Calexico and Mariachi Luz de Luna -- "El Cascabel"

[MiddleFingerMom]

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The drummer and the Anglo guitarist in this video started the band "Calexico" in the 90's in
Tucson (they're now based out of Californai). They play in different incarnations -- touring
with varying numbers of band members. They are BELOVED here in Tucson. They're known
for mixing Tejano, Americana and Indie rock music into their compositions.
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Once, they were playing a club here when a big fight broke out on the floor. They took
their wireless instruments and meandered through the crowd without missing a beat --
stopping what had become a fairly nasty brawl by the sheer force of "Scuse me... comin'
through. 'Scuse me... comin' through. 'Scuse me... comin' through. Etc."
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This video shows them performing with the band "Mariachi Luz de Luna" in London. Some
of the cooler restaurants in town (not necessarily expensive ones) have mariachi bands
with 3 to 4 people roaming through the dining room -- putting out a vibe of everything
from raucous to romantic.
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Kinda embarassing when they come to your table (IRL, I'm much shyer than you might
imagine)... but really cool, too.
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So much of the traditional music here is blatantly joyous and FUN!!!
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[ohiosmith]

1. Awesome!

[Kali]

2. and

I can never remember if it is Joey or John, but one of them has the coolest Grandmother on the planet. She owns the Singing Wind Bookstore (and is a long time family friend)

http://cronkitezine.asu.edu/fall2007/singingwind.html

they have an annual fall "event" that attracts authors and large crowds. Calexico performed there a couple of times.

AH - that was the last time I was in Tucson, I think - M and I saw them at the Festival en el Barrio last spring. (kxci event)

oh and plate of shrimp? I just talked to Amanda S. today.

looks like we may be having a film crew here next week and they asked for a caterer rec and I remembered she used to work for a really good one, so I dialed the station as I lost her e-mail a long time ago.

[MiddleFingerMom]

5. GREAT choice -- Amanda's a sweetheart and a very accomplished foodie.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. My mouth began to water for guacamole and chips.

[MiddleFingerMom]

4. My favorite Mexican restaurant here in Tucson is a somewhat higher-than-average priced...

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...place called Guadalajara. They're one of the restaurants that have wandering mariachi trios
and quartets in the dining room in the evenings.
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And here's the coolest thing... they have a number of (usually) middle-aged Mexican women
in traditional dress who bring a cart to your table and make your salsa from scratch per your
preferences with an old-style stone mortar-and-pestle.
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They give you that complimentary salsa and a basket of tortilla chips while you wait for the
rest of your meal.
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M-m-m-m... mushroom/spinach/crema/queso blanco dip with warm flour tortillas for dipping.
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For starters.
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I'll be in my bunk.
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[Kali]

6. hey gringo

it's called a molcajete

[MiddleFingerMom]

7. the first translation I got for that was "mortar" and for a second, I thought...

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... "Eeewww, the stuff that holds BRICKS together!?!?!?"
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True story.
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[Kali]

8. !

I have had some guac that would qualify!