Folklorist Xiomarita Perez, writing in Listin Diario, describes what has now become a Santo Domingo tradition, a time when people who enjoy music get together in a lovely setting. It is called “Sundays with Bonye” and it is held outdoors at the ruins of the San Francisco Monastery in the Colonial Zone in the National District. Everything starts around 5pm, although many people have called the waiters to save them a good table near the dance area way before that hour. Musicians such as Felix Baez, Nestor Sanchez, Chino Mendez and Franklyn Soto provide the music – son, salsa, merengue and other styles. If tables are not available, people sit on the steps or on the grass to watch. At 8 o’clock there is a pause and Nestor Sanchez leads everyone in singing the “other” national anthem, “Quisqueya”. At about 10 o’clock everything comes to an end.
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