Musical happenings in and around the Capital City
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Toolbox
Published: November 13, 2009
There's no shortage of options this week of great live music. In fact, there's a straight up overabundance, so I'll give my regrets in advance if I cannot include everything, or if my editors need to do the same. Sometimes, there's just too much going on in our little neck of the woods to fit it all in – lucky us! Here's what's up.
We'll start off in the Granite City, where the Barre Opera House continues its Celebration Series Saturday night with one of the world's finest Cajun bands, BeauSoleil. Michael Doucet and company are largely responsible for putting the Louisiana-based dance music on the sonic map, and their multiple Grammy awards attest to their mastery of the genre. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $10-$29, a bargain for a band of this caliber, fo' sho'. For more info, visit www.barreoperahouse.org.
Back in the city of the Golden Dome, The Black Door has a pair of stupendous shows this weekend, starting tonight with the Andreas Kapsalis Trio. The Chicago-based group plays a blend of European Gypsy styles with classical and contemporary flourishes that will astound listeners. I've caught his duo before, and incidentally, they'll be at the Door on a future date, but this percussion-inspired trio promises to be just as impressive. Flamenco fans, take note – you'll find a lot to like here!
Saturday night, Brooklyn-based alt-pop group The Mumbles return to the third floor lounge with their signature blend of "singer-songwriter soul with jazzy grit and old-time music." This is a great up-and-coming indie act that is a real treat to see live, playing "music in the key of partying down." Sounds good to me. Both shows start at 9:30 p.m. for the usual honor cover.
Out on the edge of Montpeculiar this weekend, The Lamb Abbey has a full slate of events planned. They'll kick off tonight with The Reap What You Sow Harvest Season Vaudeville Show. That's a real mouthful, but no doubt the acts on stage will live up to their wordy moniker. The family friendly show features local talents Brent McCoy, Justin Lander and Rose Friedman performing live music, physical comedy and circus spectacle, with a dose of audience participation thrown in for good measure. Special guests will also be along for the ride, and the suggested donation at the door is $10 for adults, and $5 for the kiddos. Too much fun!
Saturday night, the Abbey features the second installment of The Rock Lottery. Over the course of six days, 36 local musicians are randomly united to produce six bands that will proceed to perform 120 minutes of original music. The first lottery was apparently a big success, so apparently our local players are up to the challenge. Doors are at 8 p.m., with the music starting at 8:30.
Finally, on Sunday at 2 p.m., the L.A. hosts Glory Montessori, a unique event if there ever was one. The "all-original, kid-friendly indie rock concert" is the brainchild of local indie musician Kris Gruen, who attended the Montessori School of Central Vermont (which the show benefits). There will also be some secret special-guest storytellers opening the show. Check it out for yourself for $5 for adults, $3 for kids, and $15 for families.
Back downtown in the Capital City, Langdon Street Café hosts a pair of great shows this weekend as well. Tonight, Burlington indie-rockers The Vacant Lots, who seem to have developed official "darling" status over in the Queen City, make their Montpelier debut. Called "one of Burlington's most artistically provocative and sonically arresting young outfits," the two-piece puts out a sound that is much bigger than you'd expect from a duo. There is a $5 cover for this one — hipsters take note! Brand spankin' new Montpelier outfit Sweet Hound opens the show.
Saturday night, one of my personal favorites returns to town when The Hot Seats take the stage on the corner of Elm and Langdon. Formerly Special Ed and the Shortbus, the twisted string-band from Virginia finally succumbed to the fact that some places just wouldn't give them gigs with that politically incorrect name, in spite of their off-center musical brilliance. With the name changed, it seems the gigs are pouring in, so we're lucky to see 'em again up this way. If Zappa played bluegrass, it would sound a lot like these guys. Both shows start at 9 p.m.
Charlie O's on Main Street continues the harder-edged bookings they've had of late with Slim Francis tonight. The Brooklyn based S.F. is a hard-hitting rock trio with a sound reminiscent of '70s acts such as Thin Lizzy, and have been making waves both here and across the pond in the U.K, where opening post-punk act Bobby Peru hails from.
Saturday night, a slightly more familiar vibe returns to O's when J.P. Harris and the Tough Choices come up from Brattleboro with their ultra-authentic country music in tow. Starline fans take note – these guys dish it up much in the way our local honky-tonk heroes do. Come on in and toss one back with 'em. Both shows start at 10 p.m. for free.
Another multi-act show takes place tonight, and this one's for a great cause. The Band Aid for Band-Aids will ascend the Montpelier High School stage to benefit The People's Health and Wellness Clinic, which does an amazing job helping out us under-insured Vermonters when we need it. The event features the WDEV Radio Rangers, Jon Gailmor, Cold Country Bluegrass and Mark LeGrand and Sarah Munro accompanied by Spencer Lewis. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door, and can be acquired at Buch Spieler in Montpelier, and Exile on Main Street, LACE, and the People's Health & Wellness Clinic in Barre. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30.
Finally, a very special show takes place later this week on Thursday at Langdon Street Café, when local chanteuse Miriam Bernardo leads a tribute to the late great Mercedes Sosa. The recently deceased Ms. Sosa was a woman whose music was synonymous with the fight for social justice in the face of oppression and dictatorship in Latin America. Miriam will be joined by Jairo Sequiera on guitar, John Thompson on bass and Caitrin Noel on percussion, and will play a selection of some of Ms. Sosa's most meaningful material along with narration, starting at 8 p.m., for donations.
There's something for everyone this week, so, no excuses – go see live music!
Ed DuFresne is the former talent coordinator at Langdon Street Café, occasionally produces concerts, and books at various venues in the area on a freelance basis. He lives in Montpelier with owners of a local vintage clothing franchise and an annoying bird named Lucy.
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