A Night Of Reflection
More than 50 people, friends and family, filled Georgia Darehshori’s living room at Avida condo, for ‘Libations and Love Songs,’ another in the Summer Concert Season Series, usually held at Casa Karma. It was also a preliminary memorial to singer Patrick Henry Murray, who should have joined the headliner for the evening, Jason Darion Mathis.
There were a lot of people gathered that I didn’t know, including the gentleman sitting beside me in the front row. I glanced down and commented on his fabulous shoes. He smiled and said he loved good-looking shoes.
A few minutes into Jason’s first song of the night, I felt this man’s hand close over mine. The odd thing was that it didn’t feel weird at all. A long while later, I looked down and was struck by how black his hand was and how white mine. I wanted to take a photograph of the beautiful contrast in color and also how our fingers were so perfectly entwined. I didn’t break the bond; that picture of unity will remain in my head for a long time.
Then Jason announced that Patrick’s brother was in the house and was going to sing, and my friend with the fabulous shoes and firm grip stood up. The enormous intimacy of that moment took my breath away, and my monkey brain instantly put myself in his place, with thoughts of whether I could sing in my sister’s or brother’s place in the same situation. The answer is not a chance.
When Roy Murray began to sing Amazing Grace I doubt there was a dry eye in the house. The box of Kleenex made the rounds and came back empty.
The evening had many more happy songs and remembrances than sad ones, to be sure. Jason shared a number of amusing stories about his friend Patrick. Some of the guest singers included Kimberly Grandi, Kevin-Anthony, who sang Adele’s ‘Someone Like You,’ a cappella, and Patriz‘s ‘Wild Horses’ was courtesy of the Rolling Stones.
When pianist Ruli Mayorga was not accompanying singers, Bing Young took over, and when Roy Murray sang one of the last songs of the evening, Bing was super challenged to keep up with Roy’s improvisation and did it beautifully! After the song was over, Bing looked like Jerry Lee Lewis or Levi Kreis after a concert!
Georgia thoughtfully fed us all with Casa Karma’s wonderful hors d’oeuvres, Cesar tended bar and served drinks, and the entertainment went on for close to two and a half hours. The love was thick in the room, almost overriding our deep feeling of senseless loss.
A votive candle and a flower were presented to every person who attended, again given by thoughtful Georgia.
Kim Archer will take the stage at Georgia’s next Tuesday, the 30th, at 7 pm.
Kevin Anthony and Luis Villanueva are having a fundraiser tonight at La Catrina Cantina to help support Vallarta’s School for Girls. See you all there at 6:30