Ah, Barbès...
What can I say about Barbes? Actually, where do I start explaining what Barbes is about? It's actually the last place you would think, in such a short time since it opened its doors, would become such an important venue for performers in the city. With its tiny size and lack of accommodations, it has a built-in handicap that you'd think would keep it from establishing itself as a place for musicians [to brag about playing at]
But, with nightly performances by so many fine acts from far and wide representing (and quite well I might add) every musical genre under the sun, and with their occasional live radio broadcast on WFMU's Transpacific Sound Paradise show with, Rob Weisberg, Barbes has firmly established itself on the city's live music circuit as a must-do venue for its area musicians and for the ones passing through, on the level of a Joe's Pub, Zebulon or Nu Blu.
In actuality, I suspect a great deal of Barbes' success is thanks to its illustrious proprietor, Olivier Conan. French by default and a Brooklynite by choice, Olivier has become Brooklyn's musical curator par excellence. Himself the director of the celebrated Chicha Libre and a founding member of Las Rubias Del Norte, he puts together a monthly schedule of a slew of performances by different acts both local and otherwise that is enviable by even some of the most played Manhatten Clubs.
As far as Conjunto Guantanamo playing there, I must say that the audience that Barbes attracts is wholeheartedly enamored with music and appreciate every morsel you layout for them. Some dance and some watch but regardless, we get a good crowd there that makes us feel like we're the last Coca-Cola in the desert.
We look forward to many more gigs there in the near future. Stay tuned.
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