Tragos Torro Lounge
40 south 19th Street

June 24, 2004 Frais Jive is going on at Tragos Torro Lounge. I arrive with my friend. There is no cover shown on the flier but, the cover is five dollars because, it is a special night. Everyone is at the bar ordering drinks. We arrive just in time to order one drink before the open bar closed. I order a cranberry juice and she orders a gin and tonic. We sit at the bar for a moment and take in the vibe. I look around to see if I know anybody.

More people pour in. My friend and I head over to the benches. The benches are cushioned but firm. The back slopes almost in a "v" shape as do the mirrors on the wall. Over at the DJ booth Edwin is spinning danceable house tracks. The beats steady hop and then they might skip a beat and pop. Nobody is dancing however.

We decide to take a look upstairs. The upstairs seems a lot bigger for some reason. Dennis Perez [Afrorican Vibe] is spinning some afropop stuff. In the middle of the room are circular bench like seats. Rising out of the center of the circle is a metallic structure that acts as a column. It looks very stylish. If I was to throw a party (any kind of party), this is where it would be.

Nothing much is going on--on the second floor so we head back downstairs. We sit down again on the sloped backbenches. I use this time to take in more of the atmosphere. Adjacent to the DJ booth is a small room with pool tables. About twenty minutes pass and a few people gather for a game of pool. I would be playing pool at that moment too, if I were any good at it. What we are waiting for is a band by the name of Jojolo. My friend and I have never heard this band perform so, we really had no idea of what to expect.

I watch as the band members carry equipment up the steps, mingling along the way. The patrons on this night look like they are all mid to late twenties maybe even early thirties. Everybody's is relaxed clothing but very fashionable. I think my cousin would describe them as hipster. I do not know what that means. I just think they look like people who frequently shop on Walnut Street and the Rittenhouse Square area.

Anyway, so Jojolo finally starts to play and we head back upstairs. After listening to them for a while, I have to say, I like them. The style of music they play travels from acid jazz to more African inspired tunes. Some of the rhythms sound fluid while others are more complex. There are many percussive instruments at work but the whole sound is down tempo. A good number of people are dancing. They all try to occupy the same area next to the band. I think the people could spread out more. While the band plays I do the two step although I am afraid I will bump into people like the waiter for instance. So, I dance lazily and cautiously. I decide to sit back down and soon the band ends their set.

Not too long after the band stops playing, Dennis starts to play again. Dennis' sets are chill. People dance to them but just as many cool out and socialize. Afrobeat is not lounge music but it is acceptable to lounge to. Overall it is a good time and should be duplicated in the near future.

Any comments, suggestion or invites, please send to meningito@cooljunkie.com. No attachments please.