Indoors, outdoors, on the beach, or under a palapa. From the stage to the playa, golf course to baseball diamond, no matter how you shaped it or where you went, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers’ January Jam made its presence known across Rocky Point for three rock-filled days complete with brilliant sunshine and magnificent sunsets!
On a “relatively” more laid-back scale than RCPM’s Circus Mexicus main event each June, January Jam continues to grow across different venues in Puerto Peñasco while furthering its charitable boost to the community of Puerto Peñasco via raffles, the Mexican Moonshine Tequila Golf Classic, and for the past two years a Baseball Slam offering local kids the chance to hone their skills. Yes, it’s so much more than music – but ohhh, the music!
This year’s January Jam included a sold-out Friday night intimate “house party” for 600 people or so in the ballroom space at Las Palomas Beach & Golf Resort. Once peacemakers found their sway in the new space and settled into the soothing guitar melodies of the Cruz Contreras Band – everyone figured out how to go with the flow and sing along through RCPM’s two sets …the second of which spanned a wealth of covers from heavy metal to the Beastie Boys and more (thank Chris Cantor and the return of Jason Boots for that). Night owls continued on to Banditos for DJ JD…what pace?
Saturday’s Mexican Moonshine Golf Classic – now in its 8th year – welcomed 103 golfers to The Links course at Las Palomas. At the infamous “watering grounds” around the par-3 17th, most folk were able to run into RCPM royalty while raffle prizes and Moonshine putting awaited back at the club house. Those not on the course could be found enjoying Andrew Leahey at the Pink Flamingo Bar at Capone’s and/or at January Jam steadfast anchor JJ’s Cantina in Cholla Bay – featuring The Hourglass Cats and The Jons ….all leading up to the main event that night at Banditos.
Banditos kicked it off with Jason Boots, Drew Cooper, and The Hourglass Cats before melting into the guitar and piano of the Cruz Contreras Band who warmed things up under a perfect sky for another night of RCPM. After bumping into him at el güero’s taco stand after their set, the down-to-earth 2009 founder of The Black Lillies introduced himself over salsa – “I’m Cruz, it’s my second time in Puerto Peñasco – put a good word in for me.” Yep, good word!
Just before RCPM came out that night, concert promoter Greg Ross took the stage to highlight contributions of peacemaker fans to the city of Puerto Peñasco, noting after Circus Mexicus in June they tallied up how much had been raised over the years…which was about $96,000 US – though “as of yesterday (raffle fundraiser plus golf tournament), we went over $100,000 USD.” He stressed the gratitude of the city of Puerto Peñasco, not only from the charitable efforts but also from all the business these events represent. Gracias!
What seemed to Banditos staff to be over 1500 people on Saturday, music and tequila flowed to the warmth of fire pits and fiesta through the night. Roger, Jim, Nick, and PH went back and forth in a percussion cloud with The Jons, the crowd jumped in and held up their cervezas at the right times… Here’s to Life! Down Together! That seems fair!!
Sunday’s perfect weather was the crowning statement on the 12th edition of January Jam! A knock-out sunset over Wrecked delighted the hope-you’re-really-into-being-cozy-with-your-amigos jampacked patio and beach as several of the weekend’s artists jumped in with RCPM. What was definitely a first for January Jam …and Rocky Point in general…. Sunday’s glorious sunset across the Sea of Cortez was topped off by the arrival of a cruise ship …yes, the Astoria…making for an odd juxtaposition of rock ’n roll mixed with classic ocean liner.
As the sun went down and folks made their way back to Banditos to close the ruckus down with Jim Dalton’s borracho domingo (hey, remember when that was an early afternoon thing?), plus Drew Cooper and house band The Summer, January Jam organizers wished all well on their way with a shot and a promise “Gracias, Rocky Point! See you in June!”
Circus Mexicus 2020 is set for June 4th – 7th ¡Hasta la próxima!