I do not like to post many negative things but this is something that must be dealt with here in the Colonial City as well as in the entire country. The garbage in our waters. Pollution in general.

I know there has been a new recycling of plastic going on now. This is a wonderful improvement.

I know that they say they will be arresting people for polluting now in Santiago. This is a wonderful improvement.

They have garbage pick-up in the Cuidad Colonial 2 times a day plus street sweepers. This is a wonderful thing.

If you look at these pictures you will know we need more action and fast.

This is what I saw this morning on the small beach behind the Montecinos Monument n the Malecon. This is what I see every morning after a rain. There is usually some garbage but after it rains and all the trash washes down from the Rio Ozama it all lands on the beach areas in Santo Domingo.

Click the panoramic image to see the entire picture up close as it is very large.

Playita Montecinos after the rain.

This is a sandy beach area along the sea front road The Malecon. People and their dogs live in the caves and the beach area is piled high with garbage.

Another polluted beach along the Malecon in Santo Domingo.

Larimar Surfing Championship 2013

For surfers and spectators alike this is part of the Great National Surf Circuit. There will be great prizes, trophies and medals for winners in the various divisions for both high performance athletes and local competitors. There will also be a paragliding competition on the beach Los Patos with more than 20 pilots adding color and excitement to the event.

Other fun stuff happening is a Lionfish fishing contest, music and entertainment in a festive atmosphere and is free and open to the public.

For all the information and to register to be in the competition visit the FEDOSURF web site http://fedosurf.org/2013/05/larimar-surfing-championship-2013/

Supertramp Roger Hodgson coming to Dominican Republic

The 80′s progressive rock band Supertramp had many hit songs including “Dreamer,” “Breakfast in America,” “Give a Little Bit,” “Logical Song” and “Take The Long Way Home.

Roger is taking his tour to places like Germany, France, Spain, USA, Switzerland and he has included Dominican Republic in the tour as well. Tickets in advance starting at RD$2000 at TicketExpress and the Jaragua Hotel.

Video – Take the Long Way Home – Voice of Supertramp Roger Hodgson with Orchestra

See the entire Roger Hodgson channel on YouTube.

More information about Roger Hodgson, his music and the tour visit www.rogerhodgson.com

This video is in Spanish but the images speak for themselves even if you do not understand the language. Bless these people for doing their part recycling while they make a honest living to support their families.

“Gente como tú: Un homenaje a la labor que realizan los recicladores informales de la República Dominicana. Producido y dirigido por Celestino Gonzalez, con motivo de la Semana Nacional del Reciclaje en República Dominicana.”

Fiesta de Palos at Parada 77

If you are wondering exactly what is Palos and Atabales music visit our page and watch the videos and listen to the MP3. http://www.colonialzone-dr.com/musica_tipica-palos.html

Art Exposition at Casa de las Reales in May 2013

The art display starts on May 16 thru May 30, 2013 at the Casa de las Reales Museum in Cuidad Colonial on Calle las Damas.

The first part has many scenes from the Colonial Zone including Grupo Bonyé playing at the Ruinas de San Franacisco. I saw many of my friends and neighbors. Professor Gates shares much of the history of the entire island and why it became separated.

Watch Haiti & the Dominican Republic: An Island Divided on PBS. See more from Black in Latin America.

An interesting news story about the movie in the online newspaper Acento.com “Los dominicanos no quieren ser negros”

On Thursday May 23, 2013 at 10AM La Obra Teatral presents “El Mover de las Estatuas”/ “The Move of Statues” at the Palacio Virreinal Museo Alcázar del Colón in Plaza España in the Colonial City. This is made for the children but all ages are welcome to come and enjoy.

El Mover de las Estatuas 5-23-2013

International Museum Day 2013

El Ministerio de Cultura has announced their participation in this world wide celebration. The Museum Day has happened each year since 1977. From America and Oceania to Europe, Asia and Africa, International Museum Day wants to increase public awareness of the role of museums in developing society. In 2012 there was a record participation of 129 different countries.

The museums in the Colonial City open include Fortaleza Ozama, Museum of the Dominican Family/ Museo de la Familia Dominicana, Alcázar de Colon, the Casas Reales, the Museo de la Resistencia Dominicana (you can see the activities planned at the Resistance Museum on Facebook here) and the Centro Cultural de las Telecomunicaciones (open free for two days 17 and 18). Also included are the Museums of the Dominican Man and Modern Art/ Museos del Hombre Dominicano and Arte Moderno and the Columbus Lighthouse Museum/ Museo Faro a Colón. In Puerta Plata the Museo Fuerte San Felipe and also the Centro Nacional de Conservación y Restauración, Museo Casa Fuerte Juan Ponce de León (Doña Vicky) in Higuey. All will be open from 10:30AM to 10PM. There will be costumed people dressed in the clothing of the colonial era creating walking around in character.

*Note – These museums that are free are subject to change as I have not been able to verify all the information yet. The ones I for sure verified are Fortaleza Ozama, Familia Dominicana, Alcázar de Colón, las Casas Reales, Museo de la Resistencia Dominicana and Centro Cultural de las Telecomunicaciones.

More information in English, Spanish and French http://network.icom.museum/international-museum-day

In the Dominican Republic, the birth place of Bachata, the festival will be held at the All-Inclusive Be Live Hamaca Hotel in Boca Chica (click link to visit their web site). This great event brings together for the first time many of the great bachata legends of our time. From Thursday May 30, 31, June 1 and 2 you will be able to go to dance workshops in he day and practice what you learned at night with live music.

International Bachata Day 2013

There will be work shops and dance lessons during the day and concerts at night.
The Concert Series schedule starting at 9PM:
*Thursday – Jose Manuel Calderon, Luis Segura, Ramon Cordero, Leonardo Paniagua
*Friday – Kiko Rodriguez and Luis Vargas
*Saturday – Migz, Yunel Cruz, Grupo Extra
*Sunday – Elvis Martinez, Alex Bueno, Luis Miguel Del Amarge
The confirmed Dance Artists include Troy & Jorjet, El Tiguere Del Mambo, Ataca & La Alemana, Jorge Contreras & Alien Ramirez, Carlos Cinta.

*50% of the profits will be donated to The Cigar Family Charitable Foundation.

International Bachata Day Music & Dance Festival

You can stay at the hotel or just go for the shows. Advanced sale tickets are available starting at RD$1000 at Ticket Express.

For more complete information visit http://www.internationalbachatafestival.com