On Saturday, June 26, Westport Connecticut's Cedar Brook Café celebrated its last night as a widely popular gay bar after a 71-year run. For many members of the gay community, the closing of Cedar Brook, the longest-running gay bar in the state, will be a major loss. According to the NewsTimes, the bar is closing due to a double increase in rent.

Willy Rodriguez, a DJ who has been with “The Brook” for a little over a year, performed for Saturday's festivities. Rodriguez began DJing as a young ‘un at parties for friends and family. From Guatemala to Toronto to Port Chester and finally at “The Brook”, he’s traveled as a DJ for most of his life, but now, with the closing of the club, he can’t bring himself to continue what he’s loved for so long.

Below are adapted excerpts from an interview with Rodriguez.

The Mercurial: Tell us a little about yourself and your personal background.

Willy Rodriguez: I’m 27 years old, born in Guatemala. At age 9, I moved to Montreal, Canada with my family. 4 years later, [I] went back to Guatemala and I got a [bachelor’s degree in Electronics] at age 18 and after that I moved to the U.S. where I have been living for the last 9 years. I’m married and have a 15-month-old daughter. I work as a technical support specialist for Universal Remote Controls.

TM: What has been your affiliation with Cedar Brook? How long have you worked with them?

WR: I have been working as a DJ for a little more than a year now, and also helping with some work needed on the sound system of the club.

TM: Tell me a about yourself as a musician/DJ. Why did you choose DJ-ing as a profession?

WR: I always wanted to be a DJ ever since I was a kid. When I was in [Guatemala] I did a few parties for friends and family but it was hard because I didn’t have my own equipment. After I came to the US, I tried several times to get a job as a DJ and I had a really hard time but finally someone gave me a chance in a club in Port Chester NY, and that’s how I got started.

TM: What's your preferred or favorite style of music as a DJ?

WR: I love Bachata.

TM: What's your preferred or favorite style of music personally?

WR: I don’t have one I pretty much listen to everything.

TM: What are your goals with music? What do you try to achieve as a DJ?

WR: I don’t know. I really like working in the Brook and I don’t think I’m going to find another place like this one, so I’m thinking of not DJ anymore. I’m honestly not sure of what I’m going to do.

TM: Could you share a special memory from your time at Cedar Brook? Something that was either funny or crazy?

WR: A few years ago I had a bad experience with a gay person, and since then I had a very bad impression about gay people. But working in the Brook completely changed that impression; I think I learn a good lesson.

TM: What do you think is the importance of Cedar Brook for CT gay culture?

WR: I think it will be [remembered] as the longest going gay bar in the US. I think that for the gay culture, [The Brook] is more than just a club; It is a monument.

TM: How do you feel about the closing of the cafe`?

WR: It’s really sad, I really like working in The Brook, I really wish there was something we could do about it.

TM: Do you think CT has an adequate replacement to provide what Cedar Brook does?

WR: I don’t think so, there are many other gay bars around but what made the Brook special was that for Clem (the owner) these people were not customers; they are his family.