- Curator
- Date: May 11, 2025
- Stage: Heritage
In the bustling streets of Buenos Aires in 2014, two friends, Fede Petro and Martin Grossman, saw a void in the city’s vibrant music scene. Despite the rich tapestry of musical genres flourishing in Argentina’s capital, there was a conspicuous absence of venues dedicated to folk music. Traditional folk melodies and heartfelt storytelling seemed relegated to the sidelines, overshadowed by louder, more commercial sounds.
Undeterred by the status quo, Fede and Martin embarked on a mission to carve out a space for folk music, a haven where artists and enthusiasts could gather, share stories, and celebrate the timeless beauty of acoustic melodies. Thus, Open Folk was born – a weekly event with a dual purpose: to welcome folk artists onto its stage and to embrace a community of open-minded individuals eager to explore the depths of musical expression.
In 2022, Co-Founder of Open Folk, Fede Petro brought Open Folk to the heart of Los Angeles. Hotel Cafe has been an iconic emblem of the music scene in Los Angeles having performers from John Mayer and Jason Mraz to Phoebe Bridgers and The Milk Carton Kids.
After the pandemic, a listening room with new audiences and performers seemed to be missing. Since then more than 500 artists have performed at Open Folk and more than 3000 audience members have witnessed a revival of the folk music scene in Los Angeles. Since then Open Folk has also produced sold-out shows of artists like Grammy Winning Artist & Producer Gaby Moreno at the Troubadour, Via Mardot, Gal Musette, Agustin Donati, My Double My Brother & more. Every Tuesday, at 9pm swing by The Hotel Cafe for a brand new Open Folk night.
