Casa de la Cultura de Santa Maria la Ribera

The Casa de la Cultura de Santa Maria la Ribera is a surprisingly vibrant community center. It’s one that brings together people of all ages and backgrounds. And the slate of events, exhibitions, performances, and, well, it just goes on and on.

The Casa often spills out into the alameda, (it’s just across the street), takes over the famous Kiosco, and it goes on from there. The music you’ll hear in the alameda, or emanating from the Casa itself is either part of a student ensemble, or for an event organized by the Casa.

Activities have covered Zumba and jazz dancing, wood carving, painting, and choral workshops. Open events are often centered around exhibitions of photography, documentary and historical artifacts and photos. But the center is also very often crowded with kids for whom many of the events are organized.

Santa Maria is, in the end, still a “popular” neighborhood, meaning it’s of and for the people. For that, the Casa de Cultura de Santa Maria la Ribera is a vital nerve center. While the neighborhood is best known as a place for walking and taking in the architecture and the homes of times gone by, the Casa is part of the glue that holds it all together.