Folklorama: Excursion 1 - Chile and Cuba

[GirlinContempt]

Folklorama is my favorite time of the year in this city. For two weeks, community centers, arenas, halls and clubs are taken over by song, food, dance and music from all over the world.

First, R and I went to the Chilean pavilion. Bizarrely located in the heart of Saint Boniface (French town :P) the Chilean pavilion was packed to the rafters. We grabbed some red wine and empanadas, took our seats (amazing we found two. The only two left), and watched a fantastic display of dance and traditional music. Mostly it focused on the Latin American part of Chile (Next week is the Polynesian centered Chile display) though we were treated to an amazing show from Easter Island residents. After that ended, we listened to music, drank pisco sours and borgona, and had a little Torta de Mil Hojas. Absolutely fantastic. Everyone was really friendly, wanting to talk to us about Chile, make sure we were having a good time, etc. The Chile pavilion got 3.5/4 for sheer lovability, friendliness, and artistic WOW.

Then, we walked down to the Cuba pavilion. I. LOVE. This. Place. The line is always huge, and worth it. If you're ever here, and want to get in on a weekend, show up in the afternoon. It's that popular. And with good reason. We waited in line outside, listening to a Cuban-style drum jam, which encouraged spontaneous parking lot dancing. We just squeaked in before the show. Grabbed Cristal, advertised as the most popular beer in Cuba, and some Papa Rellena and Congri. Sadly, they were out of Chicharitas. There was not a seat left in the house, so we stood and watched some of the most beautiful ballet I have ever seen. Plus, salsa, rumba, mambo and cuban music and dance. The Cubans inspire dance, inside as well as out. It doesn't matter if you know anyone, you're dancing, you're partying. By this time, we'd moved along in our drinks to Mojitos and Cubatas. I wish I'd booked off some party-time for the Cubans. They are the absolute best on the weekend late nights. You've never felt so good in your life.
It was also incredibly hot in this pavilion, so I hit up the crafts stand and picked up a painted fan by Alicia de la Campa. It's lovely. I enjoy it very much.
Cuba is ALWAYS a 4. ALWAYS.

By the time things started to slow down in Cuba, R and I moved on and grabbed some lime margaritas and sopapilla on a patio, then called it a night.

The Russians are abducting me this weekend. Serbia, Poland and also Slovenia are deserving of time. But Russia is a party pavilion. Can't wait for saturday!

Now it's time to talk to my best internet friend, and head to bed.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

1. Sounds like a blast

Wish I could go!

[GirlinContempt]

2. I wish you could, too!

You would love it.

[GirlinContempt]

7. Also:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

8. nice

[ghostsofgiants]

3. Damn, that sounds fun.

[GirlinContempt]

4. I told you to come, fool.

[ghostsofgiants]

5. I had to work.

Lousy work.

[GirlinContempt]

6. Pfft

[swag]

9. What a sensory bath that sounds like.

The first day alone sounds incredible.

You're making me hungry and thirsty in multidimensional ways.

I think I'll have pelmeni for lunch tomorrow in honor of the Russian pavilion.

[GirlinContempt]

10. Here is some video for you

http://www.cbc.ca/manitoba/features/folklorama05/
That's from last year. Sadly CBC always covers it during the day when it's sort of mellow.

http://www.folklorama.ca/folklorama.php also has a neat video up.

Each pavilion also has a cultural display (and gift shop which is usually handicrafts), full of fab art and things. It's really very interesting, and beautiful. Some of the photography... wow.

I think next year, you should come. It is incredible, I don't know of anything else like it. I could really see you loving it, I'd show you a grand old time, cross my fingers.

Lucky me, I convinced my friend to have her birthday festivities this Friday at the Cuban pavilion. Hopefully I'll get some photos.