The past is never dead. It's not even past.
William Faulkner

                                         

        It's Happening at "La 18"

SAN JUAN -- A convergence of art, design and gastronomy
this week-end at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto
Rico is sure to give everyone a taste of the best these three
creative fields have to offer.

La 18 Art & Gastronomy on Wheels 2016 follows on the heels
of the museum's popular Timbiriche Design Fair, held at the
end of last year. La 18 refers to the museum's central location
at the confluence of two busy roads leading in and out of San
Juan.

Over the course of two days -- Saturday April 23 and Sunday
April 24 -- artists and designers will take over the museum's
arcades to show off their talent. Some 72 participants have
signed on so far with culinarians rolling into the museum's
forecourt in distinctive food trucks.

The museum has invited artists and designers before and even
held gastronomic events as part of its fundraising activities but
this is the fist time that food trucks are brought into the mix,
said Jorge Pardo, museum store director and the man behind the
event.

There will be seven of them each devoted to a particular
category: juices, pizza, hamburgers, mexican specialities, Puerto
Rican food, Japanese food, and the finishing touch to any meal,
barista coffee.

As if there weren't enough creativeness for one place, corollary
activities to be held at the museum over the week-end include
singing by the San Juan Children's Choir, literary readings,
contemporary dancing courtesy of La Trinchera Dance Group,
live painting and living sculptures.  

The fair runs from 11 am to 9 pm on Saturday and from 1pm
to 7 pm on Sunday.

Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico
corner of Ponce de León Ave. and Roberto H. Todd Ave.
787.977.4030

Farmers' Market at Gallery Plaza

A new farmers' market has opened, widening the circle of open
air markets that have mushroomed around San Juan in recent years.

The Gallery Plaza farmers' market, which will be held every third
Sunday of the month in the luxury condominium's center court,
kicked off bright and early on April 17. In comparison with other
such markets, this one was definitely a more modest affair but it
nevertheless did not disappoint.

In addition to a selection of farm fresh fruits and produce, there
were also beautiful potted plants (including herbs like fragrant
basil and sweet tomato plants clearly eager to be purchased and
planted in a welcoming garden), hemp-based health products,
homemade cookies, handmade cheeses, and beauty products.

As the market gets more traffic, it is bound to offer more choices.
At a time when Puerto Rico's economy is in very bad shape, this
sort of initiative enables the public to support local businesses
and contribute to strengthening the island's agricultural sector.

Gallery Plaza is located at the corner of De Diego Avenue and
Loiza Street.

Listen to the wind, it talks.
Listen to the silence, it speaks.
Listen to your heart, it knows. 

--Native American proverb


Photography & artwork by Denise Blasor

       


DEPARTAMENTO DE LA COMIDA MOVES TO NEW LOCALE

For years, the Departamento de La Comida has been supplying
the best, freshest, organic farm products and now that it has shown 
us what to eat, it has decided it is time to show us how to eat.

Towards that pursuit, it recently left the Miramar area where it
operated out of a far too large warehouse and has moved into a
former restaurant space in Punta Las Marias where it will
concentrate on the kitchen while still continuing to sell the high
quality organic produce from its network of farmers.

It's a marvelous spot to have lunch and get away from work or
the office. The mostly open space is sunny and plant filled with
metal tables shaded by either large beach umbrellas, palm-thatched
roofing or wooden planks at the bar area. The vibe is easygoing and
relaxed; on a regular week-day you can find a fair amount of diners
enjoying eating al fresco. You might even think you are in the
countryside except for the occasional rumble of cars.

PASTELÓN DE BATATA WITH KALE

The restaurant features a small but seasonal vegetarian menu
that celebrates the harmony of flavors that transforms the
humblest of foods into a culinary rhapsody. Aesthetics also
matter and the plating of each dish is a delight to the eye.

Departamento de La Comida
2413 Calle Laurel
787.722.2228
Wed through Friday, 11:30 am-9 pm
Sat. & Sunday, 10 am-4 pm


       ☞ JAZZY AFTERNOON
Three jazz greats -- percussionist Richie Flores, pianist Eric
Figueroa and base Ramón Vazquez -- will perform their musical
magic this Saturday at Fundación Casa Cortés in Old San Juan. 

Casa Cortés houses one of the most extensive private art collections
in Pueto Rico, open to public viewing free of cost on Thursday, 
Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. There is an excellent 
cafe/restaurant on the first floor with a menu revolving around the
famous Cortés Chocolate. 


From 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Entry fee: adults $6, children $3.

Casa Cortés
# 210 Calle San Francisco 
787.523.4642
  

Bring me all of your dreams,
You dreamer,
Bring me all your
Heart melodies
That I may wrap them
In a blue cloud-cloth
Away from the too-rough fingers
Of the world.


Langston Hughes

Copyright © Lorraine Blasor All Rights Reserved☁