US embassy cable - 05ASUNCION430

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASUNCION 000430 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR ECA/PE/C/CE (MERANTE), ECA/PE/C/CU (ROUSE),ECA/PE 
(THOREL), ECA/PE/C (LPEREZ), WHA/PDA (GOULD), WHA/BSC 
(MURRAY) 
POSTS FOR PAOS AND CAOS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PA, KPAO, SCUL 
SUBJECT: YALE SPIZZWINKS CAPTIVATE PARAGUAYAN AUDIENCES 
 
 
1.  Summary:  In conjunction with a performance in Buenos 
Aires, 14 members of the Yale Spizzwinks a cappella choir 
performed two standing-room only concerts in Paraguay on 
March 17 and 18.  Their unique and engaging blend of music 
and humor, combined with their youthful enthusiasm and 
Spanish-language abilities, fascinated Paraguayan audiences. 
Home stays allowed for one-on-one cultural exchanges which 
amplified the success of the program.  Media coverage was 
extensive and included a live broadcast of a short 
Spizzwinks performance.  End summary. 
 
Performances and Activities 
--------------------------- 
2. The Spizzwinks gave a master class at the Paraguayan 
American Cultural Center in Asuncion to kick-off their tour. 
One of the Spizzwinks who reportedly speaks 12 languages 
taught the master class in Spanish.    Approximately 100 
members of various Paraguayan choirs attended the class, 
many of whom had come from towns up to 200 miles away. 
During the question and answer portion of the class, the 
audience asked not only questions regarding musical 
technique but also inquired about life at Yale and ways in 
which universities in the United States support the arts. 
The class ended on a festive note with the audience divided 
into their respective vocal parts and learning an a cappella 
arrangement. 
 
3. The following night the group performed in the Paraguayan 
American Cultural Center's 300-seat auditorium.  The 
Ambassador and his wife attended the free, public-access 
concert, which was sold-out three days in advance.  Members 
of the audience tapped their feet and occasionally sang 
along throughout the 1 hour and 45 minute performance.  One 
of the highlights of the show came when each of the 
Spizzwinks introduced themselves to the audience.  Even the 
non-Spanish speakers read a few translated sentences, much 
to the crowd's delight.  A member who stated that he wanted 
to live in Paraguay when he "grew up" drew thunderous 
applause from the audience.  The audience thanked the 
performers with a standing ovation and was thrilled when the 
Spizzwinks returned for an encore. 
 
4.  Villa Hayes, the regional center of a remote and seldom- 
visited Paraguayan state, was the next stop for the 
Spizzwinks.  The 500-seat church where the concert was held 
was full 30 minutes before the scheduled start time, a 
rarity in Paraguay where most performances begin at least 30 
minutes late.  By the time the free, public-access 
performance began all available standing room in the church 
was filled and eager spectators strained to catch a glimpse 
of the performers from the plaza outside of the church. 
Individual introductions were again a highlight of the 
performance and when one of the singers used a Guarani 
phrase (Paraguay's official indigenous second language) the 
largely rural crowd cheered and stomped their feet. 
Afterwards, departure was delayed by a full hour while the 
Spizzwinks attended to autograph-seekers and new fans, 
including the state governor. 
 
Media Coverage 
-------------- 
 
5. Media coverage of the Spizzwinks was unusually extensive. 
All three major dailies published multiple stories on the 
tour. "ABC Color", Paraguay's largest and most influential 
daily, ran six stories on the performances over the course 
of one week, including two glowing reviews.  As coverage of 
cultural events in the Paraguayan press is usually limited 
to pre-performance announcements, the publication of these 
reviews testifies to the excitement and enthusiasm generated 
by the Spizzwinks. 
 
6.  Radio Nanduti, the most listened-to radio station in 
Paraguay, aired an interview with the musicians and 
broadcast cuts from their CDs for several days leading up to 
the performances. 
 
7.  Red Guarani, a Paraguayan television network that 
targets viewers in the rural areas of the country, broadcast 
a live interview with some of the singers on the day of 
their Asuncion performance.  The Spizzwinks also sang to a 
nation-wide audience during the broadcast. 
 
Home-stays increase cultural exchange 
------------------------------------- 
8.  Paraguayan families hosted the Spizzwinks for 3-day home 
stays.  Families were selected from members of local choral 
groups, which lead to immediate camaraderie between the 
performers and their hosts.  In addition to lowering posts' 
costs, this proved an invaluable way for Paraguayan families 
to have a first-hand experience with Americans and American 
culture. 
 
Funding 
------- 
9. The Yale Spizzwinks did not charge a fee for their 
performance and generously provided their own plane tickets 
to Buenos Aires using proceeds from performances and CD 
sales. Airfare from Buenos Aires to Asuncion was funded by 
the binational center in cooperation with TAM airlines, 
which provided several free tickets.  Post covered local 
production costs and visa costs while local institutions 
provided in-kind support. 
 
10.  Comment:  At a time when the USG is actively working to 
promote study in the US, high-caliber performances by 
university groups, such as the performances by the Yale 
Spizzwinks, are very effective vehicles through which to 
pique the interest of potential students.  These 
performances, which reached audiences in areas of the 
country usually without access to such information, has done 
more to enliven interest in studying in the US than any 
single event held in Paraguay within the last year.  In 
addition, the home stays that formed part of this program 
were a low-cost and very effective channel through which to 
give Paraguayan families the opportunity to interact with 
young Americans of similar interests on a one-to-one basis. 
A brief live television concert vastly increased the 
audience reached.  Finally, the program gave Post the 
opportunity to promote mutual understanding with the 
Paraguayan people by sharing a unique part of American 
culture through the universal medium of music.  End comment. 
 
KEANE