It's funny how revisiting this area has brought me into acquaintance again with so many people that I haven't seen in YEARS. The memories just wash over me like a warm tide, comforting, and familiar. I remember that the last time I ate here, it was my Senior Prom! It has changed a lot. It's definitely more modern than it was then. The pavement hasn't improved any. The cops are still just as bored lurking in the curve to the SFO Airport waiting on the sly for haphazard wahooers and/or speeders who've had too much to drink.
This place has had karaoke for many years, and I never even knew about it. I'd never think that any of these hotel bars and/or restaurants along this short bay waterfront strip would host karaoke. My cousins used to go to the Caribbean Gardens to dance here! It's good to see some of the restaurants and hotels haven't changed names around here. It is comforting when some things DON'T change. I'm seeing now that I'm older that that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes progress moves too fast. Other times it's too slow in coming, but I digress as usual...
Gus and Patti of Center Stage Live! are your hosts for karaoke here every Saturday and just down the road on Broadway at Behan's every Sunday night. If you happen to be at Max's to collect your free birthday dessert, definitely try to plan it around a Sunday! You'll see them there with their crooners serenading a very eager to serve you wait staff. I happened to run into my high school friend Sylvia here hosting a going away party for her friend when I stopped in here the Sunday before last. It's a small world!
We sang, we made merry, we watched the drunkards dance, and we laughed 'til our hearts' content. They have a very large wide open dance floor area where they set up next to an actual piano. I wonder if it actually works, and if they'd allow me to play it someday. I bet I could cajole them into letting me. I am very persuasive and charming when I want to be. If I attend enough, I'm sure they will. Let me play AND sing. I'm no one trick pony.
Take it back old school. That is exactly what Gus and Patti do! Their list may not be the newest, but this duo is SOULFUL. If you want to sing oldies, or soul, come out and sing with these two crazy cats because if you want to duet with them, they're just the harmony to your melody. You can also find them at Brentwood Bowl every Monday night if you're ADHD enough to bowl 10 frames, drink dollar brew, eat dollar hotdogs, and sing, you might wanna check them out there! I know I will. I can't wait!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Karaoke Cab
No Judges In The 'Karaoke Cab,' Just Good Times
Some cab drivers might stay silent with customers in their cars. Others can talk your ear off. Joel Laguidao just wants to sing with you.
Laguidao has become known as the "karaoke cab driver." While driving for Red Top Cab Co. on weekend nights around Arlington, Va., he sings favorites like Journey's "Faithfully" and Bon Jovi's "Bed of Roses."
It started about three years ago. Laguidao grew tired of the FM radio offerings and bought a karaoke machine. He has two small monitors for reading lyrics, a large silver microphone and a thick song catalog.
The karaoke setup also helps him get passengers on weekend nights. Sometimes, he'll roll down the window and start singing to potential customers.
"They're shocked," Laguidao says. "They say, 'Really? Run the meter, let's go sing.'"
Others might book him for a later trip. "They get my number, and then, after like 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock in the morning, they shout in my car singing," Laguidao says. They "need more liquid in the belly first," he laughs.
Near the Courthouse Metro station in Washington, D.C., Laguidao rolls down his window and calls out to a guy leaving a bar. Before Laguidao can even explain his unique cab, the man's face lights up.
"Are you guys the karaoke cab?" Tim Jacobs shouts. He and a friend, Brian McKeever, climb in.
After some back and forth about song choice — should it be "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" or "Don't Stop Believing"? — the pair settles on "Summer of '69."
The two clap while singing passionately — and off-key. Laguidao joins in. "Those were the best days of my life!" booms the car's speaker system.
After the song ends, Jacobs and McKeever arrive at their destination and wish Laguadao the best.
"That's a good customer," Laguidao smiles widely.
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