Pool Party!

Proteus – 10:33 p.m. Apr. 10

By the end of Duane’s set, I had filled my memory cards, and - more critically, since I had no access to A/C at the car show – drained batteries. With a half hour before The Ventures were scheduled, I walked back to the hotel to dump data and recharge.

On the way, we pass the entrance to the Orleans pool, where the Viva Pool Party goes on all day with its own roster of surfy bands (and vintage swimwear). I didn’t think we had time, but Mrs P was curious, so we dropped in.

I’m glad we did. The venue is beautiful, with a relaxed and mellow island vibe providing a refreshing antidote to the energy and excitement of the Car Show. The stage is built over a cascading water display, and the band onstage, featuring two hula girls, was playing … hulabilly. One of the songs was “Hula Girl.” When I looked up the name of the band in the program later, it turned out to be … The Hula Girls

One of the Hula Girl guys plays an orange Gretsch, along with a lap steel in appropriate island tuning.

Having finally looked in on the Pool Party, I’ll have a hard time staying away during future Vivas.

Do click on the media files; you’ll enjoy them.

• Hula Girl (the song)
• The Hula Girls Video