The first Festival de Primavera celebrated from Thursday May 23rd to Sunday May 26th in Altos de Chavón was certainly excellent and unforgettable!
Throughout the four day event -a full program of different activities showcased the best of Dominican art and culture- with Casa de Campo villa owners, residents and visitors enjoying concerts, dances, poetry and theater performed by talented children, youth and adults of the Dominican Republic.
A great example of this was the festival’s closing performance, which took place last night on Sunday May 26th with the Dominican Wind Orchestra. Some 50 youngsters, including children, surprised the audience with their talented performance outside of Altos de Chavon church. The concert, including Dominican and foreign folk songs performed was not only excellent, but educational too – thanks to the comical intervention of a cute clown named “clarita” who forced the conductor to explain the names of all the instruments that made up the orchestra, their classification and differences. An excellent “music class”, for children and adults alike!
The ENDANZA music show at the Altos de Chavón amphitheater
The same was true for the “Tiempos de ENDANZA” show by the National School of Dance (ENDANZA), celebrated on Saturday May 25th, at the Altos de Chavon Amphitheater. With the participation of more than 30 youngsters, the amphitheater burst to life with color. The dancers with their very colorful costumes, performed an incredible 27 dances of various genres; modern dance, classical ballet and a great representation of traditional Dominican rhythms like Merengue, Gagá and Guloya which closed the evening. Congratulations to Ninoska Velázquez, responsible for training and educating these young dancers!
Merengue dancing by the ENDANZA group
“Magnificent” declared the audience about the concert of the National Symphony Orchestra on Friday May 24th at the Altos de Chavón Amphitheater. The thousands of enthusiastic spectators filled the center of the amphitheater and never ceased to applaud each and every piece directed by José Antonio Molina, chief conductor of the orchestra. Marvelous! An excellent solo performed by violinist Charli Rafael Fermín Hernández, a youngster of San Pedro de Macorís was especially impressive.
The National Symphony Orchestra
Throughout the four days of the Festival de Primavera celebration, a craft fair with traditional Dominican arts and crafts, clothing, jewelery and hand-made decorations lined the cobbled streets of Altos de Chavón.
The grand opening of the Spring Festival, on Thursday May 23rd did not disappoint. In just one day, we enjoyed the theatrical performance of “Pirate Assault” by the Dominican Street Theater, an interactive folk dance workshop with Xiomarita Pérez, the opening of the Abraham Lincoln School art exhibit and a beautiful string and poetry concert by the Quinteto Mirabal.
Mr Claudio and Mrs Roswitha Silvestri during the Festival
The fabulous Festival de Primavera in Altos de Chavón was certainly a maginificent celebration of Dominican music, dance, art and culture. A big thank you to Casa de Campo and the Dominican Ministry of Culture for hosting such a superb event!
The following is an overview of the entire Festival de Primavera celebrated in Altos de Chavón from the 23rd to the 26th of May 2013:
Thursday: “Asalto Pirata” by the Dominican Street Theatre
“Assault Pirate” was a 15-minute show performed by the Dominican Street Theater under the direction of Dominican actress Carlota Carretero. Its actors are young people aged 20 – 30 years, graduates of the National School of Dramatic Arts.
Thursday: Interactive Folk Dance Workshop by Xiomarita Pérez
During this workshop the audience were taught different ways to dance typical Dominican folk dances; Congos, Palos, Sarandunga, Comarca, Gagá, Guloya, Carabiné, Mangulina, Priprí and Merengue. Many of these dances, said Xiomarita, are performed in religious rites and at others parties and celebrations.
Thursday: The opening of the Abraham Lincoln School Art Exhibit
The annual exhibition was officially opened among the joyous laughter and joy of these young artists of the future. The numerous students of the Abraham Lincoln were accompanied by their proud parents and teachers, as well as a group of art aficionados who never miss an opening of a new exhibit at the gallery!
Thursday: The String and Poetry Concert
Under a full and beautifully unforgettable moon, illuminating every musical note, the Quinteto Mirabal and Sandra Mustelier delighted the audience with their beautiful poetry and music.
Friday: National Symphony Orchestra with José Antonio Molina
The National Symphony Orchestra’s 2nd performance in the Altos de Chavón Amphitheater (the first was in 1984) saw Dominican conductor José Antonio Molina and his musicians, prove once again why he is considered the “glory of the Dominican music.”
Saturday: “Tiempos de ENDANZA” by National School of Dance
With the participation of more than 30 young dancers, dressed in colorful costumes, the audience were mesmerised by an impressive repertoire of modern, ballet and classic dance.
Sunday: The Dominican Wind Orchestra in Altos de Chavón
The National Wind Orchestra, founded in 2009 and currently headed by Andrés Vidal, brought the Festival de Primavera to a magical close. One of orchestra’s founders, Moises Abreu, who performed a beautiful song during the ceremony, said it had been a great experience to play in the prestigious Altos de Chavón.
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