If you plan your time around what’s happening in Cuenca’s creative community, then this column is for you. Published every Monday, “What’s Happening Under the Domes” highlights theexhibits, concerts, workshops
and other not-to-be-missed artistic events scheduled for the coming week. We cannot guarantee a complete listing, but we’ll try our best to keep you informed.
This week:
Fabulous art at fantastic prices just in time for the gift giving season!
Renowned artists Claudio Alberto Soriano Vitorino and Maria Teresa Eusebio (Maité) are hosting a Holiday Open House at their lovely new location at idiomART in Cuenca’s el Centro!
Come and celebrate their new Estudio de Arte Soriano-Maité space and add some holiday cheer! Plus, there will be beautiful paintings exhibited at special holiday prices — a great gift to any art lover!
Exhibition continues through Friday, December 21, Monday through Friday,from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or by appointment.
Studio location is Presidente Córdova 1-77 and Manuel Vega.
Also, another art lover’s treat is this Thursday, December 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. A stunning photography exhibition by Michael Hamilton, Burt Johnson and Evelyn Johnson opens at the Miguel Illesdas C. Galleria de Arte on Calle Larga 1-209 y Miguel Angel Estrella.
Monday, December 10
Free movies at the Castle Cinema this week
4 p.m.
Monday, December 10: “War Horse” – During World War 1, the bond between a young Englishman and his loyal horse Joey, is tested when Joey is sold to the cavalry and sent to France.
Tuesday, December 11: “Julie & Julia” – In this heartwarming tale, Julie Powell decides to spice up her uneventful life by cooking all 524 recipes outlines in Julia Child’s classic cookbook.
Wednesday, December 12: “Selma” – In the face of violent racist attacks, Martin Luther King Jr. leads a protest in Alabama that culminates in a historic march from Selma to Montgomery.
Thursday, December 13: “Cinderella Man” – Jim Braddock garners boxing glory during the Great Depression, arriving on the scene at a time when Americans were woefully in need of a hero.
Friday, December 14: “Beirut” – When an American spy is kidnapped in civil-war torn Beirut, a washed-up ex-diplomat must return to the city to negotiate a high-stakes prisoner swap.
The Castle is located on the Tomebamba River, with two entrances on 3 de Noviembre (200 feet downriver from the Broken Bridge) and on Bajada de Todos los Santos, (500 feet downhill from Todos Santos Church). Parking is available on Calle Larga, just above The Castle.
Tuesday, December 11
Coffee, Cupcake and Carols – Casa Maria Amor/Mujeres con Exito’s Annual Christmas Thank You!
1 to 3 p.m.
No charge.
The International Christian Community Choir will be leading in the singing of Christmas Carols while coffee and cupcakes are served. Raffle: Diana Ham Baskets – $1 a ticket
For reservations, email Susan McBride at: mcbsusan75@gmail.com
Location: Baltazara de Calderon 2-26 y Miguel Velez.
Lecture on creating a sustainable home
Crea tu Espacio (CTE) Lecture Series Working with Nature: Creating a sustainable home (lecture and slide presentation will be in English)
3:30 to 5p.m.
Location: Museo de la CiudadonGran Colombia y Benigno Malo.
Ernesto Nicanor Lovato Zambrano will discuss his lifetime of work and offer suggestions to creating an environmentally friendly home.
Sr. Lovato is an Agricultural Engineer and Commercial Engineer with a Master in University Teaching and Educational Research, a master’s in landscape architecture and Diploma in Environmental Management. He has also studied specialist Gardening and Landscape at both the Universities and in the Municipalities of Hanover, Germany and Barcelona. Spain.
Furthermore, Sr. Lovato was the Head of Cuenca Parks and Gardens (1969 to 2000) and until 2018, an Urban Planning Officer. He was also part of the interdisciplinary team, led by Archaeologist Dr. Jaime Idrivo U. in charge of landscape management, agroecology and vegetation at the Pumapungo gardens. Another project of importance was assisting Mujeres con Exito to create organic gardens on their land.
Registration Fee: $10per person
To register, email ctelectureseries@gmail.com
100% of the registration fees and donations received as a result of these lectures, go to Crea tu Espacio (CTE) to support the organization’s many programs that serves migrants and immigrants in Cuenca.
Wednesday, December 12
Blues Before Christmas!
Blues Before Christmas Masquerade Ball at Lirón Lirón. Dig into your closet and find your best masquerade wear and your perfect mask and come out to dance with Paco’s Blues! The mask is not required, but you’re sure to have a great time if you bring one along.
7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
$5 cover.
Roxy – Vocals, Paco Lightfoot – Guitar & Vocals, Spencer Matteson – Guitar, Matthew Hart – Guitar & Harp, David Troop – Saxophone, Michael Wanner – Bass, Jeff Jones-Drums, and Steve Fuentes – Drums.
This event is being produced by Rick Hubbert‘s Ricardo In Ecuador Productions and is expecting a full house, please send your reservation request to him at rickhubbert@hotmail.com.
There will be drink specials, great music and good friends.
Lirón Lirón Bar Restaurante is located on Gran Colombia 9-41 y Benigno Malo in the historic district of Cuenca.
“El más fuerte” at La Guarida
8 p.m.
A mini cultural festival, funded by Dirección Municipal de Cultura. Free. “El más fuerte” was written by August Strindberg and directed by Luis Largo.
La Guarida is located at Mariscal Lamar y Luis Pauta.
Cuenca Visual Arts Gallery (CVA) has a new exhibition: Boris Ordoñez Petroff’s “Connections”
Boris Ordonez Petroff has a long trajectory beginning in 1983 with his first art show in Monroe Michigan Art Festival and his latest work being shown in 2016, 2017 and 2018 in Germany and Holland.
The work seeks to disturb the observer in order to create interest in the questions that this generates about the state of being, wrapped in a world of uncertainty and confusion where answers are not found in the natural, material, or in the sense of being. This discomfort suggests and proposes that connections and disconnections exist that reveal to us who we are and who we are not.
Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, from 1 to 6 p.m.
CVA is located at Calle Larga 3-82 y Vargas Machuca.
Thursday, December13
Photography Exhibition, “ECUADOR Y MÁS: Su Tierra y Su Gente” at Miguel Illescas C. Galeria De Arte
Opening will befrom 5 to 8 p.m.
Photographers Michael Hamilton, Burt Johnson and Evelyn Johnson will be showing their work in December.
Miguel Illesdas C. Galleria de Arte ison Calle Larga 1-209 y Miguel Angel Estrella.
Community Carol Sing
7 p.m.
Get into the holiday spirit by singing some classic Christmas carols. Hosted by the International Christian Church on Nicanor Aguilar y Av. Solano – near ConstruGypsum and Consultorios Monte Sinai). Free.
Movie Music Concert!
The Cuenca Symphony Orchestra has special program with the music of “Star Wars” and other movies.
8 p.m. Free.
Location: Teatros Carlos Cueva Tamariz on 12 Abril by the University of Cuenca.
Friday, December 14
Christmas Ballet — Second Act of the Nutcracker!
7 p.m. Free.
Kid-friendly adaption, by the Ballet Adagio Centro de Danza.
Location: Mall del Rio.
Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16
Azuay Community Theater’s “Clever Little Lies”!
Bob Fry and Deana Culp are back with A.C.T. NAKED Readers Theater, accompanied by newcomers to A.C.T. Rachel De Salvo and Matthew Hart in “Clever Little Lies” written by Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro. Showtimes: Saturday and Sunday, December 15 and 16, at 4 p.m.
New York Times says, “good old-fashioned comfort food for theater goers that offers a blend of comedy and sentiment with maybe just a hint of sting”. Some strong language.
$10 advance purchase.
Ticket sales at the following:
Tuesdays at Veggie Bar Trivia from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Wednesday at A.C.T. Theater from 2 to 3 p.m.
Thursdays at Sunrise Café from 10 a.m. to Noon
Monday thru Friday at idiomART from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
PayPal tickets using family and friends to r.m.appel65@gmail.com or contact Marilyn’s same email, cell: 099 138 9130.
Final Event of Cuenca’s Festival of the Lights on Saturday!
5:30 p.m.
Fireworks, costume dancing, lights and more at Cuenca’s newest city park, Megaparque De La Luz.
Saturday is Moxy Players at The Castle
7:30 p.m. $5 cover.
This is your last chance to see Moxy Players perform live until February!
The Castle is located on the Tomebamba River, with two entrances on 3 de Noviembre (200 feet downriver from the Broken Bridge) and on Bajada de Todos los Santos, (500 feet downhill from Todos Santos Church). Parking is available on Calle Larga, just above The Castle.
Coming soon!
Cuenca International Chorale Christmas Candlelight Concert under the direction of Maestro Alex Rodríguez and guest appearance from Cuencordia. Monday, December 17 and Tuesday, December 18, at 8 p.m. LocationattheIglesia Santo Domingo onGran Colombia y Padre Aguirre. The concerts are free, but donations are gratefully accepted.
Christmas Concert featuring choirs from the María José Rodríguez Conservatory, the University of Cuenca, and the University of Azuay with the University of Cuenca Orchestra under the direction of William Vergara. Tuesday, December 19 and Wednesday, December 19, at 7:30 p.m. Location on Tuesday at the Teatro Carlos Cueva on 12 Abril by the University of Cuenca and on Wednesday at the Old Cathedral on Luis Cordero y Sucre. Free.
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What’s Happening Under the Domes is a weekly column by Sara Coppler. Sara has lived in Ecuador for over 5 years. She is an architect by training, who has worked for more than two decades in the field of international development and poverty housing. She is a co-founder of idiomART, a creative community center in Cuenca. Having admired the creative process throughout her life,she describes herself as a “Head Cheerleader for the Arts.” It’sthis enthusiasm that she hopes to bring to this weekly column. You may contact her at info@underthedomes.org and feel free to check out her Under The Domes website at www.underthedomes.org.
