This is a short journal of Brigyn's tour with Nicolas Avila, the Bandoneon player from Comodoro Rivadavia, Patagonia during July 2015 - part of the Wales/Patagonia150 celebrations. Follow #Patagonia150 - @Dathlu150 - patagonia150.org for information about the celebrations.
The Patagonia connection doesn't end there, as Brigyn also worked with singer-songwriters Alejandro and Leonardo Jones from Trevelin and Hector Ariel from Gaiman during the month.
The culmination of the work will be published on CD in December 2015 to conclude a year of celebrations.
Journal– July 2015 Tour
June 29
Nico arrived Cardiff, from Buenos Aires at 2pm - by 4pm we were in a sound-check for the performance at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay! We had the honour of opening the official celebrations for the Welsh Government.
Thanks to Ashok Ahir for the photo
June 30 - July 2
A few days of practice and composing songs in Cardiff.
July 3
A workshop to introduce the Bandoneon, the Tango and the history of the Welsh settlers in Patagonia to the pupils of Treganna Primary School in Cardiff, followed by a short performance of some original and traditional Argentinian songs.
July 4
A journey to North Wales to perform 2 concerts.
It was a wonderful opportunity to show some spectacular scenery to Nico as we travelled from Cardiff to Snowdonia, passing by the Brecon Beacons, Llyn Clywedog, Cricieth, Nant Gwrtheyrn, Felinheli, Llanberis to name just a few!!
July 5
Our inaugural perfomance on the Periscope app - broadcasting the practice at Llanrug for our session on BBC Radio and the upcoming concert in Llangollen.
July 6
A live performance on Dylan Jones' Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Cymru before a journey to Llanuwchllyn.
Recording songs with Osian Williams during the afternoon before a workshop and a performance at the Eagles in Llanuwchllyn for Aelwyd Penllyn during the evening.
July 7
A day in the studio at Llanuwchllyn for Brigyn and Nico with Osian Williams.
July 8
Two evening performances at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
July 9
On the national Argentine Day (Decleration of the Country’s Independance), Nico was invited to perform at the UK-Argentine Ambassador’s Event in London.
July 11
The ‘Brigyn&Nico’ series of gigs and workshops comes to an end for the time being at Pontypridd. A performance at the Parti Ponti Festival in Parc Angharad hosted by Magi Dodd and Tommo from BBC Radio Cymru. A big thanks to Magi for the photo of our performance.
July 21
An opportunity worth seizing upon. A chance meeting with Alejandro Jones from Trevelin in 2014 resulted in another trans-atlantic collaboration during July. This time, with another set of brothers, El Surco Duo - Alejandro and Leonardo Jones, from the Andes. The collaboration is a Welsh version of their popular song ‘Aquí’.
Wales•Patagonia – January 2015
The official start of the "Brigyn-Patagonia" project was a performance in the British Council and Wales Government’s formal reception at the College of Music and Drama, to celebrate 150 years of the Welsh settlement in Patagonia. Almost a year later, the culmination of our vision and ambitious project will be ready to publish.
Details will be available on brigyn.com very soon.
