by Sue Manuel, Philadelphia, PA

Philly music fans of a certain age will have at least one memory of the Chestnut Cabaret. It was THE place for live music in the 80s. It was always oppressively hot and stuffy in there even in the dead of winter, but oh, what a lineup it was: The Blasters, X, The Pretenders, The Pogues, Billy Bragg, Aztec Camera, The Dead Milkmen, whew!

But the most memorable of all the music I experienced at the Cabaret was the first time I saw Los Lobos. It would have been the mid-80s and I was still learning to “let loose.” Their set kept me dancing and euphoric and by the end I was drenched in sweat and forever changed. When the band left the stage, I ran to catch them before they exited into the back. There was David Hidalgo, also totally soaking wet, and I got to shake his hand and say thanks.

In the 20 years since that moment, I’ve seen Los Lobos live more than any other band — I honestly can’t say how many times — and they still make me dance all night. Except now, I need an ice pack for my knee when I get home!!