I try to make it out to Momo's every Tuesday night that I can. They have a very cool thing happening there on Tuesday Nights. Promoter Brandon Badillo of Bemba Entertainment and KUT 90.5 put on "World Music Night". Many of the artists include local Latin music and touring acts. Latin is only a small part of it as I have heard Balkan music, Indian, Italian influenced music and other stuff I probably can't pronounce. Well this Tuesday I popped into Momo's to meet a new intern I was interviewing. I ended up staying to check out Puerto Rican poet and singer-songwriter, Taina Asili and her band, La Banda Rebelde.
This Tuesday night, October 13th, it all goes down at Momo's. World Music Night is also promoter Brandon Badillo's Birthday party. Badillo is the owner and driving force behind his Bemba Entertainment Company. Badillo turns thirty, which we all know is the new twenty. Most known for his Souled Out shows at The Victory Grill and Xemumba Fest, Badillo is making quite the name for himself with World Music Night at Momo's on Tuedays nights. Last month(also coming up in November) Charanga Cakewalk was the main draw every Tuesday.
One of my favorite local Latin groups is playing Badillo's birthday bash, La Guerrilla. A great Latin fusion band, La Guerrilla is the next new thing in the local scene. With a new album on the way and more local notoriety, they are well on their way for a big 2010. Check out La Guerrilla live here on this clip Austin Vida shot at Mohawk this summer.
There are many other great bands on the line up for Tuesday. For more info on the show, checkout the post on Do512 here for more details.Get there early though, as the show starts at 7:30 and is free...but do make a donation as those are welcomed.
Sunday night shows are best when they are calm, low key and not too rambunctious. That's what Fridays and Saturdays are for. After sleeping in, watching football and having dinner you should make it a point to go out on Sunday night. My show pick tonight is something different than what I've suggested previously, but something near and dear to my heart. My show pick tonight is Leticia Rodriguez and Azul at Kenny Dorham's Backyard, presented by Bemba Beat.
Being close to Dies y Sies, or Mexican Independence Day, Sunday's show is a great way to get in the spirit. Both Azul and Leticia Rodriguez bring traditional folk sounds of Mexico, a music that has connected the hearts of my family and I. Having danced with the Round Rock Ballet Folklorico for four years in high school, I have an affinity for anything tradicional Mexicano at a young age.
Azul began her professional singing career at the age of 15. Her initial musical influences began with the traditional Mexican folk music passed down to her through her parents. Her career eventually took her to San Antonio where she sang for Son del Sur which focused on traditional Mexican folk, and Jemaya, which mixed a message of racial unity with musical influences from Spain, The Caribbean, United States and Mexico. In 2003 Azul began focusing her career as a solo artist primarily on the conservation and development of Mexican folk roots with influences form a broad range of cultures. Through her soul, guitar and voice, Azul gives life and meaning to the narratives of Mexican history.
Leticia Rodriguez began her singing career as a backup singer for award winning singer/songwriters and brothers, David Rodriguez and Philip Rodriguez. In 2007 Mrs. Rodriguez began a band to revive the classical bolero compositions and musica tropical from the 1920's -1950's. With band members; guitarist and arranger Eric Calistri, Percussionists Ric Furley and Gerard Villanueva, and Mario Gonzalez for Bass. This popular local band will have you dancing to their traditional Mexican folk tunes.
Bemba Beat encourages you to bring a blanket and your friends. Kenny Dorham's Backyard is located on 1106 East 11th Street, Austin, Texas 78702. For more info on Bemba Entertainment, visit them online at www.bembaentertainment.com.
Ian is a graduate of Round Rock High School and attended St Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. In 2008 he joined the team at Double Stereo (formerly CD Fuse) as their Blog editor where he reviewed concerts, albums, and did interviews for the popular music site.In January 2009, he became the Editor in Chief for Austin Vida. In 2010, with the help of some of his most talented friends, he launched Red River Noise. "Ian's Music Blog" is also one of the few blogs selected to be a Do512 All-Star.
On any given night of the week he can be found in downtown Austin on 6th Street and the Red River live music district.
