Music

Central America’s EDITUS live in Antigua Guatemala on International Jazz Day

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One of the best representatives of the jazz in Central America, Editus, had a show tonight in Finca Filadelfia on International Jazz Day. Even though I had tickets, I was not able to attend the live concert because I suffered a foot injury yesterday. However, I was able to give the tickets away to friends. … Read more

The McNally Smith Fusion Ensemble performed at the “XIII Festival de Jazz de Guatemala” in Antigua Guatemala

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Rudy Giron: 130313 Jazz Festival &emdash;

Wednesday night we had the opportunity to listen to The McNally Smith Fusion Ensemble performed for about an hour and a half as part of “XIII Festival de Jazz de Guatemala” at the atrium of the former college of the Compañía de Jesús in Antigua Guatemala. It was a breath-taking performance.

The “XIII Festival de Jazz de Guatemala” started on Friday, March 8, with a performance by Alessio Menconi Trio with Marco Panascia and Paolo Orlandi from Italy, but because I’ve have been overwhelmed with the transformation of the upcoming issue of REVUE magazine, I was not able to attend. Ditto for the show by Beat Kaestli of Switzerland on Thursday night. There is still one more concert by Abe Rábade Trio (Spain) on Saturday night which I do not plan to miss at all. I will bring you an update in this last presentation. Stay tuned!

Check out the photo galley of The McNally Smith Fusion Ensemble concert here:

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The Burning of the 13 Baktun Devil in Antigua Guatemala

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La Antigua Guatemala is a very small town, heck Guatemala, the country, is just slightly bigger than Antigua Guatemala when it comes to meeting people or projects or getting in touch. Anyway, a couple of times before I was reminded how in Guatemala we only have Two Degrees of Separation. Today’s main photo is such … Read more

Magic Cumbia Swing and Latin Blues Night with Ishto Juevez and Ixtapoch Vallenas in Antigua Guatemala

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Ishto Juevez + Ixtapoch Vallenas y su cumbia swing y latin blues en CFCE Antigua by Rudy Giron

Ishto Juevez + Ixtapoch Vallenas y su cumbia swing y latin blues en CFCE Antigua by Rudy Giron

If you’re not in Antigua Guatemala right now, you don’t know what you’re missing. Well, I will help you know what you’re missing by not being in Antigua Guatemala. Let’s start with a photo festival, an orchid exposition, a haunting music nights.

Last Friday night was magical with melodic and enchanting music performed by musicians Ishto Juevez and Ixtapoch Vallenas inside the gardens of the Compañía de Jesús Building in Antigua Guatemala. The weather and temperatures were just perfect, the night was lit by a full moon and the musicians by colourful spotlights that not only highlighted the musicians but also the amazing venue that is the Cooperación Española. Below I share with you some of Ishto Juevez music and video clip for one of his most popular songs and a photo gallery of the night. Enjoy!

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#MiércolesDeCumbia from Guatemala to the World

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#MiércolesDeCumbia from Guatemala to the World by Rudy Giron

After marimba music, cumbia has been the most popular musical genre in Guatemala. The phenomenonal comeback of Cumbia music in Guatemala is due in part to “Miercoles de Cumbia” or Cumbia Wednesdays started in Guatemala City last year loosely organized through the hashtag #miercolesdecumbia on Twitter, but now you can find #MiércolesDeCumbia as far north … Read more

Ya cayó el 20 / the 20 has fallen

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Master disco sign by Rudy Girón

There are two means of refuge from the misery of life — music and cats. —Albert Schweitzer You know that I am always trying to bring you first and foremost all the different art manifestations that emerge from Guatemala as soon as I detect them. Music, of course, is quite possibly my favorite if not … Read more

Edgar Dorantes Quartet at the 12 Festival Internacional de Jazz in Antigua Guatemala

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As in previous years, once again I had the opportunity to attend one of the jazz recitals of the 12th International Jazz Festival at the Compañía de Jesús atrium. The Edgar Dorantes Quartet from Xalapa, Veracruz ignited the chilly night with a wonderful performance, a mixture of tried-and-tested classic pieces, latin jazz pieces and original … Read more

Sin la letra A

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Sem você nem tristeza teremos Pra nos lamentar Sem você nem morrer de saudade Nem mesmo chorar Pois não há chorar E o amor? O amor desaparecerá. E o amor? Da lembrança ninguém nem se lembrará E o amor? Se perder ninguém mais vai no olhar E o amor? Palavra vazia ninguém mais namorará Namorará … Read more

Everybody Needs Somebody to Love

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Everybody Needs Somebody to Love – The Blues Brothers by Blues Brothers Soundtrack on Grooveshark In Guatemala Valentine’s Day has a much wider meaning since Día del cariño, Day of affection or caring, is about celebrating all the different manifestations of love and caring. Let the Blues Brothers bring the message of Día del cariño … Read more

Jazz Recitals on Calle del Arco

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Jazz Recitals on Calle del Arco by Rudy A. Girón

Calle del Arco is the place to be on the weekends in Antigua Guatemala if you want to listen to live music. For sure you can find live marimba music, either Maya or traditional Guatemalan songs, but sometimes you find blues, jazz or urban rock ensembles. This was the case for the past weekend.

Below you can watch a short video clip, if you can provide the name of the song, you win a post card. Good luck!

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In The Christmas Mood

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Poinsettias or Flor de Pascua are in full bloom in The Land of the Eternal Spring for the Christmas season. The most common color is red, but now you can find yellow, white, pink and mixed at your local nursery and shops. Pascuas are an integral part of the Guatemalan decoration for the Christmas season … Read more

Occupy Antigua Plantón

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There was a plantón, sort of an occupy protest, called for many civil organizations to disrupt and put an end to the plans of making the newly restored Palacio de los Capitanes Generales into a commercial center. The palace is now under the control of Ministerio de Cultura y Deportes which has plans of renting … Read more