Sing away at El Toro

By Ty Hughes
Certain locations just know how to present karaoke in the most favorable light. They don’t get hung up on little details that eventually derail the master plan. The hosts come in, do their jobs, create happy guests, and go home. Week after week, year after year, until you realize they’ve been running the same, highly successful show for a whole decade, or two maybe!
These are the kind of places where karaoke thrives. El Toro Mexican Restaurants, both of them in Tacoma offering karaoke, have become just that; staples in their community for quality karaoke.
Of course, there are lots more ingredients than just showing up. The company hosting the karaoke is typically independently owned, and a seperate entity to the bar. There is an awful lot required of these people in order to have a popular and seamless show. Especially these days with all the pressures of legality and so forth.
Al Russell, President of City Entertainment, and KJ as well, has the exact recipe for success in this business. He’s been building, running, and selling high-quality sound systems for nearly twenty years. His understanding of music and sound is mind-blowing.
After 17 years in the business, with Tacoma karaoke as his byline, Al Russell actually uttered the “R” word for the first time. Yep, he’s thinking about retiring next year, can you believe it?
Well, if it’s true then let us get out to El Toro on Friday and Saturday nights to show our love and support of Al’s work. Besides, he’s got a great party atmosphere going at both locations.
The Parkland location on Pacific Avenue South features a neat little alcove where the dance floor lives. It’s surrounded by mirrors and disco lights pulsating.
There’s Al behind a decorative Christmas tree and all those knobs, sporting a bouncy Santa hat. Always with a smile. His even-keeled, never-get-rattled personality suits the chaotic atmosphere perfectly. He instills confidence in his singers, just ask Rosie, Jessica, Monica, or Maria. Find out why local rocker, Thunder comes back again and again. Mike, Aaron, Bobby, and the “Crew”, all appreciate the amazing experience they have at El Toro karaoke with Al.
A forthright and friendly staff member slid a plate of cheap, late night eats in front of me as I took in the show. Tacos and burritos for a buck, and nachos for only two bucks goes down real good with a cold beer ‘round midnight, let me tell ya! Throw in some karaoke entertainment, and I’m looking around for a coffee table to throw my feet up on.
Al makes it a point to get out from behind the booth often and mill around the room, leaving himself open for questions or whatever. Every once in a while, he takes a short walk to the back of the room, just to listen to the music so that it sounds its best.
It’s the karaoke professionals like Al that will live long and prosper in this business… until they retire anyway. I’ll believe it when I see it!
Gina runs Al’s system at El Toro in Westgate, near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, off Pearl, every Friday and Saturday night. She’s got ten years as a KJ logged in herself, having established a quality show at the Engine House #9 for years, another popular karaoke house.
Gina’s sound booth is behind the singer, disguised with mirrors, but elevated like three feet or something. She’s got a bird’s eye view of the entire bar from up there and keeps that place rockin’. Talk about a killer sound system. El Toro Westgate is a fun place to sing and party with friends. Great vibes here, lots of creative minds.
Both El Toro Mexican Restaurants offer the best in Mexican food, it’s true, but few are yet unaware of the full benefit of immersing oneself in the magic that is El Toro karaoke!
Do it on a weekly basis folks, put it up there next to breathing.
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