The Musical Streets at Christmas

Strolling around the city during this past week, we have seen some magical street entertainers.  The other night, when we went out to see the lights, there was a man with a marionette and the marionette was playing a marionette-sized grand piano (the classical music was of course pre-recorded).  There was a very serious (and very good) group of carolers, as well as an exceptional jazz combo.

CAROLERS.

MODERN JAZZ.

We came upon a performer in a funny costume that I thought was something I had seen before: a man in costume with a stuffed life-sized doll for a partner.  He danced around a small plaza at the top of Avenida de la Constitución and I was impressed with how life-like the female partner appeared to be.  It turned out, the doll wasn't just sewn or strung to the male figure.  The performer had his feet in the male figure's shoes and his hands in the female figure's boots. He was bent at the waist with his head tucked under her skirts as he flew around the street.  It was wild and very impressive.

While out and about today, we saw a very funky, very talented, and unbelievably energetic jazz troop.  The blues singer we had seen the day we received our residency cards was out again and just as good.

THE PIANO-PLAYING MARIONETTE WAS CHARMING.

A SPANIARD SKILLED AT IMITATING THE SOUTHERN AMERICAN BLUESY TWANG.

The highlight today was an exceptional trio of Russian performers.  They were brilliant, but seemed so sad as they played and even more sad when they completed a set and received warm applause.  Spectators are always generous with the coins they give to performers, but it's not an easy way to make a living.

BRING ON THE FUNK. BRING ON THE JAZZ. EXHILARATING. 

I have videos of almost everything, but don't want to overwhelm you, so I've shared screen captures of many of the videos I recorded and have only included two of the videos, finishing with the Russian musicians we saw today. I might post another video here and there in the future. I wouldn't want you to miss anything!