A Rogue Mariachi Band Livens Up Allentown

A Rogue Mariachi Band Livens Up Allentown

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May 6th, 2:58pm By queenseyes

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If you happened to be roaming around Allentown last night, chances are that you may have run into a rogue mariachi band. When I first saw these guys at Cozumel they were walking around serenading the diners (and the partiers). Then, once we left to see what other Cinco de Mayo activities were happening at the other establishments, we realized that the band was on the loose. They were walking up and down the street serenading passersby, and they were also popping their heads into places like Sample to sing to the customers.

I know that the mariachi band was there to promote Cinco de Mayo... and I'm not saying that there should be a permanent mariachi band in the neighborhood... but Allentown should consider hiring different acts to entertain people. Another memorable weekend in Allentown is the Infringement Festival. For one solid week there are performers who take their art and make it public. It's a week of unexpected shows to promote the art scene that is already alive in the neighborhood. These performances, like the rogue Mariachi band, make a simple walk down the street an unexpected treat. Not to say that something should happen every night... maybe just one or two nights a week.

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  1. needles

    0 ratings12345
    May 6th, 15:19

    QE: When is the Infringement Festival? I'd like to go... got a date?

    Does Allentown have a place where musicians could just go to and start playing?

    I was in Asheville, NC over the summer, and there was a steel drum band that simply set up in a little micropark in the center of town and started attracting a pretty big crowd. Also, there were a few bars that had live music outside in the bar district. It would be cool if this kind of grassroots and/or organized musical entertainment infused into Allentown! If Allen is missing anything it would be this! Don't know if the neighborhood would appreciate the noise, but it seems very much welcomed and enjoyed in Asheville! (by the way, for those unfamiliar with Asheville, it's like one big Allentown, an entire quirky artsy town)

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  2. TheWhyNotGuy

    2 ratings12345
    May 6th, 15:29

    There's a story on this year's Infringement Festival here:

    http://www.buffalorising.com/story/despite_the_wellpublicized_str

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  3. Wit

    0 ratings12345
    May 6th, 15:55

    Why not put a call in for buskers, maybe with local colleges and universities? I believe the permit costs are pretty low (a friend who got one paid 10 bucks) Or possibly cover the cost and hassle (like explaining to the clerk what busking is) of getting their permit if they agree to perform in x area y number of times?

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  4. ajay

    0 ratings12345
    May 6th, 16:02

    Street performers should already be part of the fabric of our artsy city, especially in this neighborhood. (I bet there's some arcane law that prohibits just that). I can't agree with hiring musicians just to entertain passersby. Too contrived. But big ups to this band-- makes me feel like I'm back in my old SF hood.

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