“Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life.” — Art Blakey
The clear tones of Miles Davis to the eclectic mix of Herbie Hancock can be heard weekly emanating from the Balinese-style Buddha Eyes Restaurant at Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat on Santa Teresa Beach.
If you think a remote tropical beach in Costa Rica is a funny place to hear jazz, famous jazz saxophonist Ahmad Alaadeen has words for you: “Jazz does not belong to one race or culture, but is a gift that America has given the world.”
Pranamar Villas, on the beach at Santa Teresa on the southern Nicoya Peninsula, is presenting Jazz Nights every Wednesday from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Local musicians David Walker, a saxophonist from California, and trumpet player Luciano from Argentina accompany the sounds of the Pacific surf with their own mix of jazz and pop music. Their repertoire ranges from original compositions to covers of jazz legends like Miles Davis.
“Pranamar is a great space for a jazz listening evening,” commented Walker.
The open-air, thatched roof restaurant pavilion overlooks the meandering free-form swimming pool, styled after a Balinese river, with luxurious two-story bungalows at the water’s edge. At night, soft lighting, tropical vegetation and warm sea breezes create an elegant ambiance. Pacific Ocean waves rhythmically roll onto shore a few steps away.
The weekly events are indeed popular and reservations are recommended, noted Pranamar restaurant events manager, Diana Vitola. “It’s a nice treat to have music both for our guests on yoga retreats and local residents,” she said.
While enjoying the live music, you can take advantage of happy hour two-for-one specials on Costa Rican beers (from 7-8 p.m.), or a cocktail or non-alcoholic smoothie from Pranamar’s extensive drinks menu. Every night at the Buddha Eyes Restaurant the menu varies for dinner with different rotating main dishes and appetizers. Mondays, for instance feature freshly-made sushi rolls. Pranamar chefs blend Pacific Rim and Asian cuisine with native Costa Rican fare and Italian touches.
Vitola said the Buddha Eyes Restaurant additionally is staging one or two events per month, such as Flamenco nights, live Latin percussion or acoustic guitar. The hotel even offers taxi service for guests to come from other points in Santa Teresa. “We’re very interested in having people come try our restaurant,” she said.
The next upcoming event will celebrate Costa Rica’s national holiday on April 11 of Juan Santamaria Day, for the national hero who helped conquer invading forces in 1856. The hotel will serve traditional Costa Rican dishes and have live typical music in the restaurant. “We want to show our guests about our culture and why we celebrate that day,” said Vitola.
Pranamar Oceanfront Villas and Yoga Retreat
Enjoy lovely, private Costa Rica villas with Bali-style flair right on the beach at this Santa Teresa, Costa Rica hotel. The luxury boutique resort features a magnificent yoga “shala” offering daily yoga classes, regular yoga retreats and yoga vacations. See their weekly yoga class schedule on Facebook.
Article by Shannon Farley
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