Well, the Peace Center threw one of the best I’ve been to in years. They hosted what turned out to be one of the best “house parties” I’ve been to in a long time.

The Peace Center? Yep. They have just the right environment to bring two incredibly talented, fun bands together, put them in a cozy, intimate theater, have great sound, and invite a bunch of friends for just the right size party. And last night, although I knew I was going to have a good time, turned out to be one of those great parties.

Los Lobos pulled into town from East L.A, and brought along Texas friends Los Lonely Boys. I was anxiously awaiting the show for weeks, but had no idea what a great one it would be.

As the old school fashion of earlier days of rock, when a promoter, roadie or radio announcer would excitedly introduce the band—”YOU WANTED THE BEST, YOU GOT THE BEST. THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD…KISS!!!” or “Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends. Ladies and gentlemen, EMERSON LAKE AND PALMER!!!” (aaahhhh, I miss those days)— the night started with a great introduction for Los Lonely Boys. And thus, the party started.

The three singing Garza Brothers (drummer Ringo, 6-string bassist Jojo, and guitarist Henry) had more enthusiasm, energy and elation for being on that stage and playing at this party than the screaming fans did for being there. Henry started by welcoming the crowd, and as always, thanked and praised God for being here. This, by the way, was the brothers first show in months, after Henry fell off the stage and was injured in a show a few months earlier. But you’d never know it. Jojo even commented that they must have all been practicing secretly, because they hadn’t played in three months, but sounded better than ever—as if never skipping a beat.

The Texicana Rockers flowed through a seamless wash of rock, blues, swing, and even a segment with Henry’s delicious scat mirroring of his soloing, of which George Benson would be proud. Song after song, they partied and rocked. Midway through they invited Los Lobos’ sax player Steve Berlin to sit in. And the Jam began. A song or two later, on strolls Los Lobos’ guitarist/singer Cesar Rosas to join the jam. And jam they did. But not wanting to be left out, here came Los Lobos guitarist/singer David Hidalgo. And the jam just kept jamming. Guitar solos and licks being traded and fired at each other aggressively. And the three Garza brothers never stopped smiling.
They even worked the words Greenville, South Carolina into the last song of the blues jam.

They finished just as enthusiastically with the reason most were excited to see them by playing their Grammy hit “Heaven”. And heaven it was. The brothers took their time leaving the stage as they obviously were not ready to go—thanking, waving, bowing and shaking hands even after intermission lights were up. When they finally disappeared backstage, I commented to a friend that if i didn’t like Los Lobos so much, my night would have been complete right there.

So glad I stayed though.

I’ve seen Los Lobos a few times, and every time was a party. After a couple songs with a few minor equipment issues, they settled in and played hard. Still celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their album KIKO, they revisited three decades worth of their material, each one sounding as new as ever. And still played by ALL the original members. They paid tribute to their heritage and early music with some great traditional Mexican/Spanish tunes, and as that music always does, it got everyone dancing.

And a special treat Los Lobos style, they of course played their version of PLENTY of cover songs. David Hidalgo led the band through the Allman Brothers’ “One Way Out” which was absolutely phenomenal and received a standing ovation. Sly and the Family Stones’ “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”, The Band’s “Evangeline”, and Ritchie Valens’ “Come On Let’s Go”. The most special treat for me was the tribute to the Grateful Dead by covering “Bertha”, “Not Fade Away”, “Lovelight” and “Good Lovin’”.

And to finish the night, the boys encored with the eagerly awaited “La Bamba”. But of course, being a party, they couldn’t just play it. They made it a “La Bamba > Good Lovin’” > “La Bamba” jam medley.

The entire night, both bands treated the crowd like we were all life-long friends at a summer house party. And thank you Peace Center for hosting and inviting us all. Next party is when?

By Jack DelGado
Co-Founder/Creative Director
Fête

La Bamba > Good Lovin’ > La Bamba

Heaven

But, as a story published by Fast Company in this month’s issue pointed out, there are a few who see not only the problems of Detroit but also its opportunities.

One of the few is Andy Didorosi, a 26-year-old who had been excited when a light-rail project was touted as the solution to Detroit’s notorious transit problems. The federal government had earmarked money for the project, which was planned to connect the opposite ends of the huge city. But opponents said it was underfunded and not needed, so the project was killed.

Didorosi was furious, because the light-rail represented much more than just transit. People viewed it as a symbol of a new era for Detroit. So Didorosi decided to solve the problem himself. He went out and bought some old school buses, had them painted by a local artist, and installed sound systems in them to play music. Three years later, Didorosi’s buses now stop at hip bars and restaurants in gentrifying neighborhoods, connecting various parts of the city.

There are still overwhelming problems in Detroit. But it’s people like Didorosi who find opportunity in unlikely places who are chipping away at those problems and offering the city hope for a better tomorrow.

What about you? In what unlikely places will you find your opportunities?

Laura

www.ideally-virtual.com

Opening night of Blue Man Group was rather successful, despite the sporadic monsoons occurring outside. Blue Man Group is one of those acts that virtually everyone has heard of and I was quite excited to get to check them out firsthand. Without giving too much away, I offer a brief summary of my experience…

The show began somewhat unannounced with a scrolling marquee telling the audience in a rather amusing way to turn off their phones etc. etc. (hence why I have no fun pictures of my own to share with you), however, most of the audience took a while to realize what was going on as the rather inconspicuous marquee mocked those of us still chatting and fidgeting with our phones.

Touche’, Blue Man Group, I see how it’s going to be here tonight.

With the tone of sarcastic humor having been established, I don’t even know whether to believe what happened next. “Special Guests” in the crowd were announced – both of whose names I cannot recall. Supposedly there was a woman who was a gold medal winner and a man who was the first space tourist from Greenville… I’ll have to do my research on both of these because I do not trust the Blue men at this point. Either way, this was just the beginning of the crowd involvement that would last throughout the show.

Following the humorous preliminary announcements and show openers, the real action began as the theater darkened and the crazy lights began. The show was a good mix of sketch comedy and music. The jokes were at times subtle but always clean and quirky and the music was filled with all of the crazy neon colored splashing and flashing light craziness you would expect. The group was backed up by a talented band to round out their sound and crowd participation was always central to the performance. I was actually rather surprised at the amount of sketch comedy involved in the show. I guess I’d always imagined it as a non-stop concert-like experience with pounding drums throughout, although, there was music throughout as the backing band helped set the scene for each act.

If I were to try and sum up the experience, I would say it was like Mr. Bean and an alien had triplets who formed an electronica rock band that crashed into a 1980′s neon paint factory before landing on the stage of the Peace Center. In other words, pretty awesome.

The show has some really great moments in particular, but I won’t spoil those for you. Overall, a really great time with an abundance of visual and auditory stimulation and some good laughs. If you’ve never caught this show, I would definitely recommend taking advantage of this week long run right here in our back yard at the Peace Center. Enjoy!

Blue Man Group is at the Peace Center through  May 12th! Check the links below for more information.

Fête Greenville

Blue Man Group

Peace Center

Help raise money to add playground equipment, for school aged kids, to the new community aviation themed park at the Greenville Downtown Airport, while having fun with your friends hanging out, listening and dancing to great 80′s music! Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Event details can be found at http://www.greenvilledowntownairport.com/PartyDownForThePlayground.html

Tickets can be purchased at

http://partydownfortheplaygroundretrostyle-es2005.eventbrite.com/?rank=1#

For more band information:

http://retro-vertigo.com/

Park details can be found at

http://www.greenvilledowntownairport.com/ParkProject.html

I get that question. More than I’d expect, really. I’d be surprised if my partners in this project don’t have the same sorta conversations. From the uninitiated, anyway. The reaction from fellow attendees is much more typically “When are we gonna do THAT again?!”  That was the first email we opened the day after #bovinova 2.0.

 But I digress. It started with a question.

“So, why are you doing this again, AGAIN!?”

My answer has changed, as this bovinova project has changed and evolved.

What started as a company party for a small handfulla upstate companies has grown way beyond the original intent. Not just size and scope, but in our intent.

Fundamentally, bovinova is our tribes intention to host a remarkable event and do some good for our community. Do something unusual but fun. Intimate,authentic,&unexpected.

 Yes, there’s food. Music. Chinese lanterns released. Bouncy houses. Pony rides. Sword swallowing. Live bands. Knife throwing. Cake balls.Glow in the dark hula hooping. Harley Davidson display area. Craft beer for a pittance. Sabrage- the ancient art of opening Champagne. With a sword.

 Did I mention food? It’s a food and music festival.

 It’s a charity event. Our sponsors and our teammates want to throw the most interesting event possible, with the most interesting food preparation techniques around. Mussels in hay bales, chicken in clay, the mother of all paella- cooked over an open fire, in a paella pan large enough for a grown man to sleep in, pigs and turkeys roasted, smoked, rotisseried, and all other manners of cooking. Goats jerked, emus spatch cocked, llamas dressed up-With somewhere to go. Chimmichurri sauce by the gallons.

No. That’s not the important part. It’s about people. We’re helping tighten our tribes, around a two day campfire. And doing some good in the process. And that’s why we’re already planning #bovinova 2014.

BOVINOVA 2014

as ever,
your obedient, humble, and cheerful servant,
A. Kamran Popkin
#149
Sherpa, Raconteur,and Skirt Lifter
@swagclub

seen our cheeky new website? really doubt you have. humour me. go check it out.
www.swagclub.biz

DroidX— she is on 24/7:  864.316.6263

found on the twitters@
tinyurl.com/popkintwsc

often on the facebook@
tinyurl.com/popkin

worst blogs EVER, but posting daily. tis shamefully lame & self aggrandizing tho

England in 1819 is currently on a 4 week national tour to promote their new single “Own Our God” and accompanying music video. They were nice enough to share a little blog of theirs from the road. You can check them out on Wednesday 5/1 at WPBR Radio Room.

England in 1819 – ‘Own Our God’ Tour, so far

It’s been a week now and energy is still high. These 3 and a half week stints that we do now are actually pretty manageable. Our first tour was 9 weeks, and by the end, everyone was zombie-ing around pretty hard. So far, we’ve played a recording studio, a pizza place, a house show, a historic mansion and a few venues. We even followed an improv comedy night. That type of variation actually helps split things up nicely. After a while, the shows, venues, bands and cities all start to bleed together. Some places we’re playing for the 3rd and 4th time now, which is also really nice. It’s great to see people coming back to the shows. They’re excited to see us. It’s much different from playing a place for the first time. There’s something exciting about breaking into a new place and meeting new people, but seeing a fanbase grow is always encouraging.

Eating right on the road. It’s a near impossibility. Fast food is such an attractive idea when traveling. It’s quick and cheap. Budgets and time crunches have forced us in their doors too many times. This tour is different! Our latest idea was to use a sterno to heat canned food. It kind of worked to just hold it over the flame, but the can got pretty hot and the sterno kept going out. The next day we built a little stand out of a peanut tin, but it ended up catching fire. It turned out to be more silver cardboard than tin. We’re back to the drawing board and it’s PB sandwiches until then. Or cold black bean burritos. Which aren’t the worst thing in the world. Plus we have Tony’s. And if it doesn’t sound appetizing, you haven’t waited long enough to eat. Letting that hunger level build a bit really makes everything taste better.

It seems like we’ve had a little more time to explore the cities this tour. Just a little bit of free time each day makes the whole experience much more enjoyable. We book, promote and manage ourselves, so a lot of our day is spent making sure everything is set for the cities we’re heading to next. Hopefully it’s a sign that we’re getting better at the business side of things – that we’re getting a little more efficient. We’re also able to spend more time working on the creative side of the band. We’ve been updating our electronics and our light show lately. Experimenting a bit with new sounds and new looks. It’s another way to keep things fresh and exciting for us, and for our fans. There’s a really nice balance somewhere in there. A bit of business, a little creativity, a little exploration, and it starts to feel like you could live this life for a while. Once we get those hot burritos going, it’ll be a breeze!

Link to a live video from a show on the road

Fête Greenville

England in 1819

WPBR Radio Room

You’ve heard about “development hell.” And no doubt you’ve been involved in zillions of projects that have been talked into oblivion, only to go as far as … nowhere.

Well, now you’ve got ROCKIN’ A HARD PLACE. Just a few months ago, Hub City Press, the award-winning publisher in nearby Spartanburg, published my second book. (The first one, THE PLUNDER ROOM, came out a few years ago on St. Martin’s Press. That one’s a novel — it’s about honor, which is why it’s fiction.) Book publishing, by its nature, takes a couple of years, from writing the manuscript to getting it between the covers. (Can you imagine what life would be like if it took a few years to get between the covers after meeting someone at Chicora Alley?)

Anyway … just a couple of months ago, the great voice actor and Greenville actor’s actor John Oliver approached me.

“Y’know,” he said, “your book would make a great TV series.”

“Hmmm,” I hmmm’d. The idea had already been mentioned by a friend who used to work for CNN as a major producer, and by an agent in New York. But John’s local, a different animal altogether. “That’s an awesome idea, bud, but I’m not interested in talking a nifty idea into oblivion.”

“No problem.”

As he talked, we realized that we both envisioned producing a television pilot, inspired by ROCKIN’ A HARD PLACE, about life in a small music venue, where big stars get born, where the entire music industry actually begins.

We figured that we could create a really good show, then turn around and pitch just the first episode to a network – a network that wouldn’t just buy our idea, but hire our as-yet-unformed production company to produce the ensuing episodes.

“So, yeah, okay,” I told John, “it’d be great to see a cast, crew, script and production company by the end of the week.”

That night, he and I, separately, drew up a Character Sketch that contained creepy similarities. Within a few days, we formed a production company, Hard Place Productions. Not long after that, we had writers — Scott Gould, chair of the Governors School for the Arts creative-writing program, and Nick Shaheen, a local comedian. And our team was rounded out with Tim Angevine, director/videographer, and Clark Smith, both of whom run Koolfix, a local production outfit. And not long after that, our group put out a casting call. Fifty submissions came in from from Charlotte, Atlanta and Greenville – for seven roles.

Shooting started at The Handlebar on April 14.

All that happened in less than two months.

The shoot for ROCKIN’ A HARD PLACE – The Series wraps on May 5.

Meantime, we’ve launched the inevitable Kickstarter campaign, which is nearly three-quarters toward reaching our fund-raising goal.

In a word, all this has happened so fast that everyone’s head is still spinning. As John joked during our first day of shooting, “We’re about halfway through a project that, if we were in L.A., we’d still be trying to set up our second meeting.”

Everything is going way beyond well. Even before we started shooting, Hinder had sold out at The Handlebar. The band and their fantastic tour manager agreed to let Tim and Clark show up for the packed-out concert and get some footage for our pilot. We’ve got monster film. After all, the pilot’s about what it takes to put on a show like Hinder. And the thousands of others The Handlebar’s put on through the years, the small concerts that take place night after night, in thousands of rooms just like The Handlebar the world over.

So join us in this roller-coaster, wrap-speed adventure.

Check out the video on Kickstarter. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/koolflix/rockin-a-hard-place-the-pilot-episode

Friend Hard Place Productions on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/HardPlaceProductions?fref=ts

And get the book, ROCKIN’ A HARD PLACE, from Hub City Press (don’t just wait for the show!) http://hubcity.org/press/catalog/history/rockin-a-hard-place1/

Be a part of Greenville history and join one of the funnest, biggest projects to hit this town in a long time!

John Jeter

You can get your tickets online here:  http://mauldinculturalcenter.org/tickets

The first ten orders for tickets online will receive a signed CD at the performance on Saturday.

For those who have not heard about the VIVA LES DIVAS show yet, here is our formula for a dynamic show:

 2 singers + a 6-piece band = 1 big celebration of jazz and blues!
Whitney Walters and Jean Calvert have successfully fronted their own bands in Upstate South Carolina for years and now have a collaboration called VIVA LES DIVAS:  A Celebration of Jazz and Blues.

Working in concert with the multi-talented director/arranger/composer/pianist/trumpet player/flugelhorn player (yes, he IS all that!), Dale Burke, each singer selects great tunes that run the gamut — swing, blues, Latin, ballad. Dale then writes arrangements in just the right key for the singers and parts for all six instruments. The horn section produces a big band sound.

Whitney says, “It’s rare to experience this style of music live today.  So many of today’s sounds are synthesized, it’s nice to hear the full sound of a big band.  Jean and I pick our songs with care and special attention to a variety of styles, so no matter what era you enjoy, you’re bound to enjoy the performance.”

“I agree whole-heartedly with Whitney about the songs running the gamut, one minute hard-hitting swinging, the next whispering a tender sentiment.  When we were on YOUR CAROLINA on Wednesday, Kimbery Kelly called it great “date night” music, and it is.  One friend told me it has made the cut of CD’s in her bedroom. “  http://www.yourcarolina.tv/video/entry/viva_la_divas/

When you’re hearing this kind of music, you shouldn’t stay in your seats!  Therefore, dancing, toe-tapping, finger-snapping, and generally responding to the music is definitely encouraged.

Whitney & Jean 

A casual listen to the Boz Scaggs discography makes one thing obvious: Boz Scaggs is both a musical seeker and a man of sizable talent as a singer, songwriter and guitarist. His explorations in blues and R&B, Rock and Jazz have produced lasting work and a career that has brought with it acclaim, a loyal followin, and an enduring respect among musicians.

And last night’s packed show at the Peace Center was nothing but proof of his ongoing talent, coolness, incredible voice and loyal following.

I had the incredible pleasure of sitting in the second row of the orchestra pit – a mere 20 ft away from the man himself. I watched fervently every guitar chord played, every facial expression, every wonderful moment by not only Boz, but by his incredible band as well. And throughout the entire 2 encore show, I was not once let down. As a matter of fact, this concert-goer – who rarely joins in on clapping along – couldn’t help but join the crowd in clapping to a rousing medley of Sly & The Family Stone’s “Thank You Falletin’ Me Be Myself Again” into Sam & Dave’s “I Thank You” sung by a very energetic backup singer Ms. Monet.

I heard everything I wanted to hear – plenty from his great new album Memphis and most of the well-known hits from the past four decades.

The new album Memphis is a great add to the collection of any Boz Scaggs fan, old or new, and any true music lover. Recorded with a team of veteran musicians at the late Willie Mitchell’s famed Royal Studios, where Al Green made his string of classic 1970s recordings, “Memphis” finds Scaggs lending his rough and smooth voice to intimate covers of “Mixed Up Shook Up Girl,” “Corinna Corinna” and “Rainy Night in Georgia.” The album, his 17th, also features a pair of original compositions, “Gone Baby Gone” and “Sunny Gone.” And even though the album has it’s share of cover tunes, they are delivered as only Boz can deliver them.

Then there were the expected highlights of the hits. the crowd was none too reserved to show their love of these great hits. “Lowdown”, Breakdown Dead Ahead”, “Lido Shuffle”, and plenty more. Probably the highlight for me was the two encores – the first ending with one of my favorite Boz tunes “Loan Me A Dime”, which was as good as I ever heard (probably better seeing it live and up so close). Then the second encore of “Breakdown Dead Ahead” left us all vibrating with Joy.

Finally, I have to say that I go to many shows of these long-time performers with the expectation of hearing great songs, and seeing the legends live – happy that they are still delivering great music decades later (which probably won’t be the case the most of today’s newer hot artists) – but understanding that the higher notes probably won’t be hit even closely, they’ll be a little less energized than they used to, and I will just be happy seeing them live and watching as a great band of younger musicians powers them through the show. Not the case with Boz. I was very pleasantly surprised to hear him vocally sound as great as he ever did, and still take the lead in some great guitar work.

I left the Peace Center feeling great. Naturally buzzed and musically rejuninated. And I wsn’t alone. After over 40 years, this 68-year-old-legend came, delivered, hit every note, and left us all with the longing to see it once again.

Jack DelGado

What’s it all about?

I am a newbie to the Skunk way of having a great weekend.  This will be my first one and I can’t wait to hear, eat and drink it all in today and tomorrow.  The fêtemen will be in attendance because  live music is really important to the further development of the “fun quotient” we all need in our lives.  I have found that if you don’t take yourself outside to revel in and enjoy a good band or two – then you are missing a point that cavemen and cavewomen started by beating sticks against a rock.  Our troglodyte ancestors probably danced as well as I do now, but the evolution of the musical spirit that lives in all of us has led us to the Skunk.

Let your cave-person out for a little jig this weekend.  While you are at it – thank Glynn, Pat, John, Dixie and the others for putting on such a damn cool event.  Bring the kids and bring your appetite as well.

Read more about Glynn and the 2013 Spring Skunkfest in the April issue of fête – Lee Ann Carter wrote a great spread and Dave Galloway highlighted some of the bands in his “who to watch” article.

http://emag.fetegreenville.com

Jay

Fête is a proud sponsor of the 2013 Spring Skunkfest!

Here is some of the info off of the event’s website: