Views of the Neighborhood – Lakeway Brown Bag Concert Series –

January 28, 2024 · by John W. Howell · in Views of the Neighborhood · 84 Comments

We are going to the Lakeway Activity Center for sizzling salsa dancing today. This is part of the Lakeway Arts Brown Bag Concert Series. The idea is to bring your lunch and enjoy the entertainment. We are catered by Nixta Taqueria of Austin. Our entertainment is Gloria Estefan with Daniel Rosas & Jasmin Benfreha.

Quesadilla- panela cheese (contains dairy). Add chorizo, chipotle mayo & avocado

Bean & cheese taco – panela cheese, duck fat refried beans (contains dairy)

Enchilada potosina taco – potato & chorizo purée, duck fat refried beans, shredded cabbage, roasted tomato salsa, queso enchilada (contains dairy)

44 farms all-beef frank, tomatillo onion relish, American cheese, ketchup, mustard (contains dairy)

Butternut squash salad – smoked butternut squash, currant vinaigrette, labneh, Nixta jardin herbs, pomegranate seeds, toasted sesame seeds, onions & pepitas, crispy sage, chile guajillo, and pequin (contains dairy and sesame seeds – vegan option available)

Salsa flight – 1oz serving of salsa cruda, salsa Morita, lacto-fermented hot sauce, creamy habanero. A delicious addition to chips, tacos, or tostadas! (contains fish sauce)

Cauliflower taco – roasted cauliflower, romesco, pine nuts, cilantro, queso fresco* (contains dairy, contains pecans & pine nuts – vegan option available)

Duck carnitas taco – duck confit, radish, shaved white onions, salsa cruda, cilantro (contains fish sauce)

Beet “tartare” tostada – roasted beets, avocado crema, salsa macha, horseradish, micro greens, lime (contains pecans & sesame seeds)

Tuna tostada – yellowfin tuna cured in citrus & tamari, avocado, chipotle aioli, microgreens, furikake (contains raw fish)

Picture of an old time school bus

So, Let’s hit it.

The Activity Center of Lakeway.

In the front doors.

The lobby of the center.

A blown glass exhibit on the left as we go into the ballroom.

Here we are with a couple demonstrating a dance.

Another couple takes the stage.

Start right off.

The old guys come alive.

Great form.

A slow one. Better for this crowd.

The Arts Council placed a red rose on each table, which was very nice.

While the dancers continue, let’s go outside and participate in the music and food. I hope you all have a terrific week.

Tags: author, books, Circumstances of Childhood, Eternal Road - The final stop, fiction favorites, His Revenge, John W. Howell Author, Lakeway. Texas, My GRL, Our Justice, The Contract with Gwen Plano, The Last Drive

84 comments

GP · January 28, 2024 - 5:50 am ·

I haven’t danced in a lot of years, but it was fun watching the display, John.
I think I’ll try the butternut salad – hold the chilis!!

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 7:00 am ·
  
  Good choice, GP. Someone asked me my favorite dance step and I said getting up from the chair. 😁
  
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  1. GP · January 28, 2024 - 1:19 pm ·
    
    Ah….. (me sitting back down again).
    
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    1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 2:05 pm ·
      
      Good move. Here have some tea.
      
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    2. GP · January 29, 2024 - 5:56 am ·
      
      Thanks.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    3. John W. Howell · January 29, 2024 - 7:19 am ·
      
      😊
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
Liz Gauffreau · January 28, 2024 - 6:02 am ·

I loved the video! Oh, to be able to dance like that!!

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 7:06 am ·
  
  It would be terrific. 😁 Lotta Ben Gay after.
  
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  1. Liz Gauffreau · January 28, 2024 - 7:58 am ·
    
    😳
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 11:36 am ·
      
      😊
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
Annette Rochelle Aben · January 28, 2024 - 6:09 am ·

Beautiful venue. This sounds like fun. Thank goodness I always have a tuna kit packed and ready to roll. (I even have my own fork & napkin in the kit)

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 7:07 am ·
  
  A tuna kit makes it easy for sure. 😊 Go Lions
  
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Dan Antion · January 28, 2024 - 6:28 am ·

I’d say it’s been a long time since I danced like that, but…Yeah, I never danced like that. I’ll go with that hot dog – sorry, all-beef frank.

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 7:08 am ·
  
  That looked good to me too. I had one yesterday.
  
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Charles Yallowitz · January 28, 2024 - 6:44 am ·

Looks like a fun event.

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 7:08 am ·
  
  I think everyone enjoyed it.
  
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Sorryless · January 28, 2024 - 7:25 am ·

That enchilada potosina taco is right in my strike zone. And this place has SO much going on! The ottoman . . . I kept going back to the ottoman. I know . . I need a life.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 9:34 am ·
  
  Ha ha ha. We should name it Marc’s ottoman. 😁
  
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  1. Sorryless · January 28, 2024 - 2:41 pm ·
    
    If we must! 😉
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 3:39 pm ·
      
      Yes I will inform the Activity Center of the name.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    2. Sorryless · January 29, 2024 - 3:36 am ·
      
      You da best.
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
    3. John W. Howell · January 29, 2024 - 7:12 am ·
      
      Marco Ottoman sounds like an ancient explorer who discovered Miami Beach.
      
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    4. Sorryless · January 29, 2024 - 3:25 pm ·
      
      It does! LOL
      
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    5. John W. Howell · January 29, 2024 - 4:38 pm ·
      
      😊
      
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Gwen M. Plano · January 28, 2024 - 7:36 am ·

What a fun experience! It’s been a long time since I danced, so long that I can’t remember when it was. 😄

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 9:44 am ·
  
  I’m with you. I can’t remember either. thanks, Gwen 😊
  
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srbottch · January 28, 2024 - 7:37 am ·

I’m hunting for my leather pants nie and will be on stage for the group dance. I took salsa lessons once but my feet couldn’t keep up with the music. I’ll stick with rhumba, the dance of love. What a fun dance show. I’ll take the Hot Dogs. Gloria Estefan is great.

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 11:35 am ·
  
  So glad you enjoyed it, Steve. Gloria is great. Thanks. 😁
  
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T. W. Dittmer · January 28, 2024 - 7:38 am ·

That looks entertaining in a really nice place, John. They used to have brown bag concerts in Lansing, back when I worked there. They were outdoor concerts during the summer.

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 11:35 am ·
  
  I wonder if they still have them?
  
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  1. T. W. Dittmer · January 28, 2024 - 12:40 pm ·
    
    I don’t know. Don’t go to Lansing often, though I drive by it occasionally.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 2:03 pm ·
      
      Yeah, I can understand that. 😁
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
coldhandboyack · January 28, 2024 - 8:07 am ·

I think I’d be heading for the food, too.

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 11:37 am ·
  
  Ha ha ha. Thaks, Craig.
  
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lois · January 28, 2024 - 8:42 am ·

Salsa and tango–my two favorite dances to watch.
I made butternut squash soup this week. First time ever tasting that squash. Why did I wait so long??!! Dance on, John! 🕺

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 11:40 am ·
  
  Pretty brave of you to make soup out of something you never had. Like our ancestors trying milk for the first time. Glad it turned out well.
  
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joylennick · January 28, 2024 - 9:22 am ·

You handled that dancing really well, John! Go, man go….Bet it gave you quite an appetite for all that enticing food… Cheers.

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 11:44 am ·
  
  It sure did, Joy. I had one of everything. Thanks 😁
  
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Tails Around the Ranch · January 28, 2024 - 9:33 am ·

What a nice community center! You can never go wrong with Gloria as the entertainment. If you can’t dance, you can at least keep beat with head bobs and it’s happy music for everyone. LOVE the video selection.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 11:45 am ·
  
  Thank you, Monika. Have to give a nod to The Producer. She found that one. Glad you liked it.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Dale · January 28, 2024 - 10:14 am ·

What a great space, that is. I love the reception area. Don’t you just want to cozy in and read a book?
Thanks for the dance and the delicious eats, John!

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 1:57 pm ·
  
  Thanks for coming along, Dale. It does look like a good reading place.
  
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  1. Dale · January 28, 2024 - 1:59 pm ·
    
    Always a willing passenger on your trips, John. Doesn’t it, though?
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 2:06 pm ·
      
      😁
      
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Jennie · January 28, 2024 - 10:42 am ·

This was fun! You have such a beautiful Activity Center.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 1:57 pm ·
  
  We do like it. It is very well used too.
  
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  1. Jennie · January 29, 2024 - 5:38 pm ·
    
    That makes the activity center even better!
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · January 29, 2024 - 5:46 pm ·
      
      Yes it does.
      
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D. Wallace Peach · January 28, 2024 - 11:03 am ·

What a fun event, John. I thought you were all going to give it a go. 🙂 I’m always impressed with the activities in your neighborhood. Have a wonderful week.

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 1:58 pm ·
  
  You as well, Diana
  
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Kymber Hawke · January 28, 2024 - 11:10 am ·

This looks like so much fun. 😀 I have two left feet, but I love to watch dancing.

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 1:59 pm ·
  
  It is fun to watch. Thanks, Kymber
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Mae Clair · January 28, 2024 - 12:42 pm ·

What a nice Sunday diversion. That center is gorgeous, and it looks like a fun event. You can’t go wrong with dancing!

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 2:04 pm ·
  
  I agree, Mae. It was fun. The center is a great place.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Debbie · January 28, 2024 - 12:44 pm ·

I imagine I’d have been more into the music and the food than the dancing, John. Still, it looks as if there was a good crowd, and they seemed pretty rapt!

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 2:18 pm ·
  
  I agree. I would be into the food and music more as well. Thanks, Debbie.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
The Coastal Crone · January 28, 2024 - 3:05 pm ·

Not what I would have expected from a brown bag series but it looks like fun. Gorgeous lobby! I’ll have the cauliflower taco, please. Thank you! You have a good week too!

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 3:45 pm ·
  
  One taco coming up. Yeah, the dancing was a bit unusual but everyone seemed to enjoy it.
  
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Resa · January 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm ·

Wow! That video is fun!

Again, your hood throws some cool events.
So, did you dance with the rose in your mouth?

Almost forgot! The vegan cauliflower taco sounds good.

💃🏽𝐗 🕺𝐗

LikeLiked by 2 people
1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 4:21 pm ·
  
  I had you in mind when I got the menu together. I did not dance but had they had something stonger than water I might have been tempted as long as EMS was handy Thanks for coming along, Resa. ⛑X 🫀X
  
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  1. Resa · January 28, 2024 - 4:31 pm ·
    
    LOL!
    EMS are handy sometimes.
    ⛑X 🫀X 🍧X
    Thank you for thinking of me re: the menu! 💋
    
    LikeLiked by 2 people
    1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 4:40 pm ·
      
      ⛑X 🫀X 🍧X 🌺X
      
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    2. Resa · January 28, 2024 - 5:11 pm ·
      
      I eat flowers, too!
      🌺X
      
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    3. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 7:54 pm ·
      
      Yes indeed. 🌷
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
Author Jan Sikes · January 28, 2024 - 5:26 pm ·

What fun! And I love the blown glass display!

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1. John W. Howell · January 28, 2024 - 7:54 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Jan.
  
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jilldennison · January 29, 2024 - 12:07 am ·

I would love a quesadilla with LOTS of avocado, please! This looks like a fun place … oh dear … I am very under-dressed for the occasion, though, in my jeans and sweatshirt! Still, my feet are twitching and wanting to get up and dance! Thanks for the fun, John, and {burp} the quesadilla!

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 29, 2024 - 7:11 am ·
  
  Always a pleasure, Jill. You are not under dressed. There’s a guy in his PJs so if anything you look like you are dressed for a formal. Glad you liked it.
  
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  1. jilldennison · January 29, 2024 - 8:00 pm ·
    
    😊
    
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Teri Polen · January 29, 2024 - 7:30 am ·

How fun! I’ve never seen salsa dancing in person.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 29, 2024 - 5:44 pm ·
  
  I think I saw it in Mexico but then it could have been a drug deal gone bad. Too many margaritas
  
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noelleg44 · January 29, 2024 - 10:18 am ·

What a fun event at the center! And this is one of my favorite Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine songs. I am having a great time doing the conga in my chair!
Tuna Tostado for me!
An all-around satisfying experience!

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Sue Dreamwalker · January 29, 2024 - 12:37 pm ·

Love dancing both Latin and Ballroom… My 13 year old granddaughter won Honours in her Latin ballroom dancing end of last year… A pleasure to be able to join the bus and join your outing to see the dancing John..

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 29, 2024 - 5:26 pm ·
  
  Thank you, Sue. It was so nice having you as well.
  
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  1. Sue Dreamwalker · January 30, 2024 - 4:34 pm ·
    
    🙂 xx
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    1. John W. Howell · January 30, 2024 - 9:00 pm ·
      
      😁
      
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robertawrites235681907 · January 29, 2024 - 1:05 pm ·

Hi John, I’m not good at dancing, I have to many British inhibitions. I like to watch dancing though. What a fun event.

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1. John W. Howell · January 29, 2024 - 3:09 pm ·
  
  Well, watching sure saves getting sweaty, doesn’t it now.
  
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  1. robertawrites235681907 · January 30, 2024 - 9:17 am ·
    
    Absolutely, another plus for those of the stiff upper lip fraternity.
    
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    1. John W. Howell · January 30, 2024 - 11:41 am ·
      
      Quite
      
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circadianreflections · January 30, 2024 - 10:25 am ·

I dance around the house sometimes, but never have I been able to salsa like that. Lunch sounds really yummy I want to try several things. Years ago we had a waiter at our favorite Taqueria that was into Salsa dancing and he would dance sometimes. It was so fun to watch.

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 30, 2024 - 11:52 am ·
  
  I would have loved to see him dance. Thanks for sharing.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
Anonymous · January 30, 2024 - 8:50 pm ·

That was fun John. I love Salsa dancing and enjoyed the cauliflower taco. 🙂

LikeLiked by 1 person
1. John W. Howell · January 30, 2024 - 9:09 pm ·
  
  Thanks, Debby.
  
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