Bon Voyage, Angie

Angie Biehl has left Missoula for Kalamazoo, Michigan, to work on a master's degree in musical therapy. As a farewell party, several of the bands she plays in appeared at the Top Hat, on Monday, August 15, 2011.  The symphony probably wouldn't fit, but she had just played with them the night before down in Caras Park. Did you hear her play the glockenspiel?

Tom Catmull, John Sporman

The one band not featuring Angie was Tom Catmull and the Clerics. Bands which included Angie were Stellarondo, the Tulis, New Hijackers, Slowly but Shirley and Broken Valley Roadshow.

New Hijackers: Caroline Keys, Angie Biehl and Travis Yost

 Angie and brother, Nate Biehl

Angie with Broken Valley Roadshow

Belated Thanks, Part 1

Cue Joe Cocker (and allow slight lyrical adjustment): 

I get by with tons of help from my friends. 

My ego said I could produce a photo exhibit for the Top Hat, to open on the First Friday in November, and a music program to go with that show on the first Sunday. Wrong. Several things happened after that, including: a computer crash, cancellations, scheduling conflicts, nervous breakdowns #19-21 and an "Elizabeth I'm coming to join you" moment (Does anyone remember Sanford and Son?). 

I thank all the powers that be in the universe for my friends, who came from all directions and saved my scrawny ass. And for that, I want to thank all my friends. There are too many to cover adequately here, and that is why the title includes Part 1. I'm back online, after more than a month, but I still cannot access all my images, and I have piles of catch up. Future episodes will include Kevin Van Dort, music director at the Winery and Brendan Stewart, who installed the big pieces in the Top Hat, and oh so many others.  Here are the folks who appeared in the music program at the 

Missoula Winery and Event Center

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Darah Fogarty

 Meggie McDonald

 Ron Dunbar

 Slowly But Shirley: Kristin Janis, Ciara Keeton

New Hijackers

 Caroline Keys

Travis Yost

Angie Biehl

Today is First Friday a month later. It is time to check where the action is tonight. More choices to make...

Bob Wire, Slowly But Shirley, Star Anna, Red Elvises and Weather

Where does the time go? My last blog concerned the second weekend of July, and August has begun. I have some catching up to do. The last chapter ended with Amanda Cevallos and Bob Wire at Ryan Creek Meadows. Soon after that, Bob was sizzling at Caras Park.

It was the weekly Downtown Tonight event on Thursday, July 22, 2010, and Bob was really cooking on stage.

Listeners were enjoying a spectacular Montana day, in addition to the music. 

I want you to come to Fact and Fiction tonight (Friday, Aug 6) and buy my book. I might sign it if you do.

note:Bob Wire did not pay for this promo. I think his lyrics are some of the funniest around, and I expect his book to be amusing, too.

Ciara Keeton, Angie Biehl, Kristin Janis, Teri Llovet

Not one Shirley in the batch, but the band is Slowly But Shirley. They played a big part in producing and playing Zulapalooza at the Top Hat on Saturday, July 24.

Teri Llovett

One of the powers which helped create Zulapalooza was Teri Llovett. Teri was with Full Moon Prophets, who played their final gig on this same Top Hat Stage, last November. See Good-bye Prophets in a previous post here and in a set on Flickr. That was a whing-ding and a half, featuring many local musicians who wanted in on the fun. Zulapalooza produced more of the same infectious fun. One high light was Joe Half Cocked. Joe is an entity, who was being channeled by a local performer, but now busts out when he pleases.

Joe Half Cocked, Kristin Janis, Ciara Keeton

The Missoula Winery has a new stage. Performers and audience are protected from the hot afternoon sun, as this is on the east side of the building. Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs played there on Friday, July 30.

Star Anna and the Laughing Dogs

Mother Nature chose to bring special effects to the event. It wasn't so much fun for the band, as the temperature fluctuations began to mess up the tuning. The guitar player just knew he was going to die, electrocuted on stage in Missoula, Montana. 

A few drops fell on the assembly, but the body of the storm missed us and moved off to the north-west. Did I mention The Winery has an incredible view of the entire Missoula basin? I should also say this old photographer had a great time with the changing light, noted with approval the evolution of the Winery and tasted some fine Cabernet.

The Red Elvises have made the pilgrimage to Missoula an annual event. I saw them in Santa Monica many years ago (15?/more?). They had changed their name from Limpopo shortly before that, and I bought the Limpopo CD, and the first Red Elvis CD, and enjoyed every minute of their performance. I missed their previous visits here, but I was determined this time.

Igor has sandwiched himself with a pair of women, since I saw them.

A throng of Red Elvis fans packed the Badlander to see them again.

Every day I thank the powers that be I found Missoula before I died. Yes, I have said that before. Brace yourselves, because I will say it again. Life is sweet, and it gets better every day.

If you aren't enjoying yourself, as much as I, try turning off your television and getting out to some live music.

PS: See more of these events on Flickr. Don't hurt yourself by trying to view everything on my Flickr archive, because it is too much. It is best to approach the archive looking for a band you know, or want to know, because the search function will allow you to find the images you want (if I have key-worded properly).

LYME Fest--Day One

"You're either on the bus, or you're not."  --Merry Pranksters

Capt'n Trips kept the shuttles running from Missoula to Rock Creek for the Love Your Mother Earth Festival, and a $10 pass granted unlimited access for all three days.

The first sign I saw upon arrival, was not promising, but further down the path things looked better.

Electronic DJs had a beautiful pulpit to operate from, and the sound was scheduled from afternoon until 8am.

My first goal was to catch the Voodoo Horseshoes at the Ramble Stage. Let's see around the bar to back east corner, and what do you know... Here we go baby. This party is about to roll. 

The walk from the campground stage to the main stage and back provided this old man plenty of exercise. The first hike back to the campground was to see my friends, Slowly but Shirley. 

I'm headed for the main stage to check out Sister Monk, when I hear enticing sounds from the Ramble Stage. Who? Humanlab. Never heard of 'em, but definitely worth hearing. Regular readers know I love it, when the music takes an infectious fun turn. 

Sister Monk is on stage, as the sun disappears down the river. Oh boy, more of that fun stuff, I was just talking about, tied to some powerful drumming from this folksy trio. Note: Sister Monk will play the Hat this Wednesday, June 16, and Equaleyes is also on the bill. See you there. 

Molten glass was being shaped late into the night. The next day, a sign warned stoners not to stare at the flame too long. 

It's almost midnight, Miller Creek is on stage, fire jugglers are twirling flame, as Kitchenpoet turns towards home and bed. Much more to follow. Two more days to be reported right here soon, and soon there will be matching sets on the Flickr archive.