Whew, what a week in San Pancho! February and early March are always busy in our little pueblito and the activities of past three weeks and upcoming weekend are why.
Last weekend we were treated to the San Pancho Music Festival, which, for you music lovers, is one to put on the calendar if you haven't already. It just keeps getting better.
Imagine, if you will, sitting in the newly refurbished town plaza sipping an icy cold beer from a vendor or a glass of wine from the bottle you brought along. You are probably in your own chair, as the ones supplied are quickly occupied by other listeners. Overhead shine the stars and the nearly-full moon, this year glimpsed between scuttering clouds driven by a cool breeze. You have something warmer to wear for later, as it will be long and festive night.
With two stages this year, there's no lag time: musicians play one after another from early evening on. And what musicians! I'll just hit a few highlights.
Our dazzling local group Dos Bertos y Las Musas--Humberto, Roberto, Nina, and Lau on fiddle--knocked everyone's socks off on Friday night. They play music that spans decades and continents. They sing in Spanish, English, and French. They are full of spirit and obviously having a great time performing and collaborating. And could they possibly be cuter?
I couldn't get enough of their music. So much so that I went to Darjeeling, one of our great local hangouts, to hear them play some more after the festival. I danced to their gypsy music until midnight when they finally tired from their long day. I guess I did too although I'm not sure. (Thanks, HRN&L. I love having you as part of this community.)
Werther came back Saturday night. The town was all aflutter, especially some of the women whom I will not name. This was his third year at the San Pancho Music Fest, yet there were some in the crowd who hadn't heard him play. They will next time.
Werther Ellerbrock is a guitar virtuoso. He can, and does, play every style of music imaginable, segueing from one style to the next without a break, teasing and delighting his listeners. Werther turns the guitar into a whole new instrument. He's a performer who makes you laugh out loud with joy.
Sunday we were treated to Luna Rumba, playing at the festival for the first time. I can't imagine how so many people managed to sit down during this set. Those of us who couldn't, danced: I just can't resist a fiddle.
This is a band I'll go see wherever they are. The photo below is from their Facebook page as I sort of forgot to take pictures once the music actually started. Thanks to whoever took it.
The music festival blowout weekend was a great release for a whole bunch of people who have been working daily in preparation for this coming weekend, which is the entreamigos big fundraising bash. Spanning three days this year (the first evening being a reception for all the contributing artists, adult and child), this will be a gorgeous event.
Gracias a la Vida opens to the public Friday evening with an open house and silent auction followed by a children's parade down main street. Galleries in town will be open for an Art Walk featuring some of the pieces to be auctioned Saturday at the gala. Artists all over the region have been working on decorative objects for the home: tables, chairs, mirrors and wall decor, high chairs, lamps...and a collection of wooden boxes, each unique.
I told you a bit about it in my post Thoughts While Spattered with Paint. I will have photos and more next week, including photos of the four pieces I contributed with the help of my little partners. (Can't let you see them yet--preview night is Friday!) Just let me say that the kids and I had a ball creating them, as did the other artists and children in town, judging from the beauty and exuberance of the work I've seen so far.
I took my pieces into entreamigos this morning in two trips. Afterward, I took myself out to eat eggs Benedict at La Taza de Café. Then I took a nap.
It's been a busy few weeks with more to come, and that siesta felt real good. Hope you'll join me here next week to see it all come together. Saludos!
You certainly have been busy! Lots of work and lots of fun too!
I'm really looking forward to next week's post!
Posted by: Jeanne | March 01, 2013 at 06:15 PM