Mr. Villa stood on the stage, but the crowd seemed to not recognize the man who was in front of the wall that bore his art.  "Don't graffitti it" he told the young skateboarders that were in the park.  Esteban Villa then sang a song that was the "Bakersfield" sound, "Chicano" in its roots, but Bakersfield in its sound.  Professor Emeritus Esteban Villa was at home while he remembered he was sitting under the trees when he thought of the song "Southside Park".

Southside Park on Saturday was like a barbecue with benefits.  Skateboards, pretty women, promotions, music, and the locals walking their bikes and stopping to see what all the music was about.  Nearby, the sounds of powwow drums could be heard.  Shiny fishing lines in the pond and kids in the playground.  Southside Park is  a neglected gem in downtown.  Esteban Villa remembered that it was a run down place when he and the Royal Chicano Air Force (or Rebel Chicano Art Force) painted the stage at the park.  "It was the one of the ugliest parks in town", he recalled.  Now, the mural still shines like a diamond, not marked up and the colors still vibrant.

As I snapped pictures and dreamed of music, I thought that Southside Park is a perfect place for music festivals.  The great sound stage and colorful background mural is beautiful in the shade trees.  Someday, I may have a show there.  Peace.