Gloria Roubal, a performing musician and recording artist in Champaign-Urbana, is performing at the Rose Bowl Tavern for the first time on Jan. 19 from 7:30 to 9 p.m. With this performance, the Rose Bowl Tavern hopes its patrons have a good time, as with any of their events. 

“As per our usual at the Rose Bowl, (we have) great music and a great time,” Carrie Chandler, who works on the Rose Bowl Tavern’s booking team, said.

Roubal has been in the C-U area for years now, performing in bands, duos, small acoustic groups and worked as a solo performer as well. She added that she is super excited for her debut at the Rose Bowl Tavern.

Throughout years of experience, Roubal said that she has a handful of places in which she enjoys performing. 

“Over the years, I’ve really enjoyed playing at showcase type venues such as Cowboy Monkey, The High Dive and The Canopy Club, but with solo shows I also really like performing at smaller, more intimate venues such as The Ice House, Clark Bar, Huber’s and even back when there was a Borders BookStore that had live music,” Roubal said. 

Roubal started performing in bands at the young age of 19.

“Cover bands, my own original band (G. Lee & Jet Blonde — two CDs with this band), acoustic groups and duos (with Paul Sabuco for five years until his untimely death 6 years ago — our CD is called ‘Lime Drop’) and most recently, The Double Dots and solo shows,” Roubal added. “These days I’m only playing solo shows, at least for now.”

Roubal said that a goal she has for the upcoming year is to write and record many songs, play more local shows and to continue to work on her guitar playing. 

In terms of her favorite part of performing, Roubal discussed the connection that is created between her and the listener regardless of the audience size.

“Connecting with and sharing what I love with listeners. Even if there are only a few people in the audience, if they are really listening and we make a connection, that’s extremely satisfying and gives me and hopefully them a lot of joy,” Roubal said. “I also love amplified sound-hearing (and hearing) my songs ‘bigger’ and more ‘produced’ as opposed to my rehearsals at home with just my guitar and voice.”

Roubal is looking forward to many various things as her performance approaches, including a local show performance, interacting with her fans and performing for the very first time at the Rose Bowl. 

“It will be the first local show I’ve played in a while, so I’m really happy for my friends, family and other people in Urbana-Champaign who enjoy my music to be able to come,” Roubal said. “Also, I’m super excited to be at The Rose Bowl and work with Kenna Mae Reiss, a sound engineer who I’ve known since she first started performing in her mid teens. The word out there from other muscisins is that The Rose Bowl really has it together regarding excellent sound and everything else.”

As holiday breaks come to an end, events and performances resurface to welcome back the community. In regards to what it is like to plan an event after break, the Rose Bowl Tavern states it is exciting and interesting to see unfold.

“It’s exciting to see the resurgence of live music. Bands are anxious to play out again and folks seem eager to be able to enjoy it again,” Chandler said. 

At the Rose Bowl Tavern, they are just as excited for what is to come this new year. 

“Bigger and better things are happening for the Rose Bowl all the time and I’m grateful to be a part of it,” Chandler said.

Roubal agreed, saying the Rose Bowl is just the perfect place for music.

“I think the Rose Bowl may just be the perfect venue,” Roubal says. 

Roubal and her music can be found Facebook page: facebook.com/gloriaroubalmusic, and can be heard on Reverbnation, Soundcloud and Youtube

[email protected]