Capital Sounds
Musical happenings in and around the Capital City
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Toolbox
Published: June 26, 2009
Greetings, live music fans! Summer is in full swing, with the first big outdoor festival of the season this weekend, as well as lots going on around town in the capital. Here's what's up, mon!
The fourth annual Rise Up Vermont Roots and Culture Festival takes place this weekend on 1,500 acres of field and trails in Washington. The organizers at Rise Up productions have put together a stellar lineup of reggae music from Jamaica, the Virgin Islands, Trinidad, Africa and the U.S. Friday night features a personal favorite, Anthony B, one of the more conscious and dynamic artists on the modern reggae scene. On Saturday night, Don Carlos (of Black Uhuru fame) headlines along with Queen Omega, Everton Blender and The Zioneers. There are also many other artists featured throughout the weekend. Gates open at 2 p.m. today, and the music and camping go until Sunday. For fans of authentic roots-reggae music, this is the real deal and should not be missed. In addition, all post-expense proceeds will benefit the building of a children's school/community center in Senegal – so it's for a good cause ta boot! Tickets are $75 at the gate for the weekend and $50 for Saturday night only. For more information, visit www.riseupvt.com. Irie!
For those sticking around town this weekend, there are plenty of great tunes to be had. Langdon Street Café has a decidedly grassy lineup this weekend, starting off tonight with New Hampshire's Crunchy Western Boys. The band has received some serious accolades of late, being invited as one of four finalists at the Northwest String Summit, one of the nation's premier acoustic music events. Their rollicking renditions of original tunes and bluegrass standards should provide quite the hoedown for the café faithful. Eclectic folkies, The Charlie Messing Duo, open the show at 8:30.
And Saturday night, the acoustic fireworks continue when a local "supergroup" of string aficionados join forces for an explosive night of pickin' and fiddlin'. The four-piece powerhouse of a band features Doug Perkins on guitar, Gordon Stone on banjo, Patrick Ross on fiddle and Mike Santasusso on bass. This show is guaranteed to produce some jaw dropping acoustic jamming from some of the finest string players in the Northeast. This not-to-be-missed ensemble kicks off the night at 9 p.m., and both shows are for donations … yee-haw!
The Black Door on Main Street in Montpelier has had its outdoor deck open for business, and that has certainly kept the place hopping on the weekends. So has some of the great music that bartender/talent-buyer Jay Bothwell has been putting into the third floor lounge. Tonight, Calais-based family band Yanks in the Attic brings traditional Irish sounds up the back stairwell.
Saturday night, local songstress Myra Flynn, who has gotten some great reviews – including Art Edelstein's in The Times Argus – for her newest release "Crooked Measures," plays a CD release party with some special guests at her favorite Montpelier venue. Myra really seems to be coming into her own lately, and the neo-soul artist seems ready to take off. We all know she's got the look, and she's readily demonstrated she's got the talent. Here's to hoping the intangible "breaks" fall her way. And, if you don't catch her at the Door Saturday, she'll also be having another CD release performance at the Langdon Street Café next Thursday. Both shows at the Door this weekend start at 9:30 for the usual honor cover.
Down the street at Charlie O's World Famous tonight, favorite local honky-tonkers The Starline Rhythm Boys return to their venue of choice to perform the most authentic take on the genre to be found in these parts. The combination of the bands retro sound and the atmosphere of the "dive for nice people" make the experience of seeing them there like a trip back in time to a post WW II Texas roadhouse. Belly up, grab a cold one, and enjoy the ride starting at 10 p.m. Saturday night at O's, the pride of Northfield returns when excellent Americana/rock band In This Century takes the back of the barroom. The band plays tight, energetic rock 'n' roll with serious American roots influence – and they do it darn well. Local folk-rockers The Rogue Birds open the show, starting once again at 10 p.m. – rock on!
For those looking for something decidedly more high-end, head on down to the Mad River Valley for "Gaucho Night" at The Big Picture Theater tomorrow night. A five-course South American dinner will be served, accompanied by live tango music for your dancing pleasure. The $75 per person seatings are at 5 and 7:30 p.m., and reservations are recommended. They can be had by calling (802) 496-8994. Olé!
For those that are up early Saturday morning, local pianist Michael Arnowitt will be performing morning music at Langdon Street Café from 10 until noon – a little "daylife" to balance out the hopping nightlife in our fair little capital.
Until next week, when the big Independence Day celebrations in the area will be covered, and some big news will be announced by yours truly, I'll see ya out and about!
Ed DuFresne is the talent coordinator for the Langdon Street Café and occasionally produces concerts. He lives in Montpelier with an aspiring lawyer, a budding artist, a bird named Lucy and a clutter of submitted CDs that are steadily being replaced by Web links.
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