1. Where have you traveled recently? What did you do there? What was a highlight?

I’ve recently traveled to the great Kootenay mountains in B.C.  Met some terrific people there and played some gigs where they wouldn’t let me stop.  Just being there was a highlight in itself.

2. Have you ever traveled to a warm, tropical country. What did you think?
The closest I’ve been to a tropical country was L.A in 1998 where I saw palm trees for the first time.  I was recording a demo for Columbia Records with Shel Talmy producing.  Tommy Eyre on Keyboards and Scarlet Rivera on Violin.  It was an amazing time.

3. If you could travel anywhere in the world, just you and your guitar, where would you go?
I’d say it would be a toss up between anywhere in Cuba or New Zealand.  I also like the idea of going to the Kalalau Trail in Kauai – my friend Maria Mango went there and was quite inspired.

4. What’s the craziest travel experience you’ve ever had?

Funny thing happened to me in Dublin, Ireland boarding the plane to Edinburgh a few years ago.  I had to take Ryan Air – and it’s super cheap – but the problem is they have so many luggage restrictions I had to literally wear all the clothes on that were in my backpack to board the plane.  I was wearing 4 shirts, two panchos, three pairs of pants, two belts, pockets full of socks and underwear, and a coat!

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You can see Rambling Dan Frechette in his airplane clothes with Trio Bembe as his carry-on at the Bella Vista this Saturday, May 19, starting at 10 pm. More info on the GIGS page.

1. Plan a huge party with room for dancing. And bring a lot of instruments (and people that can play them – like the 9-piece salsa band Papa Mambo!) The party for Rodrigo will be at Juss Jazz on Sunday, May 6.

2. Call all your fun friends and invite them to come!

3. Bring a cake. In fact, if you want to bake a cake for Rodrigo’s birthday, let us know and we’ll invite you in for free.

4. Dress up! This is an opportunity to pull out that new dress you’ve been waiting to wear, or that tux you haven’t donned since graduation.

5. Musicians think in terms of beats, like 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, etc, so buy the birthday boy drinks in numbers he really understands – like 4 or 6 or 8!

You’re invited to the party! All the info is on the GIGS section of the website, and you can RSVP on Facebook here.

Head out to Steinbach with the family for “Fun on the Farm” at the Mennonite Heritage Museum. Not your regular barn dance with Trio Bembe’s lively Latin music!

Live music outside while you support local farmers. Don’t forget the pork-on-a-bun!

Join Trio Bembe at the Bridge Stage on Canada Day at the Forks. Feliz cumpleaños Canada!

Join Trio Bembe on the patio in front of the Gas Station Theatre for a few hours of delightful music in Winnipeg’s most interesting neighborhood – Osborne Village!

Gas Station Theatre: Corner of River Ave and Osborne St.

More info on the Gas Station Theatre website.

Trio Bembe kicks of the Winnipeg Jazz Festival for the oh-so-popular Latin Night. Last year, Scott broke his quijada (donkey jaw) on stage at the festival, so we’ll see if we can keep the damage to a minimum this year! Enjoy the warm outdoors, fresh mini-donuts, and Latin music all night long. Bring a lawnchair, lie on the grass, or kick up your heels on the dance floor.

Watch a video from last year’s festival.

Rodrigo is turning 50! (Just further proof that no Latinos look their age.) Join Trio Bembe and Papa Mambo (9-piece salsa band) at Juss Jazz to celebrate with food, drink, and dancing!

Admission: $12

Juss Jazz (240 Portage Ave)

1. Bring the musicians some food! We’ll take cookies, smoothies, complete 5-course meals, you name it. You supply the food, we supply the after-dinner entertainment.

2. Be a roadie. Carry that big heavy amp you see Rodrigo carrying around, that conga Scott is toting, or those 20 hand percussion instruments Amber has to bring everywhere she goes (kind of like a parent with their kids’ toys).

3. Put up posters. Ask the band if they need help putting up posters for their next big show. Put them up in your neighborhood and around your workplace, and ca-ching, you got your ticket in.

4. Volunteer at the concert. Do they need a doorman? An usher? Someone to sell merchandise? An announcer? A bouncer? Someone to start the dancing? If you have a specialty, the band can use it.

5. Talk about the band a lot to your friends. If the band keeps hearing that fans are coming to shows because you keep sending them all there, the band will love you! (And maybe even buy you a drink!)

**NB Trio Bembe does not guarantee that you will get into a show for free. However, we will eat your baked goods.

Find out when you can bring your cookies to Trio Bembe.