On the bright side

It’s been a very long time since I last stepped into a Portuguese club.  From a young age, I followed my parents to clubs and events, and for numerous reasons, I continued connected to the cultural community right into adulthood.  This edition I was invited to write on the apparent overlapping of Portuguese cultural events in the GTA, and where ACAPO might fit into all this.  

My timeline of experience is from the mid-seventies to the mid-nineties, so I can speak of those days.  Events weren’t always economically successful, but the attitude was usually the same, “we didn’t make a profit, but we had a good time”.  The gatherings themselves were usually a success; music, food, dancing, lectures, presentations, whatever it was, at the very least you were surrounded by good people.  Behind the scenes, anyone that ever sat on a board that runs an organization knows full well; those who do, are all volunteers, but not all who volunteer, actually do.  Newbie enthusiasm can often dissipate after the first meeting, so the initial 10 or 20 often tend to whittle down to 3 or 4, who do most of what’s needed, (but expect to hear a grumble or two).  I was fortunate to get to know many of them, some of which have, sadly, already passed on.   But anyway, in those days things were more hands on, and run by good people who worked hard, and mainly concentrated on their club, or association.  There were times when more than one event was scheduled simultaneously, and sometimes that affected the ticket sales.  This was mostly due to the fact that there was little inter-club communication, and things were also more analogue.  Sometimes it would end in sort of “feud” between the parties involved, but that also is very much part of our fabric.  Eventual talking and coordinating was usually preceded by a few months of cheap shots from either side.  But that was how they rolled, and it worked pretty well.  ACAPO came about to try and assist in the logistics and other matters.  

How things work today, I can’t say with any certainty, but I’d like to think that all the best of the old has fused with the new.  Speaking of new, if there really were 11 events scheduled for the same day, then that does ring an alarm.  It can’t be easy to coordinate with so many members, but that is one of their responsibilities.  I looked up their website, and it sure puts forth an impressive portfolio of services and goals.  Their directives seem to go way beyond juggling the timing of the plans of their members.  But all I know is from a webpage.  It’s up to the members to figure out if they’re being short-changed.  If there are Portuguese cultural entities that don’t belong to the Alliance, that will continue to potentially pose a problem.  One thing I do hope is that none of this is happening due to ill tempers.  As one who knows nothing of the details and gazing from the outside, I’m willing to stick my neck out and say that responsibility probably lies with all involved, as it usually does.

Fiquem bem,

Raul Freitas/MS

Ps:  Go Jays