CrossRoads Blog

Kimberly and her troupe The Desert Flowers, have been busy with 4 shows over the last couple of weeks or so. First, they danced at Sultan’s Grill. Almost the whole troupe was there and they did 2 long sets with the full troupe and several solo’s. They packed the place, and Sultan’s was the busiest they have been any night I have been there.

Then last weekend they had two shows in two nights. First an outside event at Paper Heart’s in downtown on the ‘First Friday Art Walk’. The dancing was good, but nighttime lighting made the pictures a little challenging. The following night was the big event at Mystic Jewell called “Boom-Boom Bellyfest”. Kimberly and her troupe had been practicing hard for this show as it was one of the premier events in Arizona (if not the premier show). What a great night. The Flowers were at their best, and the place was rockin’ for their performance. Which, by the way was really enhanced by having live drumming by their friends The White Claws for most of the numbers they did. The venue was really setup nice, they got VIP treatment backstage, and it was easily the best overall Bellydance show I have seen, and the best show I have seen from the desert Flowers.

Kimberly’s busy dance schedule finished up with another outside, though daytime, event at a shop in old town Glendale this weekend. Just a few of the troupe were with her, but it was a perfect weather day, and they had a great time dancing. All in all, some great nights for the girls, and the bellydance groupie husbands and friends.

MORE PICS HERE

Pictured to the side: Taj Mahal, Koko Taylor, Kimberly and Kandy Kane, Eric Johnson

A couple weeks back as they say… the Blues Came to Town. Saturday night we headed up to Flagstaff. Along the way on the couple hour drive up I-17 we got caught in one of the worst rain storms I have seen in our 14 years in Arizona. The good news was that even though the show was outside and it rained most of the night, we had seats up front and under cover. the nights can get cold up there, but a great night of music made it all good. An old timer opened up the show and got the groove going, followed by a decent set by Taj Mahal. Taj was touring as a 3 piece band and his set was a little short, but always great to see him. The show finished with “our” (I can say that now after 40 shows or so) Robert Cray Band. The RCB set was, as always too short, but excellent. They even did a couple of old Blues Classics including Killing Floor that we had never seen them perform.

After the Flagstaff show we hustled it back to Phoenix as the next day was the all day long Scottsdale Blues Festival. We had VIP admittance which along with food in a special tent, better restrooms, t-shirts, two bottles of wine, etc - also meant we could get into the show 1/2 hour early - guaranteeing we could be first and weasel our blanket down front and center with the best seats - which we of course did. The rub meant that we had little sleep time we got back from Flag and got up early to get our space at the Festival.

The show has some excellent acts, including local legend Big Pete and the Rhythm Room Allstars (Bob C is a great guy), Kandy Kane (who put on a great set and Kimberly is pictured with above), Blues Traveler, Taj Mahal again, Koko Taylor and the Robert Cray Band. Of course we wanted to see the RCB again, but the treat was a chance to see Koko after 20 years since last show, and knowing she doesn’t have a whole lot of shows left.

What a great day of music, sun, vino, food and time with each other. It was sure draining out there from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm in the sun, but I can not imagine a better way to spend a Sunday - spoiled and diggin’ it.

Another Vegas trip again in September. Kimberly had her Belly Dance Intensive and we made another mini vacation out of it. Another great time (as it was last years), so this trip will for sure have to become an annual event.

We stayed at the MGM Signature and really enjoyed it. Like The Hotel at Mandalay, the Signature offers the perfect balance of close to the casino and restaurants, but far enough away from the cling-cling. We had an extra day and half there, so one day we hung out at the pool, had foo-foo drinks and relaxed. We always plan that, but it never seems to happen. One of the nights we hit the new Rao’s in Cesar’s Palace. What a great dinner - it’s a replica of the famous East Harlem location and lived up to all expectations.

The last night I played chaperon (err.. sheppard) for all the girls at a night of clubbin’ at Studio 54. We had a VIP table, bottle service and a it was a fun night - a little more mild than last year (which is a good thing…I think).

Meet the (as Kimberly would say) Grand-doggy! His name is Franz and Zac named him after our boy Kafka. He is part pit bull, part some collie, and likely a few other breeds. He’s hanging out and the g-ma crib for now.