I'm playing Tony Trischka's "Double Banjo Bluegrass Spectacular" album as I write, in preparation for the five-string festivities at Banjo Jim's tonight. It looks to be not only an entertaining but an educational evening, especially with Shlomo no doubt already packing a moving van with examples of every step in the instrument's evolution over the century.
This week is just overwhelmingly full of good music, so take a deep breath and read on...
That's going to run late, but probably not as late as the Baggot jam, so no doubt there'll be even more banjos than usual there. In Brooklyn, you have the jam at Vin Rouge, which I've yet to check out, plus Hogzilla is playing at Sunny's. Will Scott and Wylie Wirth will also be doing their weekly show at 68 Jay Street Bar in Brooklyn, then Will heads to Williamsburg to sit in for a few with Jolie Holland at Union Pool, where Jan Bell and the Cheap Dates will open at 8.
This Thursday is the Kings County Opry, with Jamie Lyn's Red Tail Hawk Band, Dock Oscar and (in Barry White voice) the Ambassadors Of Love, plus the song circle. At Banjo Jim's, the mandolins take over and attempt to rename the bar as Elena Skye hosts Mandolin Madness, with Barry Mitterhoff, Jimmy Ryan, Michael Daves and more.
Friday night there's a special event at Jalopy, with an exhibit of Pat Conte's artwork, followed by the Otis Brothers (Pat with Bob Guida, a seriously imposing combination). Copper Kettle releases their new CD, "Poison On Your Mind," with a party at National Underground. And at Sunny's, Daria Grace's band the Pre-War Ponies are playing.
Saturday night, it's mostly happening within a few blocks in the Lower East Side. Melody Allegra Berger introduces her new band, including Hilary Hawke, Zara Bode and Walt Wells, at National Underground. The one and only Andrew T. Hunt does one of his much-too-rare sets at Googies, and if he starts late and Melody starts on time you just might be able to catch them both if you walk fast. The Y'all Stars follow Andy with two sets. Or you could head further north to the Parkside to see Orrin Star. Or you could stay on this side of the river and see Michael Daves at Jalopy followed by the Freight Hoppers (who are also playing Friday night at the Hungarian House). And then we'll all meet up afterwards at Sunny's for the usual weeky jam.
Oh, and Chris Thile is apparently doing a solo show at the Living Room later on Saturday night? WHAT? How can we possibly handle all this music? This is exhausting just to WRITE about.
Brad will be back hosting the Pickin' Party on Sunday, if you get up on time for it, then on Monday Jason Cade will be at Bar BQ in Brooklyn with the Brooklyn Playboys. Fresh Baked is at Abilene on Tuesday and the Second Fiddles will be at the Rodeo Bar.
Note that in addition to his show on Saturday night, Orrin Star will be doing a bluegrass rhythm guitar workshop on Saturday afternoon, and a day of mandolin events on Sunday -- a brunch from 12-2, at 303 Mercer St, Apt A605, where you can meet and greet other players, compare instruments, and maybe swap or buy, since Brad Einhorn of Kings County Strings will be co-hosting. RSVP to him: brad@kingscountystrings.com. Following that Orrin will do two workshops, both at the Parkside. For more details see:
http://orrinstar.com/Pages/workshopinfo.html
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