The Event of the Summer Just Happened at Momo's

Last night the event of the summer took place at Momo's. Three spectacular bands created a night of party, fun and magic. They were the two time Grammy Award winner, Bubba Hernandez, and his band Los Super Vatos, Grammy nominated Tortilla Factory and up and coming, Huerta Culture. Momo's was packed, people were dancing, enjoying the warm summer night and socializing on the outdoor deck. Bemba Entertainment again put together a collection of great and diverse bands for an exceptional showcase. I recommend that you check out World Music Night sponsored by KUT90.5fm/kut.org every Tuesday night at Momo's to get a taste of Bemba's work.

The bands provided a variety of entertainment and diverse mix of music. Bubba opened the showcase with Cumbia, Rock, Latin and Polka plus humorous interaction with the audience. Tortilla Factory continued the legend with their specialized mix of Salsa, Merengue, Funk and Latin and an impressive stage presence. Lastly, Huerta Culture closed the show with the exceptional combination of Columbian Cumbia, Folk and Root music. I do have to say that this is the first time that I've seen Huerta Culture as a fully formed band and also have to say that I was very impressed. Huerta Culture's distinct sound and music draws you in and takes you on a "cultural" trip.

Here's a sample of last nights event:

The Roots: New CD and Video "How I Got Over"

The Roots new CD "How I Got Over" available June 22, 2010 from iTunes and Amazon.com and other outlets.



Note: Official Video "Dear God 2.0" no longer available

Tortilla Factory, Bubba Hernandez y Los Super Vatos and Huerta Culture at Momo's on June 25th, 2010

I like discovering new, up and coming bands and following their progress. This time on June 25th, two iconic and legendary bands, Tortilla Factory and Bubba Hernandez y Los Super Vatos, plus a new up and coming band, Huerta Culture will perform at Momo's in Austin, Texas. Mark your calender because this is one of the biggest event of the summer.

I saw Grammy nominated Tortilla Factory perform at Momo's on March 9th of this year and got reacquainted with the legendary 1970's Texas Chicano band. In order to continue the legend, founder Tony Guerrero has handed the reins of the band to his daughter Laura and son Alfredo Guerrero. Although Tortilla Factory still performs Texas Chicano/Tejano music, the new generation has incorporated Funk, Salsa, R&B and Rappers to appeal to a broader audience. This new formula is working well because when I check my music sources and calenders of events, Tortilla Factory's name shows up frequently and at various venues. I recently saw Tortilla Factory perform at Austin's premier Panchanga Latino Music Festival 2010 on May 22nd. Original member Bobby "El Charo Negro" Butler performed with the band. The audience consisted of young and old and based on the crowd's response to the music, Tortilla Factory pleased their loyal established fans and made new ones that will help continue the legend.

On a personal note, I had the privilege of meeting Tony "Ham" Guerrero, his wife Norma, daughter Laura and Bobby Butler at Pachanga. I felt very comfortable talking to the family, there was a genuine warmth and interest. We talked about music, family and upcoming events. I see now how the Tortilla Factory family has been in existence for 37 years because it's not only about the music.



I first saw Bubba Hernandez y Los Super Vato back in October of 2008 at Flamingo Cantina. I really didn't know what to expect because this was the first time seeing Bubba and the band perform. I have to say I was thoroughly impressed. They describe their music as "Fiery Bilingual Cumbia-based Pop Rock Songs of Intrigue, Naughtiness, Heartbreak and Other Steamy Delights." I liked the heavy bass, the rhythmic percussion and the dance party feel the music evokes. I've seen Bubba y Los Super Vatos several times since and I look forward to seeing them time and time again. I've gotten to know Cenobia Xavier "Bubba" Hernandez and think he's one "Super Vato." He was a member of the two time Grammy Award winning Polka Rock band, Brave Combo and Grammy nominated, Polka Freak Out. I like talking to Bubba because he's very creative with his music and projects and has positive outlook in life, he has a passion about what he does.



I also saw Huerta Culture perform at Momo's back in January of this year. The band didn't have a name at the time but Kiko Villamizar was just getting the band together. Huerta Culture is now well established and creating a buzz and following here in Austin. I like their music because "Huerta Culture mixes various sounds of Latino rhythms from Cuban son, salsa, Guajiro-style music to Colombian cumbia and reggae fusion." (Source: Austin Vida) It's been a while since I've seen Kiko and Huerta Culture so I'm really anxious to seeing them Friday.




This showcase promises to be an exceptional night of music by a collection of extraordinary Latin musicians. Come to Momo's for the music, for the dancing and the ambiance.

Show presented by World Music Night sponsored by KUT 90.5fm/kut.org and Bemba Entertainment.

Grupo Fantasma World Tour 2010-2011

NOTE: THIS A REPRINT OF AN E-MAIL RECEIVED FROM GRUPO FANTASMA ON JUNE 8, 2010.

The support tour for our new album El Existential on Nat Geo Music begins tomorrow! Check out all the dates below and visit the TOUR section of our website for more details and venue info as well as any changes or late additions to the schedule. We'll be going so many places new and old...hope to see you somewhere out on the road.

Meanwhile, the album is still available direct to fans HERE - digital downloads, physical copies, merch bundles with shirts and signed posters. US street date for record stores, iTunes, Amazon, etc is next Tuesday, June 15th but no need to wait until then when you can support us directly! The album is currently available in Canada, EU and Japan.

Have a great summer and get yourself to a Grupo Fantasma show soon!

Wed, 6/9 Iowa City, IA @ The Mill
Thu, 6/10 Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
Fri, 6/11 Chicago, IL @ House of Blues
Sat, 6/12 Madison, WI @ Marquette Waterfront Festival
Mon, 6/14 Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone
Wed, 6/16 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
Thu, 6/17 Houston, TX @ House of Blues
Fri, 6/18 San Antonio, TX @ Scout Bar
Sat, 6/19 Snoqualmie (Seattle), WA @ KEXP World Music Festival
Tue, 6/22 Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theatre
Wed, 6/23 Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room
Thu, 6/24 San Diego, CA @ Casbah
Fri, 6/25 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre
Sat, 6/26 Flagstaff, AZ @ Orpheum Theatre
Wed, 6/30 Little Rock, AR @ Revolution Room
Thu, 7/1 Huntsville, AL @ Flying Monkey
Fri, 7/2 Chattanooga, TN @ Miller Plaza / Nightfall Concert Series
Sat, 7/3 & Sun, 7/4 Dayton, OH @ City Folk Festival
Mon, 7/5 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
Wed, 7/7 Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Blues Festival
Thu, 7/8 Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern
Sat, 7/10 Hudson, NY @ Club Helsinki
Tue, 7/13 Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse Music Hall
Wed, 7/14 Boston, MA @ Middle East
Fri, 7/16 Corvallis, OR @ DaVinci Days
Sun, 7/18 Great Neck, NY @ Steppingstone Park Waterside Theatre
Tue, 7/20 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
Fri, 7/23 Sainte Croix Volvestre, France @ Festival Terre De Couleur
Sat, 7/24 Vic Fezensac, France @ Tempo Latino Festival
Tue, 7/27 London, UK @ 100 Club
Thu, 7/29 Sines, Portugal @ Festival Musicas do Mondo
Sat, 7/31 Luzern, Switzerland @ Blue Balls Festival
Wed, 8/4 Paris, France @ New Morning
Thu, 8/5 Karlsruhe, Germany @ Zeltival
Fri, 8/6 Brugge, Belgium @ Klinkers
Sat, 8/7 Vence, France @ Nuits Du Sud
Thu, 8/12 Vancouver, BC @ Venue Nightclub
Fri-Sun, 8/13 - 8/15 Salmon Arm, BC @ Roots & Blues Festival
Sat, 9/4 Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles @ North Sea Jazz Festival Curaçao

Este Vato CD Release Party at Mi Casa

Bemba Entertainment and Este Vato, Austin's best Latin Fusion band, is having a CD Release Party to promote and celebrate their music. This CD Release Party will be the "Mother" of all CD release parties and keep in mind "What happens in Mi Casa, stays in Mi Casa."

Venue: Mi Casa Cantina located at 503 E. 6th Street in Austin, Texas

Musical Line-up: Este Vato, Piñata Protest and Mexican Stepgrandfather

Date: June 5, 2010

Time: 10:00 PM till they kick us out

Cost: Free - over 21 and $5 - under 21 years of age

Este Vato is officially debuting their self titled CD, "Este Vato," this Saturday and performing the songs from the CD plus new material. Este Vato specializes in Latin fusion, Mexican Cumbia and Rock with a skilled Emcee and a DJ to give their music more depth and uniqueness. I can honestly say there is no other band like Este Vato or comes close. They have already established themselves as a premier band in the Austin music scene and this new CD gives Este Vato the complete promotional package every band strives for. Este Vato is a must see musical experience.



Piñata Protest is another favorite band. I came across the band at In The Flesh Tattoo Studio loft a couple of years ago. When I heard they were a Punk/Rock/Conjunto band, I needed to see them. They are amazing and I catch them whenever they're in Austin. Piñata Protest is another unique band. I can't say I've ever heard a band like Piñata Protest before and was glad to see them again at Pachanga Latino Music Festival 2010 on May 22, 2010. Piñata Protest also has a new CD, "Plethora," out at this time and put them in the must category as well.



I first saw rapper Marco Cervantes, aka Mexican Stepgrandfather a couple of years ago at the Flamingo Cantina with Este Vato. I really liked MSG's lyrics, music and style. MSG was different. He was not a young teen or a twenty something, he is a mature brother, he is originally from Houston but lives in San Antonio, Texas and more interesting is the fact that Marco Cervantes is Assistant Professor of Mexican American Studies at University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA). MSG combines all these factors in his music and tells a story of the immigrant struggle and personal life experiences. You have to see MSG. Also, a must see performer.

The last time I saw Rocky Reyna of Este Vato, I told him I'd like to see an Este Vato show with Mexican Stepgrandfather. Thanks to Rocky for fulfilling my request and with such a special event.



I like a lot of bands and I have a lot of favorites. I especially like out of the ordinary bands. This event has three unique and exceptional bands that will provide a night of extraordinary entertainment, dancing and fun you'll remember for a long time. You will also become avid fans of these groups as I have. Hope to see you there.