Magic Music Shakes the Top Hat

The Shook Twins, Katelyn and Laurie, with Lane Exworthy on the cello, played the Top Hat on Thursday, after opening for Mason Jennings at the Wilma. It was one of those times, when the audience and the band feed each other, hearts open and the energy level goes through the roof. In short, the place was hopping, and it was a magical music night in zootown.



Normally, I limit my coverage to local bands, and this one came visiting from the Idaho panhandle, but I have to mention the exceptional, and this night was off the charts.






Check out the Shook Twins on their website, and see more photos from the Top Hat on my flickr archive.

I Am Sad to Report

The Union Club pulled the plug on open mike night. Personally, I don't think the few weeks the mike was open were enough. I didn't get there until last week, and I think word was starting to get out that it was a cool place to test musical chops. However, the name of the game is to sell alcoholic beverages, and I guess there weren't enough sold.


This young fellow began with one of my favorite John Prine songs.



Once again Louis was available for bass back up, and a number of drummers showed up. Teri also played bass with some performers, in addition to being the MC.

Baba Ganoush = More Fun

I'm convinced we were not put here to have a bad time. We are born, we die, and what we fill the time between with is up to each of us. I'm trying to fill mine with as much fun as possible. That's one of the reasons I love zootown. The music scene is full of fun, and Baba Ganoush is one of the bands which exemplifies this.


They played Dauphine's on First Friday, March 6, and a eight days later, March 14, were on stage at the Badlander. Their fan base seems to be growing. I remember when they put up their hand made sign and played on the sidewalk by the Sterling Bank steps. A lot of water has passed under the Higgins Bridge since then.







As usual, more photos of this group may be found on flickr.

A Sweet Evening in the Palace

Once upon a time, there was a band named Thug Life, made up of four beautiful, talented people who had nothing to do with anything thug-like. Realizing their name didn't fit them, they went nameless for a bit, before renaming themselves Dr. Agony and the Mystery Date. All of this has been chronicled in previous posts, here. It is time for the latest chapter. Mystery Date was scheduled for the Palace, on Tuesday, March 24, but two members were unavailable. Here is the hybrid band which played. Madison is up front, and Mary is fiddling bold and moody.




Thomas Pendarvis appears, over Mary's shoulder. He says he's beginning to like playing the bass. I think he did it the first time with Streetlight People, during Amanda's CD party. Since then he has repeated with that group and stood in with others.





Sugar, Sugar, Sugar was the name band, visiting from Bellingham, for this evening.



Another strong drum storm occurs in the Palace.


I've pointed out my penchant to capture other photographers, when I can. I am not the only photographer on the scene, but...


The two at the right in both of these were the ones who insisted on having their pictures taken this time. I'm going to start posting an occasional collection of people who ask to be photographed, instead of including just one or two like this.


More photos from this evening may be found on the flickr archive.

Open Mike Fun @the Union Club

Tom and the Tomatoes have been covered in previous postings here and over on the flickr archive, because I think they are a kick in the pants. With the return of Lizzi Juda from her travels, the fun level increases, which doesn't seem possible.


Teri Lavette, of Full Moon Prophets, directs open mike night at the Union Club, on Thursday nights.


On March 19th, Louis Bond and several drummers were available to back up anyone who asked.



The Union Club never charges a cover, and offers some of zootown's most popular bands on Friday and Saturday nights. Open mike night begins at 9pm, on Thursdays. Sign up is there and then.

International Food Festival

The bottom floor of the atrium was full of people lined up to try new foods, or repeat a favorite. One of my favorites was the Vietnamese beef, and another was the Indonesian peanut sauce. I must mention the Bedouin coffee, which cleared my sinuses right out.



There was another major crowd, up in the 3rd floor ballroom, where music and dancing were featured on stage. Teenage boys came to see the hula dancers.








Behind the audience, there were tables of treats and trinkets for sale. I had two of the fruit filled pastries on this table.

This is another of those people, who insist I must take her picture.