Cheech and Chong Live at The King Center
Review of the Show and Backstage Fun!
- November 13, 2012
- 0 Comments
- By Story/Photos By Tri and Sarah Bell
" Knock, Knock, Knock"
" Who's there?"
" Dave man, I got the stuff"
" Dave's not here, man"
November 11th, 2012 the Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts in Melbourne, Florida opened up its arms to a Picnic on the Patio show featuring the Grammy Award winning antics of Cheech (Richard "Cheech" Marin) and Chong (Tommy Chong). The 1500 seat venue was close to sold out capacity as the staff grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, helped long haired, short haired, and no hair fans find their seats, and served adult libations both inside and outside the venue. I must say, I have never met a more professional, courteous staff than that of the King Center that evening. Every employee I talked with was happy to be there, willing to answer questions, and just plain hospitable. Thank you to all who worked the evening.
The gallery of the venue hosted an art show prior to the event which kept visitors eyes glued to the works of some great local talent. Around seven the theater doors were opened and patrons began making their way to their seats in anticipation of the house lights being turned down, spots turned on, and the thoughts of what skit would be the twosomes first. I was pleasantly surprised when Tommy's wife (Shelby Chong) took the stage next to two empty stools, a vacant guitar plugged up to an amp, and began her stand-up banter to get the crowd relaxed and settled in for an evening of classic counter culture entertainment. A reference to cantaloupe shoes still puts a smile on my face as I write this review, and I wonder if I will ever see one of the fans from that the night, strolling down the beach, mid-summer, sunglasses on, sporting fruit for flip flops. I would have to shoot the fashionable beach goer a smile, wave, and think to myself, "only in Brevard County and must have been there that night in November."
Shelby Chong then introduced the two to the stage. Tommy in a yellow Cheech and Chong tour shirt and Cheech donned out in grey and black threads started the show with a Q&A taken from the fans before the two took the stage. This segwayed into the the first bit from the seasoned stand up vets, "Dave's Not Here". Chong went onto explain this was one of the first skits they did together. The ice had been broken and the two followed this with a whity story of Santa Claus lead by Cheech, followed by Tommy getting into character as Hairy Palms in shortened version of, "Let's Make A Dope Deal". The musical talent and vocal harmonics really hit the mark at this show.
Cheech then, dressed in western wear, topped with a cowboy hat, and in character as "Red", performed a clap along version of "Tie My Pecker To A Tree". With Tommy on guitar, the two smiled as two com-padres and performed an onslaught of songs in between stand up banter, which still had Tommy sneaking to catch a buzz on top of his housetop roof and his grandson walking up on him, "F-OFF!" he explained with a giggle. "Sometimes you just want to be left alone", he snickered again. "Save the Wales", "Born in East L.A.", "Earache My Eye" (which had Cheech decked out in the infamous tutu and mouse ears), "Mexican-American", and ending the evening joined by Shelby Chong with "Little Green Flower" were just a few of the songs played and had the crowd wanting more. In between this mix of album favorites, Cheech explained how Tommy was once a member of Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers in the sixties and did a great version of, "Does Your Mama Know About Me?" This had all in attendance snuggling with their significant other and reminiscing of all the years Cheech and Chong have been doing this. Great moment of the evening. There was no encore, the three thanked the venue, thanked the fans, took an arm-in-arm bow then exited the stage.
I've been a fan of Cheech and Chong for a while now, seen the movies, listened to the albums, and had the opportunity to see them in Washington D.C. in 2008. This was a re-invention of some characters, a sense of, where do we take all our stoner friends and characters now after years of doing this? I think at some point, they can't do the word for word banter we all have used somewhat in our lives. The material is fresh now, they take the old, blend it with the topics of today, and make us all remember, reflect, and cheer the two on, as we have done for years.
Keep charging Cheech and Chong!!! Florida Loves You!
A special thank you to Cheech and Chong as well as their management, The King Center for the Performing Arts who went well out of their way to make all who attended feel right at home, and the fans in attendance who support the talent which is carried in on an ocean breeze through this great state of Florida. See you on the beach, in a bar, or at a show...
Tri Bell with SurfGuru signing off...
The King Center for the Performing Arts is located:
3865 N. Wickham Road
Melbourne, FL 32935
(321) 242-2219
www.kingcenter.com
