Sundays Cultural Affairs In Atenas Central Park

THE community of Atenas, northwest of San José, celebrates the summer season with joyful monthly events in its central park. On Jan. 8, Area artists, musicians and preschool students contributed to a two-hour evening performance under the twinkling stars.

With these events, the Atenas Culture Committee aims to give life to the park while gathering talented people of the district, says committee member Liliana Prado.

The Los Chonetes youth group opened the evening with bobbing payasos (Tico-style clowns) and the unique sound of its cimarrona brass band. Other highlights included the modern dance group of Carlos Alvarez, a theater performance by the children of the Atenas preschool, and Andrix, an Atenas-based Mexican magician, who entertained the audience with conjuring tricks. Miguel Madrigal and his group played the blues until the payasos returned to dance and twirl the evening away.

The next event is scheduled for Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. For more information in English, call Tina Newton at 446-7734; for information in Spanish, call Liliana Prado at 446-5012.