The Search for Nicole

Buena Vista de Corrazon

Buenos dias! Last night was a surprise birthday party for Marcia, the girlfriend of Gustavo who is the director of the Spanish school. Food and drinks were included for Q10, US$1.25. One of my housemates, Carolina, and I left early and went to Meson Panza Verde http://www.panzaverde.com/ to watch the remaining members of the Buena Vista Social Club play. (Some of the original members have passed away.)

BVSC was a Cuban band that started in the 1940s and was popularized by the documentary movie "Buena Vista Social Club" in 1999. I have not seen the movie, I have only heard and now seen the band play! They were so amazing. There were 4 band members- three really old guys (one bongo/conga/bata timbales/lead vocals, one flutist, one pianist) and one young guy playing bass and singing backup vocals. You would never know by their energy that they were old. The flutist would dance a little salsa when he wasn't playing and the pianist was so good that he could order another glass of wine while he was playing and not even miss a beat, no pun intended. The lead singer and drummer was the most adorable old man I have ever seen. His voice was so real and fit the setting of Guatemala so well. I am still in shock that I got to see them play. If you are ever in Guatemala, you must make it a point to get to wherever they are playing and experience this band.

posted by nicole @ 8:04 AM