Regina Bloodgood dances up to the stage as the 360 Degrees Band performs and places cash in the band's tip jar.
"I tip every time," she says.
Bloodgood and about 30 customers sat under misters on the patio at Sakura restaurant Friday as the band played songs from a variety of genres including jazz, country, Top 40, oldies, disco, rock 'n' roll and Latin.
Bloodgood describes herself as a regular customer who comes about twice a week for the food, music and atmosphere.
General manager Paul Song says he wants a variety of local bands to perform at the restaurant.
"The restaurant is open 364 days a year and, weather permitting, we have music every day," Song says. The restaurant is closed Thanksgiving Day.
Song says he tries to keep the bands consistent during the summer months for the local customers. With not many tourists in town he wants locals to know which night a particular band is performing. The lineup has more variety in the fall and spring for tourists and seasonal residents.
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The 360 Degrees Band is made up of Ruben Rivero, John Ankiewicz, Dave Mick and Jeff Shallenbarger. Several members of the band had been performing together under the name Mike Tatum Band, but after Tatum died last summer the name changed to 360 Degrees Band.
Shallenbarger says all the current band members have been road musicians for years but now are local musicians, settling down in Tucson.
Contact photographer Mamta Popat at mpopat@azstarnet.com or 349-5359.
