Yella & Tom Going Away Party

Marcelyn and I attended this finale "Going Away Party" for Tom and Yella. It was a crowded event, with lots of good tasting food (a pot luck), warm and engaging conversation, fantastic music, and best wishes for Tom and Yella as they begin their transition from Boquete to Ensenada, Mexico.

We went to this event with the thought that the purpose was to wish Tom and Yella all the best in their new venture. While that message was obviously conveyed to them, Tom and Yella turned the theme around to be a musical performance to say "thank you" to the Boquete community for supporting them for these past several years. Yella and Rhody Edwards (keyboard) began the musical fare with some solo songs, including one of my favorites, The Auctioneer. Then Tom and Yella were accompanied by three local Panamanian musicians with whom they have performed on many occasions (collectively known as Yella Fever Band), including Edgar Vargas, Eduardo Venegas, and Allan Saldaña. Tom and Yella are the consummate entertainers, which again was on display with the size of the audience and the energy being expended.

We all wish Tom and Yella the best of luck in this new chapter in their lives. We certainly will miss them, and trust they felt the heart warming expressions of love for both of them.

Here are some pictures taken, followed by three video clips of some of the music performed that evening.