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World Class Rock Concert on Ambergris

by tacogirl 07/06/2016
written by tacogirl 07/06/2016
South Ambergris Caye

Along with “Are you going to the concert?” The buzz words were “Steve Miller” and “All American Band” were going around. I decided to go thanks to my friend Jack who set me up with an invitation to help promote the show.

Rockin The Caye 2016

A South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch fundraiser, this is a great cause. I know how much for a couple of reasons.

  1. My friend Lara feels like it is an invisible gate of safety in her neighborhood and that says a lot. Their security guys are great.
  2. Patrol Officer Coye was instrumental with a quick response saving a life – a 4 year old child from drowning. To make the story even more incredible it happened days after having taken CPR training with Bandage International under the Belize Red Cross.

The event was held at Mahogany Bay Village Green which is 2 miles south of town. It was the first event of it’s kind (and hopefully many) at this location. Charitable proceeds benefited the South Ambergris Neighborhood Watch. Peter Nolan did an amazing job of putting together the right crew to execute his vision, especially his pick of my friend Jack who is a world-class events manager.

Sponsorship came from Athens Gate, Lola’s Pub, Palapa Bar, Pelican Reef, Mahogany Bay Village, Innovative Signs, Lone Star Grill & Cantina, Island Dream Tours. I know Popular Dentists Mark and Joan also helped with accommodations as did Chez Caribe.

Abracadabra

Onto the best part, the band. Led by, Grammy award winner and Hall of Famer, Billy Peterson, Abracadabra definitely gave us strong talent and musical tricks.

With a line up like this, everyone who showed up knew what a treat they were in for.

  • Billy Peterson former bassist for the Steve Miller Band and also known for his work with Bob Dylan.
  • Kenny Lee Lewis, currently lead guitarist for the Steve Miller Band
  • Bobby Vandell, known for his drumming on the world-wide hit, “Funkytown”.
  • Will Peterson (Billy’s son). In addition to being skilled at keyboards, Will is also a strong vocalist and a valued member for Abracadabra, delivering soulful performances of songs by Prince, the band Free, Stevie Wonder and Bad Company.

Abracadabra wasn’t predisposed to playing only Steve Miller “mega hits” which of course the crowd loved. They also played some vintage Cream songs off the Disraeli Gears album. This allowed the veteran members of the band to showcase their individual skills reminiscent of Cream members; Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton. As for the younger Will, his tribute to Prince singing Purple Rain was a show stopper and really highlighted his talent.

Not only did the band rock the house and have everyone up and dancing but the musicians were down to earth guys. A few of us hung out for hours after the show talking about how much we enjoyed the event and exchanging stories about our lives. We even got to see pictures of Bobby’s super cool car collection.

What a perfect Saturday afternoon and early evening activity. I passed on the after party at Fido’s and was home eating fried Chicken by 10:00 pm. 😀

Here is a bit more of the back story with some pictures I took that afternoon. I will also add a quick surprise. I know they were trying to keep it a secret, but the word is already out, (I just got a group text) Abracadabra is playing at Palapa Bar tonight for one last rockin good show before they return stateside tomorrow. I’ve already got plans to meet up with several people there and I am sure it will be absolutely packed.

South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch

Rockin the Caye world class concert

South Ambergris Caye

Love the drive into Mahogany Bay

I have done large scale event management before and have always enjoyed the pre-show set up. As soon as we arrived I got hooked up at Rum and Bean with an iced coffee and a brownie. My buddy opted for nachos at the Taco Shack.

The sun was blazing so I immediately set us in search of Jacks room to cool down.

Ambergris Caye Belize Mahogany Bay Village Green

Nice big stage on the veranda at Village Green

Abracadabra Live at Mahogany Bay Village Belize

A moment of quiet before Bobby Vandell lit up the place

It is always good fortune when you get a back stage invite and you can pretty much guarantee good things are sure to happen. This time it started with the offer of bringing a plus 1 and was the gift that kept on giving. I had such an amazing experience from start to finish – Thanks to Jack, Peter Nolan Dj DZL, Abracadabra and all my friends playing their part.

Mahogany Bay Villaye Belize

Asked for porch privileges and got a room key

Mahogany Bay Village Ambergris Caye

Having seen the room I was excited for a key – impromptu girl party and avoid the porta potty world

Another reason to we went early was the meet and greet. This was a great opportunity for VIP ticket holders to get to know the band before the show. I enjoyed catching up with a few friends I had not seen in a while.

My plus 1 told me that he had an extended conversation with Billy Peterson who told him about recording with Bob Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks” album. Billy went into even more detail after my friend told him his favorite song on the album was “Tangled Up In Blue”. He went on to tell the story behind that particular recording – a mind blowing experience for my friend.

 South Ambergris Caye Belize

Meet and greet with Abracadabra

Village Green Mahogany Bay Belize

VIP Bar

Mahogany Bay Village South Ambergris Caye

Another great veranda to enjoy

Now for the good bits – hours of dancing in the sand:)

South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch Fundraiser

Take off your shoes and dance

Village Green Mahogany Bay Belize

Abracadabra Playing Live at Mahogany Bay Village Green

Abracadabra Playing Live at Rockin The Caye 2016

Abracadabra

Mahogany Bay Village Ambergris Caye

Mosh pit

Village Green Mahogany Bay

Everyone enjoyed the show and many got up and danced

Mahogany Bay Belize

Peter Nolan giving a speech about the first annual event

Rum and Bean Coffee Shop Ambergris Caye

Rum and Bean set people up with drinks

I will leave you with 2 videos, one montage and one full song. (Please note this was filmed with a point and shoot and the band’s sound quality was miles above my camera.)

Related

tacogirl

Laurie Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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3 comments

Ken Pittman 11/05/2018 - 7:32 am

I have a touring Bon Jovi tribute out of Boston. We’d love to perform down there. http://www.facebook.com/tributetobonjovi Let me know if you think there’s a venue that would have interest.

Reply
tacogirl 11/05/2018 - 7:45 am

Facebook message with Palapa Bar Ken and see if they are interested. They do live music weekly.

Reply
SPmQQse 10/06/2016 - 1:51 pm

hopefully…all who paid to see/hear those old musicians…had an enjoyable time…and, felt that it was well worth it.
also…
big up to all who try to assist with the safety of the southern residents…when the police , don’t.

Reply

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I just returned from my trip to Belize in mid-June 2022. I had been planning the trip weeks / months in advance and... Laurie (taco girl) wasextremely helpful in preparation for my trip. Her intimate knowledge as an expat who was ONCE a tourist, really helps because she is able to share first hand knowledge of how a tourist can explore Ambergis Caye like a "temporary local". An example of this, was she recommended 2 yoga classes for my wife to enjoy while on vacation that we would not have known about otherwise and the class was far better than a class arranged by a hotel, as you get the local experience not a staged one. In addition, she was helpful in providing recommendations for dinner and sharing some discounts she has arranged with local retailers. Reviewing the taco girl blog and reaching out to Laurie is like having a tour guide, but more important a tour guide that KNOWS Belize.read more
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Laurie was super helpful in providing places to eat, things to do and best yet had ongoing blogs that allowed us to... look back on other places that she pointed out. A fantastic resource for both first time and return visitors of Ambergris Caye!read more
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Fantastic service .I needed to find a place where I could buy a local sim card as my UK sim doesnt work in belize and... Tacogirl put me on the right path .Decided to walk across town and discovered so much more in beautiful San Pedro.Many thanks.BWread more
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We have been using TacoGirl for what feels like decades when planning our trips to Belize! It has only been a few... years but she is the first place we stop to see what is happening in our favorite vacation spot. She knows all the best spots to get away and do so many fun things - whether it is relaxing or exploring! We are planning our next trip with our twins and she was the first person I reached out to. Knowing we have a resource like her, makes trip planning a breeze!read more
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I first got my Passport in 2012 and Taco Girl was my first connection back then Great then and Marvelous Now! She's... blossomed and developed into a wonderful contact for any and all information Belize. She goes above & beyond to respond with information that you need whether visiting Belize or relocating! I wasn't able to fund the move then but now that I have much more equity I am doing it.This time she was the 1st person I reached out to! Now I am selling and moving to Belize. She responds immediately! Like I do in my Pet Sitting Business! I was so impressed I followed her all this time. And was not disappointed!Pamela Nixonread more
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I've spent the last month exploring Belize. I'm retired & seriously considering moving down to Belize permanently from... the US. I contacted the local San Pedro expert "Taco Girl" to help me get started in finding an apartment to rent. With her help, I've located several places that meet my needs & budget requirements. Thank you Laurie!read more
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We started coming to Ambergis Caye in 2014 and stumble on to Tacogirls blog, so glad we did! We used her 15% discount... at The Premier Duty-Free shop in the airport! It worked great all we did was let them know we read it on her blog . She has great information awesome pictures, we have tried several places she has recommended, all were amazing. Highly recommend reading her blog. Kathleenread more
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It was my first time visiting Belize and San Pedro so naturally I had a ton of questions when it came time to planning... the travel. Taco Gril's blog was an invaluable source of information for all the travel questions in Ambergris Caye. I was able to learn a lot of basic information, as well as many tips and tricks. In addition when I reached out to Taco Girl for advice on finding a local photographer and a restaurant recommendation, she was very quick to respond and gave me many helpful suggestions. She also provided a lot more information from a local's point of view, which was much for valuable than than a typical guidebook. Thanks to her helpful suggestions we were able to celebrate my daughter's birthday at a nice restaurant, and had a great photo family session with a local photographer. I'm very thankful for all her resources and knowledge.read more
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I started coming to San Pedro Belize in 2007 and that is when I met the online presence of Taco Girl. Her blogs on the... island and area are very personable and informative. She gives out promo codes from time to time so watch out for those. You cannot go wrong with someone who was a tourist and now lives here for quality info. Thanks Taco Girl for helping make my trips memorable!read more
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I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
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Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton!I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
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Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice... to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
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I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
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I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local... information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
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Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do what... everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
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Belize Blog Est. 2007

belize travel specialist

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation. If you have any questions or want Belize help planning and booking, please feel free to contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

A few childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age. Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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