In an effort to stage an evening of entertainment while saying goodbye to one of their own, foreign workers from around the world will play a free concert at The Banff Centre, Friday (April 10).
Workers from Chile, Mexico, Serbia, Germany, Spain and the Phillipines will share their talents in music, acting, photography and visual art with the Bow Valley in the 350-seat Max Bell Auditorium, from 7-9 p.m.
As well, Rodrigo Castro, event organizer and member of the Latin American fusion band Origen, which will be featured, will head back to his native Chile this month. Castro, whose temporary foreign worker visa has expired, and Yenny Farias of the band, are the chief organizers of the event.
For Farias, the event represents the conclusion of a months-long passion project and a bittersweet farewell to Castro, her bandmate of two years.
The bandmembers, representing a number of nations, met at jams, through work acquaintances and at workshops in Banff.
“At some point,” said Castro, “we all just said ‘let’s play music together.’ The band has about two years of work and practicing. We’ve been doing our best as a band and most of us have been here for about three years. This show will have Origen and a theatre group.”
Musically, Castro said most songs will be of the folk variety, with about half the songs originals, written by he and Farias, and traditional songs.
The event is free, but attendees are asked to donate to the Banff Food Bank.
“I’ll be leaving pretty soon,” said Castro. “I’m going to take a vacation for two months with friends and family, then I’ll continue with travels around the world. I really like Canada, but for now, I need to do other things. Maybe I’ll be back some day.”
