Ecuadorean performances

We were at the Equator marker on a Sunday afternoon, which had a stage and a pavilion as part of its layout, and because it was a Sunday afternoon, there were performances.  We had lucked onto a restaurant with an overlooking balcony and found ourselves nicely poised to view the festivities.

First up was a was a Michael Jackson impersonator miming recorded music -- he had a barely passable moonwalk, grabbed his crotch alot and shook his hands.  Rather amazing that he got the stage, even moreso that he held it for 45 minutes, although to little interest, only polite applause.  Perhaps related to someone important?  I understand Ecuadoreans really like MJ (who doesn/t), but really?

While he was working it we noticed colorful costumes gathering in the pavilion.  Turned out, it was a national Ecuadorean dance company, which was fantastic.  No live musicians, but good guitar/Andean pipes music, great costumes and good dance

It's hard to see, but the showing skirts are two layers of knife-pleated wool gabardine, each beautifully trimmed with very fine braiding.  I found one in a store later.  There's a pencil underskirt of woven wool that provides modesty with the energetic twirling.  The dudes wore llama chaps, and danced well, too.  Towards the end of the performance they added bells to their waists, their stomping was energetic.

 

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The Ecuadorean flag!

And the dancers drew the crowd in for dancing a few times during the performance.  The crowd happily joined, young and old.  

Even more excitement for the day:  there was an insect zoo there, and they let us HOLD a gorgeous, huge rhinoceros beetle!  Very cool.