Friday, August 14 at 7:30pm EST

Streaming live on Dirección de Cultura y Turismo Castro Municipio Facebook page

A good long time ago, I was a college exchange student in Chile. I played fiddle with a folk group on campus, learning songs and dance from the archipelago, Chiloé. The region is almost synonymous with “folklore” in Chilean popular culture. The myths, songs and traditions are distinct from the mainland and rooted in a.complex mix of Huilliche, Chona and Spanish cultures.

On a trip to Chiloé to find a Chilote violín, fortune led me to the house of the Barría family in Puchaurán, where I shared time and conversation with some of Chiloé’s most admired musicians. The welcome was warm, the food was abundant, and their kindness toward a naive North American was tremendous. I admire the music they continue to maintain as a family. I’m grateful for the years I could dedicate to learning this music. 

On Friday, August 14 at 7:30 EST, you can see the livestream of a pre-recorded program of artists from Chile. An old friend on the production team, Caro Guttmann, asked if I would contribute a tune from the Barría repertoire and an original song.  It’s a sweet thing to renew friendships across the distance during a time where every connection matters so much.  I hope you enjoy the poets, singers, actors and songwriters featured on this program!