rythm of the paceñas

(Paceña is the Spanish word for “someone from La Paz”. The English equivalent of CoMoian or something similar. Its also a beer.) Haven’t been shooting a ton in La Paz yet. Spent a week or so getting established and then doing some research getting background info on land reform so I can get out of the city to start working and business stuff. Will start posting a lot more soon. These are some party shots from a few nights out on the town.

(First 2 frames) Every night at the night club Malagria, there is an Afro-Bolivia band that plays music that sounds something like samba to me. There are about 8 member playing drums, a woman singing or chanting or just making noise with her mouth and no stage. They just join the crowd or get up on the bar. All of these are in B+W b/c they look like shit in color and the G10 I carry with me wherever I go is starting to look like a hindrance sometimes. The noise is just out of control and everything is shot at nearly a second or longer.

(Second 2 frames) Oja de Agua. A “peña” (night club/concert hall) in La Paz. We met and befriended the owner, Rocio, who is a young woman who wanted to start a club where they could play modern and folkloric music. The band, Atajo, was great. Some reggae, rock and Bolivian folkloric music. Everybody dances. Wanted to get a shot of the cops drinking in uniform, but wussed out. Next time. Unfortunately its a rather common sight.