After a brief retirement, we are thrilled to welcome back The Great Morgani this coming weekend, July 1! Frank Lima, a beloved icon in the Santa Cruz community, is better known by his street performer persona, “The Great Morgani.” Behind the flamboyant costumes and the mesmerizing accordion tunes lies a passionate fashion enthusiast and a dedicated representative of the local community.
For many years, Lima captivated audiences with his masterful accordion skills, earning him the title of accordion extraordinaire. Embracing his role as a street performer, he was often found entertaining crowds at farmers markets or downtown Santa Cruz on Pacific Avenue. With an impressive collection of 42 accordions, 150 costumes, and over 1,200 songs in his repertoire, each performance by The Great Morgani was a unique experience.
As we navigated the dark days of the pandemic, it took a toll on many businesses, particularly those in entertainment. In 2022, Frank announced his retirement as a street performer and the Saturday mornings at the farmers market grew quiet and lost a bit of their sparkle without him.
“Frank was practically a fixture at our farmers market for 20+ years — many of our market customers today were little children when they first saw him perform,” said Catherine Barr. “We couldn’t be happier that Frank is returning to the Aptos Farmers Market. All is right with the world again. There is a new generation to be dazzled!”
Lima’s presence is far from ordinary. Standing tall on a mini-stage, he dons eye-catching full-body costumes adorned with intricate accessories and vibrant patterns. His creations have become more elaborate over time as he channels his boundless energy into creating a visual spectacle that leaves a lasting impression on young and old alike! While the costumes may require up to 100 hours of meticulous work, Lima admits that his true passion lies in their creation.
Music, on the other hand, comes naturally to him. Lima’s accordion journey began in 1951 when, as a young boy intending to learn the guitar, he was convinced by a door-to-door accordion salesman and his parents that the accordion would be a better fit for him as a left-handed musician. What started as a simple musical pursuit at the age of 9 years old has blossomed into the talent of an extraordinary street performer, capable of captivating audiences and leaving them awestruck.
Fans of The Great Morgani can catch his performances at the Saturday Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College this summer during market hours.
