Oct 16, 2004---------------------------------------------------@ the end of an era: closing of the Jungle

For some time now, Roy and I have gone to the Jungle. This is a "hole in the wall" type bar but kinda like Cheers in that everybody knows your name (at least they know Roy an my names) and are very friendly. I have often said that it was my "at home" bar...the bar I went to when I didnt really feel the need or desire to try and impress, or be anything be me. A very relaxed envirnment. Well, imagine the surprise when we got the announcement that this bar, which had been in the same place for 25 plus years, was closing. The last night was Oct 16, and of course they were going to have big show. For heavans sakes, starting at 7 pm --something like 38 performers. I was deteermined to be one of them of course..(grin)

So it was that we came to be at the Jungle at the ungodly hour of 6:30 on Saturday night..me in full warpaint, really to perform. I have no idea whether 38 performers actually showed, but I can tell you that many did. There was "food bar" spread out on the erstwhile pool table...when it clearly says "no sitting on the pool table". A rule that we all strived to break as much as possible. LOL (check out the alt discriptions on most of the pictures)

Special Performance

The show part of the night was dedicated to Cookie Mccoo's memory. I missed hearing her voice on the mike announcing the performers, pronouncing theirs in interesting ways, and just generally being a presense. I had not been to the jungle, I dont think since the memorial show. I apparently wasnt the only one missing Cookie as Jim had requested that Chyna come in to preform a special Diana Ross solution. You see Cookie's favorite performer, her idol you might say, was Diana Ross. Here we have a picture of Chyna looking very like Diana followed by a couple of "jungle style" clowning around pictures with Chyna and Sabra.

The Rest of the Show

There were 3 or 4 shows. As I said before, the shows were supposed to start at 7pm, of course it was actually about 8pm before they did...drag centreal time, ya know. (grin) Roy and I left before the third show, at about 12:00. Roy had to work on Sunday, and I just didnt feel like staying about 3 hours. Anyway, we had a good show...a good "farewell...at least for now and certainly in this location" to the Jungle Lounge (World's fameous no less)