Good-bye Prophets

Full Moon Prophets performed their last set together at the Top Hat on Sunday. Then friends and fellow musicians joined the Prophets remaining on stage, and the jam began. A number of drummers participated with the array of drums,

Including Ed Stalling,

and Roger.

Ellie Nuno

Teri loves to invite her sisters on stage for some fun.

Some of those who played this night are regulars at Brooks and Browns open mike on Tuesdays 7-10pm. Find B&B in the back of the Holiday Inn at the end of Pattee.

After this party wound down, I caught the last act at the Palace. Electric Dandelion has its own set on flickr, and there is a large set of the Prophets farewell.

More Words About More Things

Kitchenpoet covers the scene on Higgins, during the summer.

A more recent photo of yours truly taken by the bewitching woman below.
Teri Llovett's band, Full Moon Prophets, will play their last two shows in the middle of November. On Saturday, November 14, will be their last monthly show at the Union Club. Music starts by 9:30pm. The next night, on Sunday, November 15, the final show will take place at the Top Hat.

I'm using this shot again, because I love it. I like the Independent Telephone building as architecture, and as a photographic subject. Here it is framed by a window in the Union Hall. I'm thinking about making it my logo for social commentary rants. Speaking of social commentary, see below.
No, not all Wal-Mart shoppers are this stupid, but, obviously, some are. note: I didn't take this shot; someone emailed it to me.

The officer has just heard a horn honk and is looking behind him down Higgins towards Front. The horn is coming from the Mercedes to the left. The driver wants the policeman to move so he can turn into the alley.

A sad story, all too common in Zootown.

Yes, I approve of the power box paintings. They add nice color touches to downtown.

I can't end this post without mentioning Peter Bowen, whom I saw again at the Festival of the Book. Last year's fest introduced me to him and other regional writers. Since then I have read several books by them. In Peter's case, I have tried to read everything he's written. His Gabriel Du Pre' mysteries are a delight. If you read mysteries, adventure or local authors, find a Peter Bowen book to read. The library has most of them.

Saturday

Elephant Revival kept me up late Friday night, and I was slow rising, shining and getting around the next day. I had to do the markets, as usual, and I was scooting up Higgins to the Circle Square Market, near the depot, because it closes first, when I saw some music making across the street. I made a quick detour to capture a tune or two. A bystander thought he should be the subject of my documentation.

After one clear shot, I continued to the Xs to handle some grocery shopping. The tokens purchased with foodstamps, had been replaced with smaller, more practical, plastic chits, which didn't have the same organic feel as the wooden coins.

At the Peoples' Market two of my friends were being particularly orange...and having a good time, too.

One addition to the usual Saturday itinerary was the Total Fest music swap in Big Dipper's parking lot. I arrived in time to hear most of the third and final performance of the morning. There was a friendly crowd, some ice cream eating, band merchandise for sale and music way off the beaten path. Let's have a hallelujah and two amens for originality.

I can't walk by Tsunami without taking a quick look. Lord, I love this place where toys and art meet. The force is strong here.

Those colorful creations in the back corner by the books are by Kinch, and I love his stuff. If you haven't checked this place out, get your ass in there. This is another zootown hipnhot spot.

Total Fest was the big event of the weekend, and I wangled my way in there on the final night. Next year, I must plan ahead and get my press pass in order to document the entire event. 50 bands in three days calls for logistical wizardry and a ton of work. This was the eighth annual version of this event, and word has it every year it gets better.

Full Moon Prophets were filling their monthly spot at the Union Club. Remember: never a cover charge at this venue.

Even Kennedy and Johnson seemed to be listening.

Let's see...today is Thursday, and this post covers last Saturday...damn, time flies. To be fair to myself, I covered a lot of ground over a weekend, which started on Thursday evening. There's more in the can to be worked, including Jazz Martini Night, on Sunday, at the Badlander, and Tuesday's open mike at Brooks and Brown. Check back for some coverage of those events.

Catch Up Caras

Right up there in the corner, it says I'm old and slow. I haven't covered The Downtown Association's splendid summer series for two weeks. Mark your calendars for Out to Lunch, every Wednesday, 11a-2p, and Downtown Tonight, every Thursday, 5:30-8:30p.

Now let's do the timeslip to Wednesday week and catch up four events.

Full Moon Prophets Out to Lunch

Jazzy oldies you can sing along with played in clean, hard rocking style with an emphasis on bass.

The emphasis on bass is my friend, Teri Llovet. She sings a Cheryl Crowe song that gives me goose bumps.

Bob Wire & Magnificent Bastards Downtown Tonight

Bob Wire was cooking at Downtown Tonight. Only lining the tent with foil could make this venue tougher on Thursday nights. Week after week, brave performers face this trial. Poor Bob's plump turkey thermometer was about to pop. Bob still poured his heart into his "extreme honky-tonk," until the timer went off, and then he ran for the shade and a cold brew.

This is the new proprietor of the Celtic Connection, and I can't spell her name in Irish to save my ass, but it's pronounced Keeva. I'm not sure whether she was telling me to take a picture, or telling me to stuff my camera. She's a delightful woman, and the revival of the Connection has already started.

RMSP photography students showed up in large numbers to shoot the event. It looked like superbowl with all those fancy cameras and lenses waving along the sidelines.

Secret Powers Out to Lunch

Secret Powers is usally fronted by Schmed on the keyboard (above), but they switched up a bit at Out to Lunch. This may be the most professional combo in town, with their technical expertise and polished performances.

Clumsy Lovers Downtown Tonight

The Clumsy Lovers are visitors from Vancouver, B.C. who play zootown two or three times a year. Their music is kicky stuff with a lot of influences, including Celtic, folk and bluegrass. They have several cds, stickers and t-shirts to choose from at their merchandise table. Also Celtic Connection will join the local merchants who sell the cds.

If you have not attended one of these events, shame on you. They live up to the old ad line "fun for the whole family."

There are more images on the flickr archive, although I am trying to cut back on how many I post. The 5000 images over there are overwhelming. There are also older sets of all the bands featured in this post.