Thanks Amiga.
If you cannot hear it, then you can surely feel it reverberating thru the earth!!!
So GREAT! It looks like a place I would love to be for a bit. Dancing! So happy to see this.
Oh my, Marie! I can picture you giving a week’s worth of classes to all of those beautiful gals!
What a wonderful night and the music was wonderful while looking at the photos. The song is ending while I am writing this comment…… Thank You Z while I’m heading home!
how great that the music escorted you through the post! thanks so much!
Wonderful to see so many happy smiling faces, Lisa. There’s nothing like music to bring back the good times. 🙂 🙂
Fernando’s wish was a heartfelt one, so that the locals did not have to go to other towns/cities for weekend options. Jama needed a rebirth of optimism, and it appears that this is one big spark…
Great photos, Lisa! You’ve really captured the atmosphere…and I love the Blue Lady Picasso-esque painting.
that art was painted long ago on a surf board – i’ll have to ask who painted the surf board, but the image was inspired by paintings by a famous ecuadorian artist, guayasamin. a visit to the ‘chapel of man’ museum, built by him , almost aways makes me cry. his paintings are huge, and he focused on the suffering of mankind. http://www.guayasamin.org/
Everyone needed. enjoyed and I am sure, appreciated, the relief they had from the tension and frustration of recent events at this unique and quality experience.
All of you did such a fine job with this club adding a great place
to go for fun and relaxation to your local neighborhood. Congratulations one and all!
Thanks, and yes, that release of tension is important, especially when they have such kind and trusting hearts
What you have there is a real community. That’s rare — and also happy people. That is also rare. You are a lucky woman!!
Thanks, Hugh; yes, it’s a very sweet community, but almost all of the smaller communities are populated with kind and gentle people…
Your mention of this Kahlúa reminds me of the times decades ago when I’d drive down from Austin and walk across to one or another of the Mexican border towns to buy a bottle of Kahlúa or other liqueur. Even with the tax paid on re-entering the United States, it was a lot cheaper than you could get it for in this country.
taxes on imported items in ecuador are extremely high; i wonder what a bottle of kahlua costs… jose cuervo is about 50 or maybe 60 dollars! the new president, lenin moreno, is bringing change – so hopefully those finer items will be more affordable!
Let’s hope someone named Lenin doesn’t turn Ecuador into another Venezuela.
Yes; one friend from Colombia is spooked by possible scenarios. Another expressed qualms about the Venezuela scenario as well.. It appears that he has compassion and stands against some of the past problems – like releasing journalists/activists that were hurled into jail for standing up for what’s right…. ditto for more freedom of the press…
¡Ojalá! Unfortunately, history is replete with dictators who started out proclaiming freedom yet soon enough did what dictators do, which is to eliminate all opposition and proceed to tyrannize the people. The first Lenin is a classic example.
The spirit of resilience is shining brightly. This sort of project makes a world of difference to earthquake survivors.
Thank you! For sure, you would understand.
Wow Lisa, that was what you call a loaded post – just so much in it: a story of community, art, people, music, smiles, dancing, and the celebration of a wonderful project. You managed to transport us there just wonderfully! 🙂
Very loaded! I thought about the many people who supported Fernando, and they all deserved to have their photos in the post! Glad to have transported you here! Thanks for giving them your support!!!
You’re welcome Lisa – and by the way your spears look great! ☺
Wonderful rainbow colored images. Put me right there in the heart of the celebrating.
Oh it was a grand way to shake off the lingering effects of the earthquake! Thanks!
Turn up the music and DANCE! Oh yes they did! I’m glad you were there, Lisa. I love seeing them own “7.8” too. What a great party….
I visited with a new friend who stated, ‘these people need to be assured that they did nothing wrong.. it’s just the earth doing what she’s done forever, and she’ll continue doing it….’
So true, but now many are stuck in fear of a repeat….
That night, I don’t think they would have felt a 7.8!
What a fine collection of photos — including the ones from the end of the evening. There’s nothing quite like the stillness that follows festivity: the longing to keep the evening going, mixed with the knowledge that it must end. But I saw the sign — every Friday and Saturday night, at 8 o’clock, Kahlua 7.8 will be open again. It’s the beginning of a new routine, a reinvigorated life, and a beautiful, concrete way of turning to the future. I hope you danced, too!
Si, a friend and I danced – we were for sure the oldest in the crowd!
I returned from that t-day road trip, and Fernando was at the cabanas.. “Did you have a good weekend?” I asked… “YES!’ he smiled… and then he said that they were just opened on Saturday night ! That’s classic Ecuador – always make sure that the day and time have not changed!
Makes me want to dance! So glad Kaluha is open! Your post is so festive!
I’ve been out of town, but just saw Fernando. He said that last night was another successful evening. Thanks!
Beautiful story Lisa!
Oh yes, they did dance leaving behind the memory of the earthquake. Every day should be a celebration. ❤️❤️
So many joyful photos of people enjoying themselves Lisa.. Just wonderful to see this after all so many of them have been through.. Love and Blessings xxx Sue
Yes, and tonight Fernando’s brother’s little cafe was packed with people.. So good for friendship and it also pays the light bill!
LOL.. 🙂 Wonderful to hear Lisa 🙂 xxx