For Cinco de Mayo, Terry and I went to the courtyard outside Cantina Laredo. A stage was set up for “Up Beat“. The performer out front played saxophone, flute and some sort of clarinet. Oddly he seldom face the audience, preferring to face the piano player. Terry said that he must be shy. I waited the longest time before I could work him into the sketch, I never knew what he would be playing. I finally gave up and just had him singing into the microphone. When he played sax, he would get off the stage and saunter up to the tables. The orange tent across the way served tacos and there was a tent for margaritas.
The guitar player looked like Jimmy Buffet and he sang “Margarita ville.” The piano player noticed me sketching and he said, “Be sure you get my good side.” He then turned around and shook his rump. I’m not sure if he meant I should ketch that. The drummer’s girlfriend was seated behind Terry and I. She would shoot photos each time the band started a new set. The drummer, Antone Affronti, owns a frame and mat shop called Custom Framing. I got his card since I haven’t used a framing shop for a while. If I ever put on a gallery show, I’ll need lots of frames made. The frames I have made myself are getting quite beat up. He had quite a collection of drum sticks and I wondered if he would break a few, but he never did.
Some women danced to the music and I’m sure as if got later that the place would be hopping. It was a sunny yet cool day, perfect to relax and sketch in the shade. After the performance, we went to see Iron Man 3.
