Sensory overload with music on the shore of Lake Tahoe

Live at Lakeview (aka free outdoor concerts) is a Thursday night ritual in South Lake Tahoe during the summer. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Something about live music is so unifying. It brings people together. Its evokes memories and creates new ones. It’s food for the soul.

And free music, well that can be even better. It’s an equalizer where anyone can be part of the crowd.

You don’t have to understand the lyrics to feel the music. Yes, music isn’t just heard. Music touches so many of our senses.

The Latin rhythms of Suika T & Band and Miranda Rae Love filled the air on July 31 at the Live at Lakeview outdoor weekly concerts in South Lake Tahoe. (I missed Love, the opening act.) These concerts started in 2012, and have been going strong ever sense. The type of music changes, so there’s bound to be something for nearly everyone.

This night was billed as cumbia funk. I had never heard of this music genre before, but the energy was very familiar. Suika T’s website says they blend electro cumbia, Latin rhythms, and hip pop with elements of funk, reggae, and dance hall.

It makes you want to be on a warm beach sipping an adult beverage. In this case it was a cool beach with a beer in hand.

Suika T is a woman, not just a name of a band. She is originally from Mexico City. For more than 20 years she has been a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist. Five band members bring the sound together with their guitar, percussion, conga, sax, and trumpet, as well as vocals.

They were great to listen to while visiting with friends Denise and Steve. Quite a bit louder than background music, but definitely providing a fun vibe as the sun dipped behind the mountains.

And the venue, well, being right on Lake Tahoe that’s hard to beat. Live at Lakeview’s last Thursday concert of the season is Aug. 28.