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

Sunday, December 16, 2018

The Last Dance... Teotitlan del Valle

It's over.  The three year commitment or promesa, for each of the remarkable danzantes de pluma from Teotitlan del Valle.  For the last time, they danced, basking in the light of a beautiful sunset,  a perfect touch to illuminate their finale. 
This was an exceptional group.  Their dancing, choreography and appearance earned them two(!) performances in the official guelaguetza. 
We all changed over the last three years.  It was fun to watch La Machine and Doña Marina, Quetzali Del Rayo Santiago Ruiz...
 And Elizabeth Hernandez Gutierrez as they grew and matured, both as dancers and young girls.
There were many standouts among the dancers.  Easily, one of the best Monctezumas I've ever seen, Sergio Gutierrez Bautista, always with his amazing and precise footwork.
Something to keep in mind, as to the level of commitment this takes, is that all the dancers lead normal multi-faceted lives. They have families. They have jobs or are in school. They are husbands, daughters and sons.  And for sure, life in Teotitlan comes with many responsibilities and obligations. They are weavers, artists, musicians, students, carpenters, campesinos.... and, now, former danzantes.
Now they can return full time to those lives.... but, ahhh, the memories.

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