"Between the Sheets - An Isley Brother Tribute" A Smash Hit

Bemba Entertainment's first show of the monthly Soul Legend series took place at Momo's on Friday January 21, 2011. It was a Smash Hit! Brandon Badillo, founder of Bemba Entertainment, chose the Isley Brothers as the first Soul Legend tribute and assembled the unique Bemba Family Soul Band for the series. After hearing the band, Brandon made the right choice in creating the band for the tribute and more so in the selection of the exceptional musicians . The band had the right sound and the right orchestral mix that created the "feel" of an oldies soul band.

Brandon had vintage record giveaways, a special dance performance by Ballet Afrique and also paid tribute to the late, great Teena Marie.

It was a great night for music, dance and fun. The atmosphere was electric, the house was packed and Momo's is always a gracious host. After the show, one thing I found humorous was that the crowd didn't want to leave. They still wanted more, I guess the euphoria from "Between The Sheets" hadn't worn off.

Dan Dyer and Sonia Moore with special guest Sharee Smith did a great job in re-creating the Isley Brothers tunes. Check out the videos of their performances.









The next in the Soul Legend series is "Wild Is The Wind - A Tribute to Nina Simone" on February 19, 2011 at King-Seabrook Chapel located in the Huston-Tillotson University campus, 900 Chicon Street in Austin, Texas.

Austin Vida: The Only Latin Free Week Showcase

Free Week, January 1-9, 2011, in Austin, Texas is over. Of all the Free Week shows that I went to, the Austin Vida showcase at Stubb's Bar-B-Q was the best show of all week. I say that because it was the only, and possibly first, show which featured a variety of exceptional bands made up of Latinos. This is the third year I've attended Free Week shows and I truly hope that the over whelming success of this Latin showcase will set the stage for future Latin showcases during Free Week and on an everyday basis. I also have to say that the success of Austin Vida's show was attributed to the selection of the bands for the showcase. The bands came from local, regional and international talent, plus they also had their own distinct sound and charisma.

Even though I call this show a "Latin" showcase, all the bands performed mainly in English including Sour Soul which is from Mexico. Latinos like all types of music. We play rock, funk, punk and alternative music in English but because of our heritage, in many cases we add a different flavor to the music we play.

Check out the live performances of the four bands that performed at Stubb's and I think you'll agree that these bands really rocked.

Sour Soul from Mexico City
plays Indie/Psychedelic/Rock


The Young Maths from McAllen, Texas
plays Garage/Idie/Punk


Hydra Melody from San Antonio, Texas
plays Experimental/Progressive/Rock


Vinyl Dharma from Austin, Texas
plays Indie/Rock/Electronic


More showcases are being planned in the future so stay up to date at Austin Vida or Austin Vida Facebook page.

"Between The Sheets - An Isley Brothers Tribute"

Bemba Entertainment, known for creating unique and fun themed events, is initiating a monthly series dedicated to paying tribute to Soul Music Legends. The first of the series will be "Between The Sheets - An Isley Brothers Tribute" on Friday January 21, 2011 at Momo's in Austin, Texas.

Brandon Badillo, founder of Bemba Entertainment, has assembled a special collection of talented and soulful musicians for this series and event. The band is called Bemba Family Soul Band and Sonia Moore will front this ensemble. Sonia "Saja"Moore, a veteran singer, started singing at age 6 and at 16 was a featured singer in MC Hammer's "2 Legit 2 Quit" album. This will be the second band Brandon has assembled for a show. He put together the Bemba Beat Arkestra for his "Birthday Felabration for Fela Kuti the Creator of Afrobeat" on October 15, 2010 at Red 7. Personally, I've been to numerous Bemba Entertainment events and I thought the Birthday Felabration was the best event ever because of the Bemba Beat Arkestra and the other bands in the line-up. I expect Brandon will do even better with this Isley Brothers Tribute.

The Isley Brothers have been around for a long while, since the 1950's. They combined gospel, R&B, soul, funk, disco for a unique and soulful sound. Some of the more notable songs they've released are "Twist and Shout" in 1962, "This Old Heart of Mine" in 1966 and "It's Your Thing" in 1969, just to name a few songs. The Isley Brothers have influenced all genres of music and musicians and as a result, in 1992 were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. It is fitting that we pay tribute to such soul legends to keep the legend alive and perhaps introduce the Isley Brothers to a new generation of music lovers.

Event Details: "Between The Sheets - An Isley Brothers Tribute"

Date: Friday January 21, 2011
Time: 10:00 PM - 2:00 AM (Doors Open at 9:30 PM)

Venue: Momo's located 618 West Sixth Street Austin, Texas 78701

Cover Charge: $10.00

Musical Line-up: Bemba Family Soul Band along with DJ Aquaman
Featured Guest: Dan Dyer and Trey Seals



The second show in the series is definitely in the works. Keep up to date with Bemba Entertainment for all shows in the series because they promises good music, good entertainment and fun for your hard earned money.

Movie "from Prada to nada" Due Out January 28, 2011

When I saw the trailer, it caught my attention and thought it would be a funny, light hearted movie to see. I like the actors, the premise and it stars Latinas and is directed by a Latino, Angel Gracia. It would be nice to start the new year with a good laugh.

Synopsis: It's a whimsical fish-out-of-water story of two spoiled sisters: Nora (Camilla Belle), a law student, and Mary (Alexa Vega), an undergrad party girl, living with their father in a luxurious mansion in Beverly Hills. Mary has become so "90210" she refuses to admit she is of Mexican descent. When dad suddenly passes away, their posh lives are turned upside down. They discover they have been left penniless and are forced to move into their estranged aunt Aurelia's (Adriana Barraza) modest but lively home in the Latino-centric Boyle Heights neighborhood of East LA. They are terrified to leave their world of privilege; neither Nora nor Mary speak Spanish or have ever had to take on actual responsibility. The girls gradually adapt to their new environment; their BMW and Prius are traded for the public bus and a used car. As they embrace the culture that for so long they refused to accept, they both discover romance, the true meaning of family, and they learn that the life of PRADA actually means NADA without love, family and community. (Source: Movie Insider).

from Prada to nada is due in movie theaters on January 28, 2011.

Sountrack From Prada to Nada

1. California Gurls - 'Katy Brand
2. Cielito Lindo - Mariachi Sol De Mexico de Jose Hernandez
3. Las Golondrinas - Mariachi Chapala
4. Sad Song - Au Revoir Simone
5. Boom - MC Magico and Alex Wilson
6. Así Yo Nací - Rey El Vikingo
7. Cielito Lindo - Marta Gomez
8. Help Me - Latin Bitman
9. El Barrio Esta Caliente - Rey El Vikingo
10. MLB on Fox Theme - Phil Garrod, Reed Hays and Scott Schreer
11. Fuego - Inno
12. In The Stars - Jess Penner
13. Pachangueando - Pacha Massive
14. Beat Of My Own Song - Meme
15. En Un Papel 1 - Paulino Vargas
16. Cielito Lindo - Alexa Vega and Camilla Belle
17. El Mago Cardona - Xocoyotzin Herrera
18. Don't Let Go - Pacha Massive
19. Coloradito - Pavel Cal
20. Traigo de mi Pueblo - Pavel Cal
21. Juanito - Pavel Cal
22. Jamas - Pavel Cal
23. Katie's Rainbow - The Geoff Aymar Quartet
24. Te Necesito - Shakira
25. The Bottom - Tara Holloway
26. Need 2 B Loved - Debi Nova
27. Divertimento No. 17 D-Maj. K. 334-Allegro - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
28. Adagio Und Allegro Op 70 Ii Allegro - Robert Schumann
29. Para Continuar - Sara

(Source: StarDustTrailer)

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Best Free Week Pick is Saturday January 8, 2011

Austin Vida is presenting a very special Free Week Showcase at Stubb's indoor stage this Saturday. Although this is the first year Austin Vida has presented a Free Week showcase, they have a very successful track record of very exceptional and creative shows. This showcase is special because first, it's Free Week, second, this showcase features four very exceptional bands made up of very talented Latinos and third, this showcase has a local, regional and international reach. The bands are no strangers to the Austin music scene, they definitely have a presence and a fan following. See you there.

Venue: Stubb's Bar-B-Q 801 Red River Austin, Texas 78701

Cost: FREE/No Cover Charge

Other Details: Doors open at 9:00 PM, Inside Show, All Ages welcome

Musical Line-up:


Sour Soul - Mexico City, Mexico - Psychedelic/Rock/Soul


The Young Maths - McAllen, Texas - Garage/Indie/Punk


Hydra Melody - Helotes, Texas - Experimental/Progressive/Rock


Vinyl Dharma - Austin, Texas - Alternative/Electronica/Indie



do512 provides an excellent link to all of the Free Week Events. Check it out.

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FREE WEEK January 1-9, 2011 in Austin, Texas

The first week of January is a special time for the Austin music scene, musicians and music lovers. "Free Week," January 1-9, 2011 is here. It's like an extension of the Christmas Holidays and if you're like me, I don't have a lot of money left over from all the gift giving. So Free Week comes at a perfect time. Free is the key word. "No Cover Charge" to get into many of the clubs or venues in downtown Austin, Texas, "The Live Music Capitol of the World." There are nine days of music, 100 plus local and regional bands playing nightly, all types of music to please every musical taste and it's FREE. It's like a mini-music festival which doesn't require standing in line for a costly wrist band or confined to a fenced in area. You have an open downtown area with most of, if not all, the clubs within walking distance of each other. The weather should be good, not like last year's freeze, and the atmosphere festive.

This will be my third Free Week and I have already planned the dates, times and the bands that I want to see for the week. So if you live in Austin, show your support or if you're outside of Austin, you're welcome to come for the music and fun.

The first year, one of the clubs I ventured into was Beerland and saw The Flame Trick Subs. I really liked them and their "psycho-billy." Check them out.


The second year, I was at Red 7 for some hard ass Punk. The Lower Class Brats was one of the bands that night. Hardcore, check it out.



An excellent link to see all the week's activity is do512.com. Check it out.

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Free Week Pick for Friday January 7, 2011

The Beauty Bar is presenting a fantastic show for Friday of Free Week in Austin, Texas. No Charge to get into most venues and clubs during January 1-9, 2011. What a deal! and it is a big deal when you've got the premier bands in Austin on a Friday night.

The music for this event will cover several genres. Este Vato will bring the Latin Fusion element, Roxy Roca brings the Soul sound, Maneja Beto brings the "Indie en Español" mix and Brownout drives the Funk sound home.

This show is one of if not the best show of Free Week.

Venue: Beauty Bar located on 617 E. 7th Street Austin, Texas 78701.

Other Details: No Cover All Week. 21 years old and up. More details at do512.

Musical Line-Up:

Este Vato


Roxy Roca


Maneja Beto


Brownout

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Free Week Pick for Tuesday January 4, 2011

Red River Noise is presenting a showcase at The Parish this Tuesday of Free Week here in Austin, Texas. Free Week means there is no cover charge in most clubs and venues from January 1-9, 2011.

Venue: The Parish located at 214-C 6th Street Austin, Texas 78701

Musical Line-up:

Doors Open at 8:00 PM
-Final Exam at 9:00 PM
-New Roman Times at 10:00 PM
-MoTelAviv at 11:00 PM
-Stereo Is A Lie at 12:00 AM

Cost: No Charge

Other Details: All Ages, more details also available at do512

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