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The Basque trio, Kalakan is in Quebec where they participated in the International Percussion Festival in Montreal July 8-12.  The group performed three concerts that were supported by the members of the Euskaldunak Basque club in Quebec, who attended with a large Ikurriña. The group also taught a Basque instrument workshop where participants enjoyed playing the txalaparta. 

Montreal, Quebec.   The International Percussion Festival in Montreal took place July 3-12 and the Basque group, Kalakan, participated July 8-12 during the final part.  While there, besides the usual concerts, they also played outdoors on a special stage, as Sylvie Nadaud, of Euskaldunak Quebec told EuskalKultura.com.

To begin, on July 8, the group played at the church of Notre Dame du Bonsecours where they performed a repertoire based on folkloric songs and singing a capella during a large part of the concert.  Many members of Euskaldunak were in attendance and welcomed the group with an Ikurriña.  The audience really enjoyed the concert in a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.

On Thursday, July 9, Kalakan performed on the main stage outside the festival, situated on the old port in Montreal.  Several members of Euskaldunak attended, “that were very happy to have another opportunity to see the group, who had attended the club’s fifteenth anniversary celebration four years ago,” Sylvie said.

Finally, on July 11, Thierry, Xan and Jamixel taught a workshop on Basque musical instruments that was attended by many Quebecois and several club members.  The workshop was like “a trip” through Euskal Herria, since “the group presented typical instruments from various provinces, like the xiurla, alboka and of course the txalaparta.  In addition those present got to play the txalaparta with members of the group!”

Members of Kalakan also shared the stage on the last day with the rest of the performers at the festival.  Days afterwards the group left for Mashteuiatsh, in la region de Lac-St-Jean, to participate in a Pow Wow with members of Indigenous Nations there.