Performing Arts in Medellín

Since being in this city I have attended several performing arts events.  Here are some images of the groups I've seen on stage here.

The Ballet Folklorico of Antioquia performed at Teatro Metropolitano recently.  This company has several dance schools around the city that promote the regional dance styles of the country. 

 

<> 

  

 Universidad de Antioquia brough NOW Dance Company of Korea to their main stage in September.  I was especially impressed with their used of stage design and lighting. 





Sankofa is an Afro-Colombian dance company based in Medellín.  This group brings the African roots of Colombia's coastal regions to the stage with vibrant music and movement.  I was fortunate enough to attend a free performance and make friends with several of the company members.





Views from Colegio Montessori

Marlon, my teaching partner for HS English,
 at a lively school assembly

I have officially accepted a teaching position for January (the start of the school year here) at the Colegio Montessori.  I will be teaching math in English for some combination of 3rd - 6th grade, depending on the other math teacher they need to hire for the new year.  This is the school where I had a long-term sub position teaching high school English in September, and where I am now working part-time teaching 3rd grade math until the end of November, the end of their school year.  In my time at the school, I have felt like a member of the Montessori family and have established myself as a "good teacher" with the students and other teaching staff.  I hope to teach a Creative Movement class once a week in the After-school Program.  I also still plan to be teaching a course in Modern Dance once a week at a local university-- that's still in the works!  Here are some images from the school...

Climbing El Peñol

My new climbing friends, Carlos and David, who I met at the climbing gym, insisted I join them for a long day at Medellín's closest climbing destination, El Peñol.  It's a granite monolith that rises 2,500 ft. above the massive reservoir/lake that supplies water to Medellín down the mountain.  The views of the lake from the rock are just stunning.  I don't believe I have seen water that shade of emerald green ever before. I was surprised at how undeveloped this climbing site is; there are no trails to the base of the rock or between routes.  We slogged through mud and all kinds of vegetation during the day.  Even though we were rained on multiple times, we were able to take refuge below the granite roofs, waiting for the sun to reappear and dry off the rock again.  I most enjoyed just being outside all day getting to know new friends.