The Big Bang without the Theory…1st Camerata Campbell Sunday afternoon concert of 2019

Today we were off to our first concert of the season.  I bought tickets for six Sunday afternoon concerts a few weeks ago.  Eric is a convert after his first concert last year!  Sharen and George gave us tickets for a choir last year and once Eric went he was hooked.  This is a special memory and gift for us as Sharen has since passed away in a tragic motor vehicle accident that took place last May in Oregon.  A very special lady.

That is Sharen at her St. Patrick’s Day party last March.  George her husband on the left and good friend Manny on the right. 

We were off on the bus at 11am and downtown by 11:30 for the mere price of 11 pesos or 77 cents Canadian.   Here you can see Eric looking at the architecture as we walk down Constitucion towards the Plaza Machado.

A beautiful old building all painted up.

                 

The wood doors on some of the homes are spectacular. 

The plaza still has a lot of Christmas decorations.       

               

                  Today’s program.

We are seated in the first balcony in seats 11 and 12.  Last year the chairs were just padded without arms.  This year they have redone them all and now there are only 2 seats between each post.  Much better but the seats are fixed and don’t swivel…but at least they are comfortable.   Gordon Campbell is welcoming us and starts by telling us that there is no theory with the big bang…then he laughs and says “ Well…a little theory!”

This is a percussion band and Gordon is explaining the various instruments from marimbas to xylophones, drums and more. 

The six performers.  Today is their musical debut and this is a large venue. 

The marimba and xylophone instruments are similar and I am not well versed enough to tell the difference.  Here two young men are playing one or the other!

Each number was different and the sounds that they extracted were just amazing.

It was very obvious to the audience how talented this young man was.  His expertise on the marimba and xylophone was just amazing.

A number by the whole group.  At the end of each piece the audience gave them huge applause and the band leader had to keep reminding them to bow!

Here I am standing out in the open air lobby where it is warm.  There is some problem with the air conditioning in the theatre and everyone was just freezing.  It was the same last year and even though Eric and I remembered to bring a warm jacket or sweater we were still cold.  Not pleasant.

At the start of the second part of the performance Gordon asked each member of the group to come out and be introduced. 

The director and teacher of the group Fernando Correa Rodriguez.  He plays also in the Sinaloa Symphony.   

The director is likely in his forties but his members range in age from 13 to 20!  Two are thirteen, one fifteen and two are around 20 and the young man on the far right is the directors son.  So much talent in such young performers. 

This number is called “ Smash!” 

The final number and they really had fun with it. 

The “ Blue Plate Special” and they were playing water glasses with spoons. 

Here is the unlikely waitress….their principal drummer in an apron and wig. 

They laughed and joked and when the number was over the crowd was on it’s feet.  The applause was a roar and carried on until they came back for …..

…..a final number.

The drum sticks were lit up, the lights were dimmed and we were treated to one final number.

Mesmerizing.  This was a wonderful start for this young group and the audience enjoyed every minute.  Who knew you could create such beautiful music with only percussion instruments even Prelude #1 by Bach.   

Concert over and time to go outside to warm up and find something to eat.  It was 2pm and we hadn’t had lunch.

               

                          Off down Carnaval St. 

Past Casa Hasa where there will be a Gordon Campbell concert on February 10th.

We arrive at Marisco’s Chon which is just a tiny restaurant on Carnaval St.   It has been in business since 1946 so it’s the same age as Eric.  Good food.  Today Eric had marlin burritos and I had red snapper with rice and salad. 

That’s what was left!   I forgot to take a picture of the meal before we ate.  Lunch/dinner is over and time to head home on the bus. 

This building right across from the restaurant is being redone.  Looks like a church but it’s actually a house.  Eric says those are mostly telephone wires and they are big eyesore.

Lovely. 

Home by 4:30 just in time for happy hour.   Supper was a few crackers and cheese.   A good day.