Ruckus

Tuesday night last week, we went to a cool new restaurant called Botticelli's here in town to hear our pal Laura Phelan and a band she plays with. That's Laura at the far left in back on vibes. The band's full name is Matthew Shepherd and The Ruckus.

The restaurant has a garden stage out back, as you can see. The photo is hazy and in a couple of spots, you see some movement, but that kind of adds to the authenticity of it all.

Laura is also a fantastic composer, singer and piano player. The music this band plays is jazz, but with Latin influences. We had a nice dinner (I had black drum with figs and a very delicate but spicy orange broth and radicchio -- it almost seemed as if the fish was poached in the sauce) and listened for a set. The band was very accomplished. The guitar player seemed to be the leader and composer for most of the tunes.

I snapped this shot while they were in mid-song. Such a typical Austin scene of talented young people trying to catch a break. Such a typical Austin night with the warm glow of the setting sun providing a back light for the photo, good food and wine on the table, and my soulmate by my side.