Pete Krebs & Elliot Smith : vintage PDX sounds

I have been surfing around, thinking about singing, songwritering, travelling, playing, performing, touring and thinking about Portland Oregon (having recently had phone conversations with two of my old PDX buddies) - sigh - so naturally I went to GOOGLE looking for the Laurelthirst Public Tavern and instead found the audio home page for one of the most historically significant PDX singer songwriters of all time: Pete Krebs

And Pete has kindly posted several choice MP3 files for listening pleasure - no Hazel sounds though, but a couple of nice songs from Western Electric featuring Elliot Smith - I advise you to drop whatever your doing and head right over to Pete Krebs audio page and do some listening.

Mifune CLE and the Inhabitants NYC

I have been surfing around (probably surfing to much...) and I have gathered up some artists sites/sounds I have been liking especialy and here are a two of them for you to groove with:

The Inhabitants NYC - it's kinda funny the way peoples voices can come and go from one's life, the singer for this band was at one time one of my favorite Portland voices (in so far as singer songwriters go) and I remember him telling me this story of buying a two way plane ticket from PDX to NYC and just disappearing one summer from PDX and going to NY to live there, anywhere, he slept where ever for a whole summer, partied like a madman, and played on the Staten Island Ferry and on the streets - so when he came back and had all these strong songs, I thought that was really cool. So now here he is, more than ten years later, with a spiffy website, an NYC band, and some clean clear respectable sounds, tunes with good arrangements, clear vocal concepts, and lot's of musical space.

Mifune CLE - The SOUND creations that these musicians are making are sweet and contemporary world electronique compositions - this music sounds sophisticated when juxtaposed against what I generally have come to think of as the Cleveland scene/sound, so these sounds stand out against the cocky rock and roll background. These composers/musicians have all played together in one form or another in Cleveland, most noteably with Matt Gerovac in the Serious Aeolian Belfry and later in one of my favorite CLE acts, Matt Gerovac and the Implosion (Matt is in LA these days). And I can hear some of that colaboration here in Mifune, but only a little! Where SAB was kinda kooky, Mifune is easy on the ears with a light and well jammed breezy sound that hints at Chicago and something Jaco-esque.

Why I hate and kinda like MySpace

Lately I have been surfing MySpace but I don't really like MySpace. I like Sonic Bids. I like Itunes better. I like a WHOLE LOT OF SITES way more than MySpace. And it's not nearly as cool as the old Mp3.Com site was, and if you ask me the design is clunky. It's just kinda ugly and chunky and square and it has those TERRIBLE little ads for the emoticons - gawd, what a mess. I am SO SURE that the rulers of MySpace are making a TON OF CASH from the emoticon ads alone! And now they have a fuggin RECORD LABEL - whaddayya know bout that! However, there is no denying the shear power and membership at work there, and I have found a few cool Ohio Artists and I want to share them with you:

Boris Yell Son: This fellow has posted some nice simple lil' guitar and voice type tunes on his site, and it sounds like he can write songs.

Chittlin': This chick sounds molasses sweet, deep water cool, and silver polished for her age, must be a gene of some sort, prolly is, her brother is a top notch blue grass guy (see the next link) and anyhow, lil' chittlin here mentions in her blog that she hired Patrick Sweaney to play on her recordings! Dang, it's pretty darned cool if you even know who Pat Sweaney is.

David Mayfield: This is the blue grassy summer heat right here! Yeehaaa! And this is that lil' chittlin's older brother, they have a family blue grass band.

Dave Edwards: I like the recordings he has posted, relaxed stuff, simple with focus.

I gotta say again though how much I dislike the MySpace and people have just GLOMMED onto it like the second comming of christ. Oh well. I guess I wish I had invented myspace.

Parking on Clifton can be a major bummer

Today I was working away on my blog and my website (making them look like the same design, an idea my friend Ryan Smith turned me onto as he had commented that my blog and web site looked like 'two different sites' and they did until today) and I was totaly immersed, making some progress, just completely oblivious to everything when all a sudden like WHAM! it dawned on me (at 5pm - brrr) that my car was still parked (or, gulp, not parked) on the NORTH side of Clifton!! At 5PM!!! Shit, I super panicked, pulled on my coat and shoes and rushed out the door to find my car not there where I had parked it, it had been towed/stolen away! I was instantly enveloped in a big grey foggy bummer cloud. Sigh. So I went for a walk, a long one, I bought some groceries, I got a couple movies, and I asked a fellow at the local gas station who he thought might have my car, he thought he knew, so I called Baker Motors - and sure enough they had taken my car! And they told me thay had broken into it (with the Lakewood Police standing by naturally) in order to release my emergency brake. How thoughtful of them Baker goons to break into my car and release the brake before stealing it away! Dang. So, I owe these Baker goon guys about a hundred bucks - cash only - to get my car back. I am pissed off, heh. However, this is an EXCELLENT time to remind myself (and I suppose I am reminding you as well, whoever you are, my one or two readers) just how vigilant one must be in this world in order to avoid becoming a victim of The Man. The government and the police state can do any fuckin' thing they want to, let's not forget that for even a minute. This is a tiny and stupid simple example, and yeah I am a fuggin dumb shit for lettin' my car get towed, but still this is a nonetheless notable reminder that I live in a freaking DESPOTIC AUTOCRACY...ouch.

Strangelove Recording and Strangenight III MP3's

I have just tonight picked up a disk from Adam Probert (Strangelove Recording) of MP3 versions of some, not all, of the songs from our last Open Recording Party at University Circle Arabica. I have only listened to a little and, wow, it is just obvious right away within the first minute that the sound is SO FREAKIN' GOOD!!

These might be the best sounding recordings of all three of the Strangenights, and that would make perfect sense givin that Adam had the other two sessions to work with and I think he brought more gear with him this last session.

Before I get any further into or out of the subject of these recordings I just wanna say THANK YOU AGAIN ADAM for working these little recording parties and for capturing these great sounds! These were really fun events and we are not likely to repeat the scene again in the near future, course you never really know, it depends on so many variables.

And a new variable is also a major one: Adam has basically turned over the reins of the studio to a new audio engineer - Allen Maier will be the chief engineer for Strangelove Recording starting sometime in Feb. and at that point the Lakewood studio will be shuttered. Yep, that's right, Strangelove will be leaving Lakewood as Adam will re-focus his efforts on the business aspects of the recording industry more or less leaving his new engineer in charge of the day to day night to night operations of the new studio.

More later after I have had a chance to really listen to these recordings!

BoBa: Wohlever & Toussant Sunday Jan. 8

Went to BoBa in Akron to hear Rebbeca Wohlever play a couple of handfuls of her own songs, and it was very nice nice to hear her open up that singing belly and get her song on! Rebbeca possesses a beautiful wheaty clean singing voice that wraps a gentle vulnerable vibrato around a hint of country girl twang while delivering a powerful emotive warmth that swath her songs in clarity.

She really is one hip lady with an armful of intimate stories that make for good songs and good listening! Our buddy Jay was with us, playing hand drum, and he brought a couple of congas so we ended the evening with a drum jam! It was delicious!!

BoBa is a very sweet joint - your gonna like it - especially if you have kids because owners Randy and Christine have six beautiful children (!) who help them run the place and it makes for a relaxed, energetic, and cozy environment (next time I will bring my June).

Rebbeca will play an opening set at BoBa in Akron with singer songwriter Ashley Brooke Toussant JAN 8 and this Ashley sounds honey mellow with a cute breathy wall-flower high voice tone check out her myspace page (gawd, I hate myspace though...I don't really know why..exactly..) - be there or be square!

Open Mic SAT at Arabica E. 185 Street

Nice place, easy to get to from the 185 St. exit off of 90 East and only about 14 minutes from Lakewood, the place has a huge red sign that says ARABICA and it is across the street from what was the LaSalle Theatre - no problem parking in back. I finaly got out there tonight after weeks of knowing about this event, and when I got there Richard Rogers Jr. and his partner were playing as the Mount Nepal Orchestra (Richard comes to my open mic at UCA all the time). I played next, it was good, a decent and attentive audience listened to play about 5 songs - good room to sing into, it felt good. The host or hosts were next, unique arrangement: The host fellow brings his wife, and she in turn brings her mother, and they all sing, and they sing well. I recomend this event and will give it three of five stars.

Rebecca Wohlever at BoBa in Akron Sat. Dec. 17

Singer Songwriter Rebecca Wohlever will make a rare live appearence with guests and friends at cafe Boba in Akron this coming Saturday the 17th of December. Now, I have had the pleasure of being one of the few souls to hear her play and sing live and in regards to her recorded work, well, she's good and she has a number of very poigant original songs. This woman has plenty of singing muscle and plays both guitar and keyboard with ease...I hope the weather is good for the trip down there. Anyhow, if your bringing you kid or kids, BoBa is kid friendly with no smoking or beer or liquor (they do have italian gelato) and in fact the owners have several kids of various ages, anyhow look for the address of BoBa in one of my blog entries below.

Jim Snively and the East Side Scene

Jim Snivley has done it again set the tone for a whole scene, moved gracefully from one stepping stone to another and in the process taken a few admiring souls with him! Yes, indeed, Jim is a man on the move, a man with moves, a guy who should star in a movie..seriously. The McNamara's Monday Night Open Mic is no longer however the Riders Inn is going strong and from that scene has grown another East Side Monday Night Open Mic - According to Jim's email message he will now be found on Monday Nights (starting DEC. 12 this Monday) at Johnny Malloy's in Willoughby. Find the action at 36245 Euclid Avenue in Willoughby (just east of SR 91). Starting time is 7:30pm wrap up at about 10:00pm. The phone number there is 1 440 942 9900. I have it on good word from Jim himself that several local Painsville types were also hired by this Johnny Malloy's place to come and play music on the weekends. So, we will see what transpires - I have no idea what this place is like, sports bar? Hmmmmm .... could be interesting.

Phoenix, Mayhalls, McNamaras, Audra K.

Gossip at the Phoenix Open Mic in Lakewood: The "Kid with The Hair in his Face" (Jeremy of Food not Bombs fame) reports that the Mayhalls Bowling Alley in Lakewood Open Mic Monday was 'blown out' on a particularly crazy Monday. He mentioned that the owners, after a particularly grueling evening of beer and bands, decided that the combination of punk bands and bowling leagues just weren't 'working', or something to that effect. Jeremy said that they had at least one night when a table was reportedly broken, oooooh. So he will be looking for another venue into which to pour his expertise. And if you know anything about The Kid With the Hair in His Face at all then you know he has a reputation for running an aggressive and punked up Open Mic. He started at the sandwich brewery place down the East end of Madison Ave. at, uhm, I think it was called the Rockwood or something, I was only in there once and it was lots of leather and loud aggresive bands and then a singer songwriter and then more bands, heh. And then when that place closed down he went over to the Capsule futher up West on Madison and had a nice long run over there as well. I was at the Capsule with a few of my friends one night, I liked the scene, there was an 'art rock' duo and some singer songwriters, the place was kinda gritty and dingy, the once nice spiffy Orange furniture was kinda run down looking by that time...there was a big PA...anyhow I guess after Capsule went under Jeremy talked the Mayhalls people into letting him do the open mic band night over there, I suppose they hadn't heard any of the stories from the Capsule Bar and maybe if they had they would have thought twice? I dunno. At any rate, I hope that Jeremy can find a new home for his energetic band oriented open mic night!

XELA open mic Tuesday at Phoenix in Lakewood: Of course Lakewood Phoenix Open Mike Tuesday night is still one of THE most happening acoustic events in the city, Lakewood or otherwise, and it continues to go strong attracting lots of different folks, poets, songwriters, and hippie types. I love it there, kid friendly, smoke free, nice scene, kinda quiet and sweet. I had a chance to corner Xela for a few minutes and ask him what happened to his promotional team, the Luvly Luv Muthas, I hadn't been getting any email from them and wondered. Well, the news wasn't good, sounds like either he fired them or the three of them just kinda peetered out one after the other, sticking the Xela Monster with a large credit card bill, and a stack of 'packaging material' that I assume was to be used for mailing out promo stuff, ack. Keep up the good work Xela Man, don't sweat the little stuff, and get that Summer tour lined up man, go man go! (hmmm maybe Xela and I and Audra oughta hit the road together this summer ... what a crazy idea)

McNamaras Monday Night Open Mic with Jim Snivley is no more, the management (or the owner, one in the same I suppose) pulled the plug on the Monday Night event just this past Monday. The rumour had been circulating just that day that it was going to be the last open mic night Monday at the quaint little bar, and sure enough when Jim rolled in, he wasn't even aware that the popular Open Mic Night had been cancelled. At any rate, Jim didn't seem to upset about it, he has other places to be and other events to run, he is a popular guy and the McNamaras event was a popular Open Mic, the guests (myself among them) will simply follow the host to another venue. So we drank our beers and smoked our butts and played our songs and said our so longs see you later at ____ (fill in the blank).

My Detroit friend singer songwriter Audra Kubat has recently sent me a couple of emails, and I was so happy to get them, I was worried about her! She is still in Detroit, working restaurants and bars, and has written a bunch of new songs for her next album. I am not sure about the details here, but I think she has one more album to go with Times Beach Records before she has fullfilled her recording contract. Seems like Times Beach has done a great job making the recordings and distributing the CD's (two of Audra's albums are available through Borders Books and Music) but beyond that, I dunno, Audra wasn't to busy this past Summer, it is my humble opinion that Ms. Audra needs an aggresive manager who can set her on the path of a Summer long tour of the USA, with stops at every major city, and it is my dream to go with her in capacity as Tour Manager (I hope Audra reads this, heh).

UCA, Bella Dubby, Pat Tamburro, Boba, Winchester

December 2005 at University Circle Arabica
Live music starts at about 8:30PM on Friday and Saturday nights in December, we might even have the fire going, if it's not lit, just ask the guys to get it going, heh.

Wednesday November 30
ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC NIGHT WITH STEVE2.NET
From 8pm until about 11PM Signup at 8pm - acoustic jammers, poets, short story tellers, and singer songwriters are invited to participate. We have a piano and a small PA at our venue, no need to bring anything other than an instrument and or your voice talent!

Saturday December 3
Brent Hopper and Brittany Reilly
Brittany Reilly and Brent Hopper: Bluegrass, reggae, folk, acoustic roots fusion duo. They have some cute pictures of themselves posted to their website, heh.

Friday December 9
Paul Stranahan
Paul Stranahan – Solo Marimba.

Saturday December 10
Jonah Lipsky (Jwail) and friends on tour
Jonah Lipsky – "ECLECTIC ONE MAN BAND SPACEFUNK CONGLOMERATION” - chck out Jonah's MySpace page for some tunes, pictures, and his tour itenerary.

Wednesday December 14
ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC NIGHT WITH STEVE2.NET
From 8pm until about 11PM Signup at 8pm - acoustic jammers, poets, short story tellers, and singer songwriters are invited to participate. We have a piano and a small PA at our venue, no need to bring anything other than an instrument and or your voice talent!

Friday December 16
Laura Webster & Willoughby Run
Hathaway Brown music teacher Laura Webster and her acoustic band Willoughby Run, they make really nice sound together and Laura is a fabulous singer. Good sweet holiday music without the, uhm, christmas nostalgia (unless of course they play some christmas songs - gee, they might)


Other things you should know about:

Singer Songwriter Rebbeca Wohlever
I have it on 'good word' that the musically elusive and obviously talented singer songwriter Rebbeca Wohlever (and friends) will play an acoustic set of original (and maybe a cover tune or three or more?) songs at BOBA in Akron at 356 S MAIN music from about 8-11 on SATURDAY DECEMBER 17 and since I haven't seen mention of it on the Boba Blog it's probably not a bad idea to call ahead and just make sure that this event is still happening during that weekend. I will confirm this event before the 17th and mention it again on my home page before that weekend, and I might post an MP3 or two of hers if Rebbeca will let me, heh.

Pat Tamburro L'Accordeoniste at Bella Dubby in Lakewood:
Last Friday I heard Pat for the first time at Bella Dubby and, wow, he can really play the accordian - very entertaining! I really enjoyed listening to Pat play ragtime and jazzy bluesy standards - he even gives dance lessons before his set! Check Pat out playing accordian and singing at Bella Dubby on the last Friday of the month! You can reach him by email at PatTamburro@yahoo.com - go ahead, he won't mind.

And more going on at Bella Dubby:
Bella Dubby Art Gallery & Beer Café in Lakewood at 13321 Madison Avenue (216-221-4479) continue to offer a very high quality smoke-free and kid friendly atmosphere within which to enjoy coffee and deserts, the fabulous art on the walls, and the great Brooklyn Brewing Co. IPA and Brown Ale! If you haven’t stopped in, make a point to do so – perhaps the opening reception for Cleveland’s Screaming Photo Exhibition on Sat. December 3rd at 6PM and also Sat. December 10 at noon Yep, this promises to be a super sweet show as a kind of a history of Cleveland area “misfits” from the late 70’s to the mid 80’s featuring photos by Cleveland area luminaries like Janet Macoska, Anastasia Pantsios, Steve Wainstead, Theresa Kereakes, and Jim Lanza. Music by St. Andrew and book signing by Brad Warner, author of “Hardcode Zen”. If you have questions about the show contact jim@hellbomb.com

Winchester in Lakewood:
The Winchester in Lakewood at 12112 Madison Avenue, Lakewood/Cleveland, Ohio 44107 has been offering acoustic music in a huge room with plenty of space. They host a songwriter circle and other events that you might be interested in – for instance (from the Winchester website): Saturday, December 3rd, 2005 "Acoustic Live" This version of our Acoustic Live series features SIX acts. The Lockhearts featuring the beautiful Rebecca Lockheart, Stadium of Saints, John Fegy, Jherrid Reeder, Heidi Longauer and Strange Cargo. The idea is that the entire night is acoustic. Even bands that normally play in the electric format (like the Lockhearts) will perform rare acoustic shows. Admission is only $5.00 at the door. Don't be late. 9pm.” (John Fegy has played many open mike events around town and I hope this will be a great performance night for John and that he will have lots of listeners)

Open Recording:
Gee, I still don't have any MP3 versions of any of the songs from the two open recording events at UCA and at Riders Inn, when and if I get em I will post em up here.

Open Mic Recording Parties!!

Gosh, we had the best time at Strange Night III last weekend, there was a full roster of talent in the house and Adam came totally prepared with something like a dozen microphones and a small P.A. as well as a couple dozen tracks of DAT recording equipment and plenty of tape - Mark B. was super gracious and accommodated the request for munchies and so we had small sandwiches and chips and dips for the artists and, well, it was just great!

Of the three Strange Nights we have hosted at U.C.A. this one was probably the most happening and we have easily ended up with about 48 rough tracks of original 'bleeding edge' Cleveland acoustic music to work with - almost makes my mouth water thinking about all those raw recordings!!

The performances were graceful, the artist were totally cool, and if we decide to do another CD we have plenty of material to work with...The only downer being that Stu from YSTOP records did not show up, however, we had several YSTOP recording artists in attendance.

So, what's the best way to follow up the excitement of an Open Mic Recording Party? How about ANOTHER Open Mic Recording Party!! And that's exactly what happened on Tuesday night at Riders Inn, at the Song Writers Circle with Jim Snively, yep, Ben and Sean brought a laptop and a couple of microphones and did two track stereo recordings straight to hard drive - and again, the performers rose to the occasion, there was plenty of energy in the room to work with, and I hope we can hear some of those tracks in the near future. I have asked Sean for MP3 previews, so far I don't have any. Stay tuned.

Rocky River Starbucks, Open Mic

Hi, we had a GREAT Open Mic at University Circle Arabica last Wednesday - thanks to everyone who cam by to perform: Carrie and Zack and Rick, Alysa, Emily, Mark Ruppe, Caitlyn, Richard and the Mount Nepal Orchestra - what fun! Last week I stopped into the Starbucks Open Mic at Rocky River, and it was very calm, to calm, they don't have a 'scene' yet but I suppose they would like to grow one, which will be difficult at best without a dedicated host - and without a P.A. or microphone or, uhm, anything at all!! They are all a bunch of real nice people there though, the barristas anyhow, they seem to all be musicians. Century Tavern has a nice open mic, great place to play, Chris and Veronica bring in a real good P.A. to play through (a big Fender rig) and I am gonna keep my eye on things out there - can't wait to play there again soon, had to cancel a Saturday night couple weeks ago).

Tim Fry has his C.D. release party tonight at the Winchester Tavern in Lakewood should be fun, I plan on dropping in there (if I can find the place)

The U.C.A. is gonna be 'converted' into a recording studio again on Sat. Nov. 12 as per Adam Probert and Strange Love Recording and this time Adam is bringing MORE DAT tape to cover about 5 hours of actual recording. YSTOP Records will be in attendance with several artists from their roster. More details pending, if you want to be recorded, plan on hanging out from between 7pm and 11pm.


More later...

Walter Meego, Joy Music and NOV at UCA

Booking UCA:
We hosted more than a few out of town artists at UCA this summer and it seems as though the word keeps getting out to the world at large and larger which is really keen because I like to begin to think that UCA is slowly but surley becoming a place for touring artists.

And although the NOV. 05 calendar is still a ways away from being published here are a few itmes for consideration in advance of the calendar:

MONDAY AT PHOENIX COFFEE HOUSE IN LAKEWOOD:
On Detroit Ave
Monday jams with Mark and Jack - still going strong!

TUESDAY AT PHOENIX COFFEE HOUSE IN LAKEWOOD:
Open Mic with Xela


SONGWRITER CIRCLE THIS TUESDAY OCT 18 AT RIDERS INN:
With Jim Snively and friends.
Riders Inn is at 792 Mentor Avenue in Painsville Ohio
440-942-2742

WEDNESDAY NIGHT OPEN MIC THIS WED. OCT. 19
UNIVERSITY CIRCLE ARABICA
11300 Juniper Road Cleveland OH 44106
216-791-0300

THURSDAY NIGHT OPEN MIC AT CENTURY TAVERN W/ CHRIS NEKVINDA:
Century Tavern is at 33312 Center Ridge Rd.
North Ridgeville OH 44039
http://www.centurytavern.com

THURSDAY NIGHT OPEN MIC AT ROCKY RIVER STARBUCKS:
19555 DETROIT RD.
ROCKY RIVER OH 44112
440-356-1760
6:30-9pm

THURSDAY NIGHT OPEN MIC AT BOBA IN AKRON
356 South Main Akron
http://www.bobaakron.blogspot.com

BELLA DUBBY IN LAKEWOOD HAS SATURDAY NIGHT OPEN MIC:
13321 madison ave. lakewood OH 216-221-4479
John and Jill have a really cozy and totally artsy place in Lakewood
with great beers, coffee, art, and deserts.
On FRIDAY OCTOBER 21 they are hosting an in-cafe solo acoustic happening
with performances by :
PETE VERCELLOTTI of Pale Blue Sky
SHAWN MISHAK of Kid Tested
BLAIR GUMMERE of Francii
KEITH KNUDSON of Metaphisical Zoo
This all starts at 8pm



MP3 MP3 MP3 MP3 MP3:

Here is a cool acoustic MP3 single from the Walter Meego site - trying to firm up a date with this singer at UCA for NOV:
http://www.waltermeego.com/music/usuallyacoustic.mp3

Also check out some JOY Music MP3 files - these songwriters are also tentatively on the NOV calendar for UCA:
http://www.joysongs.net/music.html

And here is a link to the sweet and low-key introverted sounds of IOperry (she quotes Elliot Smith as an influence and I clicked into her site from Holly Williams site - see below):
http://ioperry.com/

Heh, I have only recently discoverd how much I like Holly Williams - the grand daughter of Hank Williams (who ALSO quotes Elliot Smith as an influence):
http://www.hollywilliams.com/


Anyhow, there is more - more to say, more to write about, CD's that artists have been giving me that I want to review - and I am trying to find the time to get it all into words and links and thoughts.

More later....

A West Side Starbucks Open Mic?? Could it be ... real?

Ok, the guys and gals at the trendy-ish Starbucks in Rocky River tell me they have obtained some kind of a 'live music license' (your guess is as good as mine - sounds really corporate and serious - I have no idea - but Starbucks IS into the very serious side of the Music Business after all) and they are now hosting an Open Mic - whaddaya know bout that!

OPEN MIC AT STARBUCKS ROCKY RIVER
19555 Detroit Rd.
Rocky River Ohio
44112
440-356-1760
Every Thursday from 6:30 until 9

Since this place is near where I am 'living' I will prolly check it out.

Oh, and hey, if you take any cool OPEN MIC photos with your camera cell phone you can send em to me at my cell phone number (catch me around for my number I dont wanna post it here) and I might post them.

Boba, Starbucks, Randy Martin, Riders Inn

There are some new Open Mic type events going on around town - I was out in Painsville recently for the Jim Snively songwriter showcase and it was great, lots of talent - that happens twice a month next one is tuesday oct 18 - here are a few other things that are 'newish' that you might like:

STARBUCKS IN ROCKY RIVER
OPEN MIC THURSDAYS at 6:30

BOBA 356 S MAIN IN AKRON
8-11 OPEN MIC
www.bobaakron.blogspot.com

CENTURY TAVERN
open mic thursdays

Above left there is a nice graphic from Randy Martin advertising one of his appearences coming up at barking spider. Stop in for a brew!!

UCA Oct. Calendar

Agh I get so frustrated running around like a proverbial chicken with its head cut off sometimes I feel like I am getting behind, uhm and I am here is the oct. calendar I KNOW i still need to update my webpages but I cant right now sorry:
---------------

Hi there!

I apologize for losing the calendar at such a late hour, but you know what they say (even if it isn’t always true) better late than never! So, here it is then …


October Calendar of Acoustic Entertainment at University Circle Arabica:

Friday 7
Charlie Mosbrook
http://music.download.com/charliemosbrook/3600-8978_32-100562211.html
Singer-songwriter Charlie Mosbrook has been a prominent musical force in the Northeast Ohio area for 16 years as a solo act and with bands "Chuck Mosbrook and the Electric Monkey , NAJI, and Across this Swamp. Hosting various open mics, As well as recording many local acts throughout the northern Ohio area. Charlie's Music is a blend of everyday stories and a sonic odyssey that blend seamlessly through his textured guitar and warm, smooth and soulful voice. Charlie has performed with Jewel, CSN, The Jefferson Starship, Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Chris Whitley, The Samples, and Jason White.

Saturday 8
Jim Unsub & Terry Writz
Folk luminaries Jim Unsub and Terry Writz will play together and apart complimenting and juxtaposing musical styles, lyrical wizardry, and acoustic guitar high jinx. Terry and Jim were both featured artists on the compilation CD “Live at Arabica University Circle” and have between them a cumulative lifetime of performing experience.

Tuesday 11
Brad Shaw
http://www.bradfordshaw.com/
Brad has officially been nominated as Singer/Songwriter of the year for The LA Music Awards. His full band, "THE SILENT PARTNER" played a showcase for the awards on Tuesday, March 23rd and received much praise from accomplished musicians and industry types. Over 500 submissions and 100 bands competed for one of three nominations in several categories. Brad was chosen as the second of three nominees in his category and will be accepting the nominee certificate this Thursday, June 24th @ Monsoon's Cafe. The awards are to be held November 18th at the Henry Fonda Theater where many stars will be attending including "School of Rock's" Jack Black. Don’t miss your opportunity to hear Serious West Coast talent as Brad plays a special solo show at University Circle Arabica!!


Friday 14
Jim Snively
Jim is the host of the Monday Night Open Mic at McNamaras on the West side and also hosts every other Tuesday a songwriting circle at the Riders Inn in Painsville Ohio – Jim is a charming individual, and excellent folk guitarists, and a creator of original songs that sooth the mind and open the heart.

Saturday 15
Flipside
Acoustic trio Flipside is Mark Ronan, Beth Highland, and Bob Gibbons – together they will play lively cover songs and original material for your listening pleasure.

Friday 21
Chris Nekvinda & Veronica Darby
http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.asp?epk_id=44586
Chris and Veronica have been gently plying and promoting the waters of acoustic music for many years together – as owners of the Brick Alley Theatre and as musicians, performers, and song writers themselves. In Chris’s own words:
"The music I play is very close to me. I write stories and put music to them. I rarely have an outcome in mind when I begin writing; I just let the characters in the songs dictate the direction. Sometimes they are stories with happy endings, other times they are a more difficult outcome for the characters. That is the essence of folk music, story telling."

Friday 28
Justin Markert
http://www.justinmarkert.com/
Justin represents Cleveland Indie Pop at its finest! In his own words:

Justin has been booked all over Ohio and beyond reaching Cleveland, Akron, Kent, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Buffalo etc. Locally he's been booked at the grog shop many times as well as the beachland ballroom, house of blues, odeon, agora, lime spider etc. He was also selected to play the 2004 Mid Point Music Conference. Bands Justin has shared the stage with:
Sondre Lerche
Evan Dando
Duncan Sheik
Mason Jennings (aware)
Califone
Will Hoge (columbia)
The Clarks
Oval Opus
The Snake The Cross The Crown (equal vision)
Waking Ashland (tooth and nail)
Val Emmich (epic)
Crooked Fingers
The Old Canes
The Golden Republic
The Heavenly States
The M's

Saturday 29
Nate Jones
Nate is a young singer songwriter in possession of a fine singing voice and great arrangement sensibilities – come out and support this young budding talent! This will be Nate’s second visit to the UCA, count on mellow listening pleasure for real!



University Circle Arabica is an East Side ALL AGES VENUE for LIVE ACOUSTIC MUSIC and we have GREAT FOOD, AWESOME COFFEE DRINKS, SMOKING AND NON-SMOKING ROOMS, and FREE HIGH SPEED WIRELESS INTERNET

University Circle Arabica in CLEVELAND is located at 11300 Juniper Rd (216) 791-0300

UCA in OCTOBER and Open Mic Events

Once again I seem to be running late in posting the OCT UCA music calendar to my web and of course I am late getting it out to the mailing list, these latenesses are directly attributable to the fact that i DONT HAVE A FUCKING COMPUTER right now...heh..well, I have one at work but when I am at work I am suppose to be working, on you know, WORK things. And anywhay I dont have my calendar in front of me at this moment or I would post it now...soon..for now:

TUESDAY SONGWRITER CIRCLE AT RIDERS INN W/ JIM SNIVELY - This is a really nice place, a woodsy late 1800's ish room and house, it's sweet and peacefull and it's got a great bar and it's a bed and breakfast, they have a big dinning room, its just real cozy and we had a nice songwriter open mic there lat night with Jim Snively. Take note that this event is NOT every Tuesday. Call ahead if you need the scoop:
Rider's Inn
792 Mentor Avenue
Painesville, Ohio 44077
(440) 354-8200
ridersinninfo@yahoo.com

OPEN MIC AT BELLA DUBBY ON SATURDAY NIGHTS - Bella Dubby is in Lakewood on Madison, owned by a nice husband wife team, it's really cute - open space, coffee, beer ON TAP and they are trying to get the open mic rolling.
Bella Dubby Gallery (13321 Madison Ave, Lakewood)

OPEN MIC TONIGHT AT UCA!!!

SEE YOU ALL SOON GOTTA GO PEE REAL BAD AND THEN NEED TO GET FRESH AIR AGHHHH!!

Pictures of University Circle Arabica Cleveland OH!!

I have not had time to really work on my web recently but wanted to quickly post a few pics. of the UCA for those artists coming to play the cafe - and so here are several very recent photos of the inside of the University Circle Arabica Coffee mansion, and one shot of a lone guitar slinger songwriter on our patio, where we have the live music when it is nice outside.

Century Tavern

A friend of mine has turned me onto a neat new place to groove musically with - the Century Tavern in N. Ridgeville. This place used to be a stop on the Underground Railroad, whaddaya know. The OPEN MIC at Century Tavern is THURSDAY NIGHT - and they advertise ORIGINALS ONLY. Contact me for more information.