Tonight is the Crescent Moon's Last Night~Melancholy Sets In

Downtown Brownsville's musical safety net, The Crescent Moon is closing down in its present form after tonight.  The popular, comfortable live music venue located in the back quarters of the historic Hide Building will be absorbed into a new operation facing Adams Street, The Half Moon.


Local musician and entrepreneur Ben Neece sent the faithful this message on Thursday:

"Dear Members of the Crescent Moon Cantina Group: It is with great regret that we announce the closing of the Crescent Moon Cantina. This Friday will be our last night. We'll be having a Jamboree, so all of the musicians who have graced our stage are encouraged to return for one more Jam. Don't forget that Frontera Jazz Quartet will be playing their last gig at the Crescent Moon Cantina on Thursday, so if you didn't get a chance to catch them, this is your last opportunity.
......................................... HOWEVER, we will be re-opening soon in the newly remodeled Half Moon Bar, in the same building, but on the Adams Street side. And yes, there will be air-conditioning and the same "chill" ambience, and of course, the same caliber of musicians who have performed in the past. ................................This Friday, botanas and jams. Hope to see you there.             Ben Neece"

The Moon had nights everyone knew at the time would never be repeated like December 9, 2011 when the legendary Henry Lee rocked downtown with the Jimi Hendrix version of Dylan's All Along the Watchtower.  Then, there was the after party for the Latin Jazz Festival with most of the musicians joining in a jam.

Then, there was always the house band, Earthmen, Lords of D'Nile with a varied make-up, but always including Neece, J.J. Struebelt and Joe Hugonette, but also Adrian and the rest of the Foncerrada family, belly dancers, banjo players, Beatles afficianados, Louis Villarreal, The Bluzanos,  Clay Moore's Frontier Jazz Quartet and of course, The Doc Scully Blues Band.

Many described the Crescent Moon as comfortable, but it wasn't just the individual 70's vintage upholstered chairs, the music or the acoustics; all great.  It was more than likely the overqualified bar manager, J.J. Struebelt who set the tone and warmth for the establishment.

Despite what Neece says in the note above, the Crescent Moon will not be replaced.