Heraldo Eucebio De Hoyos, Abdiel Valdez, and Eric Blanquicet introduce themselves and talk about their relationship to the group as well as the town.

Heraldo Eucebio De Hoyos, Abdiel Valdez, and Eric Blanquicet discuss the meaning of the name “Comparsa Barrio Fino.”

Heraldo Eucebio De Hoyos discusses how the group started and how he approached the music school to help supply the group with instruments.

Heraldo Eucebio De Hoyos and Abdiel Valdez discuss the number of members and types of instruments that make up the comparsa. Comparsa Barrio Fino is unique in that it incorporates the spectrum of instruments one would find in a Latin orchestra.

Eric Blanquicet maps the history of the comparsa sound in Portobelo through its origins in Santiago de Cuba and history in Panama. In doing so, he shares how the group based the sound on comparsa traditions in Colon but shifted it to better represent the uniqueness of Portobelo.

Abdiel Valdez shares some of the long-term goals of Barrio Fino, which include using participation in the group to help members become stronger musicians by expanding their skill set and gaining greater tools for cultural expression.

Heraldo Eucebio De Hoyos, Abdiel Valdez, and Eric Blanquicet discuss their favorite Barrio Fino memory or activity. All talk about the magic of their first public performance. In responding, Heraldo gives the spectrum of Portobelo personalities active with the group to illustrate how thoroughly it represents a broad spectrum of Portobelo culture and embodies the spirit of the community.

Eric Blanquicet and Heraldo Eucebio De Hoyos discuss the ways in which the desire to create something positive in the community — that allows community members additional outlets for their time and talent — is their chief motivation for participating in Comparsa Barrio Fino.

Abdiel Valdez discusses the relationship between Barrio Fino and the Music School/ La Escuelita Del Ritmo.

Heraldo Eucebio De Hoyos, Abdiel Valdez, and Eric Blanquicet discuss the relationship between Barrio Fino and Congo carnival.