Tuesday, May 26, 2009

A Great Time at Mayfair

Allentown's Mayfair Festival of the Arts seemed to us to be another big success this year. We had a great time. Gianni had fun painting the huge and colorful mural created by our good friend and fellow Chen artist, Ro Geseck. And Bill and I had fun sharing some giggles w/ Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski over how everything in Allentown has been "falling apart" (wink wink) since he was elected (according to the "fair & balanced" local NeoCon blahgs, that is).

Even in tight economic times, people still love to attend outdoor family festivals. The weather on Monday was perfect for watching local legends The Daddy Licks Band who drew a large and loyal and loud (and dancing!) crowd to the Cabaret Main Stage to close out the festival as the headliners. Bill (Mr. Dottie) was The Daddy Licks Band's promo-driver manager back in the 1980s. In July 2006, The Villas organized (and opened for) the Daddy Licks Band's "Scott Hott Benefit/Reunion Show" at The Sterling Hotel in Downtown Allentown and the "DLB" guys had so much fun playing together again (after a nearly 15 year hiatus) they decided to reunite permanently! "Look for a full-length CD of all new Daddy Licks songs later this year," says DLB manager Bob Mania (wink wink) a.k.a. Mr. Dottie.

Mayfair is such a great place to reconnect with old (and current) friends, and fellow musicians, and if we listed everyone who gave us bear hugs and well-wishes yesterday I know we'd forget some, so thank you, to everyone who gave us all that much-appreciated warmth, and w/ a very special thanks to Judge Edward Reibman.

We know Mayfair has had its problems in the past, but we hope the festival can continue to be a success, even though it now has competition from The Iron Pigs, and the Sands Casino. Charging a small entrance fee has helped the festival get through financial difficulties. We don't mind paying $4 for the entire festival. That's less than a dollar a day. And what we like best about Mayfair is that it showcases local talent which we have in abundance in Allentown and the Lehigh Valley. So Rock On, Mayfair!












Photos: Gianni Villa paints mural, The Daddy Licks Band and Dancers.

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