Workshops in Rincon

The fairly recent trend of shared workplaces and workshops has begun to take hold here in Rincon, a couple of new businesses have opened recently that will try to make shared business and work spaces available to those seeking less rent and overhead while fostering a creative environment.

The Cube has been in operation since May this year.  It is above the La Paz yoga studio near the Rincon Plaza and functions as a workspace for those who need an office space, but prefer to rent on a daily or weekly basis and save money on overhead and other business services by sharing the load with others.  It's a great addition for Rincon residents, seasonal inhabitant and tourists.  787-464-2952

Taller Caribe "offers work and gallery space for artists and artisans looking for commercial storefront exposure, without having to invest all the time and resources required of opening a shop in PR."  It is located on the Rincon plaza and will officially open October 5th.  It's a great opportunity for artists to share the costs associated with having a studio and it's in a great location, another great addition to the Rincon plaza and art scene. If you’re interested in forming part of this project in any way, or want to get more information, feel free to contact Anthony Smith Rodríguez, antoinebags@gmail.com or 787-407-1940.

I hope these ideas take hold.  Rincon is a seasonal town and it is difficult for businesses to make it on their own here, having like minded people around to support and help carry the load could help Rincon grow through individual ideas, strengthened by community.

This Small Town Just Got Smaller

It's been awhile since my last post, but it's always great to hear from readers who have read this blog and made it down to Rincon.  A few months ago, our friends told us of a couple they met who moved here after reading the blog and I just met a nice couple who were vacationing here who had read the blog.  The emails asking for more information are welcome too, I really feel like we were helped by so many people when we got here that I need to pay it forward.

So it is with a heavy heart that we attended a memorial ceremony for our friend, Carlos Martinez, who along with his wife Erica owned the Boarding House.  Carlos passed away last week at the age of 36 from cancer.  I think I first mentioned Carlos in a blog post from 2010 titled The Surf Brought us, the people keep us...Then I wrote,

 "Carlos, who runs the Boarding House Surf school and rentals really epitomizes the Rincon attitude as we have found it to be. When Cyndi was looking to buy a board he offered up a few to try out so she would know what she liked and when I expressed some interested, he pulled out a big 11 foot board and shoved in my hands and told me to get out on the waves with my wife. When I got my hands on a nice longboard that needed a few fixes, he took care of it and found a cheap used fin for Cyndi's board, all the while not worrying about how he would get paid, more interested in us getting out on the waves. Not everyone in Rincon has this esthetic, but the more people we meet, the more nice things we have to say."

And he really did, a few months ago when my wife Cynthia had just bought her horse and managed to  find a piece of land for him to stay on, the horse got out and went searching for a mare.  It was Carlos who found the horse and made a quick lead and tie out of an old surfboard leash, then let us know where we could get him, also offering to help repair the fence on the land where he was boarded. 

At the memorial, organized by his wife, who has been so courageous and strong, we heard many similar stories, stories of Carlos' never-ending smile, unselfishness and welcoming spirit. There was a sunset paddleout, a prayer circle,  a short slideshow and then we lit Thai lanterns that sailed into the Rincon sky above the ocean.  A beach bonfire and music went deep into the night. And the small town we live in came together to share it's sadness and loss, but I think we also connected to the possibilities of a life, and how  spirit can transcend mere mortality.  It was one of those moments that maybe could only happen in Rincon, maybe only for a person like Carlos.

Live Music In Rincon

The music scene in Rincon is an interesting mix, lots of local and Caribbean influences with the gringo, surfer crowd thrown in makes for a lot of good musicians creating great soundtracks to the sunsets and the full moon parties on the beach. 

Calypso Cafe at Maria's Beach stands out as a great place to hear and see live entertainment.  They have regularly scheduled musicians during the season at least 3 nights per week.  Sundays, Tito and Fito are a duo who play mostly instrumental versions of classic rock, with a bit of a flamenco twist, great musicians who play very well together.  Fernandito is another Calypso regular who plays mostly reggae.  He has a great voice,  his versions of the Marley classics are beautiful and make me wonder how we are so lucky to have such a  talented singer playing at our local bar.

Calypso also has regular Bomba nights with a band called Taller de la Isla.  If you haven't experienced Bomba before, it is not to be missed.  Bongos and drumming with rhythmic dancing and a chanting and yelling, very tribal and down deep, primal.  Add some rum punches and you've got the picture...

Los Hijos de Puntas have been playing locally for the last few months, they have a bongo and loud guitar with Spanish and English songs, I really like them, more than just soundtrack music.

Calypso, Pool Bar and the Rum Shack have live surf music, the Superstereos and other East coast based surf bands come down during the season.  Rincon is also lucky to have Predator Dub Assassins play around town once in awhile, a great reggae band, check out their video, filmed in Rincon, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQKiFcDHyrA

We have a friend who plays in a band called Trio Experimental, they play jazzy, latin influenced music, with a great singer and sound that suits this town very well.  They play at Das Alpen cafe and have played at some of the galleries and other restaurants around town.

Rincon's most famous band is probably the Disfunction, they play a kind of updated version of 80's post punk pop.  Lots of energy and a big following here in Rincon, they play the east coast of the US and play at Brisas Bar or Pool Bar when here in Rincon.

I've seen some great live music at the Cocktail Club, located near the Edwards Co-op.  They have local bands on Friday and Saturday nights.  Tamboo Tavern, The Black Eagle, Pool Bar, the Uncharted Studio, Kasa Vieja and Casa Verde all have live music occasionally.  The best way to find out where the live music is Rincon.org Upcoming Events Page or El Coqui of Rincon's Events Calendar or Facebook and like the Tourism Association of Rincon.