Down by New Braunfels, Texas stands the oldest, continually operating, and most storied dance hall in Texas, Gruene Hall (http://gruenehall.com/). Located in Gruene (pronounced green), the dance hall fits in perfectly with the tiny little community that serves as a lovely day trip from just about anywhere in the central Texas area. In the same lot as The Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar, Gruene Hall is a must stop destination for music, dancing, and just plain old fun.
The dance hall itself remains primarily the same as it was over 100 years ago in design. A big rectangle building with a tin roof. A bar in front, the stage in the back, seating, and plenty of dance floor. There is live music almost every night of the week. So if you happen to be in the central Texas area for any reason, check out what's happening on their website, and make the trip. From early in the day shopping, to enjoying food, wine, beer, and finally ending with a spectacular night setting foot in history. Add Gruene, Texas and the Gruene Hall as a MUST DO on your bucket list in Texas.
This particular, very cold and very wet night (dubbed BLIZZARD 2015 - ha!) was a special 3 hr set by Texas guitar legend and local music hero, Van Wilks (http://www.vanwilks.com/)!
Van is currently touring the world (that place outside of Texas) in support of his new, upcoming CD (currently yet untitled). I happily made the 45+ minute drive down from Austin, with my dad to take in the "VanWilks Experience".
Van is both a performer as a guitarist and as a singer. His voice is smooth and surprising when you hear him. But not so surprising as it is a perfect blend with his Texas Blues/Rock guitar work. This evening ranged from cover songs you would swear were his, to the originals that were even better. I took the time to look around the room and was thrilled. To see a veteran of the Austin AND Texas music scene, with decades of collateral under his belt, have such a diverse crowd in the Gruene Hall, was beautiful.
The country boys with their cowboy hats, the pretty ladies in their long skirts, the gentleman smiling and drinking beer. Old and young, the house was full! As Van rolled on with the music throughout the evening, there was dancing to some of the covers in the front of the house.
Van Wilks' brilliant work on the guitar is just that, brilliant work ON the guitar. Not just picking, but using 10 fingers, bending it, stroking it, hitting it, all the while coaxing out of all of his guitars and his music. Van's music had the power to have the back of the house on its feet and dancing EVERY single time the tempo picked up.
To this crowd on this cold and wet evening, Van Wilks wove 3 hours of our time into a tapestry of amazing sound and fun. The music was just right for that old dance hall. I will tell you this...here is another wonderful night those four walls will never forget and all who attended.
Stay tuned for more info from Van Wilks about his upcoming album on his website or at Live Music in Austin.
Laters
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