DAY 0

LAUNCH PARTY/RUMBA CALZADA @ the Commodore

As always, the fest started with a bang at the Official Launch Party. It always exciting to get the invitation in the mail and to RSVP, and when the night finally rolls around, you're thinking, 'Oh man. I don't want to start the Festival hungover! I'll go and just have one.' And, of course, it never happens that way. Inevitably somebody's got a pocketful of tickets, or somebody actually listens to that inner voice and has one and leaves early cause they have a gig the next day and they're actually responsible adult types, and you get handed those little valuable pieces of paper you can trade for 'liquid happiness' (thanks Steve). So yes, with RUMBA CALZADA on stage (though to me, they could've been a lot louder), a good time seemed to be had by all, dancers, standers, those who floated by, even those who were least expecting it. Yet another grand start to our grandest event of the year. (Raphael Geronimo, vox/timbales/drums; Nick Apivor, vibes; Lou Mastroianni, keys; Allan Johnston, bass; Rolo Preza, congas/vox; Rod Murray, trombone)