Baile in Jabillo

So after the dismal result of the Semana Santa baile (dance) in Jabillo, I can now report that when there is an entire community effort, my town actually knows how to throw a party! (The previous dance was the product of a single person, who did not request collaboration from anyone and then later complained that no one helped! Needless to say, we didn’t make much money on that venture.)
Anyway this time around we did it right and everyone pitched in to donate their time and money, help cook, clean the salon, haul stools and tables around, man the cantina, fix the bathroom, install lighting, put up plastic so that people wouldn't get wet if it rains (yes, the Salon has a roof, but if you saw it, you would understand the extra tarp protection!),etc. We had nearly all the food donated, so the only expenses came from the cantina. We were even graced with the support of another PCV, thanks Ben!

There were over 300 people in attendance. Not bad for a town of 150, eh? The conjunto, or music group, Azul Plata, made out with all the ticket sales, but we ended up with a solid 500,000 colones in profits. (That's a little bit less than $1,000, which is great considering that in that "other dance" we made 185,000 colones or $360.) After the kumbia, a little marimba, and of course, the reggaeton, the people were still willing to open their wallets in the name of the Salon Comunal de Jabillo.

Of course, I forgot to take pictures until the dance had already ended, but here are the ladies of the kitchen and the men of the cantina...

In attempted compensation, I also added a picture from another event, a buelle parade in Coyote (buelles are the traditional transport in Costa Rican agriculture and though no longer used, they are now an art and people take pride in the custom). This was the conjunto from that event, so just pretend these guys were playing music at my dance!