I pulled the following article from today's Baja Pony Express. These are the bright, motivated kids that you see every day. The people of Los Barriles should be proud of their participation in helping these kids pay for their schooling. Kudos to the kids, the East Cape Guild and the fine folks of Los Barriles!!
"On Saturday, May 19, 148 local East Cape high school students were awarded scholarships for next school year. Over 300 students, family members and community members came to the Cancha in Los Barriles to watch the proud students receive their certificates and watch the singers and dancers. Thanks to all in the community who make it possible for The East Cape Guild to be able to help support the education of our local kids every year. These kids are the future of our community."
I think we are getting close to the end of our open mic Wednesdays for the season. This week for sure and we'll announce them in the BPE and here after that. This last Wednesday we didn't have a lot of musicians so it was fun for those who were there. We all got to play a bunch more! Pete (sorry Pete,forgot your last name) played mandolin for the first time with us. My favorite sister in law in the whole country, Mary, also came and sang. Here's Mary singing "The High Shelf Booze." It's an old blues tune from way back in the alley. Playing with her are: Big Jim on bass fiddle, Kay on percussion, Rio on guitar and Pete on mandolin. By the way Mary has only been playing guitar and singing for a couple of years. I'm real proud of her. (please forgive the voices in the background and the shaky camera action, I got distracted)
This article appeared in the "Baja Citizen"; the English language newspaper in La Paz. It is very complimentary and we here at the roadrunner appreciate that. Better though, is that the story is very well written and captures the essence of the Wednesday evening music. Great job John. Following is the story.
Parking Lot Jamboree by John Brooks
"It's Wednesday night in Los Barriles. The businesses ringing the Plaza del Pueblo's parking lot close their doors as the day ends. Tables and chairs are being parked instead of cars, flood lights switch on, the sound system and mikes checked: "testing one, two, testing one, two." It's Parking Lot Jamboree Time, graciously hosted by Roadrunner Cafe.
Musicians are tuning and adjusting their instruments in the shadows. About 5:30 regular music fans begin to filter down the steep stairs, or over the cattle guards. Just a trickle in the beginning claiming their reserved tables, eager for tonight's distinctive Roadrunner supper and looking forward to the music. By 6:00, a flood of people has filled any empty spaces. No vacancies or no-shows this Wednesday night. Others showboaters sit on plastic chairs set up on the beds of pick-up trucks. An ever growing bunch, the majority are left standing, leaning on parked cars, as the packed mob continues to grow. At 7:00 the music starts.
Off to the side John adjusts the sliders on his sound board. On older guy holding a shiny guitar, sits amid a mass of music stands, bright lights, and cables, facing the packed audience. Kay, a tall, slim gal, glides up to a microphone and casually introduces Bob Farmer, the impresario of the event, who in turns welcomes the audience and introduces the older guy. "Meet Michael, from Cabo San Lucas, and he wants to play some music he's composed." Kay nodes to Bob and Michael: "No more than two songs, tonight, We've 15 musicians, a solid schedule." The audience hushes up.
Michael looks a little worried but starts playing, it's an unique, complicated, blending of melodies. The crowd loves his tunes. There is a whispered undercurrent of conversation, but John, sound engineer, flautist, guitar playing singer had adjusted the levels perfectly and every original note the Michael the new composer plays is distinct and ringing. The audience loves both his pieces, and he is smiling looking totally at home and relaxed as he finishes his set.
Bob Farmer a proprietor of Roadrunner Cafe, points out it's his the first time Michel has ever played to an audience. "That's the beauty of the Open Mike concept, musicians get to play in front of a live audience, and in exchange, the audience gets the vicarious thrill of being there and hearing some original music. And what a lineup of music it is: Singing a cappella or accompanied by masters of every kind of instrument. From accordion, mouth-organ, electronic-keyboard, double-bass, guitar, mandolin, lutes banjo, fiddle, tambourine, bongo drums, even a pair of shaking maracas.
The musicians are all music loving volunteers, amateurs for the most part play and sing in almost every musical genre. Blues, Jazz, Folk, Gospel, Ballad, Blue-Eyed Soul, in other words almost every form from A cappella to zydeco.
Just about every genre from Turkey in the Straw to an Operatic aria, the latter brought the whole parking lot Jamboree to its feet in a thunderous ovation, it was last week's highlight. This week there is a packed roster of local and visiting musicians who give their all to this live appreciative Parking Lot audience. It's no wonder over a 100 fans assemble every week to be entertained until Baja Midnight. That's 9 o'clock in the states, folks.
If you don't eat or drink, this whole incredible musical shebang is free."
The modern holiday of Mother's Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in America. She then began a campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday in the United States. Although she was successful in 1914, she was already disappointed with its commercialization by the 1920s. Jarvis' holiday was adopted by other countries and it's now celebrated all over the world.
Jarvis never mentioned Mothering Sunday or Julia Ward Howe attempts in the 1870s, and she never mentioned any connection to the Protestant school celebrations, and she always said that the creation was hers alone. The observations in the 1870s and the 1880s never had resonance beyond the local level. This article was taken from Wikipedia.
This Wednesday will be Jon's last open mic until October. The wonderful rain and wind and 50 degree days are calling him back to the gorge... If there is enough interest, we'll continue the open mic to the middle of June. Jon's protege Giles will handle the sound duties for us.
Dinner is pork chops, mashed potatoes and some other stuff but I forgot what all Mayte told me. It'll be good, trust me. Rumor has it that our new young singer from Santiago is returning.
FRIDAY: The Revolving Door consisting of Big Jim, Jon and Bob will play their last gig for the season. We will also have some guest musicians including Ed on harmonica. For dinner will are serving our hamburgers with hand made patties. I wouldn't try and cast doubt on our friends over in Buzzards Cantina but these are real good hamburgers. Several types to choose from. Same as Wednesday night: dinner at 6, music at 7.
Please call 124-8038 for reservations. Remember to tell us which event you will be attending.
