Re: Skerik's Syncopated Taint Septet Show in Santa Cruz Review

Original post of review of the Septet (opened by the Global Funk Council) is
omitted to save space, but can be found at
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=off&th=7645b3de8841dab4&rnum=1

"C" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> replied
> Thanks for the  review. What did you think of Santa Cruz?

We left our Napa Valley Bike Tour (more on this will be published to the ba.
newsgroups when I get a chance) and drove south via the freeways to Santa
Cruz. The drive into the town was more scenic than I had anticipated. We did
Route 1 from San Francisco to Jenner a few days before and were going to do
Route 1 from Santa Cruz to San Francisco the next day. However, the freeway
had a few notable views of the bay, especially when crossing the bridge (it
looks like they are building a new bridge next to the old two).

Anyway, Santa Cruz looked like a pretty cool small town. We really didn't
check it out that much (or make it to the local beach). Our destination was
Chaminade. We spent the last 3 nights at Bed & Breakfasts (and the night
before that the "best inn" motel on Van Ness in downtown San Francisco).
This place was definitely a resort. Our room came complete with robes, two
queen beds, and a bottle of water (for which we would have been charged $5
if we cracked the seal). They had a modest pool (the California weather
being the key), tennis courts ($5 per racket rental), and a weight room. We
checked out the pool and the "nature trail" which was pretty cool.

The buffet was fantastic (and so was the service, though we were pretty much
the only ones in the dining room while we were there). I got a van ride down
to the show from the dude that ran it at the place.

The people I met told a story of Santa Cruz. Brett was telling me that the
mean age is under 30. Also, there are many musicians. It reminded me of
Austin, a young, musical bunch (like me). Then, I thought of my town of
Cleveland. The median age is like 70, there seem to be few good musicians,
the radio stations suck, and the general taste is still stuck on classic
rock and the 80's. I guess I haven't found the Cleveland underground yet.

Anyway, we drove out of Santa Cruz via route 1 to San Francisco. I recall
one spectacular view from a stop along route 1 between San Francisco and
Jenner. However, as for that drive, there was just a bunch of brown-grass
hills (with an occasional lake or shoreline). Route 1 between Santa Cruz and
San Francisco was a pretty steady slew of beaches, cliffs, and shoreline.
Very nice indeed.

We ended up back in San Francisco for more walking, picture taking, and
eating. Scoma's was pretty good (way too much food though, very wasteful).
We picked up some water colors paintings from Frank Dong. He seemed more
legit than most. We flew back to Cleveland Yesterday.

I'll post Napa valley later.

russ