Our last concert of the season and the "Ventura Quartet!"

 Sunday was our last concert of the Camerata Campbell season at the Angela Peralta theater.  I'd only bought tickets for four performances and this was the last one,  I didn't do a post for the previous Sunday as...we didn't actually get to see the concert.  We'd taken the bus downtown and when we went to go in ....." I had the wrong tickets!"  Disaster as ...no tickets, no entry.  I apologized, Eric said nothing and we headed home.  I felt just awful.  As we got to the Golden Zone Eric suggested we stop for a burger at Mary's which is Manny's favorite place for a hamburger.  The burger was a bit flat as I don't think they'd added salt to the meat and there was no spicy sauce of any kind.  Part two....the next day Eric had Montezuma's revenge and I'd have to blame the burger I guess.  Sigh...he was indisposed for a couple of days.  

So...this Sunday and we were off to the concert ....again.  This time I couldn't make a mistake as there were only two tickets left.  We were waiting in line to go in and a lady turned around and said " I know you" and I said well " I don't know you!"  She reads my blog and recognized me but couldn't remember my first name so I said " Kathy" and she said "Tycho"  She really likes the lunch blogs.  I didn't catch ask her name and some friends of her's showed up and her group was hugging everyone.  A guy turned to Eric so....Eric hugged him and patted him on the back and then stepped around him and got ahead in line.  I didn't notice or I would have taken a photo...BTW...Eric is not a hugger.  Too funny. 

This was the very long line waiting walking to the performance.

The square. 

Only half full at the beginning but....

....almost totally full by the time the performance started. 

Gordon welcomed us and had a little bit to say about a very good friend of his who had passed away.  Mr. Kruger had retired in Teacapan about 90 miles south of Mazatlan and was a retired builder and trumpet player.  Although he spoke no English he started teaching the local kids the trumpet.  Over the years he met Gordon and they continued to develop the music program in Teacapan and Mazatlan as well.  Gordon helped him bring used instruments in from the United States as well.  Just a nice man who wanted to give back to the young musicians of Teacapan and Mazatlan.  Mr. Kruger's wife was in the audience and Gordon had her stand.  A heart warming story. 

We have seen the Ventura quartet many times and they are always put on a wonderful performance.  The two on the right are Bernal brothers and they are all part of the huge music community of Culiacan.  As far as I know they are also part of the Rondalla in Culiacan.  Teachers and music teachers as well.  They are not well know in Culiacan but very well know here in Mazatlan and have also traveled the world. In years past we always got a printed program explaining the names of the musicians, their history and the music but that stopped a few years ago.  I'm sorry I didn't keep some of the old programs but I guess it costs to much to print them.

They did " Around the world in 20 songs." 

Second from the right is lead guitar virtuoso and director of the group Leoncio Bernal.  He announced in Spanish and the musician on the far left translated.  They kept teasing the translator and telling him to keep it brief.  Lots of laughs between them all. 

Songs that were in a different language were sung in that language and before each number he would ask if anyone from the nationality was in the audience.  Then he'd apologize for the poor French or Russian or whatever language it was.  Sometimes he said " Don't listen!"  Lots of laughter from the audience.  All the lyrics were displayed up above. 

The translator on the left.  Everyone played and everyone did vocals.  Each musician had a lead in a song as well.  Hugely talented musicians and such fun to watch. 

At end there was a huge applause and a standing ovation.  The quartet even took a selfie of themselves!  An encore was in order and it was " Cielito Lindo!"  

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we'll be back next season.  

The crowd was on it's feet!

Cielito Lindo!

Off down the street to our usual restaurant "Chon's"

It hasn't been as busy as usual lately.  Pamela our waitress came to take our order and grinned when he said his usual " Marlin Burritos" ....I had shrimp tacos and all was good. 

Revolution squarte and the pigeons. 

We'd just missed the green bus that takes us home so we sat in the square for a bit.  A really nice afternoon and we were home around 4pm.  

Dinner ....our usual fruit cake, cheese and fresh fruit.  A really good day!