HOT Rewind
Mike and lsg
Spring has Sprung and festival season is finally upon us! I don’t know about you but it seems like this winter went on forever here in CT and I am so glad it’s finally over. With the onset of Ostara, comes the many amazing music festivals that spotlight so much of the great local musical talent in CT.
I have already had the chance to check out the first two of the season – Emerge Fest and Black Rock Rocks.
EMERGE FESTIVAL
In its second year, Chip McCabe and Black Lodge Industries put together another crazy good line up. The shows were at Arch Street Tavern in Hartford on Feb 28, Mar 1 and 2. Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t able to see the show on Saturday night but I did manage to catch:
Friday: Johnny Mainstream, Tracy Walton Band, Goodnight Blue Moon, Balkun Brothers, Daphne Lee Martin
Sunday: The Morning on Fire, Slander, Farewood, Tetramer
I love this festival because I get to see quite a few bands that I know and love but also get to check out bands that I haven’t yet managed to see. I am really looking forward to what Chip has up his sleeve next!
Here are my pix ——–à https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.622506904484732.1073741899.123226597746101&type=3
BLACK ROCK ROCKS MARDI GRAS
http://www.blackrockrocks.org/
lsg and Stephanie Lynn
Mardi Gras Madness
I had the best time in the world at Black Rock Rocks Mardi Gras on March 1. Held in the Black Rock Section of Bridgeport, it’s a full day of music at 4 different venues. I was honored to be an MC introducing many bands during the event. The folks at BRR do such a fine job with this event. It’s well-organized and there is something for everyone. Think Gathering of the Vibes bands except indoors. I can’t wait for next year!
lsg and her NEMA date
Tracy Walton, lsg, Floyd Kellogg
I GOT TO GIVE out the Best Band in Connecticut Award to Little Ugly at the New England Music Awards!! It was actually a scary experience for me since I was hustled back stage the minute I arrived because I gave out the FIRST award of the evening!! It was a pretty exciting experience and we congratulate Little Ugly for representing us so well. If you’d like to see high lights from the show – and you have Comcast Xfinity – you can go to
On Demand. >Get Local > Entertainment > Local Music, and enjoy!
Additionally, the wonderful folks at CTAintsobad filmed my actual presentation. Here it is!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfOTDrW6L2c
There is SO much happening right now in CT music so I’m gonna try and run down a few highlights!
SWAN DAY CT is coming up quickly. The show is April 5 at Illusions Night Club in Wolcott, CT. For those of you not familiar with SWAN, it is an annual event celebrating women in the arts all around the world. This particular show has, not only music, but art, crafts, photographs, and even food! All created by female artisans. Here are the bands. It’s a fantastic group of very talented female-fronted bands. Please support this important event by attending!
Sarah Lemieux
Post-Modern Panic
The Dress-Ups
Farewood
Canyon
Dancy the Band
Nicki Mathis
Jennifer Hill & Company
Dina Bass
The Royal Din
Sarah Barrios
Them Damn Hamiltons
In addition to the bands, there will be Burlesque from Victoria Van Layer, Harley Foxx, Mrs. Haggerty, Vivienne LaFlamme, Anatolia FireGoddess, and Mistress Leona Star.
Plus…
Kerry Kennedy will be live painting again this year!
Henna Dancer Lauren Grover doing henna tattoos!
Kate Stephen Jewelry!
Blissninja will be stilt walking and having a table with her designs!
Hardcore Sweet Cupcakes will have a table! (Winner of Food Network best cupcake challenge)
Angela Pinney, Jewels Art, Crimson Art Box!
Venom Vintage!
Ginger Grant Photography!
Oh, and me! lsg Original Photography!
And so much more!
You can purchase your tickets now at ———-à https://www.showclix.com/event/3801952
KICKSTARTER PROGRAMS
Studio N111 (see more info below)
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1874465703/studio-n111-store-front-and-arts-center
Joey Batts – Album #2
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/621051274/joey-batts-and-them-album-2
J Cherry and The Strawberries – In the Belly of the Beast
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/373251923/in-the-belly-of-the-beast
Rachel from Post Modern Panic
POST-MODERN PANIC has a new video coming out on April 18th for their song “Bless These City Streets.” The premier will be held at Arch Street Tavern in Hartford. I had the privilege of watching while they shot the video at a gorgeous location. I can tell you this much…this video is going to knock your socks off! You should go!!
DEAD BY WEDNESDAY have a new record out! Now! Yes! Called “Death of the Rockstar”, it is a 4-song limited edition digipak. DBW is one of the hardest metal bands in CT evidenced by their 2 Connecticut Music Awards for Best Metal Band. Grab this new music by shopping at the Ear One Productions on-line store!
http://earoneproductions.bigcartel.com/
Additionally, you can catch them at 3 different record release parties. Give em some love if you can!
- FRI. JUNE 20th @Maximum Capacity, Chicopee, MA.
- SAT. JUNE 21st @Axles Rock House, North Branford, CT.
- SUN. JUNE 22nd @Simons 677, Providence, RI.
I HAVE DECIDED to play an instrument! Mostly because I have a bass sitting all lonely up in the attic. Mr. Tracy Walton has taken on the task of teaching me. God help him. I’ve started a blog about this adventure. We’ll see if we survive!
As always, occupy a venue and get out there and support local!!
Peace, lsg
“Spot”light on… Studio N111
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1874465703/studio-n111-store-front-and-arts-center
No. Studio N11 is not a band. And it’s not a music venue. But, it’s a place that figures into the tapestry of Hartford arts and music. Nina Salazar and her husband, Daniel, are prominent members of the arts community. They support so many including local musicians. And right now, Studio N111 needs your help – and URGENTLY as their clock is running down for their Kickstarter effort. Here’s why you want to support this wonderful, artistic space:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
“Studio N111 is a community art studio and classroom space that offers a variety of workshops and classes geared towards a range of age groups and priced fairly to assure accessibility. Some of our classes include exploring the foundations of drawing, painting and mixed media, as well as non-traditional creative classes; designed for the experienced artist.
We are currently located on the third floor of Pratt St in downtown Hartford. A new, expanded space with more visibility will enable the Studio to offer even more to the community. Our goals include creating a Community Classroom for youth with diverse art programming, Corporate Creative Lunch Breaks for downtown employees, “BYOB” Art Nights, and using the space after hours as a Community Sitting Room; for poetry readings, open-mic nights, and an acoustic concert series. Additionally, areas of the studio will be rented to other local artists to use as work space. We are working with the City of Hartford and downtown property owners to select the ideal space for the new Studio.
This is an $80,000 venture. We hope that this Kickstarter will raise the funds needed for overhead and moving costs, renovation of a new space, the purchase of art supplies to keep classes affordable, and to hire additional teaching artists to enrich programming.
Studio N111 believes that there is an artist in everyone, and that art can expand mental horizons, foster meaningful conversation, challenge assumptions, and unite communities. In order to expand and continue programming, we need the community’s help! We cannot do this without you. Thank you for your generosity and support.
If we cannot fulfill what our budget requires, we will no longer be able to provide affordable class or community programming. Studio N111 is at a crossroad; it either needs to grow to meet our community’s needs and become self-sustaining, or close its doors.”
It would be a great loss to so many who appreciate hands-on art instruction in a nurturing and affordable environment if Studio N111 closes its doors. Studio N111 is place where art classes are accessible to all. Please help by hitting the link above and giving what you can. <3
HOT local video of the week…Kritza Moon
https://www.facebook.com/#!/OnDeckSoundStudio
http://tracywaltonmusic.com/home/
On Deck Sound Studios is doing this cool thing where a local CT musician(s) can go into the studio to record a favorite cover song. Kritza Moon is the first to perform in the “Under Covers” series. It’s a really good take on the song sung by the great Johnny Cash. Contact On Deck Sound Studios or Tracy Walton if you’d like to get under the covers too!
What’s Playing in “The Flounce”? Daphne Lee Martin
(Music in my car CD player this week!)
Band: Daphne Lee Martin
Album: Frost
Genre: American Roots
Contact: http://daphneleemartin.com/
Fave Track: Night We Fell In Love
What’s HOT this week…Will Return in 2014 – at some point. I’ve had a hard enough time just getting a blog out!!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE LIKE MY FACEBOOK PAGE…WORKING HARD FOR CT LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT http://www.facebook.com/lsgoriginal – and follow my antics on Twitter @lsgoriginal. Web page forthcoming!
Peace…
lsg
Best of Hartford Magazine 2015 - Best Blogger
3rd Place Best Local Blogger, 2nd in Best Twitter
1st Place Best Local Blogger, 3rd in Hyperlocal News
Best Music Blog Hartford Courant Websters 2012
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube