May Fair Musicians Play a Soundtrack for a Good Time

You don’t have to pay $39 to watch, yet the artists playing on the Leber Garden and Plaza stages or scattered around the fairgrounds can be the most rewarding to sit and enjoy. With audiences ranging from a select few to a sea of dining attendants, the styles vary from folk, country to pop and metal. 

At the heart of it all, these musicians are the soundtrack to the May Fair, giving even the passer-byer a sense of liveliness and capturing the theme of a big-time, small-town fair.

John Vicino, an acoustic solo artist from San Francisco was one of the most popular acts and came a long way to play for his very generous crowd. Fermin Rubio, who coordinates the music for the May Fair was eating dinner with his family in San Francisco when someone playing guitar on the street of Union Square caught his attention.

“He just came up to me and we’d been in contact ever since,” said Vicino. “He’s a really nice guy and he hooked me up to play here.”

Vicino plays publically mostly on the streets in San Francisco and says it’s his favorite way play for people.

“Music has always been a part of my life,” said Vicino. “When I was five years old, I used to have a piano in my house and just tap out some melodies and ever since, I’ve just been attached to music.”

Vicino played many popular songs such as “Use Somebody” and “Brown Eyed Girl” with an up-beat acoustic twist as well as some original songs.

Chris Lewis, a solo artist and Air Force veteran, featured on both stages, filling the atmosphere with a truly welcoming set of acoustic tunes. Playing a 12-string guitar and singing folk country for those entering the fair, Lewis writes his songs about life experiences, the love of a father and more.

Ted Maciel, also a solo artist, has been playing acoustic guitar and singing for over 25 years.  After being in multiple bands, he feels that playing as a solo artist gives him the freedom to truly play what he wants.

“This is what I do,” said Maciel. “This is me; it’s what I love to do.”

After getting a feel for the crowd, he selects a handful of songs from over 100 songs from his repertoire, cover and original. Maciel has multiple original demos out and in his spare time is constantly writing new material.

For Aarron Reyes, playing country at the Plaza Stage, he was inspired by his father as a young boy to play guitar and inherited a passion for music.

“He was always playing guitar,” said Reyes. “It was always sitting around, so me and my brothers would always pick it up and play it.”

A crowd gathered as they played a familiar tune; “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash, followed by some original songs.

“I haven’t been here since I was a kid,” said Reyes. “It’s great.”

If you’re just walking by or need a place to give your feet a rest, the May Fair always brings in interesting and talented artists who love to share their hearts with the fair folks.