THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TAURINE CLUBS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(Information summarized from the NATC promotional material. M.C.)
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NATC
In 1961/62 the taurinei club Barrera Taurina of El Paso, Texas, under the presidency of Don Edmundo de Anda, initiated direct communication with other U.S. taurine clubs, with the idea of organizing a national association. About the same time, Vincent J-R Kehoe, taurine writer and president of the Club Taurino of New York, contacted U.S. taurine clubs with a similar suggestion. At the instigation of Barrera Taurina, an organizational meeting was held later that same year in El Paso, with Mr. Kehoe presiding. In all, nine U.S. clubs sent representatives, and together they laid plans for a formal convention to be held the following year. Don Edmundo de Anda of Barrera Taurina was elected as the organization's first president.
In 1963 the first convention of the National Association of Taurine Clubs of the United States of America was held in El Paso, hosted by the local club Barrera Taurina, Charlcie Jean Clements (later Zavala), president. Related taurine events took place across the Rio Grande in Ciudad Juarez. Jim Kirby of Barrera Taurina was elected president. A formal corrida de toros was held in Ciudad Juarez at the Plaza Alberto Balderas, setting the stage for future conventions.
The NATC was now off and running. Subsequent conventions have been held annually in the U.S., Mexico, Spain and France. Each year a NATC club member hosts the convention.
THE NATURE AND PURPOSES OF THE NATC
The National Association of Taurine Clubs of the United States of America (NATC) is an organization composed of clubs formed by aficionados of La Fiesta Brava in cities throughout the United States. It is primarily concerned with the union of those clubs for the dissemination of taurine information towards improving their knowledge and enjoyment of the corrida.
The NATC is not an independent entity but it is in fact the clubs themselves as governed by officers elected from their memberships.
The NATC is dedicated to La Fiesta Brava and its rightful place as one of the most significant artistic acts in the history of man.
As spelled out in the NATC's constitution, the purposes of this association are:
- To bring together at established intervals a united representation of all taurine clubs organized within the United States so as to constitute and provide a singular voice which may be influential in the affairs of the taurine world.
- To establish a closer relationship with similar organizations in other countries, thus stimulating the growth of La Fiesta Brava.
- To support adherence to the established local and national laws and traditions inherent in La Fiesta Brava by those responsible for the organization, performance, and governing of La Fiesta Brava.
- To establish a collection of taurine publications, organize lectures, provide films and program material and other information for the better understanding of La Fiesta Brava.
CURRENT ACTIVE MEMBER CLUBS
Current active member clubs are listed below. Specific contact information will be provided upon further request:
- BARRERA TAURINA, El Paso, TX.
- CLUB TAURINO DE CHICAGO, Chicago, IL.
- LA PEÑA TAURINA "EL CALLEJON", Chicago, IL.
- LA PEÑA TAURINA "LOS TORILES", Chicago, IL.
- CLUB TAURINO DE CHULA VISTA, Chula Vista, CA.
- TAURINE BIBLIOPHILES OF AMERICA. Dunwoody, GA.
- LOS AFICIONADOS DE LOS ANGELES, Los Angeles, CA. Ms. Jimee Petrich, President.
- PEÑA TAURINA SOL Y SOMBRA. San Francisco, CA. Ms. Kate Leffler, President.
- CLUB TAURINO OF NEW YORK, New York, NY. Ms. Lore Monnig, President.
1999-2001 EXECUTIVY COMMITTEE
- PRESIDENT: Mr. Arturo Diaz
- EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT: Ms. Bette Stracke
- SECRETARY: Mr. Hugh Hosch
- TREASURE: Mr. Octavio Román
- IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDEN: Mr. James Nieto
(For more information: e-mails bstracke@earthlink.net or HFH85@aol.com )
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