Syncopated Peru 2010

Syncopated Peru: Lasting Impressions

speakinginrhythms — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:25:47 +0000

The Speaking in Rhythms Percussion Ensemble and Marcos Napa perform Ensemble Composition with Cajones at Museo Nacional Afroperuano

speakinginrhythms — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:30:26 +0000

The Speaking in Rhythms Percussion Ensemble and Marcos Napa Perform Lando at Museo Nacional Afroperuano

speakinginrhythms — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:11:00 +0000

El Museo Nacional Afroperuano in Lima

bearmaiden — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:52:58 +0000

…was an amazing place. Housed in a old building (there were numbers over the door that indicated it was built in 1782 with extraordinarily high ceilings and many many rooms, the museum was a wealth of information, though not many artifacts. I think the museum is fairly new though, so I would imagine it will grow with time.

We were late getting there because the bus coming for us was late, and the traffic getting there was intense. And by the way, Lima traffic is different than New York traffic. They do crazy things in very close quarters and at higher speeds…

We got there though in good order, and a crowd was already waiting for us. And they were enthusiastic in their applause and some even danced with DeVeor.

Afterward there was quite a spread laid out for us… causa rellena de pescado, a cold dish of mashed potatoes stuffed with fish and avocado, carapulca, an ancient dish made of dried meat and dried potatoes, arroz con pollo, estofado de pollo, a chicken stew, and lots of chicha morada to wash it down. Chicha is like a fruit punch sort of taste but it’s made from the pulp of black corn (really very dark purple when you see it whole) and lots of lime and sugar.

We were taken on a tour of the principal cathedral in Lima, the Catedral Basilica. The church has survived since the 1500′s when it was founded by Fransisco Pizarro, the conqueror of Peru whose remains are entombed there. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the the cathedral. It was amazing to walk on 400 year old marble tiles and clay bricks that had been laid down in the 1500′s.

Click to view slideshow.

Click on the following to learn about

The AfroPeruvian Museum
Peruvian Food
Chicha Morado
Catedral Basilica

The American Embassy in Peru

bearmaiden — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 07:39:34 +0000

was an amazing experience.

The building itself is imposing, monolithic, huge.

And this was the only picture I could take, without prior permission since once we got inside we had to surrender EVERYTHING: cameras, cell phones, hand lotion, asthma pumps, batteries, everything.

But the embassy photographer took pictures and was kind enough to send us some…

The kids were great and the people enjoyed them very much. Afterwards we were treated to burgers and chorizos complements of the Marine Security Detail who were having a barbecue.

Then we came back for lunch, and afterwards took a short walk in the historic section of Barranco. Then we headed out to Arte Para Crecer. What an amazing place! We even had a jam session…

And after that we went to watch Peru Negro rehearse. They are getting ready for a show in South America.

Click to view slideshow.

A really full but enjoyable day…

Musical Interaction in Peru

speakinginrhythms — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 04:18:09 +0000

Interactions II

bearmaiden — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:54:39 +0000

The Peruvian War of Independence was a series of military conflicts beginning in 1809 that culminated in the proclamation of the independence of Peru by José de San Martín on July 28, 1821. During the previous decade Peru had been a stronghold for royalists, who fought those in favor of independence in Upper Peru, Quito and Chile. The wars of independence took place with the background of the 1780-1781 uprising by indigenous leader Túpac Amaru II and the earlier removal of Upper Peru and the Río de la Plata region from the Viceroyalty of Peru. Because of this the viceroy often had the support of the “Lima oligarchy,” who saw their elite interests threatened by popular rebellion and were opposed to the new commercial class in Buenos Aires. (Wikipedia).

There is a parade in the Miraflores district of Lima in honor of this occasion and the Speaking In Rhythms ensemble walked over from Barranco to view it. Afterwards, we ran into some teenagers who had danced in the parade…

Conversational Exchange

speakinginrhythms — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:02:59 +0000

An Interaction and A Rehearsal

bearmaiden — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:31:54 +0000

As we were exploring Barranco, we stopped to buy some popcorn from one of the vendors, and the kids got into a conversation with some teens from the area. It was a wonderful moment that the kids will write about later.

After lunch the kids had their first rehearsal since being here… it was great hearing the music and folk came out and peeked. One of the chefs was surprised that none of the kids were from Peru.

Festival de la Virgen del Carmen

bearmaiden — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 23:17:20 +0000

A compilation of the dances shot by our student…