My family and I recently enjoyed two spectacular performances at the Ruben Dario National Theatre in Managua. We often go to this theatre to see ballet, opera, orchestra, and national heritage events. My children have even performed there on several occasions.
This week the Spanish Embassy hosted a Spanish Duende and Flamenco entourage for a cancer benefit concert. If you’ve ever seen Flamenco, you know that the energy is incredible, and the depth of the melodies and lyrics can be intensely penetrating. When I told my 9-year-old daughter, Amanda, that I didn’t really understand all the words, she replied, “Oh Daddy. They made up a bunch of words and sounds for a lot of it.” Well, that explains why I didn’t get very much of the story line in the songs. I guess the idea is to keep you focused on the dancing which is like Riverdance on steroids.
Two days later, we were back to see the Russian Ice Ballet perform Swan Lake and Cinderella. This was a show for kids and there were hundreds of them in attendance. My youngest, Emily (age 5), made it all the way through to the very end, but fell asleep during the curtain call. Just in time for dad to have to carry her out. Smart girl.
The price for this show was the highest I’ve ever paid in Nicaragua: $25 per ticket. When I asked my wife if it was cordobas, she just rolled her eyes at me. It was dollars. I guess people pay more when it’s for the kids. (The Flamenco tickets were $5.)
The variety at the theatre is superb. Coming up later this month are a classic guitar festival, a tango performance, several children’s shows, and an experimental theater play about Frida Khalo. Other great performances we have enjoyed in the past are the Bolshoi, the Hungarian Orchestra, the National Folkloric Ballet, and an opera that I slept through (so my wife says). I prefer to think I was just listening.
We go to the movies almost every week. The movie theaters are modern with big comfy seats and way too much air-conditioning. We get most blockbusters (like Harry Potter) the day they open in the United States. The average movie release lags the States by about six months. But once you’ve been here for six months, the movie cycle is all brand new. Just last week my wife, Carol and I enjoyed Public Enemy. Tickets, popcorn, and drinks—less than $6 for two adults.
