Tag: Miami

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Alex Gutierrez Blog

We Like To Party: The Future of Going Out

DJ Alex Gutierrez/ SFDJA/ Miami

While many businesses are suffering due to the coronavirus pandemic, there are many challenges that put small music venues in a particularly tough spot. As DJs we see no end in sight to all the venue closures. Many full time DJs have been forced to look for ” Real” jobs as many in the industry call work outside the music biz. We look around and see those establishments that have supported us, in serious trouble and there is nothing we can do to help. Reopening with a reduced capacity for many of these bars and clubs ( if and when that will be possible) just won’t cut it. The business model has always been ” Pack the House” Social distancing and nightclubs are about as compatible as dogs and cats  Event venues and banquet halls have all shut down, some even closing their doors permanently. In an attempt to get creative, DJs have loaded their gear on pickup trucks in order to capitalize on the ” Drive By” party trend. Some ask for donations while playing music on Facebook Live only to be disconnected after 15 minutes because Music Companies have identified songs that belong to the them. The Service ” Mixcloud” has now created a ” Legal” platform for DJs to Livestream and slowly the DJ community adapts to the ” New Norm” in a business that thrived on sweaty bodies , packed side by side at concerts and clubs.

Most people in the industry I’ve spoken to seem to agree that a vaccine could be the only hope. “We open our doors, hire bands or DJs to bring people together for social interaction. If they don’t feel safe, they won’t come. If cases in our city spike , they blame bars.While we are shutdown to protect employees and customers , overhead costs such as rent and insurance will surely put us in debt and chances are we will not be able to open again. At least a vaccine would give a person a little more courage ” said one club owner I spoke to recently

The reality is most who frequented the clubs and bars before are ready to go out. House parties are thriving here in Miami., usually held earlier to avoid local curfews. Social Distancing ” Light” In the local Latin culture Handshakes and kisses on the cheek  are still the norm for most. Hand Sanitizers are close by, next to the Mistolin and Fabuloso

 

They are out there, waiting to celebrate the end of the pandemic, and at that moment, those bars and clubs that survive  deserve our support. 

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Alex Gutierrez Blog Rewind1039

Malo: Suavecito

Dj Alex Gutierrez SFDJA/ Rewind 1039

Although the track was released in 1972 , it wasn’t until the summer of 1975 that I attended a house party where the record player was being manned by an older kid about 17 or 18 years old. Salsoul’s ” Tangerine” has just finished playing , and the dance floor ( the middle of someone’s living room ) was clearing when I first heard the song that would attach itself to a memory I would create that night. My first slow dance . At first it sounded like something my parents would hear at the time, Latin Music was something I only heard at adult parties, but slowly I saw many of the kids leading girls to the dance area and turning down the lights, after a minute or so only one girl remained and only one shy, introverted boy , looking awkwardly at each other knowing that by the process of elimination they were destined to be each others ” First Slow Dance”

The song was Suavecito by Malo a SanFrancisco group led by, Richard Bean, Arcelio Garcia and Jorge Santana brother of Carlos. The song was written by and sung by, Richard Bean. Abel Zarate and Pablo Tellez Fifty years later, the song is known the unofficial “Chicano national anthem.” although a couple of Cubans I know will tell you that for any kid growing up in Miami in the 70s ,it was our anthem too.

 

https://youtu.be/ZRzOfYyIIO4

Suavecito” is a song recorded by Malo in 1971. … Suavecito means “soft” or “smooth” in Spanish. The song has been called “The Chicano National Anthem.” The song became a hit in the U.S. (#18) and Canada (#14) during the spring of 1972.

https://youtu.be/DJr-vk8flh8
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Rewind1039

Memorial Day Weekend Non Stop Mixathon


South Florida’s Top DJs together all weekend on Rewind 1039 ,Miami’s Throwback Station playing the Best in 70s and 80s . Just Download the App ” Rewind 1039 ” and start listening .SFDJA website allows you to hear from your PC at home or Work

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Alex Gutierrez Blog

Disco Returns to Coral Gables

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The Fever at The Open Stage in Coral Gables Call for our next event NO COVER ………
When I started the Happy Hour at Alcazaba at the Hyatt Regency Many years ago I knew this was the place that would support this music that Miami was in love with since we first heard it during our teenage years, Unfortunately Alcazaba closed it’s doors in 2009 and an Era came to an end. The well dressed crowds , the classic sounds replaced by Bachata and Reggeaton and a crowd that opted for a cold beer instead of a Johnny Walker ” Neat”. We were getting older but we still wanted to dance and have a great time. Our choices were limited ,and when we finally found a place more often than not our music would be mixed in between those same styles we tried to avoid .Logo_Outside
Bob Quesada ( Mr.Q 305 ) is a veteran of the Miami Nightlife of the 70s here in Miami, resident DJ at such Clubs as Alexandre’s at the Omni and Daphne’s at the Sheraton. After I started the South Florida DJ Association Bob and I would constantly discuss that there was a segment of Miami’s population that was being ignored , that segment was US. We had NO Radio station to hear our music and a very limited amount choices of places to go. With the exception of an occasional Disco Concert by Charlie Rodriguez Live Entertainment our Friday and Saturday Nights were limited to movies and restaurants. We would have to listen to our music in our cars or at home.Bob Quesad ( Mr.Q & DJ Alex Gutierrez
Looking for the right place became a mission. This crowd demanded quality and class. By chance we were contacted by the owner of a fairly new establishment in Coral Gables, The Open Stage Club.A unique combination of restaurant and live entertainment venue. Located just a block south of my old Alcazaba the place contained all the elements we were looking for Class, Location and a state of the art sound system that could bring out every violin and cello in Romeo and Juliette.
It is with great pleasure that we present to you ” The Fever” A One Night Affair an evening of Classic Disco Music, Soul Ballads and music that put our city on the Map from groups such as The Antiques, Mantrap , Conjunto Universal and much more. In other words …A night dedicated to You and Me who have called Miami home since the early 60s.
Saturday November 1st ,2014 7:30 PM NO COVER Dinner Reservations strongly recommended.
Update: Our November 1st event was a huge success bringing together hundreds of fans of the genre.The night was ” A magical evening of Music and Memories” as so many described it.Open StageMiaster Q andDJ Alex Gutierrez Owner Juan Della Torre ” Patrons have been asking for a Disco themed night for quite a while we are glad to offer it’
New Dates have been announced for the coming months. November 26 ( The Day Before Thanksgiving) New Years Eve ( The Solid Gold New Years Eve Disco Party) December 31st and our special Valentines Party on February 14th.
” We want to give fans an opportunity to plan for these nights, as special events t, to make arrangements to Come to ou ” Fever” events and relax and enjoy themselves listening to the music they love, sharing these moments with others who lived it” New Years Open StageNovember 26
DJ Alex Gutierrez