RECONNECTING WITH AN OLD FRIEND AT THE BEN NEECE EVENT

 My personal high point of the Ben Neece campaign event at the Manitou Building downtown was visiting with J.J. Strubelt, who for several years managed Ben's nightclub/live music venue, the Crescent Moon. 

 

The Crescent Moon used to occupy the northwestern corner of the Miguel Fernandez Hide Yard Building.  One entrance was on East 11th Street, but most entered through the back door along th East Adams and East Jeff

Live music was provided in the form of 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 aficianados, Louis Villarreal, The Bluzanos,  Clay Moore's Frontier Jazz Quartet and of course, The Doc Scully Blues Band.

Henry Lee

A legendary night was December 9, 2011 when rocker Henry Lee performed the Jimi Hendrix version of Dylan's All Along the Watchtower.

The Crescent Moon closed its doors for good June 2012 with patrons encouraged to frequent the newly renovated Half Moon on East Adams Street.

Conversation at the Moon

J.J. and I reminisced last night about how the Crescent Moon had superb acoustics, something the Half Moon never achieved.  The unmatched, comfortable seating, sturdy, soft seats from the historic El Jardin Hotel, only added to the enjoyment.

Although the building had air-conditioning, sometimes Ben would just open both doors and let the southwest breeze flow through.

Memories.