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Sazi's/Mayric's music bar bows out after almost three decades
Sazi's Bar bore witness to the ever shifting changes in the local music landscape in its 29 years in business. "Folk house 'to dati. Tapos, naging duet, naging trio, naging banda. During the 90s, dun na na-conceptualize yung "where all great bands are born" (na tagline), kasi, dun ako nagbigay ng policy na before you can audition here, you have to have 5 originals," recounted bar owner Sazi Cosino.
Arguably the oldest artist bar in the metro, Sazi's Music Bar (formerly known as Mayric’s) recently closed shop 29 years after it was opened to the public back in 1983.
The storied establishment is known for fostering upstart musicians.
News about the closing of Sazi's/Mayric's started to circulate within the music community a month before its last day of operations on May 31, 2012.
"Nakakalungkot talaga," said owner Sazi Cosino, whose extensive history with the bar formerly and more popularly known as Mayric's dates back to 1984 when she started performing at the then Folk club. She eventually managed the bar in 1990 and in 2009 ultimately bought the business rights and renamed the establishment "Sazi's Music Bar" due to what she described as legalities.
The move to cease Sazi's Music Bar operations came on the heels of a recent change of management of the building that houses the venue. "Hindi na ni-renew ‘yung contract namin dito sa place. Kasi, the whole building, pina-lease. Ire-renovate siya ng July. We had to move out," explained Cosino.
Bar operations stayed constant during its last month, with independent music events producers (colloquially and simply referred to within the independent music community as "prods") such as IndieMand Events and Outer Limits Productions going about their business of staging shows at the venue. Defunct prods such as "Sunday Grabe Sunday" also did one show to pay tribute to Sazi's/Mayric's.
It was business as usual for Sazi's/Mayric's bar during its last month of operations.
The bar was especially packed on the last day, with patrons of old and regulars of the present coming together to experience the sights and sounds of the venue one last time. In true Sazi's/Mayric's fashion, the iconic venue hosted a farewell party that featured a diverse lineup of performers that include ska bands, percussion ensembles and folk groups.
When asked what her plans would be immediately after the final curtain call at Sazi's/Mayric's, Cosino revealed that she intends to find a new location where she can set up Sazi's Music Bar. She however implied that it's not going to be the same given the historical significance of the spot along España Boulevard in Manila that she, along with generations of musicians, called home for 29 years.
"Maaaring bagong simula uli. Lahat naman ng katapusan, may (kakabit na) bagong simula eh," she said. –KG, GMA News
