Local Observation /THE GREEN PARROT, BEST BAR IN THE WORLD

Patrick and The Swayzees were slated for Friday night sound check at The Green Parrot, the best bar in the world. Everyone in town raves about Patrick and the Swayzees, and being as I’m immune to peer pressure I avoided them.

Yes, I judged the band by its dumb nomenclature and the suspiciously ebullient hype. And thus I erred. Am I more human than vampire after all? One day I was introduced to Patrick, the leader of the band. This was a bit of a surprise as Patrick is a figure I’ve known by eye since I first moved here, by day to be found along Duval at his mobile stand of handmade wire designs and by night at the Green Parrot. He is prone to florid shirts with psychedelic flare.

He and I have ignored each other for years. Friday evening came and rigid with reluctance and judgements off I went. Upon approach I could see a throng surging on the sidewalk outside the bar.

First shock! The music was undeniably sensational and the place was bursting to the rafters with people dancing.

Second shock! Patrick, on bass, was hanging back on the slim stage, in a trance of musician bliss, along with founding member Jerrod Isaman with his red guitar. A special mention to Les Greene, the lead singer, who is topnotch with talent. But it was when he started dancing that I fell in love. In his 1940s style attire with tight slacks and natty suspenders and brown and white spats he danced like Fred Astaire, one of my heroes. I went to the edge of the stage and stared at his fast-moving feet. Mesmerized.

Patrick and the Swayzees can pack my beloved Green Parrot, at Sound Check! And now I know why.