The notorious B.I.G. Willie

The notorious B.I.G. Willie

The Cabaret Fiesta is a shed over beyond the Orange Court that has been modified into a temporary Cuban beach-style supper club, complete with a sand floor. Acts go on every afternoon at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm. The final set is always by Willie Martinez and Mambo Loco, a six-piece mambo band led by “Big Willie” Martinez. If you’ve been to Fuji Rock before, the name Big Willie should sound familiar. In recent years he’s been the band leader of Big Willie’s Burlesque, a staple in the late night lineups at the Crystal Palace. This year, however, he’s gone a step up the ladder and got his own place, which runs a matinee schedule of flamenco, salsa, mambo and related genres. Expect mojitos, Havana rum, and players in ruffled shirts – a very Desi Arnez kind of scene. It’s a little Latin juke joint from heaven, and it’s a hell of a lot of fun.