06172016Fri
Last updateFri, 10 Jun 2016 6am

Harps put zing in Chapala music fest

Pleasing strains of traditional Mexican music will fill the air throughout next week as musicians from near and far congregate in Chapala to engage in the 14th Encuentro de Arpas, Salterios y Mas. 

The main event is the vibrant show set for Wednesday, June 8, on the grounds of the Centro Cultural Gonzalez Gallo, Chapala’s former railway station. Running non-stop from 2 to 10 p.m., the lose-knit music fest brings together talented musicians from different parts of Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Michoacan, Tlaxcala, Veracruz and the United States. It is a unique encounter that doubles as a sharing-and-learning experience for the musicians and a relaxed entertainment experience for music lovers.

This year’s program will showcase harp virtuosos Kevin Zabdiel, David Martínez, Luis Ku, Gaudencio Martínez, Roberto Adán, Luis Alberto Gómez and Encuentro founder William Faulkner from California. Also lined up for performance sets are psaltery master Daniel Torres; harp duo Los Centenarios; traditional no-brass mariachi bands El Carrizo, El Tequileño,  Tecuexes and Los Pitayeros;  musical troupes Amate, Nematatlín, Madero y Bordón, and Son de Coamil; and the string and psaltery ensamble Ayer, Hoy y Siempre.

Once all the participants have taken turns on stage, the musicians mix it up in the palomazo, a jam session in which they interpret favorite tunes in a laid-back atmosphere.  

Admission is free of charge, although voluntary donations and purchases of souvenir pins, t-shirts and posters are encouraged to help defray festival expenses.  Food and drinks, assorted acoustic instruments and carrying cases, and CDs recorded by various festival performers may also be purchased on site. 

Spectators are welcome to come and go as they please throughout the eight-hour marathon. Seating will be available under a large tent. Visitors are allowed to bring portable chairs, blankets and outdoor picnic gear, as well as their own snacks and beverages.

Collateral festival happenings will include pop-up afternoon performances at the Ajijic Plaza on June 7, 9 and 10; a dinner-time show Thursday, June 9, 7:30 p.m. at La Bodega de Ajijic; and the closing celebration to be held Friday, June 10, 8 p.m., at the Centro Cultural Antigua Presidencia, Chapala’s old town hall, with free entry.  

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