by Steven Sanchez

Oh May, oh May! This was another great month of entertainment in the Central Valley. There was a festival, a rock concert, and a surfing competition. And this time, unlike in April, you didn’t have to travel to Bakersfield.

There was the Tequila Fest at Chukchansi Park featuring the rappers Lil’ Jon, Rick Ross, and T.I.; the Matchbox Twenty concert at the Save Mart Center (three years in the making); and the Surf Ranch Pro competition held at Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Lemoore. This past month set the stage for the entertainment that’ll come in the summer. Here’s a recap of what went down.

Tequila Fest

On Saturday May 20th, the Tequila Fest took place, presented by Don Julio and 21 Seeds Tequila, held at Chukchansi Park. The Park is the home field of the Fresno Grizzlies, but that day they turned it into a tequila feast and a really fun setting. The event had everything from food trucks, vendors, and, of course, tequila.

Adults could have hit up Tequila Tastery in the Estrella Jalisco Cantina for various samples of tequila with 10 different tastings. The plaza along Tulare Street was made into Agave Alley for the evening, and featured the Estrella Jalisco Stage of various bands and musicians. Then there was Vendor Village, which included a mechanical bull, and a face painter, and more. They sold everything from straw hats to popcorn, designer shirts… the list goes on.

Then there was Fresno Social presented by Michelob Ultra, where they featured the Cigar Mas Fino Lounge, the first cigar lounge of its kind at the ballpark. That was my favorite part of the event. Probably my bias since I’m a cigar fan. By far the best cigar I ever had was given to me by Ricardo-Blanco Cigars. It was six different kinds of tobacco rolled into one big bad boy and it was delicious.

There was no shortage of food trucks. In attendance were Aguas Las Rancheritas, Los Toritos, Mangonazo, Mariscos Las Brisas, SnoBiz, Spicy Birdz, Tacos La Vaporera, Where’s the Food, and Yasss Fish Tacos. Local acts included J Rose, Breath of Evolution, Hard Times, and The Box; they played on the Don Julio & 21 Seeds Stage. And DJ Kay Rich provided the beats leading up to the most exciting part of the night: The headliners!

First up was Lil’ Jon. The famous rapper known for shouting words, “Yeah,” “What,” and “Okay,” has been the subject of career defining skits from Dave Chappelle. He shuffled through all his hits during his set. The former frontman of the East Side Boys, he performed “Salt Shaker,” “Low,” “Shots,” and “Let’s Go,” to name a few. But the song that got the crowd really hyped was “Turn Down For What,” from his collaboration with DJ Snake. Then there was “Yeah,” from his collaboration with Usher and Ludacris. He brought the energy for each song he played. There he was reppin’ a chain, a shirt that read Crenshaw, and sporting a Los Angeles Lakers hat. His performance was a good segue for the next artist…

…Rick Ross. As the night got darker, the crowd got rowdier. In 2012, MTV named him the Hottest MC in the Game, and that night he proved why. His biggest single, “Hustlin’,” had everyone throwing their hands in the air, gangsta style. Ross also showcased some love to the Los Angeles professional basketball team, sporting a Lebron James Lakers jersey and hat, plus a chain with the letter M draped across his chest. He went through his entire catalogue of jams much to the crowd’s delight. The most familiar ones were “All I do Is Win,” and “I’m On One.” Ross was performing like he was a boss. He kept a cup of Belaire Rosé near him, and sipped it occasionally through his set. He saluted the crowd a few times during his time on stage.

Finally, T.I. took the stage. The shouting of the crowd could be heard as far as Fulton Street the moment he stepped to the microphone. He came out sporting a denim jacket, shades, a Crenshaw shirt, a blingin’ watch, and a chain, all the while tearing the stage up with hit after hit. As one of the pioneers of rap music, he shuffled through anthems like “Never Scared,” “Whatever You Like,” and “Live Your Life,” amongst many others. Lately, he has transitioned onto the small screen as a reality TV star and as an actor on the big screen co-starring in the Marvel film, Ant-Man, starring Paul Rudd. Dancing and swaying with Atlanta swag, he was the exclamation point to an exciting night.

The event was marketed as the largest tequila festival in the state, and after seeing it for myself, I can see why. The variety of food, the community being out and about, and getting to witness artists I recall listening to when I was younger brought back a lot of great memories from my high school and college years. Chukchansi Park and the Fresno Grizzlies organization demonstrated throughout this festival that not only can they provide a great sports venue but can put on an eclectic mix of events that can satisfy the Central Valley.

Note: a shout-out to the people behind the scenes of the Fresno Grizzlies who have been so generous to us for our coverage of their games and events. Thank you Jonathan Bravo, Stephen Rice, Steven Lane, and everybody else at the organization.

Go Grizzlies!

Matchbox Twenty

Even though this seminal rock band from the ‘90s and 2000s has the number twenty in their name, the stand out number to me when I think of them is the number three. One of their defining hits was the sentimental ballad, “3am.” They were scheduled to come to Fresno in 2020, but couldn’t because…well…we all know why. And then they were supposed to come last year but had to cancel. But in 2023 it finally happened. The third time was the charm when they performed at Save Mart Center on May 24th.

Singer/songwritier Matt Nathanson was a quality opener to get the crowd going. He occasionally cursed whenever he had the chance, to get a laugh out of the audience and then would get into his soft rock and pop rock playlist. He paid tribute to two great female singing superstars with his rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” and Tina Turner’s “Private Dancer,” and “What’s Love Got To Do With It.” His interpretation of those classics and his humorous song about (and titled) “Bill Murray.” revved the crowd up before the headliners took the stage: Matchbox Twenty!

Their singles defined my upbringing so seeing them live had sentimental value to me. And from seeing the faces of the crowd, I’m sure my story was the same as theirs. It was well worth the wait. They played the classics and new jams, and got the audience going when they played one of their top hits, “Real World.” just three songs into their playlist. That same energy carried out through the entire night.

This is the first album they’ve made in 11 years. The new songs were entertaining, but the standards were the ones that hit the deepest. Rob Thomas, the frontman, also had a successful solo career. His vocals shone with the collaboration he did with Carlos Santana on “Smooth.” He still has the same showmanship and bravado as he did back then. And, he looks terrific, not only in appearance but stage presence as well.

Several highlights of the night stood out. Again, this show might have been postponed again since the bassist, Brian Yale, got sick. They had a limited window to find a replacement, so they called Joe Ayoub, who drove from Los Angeles to Fresno on four hours’ notice and learned all the songs. I’d say he was the unsung hero, but unsung he wasn’t, as the crowd periodically through the night chanted “Joe,” much to his and the band’s delight.

The other highlight was an acoustic set with Thomas and guitarist Kyle Cook at the front of the stage as they belted out “If You’re Gone.” The crowd held up their cell phones with the lights and moved them in unison with the spotlight shining on the performers. It was a very special moment.

I was most impressed with their light and stage show. They are not really known for big productions, so seeing the light display and a globe occupying the stage, with a screen playing videos in the background added a lot of flair to their stage performance. The choreography of the lights and the video projection went perfectly with the songs.

Later in the performance they abruptly stopped playing and walked off the stage. There was no way that this was going to be the end. Suddenly they all appeared on stage for what would be the encore. They began with my personal favorite, “3am.” Nothing is more exciting than to see thousands of people singing together; it will be a moment in time I’ll never forget. Then they played a jukebox of their classic songs such as, “Unwell,” and “Push,” concluding with “Bright Lights.”

After three years of waiting, I’d say they delivered. The artists gave Fresno love, announcing that Matchbox Twenty’s keyboardist, Matt Beck, is from the area, as is Nathanson’s bassist, Adam Popick. Whether it’s true or not, it gives us more reason to love them back. If they ever wish to come back, we’ll be waiting.

Surf Ranch Pro 2023

This year’s Surf Ranch Pro in Lemoore, presented by 805 Beer, was Stop No. 6 on the World Surf League (WSL) 2023 Championship Tour (CT). Kings River Life has had the privilege of covering the Surf Ranch ever since its inception back in 2018, and every year they continue to outdo themselves. Created by the greatest surfer of all time, Kelly Slater, it’s home to the world’s longest, open-barrel, high-performance, human-made wave, and attracts the world’s best surfers. The event was held on Saturday, May 27, and Sunday, May 28, 2023.

The competition this time around had very big implications. This was the first event following the Mid-Season Cut, and one of five opportunities to gain points in order to clinch a spot in the WSL Final 5 to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games. And something new that hasn’t been done before: surfers competed at night under the lights.

The weekend overall was a well put together extravaganza, with live music performances. There were great food vendors, including options for vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free diets, and items such as tacos, poke bowls, soba noodle bowls, and more. There were activations, and exclusive shopping opportunities for merchandise with logos of the competition. The ultimate family friendly atmosphere was Perkins Lake inside the premises, where you could swim and paddleboard. Alo Yoga offered two yoga classes each day for up to 50 adults—and one session for kids.

There were also humanitarian efforts taking place behind the scenes. WSL is taking climate action at the Surf Ranch as part of the league’s focus on reducing its carbon footprint. The league partnered with One Carbon World to compensate for the emissions from fan travel to the venue and contributed to carbon offsetting projects around the globe.

The Brazilian male surfers always seem to come out on top of this competition. In 2018, 2019, and 2021, it was a tossup between Gabriel Medina and Filipe Toledo as either the winner or runner-up. This year the defending event winner was Filipe Toledo, and the current world champion is youngster Joao Chianca. They were the ones to watch.

Joao felt the pressure, but was confident going into the competition. “There’s always going to be pressure. Coming up as a low seed there is pressure to do better, but when you’re a higher seed, it’s about keeping up the good work. I’ve been looking forward to having fun and at the same time balancing with the commitment of holding this spot and performing as best I can.”

He’s in good company with his fellow countrymen who are some of the best in the sport. They have claimed the top spots of the wave pool before. He enjoys having his name mentioned amongst the others. “I enjoy their company. We have a healthy relationship. Everyone supports each other and wants to see each other do their best. I look up to Filipe as a reference since he’s competed here. And I’m stoked to share this big stage with them.”

Filipe Toledo is no stranger to this place. Having been runner up and defending champion, he’s used to the mechanics of the wave pool and knew every nook and cranny of its operation, and what it would take to get a good performance. “They slowed up the left side a little more so we can have more open face to work with, which makes it bigger and more so that we can surf better. The right side makes the barrel a little shorter, not too many big changes. Making a perfect wave.”

He had confidence since he won it last time, but he and Gabriel Medina have been neck and neck at the Surf Ranch for years, always either claiming the 1 or 2 spot. Which makes one wonder…do the Brazilians have an advantage with this competition? Filipe explains it, “We probably want it more. When we have an opportunity, we want to seize it. We try our best with every opportunity we get. Working really hard. All surfers want it, so it’s just about doing your best. Or maybe it’s just Brazilian blood, I don’t know,” he said with a laugh.

This event had Olympic qualification implications. If you do well here, you put yourself in a good position to represent your country on the biggest athletic stage. Getting a slot in the Olympics is no easy feat. But the pressure never got to Filipe. “I’m just trying to surf. Let that do all the talking. Get the big results. I’m going to work to stay on top of the rankings. The consequence of that would be an Olympic spot.”

It was May in Lemoore, and it was windy, unlike anything a Valley person is used to. It makes one wonder how they surf with all that wind. It didn’t really get in the way of anything. Whether you were general admission or VIP, you had a good time.

The event this time around offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to surf fans. At the end of the competition, two lucky winners, one from General Admission and one from VIP, were selected at random to surf the wave pool. WSL Rising Tides, presented by Pura Vida, is a special program designed to inspire the next generation of surfers, by bringing together aspiring female surfers and WSL Championship Tour competitors. Following the Qualifying Round, several up-and-coming women got the chance to surf in front of fans and their CT heroes. You can never get too many opportunities like this, and it was exciting to watch.

Surfing took place all day Saturday. As the sun went down, surf fans witnessed the first-ever Night Session. While under the lights, Griffin Colapinto (USA), Italo Ferreira (BRA), and Caitlin Simmers (USA), ultimately emerged victorious. When it came to the women’s Night Session, rookie phenom Caitlin Simmers wowed the crowd with her progressive surfing. The 17-year-old moved ahead of 8X World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) to earn herself a spot in Finals Day.

Sunday was for the Finals. Carissa Moore (HAW) won the woman’s title and Griffin Colapinto (USA) took home the men’s title. Caroline Marks (USA) and Italo Ferreira (BRA) earned runner-up finishes after putting on outstanding performances. Kudos to Caroline Marks (USA) who made her second Finals appearance of the season at the Surf Ranch Pro after returning from a short hiatus which she took last year, with a solid performance. The 21-year-old will now look to make her first WSL Final 5 appearance later this year.

Five-time World Champion Carissa Moore (HAW) claimed her second Surf Ranch Pro win (she won back in 2018) and this was her third CT event win of the season. Which means she claims the yellow Leader jersey. As the No. 1 surfer on the rankings, she is now well on her way to qualifying for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris and securing a place in the WSL Final 5. This win just adds to her list of accomplishments demonstrating why she’s one of the best in the sport, and is considered the best female surfer ever.

She’s conquered the wave pool twice, not because of any advantages or secrets or anything. There’s credit to be shared for her continued success. “I don’t know if I have any advantage. I was at peace and stoked to be here, which checked all my boxes for being here. It gave me a lot of confidence. I have a good team with me. My coach and my husband are here, and my dad coaches me, and working with my trainer really paid off.”

Carissa now puts herself in the ideal spot for an Olympic qualification, but with that comes pressure or confidence. Being as good as she is, she knows how to handle it. “Obviously. it’ll be great to qualify at the end of the season. I have my work cut out for me. I just have to keep my head down and concentrate on what’s ahead of me, and hopefully everything will fall into place.”

And with each subsequent win she’s building her reputation for greatness. “I’m just enjoying it. It’s about sharing that joy and doing what you love. We’re all great in our own ways, and I’m stoked I can do my own thing, and inspire others to do the same.”

Ferreira and Colapinto went wave-for-wave during the Final, and it was compelling to see. Colapinto’s flawless run through Finals Day had him compete against some of Brazil’s best, with Surf Ranch standout Yago Dora (BRA). He went on to eliminate World Champion and defending event winner Filipe Toledo (BRA) in the Semifinals, a surprising upset. His success built until his big score edged out Ferreira to capture the men’s championship.

This is his first Surf Ranch Pro victory, and he has a lot of confidence to carry over for the rest of the season. “This means that I’m here and I’m just as good as anybody on this tour and I’m ready to go.” As for the nighttime competition, even though it was a first for everybody, he liked the way it turned out. “I thought it was sick. You can see fine. It was really cool and felt really connected to the world since the moon was out which allowed for a different setting. I thought it was cool.”

With success on nature’s waves and an artificial wave pool, it’s a boost for him as he continues to compete and repeat the success he had in Lemoore. “This win impacts my confidence in a huge way. Medina and Filipe have dominated this event the last three years and they’re both world champions. It goes to show if you can win this event that you deserve to be a champion.”

This was overall a fun event for the entire family. If you didn’t come for the surfing, there was food; if not that then the drinks, if not that then the music, swimming and paddle boarding; and there was even yoga. And you’ll never know who you will meet there. I met Mackenzie Dern, a UFC Fighter. I’ve been to quite a few sporting events, college and pro football, pro baseball, and single A ball with the Fresno Grizzlies. I even attended my first skating event this year. I rank the Surf Ranch Pro up there, but not just as a sporting event, but an overall unique experience.

For updates, details, and highlights of the upcoming competitions go to worldsurfleague.com. Much appreciation for the people behind the scenes at the World Surf League for facilitating everything, especially Delia Kang and Chloe Kojima for being good to us and helping us out.

Steven Sanchez is a film graduate of UNLV. He’s a filmmaker, writer, photographer, and music manager. Obsessed with movies, comic books, and rock ‘n’ roll. A football fanatic, big fan of the Oakland Raiders. Enjoys reading and collecting vinyl records. If there’s a rock show in town more than likely he’ll be there. Loves his grandma’s home cooked meals. He has a twin sister and most people call him the pretty one. You can learn more about Steven on his YouTube channel and on Instagram @stevensanchez5807 photos and videos.