Seventy-seven members of the Lake Zurich (Ill.) High School band stayed in Madrid, Spain, Monday night and in New York Tuesday night, because American Airlines canceled part of their two-leg flight due to the snow and cold weather in Chicago, the Daily Herald reports.
Hanging out at the largest hotel in Europe on the “extra” day
About half the band returned to Chicago directly from Madrid Monday—on a different airline, Iberia. Students stuck in Madrid enjoyed the night at the largest hotel in Europe, the Hotel Auditorium in Madrid, courtesy of American Airlines.
In addition to a huge dining room, the hotel features a music lounge with a chill-out area, pool table, and dance floor, although blog posts from students suggest they experienced a different kind of dancing during their winter break tour in Spain: authentic flamenco dancing. One percussionist wrote:
After the meal, the eight performers crowded the stage. Four members were part of the band, two guitarists and two vocalists, and the remaining four danced. The three female dancers each donned a different dress, varying in style and color. Each woman represented a different cluster of emotions—such as passion, desire, envy, and indignancy—revolving around the male dancer. The emotions were so dramatically conveyed that the audience was able to feel the injustices, the pain, and the joy with the dancers.
While in Madrid, the band took part in the Three Kings Parade, which celebrates the Christian holiday of Epiphany on Jan 6 but makes its way down the streets of Madrid on the eve of the national holiday. The parade is called, in Spanish, Cabalgata de Reyes, and an estimated 2 million spectators saw it.
Back to Chicago … School was expected to resume at the high school on Wednesday, and while students who made it home on Monday enjoyed a real snow day Tuesday, the 77 who got stuck in Madrid missed the day of school for a very different reason.
Director Josh Thompson wrote Monday that “the kids are upbeat though they are disappointed that the Iberia flight is also getting [Tuesday] off … they were hoping for a little benefit for their much longer travel times. Certain students on the Iberia flight … you know who you are are … are having fun about our travel woes. All good fun.”