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The Matinée That Defined a Generation Returns to Costanera: 'People Met Their Spouses There'
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

The Matinée That Defined a Generation Returns to Costanera: 'People Met Their Spouses There'

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A reunion event for the iconic 'Pachá Matinée' parties, which ran from 1996 to 2004, will take place on August 8th in Buenos Aires.
  • The event, exclusive to attendees over 35, will be held at Moscú, the former Pachá venue, and aims to recreate the atmosphere of the original parties.
  • Organizers were inspired to revive the matiné after receiving an overwhelming response from former attendees sharing nostalgic stories of friendships and relationships formed during the original events.

The legendary 'Pachá Matinée' parties, a defining experience for a generation in Buenos Aires between 1996 and 2004, are set to make a comeback. A reunion event, 'Pachá Matinée Reencuentro,' is scheduled for Saturday, August 8th, running from 7 PM to midnight at Moscú, the venue located in the former Pachá building on Costanera Norte.

We opened an Instagram account to find former attendees and gauge the reaction. Let's create an Instagram, but...

— Maxi BerraBerra discusses the initial steps taken by the organizers to reconnect with the original audience.

These matinees were more than just parties; they were significant social gatherings. The excitement began days before, with publicists distributing free passes and organizing meetups across Buenos Aires and its northern suburbs. Attending was a social event in itself, a chance to connect with friends and meet people from different schools. The parties featured a mix of cumbia, Latin music, pop, and electronic dance music, alongside signature foam parties, water balloon fights, and weekend-long marathons that fostered lasting bonds.

That's where the idea of Pachá Matinée, of doing the reunion, came from. Beto mentioned that there wasn't much for that target audience.

— Diego "Tití" CaggianoCaggiano explains the origin of the reunion idea, driven by a perceived gap in events for their age group.

The upcoming reunion is exclusively for individuals aged 35 and over. DJs Alberto 'Beto' Resnik, Maxi Berra, and Diego 'Tití' Caggiano, who were instrumental in organizing the original events, will be at the helm. The announcement of the reunion generated a massive wave of nostalgia, with former attendees flooding social media with memories of friendships, romantic relationships, and personal growth experienced during the matiné years. Many recalled how the dance floor provided an inclusive space, helping them integrate into new social circles and navigate the challenges of adolescence.

We went and it stirred up a lot for us. Until then, we didn't know if it was something that only happened to us because of the intense eight years we lived there.

— Diego "Tití" CaggianoCaggiano describes the emotional impact of revisiting the original Pachá venue.

The idea for the reunion originated from a professional connection between Caggiano and Resnik. Caggiano, now involved in a wine distribution business, and Resnik, who continued his work in music and event organization, saw an opportunity to create an adult-focused event that recaptured the spirit of the original matiné. "That's where the idea of Pachá Matinée, of doing the reunion, came from. Beto mentioned that there wasn't much for that target audience," Caggiano explained. After visiting the original Pachá venue, the organizers felt a strong pull to host the event there, solidifying their decision to recreate the unique atmosphere that defined a generation's formative years.

We wanted to recreate the matiné in a 7 PM to midnight format.

— Alberto “Beto” ResnikResnik outlines the intended duration and format of the reunion event.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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