the last night at La Bella’s

IMG_0428_edit, originally uploaded by monkeyking.

Isabella created and ran La Bella for the last two years, but she’s decided that it’s time to move on to greener pastures or rougher terrain, but wherever she goes and whatever she does, i know that she won’t be laden with shitty metaphors. This is Vlad playing guitar, there are two other musicians but i don’t know their names. I really enjoy listening to gypsy jazz and La Bella was one of the few places in town where you could hear this special kind of music. Gypsy jazz requires some real guitar chops, so it’s a joy to watch, especially as the rhythm guitarist switches chords–poetry in motion. The music is also nice because it’s moving while at the same time being chill. I don’t know what means other than it puts me in the right mood. I don’t feel the huge beats of hip-hop hounding me into doing what all the hormones, adrenaline, and alcohol in my blood want me to do. Gypsy jazz is a kind of music that you can drift in and out with, it can waltz you into a perfect reverie and then jolt you right out of it, bring you back to the moment. There’s something chameleonic about this music. What I liked about La Bella was its coziness and atmosphere, of which music was an integral part. I think it comes closer than most places in Shanghai to my ideal of a “European” cafe where you go, and you can find a seat, sip some wine by yourself, have a coffee, talk to some strangers or talk to some friends, and listen to some music. Discussions could be intense, and new friendships could be struck up, or you could pass the whole night in relative silence, just listening to music, letting your thoughts lead you where they may.

I don’t know what La Bella’s space will become afterwards—surely it will still be some kind of French Concession-esque bar/cafe where young urban hipsters and professionals hang out. Whether or not that sense of community will transfer or can be quickly rebuilt is another matter entirely.