The here and now... and what and why

Complacency is a trap. At least that’s what I was thinking when I up and left the comfort of a Yankee prep school gig, where I taught music, amongst other things, for 28 years. There was also that life long career as a composer, musician and artist.

First, it was a year in St. Thomas, USVI, working as a reporter and shooting photography and then, a year in San Agustin Etla, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Time passed.
More time passed and a year back in the Athens of America followed by a hasty return to Oaxaca where it is all happening.
A couple of years in San Sebastian Etla and now, just down the road in San Pablo Etla. Life is good.

Click on an image to see it larger.
For additional photography please visit my flickr page.
You can find my music on Jango (World & latin - Worldbeat) and at iTunes and most online stores.
¡Soy consciente de todas las tradiciones del Internet!
If you are coming to Oaxaca, please contact me for tours or advice.

Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo
The view from Corazon del Pueblo

The hereafter re me

My photo
Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico
Musician, photographer, videographer, reporter, ex-officio teacher, now attempting to be a world traveler

Friday, October 7, 2016

Keep on dancin' - Teotitlan del Valle

A quiet week after the fun and spectacle of last weekend's Danza de la Pluma in Teotitlan del Valle as the village held its annual celebration of la Virgen del Rosario.  The dancers were fresh off a performance the previous day in nearby San Miguel del Valle, where they were met with much success and appreciation.
This is such an excellent group of dancers, in particular Sergio Gutierrez, Moctezuma, who dances with such crisp, light steps, he is really exceptional and unique.
 
One of my goals is to get a shot of him at the apex of one of his leaps.
All the dancers are very good.  Their synchronicity is very tight and crisp, as they work their way through some challenging choreography by Sergio father, dance master, Javier Gutierrez.
And of course, Watching DonĂ£ Marina and La Malinche, Elizabet Hernandez Gutierrez and Quetzali del Rayo Santiago Ruiz, grow into their roles is lots of fun.
 
They both have grown and improved since their first performances in July.
One more performance this year, in December.  Be there or be square.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was there last December during that amazing last performance where you, Susanna and I had a brief conversation where we all had tears in our eyes because of our affection and admiration for this village and these people.
Planning to return for my annual Oaxaca visit Dec. 4-Dec.21.
What day(s) in December will be the dates for the Danza de la Pluma?
Also what was the name/contact for the place you stayed across from Las Grandas?
Thanks, Ann

Christopher Stowens said...

Casa Elena on 2 de Abril.