My first Circus Mexicus with Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers, which for the RCPM faithful was their 21st, began on Friday evening with my ’72 VW Thing bouncing along the washboard creviced sandy road to Cholla Bay. I was guided into a small parking spot relatively near the entrance to the infamous JJ’s Cantina, picked up my wristbands for the weekend, and headed in for a hotdog and smile – along with a few cervezas and some rock-n-roll.
The sun was setting over the Sea of Cortez, illuminating the background for the group Shurman out of Austin, TX. Shurman, along with Jason Boots, had played the night before at Wrecked and were joined on Friday by Random Karma, Jim Dalton and Friends, and Sons of Bill. A little bit of country, a lot of rock, and lots of jamming by the bay. I had had my first RCPM experience at JJ’s back at January Jam this year, along with about 1000 others. On Friday night, I believe at least 1500+ people or more packed into JJ’s, all donning less clothes than in Jan. but just as many straw cowboy hats and sombreros.
RCPM drummer PH Naffah and volunteers were grilling up Dogs & Smiles, telling me they had grilled up about 1000 dogs this year. A colorful piñata donkey was situated nearby for people to drop in donations throughout the night, which are all part of PH’s yearly fundraising efforts for Esperanza para los Niños. In addition, a trailer was set up outside by the ticket area for people to drop off donations of cleaning supplies, clothing, and food items. On Saturday, a group of Peacemaker volunteers headed up by RCPM fans Tom Syvertsen, Crystal Gottshalk and friends out of Minnesota – along with locals Mark & Barbara Olszewski – would be taking all the items out to Esperanza.
On Saturday, Rock & Soccer began at 8 a.m. (or so I’m told) on the beach in front of Wrecked. I hit the beach as a spectator just before noon and took in some games from both the Divertido and Golazo divisions. At halftime, a few young kids would run onto the beach and take their positions as goalies or kickers and take each other on. It was an intense tournament, even more so with the wind picking up and white caps framing the background. I also learned that if I ever want to participate I should invest in some sand-soccer booties. In the Golazo division, Roger would later tell all of us at that night’s concert, his Mexican Moonshine team did not take the championship but fell to last year’s winner Hump Squad before they too were taken down by this year’s champions – the local team from Wrecked!
By Saturday evening the wind had died down, drink tents replaced soccer fields in front of Wrecked, and the stage was lit up between tall palm trees. In its new venue this year, Circus Mexicus promised to be a real beach party though some found it challenging with the sand sloping somewhat down from the stage. Once we got in “the gate”, we sank our toes into the soft sand while others rushed to make sure they were up close and personal for the show. Experienced Circus goers also pulled out beach chairs and blankets while they marked out their spots, joking as to how many people may roll back into them through the night …rolling down the slope, but not out to sea. Others waded into the cool waters of the sea as the tide went out, and then grabbed a piece of beach from where they could listen to the concert with an accompanying chorus of waves just steps away.
As concert time neared and the sun began to set in the West, Sons of Bill took the stage first with an acoustic performance. The harmonies of brothers James, Sam, and Abe Wilson entertained the growing RCPM crowd, who were anxiously waiting for Roger and the band to finish up their tacos and tequilas backstage before the show. According to conversations with Circus Mexicus managers Keara Zito and Greg Ross, who also markets Roger Clyne’s Mexican Moonshine Ultra Premium Tequilas, there appeared to be around 3500 peacemaker fans and family filling up the beach.
Around 8 p.m., the RCPM faithful were rewarded with a 4 hour show right on the beach with Roger Clyne, Jim Dalton, PH Naffah, and Nick Scropos launching into Mexico (from The Refreshments days) for the first 24 song set. The tequila glowed and flowed, and sombreros of various sorts made their way to the stage – where Roger donned one for a rendition of a Neil Diamond song and another, of course, for the crooning notes of Mexican Moonshine. 
After a short break, RCPM launched into their second set – consisting of another 20 songs – and then came back for an encore led off by the sweet tune of Green and Dumb. With a starlit night sky overhead, Roger emphatically exclaimed “We’ve all had a party on the beach in Mexico, amigos! Gracias!” Fireworks lit the sky once more as the music ended and Roger called on Peacemakers to “stay together” to make sure they made it back safely.
On Sunday morning, I was determined to make it to Mañanathon at JJ’s to make my Circus Mexicus weekend complete. So, sometime well after noon I finally made my way out to Cholla Bay, over the washboard roads and through the dust, and into the arms of music spilling from JJ’s terrace. 
It was like Friday night all over again, but in the sun and with a Bloody Mary and water instead of Hot Dogs and cervezas. Admittedly, there were fewer people than Friday night – either due to early departures or more probably a late night and no wake-up call – but the music fans kept the Circus going through the afternoon.
RCPM band members meandered in and out of JJ’s throughout the day, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Chaney Bryant was also on hand at JJ’s, soaking in the Peacemaker love in Mexico as he prepares to sit in for Nick in coming RCPM tour dates as Nick and his wife plan to celebrate the birth of a new family member. 
Once more, tunes floated over Cholla Bay with performances by Jason Boots, Shurman, Sons of Bill, Jim Dalton and friends, and Random Karma. I picked up the Sirens CD of Sons of Bill, and finally bought a copy of Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers latest CD, Unida Cantina, before bidding adieu to JJ’s and hopping back into my Thing for the homegrown washboard sandy massage ride back into town. The Circus had come full circle.
With my first Circus Mexicus now under my sombrero, I’m already thinking about CM XXII in mi querida Puerto Peñasco! Salud!
