Cheech=No Show at Art Opening

The infamous outlaw, Bobby Capps, attended Saturday's opening of Cheech Marin's Latino Art Exhibit, Chicano Visions. If you recall, Bobby peformed numerous "Free Tommy" stunts during Tommy Chong's incarceration. He's a huge Cheech and Chong fan so he drove out to San Fran to see Cheech. Unfortunately, Cheech called out sick. He came down with a mild case of the flu shortly after doing press on Friday.

Here is Bobby Capps' coverage of the event.

Golden Gate Park In San Francisco the picture of perfection as God painted up a sensational day for art lovers. The mood was somber for the moment as patrons single filed into the de Young Museum to get a first hand glimpse of Chicano Visions.

My perceptions of the art works was that it was simplistic but very meaningful. While the spectrum ran from one end of talent to the other, the paintings and vignettes were without a doubt very vibrant in color and stood out boldly. From religious, political and positive attitudes of life's struggle the time passages seem to have a common denominator. The artist all seem to bond in a family oriented way. That brown skinned people want to be free from a racist society and just want to be themselves free of the chains of slavery that bind them from reaching freedom. Family unity and faith were the main contrast.

The art was bestowed in paintings, vignettes, shrines, and of the traditional Chicano ways of life. Some well known figures were prestige in glass cases such as Oscar Dela Hoyas picture along with a pair of autograph boxing gloves. Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana's picture holding one of his guitars while that guitar itself stood proudly in another glass case along with his Grammy award for Corizone Espinado. Brown bandanas sometimes known in areas of the streets as Dew rags were given away free in the spirit to say I am Chicano and proud to be it. Today's visitors even if not of a Mexican American decent was Chicano day for anyone sported this symbolic gesture.

Adults of all ages admired their favorite piece of this fabulous collections of work while their children played with low rider thumpers toys set up like video games. Even some of the older men still couldn't let go of the little boy in them to try their hand at the high bouncing automobile. I must say I was very happy to see the children in the museum were well behave and not running around.

When asking a few people of their view of Chicano Art I received a very good reprise. Pepe Adriazola (Peru) youth worker in S. F. screamed softly to me counting, "This is about Family,Tradition, and Unity for brown skinned people everywhere." Denise Wilson S. F. " I thought it was well rounded and educational!" Denise was sitting at a 1950's Cafe style booth which had the music selection for a quarter juke box. When I walked by to see it Denise was so still and looking at the selection I thought she was a model manikin set up to perceived the memories of the doo-wah day. We enjoyed a great laugh as I sat down across the booth and enjoyed her smile of joy she was getting out of the art show. One Nun (Tennessee) had no opinion and claimed she couldn't be printed. One man sporting and Irish ball cap, had no clue what so ever what any of the works were trying to say. His entire journey was based on giving his 4 year old something to do to keep her occupied on daddy's day.

One entire area was set up to exemplify Cheech Marin's life at home in the early years. With a small love seat style couch and two end tables looking into two televisions which showed a tape of Cheech's family and a second which shown Cheech. I began to feel sad. It was more like visiting a memorial and that Cheech had left us for a free and better place. I must say I did not like this one particular scene. Most of the other visitors were very quite in this part of the museum.

As the day moved on and we exited the exhibit a full band was set up in the Foyer of the building. The body jumping room bumping blazing red hot Baja sounds of Dr Loco and his Jalapeno Band filled the crowd with delight as they cheered on a Chicano sax players Pied Piper Styles.

An estimated 5000 people toured the exhibit of The Cheech Marin Chicano Visions Art Show. within two hours. But sadly this art show was a no show for the legendary Pioneer of Comedy. It Seems Cheech called in sick at the last minute.

Even though Mr. Marin did not make his appearance the crowd didn't seem to be displease. With a sidewalk show of stilt walkers and hot beat drummers (Loco Blaco) to the fine style of the inside music I would have to say that Rene Yanez, Rio Yanez and Rene Baldocchi and a host of many other employees represented Cheech Marin's American Expression and Chicano Encounters in a positive manor.

The most thought and talked about work was of several violent paintings of street life with exploding cars and gunfire. ( Gang Banger representation)

A large portrait of Cheech Marin adorn the exit of the exhibit as if to say. " Thanks for coming to hear and see our lives" and a flurry of books and pictures were for sale as you left. Seven artists were on hand to autograph the copies of books displaying their works.

I enjoyed the tour immensely For this Outlaw It was a steal of a show because opening day had free admission. Try to see the show.

SF Gate Article