History of Main Events
Over the years, INCAL has organised or taken part in hundreds of community events. Here is a small selection of them:
Violeta at Te Papa - DVD
The concert at Te Papa, was videotaped by various people.
This footage was later edited to produce a DVD of this occassion.
You can obtain a copy of this DVD by contacting Rolando.
Violeta Tribute at Te Papa
A concert celebrating Violeta Parra was held at Te Papa in August 2007.
This concert included music by Violeta, and also dance and theatre.
Latin American Art Exhibition
An Arts exhibition by latin American Artists living in Wellington, was opened on 28th of May 2005, and ran for two weeks.
Organised by Incal Casa Latina Wellington, this was held at the Wellington Cummunity Arts Centre Gallery.
Paintings by Rolando Olmedo(Chile),Natalia Parra(Colombia),Tatiana Vergara(Bolivia) and craft by Maggie Rapson(Peru) were displayed before a public happy to see a new expression of Latin America
Latin American Concert
With the participation of the Calle Cuba band and Grupo Los Andes, this show had music, song and dance from Chile, Perú, Bolivia, Méjico, Colombia, Argentina, and Cuba.
Also, poetry of three Latin American winners of the Nobel Prize for Literature: Gabriela Mistral, Pablo Neruda and Octavio Paz.
This was held on 16th of April at the Little Theatre Lower Hutt.
Cuba Street Carnival 2005
Grupo "Los Andes" once again was part of the Wellington Cuba Street Carnival...this time being the first act in the World Stage.
this is the fifth time Los Andes has been part of this famous Carnival.
Centenary of Pablo Neruda's Birth
This was held on Thursday 15 of July 2004 at St.John Hall Wellington.
This very successful show celebrated the centenary of Pablo Neruda's birth, the Chilean poet who won the Nobel Prize for literature.
The show included performances by Folk Group "Los Andes", and poetry recitals in both english and spanish by Kevin Cudby, and Rolando Olmedo.
With the support of Wellington Spanish Club.
Fiesta del Sol - Newtown
This show was held on Friday 25th June, at Community Hall Newtown.
It was a celebration of the indigenous New Year. Empanadas and other traditional dishes from Latin America were served as a light supper.
Fiesta del Sol - Paekakariki
This show was held on Sunday 20th of June, at Memorial Hall Paekakariki.
It was a celebration of the indigenous New Year, as well as in Solidarity with Cuba. Empanadas and other traditional dishes were served as a light supper.
Organised with the support of Paekakariki Xpressed, Wellington Latin American Committee, Wellington Cuba Friendship SOciety, and Kapiti Students of Lengua Espanola.
This show was "sold out".
Victor Jara
To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Salvador Allende's death during the military coup in Chile, this performance included popular music from the great composer Victor Jara.
There were also Songs and dances from Chile and Latin America with Grupo Los Andes.
This show was held on 13th September 2003, at Te Marae, Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand.
Book of Poetry
The launch by Rolando Olmedo of his new Poetry book "Recuerdos Solidarios". These poems are a tribute from Rolando to all those who stood in Solidarity with the Chilean people against the Pinochet military regime.
This was held at Poet Pub-Angus Restaurant-Lower Hutt, on September 1st. And there was a performance by Grupo LOS ANDES.
(If you want to purchase a copy of the book, contact Rolando.)
The Wellington International Poetry Festival 2003
Incal was involved in the first International Poetry Festival held in New Zealand.
Some of Rolando's poetry was published in the festival's book of poems, and he also was part of live poetry readings. Grupo Los Andes also performed at some events.
Matariki 2003
This multicultural show was held on 20th June 2003 at Hutt Valley Little Theatre.
The show celebrates Matariki, the Indigenous New Year celebrated by many pacific cultures, including Polynesian, and South American people.
The free show was "sold out".
Pablo Neruda Recital
This poetry recital was held on 15th September 2002, at Te Marae, Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand.
It featured readings of Pablo Neruda's poetry. In English by well known New Zealand poet Bill Manhire, and in Spanish by Rolando Olmedo accompanied by Mika's guitar.
The Narrator was film maker Paul Maunder, and Grupo Los Andes performed several songs.
The free show was "sold out" with over 450 people in the audience.
Pablo Neruda Compact Disk
This promotional CD was launched in 2001.
It contains readings of Pablo Neruda's poetry by Rolando Olmedo, accompanied by the enigmatic music of Mika on guitar.
Fiesta del Sol 2001
This show was held on 23rd June 2001, at the Newtown Community Centre.
It celebrated the shortest day of the year, as many indigenous cultures have done so throughout the centuries.
It featured some Native Incan performers from Palmerston North, as well as traditional Latin American Food and entertainment provided by Grupo Los Andes.
This show was SOLD OUT in advance due to popular demand.
Salvador Allende - A Life
This photograhic exhibition was held on 23rd August 2000, at Far Site Gallery.
Photographs showed the life and struggle of Salvador Allende, who was democratically elected President of Chile in 1970, and was killed in the military coup led by Augusto Pinochet in 1973.
Several well known New Zealand Trade Union Leaders, Members of Parliament, and Solidarity workers talked about their experiences and solidarity with the Chilean people's struggle agains Pinochet. Grupo Los Andes also performed at the show.
The exhibition was held with the support of New Zealand Trade Union Federation, Hutt Valley Community Arts, Latin American Committee, Casa Latina Auckland, and the Chilean Embassy.
The free show was "sold out".
Salvador Allende - A Life
This play was performed as part of the Wellington Fringe Festival on 4th March 2000, at the National Library of New Zealand.
The play is set in the late 1970's in Argentina under the military regime.
The story is told by Don Jose, "The Man of the Bandoneon", who knew Claudia the Tango teacher.
The Bandoneon (a type of accordion), with the extraordinary music that it produces, has the mission of linking the scenes.
This Tango play shows the virtues of this marvelous dance, with all the possibilities of rhythm, footwork, and sensuality.
The play uses video to show landscapes and architecture from Buenos Aires, and the great passions of its people, such as Tango, Football, and the Gauchos (Argentinean Cowboys).
The characters who appear in this play are deeply human. With their own joys, sadness, and ideals. They want the best for their people.
This show was SOLD OUT due to popular demand.
Victor
There were 5 performances of this play in May 1997, at Hopetoun Alpha of Auckland.
The play was written and directed by Rolando about the life and death of Victor Jara.
Thirty six people from La Casa Latina de Auckland participated in the play, with Raul Aliaga having the role of Victor Jara and Jannie Aguilera the role of Victor's wife Joan.
Victor Jara, was a Chilean drama director, composer, and folk singer who led the New Song movement during the late 60's and early 70's. He was a key player in the revival of the traditional music of Latin America.He was a teacher at the Technical University in Santiago.
He was arrested, tortured and finally killed by the military at the Chile Stadium where prisoners where held after Pinochet's coup in 1973.
His legacy lives on many years after his death, and he has become a symbol of the youth and the traditional music of Latin America.
The performances were SOLD OUT due to popular demand.
Navidad en la Cordillera
This show was produced by the Spanish Club of Wellington in 1997.
It was written, directed and acted in spanish by Rolando. Also performing were Toni Carson and Rogelio Rozas.
Lament of the Guitar
There were fourteen performances of this show at Bats Theatre and Repertoire Theatres during 1995/96.
The play was directed by Rolando Olmedo and Kassie Mcluskie, who were also part of the large cast.
It told the story of Gypsy passion, and included flamenco dance, music and song.
The performances were SOLD OUT due to popular demand.
Violeta
This play was performed by Manawatu Popular Theatre on 30th September 1994.
It was written and directed by Rolando, and tells the story of the disappearance of Violeta del Carmen LOPEZ Diaz, acted by Lisa Beech.
From the director:
I remember the first time I met Violeta. She came and knocked on the door
of ATEF (Association of Theatre Ferrocarriles), venue of the drama group
that I was the directing, in Santiago. She asked me to join ATEF.
During 7 years we worked in many plays, street theatre, festivals and drama workshops.
We travelled with the group around the country, performing for the people,
because drama is about the life and expression of the people, their feelings,
their sufferings, their joys and commitments.
She was arrested by the military regime and dissapeared in 1974.
This play expressess my deep respect to my dear friend.
Nelson Mandela
This play was performed in Palmerston North for Amnesty International.
It was written and directed by Rolando, about the life and struggle of the South African leader, Nelson Mandela.
Venceremos
Rolando was coordinator of many more solidarity arts & culture activities in Wellington since his arrival to New Zealand.