Wednesday, July 9 at 9:30PM
Roots N Ruckus
Jalopy Theater Presents, "Roots n Ruckus," a night of folk, old-time and blues music every Wednesday starting Jan. 9th, 2008. You will see and hear people playing banjos, guitars, washboards, tub-basses kazoos and harmonicas. This is the gig to go to for real deal folk music in New York City. Hosted by Feral Foster and featuring a stellar group of musicians. Come and be a regular! The gig happens every week.
Thursday, July 10 at 9:00PM $ 10 cover
Two Dark Birds
Two Dark Birds, a band born of Pakatakan Mountain and the mind of Maplewood alum Steve Koester. Though Koester calls their sound "American" or "soul", in their self-titled debut, Two Dark Birds embrace a much broader set of influences. Soul, blues, rock and country convene in warm harmonies, light drum crashings, and pitch-perfect guitar tones; all paired with Koester's sad, sleepy voice singing woeful tales of women and wine. It's a record heard best with a beer in hand beneath a star-punched sky. Somewhere, Robbie Robertson must be proud." Nylon
Thursday, July 10 at 10:00PM
Amy Annelle
Amy Annelle songs have been called "darkly jubilant avant-folk", "aswim in spirits", and "arresting and enthralling"; her voice "strong and lilting", "angelic", and "beguiling".
Her most recent offering, "Songs For Creeps" (High Plains Sigh), was a Billboard Magazine Critic's Choice/Ten Best Albums of the year. Many talented souls have accompanied her on her recording and touring forays, but of late, she is performing solo: all new material from a forthcoming album, her seventh. Annelle has sung with avant-folk legends Michael Hurley and Jandek and indie band Okkervil River, and with Ralph White (ex-Bad Livers) she performs as the weird old folk & country duo Precious Blood. Annelle has played shows with Roy Harper, Michael Hurley, Jolie Holland, Souled American and Smog.
Thursday, July 10 at 11:00PM
Ralph White
One of our foremost instrumentalists and a true hidden American treasure, Ralph White has taken a decidedly non-academic route in his inspired pursuit of the ancient roots of music on fiddle, banjo, button accordion and kalimba. The "folk/noise/avant-whatever genius" (Joe Gross, Austin 360) has traveled alone to strange places, including Namibia, Australia and Louisiana, playing on sidewalks for tips and making many sacrifices while developing his intimate, nuanced musical language.
Friday, July 11 at 7:00PM $ 65 cover
Festival Reception and Silent Auction
NY Loves Mountains
Join us for the First Annual NY Loves Mountains Festival Kickoff. The Festival, hosted by Headwater Productions, a Brooklyn-based community-action and arts production company, will kick off with a benefit reception and concert at the Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook, Brooklyn. This weekend of music, theater, and public outreach will unite Appalachians and New Yorkers to raise awareness about mountaintop removal coal mining (MTR) and its devastating effects on the ecology, communities and economy of Appalachia.
The reception, starting at 7 pm, will offer a three course dinner catered by Rice Restaurant. Special guests will address MTR from agencies including Appalachian Voices, Coal River Mountain Watch, photojournalist Antrim Caskey and filmmaker David Novak. There will be a silent auction featuring original art, jewelry, and crafts from NYC and Appalachia, as well as raffle items from NYC businesses, authors, musicians and filmmakers. Proceeds will go to Pennies of Promise, a fundraising initiative to rebuild Marsh Fork Elementary in West Virginia. The students’ health is being compromised by a nearby coal-processing plant. Al Gore has praised the group’s work, saying the “campaign to get a new school is really part and parcel of the same kind of a struggle that I and many others have been involved in to try to get solutions to the climate crisis.”
Please call 718.395.3214 to purchase tickets.
Friday, July 11 at 9:00PM $ 15 cover
NY Loves Mountains Benefit Concert
The New York Loves Mountains Concert, starting at 9 pm will feature the Appalachian-based band Here’s To the Long Haul and musician Cari Norris, as well as New York musicians the IEDs, Andrea Reising, Supermajor and Sam and Karen Duffy. The concert tickets cost $15.
Proceeds will go to Pennies of Promise, a fundraising initiative to rebuild Marsh Fork Elementary in West Virginia,where the students’ health is being compromised by a nearby coal-processing plant. Al Gore has praised the group’s work, saying the “campaign to get a new school…is really part and parcel of the same kind of a struggle that I and many others have been involved in to try to get solutions to the climate crisis.”
Here’s to the Long Haul plays both contemporary and traditional mountain music, and is born of the historic and ongoing movements for justice in Appalachia and beyond. They are yet another offshoot of the deep and wandering roots of Appalachian music, fed by the waters of modern grassroots resistance to that which is wrong, and the creation of that which is good, in our mountains.
Cari Norris' music stems from the traditions of her grandmother, the late Lily May Ledford, original leader of the first all-women string band in radio, The Coon Creek Girls. Cari performs ancient ballads as well as original songs on guitar, clawhammer banjo, and mountain dulcimer. She has studied with master Appalachian musicians such as Jean Ritchie, Lee Sexton, Rich Kirby, and Sue Massek. Cari has produced three solo recordings,"Morning and Night," "Cari's Old Christmas.," and "In and Out of the Garden." She co-produced the widely acclaimed solo recording of Lily May Ledford entitled, "Gems," which is available on JuneAppal Records.
THE IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES are a duo of Steve Wishnia (double bass, electric bass and bass kalimba) and Eric Blitz (drums, percussion, dumpster gamelan). Two old punk-rockers with a love for free-jazz improv, they've both been in dozens of bands, with Steve the bassist and cofounder of the False Prophets (the Lower East Side's leading leftist-punk band of the 1980s) and Eric doing an album with former Black Flag guitarist Greg Ginn.
They're the rhythm section for the sound-and-vision multimedia shows of artists Mac McGill and Seth Tobocman. They also play in Reprieve-with saxophonist Daniel Carter and singer Leslie Levinson-and in the Ex-False Prophets, a slightly mutated revived version.
Multi-media artist Andrea Scott Reising performs as a singer-songwriter and is a regular at Manhattan and Brooklyn venues. Reising has three self-produced albums available for sale: “My Achilles Heel” 2004, “Underbelly” 2002, and “Drive-Thru Rodeo” 2000.
The members of Supermajor play melodic, hooky music.
Sam and Karen Duffy play roots based originals and traditional folk and blues. Sam Duffy has been a side man for many artists on the Music Maker label including Guitar Gabriel, Cootie Stark and Macavine Hayes. Karen's original songs chronicle the convolutions of the modern world in a style that is both humorous and revelatory.
Saturday, July 12 at 9:00PM $ 10 cover
The Second Fiddles
The Second Fiddles are a New York based trio in the tradition of the great stringbands that performed at the turn of the century. The artists that traveled with the medicine shows were adept at all genre's of American roots music. The Fiddles pull from the song books of Country, Blues, Bluegrass, Gospel and Swing bands of the 20's, 30's and 40's. The Second Fiddles have appeared on WKCR's Honky Tonkin' Show, WFDU's Traditions with Ron Olesko and the Sheriff Sessions along with Chris Thile, Michael Daves and The Infamous Stringdusters.
Saturday, July 12 at 10:30PM
Steve James
STEVE JAMES artist profile Steve James is a well known name among devotees of contemporary acoustic folk and blues; this notoriety based on numerous critically acclaimed recordings, a tireless international tour schedule and a sheaf of published work including articles, instruction books and videos. His instrumental versatility (on guitar, slide guitar, mandolin, guitar-banjo) also makes him a favorite at music camps and workshop programs. He's been interviewed for features in Acoustic Guitar, Guitar Player, Blues Revue and Folk Roots (to name a few), and has been heard on "A Prairie Home Companion", The House Of Blues Network and many other syndicated programs worldwide.
Thursday, July 17 at 9:00PM $ 8 cover
Afro Peruvian Night
Eric Kurimski With special guest Juan Medrano Cotito
Guitarist Eric Kurimski's debut CD Replica, was recorded Last August in Lima Peru. It includes some of the most talented and innovaive Afro Peruvian musicians including, Sergio Valdeos and Juan Medrano Cotito of the Grammy Award winning Susana Baca Group, Charo Goyoneche of Teatro del Milenio, Yuri Juarez of Gabriel Alegria's sextet, and the Maestro Carlos Hayre. Joining Eric tonight will be Juan Medrano Cotito on Cajon, and Jorge Roeder on Bass.
Eric holds a BA in Jazz (SUNY Purchase) and a MA in Jazz (Aaron Copland School of Music CUNY QC.) Since 2002 he has been studying Afro Peruvian Music and more recently various other styles of Latin American and South American musics. Among his most influential aquaintences/ professors are Carlos Hayre, Aquiles Baez, David Fiuczynski, Todd Coolman, Jon Faddis, Oscar Stagnaro and Mike Mossman. He has traveled independently to research music in countries such as Cuba, Mexico and Peru. This has included intense study of Afro Peruvian/Criollo guitar styles with the esteemed Maestro Carlos Hayre. He currently performs with a number of New York based Afro Peruvian ensembles. Including Alcatraz, Kambalache Negro (directed by Roberto "Chino" Bolanos), and Mariela Valencia. Eric has also performed with the queen of Afro Peruvian music Eva Ayllon.
www.erickurimski.com
Thursday, July 17 at 10:30PM
Alcatraz with special guest Juan Medrano Cotito
Combining contagious Afro-Peruvian rhythms with traditional jazz elements and the energetic, aggressive, non-stop-round-the-clock feeling of New York City, Alcatraz ultimately reveals itself as a musical revolution to be: a musical movement that is once very close to the land of pisco and to the heart of the city that never sleeps."
Oscar Pasache
Alcatraz's debut release combines the spirited sounds of the soul, warmth, and tradition of the Peruvian coast with the restless creativity of New York City. Many of the songs on the album are fresh versions of the most recognized Afro-Peruvian songs like "El Mayoral", "Cardo o Ceniza" and "Se Me Van Los Pies". Alcatraz draws upon influences of traditional Peruvian ensembles and artists from the earliest recordings to the present, including Carlos Hayre, Teatro del Milenio, Peru Negro and Susana Baca, fusing these elements to arrive at an original interpretation that speaks to the tradition and yet resonates in the present day.
The thrilling live performance that Alcatraz delivers blurs the distinction between performer and audience as well as that between concert and party. Every member of the band can be heard singing background vocals and playing the unique percussion instruments of Afro-Peru, including: cajón (Afro-Peruvian box drum), cajita (little box drum) and quijada (donkey's jawbone used as a rasp). Inevitably the audience finds occasion to belt the backgrounds, join the percussion section with the traditional hand clapping parts, called palmas, and even get out of their seats to shake their hips. Owing to the infectious energy of the show, the music emanates not from the five individual band-members, but from a spirit and tradition common to them as well as all musicians, dancers, and audiences of costal Peruvian music.
Alcatraz is Sofia Koutsovitis - Vocals, Eric Kurimski - Guitar, Jorge Roeder - Bass and special guest Juan Medrano Cotito - Cajon.
Friday, July 18 at 9:30PM $ 10 cover
John Pinamonti
John Pinamonti is a Brooklyn-based musician known for his songwriting, guitar playing and singing as well as for his eclectic interpretation of American music. A typical gig might find him performing some of his classics such as The Ballad of Biggie Smalls or Black Guitar, followed by a Hank Williams song on the ukulele and a traditional blues on 6 string banjo.
Friday, July 18 at 10:30PM
Smokey Hormel
Smokey Hormel, known for his work with Beck, Johnny Cash, Mick Jagger and Tom Waits, celebrates his love for western swing by playing with some of New York’s favorite musicians.
Band members are Smokey Hormel; Charlie Burnham on Fiddle; Bob Hoffnar, Steel; Tim Luntzel, Bass; and Konrad Meissner on drums.
“Smokey Hormel has established himself in the music industry as one of the most diverse and in-demand guitarists available today. With a list of credits that includes the likes of Beck, Tom Waits, Johnny Cash, Mick Jagger, and Beth Orton, it is clear that Smokey is capable of adapting to any musical situation.” www.geocities.com/drummerinterviews/smokeyhormel.html
Saturday, July 19 at 9:30PM $ 10 cover
Doubthing Thomas T.E. Ward
Brooklyn-based West Coast writer-songsinger T.E. Ward -- Doubting Thomas -- has picked up the 1965-ish thread of twelve-string guitar songsterism as practiced in the "a-go-go" era--the slightly more insistent (not to say strident) side of folk, with a strong rhythmic underpinning--for those who could dig the new beat. It is folk-rock balladry like you might once have found along the post-Beat[nik] songwriter axis that ran in a crooked line between Greenwich Village and such L.A. rooms as the Troubadour and the Ash Grove, with stops in between and around the globe, and half of a corner of an eye on England. Like the moment when the Everly Brothers recorded an album with the Hollies--a few moments before Graham Nash split to make the Laurel Canyon scene--and when Tim Hardin didn't know his right coast from his left.
Doubting Thomas leavens a slate of original tunes (and mixes metaphors) with the occasional ramble through the garage by way of the Brill Building, and makes a nod to the blues with minor-key jaunts like the traditional "900 Miles" and Mimi & Richard Farina's "Reno, Nevada." He digs up Texas' '66ers The Bad Seeds, and corrals some B-sides by the likes of The Leaves, Love, and the Bobby Fuller Four. On any given night he may take you for a swing through Nashville and West Texas, too, but with the twelve-string, it will be done with a bit of jangle, chime and Byrdsian shimmer. Call it pop music for the black-turtleneck set, or maybe "folk-a-go-go."
Saturday, July 19 at 10:30PM
Hungrytown
Hungrytown is the self-titled release from the award-winning songwriting team of Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson. Married since 1994, Rebecca and Ken have toured many thousands of miles over the last few years, earning their keep playing gigs throughout the United States and Europe. Their music has been greatly enriched by the places they've traveled, as evidenced by the broad range of styles on this album, which brings together bluegrass, classic country and soul, Celtic folk, old-time balladry and retro pop styles.
Sunday, July 20 at 1:00PM $ 40 cover
WORKSHOP: The "Rudiment" Approach To Drumming
Taught by Dan Duggins
******PLEASE CALL TO REGISTER, 718.395.3214******
There are 40 + rudiments recognized by the International Percussive Arts Society. Essentially they are patterns similar to scales for pitched instruments. They are learned on the snare drum first. Then they can be applied to the drum set. This can be a bit of a mystery to a lot of players and I feel as though the written documentation/notation available is far short of the mark. In fact an issue like this one is simple to demonstrate in a lesson/clinic type environment and can be expounded upon quickly in a very organic, creative way.
This workshop will give the necessary tools to explore the rudiments more as a unified concept and less as a bunch of exercises in a book. Also with this "concept" style approach you will be able to readily apply this knowledge in your own practice and performance as it naturally develops as part of your own skill set.
The actual demonstration and playing part of the workshop could be done with practice pads and two drum sets and I will create a brief hand out that would outline the topic.
In my own practice and playing I am theorizing all of the "rudiment" style approach as simple groupings of single and double strokes. One point to note... it is not possible to make this realization without in depth knowledge of the "rudiment" approach.
Thursday, July 24 at 9:30PM $ 8 cover
The King County String Band
Thursday, July 24 at 10:30PM
Orrin Star & the Sultans of String Trio
Orrin Star is an award-winning guitarist and mandolin player who
combines hot picking, cool singing and good humor. Once described
as ‘Arlo Guthrie-meets-Doc Watson’, he was the 1976 National Flatpicking Champion, has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, and boasts a repertoire that ranges from from bluegrass standards to little-known folk gems, Celtic fiddle tunes to fingerstyle blues.
Friday, July 25 at 9:00PM $ 8 cover
A Nigh of Cowboy Songs & Comedy
Hosted by Michael Fiorito
Bring out your best cowboy boots and hats!! Hosted by Michael Fiorito and Performances by: Bill Bernthal, Sammo, Susan Kaessinger, Christine Leahy, Joe Hughes, Mike Campbell and comedy by Amy Crossfield.
Should be a root'n toot'n time.
Saturday, July 26 at 9:00PM $ 15 cover
Reddy Music Series
The Rob Reddy Group
This is the premiere of the new Rob Reddy ensemble. Featuring six horns and drums. The Ensemble consists of Rob Reddy on saxophones, Lisa Parrott on saxophones, Douglas Yates-clarinets, John Carlson-trumpet, Mark Taylor-french horn, TBA-trombone and TBA-drums.
Saturday, July 26 at 10:30PM
The Jef Lee Johnson Band
Guitarist Jef Lee Johnson is well-known as a session musician, playing for everyone from pop stars like Aretha Franklin and Billy Joel, to smooth jazz vocalists like Phyllis Hyman and Rachelle Ferrell, to fearless experimentalists like Ronald Shannon Jackson and McCoy Tyner. (He even has a mid-'80s stint as the lead guitarist in Paul Shaffer's World's Most Dangerous Band, the house band for Late Night With David Letterman, under his belt.) His solo albums, starting with 1996's Blue, are equally wide-ranging affairs, veering from straightforward pop songs to guitar-noise experiments that recall both Sonny Sharrock and Sonic Youth.
Sunday, July 27 at 1:00PM $ 30 cover
Vocal Harmony Workshop
******PLEASE CALL TO REGISTER, 718.395.3214******
Emily Eagen and Don Friedman are versatile teachers, singers and instrumentalists, and focus on traditional American close harmony styles. This three hour workshop will emphasize the mechanics of creating harmonies and arrangements as well as singing in small groups. The repertoire will be taken from the old-time and bluegrass vocal traditions, especially the styles of harmony greats such as the Carters, the Louvins and the Stanleys. They will work closely with students to develop their listening abilities, performance styles and singing techniques. No need to read notation! You will be up and singing right away - the class will be a fun, hands on, demystifying experience in learning to sing close harmony. Please email Steve Schwartzman at sschwartzman@eldercareny.com with any questions about the mechanics of the workshop.
Thursday, July 31 at 9:00PM $ 8 cover
Pinataland
A startling alchemy of strange-but-true history, haunting instrumentation, and sterling songwriting, Piñataland have become experts at conjuring the sad strangeness of history to life with violin, tuba, accordion, guitar and drums. The band's music, lurching from the epic and grandiose to the aching and elegiac, evokes some never-existing strain of pre-WWII chamber-rock.
Thursday, July 31 at 10:30PM
Curtis Eller
Curtis Eller is New York City's angriest yodelling banjo player. He sings about pigeon racing, performing elephants and Jesus, all of which he has seen with his own eyes. He started his show-business career at the age of seven as a juggler and acrobat in the Hiller Olde Tyme Circus in Detroit, but has since turned to the banjo because that's where the money is.