Oak Brook, IL….The grand finale of the 2008 Oak Brook Polo season is scheduled for Sunday, September 14, with a festive afternoon of international polo, music, food and cultural activities.
The Argentine-American Midwest Chamber of Commerce and the Consulate General of Argentina will host the fifth-annual Argentine-American Polo Cup, with the USA team competing against Argentina. Professional polo players from Argentina will compete with Chicago-area players in the tournament.
Traditional Argentine food, prepared by the well-known Chicago-area Argentine restaurant, Tango Sur, and the popular Buenos Aires Forever bakery, will be available for purchase. Food items include an authentic asado (barbecue), empanadas and other customary fare. A wine tasting of Argentine wines will take place in the tent. There will be other food and cultural booths, offering jewelry, Argentine polo jerseys and other traditional items.
A very special event, sponsored by the Argentine Consulate, will take place that afternoon – a performance by Latin Grammy Award winning artist, Alberto Rojo.
Born in Tucuman, Argentina, Rojo is an accomplished performer and composer. The Alberto Rojo Trio focuses on both traditional Argentinean folk songs and styles, and new compositions and arrangements. These include styles such as the Tango and Chacarera, as well as jazz standards with a South American flare.
Rojo participated in Mercedes Sosa’s album “Corazon Libre”, which won the Latin Grammy. He toured with her in Europe this summer with concerts in London, Rome and many top European concert halls.
Rojo, on guitar and vocals, will perform with Andrew Kratzat, the bass player of his trio. Kratzat is winner of the Downbeat Best Soloist Award and the International Society of Bassists Award.
They will perform from 12:30 to 1 p.m., and again at 3 p.m., following the Argentine-American Chamber Polo Cup.
Gates will open at noon. Tickets, available at the gate, are $10 adults; $5 senior citizens (65 and over); children age 12 and under and parking are free.
Dress is casual and spectators are always welcome. In addition to the Argentine culinary offerings, the Polo Grill will offer traditional American fare, such as hamburgers, brats, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches. There is a full bar in the tent, where soft drinks and alcoholic beverages can be purchased. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, come early and enjoy an afternoon of polo and music at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds!
Entrance to the Oak Brook Polo Grounds is at 31st Street and Polo Drive, one-half mile west of York Road in Oak Brook.
For information, call Karen Martino, Director of Polo, at (630) 368-6428, e-mail polo@oak-brook.org or visit our Web site at www.oak-brook.org/polo.
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