Tabanka

i came back to Praia purely for the purpose of watching the company Rais do Polon, the local contemporary dance company, perform for the cultural exchange program that I have been helping (in exchange for taking dance class and basically sponging off of their presentations and programs). Of course, in Tarrafal, i called them to ask when the company was going to perform. I had been given a private performance in their rehearsal, when i went to take their class... but i didnt video since i knew i would be seeing a performance of the same material. I was given the wrong information, and so i missed the performance by coming too late. The girl who had misinformed me attempted to call me back, but of course, sans cell (without cellphone) there was no way of reaching me. Frustrated and almost teary eyed, i instead arrived in time to see a local hip hop group perform.

There is comfort in knowing some of the streets in Praia, just after a week of wandering.

plan for the week: will hopefully work at a ceramic studio in Assomada (interior mountain village) tomorrow, then shoot off to Tarrafal on the opposite end of the island at night, to interview a local batuko director. Wednesday, i hope to go to another village, to talk to a womenºs collective who make pano de terra, which are a woven textile used for batuku dance. it is a dying tradition. THursday, back in Praia, and friday, off to the island of San Vicente for a music festival!