The Oxo Cubans will pack up their gear for the final time at Isis Bar on Friday after performing there for the best part of a decade.
''It's the end of an era,'' drummer Marcel Rodeka said yesterday.
''We've been playing at the Isis Bar for nine years now and we were at the Albert Arms for 10 years before that. We had a three-week break and then started here.''
The band has used the venue to help develop the performance skills of many up-and-coming Otago singers and musicians.
''We've had some real diamonds through here over the years, but any gig goes in cycles,'' guitarist Craig Reeves said.
''People like Kylie Price, Annah Mac and her sisters, Kristin and Rita Macdonald have all sung with us. Most of the musos in town have sat in at one time or another. There's a good chance every former Oxo who can walk will stagger through the door at some stage on Friday night.''
The band was considering other venues and would ''definitely be carrying on'', Mr Rodeka said.
''We're open to offers.''
Isis Bar has been sold to Etrusco at the Savoy owners Fred and Meegan Gianone.
''It's going to be an extension of Etrusco; somewhere comfortable people can come and relax before their meal,'' Mrs Gianone said yesterday.
''We're hoping to have it done before the end of the year.''
The Oxo Cubans perform their final gigs at Isis Bar at 8pm tomorrow and 8.30pm on Friday.
