http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html Los Ciegos Del Barrio: News Jannis' PHPRss class - http://www.jannis.to/ Sun, 03 Apr 2011 07:37:11 -0400 http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#74
Some of the highlights included some shows at "La Casa de Alba," which is an organization for Latin-American solidarity in Cuba, a show at "El Pavillon de Cuba," which drew a huge following of fans that we had won over during the days leading up to that show including passers-by and even members of the blind community in Havana; and finally, the main event - a nationally televised major concert at "La Plaza San Fransisco" for a crowd of thousands. We opened the show and by the end, the audience went absolutely nuts, asking for more music. We gave way to the home band, "Still Band," who was actually kind enough to let Machete, Alvin and Derek make a surprise appearance with them much to the delight of the loud, enthusiastic crowd as we sang Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry." We later found out that we are the first ever American band to perform at this yearly event.

Thanks to the efforts of our dear friend, Yannis Lobaina Gonzalez, who works for the Cuban Ministry of Culture, we were heavily publicized on the radio, TV and newspapers. Within a week's time, we were recognized in the streets of Havana and greeted by its excited citizens, who constantly asked us when our next show would be.

We want to thank Eliot Osborne, our former music teacher, mentor and best friend, who is the co-founder of Project Troubador, for setting this all up for us. This was the third collective trip for the Ciegos' core members as we have also been to Russia and the Dominican Republic.]]> http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#74 Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0500 It is what it is...we are who we are. - Los Ciegos Del Barrio - News http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#76
it was nice seeing our faithful members of the blind community who continuously support us as we continue to take the nation by storm one party at a time. Thanks go out to Jimmy, Ramon and Mayrobi for setting this up. Thanks to Braulio Thorne, an original member of Los Ciegos del Barrio, who lent us his timbales and even sat in on a couple of songs. Great job by Joana Diaz, who was also a guest performer as she sang "Que Tontos Que Locos" by Monchi y Alexandra. We'll be back soon.]]> http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#76 Sat, 08 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0500 It is what it is...we are who we are. - Los Ciegos Del Barrio - News http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#69 http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#69 Sat, 18 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 It is what it is...we are who we are. - Los Ciegos Del Barrio - News http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#70
Paste this into your browser and enjoy:

www.reverbnation.com/losciegosdelbarrio]]> http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#70 Wed, 08 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 It is what it is...we are who we are. - Los Ciegos Del Barrio - News http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#71
We even got to play a few Christmas songs with the same Ciegos flavor that you all know and love. Video to be released soon.]]> http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#71 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -0500 It is what it is...we are who we are. - Los Ciegos Del Barrio - News http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#72 By Shaira Frias

Published November 09, 2010
| Fox News Latino

The Latino band version of Stevie Wonder has arrived - and while they can’t see they can certainly make people groove.

“Los Ciegos del Barrio,” a group with five blind band members, has been entertaining thousands with a multi-genre blend of merengue, bachata, salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, and even rock.

They say they never let their disability get in the way of their musical spirit.

“We can do the same things anybody else can,” said band director, Alvin Suarez. “Luckily, to play music we only need our ears and not our eyes.”

As with a sancocho, the diversity of the band cannot be missed.

Suarez, who was born and raised in Harlem, and is of Guatemalan, Puerto Rican and Cuban descent, shares the stage with his twin brother Derek. Joining them are Dominican cousins Arnaldo “Machete” Vargas and Jaime Diaz and Puerto Rican Jimmy Fontanez.

In 2000, “Los Ciegos del Barrio” released their first album, “No lo dude.” The record included beats from instruments the band shares a common passion for, including the drums, keyboard, accordion, rhythm guitar and bass. Since then, they have released three albums.

Alvin Suarez remains hopeful the band will be a success. “The music industry can take it or leave it, but they can’t take the love of music we have,” Suarez said.

The band’s recent single, “Buscando la luz,” was released earlier this year. Derek Suarez, who composed the song, says it is “about being legally blind yet finding a positive outlook in life.”

“We may be legally blind but it doesn’t take away how we can represent you in a positive manner,” he added.

Thanks to New York City-based Project Troubador, a non-profit that dedicates itself to sending musicians to third world countries, band members have been able to tour Russia and Dominican Republic. They are also planning a concert in Cuba next year.

“When we went to the Dominican Republic in 2006, we did a two-week tour,” Alvin Suarez said. “This gave us a chance to give back to the community that we represent since we played at a school for the blind.”

In December, “Los Ciegos del Barrio” will be performing a Christmas show in Lakewood,]]> http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#72 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0500 It is what it is...we are who we are. - Los Ciegos Del Barrio - News http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#73
Shout out to our Guatemalan American paisano, Mario, who hooked us up to no end. Let's do it again.]]> http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#73 Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 It is what it is...we are who we are. - Los Ciegos Del Barrio - News http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#68 By Ruth Epstein


“Los Ciegos Del Barrio” or “The Blind Guys from the Neighborhood” played during the recent beer fest at the Salisbury ski jumps to raise money for the Jane Lloyd Cancer Fund and the Salisbury Winter Sports Association.

Los Ciegos Del Barrio band (Loosely translated; The Blind guys from the Hood) had those attending the recent beer fest at the Salisbury Ski Jumps moving to its fast-paced rhythms. But along with the praises and compliments from the listeners came surprise to learn the band’s name is not just a catchy choice: Most of the members are legally blind noted musician Eliot Osborn, who along with his wife, Louise Lindenmeir, created Project Troubador, which seeks to send entertainers to countries throughout the world to work with local community leaders in support of a variety of issues.
The couple and George Potts also comprise the “Joint Chiefs”, a popular local band. But back in the late ”˜80’s, when songwriter Osborn was trying to support himself, he took a job teaching music at the New York Institute for Special Education, which serves students with disabilities.
Osborn helped then, 15 and 16 year olds establish a band and find places for it to play. “They played the Village Gate for a month and Project Troubador took them to Russia,”he said. “Some of them have played in South America and Africa. I started out as their mentor and ended up as a roadie.”
The band has a special relationship to the Northwest corner because of Osborn and has played in area towns on many occasions.
Osborn talked about the men’s disability, nothing about being blind doesn’t make one musical. “It’s not a help unless there is talent. You’re special if you have both. This band is unique. They listen to each other. After all, you don’t see music, you hear it.”
Band leader Alvin Suarez said Osborn “Taught us to be professional musicians.” The three main band members, including Suarez’s twin brother Derek, are legally blind and while they had enough sight to read music as youngsters, they couldn’t do it fast enough. “So we learned it by ear. We’re always teaching each other.” Suarez said more than their disabilities making them unique, is that they are a multi genre group. “And we’re also bilingual.”
He talked about the wonderful trips they had throughout Project Troubador. The band will be traveling to Cuba in February. “We basically play 2 to 5 free shows a day in such venues as schools and parks. We’re ambassadors of good will for the people.”
While they would love for the music to be their full-time profession, that hasn’t yet happened. They all have other jobs to pay the bills. The New Yorkers enjoy coming up to the Northwest corner, usually playing in the area about 5 times a year.
“This is the real deal,” said Jay Bradley, a drummer and music teacher at Webutuck High School in Amenia, NY., who was listening to the band at the beer fest.]]> http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#68 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 It is what it is...we are who we are. - Los Ciegos Del Barrio - News http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#62
the students were just awesome. The atmosphere reminded us of some of the gigs we played in the Dominican Republic. A great time was had by all.]]> http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#62 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 It is what it is...we are who we are. - Los Ciegos Del Barrio - News http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#64
Kudos to Elizabeth Baez for making this happen and to the sound guy for helping us sound so good. The food was great, especially the fried bacalao, chicken and the chuletas. Thank you all for supporting us as we sold out all of our CD stash for the day.

Great job to the singer who gave us a stirring rendition of Gloria Estefan's "Mi Tierra." Keep up the great work. We hope to do it again.]]> http://losciegosdelbarrio.com/news.html#64 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -0400 It is what it is...we are who we are. - Los Ciegos Del Barrio - News