Viva Lucha Beach Party!: Surf's Up South of the Border
Here's a pinata of pix from Thrillville's Lucha Beach Parties, September 11 at the Balboa Theater in San Francisco and September 17 at the Camera 3 Cinema in San Jose. Though both attracted modest but enthusiastic audiences, many patrons were new to Thrillville so hopefully I'm beginning to finally expand my base beyond the East Bay - essential if "Road Thrill" is to continue, and since I don't have a home base anymore, if the road shows don't succeed, it's time to hang up the fez. It's tough to basically start all over again after 13 years, in essentially all new markets, but it's that or just quit, and I'm no quitter. The double thrill bill featured the North of the Border big screen premiere (as far as I can tell) of Santo and Blue Demon vs. the Monsters (1969) plus the cult favorite Wrestling Women vs the Aztec Mummy (1964). "Guillermo el Thrillermo" crashed both parties, to no one's surprise. I don't know, maybe Mexican monster mashes aren't quite as popular as I assumed. This is one of my favorite genres, though, and I feel very satisfied in sharing these festive fiestas with the few but thrilled.
At the Balboa Theater, our debut there, the beach party part was provided by frequent Thrillville guests Pollo del Mar, who really rocked the casa.
At Camera 3, our third show there, San Jose surf band Aardvark returned along with a live fashion show by the Rockabilly Models. Even "Santo" himself showed up! It was a great time and I look forward to many more fun gigs at both these and other venues - as long as the audience is there, too....salud!
