The Ecuador Chronicles - 2009-003
Quito - Old World - Latin America;
A City of Theatres, Cultural Activities;
And The Beatles - Alive and Well in Quito
Quito has European, Old World look and feel; at the same time a charming mix of Latin American and Indigenous culture. Many buildings in the Colonial area have balconies over the sidewalk. The wrap around the corner building style is a common architectural feature.
Wrap Around the Corner Building with Balconies - Common in Colonial Quito
Music and Dance - On the Plazas, in the Theatres
On any weekend there are free concerts on Plaza Grande and Plaza del Teatro. In the afternooons there is is folkloric music and dance at the Archbishop's Palace.
Duo Aquitania
Above, Duo Aquitania, featuring Russian violinist Marianna Adikaschwili and Ecuador Guitarist Reinaldo Ramos perform Russian and traditional Ecuadorian music on Plaza Grande. Many Russian and Eastern European musicians have settled in Ecuador working as music instructors and performing.
Folkloric Dance at the Archbishop's Palace
Quito has many theatres that feature all of the performing arts - Music, Dance, Plays, Comedy - performed by Ecuadorian, Latin American and International artists. These include Teatro Sucre (the National Theatre), Teatro Variedades Ernesto Albán, Teatro Bolivar and Teatro Mexico, to mention a few.
Teatro Sucre - The National Theatre
Teatro Variedades Ernesto Albán - Entrance
The Beatles - Alive, Well, Playing Together in Quito
We have The Video Clips below to Prove It!
In December, 2008 I was in Quito on my own finishing up some renovation work on our apartment. I walked over to Plaza Sucre one evening to get something to eat and noticed a long line of people waiting to enter Teatro Variedades. I asked what was going on - I was told "The Beatles". This I had to see - I bought a ticket for "A Tribute to the Beatles" and got in line myself.
Inside the theatre I managed to get one of the last remaining tables - that's right, the whole place was set up as a dinner theatre. There were waiters; you could order food (sandwiches, some hot food) and beverages - soft drinks, beer, wine, etc. A group of young Ecuadorinan guys asked to sit at my table.
On stage the music was performed by La Banda, wearing toned down Sargent Pepper type jackets - they did an amazing job. Behind the band Beatle video clips were shown on a large screen - it really was an incredible night.
The waiter came by, I asked the boys if they wanted a beer - "no"; I said I was buying - then "yes". We were able to carry on a bit of conversation around the music; I mentioned that I had seen the Beatles in Atlanta when I was 15 - I thought they were going to fall out of thier chairs. They (and many Ecuadorians) are huge fans; they could not believe it. The conversation came around to Eric Clapton; I told them I had seen him years ago at the Royal Albert Hall when I was living London. I thought they were going start bowing, saying "We are not worthy, we are not worthy".
The audience really enjoyed the show; it was amazing to hear a theatre full of Ecuadorians singing along to "Hey Jude"
Here are a couple of amazing of YouTube video clips of the the concert - take a look.
"Revolution"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6ls_Lmq4_Q&feature=related
"Blackbird" - Acoustic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0gkwgTl09I
Would you like to visit Ecuador and Meet the Beatles?
Find Out How at Live Well Ecuador: