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

Después del Lunes!

Erik Barragán y su Orquesta.
Foto: Kari Pepper.

So, last Monday I hosted and ran the Lunes de Locura event at Lovecraft in the East Village. My thought was to put on a quick but boozy Monday show where people could laugh and dance. And, I'm happy to say, mission accomplished. The event featured two very funny ladies, who had the crowd in stitches, Christina Galston and Chrissie Mayr. And of course, on the music front, the enigmatic Axel Itto and the debut of my band: Erik Barragán y su Orquesta.

Comedian Christina Galston started the night. She reminded me of Rosie Perez -very funny. Follow her on Twitter.

Christina Galston.
Foto: Kari Pepper.

Next, Axel Itto stormed the stage delivering a set that was both explosive and subtle. I don't know how he did it, but it was intimate and bombastic all at once. His drumming was especially on point that night -always driving forward. Fantastic set. Listen to him on SoundCloud.

Axel Itto.
Foto: Kari Pepper.

Then Chrissie Mayr took the mic, and her material was hilariously raunchy. I witnessed some of the audience blush. She works a lot and has been featured in numerous podcasts and on the show This Weekend on Laughs on Fox 5. Follow her on Twitter.

Chrissie Mayr
Foto: Kari Pepper.

And then it was time for Erik Barragán y su Orquesta.

From left to right: Anna Garcia, Erik Barragán, Sarah Blackburn.
Foto: Kari Pepper.

What can I say about the the talented musicians playing with me? They were on point. Anna Garcia on trumpet, her solos were delicious. Sarah Blackburn's beautiful voice adorning the song's melodies, it was gold.

We did a mix of my originals and covers; at one point my brother grabbed one of his friends and danced to our rendition of Llorars de Oscar de León. 

Foto: Kari Pepper.

I will keep you posted for our next show. In the mean time go check out my SoundCloud. 

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Lunes de Locura (Un Experimento)

Lunes de Locura is an eclectic, hilarious program that mixes comedy, world music and an easy, boozy vibe. Don't bring the kids. I wanted to vary the band-after-band-after-band format, and since I love comedy, I thought it'd be a good match. So this is definitely an experiment. 

Ideally, you'll come, have a drink, laugh, dance, laugh and dance some more, and then be on your way by 9:30. Fun filled, dance fueled, work-conscious New York City night.

It's happening at Lovecraft located at 50 Ave. B in the East Village. Doors open at 6:26 and show starts at 7:06. 

I've chosen Lunes de Locura to debut mi Orquesta and my new compositions and re-imaginings. Also, I've surrounded myself with some of the best acts New York City can offer. My brother Axel Itto is doing an acoustic set, and  two very talented comedians Chrissie Mayr (follow her on Twitter) and Christina Galston (her too) are going to provide the much needed relief from your godforsaken Monday. 

See you there!

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Summertime

When I was rehearsing last Saturday, I recorded this on my friend's phone. The recording wasn't good, and it was scratchy and muffled. I liked it quite a bit, so I played with it on Garageband. It's edited but not mastered. Raw, baby, that's how it goes.

Ciao,
Erik Barragán

Pirata, Axel Itto's New Single, is out!

My brother Axel has just released his new single titled Pirata (Pirate). It's a mix of Andean music and cumbia. The instrument playing the intro is called a charango, and that particular charango is from Bolivia. Have a listen and enjoy!

Ciao,
Erik Barragán

Wednesdays and Fridays at Champignon and More Updates!

So, as most of you know, I play quite a bit at a Chelsea restaurant called Champignon. I started a year or two ago, and lately crowds are starting to form. To the point, the servers were mad at me the other Friday because my people were blocking the door! It's all good; I get along very well with the servers. Anyway, they've given me their lunchtime time slot. That's right! Every Wednesday at 1pm, I'll be delighting the lunch crowd with the hits of yesteryear, and the more recent pop jewels our fantastic celebrities keep popping out. Of course, I'm still playing every other Friday, and this Friday, starting at 7pm, I'll be there seducing you with my voice and my dance moves. Wanna see one of my moves? Look up at the flyer above. I taught him that dance.

Also, coming up on October 19th, I'll be partnering with stand up comedian, Chrissie Mayr, for a show at Lovecraft on the East Village. More info on that to come. Certainly, you're going to love it. 

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Bésame Mucho

I recorded this right after one of my classes. Then I came home and played with it on Garageband. Check it out!

Also, starting this Wednesday, I'll be playing lunchtime at Champignon. Come at 2pm, Happy Hour starts at 11am.

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Axel Itto at Botanic Lab

It was a hot and sweaty time at Botanic Lab on Wednesday night, where Axel Itto debuted his new single Pirata. As it is always with his gigs, the atmosphere was upbeat and the crowd electric and attractive. There was also two different business suit-wearing surprise birthday parties happening simultaneously, and I'm sure they hadn't seen Axel perform before.

The opening act was Caridad Rivera a belly/fire dancer who wowed us with her moves and scantily clad, shapely body.

Caridad Rivera

Then Axel Itto took the stage and it was our turn to dance, even the birthday party guests were scantily clad by the end. If you haven't seen him perform yet, go. His music is an amalgam of all his life experiences from Ecuador, to Scotland, to Venezuela, to the US, and all the tears and smiles in between -giving even his most danceable tune poignancy. Leave those demons on the dance floor.

Axel Itto. Foto Paige Graham.
Edit by me.

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Axel Itto at Botanic Lab Tonight

My brother is playing at Botanic Lab tonight, located at 86 Orchard St.; his music is a blend of rock, salsa, andina, cumbia and other rhythms. Check him out!

Check out his single: La Polvora.

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Summer in Music

I had a fantastic summer. I traveled; I visited; I ate delicious food; I hung out with old friends, and I made some new ones. Musically, I had some interesting gigs outside my usual teaching kids how to speak Spanish through music. I've posted a few pics for your viewing pleasure.

Recording guitars for Non-Equity the Musical.

Just Jamming.

At Caffe Vivaldi

At Champignon.

Playing the Summer of Love Festival with the Blue Dahlia.

My brother Axel Itto at Grand Victory.

David Pérez and Ting Lin at Grand Victory.

Me at Grand Victory.

That'll do, I think. See you next time.

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Friday, September Fourth at Champignon!

Ciao,

Erik Barragán

Probando, probando...

...vamos a probar, probando -ay!