The Latin Dukes Ring in Summer
By Annie Prafcke
AUSTIN, TX – I’ve lounged on Lady Bird Lake and listened to lots of Latin music, but this was the first time I’ve done both simultaneously and enjoyed either so much. On Thursday, June 1, Austin-based band The Latin Dukes performed at Texas Rowing Center’s June “Latino Moonlight Serenade.”
This family-friendly performance appeared to simply be about having a good time. Yet, what made it a worthwhile experience was the atmosphere The Latin Dukes and Texas Rowing Center created, which encapsulated the sensations of an ideal Austin summer.
For the event, audience members rented canoes, kayaks or paddle boards at Texas Rowing Center (or they could bring their own) to enjoy an evening relaxing on the water, all while listening to live music performed by musicians afloat a platform drifting along Lady Bird Lake. As the band played, they made occasional stops on the water where attendees could congregate and get up to dance salsa or cumbia on the small “stage.”
The Latin Dukes’ website states their music “transcends genre and style,” a description they lived up to at this concert. The five-member band played original songs along with Latin faves like “Guantanamera.” They also belted out memorable mashups of other pop hits including a cover of The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” blended with “La Cucaracha” and “Mama Yo Quiero.” And who could forget “Time to Say Goodbye,” the song famously sung by Andrea Bocelli, interwoven with U2’s “With or Without You?”
At times The Latin Dukes seemed to be channeling the Cuban ensemble group Buena Vista Social Club, at other times perhaps Pomplamoose, the American music pair best known for their extensive collection of music covers. All of their songs felt fresh and fitting for a city obsessed with music as diverse as its inhabitants.
The Latin Dukes’ sound was light and effervescent, much like the bubbly drinks the people around me sipped on their boats and boards. Even songs I never imagined myself chilling out to under the hot Texas sun worked perfectly in their set. I don’t usually think of Radiohead’s “Creep” as a summer jam, but combined with Maluma’s “Hawái,” somehow it was.
The vocals (Sergio Ramos, Roberto Moreno, Andrew Nobles and Chris LaCava) were well-rounded. In addition to the grounding of the guitar (Ramos) and bass (LaCava) and the uplifting sweetness provided by the mandolin and violin (both played by Nobles), the band’s instrumentals also included a delightful mix of percussion (played by Moreno and Bruno Vinezof). Throughout the set, you could hear a box-shaped drum-like instrument called a cajón, as well as a conga and a güiro, a hollow, ridged instrument played by scraping the sides with a stick.
The experience of The Latin Dukes’ performance encapsulated the feeling of relaxing outside with family and friends on a summer evening. The light sound and breezy demeanor of the band members put everyone at ease and in the mood to move. From the raft, Frank Sclafani, Texas Rowing Center’s facilities manager, invited participants to dance with him. His moves were so enticing people began to boogie on their boards. The band members wore casual outfits consisting of colorful shirts, jeans and shorts and sunglasses, all of which added to their carefree vibe. The group kept the audience engaged by ensuring everyone who wanted to dance had the opportunity to get on the platform with them. They gestured with open arms when they wanted us to paddle to a new spot.
I was worried that balancing on my paddleboard and keeping up with the rest of the group would distract me from the musical experience, but it didn’t. People drifted in and out at their leisure. No one seemed to be jockeying for a spot near the front of the platform because it was easy to hear the music from afar. Each time the group floated to a new stopping point, there was a fresh opportunity to see the band up close. Whenever I accidentally bumped into another boat, the occupant seemed to pick up on the good-natured atmosphere, simply smiling and waving it off.
The Latin Dukes played on, even as the blue sky faded into purple. The sun set and the moon rose, outlining Austin’s downtown city skyline, a backdrop that couldn’t have been better staged.
The end of the performance was a bit confusing, as the performers began to drift back to the dock, sharing their social media information and next performance dates. Quite a few people, including myself, seemed to think this was the end of the concert and started to paddle back, yet, shortly after, the band started back up and played for half an hour more.
No matter though – the music was just as serene from the dock and the Austin summer night just as splendid aglow in the moonlight.
Texas Rowing Center’s “Latino Moonlight Serenades:” July 27, Aug. 31, Sept. 28 https://www.texasrowingcenter.com/latino-moonlight-serenades
The Latin Dukes are currently scheduled to perform at the Sept. 28 Latino Moonlight Serenade https://www.latindukes.com/