tiuwiti's blog: "History of Nirvana Rock-Cafe"

History: picture of 99.99. store "yellow" in the middle After one succesful concert after another a usual crowd gathered at Nirvana Rock-Cafe. Many thank us for having a place to go "finally" in the area. The fundamentalist born-again christians started a campaign to attack the Nirvana in order to close it down. People came to us telling us that churches were in permanent sessions of prayer to close down such satanic place. They couldn't understand why we had candles on the tables they said it was "satanic" and we used them for "satanic rituals", The candles of course were there just for decoration,so they often called the police to go to NIRVANA because they said it was filled with satanics wearing black clothes and listening to satanic music.(the music was just plain Rock and roll) one of such "churches" was "Kairos de Esperanza" Where the "pastor" had his congregation listen to lies such as "we know that they have satanic ritual in the place" which of course was untrue. picture of the intolerant church which used Jesus name to lie and do harm, onto others These fundamentalist "christian" churches were in a permanent prayer ordeal and started to collect signatures from more than 50 blocks away to close Nirvana Rock-Cafe. The days after the first concert followed a lot of enthusiasm on behalf of bands and rock fans. everyone showed up to help make the place operational. some donated paint, others wood for an improvised bar, others posters and so on.

History of Nirvana Rock-Cafe. The first years So the second Nirvana started After that saturday concert, more and more people showed up. We had a good begining. bands from other areas even from across the city showed up on weekdays to program themselves for weekends. There was a usual crowd and even if some of them didn't have that much money they shared and defended it as theirs. There were many anecdotes like the continuous hustling from the police even before it opened oficially, to the Rios Montt event in the midst of all political unrest still in the guatemala of the new century, The lack of culture from born again christians, a heavily influenced and bias police coming on to us because we were different and many others I might share with you. Here is a picture from the second Nirvana improvised in a former 99.99 store. The back of the place was either "the stage" or "the couch" depending on the occasion.

It was saturday. Groups of people began to show up. free souls looking for space. a space usually denied by society. The empty 99.99 store and an improvised bar made with cases of cocacola wit a woodboard on top and a large black plastic on top. beer was served for the first time at Nirvana. The bands hooked up their guitars, mikes and amplifiers. the place got crowds of people all the way to the sidewalk. all other businesses in the block were surprised, amazed and many envious that there were so many customes on a first day of operations. many didn't know we were just moving from a tiny house just 5 blocks away. It worked out perfectly and the concert was a great success. once it was over, the plastic Coca Cola tables were placed where the large had been "moshing" and our first business afternoon- night began. The name NIRVANA was painted on the outside wall with black paint and the 99.99 signes covered.

The concert for saturday was scheduled. Some radio stations had gotten calls from listeners on the air commenting the concert on saturday at Nirvana Rock-Cafe. Flyers had been handed out it was friday......... At the livingroom of the small house an event was taking place. "The landlady just called paola and said the concert cannot happen" said someone. Two teenage kids show up at the cocacola stand.and are joined by the owners A and B C and D "What's going on?" they asked B: "Well even if we have all the legal permissions this fanatic Mormon is willing to go all the way to stop it and kick us out, she's even organizing the neighbors against us." A: "Lets cancel. We can't do it anymore without greater consequences" B: "but we don't even sell beer or liquor here, what's the problem?" A: "they say Rock is satanic and people with black tee shirts are a bad influence" B: " I have an idea. why don't we use the 99.99 store we rented two weeks ago and hold the concert there?" A: "but that place is not even painted. It doesn't have anything. It's not ready, how can we?" C and D: "We can help guide everyone as the come from both ends of the street and take them to the 99.99 store" A: " Ok let's carry everything ther, the Coca Cola fridge everything, who need furniture anyway for a live concert" and the story began as more rockers and people showed up and helped carry everything to improvise for Saturday's concert

The first Nirvana the continuous attack from Religions. The first Nirvana gave an opportunity for young people to express themselves through music, but this Nirvana was to experience the first of many attempts to close it down. The small house with its frontyard operating as a place to have concerts soon found an open confrontation with its landlady. The house had been rented from a Mormon lady. This woman was outraged that there were people listening to Rock music in it. furthermore she sent a written complaint to stop all concerts immediately or else. She threaten to cancel the contract, to sue or even call the police if all these activities continued. Before all those threats took place Nirvana Rock-Cafe had already a permit from municipal authorities and even a written letter oredering police authorities to help Nirvana Rock-Cafe if required to keep order. This woman who was the owner of the house was determined to kick us out because we were different. We were not the good Christian Mormons and we listened to Rock wich to her was "Satanic". A month before this event we had found a 99.99 store that had closed and our idea was to decorate it and remodel it to open the bar in a more commercial area. when inviction was a reality this old 99.99 store was the place to open the second Nirvana Not everyone portray "jesus" as the fundamentalist "christian" churches do! LOL

This was the first flyer posted on light poles and given out to Rock bands, customers and fans.

History of Nirvana Rock-Cafe. The Early Years 1st page History: April 2005 The front yard of a small house in Villa Hermosa's sector 3 is turned into a Coca Cola stand with computer spakers plugged into the "caseta" (name given to a tin metal concession stand which Coca Cola supplies to people who wish to sell their products). This stand is usually supplied under a users contract together with a Coca Cola display fridge. The need for a place to go and listen to music other than the local run down "cantinas" (small eerie looking bars) was satisfied. fliers were spread around the area with a name for it. Nirvana Rock-Cafe such place to hang out quicky attracted people and customers who everyday showed up to request songs, contribute with music, purchased Coca Colas and snacks and mingle with others who shared their same interests and musical taste. Soon spanish guitars appeared on the scene brought by enthusiastic customers looking for a place to share and enjoy their music and dreams. An area of the front yard became first their place to rehearse and then to play. Bands soon appeared and concerts began to be organized. Local garage bands began playing every saturday and more people even from farther areas found it a great place to play at. So Nirvana was born.