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 the exhibits, 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:
Whether you join in the turkey festivities or not this week, it is always good to have some time to reflect and be thankful. And my thanks extend out to the local community of artists, artisans, musicians, and other creative folks for bringing so much joy to Cuenca and enriching our daily lives.
Altísmo Chocolate Factory & Bistro
And if you have chance stop in for the opening week of Altísmo Chocolate Factory & Bistro by Amedeo. Ruth Mahoney, has created a one-of a -kind destination that will satisfy all of your culinary needs and desires.
The Altísmo Chocolate kitchens and Factory also provide some of the best chocolate in the world along with fresh baked pies, pastries, treats and fresh bread every morning.
Opens at 8 a.m.
Located at Gran Colombia 8-86 & Benigno Malo.
Monday, November 19
Don’t miss the last Spoken Word this year
Doors open at five, the readings begin at six.
Cuenca-based writers will be reading their works at the Sunrise Café. Carolyn V. Hamilton is going to give everyone a whiff from her new memoir about life as the wife of a Las Vegas comedian. Duane Connell goes all botanist with his writing. Franny Hogg Lochow looks at the dark side of dieting. Charlie Romney-Brown tells part of her family’s amazing history. Agustin Lopez Velez makes his first appearance. Ingeborg Majer shares a story about a bruja. And Barbara Snow will be reading from her new novel, “Protective Force”.
Sunrise Café is located at Calle Larga near Benigno Malo.
For more information, contact Frances Hogg Lochow: 093 929 7017. Call after: 9 a.m.
tattleTALES: Critique Group for Writers of Memoir & Personal Essay
This free critique group is for anyone who wants to tell a life story–to write about lived adventure, adversity, trauma, and/or redemption. No writing experience is needed.
Sessions are held at idiomART (Presidente Córdova 1-77 y Manuel Vega) on the first and third Mondays of each month, 10 a.m. until noon. Coffee, tea, and chocolate croissants will be served.
Facilitated by Carolyn V. Hamilton and Kathryn M. McCullough, for more information, email: studio@idiomart.net
Tuesday, November 20
La Femme Blanche (La Mujer Blanca) / TitiriCuenca 2018
As part of the “8th International Puppet Festival / TitiriCuenca 2018”, Magali Chouinard from Canada will perform “La Femme Blanche (La Mujer Blanca)”.
7 p.m.
The performance id full of evocative images, poetry in movement, and speaks of loneliness, those spaces in which we discover ourselves.
Tickets are available at La Salita, art shop in the Pumapungo Museum and in Café-Libro Palier (House of Culture).
Located at the Patio de la Corte.
Latin musician Luis Ullauri is performing at the Jazz Society Café every Tuesday
7:30 p.m. $5 Cover
Jazz Society Café is located at 5-101 Luis Cordero y Juan Jaramillo, upstairs of the La Viña Italian Restaurant.
Wednesday, November 21
Group show at Cuenca Visual Arts (CVA) Gallery
There is just another week to see this varied exhibition of CVA member artists and patrons – eight artists, both Cuencanos and Expats.
The gallery will be open on Wednesdays, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 1 to 6 p.m.
CVA Gallery is located next to the Santa Canela Bar on Calle Larga y Vargas Machuca.
Thursday, November 22
Manuela Ribadeneira Exhibition Opening!
8 p.m.
Museomatico – In Contemporary Art, presents Manuela Ribadeneira’s work which is political reactive and takes on various controversial issues.
Museomático is located on Hermano Miguel 6-72 between Presidente Córdova and Juan Jaramillo, in front of the Museum of Conceptas.
Michael Wanner
“Yukon Mike” at Santorino’s
2 to 5 p.m.
Come and join Michael Wanner, “Yukon Mike”, for an afternoon of great food, fun and entertainment. He will be playing a selection from his extensive repertoire of Blues, Country and other classics for your enjoyment.
Santorio’s is located at Calle larga 1-209 y Miguel Angel Estrella.
U.S. Thanksgiving in Cuenca!
Several options for turkey this year:
Double D’s Buffet at Minka!
Double D’s is catering a wonderful buffet featuring all of your favorites, including some low-carb options.
Hors d’ Oeuvres will start at 2 p.m., and the dinner buffet will open at 4 p.m.
Minka for Thanksgiving, you’ll be supporting one of the very few legally registered and monitored expat-run charities in Cuenca. 25% of the profit will be donated to Hogar de Esperanza. Enjoy an excellent holiday meal while helping make the lives of the less fortunate a little bit better.
Tickets must be purchased by noon on Monday, November 19, and are available at Esperanza Thrift Shop or at Minka. 25% of the profit will be donated to Hogar de Esperanza.
$25 per person.
Minka is located at Gran Colombia 9-69 between Padre Aguirre and Benigno Malo.
Thanksgiving Dinner at The Castle, with candlelight, elegant music and a feast fit for a King!
Two sittings at 1p.m. and 5 p.m.
Reservations only. Email: TheCuencaCastle@gmail.com
Menu include: Herb Rubbed Roasted Turkey with Sage, Black Peppercorn and Celery Salt, Roasted Balsamic and Thyme Baby Carrots, Savory Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Orange Zest, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Cheddar Cheese Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel, Homemade Sage Sausage Stuffing, Apple Crisp Pie with Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg, Homemade Old Fashioned Eggnog and Coffee, Tea or Water.
$16.95 a person.
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).
Bone-ito’s Thanksgiving Bella Vista!
In beautiful Sauyusi near San Joaquin.
$30 per ticket including a free glass of Portuguese wine and transportation to and from the dinner. For reservations, email: boneitocuenca@gmail.com
Thanksgiving at Common Grounds
Common Grounds will be serving a traditional American Thanksgiving turkey dinner, from noon to 9 p.m.
Gary Cross, will be performing many of your favorite country, folk, oldies, and soft rock tunes starting at 6 p.m.
Common Grounds is located at Eduardo Crespo Malo y Gran Columbia.
Thanksgiving dinner at Santorinos
2 sittings at 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Price $18.99 and for kids $10.99.
Enjoy a traditional turkey dinner. Menu includes an appetizer buffet of cream of pumpkin soup, apple crisp salad, caprese salad, Caesar salad. Main dish: turkey breast with cranberry sauce, sautéed mix vegetables, stuffing, sweet and mashed potatoes with gravy. Dessert: apple pie with ice cream. Includes cup of wine or your favorite fresh juice.
Live music with Michael Wanner (from Pacos Blues).
For reservations call, 097 998 1179, or email: edgarmontaleza09@hotmail.com
5th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at Sabitinos Garden Restaurante
Doors open at 4 p.m. and dinner service starts at 5 p.m.
This is a Christmas fundraiser for the Kids in the Campo.
Price: $18
Live Music by Gatos Negro from 6 to 9 p.m.
Menu prepared by Chef Luigi, includes Oven-roasted Turkey with Herb Dressing, Carrots, Green Beans, Gravy, Dinner Rolls, Choice of Mashed Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes and Dessert.
Sabatino’s Garden Restaurante is located at Roberto Aguilar and 3 de Noviembre (one block west from Otorongo plaza).,
Friday, November 23
16th LGBTI International Film Festival “El Lugar Sin Límites”!
6 p.m.
And on Saturday, November 24 the showing starts at 9:30 p.m.
Free.
In commemoration of 21 years of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Ecuador.
Film festival located at the Sala Alfonso Carrasco – House of Culture Núcleo Azuay on Luis Cordero between Presidente Córdova and Sucre.
Saturday, November 24 and Sunday, November 25
Fishbon del Sur Presents a Salon de Refusé with artist-in-residence Howard Taikeff
A native of Manhattan, NYC, Howard teaches at the University of San Francisco in Quito. His work may stir some controversy, but that’s part of its appeal.
Opening Reception: Sunday, November 25
4 p.m.
Gallery Hours
November 26 through 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Portraits in Clay Workshop
(FREE with registration)
November 26 through30 Monday from 4 -7 p.m.
Workshop will be the study of the anatomy of the head, and creation of a portrait bust in clay.
Space limited to 15 students.
For more information, email at laurainksbodine@gmail.com
Fishbon del Sur is located at 14-25 Mariscal Lamar y Estevez de Toral.
Coming soon:
Photography Exhibition, “Ecuador Y Mas: Su Tierra y Su Gente” at Miguel Illescas C. Galeria De Arte
Photographers Michael Hamilton, Burt Johnson and Evelyn Johnson will be showing their work in December. Opening will be Thursday, December 13 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Azuay Community Theater will be do another Naked Readers!
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. Details coming, but save the dates: Saturday and Sunday, December 15 and 16, at 4 p.m.
North Pole Pop-up: Holiday Gifts South of the Equator
idiomART’s “North Pole Pop-up” will give you an early peek at the holiday gifts Santa’s elves have created right here in Cuenca. Yes, south of equator.
If you’re looking for unique, one-of-a-kind items created by artists and artisans, then this is your chance to find them at affordable prices. All items will be under $100, some as few as $5.
This holiday extravaganza will begin on Tuesday, November 27 and continue through Thursday, November 29, each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. idiomART is located on Presidente Córdova 1-77 and Manuel Vega.
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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’s this 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.
