Here's a calendar event that promises to be fun.
Mark your calendars for a special parade of El Son De Los Diablos (a traditional Peruvian Devil's dance) on Wednesday, July 23 at 4:30pm in Columbia City. The parade is part of the Rainier Valley Youth Theatre's SummerSTAGE production of Callejón: The Alley and will introduce residents to the costumes, masks, foods and culture of Peru.
RVYT's parade will include two dancers from Peru and many local adults and youth dressed in elaborate devil masks and traditional costumes, performing step dancing duels (zapateo). Traditionally performed in the alleyways of Peru's capital of Lima, dancers are accompanied by musicians, playing guitar and the percussion instruments cajita (little box), and quijada (donkey's jaw).
As we recreate this tradition in the alleys of Columbia City, the parade will march from the Farmers Market to Villa Victoria, where several Peruvian foods will be available to sample, such as picarones, fritters made from a squash or sweet potato dough and served with syrup), mazamorrra morada, a tasty pudding made from purple maize and fruit, and chicha, a sweet, refreshing corn-based drink.
The parade will continue to the alley across the street, behind Kallaloo and in front of Verve Wine Bar, then down Ferdinand to Rainier Avenue. The parade will end up at RVCC, where the dancers will perform several zapateo routines.
A special pay-what-you-can dress rehearsal of Callejón: The Alley is scheduled at 7:30pm at RVCC. For information, contact Jerri Plumridge, SEEDArts Director, at 760-4286.
