| The Cantares da Ilha Azul Folk Group | ||
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A History of the Group The main objective of the folk group Cantares Ilha Azul, founded on May 12, 1996, is to diffuse Azorean folk music. Our repertoire is based on a collection of original themes that mirror the history of a people's suffering, a story told by setting popular quatrains to music, to the sound of wood string instruments, music which establishes the link between life on land and sea. Of the group's history we wish to make special mention of our presence, and with great honour at that, in every parish throughout our Island and, at a regional level, on the Islands of Pico, São Jorge, Flores, Graciosa, Terceira, São Miguel and Santa Maria. Beyond the horizon of our Islands, the Portuguese mainland has also become part of our itinerary, namely the Inatel Centre in Vila Nova de Cerveira, Oeiras and, in May, 1999, the Casa dos Açores in Lisbon, where our group was a partner in an exchange program with the group "O Semeador" from Portalegre, a town where we also took part in the municipal festivities. Later we were honoured with a return visit from the Portalegre group, who was to grace us with their presence at the II Faial Folk Music Festival. In June 2001, we were asked by the Lisbon Municipal Council to be part of the Lisbon Municipal Festivities, giving a performance at the São Jorge Castle. In August of the same year we were invited to the Conceição Town Festival in Tavira by a local group, which had previously taken part in the III Faial Folk Music Festival in 2000. In 2002, at the invitation of the "Seara Jovem" group, we travelled to Alto Alentejo, having given two shows, one in Avis and another in Monforte. "Seara Jovem" was present at the V Faial Folk Music Festival, along with the group "Ronda das Nove, with repeat performances in Terra do Pão on the Island of Pico the following day. In June 1998 we were further invited to participate in Portugal Day Celebrations in California, USA, where we performed in San Jose and in the San Joaquin Valley. On this trip abroad we, along with the organizers of our trip, had the honour of being invited by the Portuguese Consul in San Francisco, and his wife, to a friendly luncheon at their official residence. Still in the year 1998, we launched our first CD of Azorean folkmusic, titled *"Da Lira à Saudade, and later came out with a cassette edition of the same album. In addition to all the aforementioned activities, our group has made appearances on the RTP-A television program "TeleManhã" and TVI program "Portugal Português". We have given tangible proof of our capabilities with our organization of the Faial Folk Music Festivals that are part of the anniversary celebrations of the town of Horta. The Festival takes place on the first Saturday of the month of July, with groups from Faial, Pico, São Jorge, Terceira, São Miguel, Portalegre, Tavira, Monforte. The Festival's primary aim is promote Portuguese folk music, particularly Azorean, among all those who happen to visit us. In the year 2000 we achieved a record number of performances with 24 shows, seven of which at the request of the Inatel Senior Tourism program (Turismo Sénior do Inatel). In 2002 we were once more invited by Inatel to act as hosts for folk groups visiting Faial. Our group was also present at the Christmas Folk Group Contest organized by the Horta Municipal Council and held on Twelfth Night. Participation in these events was only made possible through sponsorship by, among others, the Horta Municipal Council, the Inatel Board for Cultural Affairs and, last but not least, our media. Translator's Note: The title of the CD quoted
in the above text,
Jose Xavier - Vocals |
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