Austin Vida and Bemba Entertainment Showcase April 8, 2011

Austin Vida and Bemba Entertainment are combining forces again to bring you another "kick ass" event for the Spring season on April 8, 2011 at Flamingo Cantina in Austin, Texas.

Austin Vida by itself has produced several successful showcases featuring exceptional Latin and Latino member bands at Stubb's, The Parish, Ruta Maya and Mi Casa Cantina as well several Listening Parties in association with Nacional Records and Fania Records.

Bemba Entertainment also has a long track record of exceptional showcases in Austin. Bemba Entertainment currently books world music bands for KUT 90.5fm World Music Night every Tuesday at Momo's and has produced several theme based showcases. For example, recent Soul Legends Series, tributes to Isley Brothers, Nina Simone, Rick James and Teena Marie, Bill Withers plus World Beat cruises and music on Lady Bird Lake.

This showcase will feature a local band from Austin, a regional Texas band and a touring band from Kansas City, Missouri. The local Austin, Texas band is Este Vato, a hybrid band which features a DJ, an MC, a horn section and specializes in Latin Fusion, Cumbia and Rock. The regional band from Corpus Christi, Texas is Master Blaster Sound System, a band which includes samples, loops and dance beats mixed by member DJ Dus. Master Blaster also includes talented members from La Conquista and Charanga Cake. The band creates unique music they call "Cumbia Krunk." The touring band is Making Movies, no stranger to Austin, a collective of exceptionally talented musicians which perform Indie music in English and Spanish with a definite Latin flair.

Venue: Flamingo Cantina located at 515 East 6th Street in Austin, Texas

Date: April 8, 2011

Cover Charge: $8 (18 years+) Doors Open at 9:00 PM

Musical Line-up and Times:

Este Vato at 10:00 PM
Making Movies at 11:15 PM
Master Blaster Sound System at 12:30 AM

This special showcase is the best entertainment in Austin on April 8th and features the best musical talent around. The fact that all the bands perform Latin music and have Latinos in the bands is purely coincidental.


Este Vato


Making Movies


Master Blaster Sound System


To keep up with everything "Latin" in Austin, Texas check out Austin Vida's Event's Calender.

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BRASIL MEETS COLOMBIA! with Anne Simoni, Kiko Villamizar and Frederico 7

Both countries meet at the Flamingo Cantina on Friday December 10, 2010. The line up from Brasil includes, Anne Simoni and her band, Frederico 7 & the Hashashin and from Columbia, Kiko Villamizar Orquestra. These three Austin bands represent the best of both countries and will definitely give you a taste of their musical cuisine. Anne Simoni performs tradional Brazilian rhythms including samba, bossa nova and baiao and Frederico 7 performs Brazilian music but with more of an upbeat, smooth bluesy feel. Lastly, Kiko Villamizar performs modern Columbian cumbia with a traditional folk influence.

Deciding what to do this Friday night shouldn't be too difficult with such an exceptional musical line up. Flamingo Cantina is one of my favorite Sixth Street venues because it always books great shows and this show is definitely one of the best.

Flamingo Cantina is located at 515 East Sixth Street in Austin, Texas. Doors open at 9:00 PM and cover is $5.00.

Anne Simoni:


Kiko Villamizar:


Frederico 7 & the Hashashin:


I want to wish all of those individuals that take the time to read my blog, a Happy Holiday Season.

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Este Vato at Beauty Bar on September 1st

After looking at my social calender, I realized that it had been three months since I last saw Este Vato perform. It wasn't that I didn't want to see Este Vato. My schedule just didn't seem to coincide with their performance dates. It got to the point where I needed an Este Vato "fix."

It's no secret that Este Vato is my favorite band. I like their unique Latin Fusion sound created with a DJ and an Mecee. I first saw Este Vato back in October 2008 at Flamingo Cantina. We definitely have a history and I've lost count of how many times I've seen them perform. We are friends and I support them as often as I can. On September 1, 2010 I finally got to see Este Vato perform at the Beauty Bar in Austin, Texas. Every time I see them perform, I swear they sound better than the previous time I saw them.

You can find out more about Este Vato at the following links:
www.estevato.com
www.myspace.com/estevatomusic
Este Vato Facebook Page


Here are a couple of songs from Este Vato's Beauty Bar performance:






To see more videos of Este Vato performances go to YouTube MannyGoCrazy Channel.

El Tule and Radio la Chusma at Flamingo Cantina

Two great bands with two different sounds this Friday at Flamingo Cantina. First, Austin's favorite, El Tule specializes in Cumbia, Salsa and Merengue that lifts the spirit and moves the soul. El Tule has been very busy this summer with numerous performances throughout Central Texas and Austin. Second, Radio La Chusma, an El Paso, Texas band, "Representing the beauty and complexity of the border culture, the reggae, cumbia/rock....uplifting the people with their message and hard hitting rhymes."

I've seen both bands perform individually. I recently caught El Tule in San Antonio's Main Plaza and saw Radio la Chusma last September in San Antonio's Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center for Una Noche de Gloria: Barrio Massive En El Mero Hueso. Friday night should be "Una Noche de Gloria" as well with both bands a Flamingo Cantina in Austin, Texas.

Venue: Flamingo Cantina on 515 East 6th Street in downtown Austin, Texas

Date: July 30, 2010
Time: Doors open at 9:00 PM

Line-up: El Tule and Radio la Chusma

Cost: $5.00 21+

Austin Vida Showcase at Ruta Maya

If Manny Go Crazy were to put together a showcase, I would have picked the exact same bands. These four bands are on my "Top Favorite List" of Austin bands. I have seen these bands multiple times and look forward to seeing them again and again.

Event: Austin Vida showcase and La Guerrilla CD Release Show

Date: April 1, 2010

Location: Ruta Maya on 3601 S. Congress Ave. Austin, Texas

Musical Line Up and Times: El Tule @ 9 PM, Este Vato @ 10:15 PM, La Guerrilla @ 11:30 PM , and Headliner - Maneja Beto @ 12:30 AM

Cost: $5 for 21+ and $7 for Minors

Drink Special: Miller High Life $2; Harp, Red Stripe and Dos XX for $3

"Maneja Beto is an extremely popular Austin, Texas band. Their music is not easy to describe because it has elements of Mexican Cumbia, pop, rock, folk, "indie-en-Español" and some fusion, all blended into a mellow, upbeat, lounge and Latin sound" (Source: Rock y Roll Radio Blog). If you're familiar with Maneja then I'm sure I'll see you at Ruta Maya. On the other hand, if you've never seen Maneja Beto, here's a "don't miss" opportunity to also become a new fan of the best indie in Espanol band in Austin.



La Guerrilla is a band with a lot of charisma and energy. Their music is upbeat, happy and makes you want to dance. La Guerrilla combines Reggae, Ska and World Music influences and occasionally includes theatrics to enhance La Guerrilla experience. This show will be La Guerrilla's official CD release show. Come and check out La Guerrilla , you''ll love them and then you'll buy their CD to continue the party anytime, anywhere you want.



Este Vato is a band that I have followed since their debut at Flamingo Cantina in October 2008 and have seen them progress extremely well musically and in establishing the Este Vato name. They are a band that combines Rock, Cumbia, Latin, Fusion and recently Funk. Their songs convey a message of pride in heritage, the struggles of our fore fathers and families and the power that we have collectively. Although the subject matter is on the serious side, the music still rocks. Este Vato just released their new CD as well. Come see them perform and also get their CD.



El Tule is also a very popular and a well established band in Austin. "Musically the band projects the Latin soul that Cumbias, Salsa and Merengues were meant to have." (Source: Rock y Roll Radio Blog). They bring the party to any event or venue where they perform and you see their name everywhere. El Tule also released their second CD in November 2009 and you should also purchase their Volumen II to complete your music library.



This showcase is one you shouldn't miss. It offers four of the best Latin bands in Austin and regionally that have a broad appeal. This showcase is the event of the year and may not occur again anytime soon because getting four extremely popular bands together at one time is very difficult. Hope to see you there, I know I will.

Manny Go Crazy Is Back

I wrote my first blog back in October 31, 2008,"Este Vato Debutes at the Flamingo Cantina." It was my first attempt at "blogging" and although I don't actively blog now, it doesn't mean I've stopped seeing bands. In fact, quite the opposite has happened, I've gone to see so many bands that it would be very difficult and very time consuming to write about all of them. I'll start to write on key or special band events and post posters of events of interest.

Also, I have started to post videos of bands I go see at various venues on Youtube. I hope that you start to follow me again or follow my blog for the first time. Thanks, Manny Go Crazy.

Este Vato Re-visited at The Tiniest Bar in Texas

June 5, 2009 Austin, Texas - I first saw Este Vato perform back in October 2008 at Flamingo Cantina. In fact Este Vato was my very first blog. I liked them back then and I like them even more now. I've seen Este Vato perform a total of four times. First at the Flamingo Cantina, second at Trophy's Bar and Grill in January, third at the Mohawk for the Remezcal.com En Tu Ciudad Tour in March and last Friday at the Tiniest Bar in Texas.

I've gotten to know the guys in Este Vato and can honestly say they are a very friendly and approachable group of talented musicians. I always look forward to seeing and hearing them perform.

Este Vato has transformed from a newly formed band back in October with only five songs, to a band with a solid playlist, new CD in progress, and with a lot of confidence and stage presence. The band has done a good job of establishing their name and their Cumbia Rock/Latin Fusion sound in a short time frame and in a very competitive music market.

Friday night Este Vato played solidly and with confidence despite the bar's sound technician not showing up for work. They worked the sound board and managed the sound levels excellently. They played my favorite song "El Poder" along with "Quemadura,"Mundo En Fuego" and others. They also played three new songs, "Balazo," "A Bit of a Rattlesnake," and "Movimiento."

I really liked the new songs. They had the familiar Cumbia Rock with an added rock guitar sound in "A Bit of a Rattlesnake." In "Balazo," Rey Treviño used a sample of the news broadcast and shot fired on that infamous day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. "El Poder" also samples recorded speeches by Ché Guevara and Martin Luther King. The samplings adds depth
and impact to both of the song's message.

One of the things I was really disappointed with Friday night was the audience involvement. Every time I've been to a Este Vato performance the audience is out there dancing and having a good time. Even though the audience was appreciative of Este Vato and they sincerely applauded their performance, this audience was not a party crowd. There were three lovely ladies that got up to dance but I think they got discouraged for lack of other dancers and sat down. The only other person who got up to dance, without a partner, was Joaquin Garza. I have seen Jaoquin at all the Este Vato performances and just thought he was an avid fan. I thought it was time to meet this guy. It turns out that Joaquin is Chano Lopez's brother and Chano states "the song "Na Pos" is actually a nod to him named after one of his sayings..."Na Pos."

I think the band uses Joaquin as a plant and at a certain que from the band, Joaquin starts dancing. The audience sees someone dancing and then they join in. It sounds far fetched but it could happen?

This is the first time I've been to the Tiniest Bar in Texas. I like the outdoor set up. There is a small covered stage for bands to perform. The audience area has picnic tables, patio tables and chairs on a gravel covered area. The audience area also has a small covered patio and the area overall accommodates approximately 50 people plus comfortably. There is also an enclosed, elevated patio area, away form the stage, with table and chairs that holds approximately 15-20 people. Two bars in both areas provide alcoholic beverages for your consumption pleasure. Please Drink Responsibly.

Parking spots were hard to find. There were parking meters all the way around the block surrounding the bar but they were all taken. The possible explanation is all the condos in the immediate area. I circled the block a couple of times but with no luck. The second time I circled the block, I saw a sign for $5 parking. The parking was located at The Monarch. They have a covered parking garage and they had available spots. The Monarch lot is adjacent to the bar so I lucked out. The parking garage and surrounding area is well lit and there's plenty of traffic.

Overall it was a good night. I'll have to wait to see Este Vato again because they are going to Laredo and Hebronville, Texas this June to play some shows on their Pacopalooza 2009 tour. I wish them "Good Luck" and we'll see you when you get back.

Band members are: Rocky Reyna, Oscar Reyna, Ricardo Lara, Feliciano "Chano" Lopez, Rey Treviño and Frank "FAAR" Ramirez.

Este Vato Debuts at the Flamingo Cantina

October 17, 2008-Went to the Flamingo Cantina to specifically see Este Vato, an Austin band just forming and plans to debut in 2009. I met Este Vato on myspace when they asked to be my friend. Shortly afterward, they put a song, El Poder, on their player and asked for feedback. I listened to the song and liked the combination cumbia/urban rap song but the tempo was just a little slow for my liking. A week or so past and they put an improved, more upbeat version of El Poder that I liked better. A bulletin followed later personally inviting me to come see them at the Flamingo Cantina. They explained that they hadn't planned on debuting so soon but an opportunity came up and they took it.

That night I met Rocky Reyna, leader and bassist for Este Vato and Exeter, plus a cool guy. He explained the band's visions and goals. Many times the vibe I get from the band members helps determine whether I like the band or support the band by attending their shows and more importantly whether I buy their merchandise or music/CD.

Este Vato opened the show with a short set if five songs. Rocky explained the band's situation and future plans to the audience . The five songs were good. They were a combination of cumbia, urban rap and rock with a heavy bass and drum beat. If you've ever been to a Mexican wedding or tejano dance you'll know what I mean. This beat is what carries your body around the dance floor. This effect was visible on the dance floor this night. The crowd was dancing, swinging and swaying to Este Vato's beat. Overall, the set was good considering the band and songs not being fully developed. I look forward to future shows and music.

The second band was Subrosa Union. A three piece band, originally from El Paso, Texas and now based in Austin, which plays rock/Latin funk/reggae music. This band really caught my attention. Subrosa Union is also a myspace friend and had not had an opportunity to see them up till now. This band rocked the house. Their music had a contagious energy and beat and you couldn't help but let the music take you. My favorite song was 24/7 4:20 Every Day. I bought their four song CD for a small donation and will put it into my music library. If you can catch a Subrosa Union show, I strongly recommend it and you will not be disappointed.

The third band was Bombasta from San Antonio. I first saw Bombasta at the Pachanga Music Festival at Waterloo Park in May during Latin Music Month sponsored by the Austin Latino Music Association. They blew me away with their music and sound. I'm a sucker for a musical group that has a horn section. Bombasta plays a combination of Latin, cumbia and funk music. They remind me of Ozomatli. I became an immediate fan. I met the bassist, JP Leal, a friendly guy, and told him I really liked their sound and asked JP what side of town he was from, since I'm originally for SA too. Now this night, I didn't feel Bombasta like I did for Panchaga. They were OK but didn't bring their A game. I was disappointed. Maybe there were outside factors the band faced before arriving at the Flamingo but I would still go see them again. I hope next time I see them they bring their merch/CD to sell because I wanted to buy.

The last band was Bubba Hernandez and the Super Vatos also from Austin. I had seen Bubba's name in the Austin Chronicle under club listings but didn't pay too much attention. So when I found out that they were also playing, I go excited because I was curious as to what they sounded like. At the club I saw this older guy, about my age, with long hair and derby hat walking around. I thought to myself, " I've seen this guy before at other shows and venues" and to my surprise that was Bubba. The Super Vatos were super. They played with a heavy base and percussion rhythm and beat. They describe their music as "Fiery Bilingual Cumbia-based Pop Rock Songs of Intrigue, Naughtiness, Heartbreak and Other Steamy Delights." Wow! Now I'll tell you who Wow-ed me that night and that was the conga/bongo player, Clemencia Zapata. If you get a chance to see Bubba Hernandez and the Super Vatos, go see them because you'll have a good time and feel like you're at a party. I did purchase their new CD "Dancing En Fuego" and my favorite songs are Hero and My Big Charanga.

This was my first time to the Flamingo Cantina and I found it a small venue but quaint. You can get really close, side view, to the band or further back, front view, depending on preference. I moved back and forth several time to get a different perspective of each band.The sound system was adequate. The club's sound system, for me, enhances or detracts from me appreciating the band and their music. One feature I liked about the Flamingo Cantina was that it had some place to seat. It had carpet covered stair like seating. Most clubs have no seating except maybe at the bar. I parked at the Austin Convention and Visitor's Bureau parking lot which is lighted, covered and is one block south of 6th Street.