The Virginia Folklife Program at Virginia Foundation for the Humanities (VFH) has announced the summer tour of Argentinian bluegrass band, Che Apalache. The band will perform across North Carolina and Southwest Virginia, in communities including Galax, Floyd and Abingdon. The tour runs through Aug. 20.

“The Che Apalache tour offers a unique opportunity for the social and cultural integration of the fast-growing Latino community in Galax and surrounding counties,” according to a press release. “Mexicans and other Latinos are of the largest and fastest-growing immigrant communities in Southwest Virginia. While these groups have a large presence in the communities, there has been up to now limited cultural interaction between them and longstanding residents. The tour’s goal is threefold: to expose the Latino community in Southwest Virginia to the region’s music in a relatable, accessible way; to give three talented Latin-American musicians the chance to experience their adopted tradition on its native soil and to expose Appalachian people to the cultural traditions of Latin America.”

Notable tour spots include the Old Galax Fiddler’s Convention, the Fries Fiddler’s Convention, Heartwood and Floydfest. The band will also perform across several schools in Galax and Grayson County, coordinated by the Chestnut Creek School for the Arts.

“Che Apalache was formed in Buenos Aires by North Carolina-native Joe Troop, who has lived in Argentina teaching music for the past 10 years. Troop, who plays fiddle and sings lead, came into contact with local multi-instrumentalists and singers through his teaching. Other band members include: Pau André Barjau Mateu from Tepoztlan, Mexico, who plays banjo and sings bass; Martin Bobrik from Buenos Aires, who plays mandolin and sings tenor; and Franco Martino, also from Buenos Aires, who plays guitar and sings baritone.”

“Che Apalache carries a clear Argentinian root in the word ‘che,’ which in Argentina, is used in casual conversation as a term of endearment toward a friend or loved one. The word’s meaning is equivalent to the American English terms ‘brother,’ ‘sis’ or ‘homie.’ Apalache means Appalachian, thus the band’s name can be roughly translated into ‘my Appalachian homeboy.’ Che Apalache symbolizes the band’s hope of achieving unity in the Americas from North to South,” according to the release.