It will include, among other attractions, a dance floor, murals alluding to Doña Chencha, a river view, capacity for 450 people, parking, security and permanent lighting, close access to a marina, among others.
Taken from El Día
SANTO DOMINGO - The mayor of Santo Domingo East, Manuel Jiménez, inaugurated the construction work of the "Chencha" recreation and tourist and cultural entertainment center, an open bar, a space conceived for the display of concerts, dances and events related to son, merengue, salsa, bachata and other musical expressions characteristic of the Dominican people and the Caribbean.
Dedicated to the memory of Inocencia Paredes (Chencha), the iconic dancer and dance partner of the sonero Bonyé, Chencha's Bar will be located in front of the Ozama River delta and in front of the Colonial City, on the Malecón Avenue of Santo Domingo East, a few meters from the floating bridge (Villa Duarte) and under the Bicycle Bridge.
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, which should be completed and operational in the first quarter of 2022, Jiménez explained that the Chencha Bar is part of the special projects being developed by the Mayor's Office with the purpose of providing residents with safe, attractive, and well-organized spaces for healthy recreation and the promotion of tourism.
“The project has been in development for some time. It will be a recreational space for both the municipality and the region, and the aim is for it to become an international benchmark,” reported Bernardo Ayala, head of cooperation and special projects for the Mayor's Office.
The project is being developed with the support of the Presidency of the Republic and will have an estimated cost of RD$5,000,000. It will be overseen by engineer Ramón Acevedo. Among other attractions, it will include a dance floor, murals alluding to Doña Chencha, a river view, seating for 450 people, parking, security and permanent lighting, and easy access to a marina.
“We want Chencha’s bar to be a national and regional landmark for cultural activities and wholesome recreation. It’s part of our project to make Santo Domingo Este a city where everyone can find a place to be happy,” the mayor declared after inaugurating the project.
The event was attended by important promoters of art and entertainment from the Dominican Republic, as well as council members, city officials and community leaders.
¿Who is Doña Chencha??
Inocencia Paredes, along with her husband José María Guerrero (Bonyé), formed the most emblematic and representative son dance duo in the country, achieving international renown. They were both key figures in the resurgence of son music and dance in the Dominican Republic, founding the Club Nacional de Soneros in 1986, one of the country's premier venues for dancing and listening to this rhythm.
