LA PALMA MEXICAN RESTAURANT & LOUNGE; LAKEWOOD, WA Try La Palma for real flavor
By Ty Hughes
La Palma Mexican Restaurant in Lakewood is still going strong with karaoke after all these years. Randy and Darlene have built quite an impressive following, and everyone is WAY into karaoke here.
Randy comes in on Wednesdays from 8pm to closing. He brings his own flair to La Palma along with oodles of experience as a performer. Darlene finishes off the week Fridays and Saturdays 9pm to close. She’s a lady with style. Darlene is great about getting all dressed up for the night. She’s very professional on the equipment, and will often lend a helping voice to add to her singer’s experience.
I think it was Big John on the mic when Darlene picked up the tambourine and added a great new dimension to the entertainment. Big John sounded awesome. These old guys love Darlene’s show. Jack, Russ, Bobby, and Domingo – these guys really let loose up there and they sound great. Whether it’s a duet with Bobby and Domingo singing God Bless You, or Jack belting out Music Of The Night, anybody would be blown away (see videos on Facebook: “Karaoke & Entertainment Guide”). Great talent in this room, and they all come with their own pretty girlfriends too. You’re gonna hear some of those beloved classics here.
Finally met Mr. John Stiver. An accomplished photographer, John’s body of work is vast and diverse, but he specializes in weddings and boudoirs – which really intrigued my girlfriend for some reason. Hit him up for a quote sometime. See some of his stuff online at www.fantaziastudios.com.
La Palma karaoke typically runs a rotation of 10-15 singers, so there’s just the right amount of time between turns. The stage is sort of isolated by a half wall and support beams, but it overlooks the rest of the bar and makes the singer feel special. Speakers are well-placed throughout the bar to maximize the audio, and the singers can hear themselves easily too.
Bobby Cedeno, who mixed it up with Domingo, sings lead with his brother for a ten-piece band called the High Rollers. Check ‘em out at www.thehighrollersband.com.
Marty, the bar’s manager, is a charming guy with a whole bunch of experience. He likes what karaoke brings to La Palma. Darlene rounds out the rotation with her own version of Breathe, so nice.
Good times at La Palma! Come in and sing your heart out every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. You’ll love the people, and the food, of course. Amazing Mexican food!
Find your way to La Palma this week. They’re at 5701 Lakewood Towne Center Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA (253) 582-8349.
