It all started with La Hija del Mariachi.  Since returning to Vancouver I’ve watched all 147 episodes again and have gotten a couple friends hooked as well.  We’ve downloaded all the videos and have an mp3 library of over 100 songs.

Much of the music was written by José Alfredo Jiménez.  I purchased sheet music for 15 of his songs and am able to play a couple of them.  My piano practice routine has been shattered by unwelcome distractions including work, being on strata council, and being part of the board of my building.  Oh, and by the way, we are being sued.

Last night we attended a 2013 Mariachi Festival concert in Vancouver.  It was a great show.  I hadn’t been on Granville Street at night for many years.  I was hugely impressed by great variety of bars and restaurants, and by the throngs of people enjoying themselves.  I must get out more.

With that in mind today I started buying tickets for the 2013 Vancouver International Jazz Festival.  I could be out every night from June 21 to July 1.  The festival overflows with free concerts all over downtown.  I’m particularly looking forward to attending free workshops on jazz piano (strictly as a bystander).