Blues and Arts Fiesta Raises over $65,000
The community of San Felipe and Sonshine Hacienda Children’s Home Benifitby
Robin WatersOn a sun-washed day, the last Saturday in March, on the shores of the Sea of Cortez, lay a small Mexican fishing village, San Felipe, Baja, Mexico. But that day was extraordinary; because the
Lions Club of San Felipe and
Mexico Living put on the largest event the community had ever seen, the 3rd Annual Blues and Arts Fiesta.
The stage was a behemoth of technology, soaring into the azure skies with a breathtaking mountain backdrop that looks like a picture postcard. About 2,000 people came from all over Mexico and the U.S. to hear great bands and cool music. As you entered
San Felipe’s Baseball Field, a wonderful aroma from food vendors was wafting around the incoming crowd of spectators. Tortillas, enchiladas, empanadas, hamburgers, pizza, Bar-B-Que, fish tacos and fresh shrimp made your mouth water. Artisan booths went on and on around the perimeter with a dazzling array of paintings, sculpture, pottery, metal crafts and jewelry, including handcrafts from the indigenous Pai-Pai and Huichol Indians of Mexico.
The bands were introduced by MC
Denny “Moondog” Flannigan and Co-Promoter
John Pack. The bands included many award-winning groups starting with Chet and the Committee, San Diego Music Awards Best Blues Band nominee, 2007 and 2008. Second in line was
Vatos Locos, 2008 Mexico Living Readers Poll winner for San Felipe Best Entertainment.
Mofo Party Band kept the party going with Chicago Blues and West Coast Jump. Then the
Backwater Blues Band came on strong and never stopped.
Next was
Lisa Cee—and what a performance! Then as the sun was fading,
Agave Blues took stage and performed one of their best ever—incredible!
Shelle entertained the audience with her upbeat and sultry rhythm and blues sounds, and the audience ate it up! Back for the third year,
Michele Lundeen & Blue Streak, once again, “laid it down” with their hot rockin’ roadhouse blues, classic R&B and funky soul. As the show was winding down to a close,
Johnny Mastro & Mama’s Boys sent the die-hards home with their raw soul and groove that doesn’t quit.
The Grand Marshal for this year was none other than
Sal Fish, CEO of SCORE International. For over 40 years the Score Baja 1000, 500 and 250 off-road races have attracted professional racers, movie stars and celebrities that are legendary in the Baja, and
Sal Fish is the legend maker. It was a natural fit of sand, sea, music, food, arts and a caring community.
The reason for all this community effort is to help fund the health and medical projects of the
San Felipe B.C. Lions Club, which includes a special Lions project,
Sonshine Hacienda, a home for abused or abandoned children. Currently children, whose parents are in crisis, are bussed 125 miles away to Mexicali, where there is little room for them, and a frightening experience to be so far from their homes. The new two-story facility will house 50 children and will hopefully be completed by year end.
None of it would have been possible without the 150 volunteers from the
Lions Club, Mexico Living and the San Felipe community.
If you missed it, don’t let it happen again!
Find the
Blues and Arts Fiesta 2010 information at
www.BluesandArts.com.
San Felipe BC Lions Club can be reached at
SanFelipeBCLlionsClub@gmail.com.
For more information on
Sonshine Hacienda, call (686) 577-0795 or email
missionaries2@yahoo.com.
See the Fun for yourself -
Click Here!
Andrena Joyce - Acrylic PainterAndrena Joyce, a popular local artist, lives full time in San Felipe. She took up painting and now finds rarely a day goes by without picking up a brush. She says her style varies but definitely enjoys whimsy in her art. Joyce considers painting her form of therapy and supports organizations with profits. SFAR's (San Felipe Animal Rescue) ZAPP program (spay and neutering San Felipes street dogs) and Women to Women International are current recipients. "Having a purpose to paint makes it just more meaningful to me", says Joyce.Email: andrenajoyce@yahoo.com
Arturo Gomez – Paintings, Tiles, Custom MuralsArturo Gomez has been producing art in San Felipe for many years. His art reflects the flavor of Baja in a variety of mediums but his true love is painting. Paintings of downtown San Felipe and the Sea of Cortez allow our Baja visitors to take a piece of their travel experience home with them. On most Saturdays, Arturo and his work can be found at the Cachinilla Swap Meet. His work can be found in many of the shops downtown and he paints custom designed murals in homes.
