Encuentro de Arpas, Salterios y Mas

I apologize for not posting sooner. I don't seem to be able to post pictures, and I can't figure out why. I wanted to tell you a story or two about our trip to the volcano...

Thursday we went to a free outdoor concert at the former train station, now an arts venue and museum that ran from 2-10 pm. We arrived at 3:30. There were probably 100+ people there under the canopy. Beverages were available, including Margaritas and tequila, of course. Many in attendance brought their own tequila as the people in front of us did. The Mexican music featured Mexican harp artists and other string instruments, like the salterio. That's an instrument that is played on one's lap. It is trapezoid in shape, electrified and plucked with metal finger pics. It's a unique sound. One of the famous artists was William Faulkner (I'm not kidding!). He's  a California harp artist who is well regarded and the "official harpist" of the city of Tequila, Jalisco. There is actually such a place! A quartet named Jose Arnulfo y Luna Sureste (southeast moon), three guitars and percussionist were outstanding and played Mexican music and contemporary music. They did a rather excellent job with Otmar Liebert's Noches de Barcelona. That takes me way back to a wonderful and memorable camping trip to the redwoods with Clairlyn ;)

With a little over an hour left in the concert, the sprinklers came on and wet us and some others. They were quickly turned off, but not before the water killed the sound system. The MC regrouped, had those of us who remained rearranged our chairs in a circle under the large canopy with a center area open for the musicians. There was a jam session of remaining artists and three female singers who joined from the audience. It was very good. Last came Julio, a solo harpist. He's middle aged, short and wore one of those hats with a small brim. He was FANTASTIC! He'd play several Mexican standards, then seque into Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkle, the Beattles, Dean Martin and then back to Mexican standards. Julio was absolutely incredible. I'm trying to find out his full name so that i can buy his music and see him perform locally if possible. There was no program listing the MC or the artists...this IS afterall...Mexico.

Buenas Noches Mi Famila y Mis Amigos