Relief Effort for NYC/DC/PA Victims and Families 

    As the students filled George Washington University's classic 'hangout', Froggy Bottom Pub, their ears followed the beautiful sounds of Spanish guitars, salsa, blues, gypsy and Latin jazz, played by Patrick Alban and Noche Latina. 

    The Latin-American band has a diverse background of talented individuals from all parts of the world, including Ecuador, Peru, Cuba, and of course the USA. Their music is heavily inspired from well-known artists, including Jose Feliciano, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Gypsy Kings and The Buena Vista Social Club, to name a few. 

    Just this past year, as well as the year before, Patrick Alban and Noche Latina were nominated for a “wammie”, an award given by WAMA (Washington Area Music Association) in the categories of Best Latin Band and Best Latin Vocalist. They also did a live performance at the WAMA awards ceremony in 2000. 

    Their set list from the night of the Benefit for the 9-11 Attacks included Pride and Joy, Light My Fire, Bamboleo, El Cuarto de Tula, and La Bamba. 

    On Saturday October 20th, from 10:00-1:30am, a relief effort for the NYC/DC/PA victims was put together by second year Masters student Jasmine Arfaa and the Health Service Management and Policy Student Association of The George Washington University. Each person was asked to donate a minimum of $3 for the victims. The owner of Froggy Bottom, Hien Bui, not only graciously hosted the event, but also gave to the fund the tips made at the bar. 

    The benefit started with music from a Washington, D.C. local guitarist named Israel. He sang five songs, all which were originals. He was gracious enough to play before Patrick Alban and Noche Latina; his talents were much appreciated by the audience. 

    Red, white and blue decorations and USA flags decorated everything from the bar stools to the pool table, as well as the ‘stage’, which was put together in the dining portion of Froggy Bottom. 

    Undergraduates, medical students and health services students were just a few of the many people that supported the memorable event. By the end of the night, almost everyone had danced to a few of the songs, and donated more money for the raffle prizes, which included tee-shirts, hats, visors, stickers, key chains, and lights. The biggest donation given was a $50 offer from a New Yorker to play a song with the band on the congas. 

    The fund-raiser was a success! With the help of Lin Tobin and Heather Davis as the Benefit’s ‘bouncers’, all contributions were presented to The American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. 

§         The George Washington University: Relief Effort Benefit for the victims of the September 11th attacks (October 2001) Froggy Bottom Pub, Washington, D.C.

§         Radio show benefit, WPFW 89.3 (October 2001) Cada Vez, Washington, D.C.

§         Christmas for Children at Madams Organ (December 1999-2001) Madams Organ, Washington, D.C.  

Missed the performance because  you could not make it to the Kennedy Center? If you can make it to your computer, you can watch him live on the

    Millennium Stage Archived Performances

The Festivals Patrick Alban and Noche Latina have  preformed:  

§         The Baltimore Latino Festival (2002) Baltimore, MD

§         Fells Point Festival (Summer 2001) Fells Point, MD

§         Fairfax Virginia Festival (June 2000-2001) Fairfax, VA

§         Adams Morgan Festival (September 2000-2001) Washington, D.C.

§         Towson Arts Festival (September 2001) Towson, MD

§         City Lights/Inner Harbour Concert Series (July 2001) Baltimore, MD

§         Fredericksburg Festival (June 2000) Fredericksburg, VA

§         St. Paul’s Street Block Party (September 2001) Baltimore, MD