It’s the Ides of March. It’s St. Patrick’s Day. It’s the Roman-Irish connection all over again. Where’s my Book of Kells? Who saved Western Civilization and why? Who created it and what for? Oh it’s all just too much sometimes. Let’s hear some music and drown our searching.
Friday marks the return of the Screamin’ Vatos to the Springfield music arena. After a few months of regrouping, with some member switching, they’re back, armed and ready to fire a load of Santana and Bob Marley tunes. Toss in a few War numbers (“Low Ri-Der” and “Cisco Kid”), and the eight-man band rules the local Latin field. With four members dedicated to drumming–including a standard trap kit, congas, timbales, and hand percussion–the songs naturally extend into percussive improvisation. As they evolve into other tunes, the guitars, bass, and keyboards use the driving acoustic rhythms as a foundation for furthering the jams. The name “Vatos” is a Hispanic term for “dude or guy,” and the Screamin’ is more like rippin’ or jammin’–so, no, they don’t really scream. The screaming part comes from audience members fired up to move their feet to the irresistible Latin beat. Feel free to do so Friday, from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., at Breaktime, 2937 West White Oaks Drive, or next Saturday, March 22, at Fat Willy’s in Chatham.
You and I both know that the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day is the most celebrated, completely ethnic drinking day on the calendar. If anyone ever needed an excuse to party, this is it. More corned beef and cabbage, green beer, and Guinness will pass through Springfield residents than anyone could care to imagine. Retailers recently searched for participants for a downtown Mardi Gras party, but no one has to try all that hard to fill the streets for the St. Pat’s Parade. The resulting daytime fall out into the normally quiet bars, restaurants, and coffee shops makes it a jingling day in the pockets for all those serving the public food and drink. Marly’s Pub, our downtown Irish spot, has the Round Stone Buskers from 1 to 5 p.m. to whet the appetite of every once-a-year Irishman. D’Arcy’s Pint, over in the Town and Country Shopping Center on Outer Park and MacArthur, booked the Pat Bowe Band from 3 to 7 p.m. and Area 51 to sell the suds from 8 p.m. to midnight. Stone Ring Circle Celt-rocks the Forty-Niner Bye-Bye from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., with an encore performance from 6 to 10 p.m. on the 17th proper.
For a break from the norm, head out to the old Lake Springfield Marina, now re-christened as Oak Harbor, for a concert by F 5 on Saturday night. The popular dance band performs for a Pre-Summer (they got that right) Lake Bash from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Doors open at 7.
The Lincoln Park annual music show, JamFest, is on for May 31. The festival benefits the Nelson Center and gives the community a chance to hear several local bands in one day, all in the beautiful surroundings of the Northend park. Bands interested in performing should send an e-mail to skip@evahunter.com.
So beware the Ides of March and look for the luck of the Irish–don’t worry about the rest of it.
This article appears in May 8-14, 2003.
