Barrio Fino Heraldo y Abdiel y Eric Members and 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.

Barrio Fino Heraldo y Abdiel y Eric Relationship to La Escuelita Del Ritmo

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

Barrio Fino Heraldo y Abdiel y Eric Relationship to Congo Carnival

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

Barrio Fino Heraldo y Abdiel y Eric Long Term Goals

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.

Barrio Fino Heraldo y Abdiel y Eric Favorite Memory

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.

Andres Jimenez Changes to Devil

In this excerpt, Maestro Andrés discusses the changes he witness in the tradition after the advent of “the road.” He especially focuses on the changes he has seen with respect to the devil character.

Andres Jimenez Childhood Memories

In this excerpt, he discusses his favorite childhood memories of the tradition when the town was more isolated and Congo communities visited each other via boat during carnival season.

Andres Jimenez Impact of Tourism

In this excerpt, Maestro Andrés discusses the impact of tourism on the tradition, including the monetization of various aspects and changes in costuming. In describing the current tradition, he references the impact of the “the road” on the town. At this point in the recording, the tape appears to have sped up causing distortion.