Beyond Open Doors: Music and Art on a Saturday in Juticalpa

Walking past La Casa de la Cultura on Saturday, April 21, 2012 was different than most Saturdays. Normally, it's closed. This time, it was open.
Students and teachers from The Day-Star School were taking tickets at a table situated at the door. The main themes of the event were “The Divinity of Art and Music” and “I love Honduras!” A few students did works of art that were different, but had high quality and strong meaning.
Once the patrons entered the building, they were greeted with a painting of a red and blue Guacamaya, the national bird of Honduras. Next to it a meticulously painted crying boy, a brown tree in a sunset of rose and gold, and a painting of the yellow Casa de la Cultura itself. All the paintings at the art exhibit were set up on wooden easels.
Dioramas of Mayan pyramids were lined up on the center of the floor. One group of students created diorama which contained figures of clay primitive people and branches from live trees. Two eighth grade girls worked hard on a sculpture of a Mayan Stelae – it was made out of glue, toilet paper, boxes, and paint. This was one of the most unique pieces of art in the show.
A talented girl had painted soft green volcanoes with tempera paints. A group of students painted a tropical sunset in oils. Many students showed their appreciation for nature by painting landscapes. Other students had been taught how to do repousee artwork and produced still life images, families, and Guacamayas. One piece of work was a mixed media,, called “A Night in Central America” and contained symbolism” wood, candles, cities, resources, mother, father, and nature. There were two dresses: one had music notes, and the other had coffee beans painted on the dress. All works of art were made with thought, energy, and care. The city of Juticalpa is trying to develop their culture.
There was also live music twice throughout the day: violin, guitar, singing, keyboard, saxophone, and even some dancing. The songs ranged from classical to contemporary pop to Grease! I played Bach, de Falla, Mozart, and Kreisler. A guitarist played Alla Turca by Mozart. A girl sang “1000 Miles” with the keyboardist, and then two girls sang “Someone like you” with the keyboardist. Another vocalist sang a song by Amy Winehouse, and then several students sang for the musical “Grease” they’re preparing. A brother and sister duo sang a song by Air Supply, and the he also played some songs on the saxophone. Finally, to end the music, I improvised on the violin with this multi-talented student – he plays the guitar, saxophone, and sings.  
I created this event to support the talented students of Juticalpa, and it happened to support the culture of the community as well. We raised over 7000 Lempiras to donate to the cultural society. I hope that the people of the community and of The Day-Star School do what they can to keep events like this happening, and to extend a similar idea to other schools and people in the rest of the community. This event would not have been possible without the help of La Sociedad Cultural of Juticalpa and the students of The Day-Star School. I had fun working hard on this, and it was a success!