Speaking of digging through archives…I was recently doing a bit of spelunking in the Red Bat PhotoCave (TM), and came across some photos we shot waaaay back in October 2007. Red Bat Friend (TM) Peter is pals with the dudes in a band called Mr. Stitches in Sacramento, and they were playing before a movie premier. We couldn’t stick around for the movie, but we did get a few shots of the band!

This week, Metro Santa Cruz alerted locals to the emergence of Fusion. This restaurant/lounge is turning the old Pearl Alley Bistro into a nighttime hot spot thanks to the efforts of Pati Murray, who somehow manages to be organized AND fun. I worked in an office with Pati for several years before we both embarked on our own entrepreneurial ventures, and I know firsthand that Fusion has been Pati’s vision for a long time. It’s very exciting to see it taking shape at last.

The “soft” opening of Fusion happened back in February, and this Red Bat Photographer was on hand to take pictures and get some free drinks. The place is classy and intimate, with lighting that flatters the complexion. It’s a good place for all kinds of activities, from tipsy dirt-dishing with friends to sealing the deal with a client. An engagement ring produced in this venue would catch the candlelight quite nicely.

If you want to make friends, just sit at the bar. Maybe it’s the regulars, or maybe it’s Pati’s expansive energy, but I’ve never seen such relaxed, unpretentious clientele anywhere. People smile and introduce themselves. And the drinks are yummy. Go hang out there, and raise a glass to women who turn their dreams into sweet intoxicating reality.