chuckography

0 for 3 at Cistern Yard...

Arturo O'Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra.

Originally planned as performing under the stars at the Cistern Yard on the campus of the College of Charleston.

My first Spoleto event of this, the 40th annual Festival of the arts, unfortunately, saw the use of the festival's rain backup plan.

Twice.

Both nights, storms would have ruined the music event.

Oh, the TD Arena is a nice venue.

And the sound was very good for a gym.

With an 18-piece orchestra - and a heavy grand piano - you can't just wait until the last minute to see if it really WAS going to rain.

I was going the second night and already knew it had been moved indoors the night before.

I salute the Festival staff for keeping a close watch on the weather.

It could have been a stirring outdoor evening but not at all feasible.

There is no covered bandstand over the Cistern and a thousand or so umbrellas and ponchos for the audience would have been challenging at best.

This was the right decision and the music was incredible!

On the left were 5 saxes (also clarinets and flutes), centered were 4 trumpets and on the right, four throaty trombones.

Leader O'Farrill played piano and stood to conduct several times, moving close to the bassist, two percussionists, and the drummer.

(Click on the photos and links for more details. The video clip is from another show, elsewhere.)

So far, at least one other Cistern act was moved to the TD Arena and the weather forecasters are warning us to expect more thunderstorms. Yikes.

Tonight I am indoors at Theater 99 for two improv comedy acts. More on that later.

Stay dry and enjoy Spoleto!

Labels: Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Cistern Yard, Congas and percussion., saxes and flutes, TD Arena, trombones and trumpets

posted by chuckography @ 11:12 AM