Sports are one of the major staples in the Venezuelan culture in this day and age. A few of the major sports include soccer (fútbol), baseball and tennis. Tennis is one of the more popular sports and is mostly just played for fun.Some people are also taking up the sport as a profession and there are also two major tournaments held in Venezuela.The Davis Cup and the Fed Cup are both set up by the Federación Venezolano de Tennis.The first Davis Cup against American players was held in 1957 and the first Fed Cup was in 1984.The government of Venezuela is very supportive of the team and even funds their tennis matches. Some of the most famous tennis players in Venezuela are Nicolas Pereira, Juan Carlos Bianchi, Milagros Sequera, Maria Vento-Kabchi and Jimy Seque.Milagros Sequera is a very good up-and-coming tennis star.Tennis is a very popular sport in Venezuela, for its recreational use, competition, and professional aspects; it is a great pastime for Venezuelans during their free time.
Sports in Venezuela are an important aspect of the daily lives of most individuals as it takes a major role in the pop culture of the country. One of the most practiced and popular sports in Venezuela is baseball. For numerous years now, baseball has gained popularity and developed as an option for a professional career. Some of the best major league players in the United States, such as Luis Aparacio and Alejandro Carrasquel, have come from this country.
As this sport became extremely popular in Venezuela, the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League was developed in 1946 after several players had been drafted into Major League baseball in the US. Alex Carrasquel was the first Venezuelan baseball player to play in the major leagues for the Washington Senators in 1939. With a strong demand, professional baseball became part of the country’s culture as the league won its first championship against Cuba and remained undefeated for several years. From then on, these players became role models for children and the Venezuelan society as they represented their country with pride.
Today, Venezuela hosts leagues, academies, and summer camps for various Major League baseball teams from the United States as the scouts seek out some of the best players in South America.
As with other Latin American countries, football is perhaps the most beloved and popular sport in Venezuela. It is played on many levels – from recreational and school competitions to the club and national level. From an early age boys (and girls to a lesser extent) are taught how to play, and often engage in “street ball” – a form literally played on the neighborhood streets, usually with makeshift goals and boundaries of play. The Venezuelan National Team, nicknamed “la vinotinto” because of the signature burgundy uniforms, never does well in international competitions. They have never qualified for a World Cup, for example. Despite this, national players such as Juan Arango and Giancarlo Maldonado enjoy some degree of fame and respect.
The art of music throughout Latin America has evolved among the numerous cultures of this large continent. Latin, tropical, samba, and even reggae are among the various music genres found throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Although music has influenced these cultures, it has also established a strong trend and impact on the popular culture of today.
In Argentina, music has evolved through European and indigenous influences. Music genres developed in this country tend to differ throughout the various regions of Argentina. For instance, Chacarera and Chamame are two of the most known folkloric music genres along with Andean inspired music throughout the northern parts of the country. Other genres most popular Argentina include the most famous Tango, Argentine cumbia, Pop, Cuarteto, Jazz, Electronic, and Argentine Rock.
Derived from Colombian influence, the Argentine cumbia was adopted throughout the 1990s. This music became most popular throughout the lower class societies of Argentina and soon adopted some Caribbean rhythms and influences. The Cuarteto is more of a social danceable type of music that developed in the early 20th century. With a tropical rhythm, this music is also known as the merengue of Argentina. Electronic and Pop music have been some of the most recent adopted genres in this country. With a strong European and American influence, this music has mostly targeted the younger generations.
As Argentina is indeed a very unique country, its musical influences throughout the years have helped shape and establish the popular culture of today.
www.argentina.org.au/music.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Argentina
The country of Argentina in South America has many unique ways about their culture.From their accent and way of talking to their beautiful forms of dance, it is really an exceptional country rich in culture.The
dance that originated in Argentina and which the country is globally recognized for is the Tango.Today the dance is a huge part of Argentinean society, but has evolved vastly from the days in which it was originated.In the 1880s the dance first came into the scene; however, it was first danced with two men instead of with a man and a woman.Tango was developed in Buenos Aires in the bars, brothels, and casinos when men were interested in looking for “romance” with women.After the Tango became popular, it spread all over the World including Europe and the U.S.Today in Argentina and especially in Buenos Aires, Tango is a huge part of their culture. I
recently traveled to Buenos Aires in the spring of 2008 and it was all over the city.There were many museums, shows, and even performers on the streets that showcased the beautiful art of Tango.This amazingly sensual dance and important piece of history in Argentina has become embedded into its culture and is still celebrated and performed today.
Rock n’ Roll music began in Argentina in the 1950’s. It evolved from an R&B base in the United States – with Elvis Presley and Bill Haley as great influences – and British Rock. Initially, Argentinean singers would make covers of Rock hits in English. “Los Shakers” was one of the first bands to do so in 1965 with their recreations of songs by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Known as “Rock Nacional,” Argentinean Rock continuously developed over decades and became an international
genre in the 1980’s. It is considered the most successful form of “Rock en Español” (Rock music written and performed in Spanish). It was one of the first non-English language Rock forms to flouris
h outside of its country of origin. “Soda Stereo,” a trio that is argued to be the biggest and most influential Spanish band to date, originated in Buenos Aires.
Today, Rock continues to be a popular form of music in Argentina. Punk Rock, Heavy Metal, Fusion Rock and Alternative are among the sub-genres with a large fan base.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR1ZO7PY0bE
Argentina has two main kinds of folk music heard all over the country. The first is one that comes from several original indigenous cultures and the second is Creole music. Brought by the Spanish colonist, Creole music has evolved significantly. The European dances, religious music, instruments, and festivals were brought by immigrants and have influenced the Creole music to what it sounds like today.
Each region in Argentina has different characteristics because of its geography and climate. “Each has cultural characteristics of its own.” One region that still retains much of its indigenous folk music is the southern region of Patagonia, which has been undisturbed by visitors or colonists over the years. In the northwest near Jujuy, the music is greatly influenced by its surrounding countries like Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay and Chile. It also has some traditional music including characteristics of the Incas. In the central region of Argentina, around Córdoba, the original traditional music has disappeared. This is due to the new style of dance music called cuarteto that has become extremely popular and successful for the recording industries. Also, in the plains area called La Pampa, the dances are lively but the songs are often slow and quiet. Lastly, in the northeastern part, the European dances like the polka, waltz, and schottische, has been accepted by the indigenous people.
Dance is fundamental in the life of a Peruvian. There are many traditional types of dance that are still performed in Peru today. The “Marinera” is a dance that is performed differently in the northern region and in the highlands. It has been described as a dance dedicated to courtship and love. Another dance is called the “Tondero.” This dance has been estimated to have been originated in the Northern Coastal district of Peru. It has been described to represent the quest of the rooster to the chicken. In this type of dance, women wear a dress called an “anaco” which is a top that looks like a blouse over a wide skirt. The men wear a thin hay hat with a striped or white shirt and white or black pants. A more sensual type of dance is called the “Festejo” which has more of an upbeat pace. Another joyful and colorful dance is called the “Huayno” which originated in the Inca Empire, survived the Spanish colonization, and is still popular today. The most typical dance on the Peruvian coast is the “Alcatraz” dance. This dance dates back to the beginning of the 20th century from when the black slaves brought African rhythms to Peru. During the dance, the dancers hold a lit candle and try to ignite a piece of paper that is tied to the couples at the back of their waists. It is a loving encounter. Lastly, the most popular dance of the southern region of Huancayo, is the “Huaylash of Carnival” which is always danced at carnivals and parties. It is a traditional dance of the Huanca culture.Popular music in Peru has changed drastically over the years due to globalization. Although traditional music is still prevalent, North American Rock music has been influencing Peruvian musicians since the 1950’s. Entertainers such as Elvis shifted the attention to Rock n’ Roll music, which Peruvians made their own by incorporating their distinct guitar style. While still fairly underground, the genre lost momentum in the sixties and seventies due to a military dictatorship that banned such concerts. However it became more dominant in the eighties and nineties, which saw the birth of bands such as Auto Control and Líbido, the latter being hailed as the most successful Peruvian band ever. Today Rock music remains a favorite among adolescents in particular – with Latin America MTV being a highly successful channel – and has even had international commercial recognition.
In Peru, the prevalence of traditional Afro-Peruvian music is great. Although the younger generations of Peruvians are listening to more modern rock and pop music, there is still a great appreciation for their roots. During the 1950s, Afro-Peruvian music started to be recorded, that of which originated from black slaves in Peru. The main instrument used in this type of music is the cajón. The cajón is a drum-like instrument that looks like a box in which the artist sits on and strikes with his hands. Like previously mentioned, two of the most well-known forms of Peruvian music are “Landó” and “Festejo”. “Festejo” is one of the most popular styles of Afro-Peruvian music and its lyrics usually consist of stories from slavery and also happy topics. In present times, Afro-Peruvian music is becoming even more popular and can be heard in clubs along with other popular sounds such as Bachata and Salsa. This style of music is even gaining international success and will continue to be popular in its home of Peru.
Peruvian music and dance is composed from such vibrant culture made up of people of all shapes and colors. As the history of Peru’s emergence has somewhat been forgotten in books and documents, it is the music and dance of this country that really keep this history alive. In fact, the transition from traditional culture to modern popular culture in Peru was never a factor in the preservation of the traditional dances and folklore. Throughout the years, modern generations have kept history alive through the establishment of performing art companies and schools, such as the music and dance ensemble Peru Negro. Founded in 1969, this group has traveled the world dancing to the music of Peru’s rich African heritage. Through folkloric song and dance, Peru Negro performs to recreate the history of their ancestors, who came to Peru as slaves in the 18th century. Today, this group remains as one of the most popular folkloric performers in all Peru. But, even though numerous performing art groups have emerged from Peru through the years, there have been many other groups that have been established in the United States. The Peruvian Dance Company, PERUDANCE, was started in 2002 by young Peruvian dancers in San Francisco and is known as one of the best Peruvian dance companies in Northern California. They perform a variety of dances from different regions of Peru, such as the Andes, Amazonia, and the Coastal region. Through music and dance of their homeland, these young performers participate in numerous showcases all over the nation, representing not only their state, but su querido Peru.
As many Peruvians would agree, it is truly amazing to have such performing arts groups, such as Peru Negro and The Peruvian Dance Company, who continue to enlighten the world with their energetic performances and educate the younger generations about the culture that will always remain true in their hearts.
Sports are one of the major staples in the Venezuelan culture in this day and age. A few of the major sports include soccer (fútbol), baseball and tennis. Tennis is one of the more popular sports and is mostly just 
played for fun. Some people are also taking up the sport as a profession and there are also two major tournaments held in 
the country. One of the most practiced and popular sports in 
for example. Despite this, national players such as Juan Arango and Giancarlo Maldonado enjoy some degree of fame and respect.
