Musical happenings in and around the Capital City
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Toolbox
Published: January 29, 2010
Ran into Dennis Steele last night; dude's running for governor (good luck with that) … he's also an avid supporter of local music. He runs an online radio site featuring a slew of Vermont-based acts. He doesn't seem to be very discerning – some acts are great and some not so great, but they are all Vermont-based, and it's a great way for Green Mountain musicians to get exposure, or for fans to check out some of the bands our fair state has to offer. Check it out at www.freevermontradio.com.
It seems that the tragedy in Haiti has brought out the compassionate side of the local music scene, with several events being organized to help the desperate island nation. Tonight, out at the Maple Corner Community Center in Calais, a bunch of local acts are pulling together for the cause. The event, titled "An Evening at the Calais Café" features Colin McCaffrey, Katie Trautz, Erin McDermott, Jay Ekis and Brian Clark, among others, so there should be plenty of old-time and various strains of Americana featured musically. Light snacks, beverages and local art will also be available for purchase. The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m., and is a $10 suggested donation at the door, with all proceeds going to the Haitian relief effort. Enjoy some great local live music for a great cause, and still be home early.
Or if you prefer to go out on the town after doing your part, there's plenty going on around the capital. The Langdon Street Café on the corner of Elm and Langdon in ol' Montpeculiar gets things rolling tonight with a show by those itinerant miscreants from Thetford, Pariah Beat. In addition to their usual upbeat punk-Americana, the band will add a twist to their repertoire tonight with show tunes! Yes, you read it right – according to the band themselves "we're going to jazz up the crowd with ridiculous show tunes that everyone can (and is expected to) sing along to." Now this should be interesting. Check it out starting at 9 p.m.
Saturday night, LSC had a postponement, but found a fill-in at the last minute in Burlington's Zac DuPont, who plays original, acoustic singer-songwriter material, also at 9 p.m. Finally, on Sunday, the Cabin Fever series continues with New York State singer-songwriter Shane Murphy, who cites influences as widely varied as Jeff Buckley and Tool. That one kicks off at 3 p.m. All shows at LSC this weekend are for donations, so head on down and throw something in the bucket, would ya'?
Around the corner on Main Street tonight, The Black Door has a pair of super-local shows this weekend. Tonight, neo-reggae trio Bossman, featuring Brandon Klarich with some help from his super-talented singer-sister Morgan Klarich, will be rockin' the third floor lounge for your rub-a-dub dancin' pleasure. Saturday night, MadMan3, the new act that has risen from the ashes of local electronica faves MadDub, climbs the back stairwell to trance out the dance floor, Fred Wilbur style. Both shows start at 9:30 – don't forget to stick a few bucks in the honor cover box!
Tonight at Charlie-O's on Main Street in the city of the Golden Dome, locals Generous Thieves will rock out the back of the barroom. They ain't got no Web site, and they ain't got no MySpace – they just rock out live and in person. Check 'em out starting at 10 p.m. Saturday night features a pair of alternative bands making their O's debut when Guides of the Future are joined by The 5th Business. Couldn't find anything online for Guides (hint to bands – MySpace is free!), but I did locate the Biz's MySpace and they cite influences such as Modest Mouse, Death Cab for Cutie, and Built to Spill, so if you're into that stuff, you may find something to like here. Just be warned, it may be loud; I can't say that for sure, but my experience with young indie bands playing barrooms is that they usually are – consider yourself warned! As always at O's, the music is free!
Back outside of the capital this weekend, The Big Picture Theater in Waitsfield has a big double-bill Saturday night when rockin' Americana purveyors Red Hot Juba are joined by authentic roadhouse honky-tonkers The Starline Rhythm Boys for a swingin' dance party. And dance you can, as the BP has a big wooden dance floor that's perfect for gettin' down on. The show starts at 8 p.m. and is $10 at the door.
As for the rest of the week, some highlights include comedy night at The Black Door on Wednesday, Feb 3, at 8:30. This version, featuring local guy Jake Feldman, among others, is once again hosted by Kathleen Kanz. If Jake does comedy as well as he plays softball, he may be on his way to stardom.
And finally, Langdon Street Café has a pair of great local shows this week as well, with soul chanteuse Myra Flynn taking the stage on Wednesday, and Dave Keller being joined by the aforementioned Morgan Klarich on Thursday, Feb. 4, for a night of bluesy soul.
It seems like this week features virtually all things local, so get your local self out there and support Vermont's live music scene!
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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