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IPARRAIZE II:
Return to Mar del Plata |
The hope was to have
had a group of dancers travel to Argentina once again, but things
did not fall into place this time around. An effort will be
made in the future to try this again.
N.A.B.O. has been invited to put together a group to perform at
the International Mus Tournament and Semana Vasca ("Basque
Week") in Mar de
Plata, Argentina. Sixteen years ago an initial bunch
made the trip South to take part, and to a person they all had a
great time. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to
experience an alternative way of being Basque, with one of the
biggest Basque celebrations in the world, and of course to make some
new friends.
Each participant would cover the
cost of travel, and then they would be provided room and board in
the homes of Basques during the week (but you would have to pay for
some of the meals during the festival). The "Denak Bat" Basque
Club of Mar del Plata would be our hosts while their, and they have
a local dance group by the name of "Beti Alai." Then we would
reciprocate and host a visiting group from Argentina when they
travel here to perform.
Participants would have
to commit to multiple practices (in person and online) in order to
put together this hybrid-group. The group would work on
several dances together (to be determined based on those who
sign-up), and then perform together in Mar del Plata. The
group would also likely participate in a general performance along
with a dozen or more dance groups from Argentina.
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The "Denak Bat" clubhouse
in Mar del Plata of. It's several stories, including a
bar/restaurant and fronton.
In the buildup to the final weekend of the Semana Vasca, most all of the action is
here--it'll be your new home! |
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Our Mar del
Plata contact helping us to arrange this is Patxi Valencia, the
treasurer of the Basque Club (and one of the members from the
initial exchange of years ago). |
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Mar del Plata is one of Argentina's
premiere beach towns.
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