The best of night music and entertainmment
Nelson B.C. and San Miguel de Allende share the heart of Canadian couple Sandi and Francis Roy. They spend six months a year in San Miguel “For the music” - well maybe a bit more than music – there’s golf for Francis and the fine friendships made here, including with the musicians. “It’s like family,” said Sandi, “In fact, last summer Caleb and Mariel from Media Luna came to Nelson to stay with us. When they played the local pub the people actually had tears in their eyes; they could not believe it. It was just joyful. We’ve returned year after year and we fill up our week with nightly jaunts out to hear the fabulous music, meet friends, delight in the beautiful venues and maybe enjoy a meal there.
"We love following The Rabeats, The Mavericks, The Hot Tamales, Pamela and the Andersons, Media Luna, David Mendoza, Liah Alonso, Lady Zen, Fil Formicola, Bill Kavanaugh, Steven Jaymes and Chuy. I know I’m forgetting someone! Of course there is always new and upcoming amazing talent – watch out for those young Flores boys! One the great things is that the music starts early, like 6 or 7 pm and you can be home by 9. Or go on to the late-night music scene if so moved, such as we often do. Check out the ‘young vibe’ and great late night live music at Banbha.”
“Depending on who’s playing where each week we tend to jump around between mainstays Paprika, Raindog and Cafe Rama. Some regular nights we go to are: Cent'Anni on Wednesdays for Johnny Favorite followed by a walk down to Dean Martinis to hear Chuy; Sundays at Paprika for the Hot Tamales, the Mavericks on Thursdays at Trina Cantina and many sunset sessions by Steven Jaymes at Raindog Terrazza followed by a huge variety of performers throughout the week at Raindog Lounge. The last Sunday of each month we never miss the T-dance hosted at La Joya Azul guest house which is great fun! These are my picks!”
Here’s the caveat: musicians, times and venues can change, so check a local source for entertainment information such as sanmiguellive.com (Thank you Ron Nicodemus for such a fine service to the city.)
Interview by Camie Fenton
LOVE THIS! “In fact, last summer Caleb and Mariel from Media Luna came to Nelson to stay with us. When they played the local pub the people actually had tears in their eyes; they could not believe it. It was just joyful.”
We had the same response from my hometown folks when I brought my husband Aarón Romo and his Jazzoneando bandmates Kimani Carrazana (now living in PV) and Yamil Vázquez (Qro) up for a Midwest U.S. tour and master classes. The guys got to witness the profound impact of their presence and their authentic Latin music.
As I say in my frequent lectures to tour groups visiting San Miguel, one of my favorite aspects of life here is the…