Candi Sosa

We spent a wonderful night at Havania Mania recently.  See yesterday's blogpost for a description of our night.*  My friend Ana's sister, Candi Sosa, performs regularly at Havana Mania. Ana had spoken often about Candi's performances at various venues and I had watched some videos of her performances as well,  which only made me wish even more to hear her in person.  We had talked for two years about how we needed to get together to hear her sister sing and to eat some good Cuban food.  I was thrilled that we finally were able to carve out a night to make this happen.    Candi shared with Ana this cover article featured in the January issue of L.A. Jazz scene.   "Candi Sosa Songs For A Lifetime". This is a very informative and interesting look into the life of Candi,  by Myrna Daniels.  January 2015 L.A. Jazz Scene newspaper.   Here is a short excerpt from that article: 

Candi Sosa Songs For a Lifetime

The author writes: "...She's had a vision about what she wanted to do with her life and she certainly met her goals. When asked about the beginning of her desire to sing and the musicians that had influenced her at an early age she responded, "I  was instantly fascinated with the reach, impact and magic of music, and wanted to imitate them, I had no doubt I would be completely capable of doing so...."  She goes on to say, "...Curiously, I was more interested in songs with deeper meaning, and emotional content, such as Tango "Adios Muchachos" which I sang as a farewell, the night before my departure from Cuba to the United States (Miami) in a small reunion at my grandmother's house in El Vedado in the heart of Havana.... I could see the invisible thru music and lyrics, and I found that magical and fascinating. I was hooked..FOR LIFE!"

An evening at Havana Mania being entertained by the fabulously talented, Candi Sosa.

Fortunately for us all, Candi Sosa has  kept her dream  to sing alive.  It is a real joy to hear her perform.  Here is a link to one of  her performances with the Kevin O'Neal Group. She is singing one of her own compositions: "Aqui Estoy".  Makes me want to get up and dance! Love her music!

This is a very touching piece of footage of  Candi Sosa singing when she was a child. You can feel her passion and her dream to sing in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrKf41SZ4L4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fk-tlF7Eay8&sns=em





For more information on Candi Sosa see her official website: http://candisosa.net/

You can hear Candi Sosa perform most weekends at Havana Mania Cuban Restaurant in Redondo Beach:
http://www.havanamania.com/

*http://followbarbsbliss.blogspot.com/2015/01/havana-mania.html

Havana Mania

The other night we joined some friends and family for a fun night at Havana Mania*.  It's a local small Cuban restaurant in Redondo Beach.  You know it has to be a fun filled atmosphere with that kind of name.  My dear friend Ana arranged for a table of eight close to the entertainment. We were thrilled that Ana's sister, Candi Sosa was the featured songstress.  I will write more about the fabulous Candi Sosa in another blogpost.  We met everyone at Havana Mania at 7:30.  It was a lively atmosphere and with mojitos in hand we were shown to our front row table.  We ordered lots of good Cuban food, lechon (roast pork)with black beans and rice,  plantains, assorted yummy appetizers and  lots of interesting Cuban dishes.  Candi is a great entertainer and the evening was complete as she sang wonderful songs from her homeland Cuba,  as well as some Brazilian tunes, jazzy and classic tunes as well.  We even managed to get in a dance or two.  A wonderful night out at Havana Mania!

                                             Mary, Ana and Barb

                         the talented Candi Sosa entertains us all

Time for lots of photo ops

*http://www.havanamania.com

3615 Inglewood Ave

Redondo Beach, Ca. 90278

Another Night Out

You could say I was on a real roll of birthday fun. I got an invitation to celebrate three things: My Birthday, my recent retirement from teaching, & my soon to be role as a new first time grandmother.   My friend asked me where I would like to go.  "Anything you want" she said, "Italian, Japanese or.."  I said "Mmmmm Japanese!" and that is what I got.  Such a thoughtful night out and a delicious one too!

Catching Some Light

Mindful
"Every day
I see or I hear
something
that more or less
kills me
with delight,
that leaves me
like a needle
in the haystack
of light.
It is what I was born for-
to look, to listen,
to lose myself
inside this soft world
to instruct myself
over and over
in joy,
and acclamation.
Nor am I talking
about the exceptional,
the fearful, the dreadful,
the very extravagant--
but of the ordinary,
the common, the very drab,
the daily presentations,
Oh, good scholar,
I say to myself,
How can you help
but grow wise
with such teachings
as these--
the untrimmable light
of the world,
the ocean's shine,
the prayers that are made
out of grass?" - Mary Oliver

Seal Beach Pier January 16, 2015

Even though this is home to me,  it is still amazing  that in mid January when it seems so much of the world is freezing cold, we are able to take a walk at the beach.  On this day my friend Tracy and I took a stroll on the Seal Beach Pier after having a lovely lunch in this quaint little beach town.

 The sun shone brightly and the sky was a pretty blue.

   Here is mid-winter in sunny southern California.

A Spot of Tea in Seal Beach California

The birthday celebrations continue...on a sunny, brisk January 16th, 2015 my friend Tracy invited me to have   birthday Tea at McKenna's Tea Cottage in Seal Beach.  Tracy looked so fashionable in her very own fascinator

We enjoyed the "Queen Mum's Tea" which included our own pots of tea, home made scone with clotted cream and jam, tomato basil bisque, garden salad, assorted tea sandwiches, 3 piece petite desserts.

My desserts even had a little candle for me to make my birthday wish!

Thank you Tracy for such a thoughtful birthday treat.  A very special day with a special friend.  

January Breakfast in Santa Monica

After last nights movie and dinner in Santa Monica Ann and I walked to breakfast at Huckleberry's located at 11th and Wilshire Blvds.  It's a hopping little neighborhood cafe, full of nice baked treats and coffee.  At 8:30 on a Wednesday morning it was packed.

 

After breakfast Ann took me to the Santa Monica Seafood Company two doors down from Huckleberry's.  What a great selection of fresh fish and deli take out items. There is also an oyster bar on site.

It was a beautiful morning January 14, 2015.  The sky was very blue and the sun was shining as I drove back to my home in Long Beach.  Santa Monica was a great little overnight getaway!