Dia de Guadalupe

Last night Cantantes sang at the Festival of Lights in Chapala, on the Day of Guadalupe. After a 3 hours rehearsal, a light dinner and bus ride to Chapala, we arrived at 7:30 for a concert time at 8. We stood around on the cathedral steps for an hour watching the totally inept sound people trying to get microphones set up for us. They managed to get the keyboard plugged in correctly but the sound system was so bad that I'm sure we sounded like cows stuck in a mud puddle. But the crowd seemed to enjoy the music and we certainly enjoyed singing for the Mexican crowd. One song in French, a couple in English and the rest in Spanish. The crowd really lit up when we sang Mexican Christmas songs with which they are so familiar. It was really a joy to bring their cherished carols to them on such a holiday as Dia de Guadalupe. Guadalupe is the most revered saint in Mexico so her day is very special.

What was sort of disconcerting was the noise level while we were singing. There were kids running around playing and making noise between the church steps where we were singing, and the entrance to the church. It's probably 40-50 feet of space with screeching little kids running all over. You'd think I'd be used to noisy gatherings, being LDS and all. The crowd in general were somewhat noisy too so it was difficult to concentrate on singing. It seems Mexicans are less unruly indoors than an outside setting. However, this evening was a big deal for them so it's to be expected.

The temperature Thursday night got down into the high 30s-low 40s so we were forwarned and didn't wear our tradition concert dress. Instead we wore long johns, hats, thick socks and heavy coats. Thank heavens the cold snap started the night before our concert, otherwise we would have been caught "cold" with no warning and been dressed for 60 degrees.

Immediately after our concert the fireworks started. This night the venue was the cathedral itself. With lots of flare-type fireworks going off along the front and up the two bell towers, throwing out eerie light and lots of smoke. The sound system was working well when the lovely music was playing in accompaniment to the fireworks. The song changed and so did the fireworks. It was quite spectacular with music swelling as huge rockets of white sparkles were shot from the roof of the cathedral. The whole crowd was very quiet as we stood there in awe of such beauty. And, as if God himself had planned the event, the largest full moon in 15 years had risen just to the left of the largest bell tower of the church. Click here for a video that was taken that night. I think there were a few tears in the crowd; I know us gringos were certainly moved. CLICK HERE for short info on the Virgin of Guadalupe.