MLS Libraries Bring South American Music to City

The Lopez brothers live in The City in the Clouds, but they're coming to Oklahoma City .

“The City in the Clouds” is Quito , Ecuador , and the Lopez brothers are better known to lovers of South American traditional music as the group Andes Manta. They are bringing their vibrant, powerful music to eight Metropolitan Library System libraries from Nov. 12 through Nov. 17.

Andes Manta will be making music during the library system's ninth annual “Our World” program in November.

Every year, the library's “Our World” program presents a different musical group, each chosen as representative of a particular sound and culture. Natives of the Ecuadorian Andes, the Lopez brothers learned their traditional folk music as it has been learned for thousands of years, passed from father to son, brother to brother.

Fernando, Luis, Bolivar and Jorge bring this unique art form to North America in its purest, most authentic form. Playing more than 35 traditional instruments, Andes Manta provides a rare opportunity for cultural understanding between the peoples of their homeland and North America .

“Our purpose in presenting music and culture from around the world,” said MLS Director of Outreach Services Dana Morrow, “is to expand our understanding of cultures other than our own.”

Morrow explained that this group was chosen because they had come highly recommended by program presenters around the nation for their musical expertise, their warmth, and their experience in public performance.

“Because Andes Manta comes from a Spanish-speaking culture, many of the residents in Oklahoma County will be able to understand and relate to their music even though it may be somewhat different from their own Spanish-speaking culture,” Morrow said.

Andes Manta's schedule will have the group presenting nine performances at the following eight locations.

All performances are free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the concert is scheduled to begin. For more information, please call 606-3833.

“Our World” presenting Andes Manta is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Metropolitan Library System, the Oklahoma Arts Council, and the Mid-American Arts Alliance.

The Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County includes 12 libraries and five extension libraries. Libraries include Belle Isle, Capitol Hill, Ralph Ellison, Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library and Southern Oaks in Oklahoma City, as well as Bethany, Choctaw, Del City, Edmond, Midwest City, Village and Warr Acres. Extensions are located in the communities of Harrah, Jones, Luther and Nicoma Park and include Wright Library in Oklahoma City . You can also reach us at www.metrolibrary.org.