Barbara "Barbi" Cabrera

Faithful fan since the 80's. I had the pleasure of meeting Gloria several times. My first live meeting was after a concert at the Valley Forge Music Fair in Valley Forge, PA in 1988. It was a Theater in the round and Gloria and MSM were dizzy from spinning all night. I waited until 1:00 am and snuck into the concert hall w/. a stolen press pass -- little did I know it had a picture of a black man. So I didn't pass of for him at all.

My next meeting didn't happen until Conga Bash '01 and '03.

In March 2001 I was just 10 days of having had a hysterectomy and there was NO WAY I was going to miss meeting my friend. I had the surprise of my life when we got to meet Gloria and Emilio at Crescent Moon Studio. As so began my memorable way of having Gloria remember me....

March 2003 - YIPE! Met my idol once again thanks in part to our conga bash coordinators Las Chicas!!!!!No Surgery this time! Had a blast with Sheri and my friends. Bongo's was the scene of the Glo sighting this time!

October 18, 2003 – VEGAS baby!!!! I took a red I out from Lauderdale to Las Vegas to catch her in concert @ Caesar’s Palace. While we didn’t have a private meet and greet we had a wonderful time – Mayu, Gina, Noelia, Torpedox, Bob Meade (now famous for this 1on1 time with Gloria. WOW what a weekend

May 12, 2004 @ the Cristina Show 15th anniversary after party. Once again I was 10 Days post op and had the opportunity to see Gloria and Emilio again! Wouldn't you know it - she remembered the last time we met I had recently been operated! WOW was a memory! I gave her a Rose and thanked her for being my inspiration!

Aug-Sept 2004 – Unwrapped tour – OMG I think I’m officially a stalker – I followed Gloria on her retirement tour circuit to Atlanta, NYC, Atlantic City, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Miami (finally realizing a dream of seeing her perform in her hometown)

November 18 2004 - City of Hope Gala - Miami Ritz Carlton - Had the pleasure of attending an awards dinner in honor of Emilio and Gloria. Also had a chance to Chat with Gloria and thank her for all the positive things that she does for the Latino community and how she's raise the pride level in being CUBANA!!!!!

November 19, 2005 - Met up with Gloria at the Miami Dade Book Fair. I was first in line to have my book signed. What a trouper Miss G is! I think there were 500++ people in that line! She signed copies of Noelle's books for my babies, Mia and Aurie and one for me too

December 10, 2005 - ONCE AGAIN! 10 days post op from my gastric bypass, I was invited to a dinner party for Danny Reyes - the resident Conga Photographer. His wife, Irma called and invited me and a few other conga member who were gather for the Books and Books, book signing. We met up with Gloria, Emilio, Danny and Irma, Lilly Estefan and several members of EEI at Lario's private dining room and had a delightful time. Gloria was so sweet - once again remembering yet another surgery.....and the mother in her came out as she asked me to make sure took care of myself and ate and drank.

December 11, 2005 - Books and Books, Coral Gables, After a night of laughter and reaffirmation of our friendships with members of the Conga group, I met up with Gloria, and she signed my copy of Noelle's book.

November 14, 2006 - FIU Miami, FL I got to surprise Gloria. I drove over to Miami to attend the FIU lecture and surprised Gloria as she was walking into the building. The look on her face was priceless....This was our first meeting almost 1 yr after having had my gastric bypass surgery and I had lost 200 lbs. She hugged me and wished me well. I also met Gloria, Sr. who went around introducing me to her friends and sharing how successful I had been with my weight loss. I enjoyed the lecture and meeting up with some of my Conga friends.

August 24/25th, 2007 – KEY WEST – Gloria was taping an episode of Despierta America in Key West so of course the MAMBO TAXI headed south to catch my favorite Diva live. I picked up Fred Boggs from the Ft La-de-da airport and my co-pilot and I started our adventure south – first stopping off @ La Carretta by the dolphin mall to get some Cuban nitro fuel. While there we get a phone call from Cynthia and next thing Fred and I know we’re talking to Gloria who was concerned for us driving down to the keys so late @ night. (10:00 pm) Fred and I arrived in KW @ 2:30 am first stopping off to pick up a birthday balloon and card and I found THE HAT from the No LLORES video. Fred and I bunked @ the Budget Key West Inn (get your mind outta the gutters people) and after 3 hours sleep we got up and met Cynthia and Torpedo @ the Westin.

9:00 am Gloria came out to begin taping the show and Torpedo shouts @ her – look @ Barbi. She was Shocked and I have captured one of the most precious picture of her in my life. While holding her Mike she shoots up her pinking and has PURE shock on her face. I have lost 210 lbs and it’s a little noticeable. We had a blast @ the taping and got our 1st dose of No llores and Esperando LIVE! Emilio and Emily were there as well and both commented on my dramatic weight loss. Frank and David were divine.

Sept 1, 2007 – Miami Florida – Ice Palace Studios. Gloria’s 50th birthday party. I had the distinct honor of attending Gloria’s 50th birthday party and it had a 70’s disco theme to it. I’m still shocked and floating on cloud nine as a result of Gloria giving me the gift of sharing in her special day! I will forever treasure dancing the bump with Emilio and Papo Estefan. Trying to teach the electric slide to Becky Fajardo while sandwiched between Lili and Rachel Ray. Getting down with Gloria to the sounds of Divine singing our classic 70’s hits. Emily, Nayib Jose Eber, Cristina and Marco Avila, Cachao, La India, Carla (Despierta America), Candela Fero and Padre Alberto – and little old me (I’m not worthy) I’m still on cloud 9. This was my experience of a lifetime! I had a blast seeing my That conga was indeed in the house!!!! Irma and Danny, Ray, Terry, Cynthia, Tmarie, Torpedo, Virgilio (my date) and Mayu, Noelia, Cece and Julianna. Heaven must be missing an angel, because she’s drunk and sleeping off the night in the corner of the Ice Palace....

I have all of the MSM collection in LP format, cassette 1 eight track and cd.......

It's been really great meeting all the other conga babes out there in cyberland - I've made some incredible friends as a result of CONGA online.

Click here to read the Miami Herald article about Gloria's appearance on Despierta América - Barbi is quoted in the article! (8/26/07)