Every week ViVa ViVa presents over thirty different local and international artists with performances every night of the week. The programme is packed with live music from funk and Latin styles to jazz and blues. It also boasts three fantastic showcase nights, providing unique access to a largely un-noticed pool of talent in London and beyond.
Timeout recently hailed the venue as "fast becoming the Mecca of acoustic music." If you prefer more established artists, you can't go far wrong with ViVa ViVa which has also managed to attract performers like Irish singer songwriter Christine Tobin and Eurythmics pianist Sarah Cox. Faithless's Maxi Jazz even managed to drop in for an off the cuff performance that wowed a stunned audience and proved beyond doubt that interesting things are happening at ViVa ViVa.
So much so in fact that you will often find a few famous faces amongst ViVa's regulars. Aside from music, ViVa ViVa serves up a delicious range of tapas dishes throughout the day; serving breakfast, lunch and dinner menus."
MyVillage.com 2007
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The pink façade, twinkly fairy lights and exuberant name might make you think this place would be more suited to the glam of Old Compton Street than the less flamboyant surrounds of Hornsey High Street. But it’s here, adding some much-needed colour to the area with its live world music, fresh cakes and friendly vibe. Sip on a classic cocktail or a glass of wine, or sample a Vivamilkshake (£3.50) – for an extra £1, you get a shot of vodka in it. Tuesdays allow aspiring musicians to take to the stage, just inches from the tables, perhaps to emulate one of the divas whose portraits adorn the wall – Madonna, Liza Minnelli and a lipsticked Elvis. With jazz on Sundays and regular flamenco guitar performances, there’s rarely a dull moment here. |
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Time Out Bars, Pubs & Clubs Guide 2008
The Gig: George Peguero Unplugged
The Place: Viva Viva Bar/Restaurant, 18 High Street, Hornsey, London N8 7PB
The Date: Saturday 25th January 2008
For More & To book: www.viva-viva.co.uk email: info@viva-viva.co.uk tel: 020 8 341 0999
Review by: London Salsa Scene staff writer, photograph by Miguel del Foto.
Opening with Chan Chan, George Perguero caught the audience from the start with a moving homage to composer Compay Segundo and the golden voices of the Buena Vista Social Club’s Eliades Ochoa and Ibrahim Ferrer on Saturday night.
The setting - Viva Viva, Hornsey’s unique world music bar/restaurant - provides the right ingredients - an intimate setting and a warm, receptive audience. Cuban George Peguero and his crew - including Alex Wilson’s Emeris Solis on congas - responded in kind, delivering urgent Cuban grooves laced with the melancholy of the Cuban soul in exile.
George Perguero’s reworking of the Doors’ Light my Fire - gave this an unexpected fresh, tropical twist while it was good to hear Rain - a track from his album Bohemio, played live.
The brainchild of classical musician turned restauranteur,Evie, Viva Viva is probably the only place of its kind in the capital. With FREE live world music every night of the week - there’s a door charge only for expensive, top name acts - this is a place to relax with friends, eat out cafe style and enjoy live music without paying an arm and a leg for it.
My companion started with humous & pitta bread, moving onto pasta with vegetables - “simple and delicious, very tasty,” he said. My starter was chorizio with chickpeas - served peasant-style with huge hunks of meat, followed by a main course of parma ham salad - tasty and not mucked about with. We didn’t try ‘em but the cocktails looked good.
The bill - including the night’s entertainment - and coffees - under £40.00.
Report filed midday, Monday 28th January 08
Lee Knights MSc BSc
Editor
London Salsa Scene
23 Padua Road
London SE20 8HF
www.londonsalsascene.co.uk
editor@londonsalsascene.co.uk
Your Independent Guide to the Latin Lifestyle
Tel: 020 8778 2215
