In other cities, you may cling onto your Sundays for dear life. Begging the clock to tick slower, dreading what Monday mornings will bring. In Buenos Aires, however, Mondays are anticipated with song, music, joy and cheer. Not to mention, the delight of tasty Sangria.
Folk You Mondays. Held in the charming Bar/Restaurant, La Dama de Bollini, on a cozy cobblestone street, hidden away from the clutter and noise that exists beyond its edges. This 35 year-old bar, famed as Jorge Luis Borges’ favorite spot in town, has been a hotspot for famous writers and musicians throughout time. Folk You Mondays is a weekly live music experience, where regular and new musicians alike have found a home on the La Dama de Bollini stage.
This city wide sensation, however, had humble beginnings. Musicians David Maler and Gracia Portillo met while bartending together and desired a new setting to perform. Initially, Maler and Portillo collaborated with artist José Garcia Huidobro. They played at his studio, El Reactor, inviting new musicians to join them for each show.
El Reactor, in itself, is a Mecca for creativity, and the discovery of future stars. This studio attracts people from all over the world, with a revolutionary purpose. It is open to the entire creative community in Buenos Aires and holds exhibitions and classes, including painting, casting, fabrics, animation, 3D impression, and robotics, just to name a few. With a focus on sustainability, El Reactor functions as a center for design, engineering, technology, architecture, music, literary, and visual arts, audiovisual, and theater production. Fusing technology and the arts is its claim to fame.
Jose saw Portillo and Maler’s stardom growing and knew they needed a bigger stage. La Dama de Bollini seemed the perfect fit. Although Maler has since married and returned to his home of the Dominican Republic, Portillo has taken the reigns and boy has she galloped away. However, it remains clear that the roots Folk You Mondays were seeded at El Reactor. Portillo has ensured that the soul of Jose’s studio truly remains in each weeks show. Mente Argentina participants discovered the show at its beginnings and became early fans. Our participants continue to fill tables each week, making signs and cheering together as a group.
Now, beautiful people from all over the city actually show up promptly at 10PM to make sure that they find a chair. Even the patio fills to the brim. No longer is this night limited to acoustic guitar players and singers, but rappers, flutes, violins, and even a piano collaborate together with original songs and beats. Painters come for inspiration. Lawyers and doctors come to unwind after a long day. Each week comes with something new to offer, and it is now easy to find a taxi home on the once hidden Pasaje de Bollini. Magic occurs each Folk You Monday within La Dama de Bollini’s walls. This is where stars are born.
