By William Flockton
Juan del Queso and Montana del Fuego down entire bottles of alcohol.
Photo by William Flockton
“All Hail the Mighty Mambo!” is what Cabaret Diosa had fans chanting at Boulder Theatre on Nov. 1. The concert was the first performance by the band in 18 years. Lead vocalists Juan del Queso and Montana del Fuego woke up just in time — despite a delay caused by a certain magic ring — to thrill Boulder with their latest show: “Into the Mamboverse.”
The show started with a whimsical, rich opening set by groovy Boulder-based, rock-n-roll cover band the Maydays.. With soothing renditions of classic songs like “Sixteen Tons” in the Maydays’ distinct jazz style, Boulder Theatre was taken on a carefree flight into the atmosphere with only a slight bit of turbulence.
Soon after, Cabaret Diosa took to the stage. In a theatrical touch, the concert mixed music with an entertaining narrative about the band itself. Lead members Juan del Queso and Montana del Fuego emerged on stage from cryogenic sleep pods. Apparently, Juan had stolen an enchanted mood ring which caused their pods to malfunction, keeping the duo in stasis for 18 years. The concert followed the band as they journeyed to New Orleans to return the ring and restore order. The whole odyssey was accompanied by hilarity, zaniness and plenty of music.
Of course, the duo was quick to ask their bandmates what had occurred during their cryostasis.
Juan del Queso is kidnapped by grave monkeys.
Photos by William Flockton
“If you asked me which would happen first, a black president, gay marriage or legal weed, I would have said flying cars,” Juan del Queso said.
Exhilarated to be back on stage, the band quickly dove into their set. Fans were captivated by an inferno of passion in songs like “The Cabaret Club.” Meanwhile the suave and swaying lyrics of “No Pare” bound audience members in complete rhapsody, dancing the night away. Each song irresistibly compelled listeners to sway and Mambo with the band on stage.
The music of Cabaret Diosa is simultaneously catchy, sensual and exhilarating. It was difficult not to sing along to the lyrics of “Hats on Fire” or the festival chorus of “The Mambo Cave.”
Cabaret Diosa’s performance gripped the entire audience with the irresistible urge to dance. To produce music that awakens so much raw joy in the listener is already a great talent. But “Into the Mamboverse” went beyond that with its comedic story told between songs. Among other things, Juan announced his presidency while Montana hunted a magic eight ball in an ancient temple. Behind the zany antics, the concert tells a heartfelt story about overcoming self-doubt as an artist.
All good things come to an end unfortunately. The story ends with Juan recovering his confidence while the mood ring is stolen by some monkeys. As with all good concerts fans were left starving for more even after one final encore. Hopefully, they won’t have to wait another eighteen years for Cabaret Diosa to return.