January 2008

Happy New Year!
Well, like we predicted, it was the biggest fiesta Gibraltar has done in 2007. Las Tapas was the place to be in Old Town, Alexandria on new year's eve. We performed a memorable party and gave it our best in providing live music and dance music from 9:30 until 2:00 non-stop.

Although the restaurant had over 200 seat reservations starting at 5:30, it didn't seem like it was going to be busy when we sat at our table to eat some tapas with a good bottle of red wine from Spain, all complimentary or the house. We told ourselves to make the best out of the situation, even if it's slow, we had to do what we came here to do: provide the best party music we can, and we did!

We started our first set with familiar rumba songs from the Gipsy Kings, such as Amigo, Un Amor, Viento del arena, Les saintes marie de la mer (Gitano Family),...and we finished the first set with a fast song "A tu vera". A few people joined the dance floor for either a romantic slow dance in the beginning or a fast beat at the end, but most people were still in the eating mode around 10:00...so we took a break and sat at the bar where Diane, the cheerful bartender knew how to help us start the party: she gave Kamel a whisky & honey to warm up his voice and gave Hacene and Abdel a Grand Marnier...we put some hot Spanish rumba songs on the DJ station and without knowing how, we were back, each playing a percussive instrument...so much for a break...but that's what started the night party! within minutes the dance floor was full and everyone is in party mode...

After a few more DJ songs accompanied by our percussion, the audience has already warmed up and already asking for more...we went back on stage and played so much music and so many songs we don't even remember our repertoire but it was a mix of Spanish, North African and other hit songs. At the countdown to midnight, the crowd was yelling so hard we stopped all music and the champagne started flowing. Right after the midnight call, we started playing again and the party is in full swing...the rest is just a ball of fun until 2 am. We all joined the dance floor and let the songs from the music player carry us into the first hours of 2008. Occasionally, when not dancing, we followed the beat with Abdel's bass riffs and sounds of derbouka, Jembe, tambourine, and Krakeb. It was a great and memorable party!!! viva Las Tapas!

Happy new year everyone,

Gibraltar.

Abdel took only a few pictures either in the beginning or later. Many people took some when the floor was packed and shaking, and while us, of course busy playing, singing and dancing behind our mics...anyone who took pictures and read this, please send some over ;)

View pictures

The Friday after new year, January 5:
After the buzy new year weekend, Hacene and Abdel decided to take off for the Friday gig at Las Tapas, so Kamel went with bassist Jose, and percussionist Mario. On Saturday the original Gibraltar band played.

View pictures of Kamel & friends

February 20, 2008

Hello again friends. If we didn't post anymore entries since January 12, it doesn't mean that we didn't play since. In fact Gibraltar played every single weekend at Las Tapas both Fridays and Saturdays. Some days were slow like some Fridays but Saturdays were usually busy and a lot of them were a treat to be part of, particularly this last Saturday. It was packed from the start and stayed that way till after midnight. A friend of ours showed up with a big group of friends to celebrate her birthday, they made the night quite an eclectic one. Thanks Brooke and happy birthday!

And thanks to all our other friends who showed up and danced the night away, it was
a pleasure for us...

The biggest news for the month of February is the departure of our bass player to San Diego. Abdel moved there after many years spent on the East coast and almost 5 years with the band. He will be coming back to play with us at least once a month and whenever we have a big performance. We already miss you Abdel, good luck and see you soon in DC or in San Diego when Gibraltar takes the West coast :). Jose, who's been playing with us whenever Abdel couldn't make it in the past, will fill in as Gibraltar's bass player on a regular basis.

The biggest discovery of the month for Gibraltar is our new addition percussionist Mohamed. Momo, as we call him is from Sudan and is a true professional percussionist. He played with us three times so far and he is great to play with. He brings a set of congas, and a handmade set of bongos with three different drums that look like a prop from a Star Wars movie set. :)
In the past, Momo traveled around the world playing percussion with different bands from his native country. Welcome aboard Momo! We truly hope it will work out for you...

Gibraltar will be playing this coming weekend, Feb 22 & 23, at Las Tapas again. The band will be composed of Kamel, Jose, and Momo. Hacene will be off.

The following weekend, Feb 29 & Mar 01, Abdel will be in DC and will play with us at Las Tapas. Hopefully Momo can join us at percussion and the sound will be sweet...

See you soon