Auditorium Ends July With Change-up Shows

A venue like the Door Community Auditorium doesn’t lend itself to dancing, but that didn’t stop many in the crowd at last Friday’s Los Lobos show from squeezing in front of the stage and into the aisles to let loose.

The rockers made famous by their 1987 album of Richie Valens covers (including their number one version of “La Bamba”) showed a crowd of about 450 that they’ve still got it. With thumping drums and four guitars driving their mix of classic rock and Mexican roots-rock, the Los Angeles natives cruised through a two-hour set that included fan favorites and a sampling from their new album Tin Can Trust, available Aug. 3.

After 30 years, their musicianship is as tight as ever and had much of the crowd bouncing in their seats. Just as I got to thinking the venue would be well-served by a dance floor, a handful of revelers decided the that the few spare feet in front of the stage would do just fine.

By the end of the evening, as the band launched into “La Bamba” and an encore that included Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away”, the band of dancers were joined by several more, as well as a crowd on its feet.

This Saturday the Auditorium welcomes another classic rock show, this time featuring a Pink Floyd tribute band, The Machine. That performance will be complete with an elaborate light show to accompany Pink Floyd classics, which may be a first for the DCA stage.

You can check out video of the The Machine to get a taste of their performances and the light show at http://www.themachinelive.com.