We know, we know, you’re anxiously awaiting Part II of the most fascinating travel blog ever. It’s coming – just not today. Life is sometimes about waiting, isn't it?
Instead, a quick jaunt to a darling little theater nearby that offers a boatload of fun. The other night, good friends asked us to go with them to the Aztec Shawnee Theater for a Beach Boys tribute band. Interesting, we thought.
Surprising when we saw the band, Surfin’ USA: A Tribute to the Beach Boys! Mostly old guys, which they themselves made fun of, and maybe unexpectedly talented. One should eliminate stereotypes in one’s mind.
They sounded definitely Beach Boyish, they played a huge number of songs, they were energetic and briefly explanatory, they seemed to be having a great time, so consequently we did too. They told us they created the videos so we didn’t have to look at them playing – and the old shots of the real group, of surfing, of great old cars were highly entertaining. And our friends will attest to NEVER ask Cute to sing along with "Help me Rhonda, help help me..." Did I mention there’s an open bar in the lobby and food trucks outside?
The Aztec has been completely gutted and refurbished by three visionary locals, Christopher and Jeffrey Calkins and Bruce Young. It looks much better than it did as a movie theater, as least in my memory, and its art deco touches are fitting. It’s now just a cool space and they have a regular lineup of local (and not) music acts and even old movies. Go to their website (https://aztecshawnee.com/history/) and check out the pictures and videos there -- shows what a dream and determination can do.
If you haven’t been to the Johnson Drive and Neiman area in a while, you’ll be very surprised to see what’s going on in this part of town. Shawnee Pizza remains (and still is a good pizza as we rediscovered) but there are lots of other places around now too. It’s well worth a trip – give yourself a bit of exploring time before you bop into the Aztec.
The full schedule can be found here and if you’re looking for something different for New Year’s Eve, Surfin’ USA will be back – with both a 10 p.m. (ha!) 12 p.m. champagne toast. People of certain ages know why they need two.
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