As Some Exalt With Cup Fever, Others, Well. . . : They Came to Hear the Band : Few Bellied Up to TV in Solana Beach

They don’t stop the music at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach. It’s live, non-stop music that keeps business rolling.

And even Dennis Conner and Stars & Stripes couldn’t suspend that rule Tuesday night.

Sure, the San Diego skipper brought America’s Cup back to America’s Finest City, but very few people here as much as looked up.

Bob Edwards, the manager working Tuesday, had said there would be some sort of celebration, maybe a toast to the new champions. The music might even stop.

But it didn’t happen.

Little Women, a five- man band, continued to play reggae music. They stopped about five minutes after the race ended to ponder maybe playing a song to salute Conner.

Somebody suggested “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”

“The people come here for the live music,” Edwards said. “A few people have been coming in to watch the races but for the most part, it hasn’t been any big deal.”

Some who had congregated to watch the final race were a bit surprised there wasn’t more of a reaction.

“I don’t know why the people aren’t more interested,” said Bob Spelman. “I’m not exactly a yacht-racing fan but this is what’s happening. Heck, it’s a worldwide event and I want to be a part of it.”

But Spelman was in the minority. As Stars & Stripes continued to stretch its lead, people would come off the dance floor to take a look at the race. Satisfied with Conner’s cushion, they would return to the music.

“I can’t believe there’s not more people here,” Marilyn Dziedzic said. “This is great for San Diego.”