Birthday Stream 1/18/21 @ 6pm

So, we're going to sing a beautiful song from Brazil by Pixinginha called “Carinhoso”. It sort of embodies the phrases you've seen a lot everywhere lately, thanks to the historic tension of our times: LOVE TRUMPS HATE, CHOOSE KINDNESS, CHOOSE LOVE... I could go on and on...

If I can remember, I'll go live a little before 6pm to remind you to watch our video as it goes live. We'll be able to chat in real time. And if you're bored, you can twist my arm, and I'll sing a song for you live afterwards. But only one that uplifts MLK's vision for peace and justice 😍🎶🎸🎤

Anyone else remember those plastic toy high-heels with the rainbow straps from the 80s? Anyway, I'm pretty sure I put those on, as well as my tutu (sp?) and a little crown on that day because it was my birthday. Maybe 7 or 8? not sure....

Anyway, it's my birthday again, and this year I have the honor of sharing it with MLK. It's pretty awesome. It happens every once-in-awhile.

On Monday, Jan 18 @ 6pm (NYC time), I will be posting a YouTube Premiere video for the first time ever. My bestie, Venissa Santí (yes, please put an emphasis on the last syllable of her last name, cause that's how she rolls😋) let me rope her into recording a duet with me for you.

I know, I know! I'm giving YOU a present on MY birthday 😆. Apparently, in some cultures that’s what you're supposed to do. You invite all of your friends out for drinks, and YOU pay the bill! (Crazy, right?)

I met Venissa several years ago when she lived in Philadelphia and when our boys were little. We got to perform together with a flamenco dance company called Pasión y Arte, thanks to director Elba Hevia y Vaca, who had an idea for a show using flamenco and cuban music. And the rest is history :)

We have been discussing what we want to do. And as all of this unfolded, the Covid cases are climbing and the prospect of traveling to be with each other for a livestream together is thinning. So this may end up being put together long-distance. Either way, I am really looking forward to this and hope you can be a part of it too!!

December Livestream: Presenting Miss Ayla Huguenot

“Songstresses” : Ayla & Me

Saturday, December 19 @ 6pm

HOW WE CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA

Today Ayla and I rehearsed our songs in Tompkins Square Park. This was pretty special for me because have watched Ayla grow up, writing songs and just developing into an amazing young young lady. She is a born-and-bred East Village teenager who went to my son's school, our beloved East Village Community School, and now attends the Professional Performing Arts School. Ayla is also the daughter of another woman who I love and admire and who is a precious friend, Cresta Kruger, whose photograph is on the cover page of my website! (www.BarbaraMartinez.com)

Ayla reminds me a lot of myself when I was younger, and yet she is really very different. One thing I never dared to do (seriously at least) until very recently was to write my own songs. Ayla's been doing it since she was 3 years old! And it's artists like her who have encouraged me to give it a try. I feel I have a long way to go before finding my own style and "voice", but it is so very satisfying to give this a try. I am thrilled to be able to share our songs with you. I think you will really enjoy them, and also our conversations about the creative process.

Honestly, I also thought it would be lovely to do this with Ayla so that she could have a place to shine, of course, but also so that she could help me get over my own nerves about sharing my own creations. As some of you already know, when Covid hit and we were cooped up at home, one of the things that I started doing was writing songs. They all came out in English (to my surprise) and really have nothing to do with flamenco (also to my surprise!)

Learn more about the incredible singer/songwriter that is Ayla Huguenot.

*This concert series is free for Patreon members, but available to all for a donation or a shoutout*

Happy National Music Day

"Autumn Leaves," composed by Joseph Kosma and lyrics by one of my favorite French poets of all time, Jacques Prévert and Johnny Mercer

My bass is a collage made by Richie Baxt on East 11th Street using a Stingray body and some other parts.

I never knew there was such a thing as National Music Day, but here we are! I love music and I'm trying to get my head around this beautiful instrument. (Sorry to all the real bass players out there! And sorry to all the real French speakers!)

May your days be blessed with music as often as possible.

Happy National Music Day :)

Livestreaming VS. Freezing Outdoors!!

Yep, so I’m definitely learning new things every day in this new Covid Era. I’m learning how to deal with freezing cold temperatures doing outdoors gigs, and trying to find a way to do them indoors as the Winter settles in. One way might be with livestream concerts. (If anybody has some tips in this area, please email me!!) This way you and I can both be warm and cozy in the comfort of our homes and still share special moments like the one we had last night at Terraza 7.

It was Halloween and I think it’s the first time I’ve even performed in a Halloween costume. Maybe that’s because my son is kind of old now for trick-or-treating, so I don’t mind working!

All I know is that I kept dancing whenever possible because it was the only way to stay warm!!

But I had a great night with the guys: Adrian Alvarado, Edward Perez and Jeremy Smith. Those guys are so damn talented! And I just love Freddy Castiblanco and Terraza 7, they have been such a pillar for working jazz musicians in NYC and I also love their support in the community and representation.

Anyway, so in the spirit of keeping the music performances going in a way that works for everybody, an old friend and I are hosting a home concert. “A Haircut & A Concert with Espîritu Gitano” on Sunday, November 15 from 6-7pm. It will be open to anyone and everyone, but it will be made available for free to my Patreon fans and for a suggested donation of $10 for all others.

By the way, Patreon is a way to join your favorite creator's community and pay them for making the stuff you love. I’m learning more about this whole system these days. I’m going to give it a try and see if it works for us. Right now I have my memberships set at $5/month and, as of today, I have my first 4 Patreon fans! (And they already know they are the crème de la crème in my book! Literally)

My plan is to give him a long overdue haircut while I let him grace you with his anecdotes from around the world, taking little breaks for us to sing and play for you in duet. We have written many songs together over the years, and we love putting our spin on songs from Spain, Brazil, Argentina and anywhere else where music has reached her velvety paw. Join us! This should be lots of fun!

You can find some videos of Espíritu and me here:
www.youtube.com/barbaritamaria

I’m super happy to be offering this livestream concert! And I hope I can get some rhythm rolling and offer something comparable at least once a month with the various different musician friends that I have made in my lifetime :)

(Oh and you can always access a livestream of any concert on my Patreon Page!)

What a night!!

Whew! Our first concert back indoors at Drom on Friday was a blast and we were blessed to have some guests in-person AND virtually! This was my first time ever in my lifelong career in music that I learned to set something like this up. I was only bummed out that I couldn't figure out how to set up the backstage cam for YouTube Live. Apparently I need to have 1,000 YouTube followers in order to use my phone for things like that. This is something that I would like to offer, so that livestream guests can have feel special. It shouldn’t be hard now with all that we can do with our phones! And I also don't want to have to use social media platform that requires a separate membership for my fans…

Thanks again to Andreas Arnold, Engin Günaydın and Edward Perez!! You made our first livestream unforgettable 💕

If would like to know more about my work with music and dance, my creative process and just me as a human, I would love it if you would join my new Patreon community (www.patreon.com/barbaramartinez).

As I'm sort of reinventing myself (me and all other musicians I know!), I am trying something new that will hopefully allow me to provide livestream video concerts once a month or so that everyone can stay connected but safe. If you're curious, check become a Patreon patron today!

About this concert teaser:
On October 16, 2020 we transported our fans in NYC to the Mediterranean with an evening of flamenco in the East Village at one of my favorite live music venues called Drom NYC.

With:
Bárbara Martínez, voice/dance
Andreas Arnold, flamenco guitar
Engin Kaan Gunaydin, drums/percussion
Edward Perez, acoustic bass

This was the first song of the hour+ long concert. If you would like to enjoy the whole concert from the comfort of your own home, consider joining me on Patreon.com/barbaramartinez and it can be your welcome gift!