Every Friday at Champignon

Bilingual Birdies goes to Kenya

Hello everyone!

I have mentioned before that I work for a couple of companies that concentrate on children 3 months to five years old. One of them is Bilingual Birdies, a foreign language, live music program. Sarah Farzam, the owner, after going to Kenya, had the idea of bringing Bilingual Birdies to the kids over there and share with them the songs, the style and the lessons.

Hear it in her own words:



So, a Kickstarter campaign has been created. Click it and donate. It's a great cause; it's a great concept, and it's just good karma.

Ciao,
Erik Barragán

Photoshoot with Mariliana Arvelo

Some of you may remember that I work for a Foreign Language and Live Music Program called Bilingual Birdies. Well, as part of a new system they're rolling out, we teachers had the opportunity to get our pictures taken by the very talented Mariliana Arvelo. Many thanks to Sarah Farzam, owner of Bilingual Birdies and close friend of Mariliana for the chance to shoot with such a professional team.

Take a look:

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Valentine's Day Shows

Valentine's Day is happening in two weeks! And yours truly will be playing all weekend.

Saturday February 13th at 8pm, dinner time at Mojito Cuban Cuisine 

Sunday, February 14th at 12pm, brunch at Mojito Cuban Cuisine

Sunday, February 14th at 8pm, dinner time at Champignon

The music will be a mix of originals and covers in English and Spanish, anything from Bowie to Gardel. 

Original Foto: Mariliana Arvelo

Ciao, 

Erik Barragan

Calpulli Mexican Dance Company

Last Sunday, I played guitar for Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. It's a wonderful program that teaches young boys and girls traditional Mexican dance, accordion and guitar. My friend George Saenz (trombonist/accordionist for Lila Downs and Gregorio Uribe) is their music director, but it so happened that he was going on tour to Bogota, and would be unable to attend the Calpulli December recital. Enter Erik Barragán. 

The show took place at the Flushing Townhall. My job was to play four numbers, two with the accordions and two with the guitars. Everyone did a fantastic job. The kids were bright, eager, and talented; one of the girls in the guitar class was also part of the dance ensemble and a groovy beginner accordionist. Triple threat, yo! She isn't in any of the pics. Too busy, you know.

The Calpulli guitar class, starting from the left: Joseph, Kaitlin, Karen and Wendy. Wendy was also part of the dance ensemble.

Check out Calpulli Mexican Dance company; they're located in Long Island City and they certainly have a mission and a method.

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Pay It Forward!

Happy Holidays!

Hello everyone!

It's the holidays -seasons greetings and all that! A perfect opportunity to flex our generosity muscles and share with those less fortunate. So, with that point in mind.

My wife's school is participating in a program called Pay It Forward. In her own words:

My school is participating in a couple "Pay it Forward" days of service next week. We're bringing the kids to both Kingsbrook Children's Hospital and a couple women's shelters in Brooklyn. In addition, we're having a couple drives so that we can show up to those places with gifts in hand.

If anyone feels like donating to our drives, we are looking for:

1. Toiletries (shampoos, lotions, toothbrushes, etc.) for the shelter

2. New kids gloves and socks for the children's hospital

If anyone wants to donate it would be beyond amazing. BUT I need any donations by this weekend.

You read it, folks. Anyone who can donate may email me at erik.barragan@gmail.com.

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Pico y Los Gatos Baratos

Anna Garcia y yo.
Foto: Diane Salante

Many of you don't know that I play music for children (3 months to five years old) as well as a adults. My repertoire goes from Seven Nation Army to Los Pollitos. I've been playing for kids, through two different companies here in New York City: Bilingual Birdies and Creative Kids Play. Top of their field, these two, and I feel very lucky to be employed by them. I urge you to visit their websites.

Moving on, I've started Pico y Los Gatos Baratos, a band that plays music for families: meaning, daddies, mommies and their offspring! Our first gig was on Halloween Day at Pantomima Daycare in Sunset Park. I wore a cat-mask and painted a dark nose; Anna Garcia painted some cute whiskers on her cheeks and we went for it.

We did the classic children songs like Wheels on the Bus, Happy and You Know It, ABC, Twinkle Twinke, but we also did Hound Dog, Lloraras, The Twist, Guantanamera. People -I'm saying people, not just kids, were dancing. The kids were jumping all around, freeze-dancing. It was a sight for sore eyes. And we're doing it again.

Pico y Los Gatos Baratos will be playing it's second gig at Pantomima on November 21st. Save the date! It'll be our Thanksgiving Extravaganza (name is subject to change and also time TBA).

Now this is a show for kids. (I'd say 2, 3, 4, 5.) But any and every age is invited. But it's a show for kids, so expect, Bah Bah Black Sheep, but dance to Baracunatana. Guaranteed. I can't wait to show you the concept, although the word gato sure is a giveaway.

Pico y los Gatos Baratos.
Foto: Diane Salante.

It is worth mentioning that at Pantomima that evening, my band, Los Gatos Baratos, was made of only one gata, Anna Garcia, who killed it with her trumpet playing and amazing improv abilities.

Bring your kids to the show! Tell your friends about it! I will be posting more information. For now, save the date: November 21st. Pico y Los Gatos Baratos

Ciao,
Erik Barragán