A BITTERSWEET NIGHT, LISTENING TO THE MUSIC OF “GITANAA

On Saturday, June 24th, my wife and I joined a few friends and enjoyed a night of live Latin music hosted by “The Gypsy Theatre,” taking place at The Bittersweet Piano Lounge at downtown Buffalo’s historic Hotel at the Lafayette.

There is a magical quality about live music that transcends the boundaries of time, space, and culture, and “Gitana,” led by Magdalena Gil and joined by musicians Manny Perez, Alex Aponte, Eddie Candelario, Geraldo Castillo, Piri Rodrigue,z and Joey Gonzalez bright together a harmonious celebration of Latin sounds in the “Bittersweet Lounge” in The Hotel Lafayette.

The small intimate venue of “Bittersweet Piano Lounge” was the setting for a night of Latin music standards and familiar favorites, and Magdalena Gil’s voice and the band’s music left an indelible mark on the audience, one full of friends and family alike.

While sitting with my wife, taking in the sounds, and singing along to some of the tunes, I could not help but appreciate the music and timeliness of the songs we were blessed with.  Through the dimly lit room, the “Lagrimas Negras” opening lines immediately transported me from Western New York to Santiago, Cuba. Music takes you to places you have been and even places you’ve never seen.

As one gets older, there is a certain level of appreciation regarding the old and familiar. When I was a young man, I always wanted to leave Buffalo. However, visiting a few years ago, as a married father of three in his mid-forties, I learned to appreciate everything the area had to offer before moving my small family back after twelve years in Florida.

The same could be said for the musical standards of old. Although my wife and I enjoy the sounds of Reggeaton and Latin Trap music artists such as Karol G, Bad Bunny, Rauw Alejandro, and Young Miko, who are at the top of many Latin Music charts, the old familiar songs being performed by the “Gitana” ensemble helped me appreciate the music of old, where talented vocals and instrumentation was at the forefront of music.

One of the most remarkable aspects of a live music performance is the emotional connection it fosters, and watching Gil’s family and friends gleam with pride as she hit notes on this intimate performance was palpable. As the music filled the venue, every lyric sung and every note played resonated with the experiences and emotions of the original song lyrics as written by the likes of Willie Colon (Idilo) and Miguel Matamoros (Lagrimas Negras), among others. Live music performances are a symbiotic relationship between the artist and the audience, and Magdalena Gil’s energy fueled the enthusiasm of the crowd, and in turn, the audience’s energy fed the “Gitana” ensemble’s passion and creativity, pouring out their heart and soul into their craft, and the audience reciprocates with cheers, applause, and fervent support. This energy exchange created an electric atmosphere, elevating the music to new heights, leaving the crowd happy and wanting more.

As the final chords reverberated through the air and “Gitana” took their final bow, the calls for an encore were answered as Gil began a rendition of “Killing Me Softly” with a Latin twist, to the audience’s delight. After the event, organizer, and host Marta Aracelis-Torres promised future events of the collective, specifically the Puerto Rican Day Parade celebration this coming August, as well as a return to the beloved old Latin Concerts that were held in the Statler Towers Ballroom next year in 2024.

Attending a live music event is an experience like no other, especially when the atmosphere, and emotional connection, transport you away to a different place and time, if only for a few hours. The musical journey “Gitana” took us all on was one of the unforgettable moments combined with an experience that will linger in our collective hearts and minds. Should you have a chance to experience “Gitana” the next time they are scheduled to perform, I highly recommend you seize it and allow yourself to be taken on the musical journey, as you will not be disappointed.

You can learn more about the Gypsy Theatre by visiting their Facebook page and searching “The Gypsy Theatre.”