That old-time rock ‘n’ roll

Celebrating 50 years of the Joker Band

COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY

ASHLY R. COTHERN, DDS, PA www.drcothern.com

Dr. Cothern is one of a small distinguished percentage of dentists who have invested in postgraduate training at one of the world’s premiere continuing education institutes, The Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education. We care about you as a unique individual and examine you in a way that together we can understand every aspect of your oral health. In our office we love what we do. NOW THAT IS SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT!

9669 N.Central Expwy., Ste. 220 Dallas, TX 75231 214.696.9966

Cosmetic And Family Dentistry

DENA T. ROBINSON, DDS, FAGD www.drdenarobinson.com

Four Steps to a Terrific Dental Experience

1. Call and ask us about sedation dentistry options

Optometrist

DR. CLINT MEYER www.dallaseyeworks.com

The technology to provide a thorough examination, the caring to take the time to explain the results, the experience to develop a comprehensive plan for your vision and eye care needs. Dr. Meyer and the staff at Dallas Eyeworks believe it’s important to listen to each patient to achieve best results. Call and schedule an appointment to discover how pleasant and educational an eye examination can be. Dallas Eyeworks 9225

Orthodontics

PATRICIA A. SIMON, DDS www.lakewoodortho.net

Have you found that your teeth are getting harder to keep clean? It may be due to an increase in the crowding of your teeth, making it more difficult to get between all the nooks and crannies. It’s the natural phenomenon of aging. The good news is that adult orthodontics can put these teeth in their place and give you a cleaner, healthier smile.

Lakewood Orthodontics 1809 Skillman St. Dallas, TX 75206 214.826.9000

Ona cold Saturday night in January, the parking lot of the VFW Hall near White Rock Lake is overflowing. Ladies in sparkly dresses and sensible heels hurry across Garland Road, escorted by grey-haired men wearing ties and suit jackets. Inside the hall, Richard Franco shakes hands and greets most of them, inquiring about children and grandchildren. Franco, 73, knows all 300 or so people crowding into the hall for menudo, tacos and cocktails. They are all there because of him, the man behind the Joker Band. This is Franco’s anniversary party, celebrating 50 years of performing in the same band. Franco, who lives in

Lakewood, was born and raised in Little Mexico and attended Crozier Tech High School with Sam “the Sham” Samudio. He started the Joker Band with friends in 1962. Over the years, members have quit and new ones have been added. “We replace the drummer every once in awhile, but most of these guys have been with me for a long time,” he says. The band started with seven members. They had nine musicians for over 20 years, and now there are 11, including Franco’s grandson Steven Cordova and daughter Lupe Cordova. Up through the 1980s, the Joker Band played clubs, but that got too dangerous. Now they play events and dances, like this one at the VFW hall. The Joker Band plays old rock ‘n’ roll tunes, “Mexican music,” R&B and hits from other genres. “The only thing

I won’t play is rap,” Franco says. Once the lights go down, at about 8 p.m., the band starts off with a Tex-Mex tune. This isn’t like a junior high dance, full of insecure kiddos. The youngest Joker Band fans are at least 50. They take to the dance floor immediately. This is what they came for, after all. Ruth and Marciano Duron were celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary. “We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else tonight,” Marciano says. Gloria Gonzales, 72, lives in Munger Place with her husband, Joe. The Crozier Tech alumna never misses a Joker Band show. She loves to dance, and she gets down to almost every song. Her 80-year-old husband only joins her on the slow songs. “He won’t dance the jitterbug,” she says. Every show is like a class reunion, Gonzales says. She sees all her old friends and gets to reminisce. “We’ve been friends for a long time,” she says of Franco. “As long as I live, I’ll be here for all his dances.”

WHITE taste of 2012 ROCK

a Dinner Club featuring locally-owned Restaurants & Supporters of the Lake

Alligator Cafe

Angelo’s

Bangkok City

Barbec’s Cafe Lago

Mexico Lindo

Penne Pomodoro

Roma’s Sali’s Trinity Hall Irish Pub

White Rock Sports Bar & Grill

■ Price is $10

■ Buy one entrée, get 2nd of equal or lower value FREE! (some restrictions apply)

■ Valid Feb 15 - Oct 31, 2012

■ For coupon books call the Peninsula Neighborhood Association at 972.533.1144 or stop by the service desk at any of these Albertsons: Casa Linda, Mockingbird & Abrams, or E Northwest Hwy & Ferndale sponsored in part by the Advocate Magazines benefitting White Rock Lake & Local Neighborhood Associations

Visit lakewood.advocatemag.com/video.