Music has always been one of the oldest traditions, and today is no different. A traditional celebration is taking place in Santa Maria due to the concerted efforts of the Mexican Ladies Social Club. The Black and White Ball is a traditional formal affair that has taken place for decades in Santa Maria, and in the spirit of tradition, the event will feature live mariachi and dance music.
The Mexican Ladies Social Club first started hosting the Black and White Ball in 1947 when it took over the reins from Club Alegria. The event is crafted after Baile Blanco y Negro, a party that started in Mexico at the Churubusco Country Club in Mexico City.
“The ball is very elegant,” said Katy Lopez, spokeswoman for the Mexican Ladies Social Club. “The dress code is fancy black and white, and there is dinner, cocktails, music, mariachis, and we crown a queen in the evening.”
The Mexican Ladies Social Club still holds five of its original members from 1947, and the club enjoys preserving the traditional class that the event has always had.
In keeping with tradition, this year’s event will feature two performing ensembles: a mariachi group and a dance band. Starting the festivities will be local group Mariachi Imperial, a full mariachi band that performs traditional Mexican folk music.
“Mariachi Imperial has been in the valley here for many years and has entertained the community for all kinds of events,” said Mike Rosas, music committee member. “They entertain the cocktail hour and dinner, and they are very neat dressers, very cordial and talented.”
After dinner the queen contest starts and the night finishes with hours of dancing. The group performing for the second half of the evening will be Monsanto, a Fresno-based dance band that performs several styles of music.
“Monsanto plays a little of everything,” Katy Lopez said. “They play rock, country, Mexican, young people’s music, it’s a variety.”
Monsanto includes drums, guitar, timbales, keyboards, singers, and a four-part horn section. They performed at last year’s Black and White Ball along with Mariachi Imperial and rocked the house by all accounts.
The Black and White Ball has always been a benefit for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Maria and Guadalupe, another proud tradition of the ball.
“Well, we are all natives of Santa Maria, and we all have had children who attended the Boys and Girls Club,” Lopez said. “They have always needed help and the original ladies started with supporting them, and it has always been that way.”
Celebrate the harvest
Growing Grounds Harvest Festival features tri-tip sandwiches by Noontime Kiwanis Club of Santa Maria and flatbread pizza by Full of Life Flatbread of Los Alamos, plus activities, specialty booths, farm tours, and live music on Oct. 18 from noon to 4 p.m., Growing Grounds Farm, 820 W. Foster Road, Santa Maria. Cost is $10. More info: 934-2182 or events@t-mha.org.
October rocks
The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro presents “ROCKtober” Wednesdays in October featuring live music and a themed costume party each night from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 24 is “Rock/Pop Star Night,” and Oct. 31 is “Fright Night.” The Addamo Tasting Room and Bistro is located at 400 E. Clark, Old Orcutt. Free. More info: 937-6400 or Bethany@addamovineyards.com.
Keep the night alive
The 510 Event Center presents a live blues jam featuring local musicians led by Juan Marquez and Sangria Wednesdays from 7 to 10 p.m. DJ Orlando entertains Thursday nights starting at 10 p.m. (dress code enforced). DJ Orlando also spins for “Margarita Night” every Monday from 9 p.m. to midnight. Saturdays feature an open mic from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday nights are Latin night featuring live norteño and banda music. Call for times. The 510 Event Center is located at 510 South Broadway, Santa Maria. More info: 928-5510, 510eventcenter@gmail.com, facebook.com/510eventcenter, or 510eventcenter.com.
Chumash country
The Chumash Casino and Resort presents country singer Josh Turner in concert on Oct. 25. The Chumash Casino Resort is at 3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. More info: 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.
Serving up the swank
The Santa Maria Inn presents “A New Twist on an Old Favorite” in the Tap Room featuring performances by Mezcal on Fridays, Mofongo performs the first Saturday of each month, the Sammy Labastida Jazz and Blues Band performs the second Saturday of each month, Louie Ortega performs the third Saturday of each month, and Lawless and Dean perform the fourth Saturday of each month. The shows take place in the Tap Room, Santa Maria Inn, 801 S. Broadway, Santa Maria. More info: 928-7777 or santamariainn.com.
Maverick music
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including the country music of Dusty Jugz on Oct. 19 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. “Concert on the Deck” featuring Teresa Russell is Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. Dusty Jugz performs Oct. 20 at 8:45 p.m., followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 18-25, 2012.