In April, MCMF brought the group Ensemble el Contratiempo to the Bay Area from Caracas, Venezuela, for 6 days of concerts, workshops and privates lessons. The group played traditional folkloric music and featured Angel Tolosa on the “arpa llanera” (harp of the plains), accompanied by cuatro (small folkloric guitar). Highlights of their tour were workshops in which the arpista, Angel Tolosa taught a variety of techniques that’re unique to the arpa llanera style. The group played a concert with classical pedal harpists in the San Jose area, and a wonderful concert at the Mission Cultural Center in San Francisco with guest artist, Jacqueline Rago on percussion.
