New Faces @Brooks and Browns Open Mike

Ruthie Dada and Chris Duparri joined the weekly crowd at Brooks and Browns for Open Mike on Tuesday, May 4. Both of them can be seen in the many sets of Zeppo on my Flickr site. 

When the regulars faltered with the lyrics of a song they had done hundreds of times, another newcomer leaped in to steady the refrain. 

Another regular is often available to supply percussive support for open mike performers. Roger plays in about a dozen bands here and there. There's more of this evening in back of the Holiday Inn on flickr, along with several previous dates. All are shorthanded as BBMike followed by the date. 

Catch Up, with Three Exciting Performances

Once upon a time, a long time ago, Tonsofun opened for the iNHUMANS at the Badlander. 

Recently, on the Top Hat stage, he sported a different look. 

He invited Ruthie on stage for a rapping, hip-hop duet. She poured her heart into it, as she always does, and the two of them produced some truly original material.

I'm still having trouble with the new google image uploader, and I can't get the truly dramatic shot of Ruthie belting it out to upload here. Well, (bleep!)... There are more images of these two on stage at the Top Hat over on my flickr archive. Look for Tonsofun among the sets.

Other recent events of note included TSMF, followed a day later by This Band Kills Fascists, both at the Palace.

 I must mention here my first print exhibition opens at the Palace tomorrow, Friday, December 4, during the First Friday Gallery Walk, 5-8pm. Another band has cancelled, due to illness, but the event is finally on. The bar will be open, and there will be music. The American Humanics Student Association is holding a raffle, and a large number of prizes will be awarded, at approximately 7p. Mayor Engen is expected for that event.

Here's another big fellow who is a lot of fun. Charlie is up front leading the charge for TSMF.

Behind Charlie is a hard driving sound. Yes, the bass player is also with Punchy and the Knockouts.

This Band Kills Fascists is another group, with TSMF, high on my up and coming band list. There's a dramatic story here far beyond my current abilities to tell. I'll end with some images, and a reminder there is more of everyone in this post over on flickr.

Hempfest 2009

Mother Trucker showed up at Hempfest, the first time I'd seen her since Love Your Mother up at Lolo. Of course, I had to have the Captain's Booty, for old times sake.

Several local bands are named after natural disasters, and the best I've heard is Rising Waters. I didn't even know who they were until this event. I immediately recognized Mike Avery up front, because he does the open mike at Sean Kelly's on Mondays.

The line up for Hempfest was top quality from start to finish, including some old favorites.

Ruthie sang and danced, and it doesn't get any better than that.

Speaking of Ruthie, she has teamed up with Tonsofun to create a dynamic hip-hop duo. They played the Palace on Tuesday, September 15.

Just the tip of the iceberg. There are three sets, on flickr, for this blog posting, titled Rising Waters @Hempfest 2009, Zeppo @Hempfest 2009 and Dynamic New Hip-Hop Duo.