Indie rock shows and tacos

BY CHRIS JAY & SARA HEBERT

JOIN SARA HEBERT AND CHRIS JAY AS THEY GO ON DATES AND SHARE THEIR LOCAL RESTAURANT CHOICES AND ACTIVITIES.

When I moved to Shreveport almost 10 years ago, there were very few places I could see live music because I wasn’t quite 21. Sneaking into bars was never my kind of thing, so my friends and I started thinking creatively about how we could organize music performances in unusual spaces like our houses, parking lots and abandoned buildings. Early in our courtship, Chris and I organized shows in Centenary College’s radio station lobby. I still credit the radio station for our awesome relationship. Thanks, KSCL.

Even now, my favorite way to experience live music is in someone’s living room. Musicians are more genuine, and the audience is kind and supportive. Recently, Chris and I caught one of our favorite musicians, David Bazan (of the bands Pedro the Lion, Headphones and Overseas), performing a “house show” at Day Old Blues Records in Shreveport.

Many of our dates consist of stopping somewhere to dig through crates of records. The notion that we could possibly pick up that rare Byrds album we can’t find and see one our favorite musicians in the “living room” of Day Old Blues was something we couldn’t miss. The shop has a new location at 437 Kings Highway, formerly a psychic’s crystal ball operation. The room that would have held your fortune is now home to crates of records and the occasional performance by an indie rock legend like Bazan.

The best way to find house shows is to fall in with right group of people, and becoming a customer of Day Old Blues is Step 1. Once you get over that hurdle, here are a few tips for your first show:

1. Bring a floor pillow in case you end up on the floor. Sometimes this is the best place to be!

2. You’ll win the day if you bring snacks or a delicious beverage.

3. Don’t talk loudly. If you’re at an intimate house show, it kinda ruins the whole reason for being there.

4. Buy something. Sometimes picking up a CD or a T-shirt means an extra meal for the musician. It’s the best way to you can say “thanks for sharing your talent.”

– Sara Hebert

One of Sara’s and my favorite places to eat in Shreveport-Bossier City isn’t a restaurant at all. There’s no menu, no street address and no waitstaff. Despite all of these shortcomings, Ki Mexico – one of the most popular food vendors at the Shreveport Farmers’ Market – has developed a dedicated fan base who’ll swear that the tiny, family-run operation serves the best Mexican food in all of Shreveport-Bossier City. At the Shreveport Farmers’ Market, as well as other festivals and community events like the Texas Avenue Makers Fair and the Highland Jazz Blues and Festival, just follow the scent of sizzling chorizo and you’ll end up at the Ki Mexico booth. If you like flavorful gourmet Mexican food at street food prices, you’re in the right place.

Rodrigo Mondragon, the mohawked mastermind behind Ki Mexico, may look familiar to anyone who’s ever gone out to eat in Shreveport. He’s waited tables at Tacomania and tended bar at Superior Grill, all while running his own business. It would be hard to overstate the amount of hustle this guy exhibits. Sara and I recently stopped by the Shreveport Farmers’ Market to eat Ki Mexico’s fantastic breakfast tacos, a delicious mix of eggs, chorizo sausage, onions, cilantro and queso fresco on a warm tortilla. We said “hi” to some friends at the market, walked to the car and headed to the Texas

Avenue Makers Fair. Somehow – and I’m still not clear on how this worked – Rodrigo and his Ki Mexico team were serving tacos at the Makers Fair when Sara and I arrived.

“Weren’t you at the Farmers’ Market, like, 15 minutes ago?” I asked Rodrigo.

“Yeah,” he said. “And after this, we have a catering gig.”

So, we’ve established that the man behind Ki Mexico is all about his grind. But how’s the food? It’s outrageously good, incredibly affordable and made with love. The aforementioned breakfast tacos are delicious, as are the cochinita (pulled pork), enchiladas and fish tacos. Many limited quantity

specials are exciting and authentic, such as chiles en nogada (stuffed poblano peppers), tinga (tostadas topped with all types of delicious ingredients), shrimp ceviche and more. The best way to be “in the know” regarding where Ki Mexico will appear next is by liking their page on Facebook – just search Ki Mexico.

– Chris Jay

Sara Hebert is the marketing director of Moonbot Studios, and Chris Jay is the public relations and social media manager at the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau. Chris and Sara have been married for five years. Email them at hello@ allyallblog.com.