June 2002 - Nr. 6
Dick reports...
A German-Mexican-Austrian connection in Markham
"Harmony and Rhythms" - what a wonderful concept! It was a
unique blend of German and Mexican music, combined with dance, in
celebration of Mexico’s "Cinco de Mayo" (5th of May) festive
holiday. It was performed by the Harmonic Brass Showband - under the
direction of Joe Schick - and the Mexico Amigo Mariachi Band-directed by
Jorge Lopez.
This exhilarating performance was staged on the 4th of May, at the Markham Theatre for the performing arts, behind Markham’s City Hall at Hwy. 7 and Warden Ave. and also featured the Hilda Panasiuk Dance Company, the Blue Danube Heimat Dancers from the Danube Swabian Club and the Weiss-Blau Bayern Dancers from the Hansa Club in Mississauga with Norbert Turi as MC, What is so special about the 5th of May to Mexico? Well, here is a bit of historical background.
The origin of this event commemorates the defeat of the French army by the Mexicans at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the state capital city of Pueblo and throughout the state of Pueblo, but is also celebrated in other parts of the country and in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population.
The battle at Puebla happened at a violent and chaotic time in Mexico’s history. Mexico had finally gained independence from Spain in 1810, and a number of internal political takeovers and wars, including the Mexican-American War and the Mexican Civil War of 1858, had completely wiped out the national economy.
During this period Mexico had accumulated heavy debts to several nations, including Spain, England and France, who were demanding payment. When Mexico finally stopped making any more payments, France, eager to add to its empire, decided to use this debt issue to establish its own leadership in Mexico by installing Napoleons relative, Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Austria, son of Archduke Franz Karl and Princess Sophie of Bavaria – a brother of the Emperor of Austria – as ruler of Mexico.
France invaded the Gulf coast of Mexico and began to march towards Mexico City. American President Abraham Lincoln was sympathetic to Mexico’s cause, but the U.S. was in its own Civil War at the time and unable to provide any assistance.
Along the way to Mexico City the French army encountered some strong resistance at the Mexican forts of Loreto and Guadalupe. Led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Sequin, a small, poorly armed militia of about 4.500 was able to stop and defeat a well-outfitted French army of 6,500 soldiers. This victory was a glorious moment for Mexican patriots and is the cause for this historical date’s celebration.
Unfortunately, the victory was short lived. Upon hearing the bad news, Napoleon had found an excuse to send more troops overseas to help Maximilian, against the wishes of the French populace. 30,000 more troops and a full year later, the French were eventually able to depose the Mexican army, take over Mexico City and install Maximilian as ruler.
However, Maximilian’s rule of Mexico was short lived (1864-1867), and despite the French invasion of Mexico City, the Battle of Puebla honours the bravery and victory of General Zaragoza’s small, outnumbered militia in 1862.
Karl May fans may remember six books that dealt with that segment of history: Volumes 51-55 & 77 (Schloß Rodgriganda / Die Pyramide des Sonnengottes / Benito Juarez / Trapper Geierschnabel / Der sterbende Kaiser & Die Kinder des Herzogs).
Several years ago, when Jorge Lopez was working with the
greatest Mariachi band of all times, Mariachi Vargas, he had the idea of
forming his own Mariachi band, due to the lack of authentic representation
of Mariachi music in Canada at the time. In 1988 he began training musicians
in traditional Mexican folk music. This gave birth to Mexico Amigo. Although
the band members come from all over the world, they respect and do their
best to preserve the original style and sound of Mexico’s great Mariachi
music.
Jorge is justly proud of his son Joao’s long standing participation
in the band and his assistance in making sure the music is true to its
roots. One of the musicians is actually from Yugoslavia but he looks and
performs as real as a Latino. Because of Mexico Amigo’s professionalism,
reliability and authenticity they are widely recommended.
Now a little background about the "Harmonic Brass Shaw Band". why is Harmonie spelled with "ie" instead of a "Y"? No, it isn’t a typo and I will explain why!
The Harmonic Brass first performed in public in 1969. It was
originally formed as a "Fanfare Corps" and part of the German Mardi Gras
movement. The band was originally called "Das Fanfarenkorps der G.K.G.
Harmonie", and was at home at the German Canadian Club Harmonie in Toronto.
Over the years the band performed at many Mardi Gras - or Carnival -
functions and participated in several trips to Europe. The band has changed
considerably over the years, mostly due to an influx of younger musicians,
who had a large impact on both the musicality and the repertoire. In 1981
during a trip to Germany the band officially changed its name to "The
Harmonie Brass".
Today the band is at home at the Donauschwaben Klub - the Danube Swabians - in Scarborough, and can be seen performing throughout Ontario, at any of the German clubs, or corporate and convention functions in most of Ontario’s major venues, such as the Sky Dome, Palais Royale, and mast major hotel ballrooms. It continues to promote traditional as well as modern German music while at the same time expanding it’s repertoire of "big band" and "rock and roll" classics.
The concert itself, at the Markham Theatre, was a rousing
success that ended with a standing ovation by the grateful audience. The mix
of German and Mexican classics, interspersed with dance performances by the
Mexican dancers in their intricately colourful dresses, the Donauschwaben
Heimat dancers and the Weiss-Blau Bayern group made this a colourful event
for eyes and ears.
The solo vocals by gifted Danielle Bourre, Manfred
Misalla and Joao Lopez made this event even more memorable in the great
acoustics of this theatre. Despite a great deal of publicity the performance
was not sold out. But word of mouth by the thrilled members in the audience
will most likely guarantee a larger crowd at the next performance. Let’s
hope we don’t have to wait until the 5th of May next year!
"Heimatabend" at the Hansa Haus
This annual event – hosted by the STV Weiss-Blau Bayern
folkdance group – was an unmitigated success. They had invited six other
groups to share the event: Heidengold (Rochester), Alpenland (Hamilton),
Enzian and Kitchener-Waterloo folkdance group (Kitchener) and of course the
Almrausch Seniors and Juniors from the Hansa Club in Mississauga.
Needless to mention that it was a full house. It always is!
Well, if you get a half dozen folkdance groups together – in their traditional colourful costumes, there is nowhere in or around the great hall that you don’t see "Trachtler" of all age-groups.
Some so young – and small – that you have to be careful not to step on them, especially when they sit on the floor to watch the grown-ups perform. There was a lot of that going on too.
When the lights dimmed it was the signal for all guests that
the dance floor was now open and they could indulge in their pleasure to
"trip the light fantastic" to the well-rounded sounds of the Black Forest
Band.
In between the guests could partake of the delicious fare
offered by the club’s kitchen and some birthdays and anniversaries were also
celebrated with individual cakes provided by the club’s kitchen. This
gesture of constructive consideration did not go unnoticed or unrewarded.
Some of the guests had arrived from afar. Monika Kurrle-Taylor
– another formerly very active member of the club – had come from
Connecticut and Lore Schunk from Winningen, at th Mosel river, in Germany.
Lore was visiting Manfred Berg and his wife (Manfred is an "Almrausch"
member).
I found out that it is not only me that meet people one knows or has met before, when this elusive spark of recognition fails to "spark", and that you can only connect them with a name or another event where you were both present. It seems that when people age they somehow loose part of their identity and start to look pretty much alike – especially when you haven’t seen each other for a while. It is almost like meeting new people all the time. Of course if you put the right slant on it, this could also be a very interesting and positive experience.
The raffle was interesting because one of the prizes was a pair of Toronto Blue Jays tickets, a DVD player, a CD player and a number of "Weiss-Blau Bayern" beer steins.
Regina Krumme was also available in the foyer with a wonderful selection of dirndl dresses and accessories.
Altogether a great evening, great people, great fun!
As always
Dick Altermann
Comments to: dick@echoworld.com
