The residents of the town of Tao are celebrating the festivities in honor of San Miguel Arcángel and, in compliance with the program, on Saturday night they celebrated a lively and participatory 'Canarian Tenderete - tribute to the neighbor Lalo Betancort'.
The event, organized by the management of the Sociedad el Fomento de Tao, began at 8:00 p.m. with the participation of the 'El Artesano' parranda from Lanzarote, directed by Professor Gabriel Cubas. A parranda that is made up of outstanding soloists and players with a great background in Lanzarote and Canarian folklore, such as Tito Perera, Clotildo Martín, Antonio Mª Perdomo, Norberto Arrocha, Sixto Acosta, Iván Díaz, José Manuel García, among others.
From Fuerteventura, the parranda directed by the international timple player Domingo Rodríguez Oramas “El Colorao” also joined the celebration. Accompanied by soloists and players such as the sisters Layla and Julia Rodríguez, Domingo Umpierrez “El Cuco”, Luis Caraballo, Memo and Tomás Perera, they offered a memorable performance.
The night became an authentic “Hand in Hand” between the two parrandas, interpreting the most representative and traditional of the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. The audience, dedicated, did not stop applauding each intervention.
And as it could not be otherwise, in a prominent place in the social hall was the honoree, the neighbor Lalo Betancort, happy and excited at the same time, surrounded by his family, friends and neighbors who did not want to miss the event. At one point in the night, Lalo Betancort, guitar in hand and accompanied by his granddaughter Lidia and the neighbor Juan Pedro with the lute, performed the popular song 'Campesina'.
The social hall, prepared to welcome the public, completed the allowed capacity. The directors of the Sociedad El Fomento were serving hot dishes with tollos compuestos, chickpeas, wrinkled potatoes, mojos, wine and water that the attendees enjoyed, creating a festive and welcoming atmosphere.
Before the end of the event, some gifts were given to the honoree by the Teguise City Council. The mayor Olivia Duque presented him with a commemorative plaque, while his family surprised him with a book that collected many of the verses that Lalo had written and kept in a chest. In addition, they gave him a trip with all expenses paid for him and his wife, to enjoy the next concert of the Los Gofiones Group. Valentín, the president of the Sociedad El Fomento, also presented him with a gift, and his great friend Domingo Rodríguez “El Colorao” invited him to participate next year in the 'Festival de Solistas', to be held in his town of Tetir. The event ended with the chords of an Isa Parrandera in which all the members of the two parrandas, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, participated. Without a doubt, it was a night that Lalo Betancort will never forget. Despite the emotions of the night, he always had a smile and a joke with very good humor for everyone present.
About Lalo Betancort
Born into a humble family in the town of Tao, in a saga of great folklorists, singers and players known as 'The famous Betancores of Tao', he began in music listening to the elders around him and choosing the guitar as a musical companion. Throughout his career, he participated in the television program Tenderete under the direction of the always remembered Nanino Díaz Cutillas.
He was also part of the Los Campesinos and Guadarfía Folk Groups, as well as La Parranda Tao Arrecife together with his appreciated friend Francisco Morales.
In addition, he taught music classes at the Folklore Schools of the Municipality of Teguise. It should be noted that Lalo Betancort has always been passionate about transmitting Canarian musical traditions to children and young people so that our folklore does not fall into oblivion.
