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.

Summer 2005

My first official night back at the helm of the Wed. Night Open Mic. at UCA was quiet. However, it WAS a really nice night so we had the mic outside. Jeff Guhde showed up as did Richard. Richard played a very low key set of various 'movements' from his opus 'Gods Vs. the Devils'. Jeff G. will be at UCA for a full evening this Friday (tonight). Hmmm - WRUW is having the big live music shindig this weekend, SAT, and Mirandas Moon will be playing. That same day UCA has ELLERY for the evening. Today I finally firgured out how to start receiving PIX from other verizon phones - very cool - if you want to send me some sweet pics from your phone please do so, I would LOVE to have any photos taken at OPEN MIC EVENTS around the town - send em to: 2164093275@vzwpix.com - included here is a sweeeeet pic of myself and my girl taken on her phone, we took this one in front of the general store in Peninsula, heh.

Back in CLE !!

I am back in Cleveland, have been for several days now. Hmmm, I guess it's been only about a week back in town here. I started a new job, at least part of the reason I left Dallas was for this job in Cleveland - and, as most of you know, at least 'part' of the reason I had gone to Dallas in the first place was for a job. And in fact I did get to Dallas and I spent a couple of days at that job and it was just not for me, I missed my friends and my family here in CLE and I had a job offer here that I could not afford to let go of. So, I had been staying in a long term hotel kinda place in Dallas, and I had even scoped out the town for potential living situation - had met with a woman who was seeking a roomate for her high-end downtown apartment - when - wham - just like that, I decided to instead split the whole scene in TX and return to CLE town. And I am glad I did, because I like my new job here and I am spending time with some very special people (my daughter among them). So, there you go then.

I dont have too many electronic pictures from my travels this Summer, however, here I just happen to have this picture of me standing at the mouth of Mammoth Cave Kentucky wearing a Miranda's Moon T-Shirt...heh

From Cleveland to Dallas (and points in between)

long storey short: A few days ago I began to experience a kind of identity crisis of sorts and so packed my car and left Cleveland and drove down to Cincin OH and spent the night in a Motel Six. It was bland. Next day I drove to Mammoth Cave Resort and spent the night in the cute-est cabin with wood floors and - oh, it was sweet, the cave is huge, biggest in the world, 375 miles of cave, nice and cold, good hiking, the Green River is pretty. Then I drove all the way to Little Rock Arkansas, stayed in a Howard Johnson, very boring, watched Lord of the Rings (I briefly 'dated' Howard Shores daughter - I just thought you ought to know that - I dont know if Howard Johnson has any daughters - heh) Then drove from there to Dallas today - nice long hot drive, I am here now. More later. Sorry no pictures, but hey, thats life.

Ohio Canal Tow Path - Mirandas Moon - MOre

I went riding on the tow path trail a few days ago, in the Cayuhoga Valley National Recreation Area, stayed at the Stanford House Youth Hostel, gosh, that place is sweeeeeet and it's less than twenty bucks to stay there overnight....the night I was there, it was only myself and one other dude in the whole place...it was, needless to say, very peacefull. If you don't have a bike, they have a bunch of em there, they aren't top flight bikes, but they roll. So, I stayed there, and then in the morning I rode all the way into Akron...it was swell, an awesome ride of about 29 miles round trip! Sometime I will do the northern leg from Stanford House on up to lock 44.

And..let's see what else has been gwink on...well, I have been getting calls from acts who are comming through CLE town, lot's of good ones comming, for those of you who read this blog here is a preview of last minute bookings in August and some acts that are due to come through in Sept. - look to University Circle Arabica for the best in all ages, smoke free acoustic entertainment - and although I am indeed relocating to the SouthWest for at least six months (for 'professional reasons') I will continue to book the U.C.A. ... so y'all better behave youselves!


LAST MINUTE BOOKINGS AT UCA FOR AUG. 2005:

FRIDAY AUG. 12 FROM NYC ATOOSA - PIANO & VOICE -This will be a good show, don't miss this woman if you don't have to .. she has a great woman/girl voice, pure and delicious. Look what has been said about her:
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"She calls it lyrical folk but I call it creative and delicious! Some of my favorite arrangements I've heard in years. She approaches her piano with a wonderful un-cliched blank slate. It brings out the sincerity, to let you know before she even starts singing that every word and note is intentional, and isn't just settling for the common chord." Derek Sivers, President, cdbaby.com, 2001
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FRIDAY AUG. 26 - KLEE - PIANO & VOICE - This young lady has got some mellow music to share, the songs she has posted to myspace are spare and pretty, simple, soothing, oh your gonna like this for sure.


AND LOOKS WHO'S COMING TO UCA IN SEPTEMBER:

TUES. SEPT. 20 ELISA KORENNE - from NYC, nice .. real nice ... and she can play a sweet and folksy finger style (classic feeling almost) steel string guitar .... check out her super-simple-perfect EP Pages for direct solo sounds.

SAT. SEPT. 10 ELLERY - I am REALLY EXCITED that this Husband and Wife duo are coming to the UCA - I have been listening to the sound files at the site (they have several full length files posted) and these two are special, they have produced a coherent, pretty, sparkling, lush CD with sugar pop vocals, contemplative lyrics, choice harmonies -- please check out the website they have

======================================================

Oh, one last thing, my friend Ryan Smith has updated his band's page MIRANDA'S MOON to pure style -- CSS, no tables, heh, that's so, uhm, dang I been using tables for over a decade, I need to catch up. Anyhow these guys are working (feverishly?) to complete another album, it ought to sound great, given the caliber of what they have been up to -- check the web site, it looks sweet.

Michigan, Detroit Etc.

After staying in The Soo for several days (and swimming at Harmony Beach - sweet), I drove The Green Grand AM down through the Michigan Peninsula early last week, it was a really nice drive, stopped at several of the official rest areas to pee and, uhm, rest. Stopped into visit Audra Kubat for a couple of days and we had a nice visit, she gave me a copy of her most recent CD release - you can check out a couple of full length songs in MP3 file format at the Times Beach Records website. I have been listening to the CD and I really like it tons, very different from Million Year Old Sand (which was recorded on miles of analog tape) - the song Garden (check the MP3 at the link above) has this sweet thick harmony chorus, yum - but I haven't figured out all of the lyrics and they aren't printed on the CD insert - anyhow, I really like the way Eric H. plays the drums, he has a pop leaning light rock touch with a cute swing feel and the production allows the drums to come into and out of the songs in a real musical way. So, while I was up there, we went out to see an MC5 retrospective documentary film at the Magic Stick in downtown-ish Detroit, that was fun (and there were many keen hipsters in attendance) and we also went swimming at one of the little spring-fed lakes at a neat and tidy family oriented park area. Then we went into Ann Arbor MI and hit a couple of Open Mic events - Audra plays a bending bluesing lead acoustic guitar that I like allot. All in all a very nice visit with my friend, and it was cool to meet her parents, they were friendly and relaxed folks.

More later..

Swimming in Lake Superior

Yesterday I went swimming in the big lake Superior, my cuz had his boat out anchored within easy reach of the smooth sandy beach and all the babes were out in the teeny weeny bikin's with the sun was just rippin' into the day.

It was perfect for swimming, I would like to do that every day.

Sault Ste. Marie Bars and Musicians

Hi you reader(s) - I went out to an Open Mic night here in Soo a few days ago so I thought I would add these links here for ya'all planning on making the trek up here, yeah, why don't set you selfs up with some gigs on the North Coast?

Here is a link to two of Queen Streets sweetest bars:

LopLops (on the lake side of Queen) for Art, Music, Babes, Booze, and Stella on TAP!! (and in the Stella glass as well)

Downbeat Lounge (on the other side of Queen) for Art, Live Music, Martinis and Martinis

And here is a link to Startlefish Craig West is a member of this band (well I think it's 'his' band) and he is also the host of the very happening Open Mic Night Tuesdays from 10 to close.

C'mon up, drink a Martini, play some songs, we can hang out.

MOre latEr.

Speckled Trout

I have been visiting Soo now for several days and it is really a very nice city, however, with the weather as good as it has been, it seems like most of the cities population has headed north for 'cottaging' and camping boating fishing so the city is a little bit quiet.

Last night my uncles grilled up a couple of Speckled Trout that they had caught very recently - was it ever good! Words just cannot completely describe the delicious sweet fish that is a freshly caught Speckled Trout. Yum!

More later..

Boating Beer and Babes

Went boating again today with my cousin Warren Wilson, at Harmony Bay on the North Shore of Lake Superior - REAL nice! We went fishin' and I caught a friggin CLAM, geeez. Anyhow, the water is warm, the air is fresh, and there are many MOOSE crossing signs! I've been playing my little Stela Guitar, it sounds great. Went to an open mic at a nice bar here in Soo - LopLops. Sweet artsy bar joint. Nice people.

Anyhow my uncle Bill is still here, he is talking about going out West again this weekend - he has a huge comfy camper truck vehicle.

I might see my friend Audra on the way back stateside, I am not in a real big hurry to get back to the states side of the lakes, its just soo nice up here (wink).

MOre later - sorry no pictures. Just cmon' up here when you get the chance.

Manitoulin Island and the Wilson 100 Acre Woods

Camping with 40 youths, although fun and challenging, wasn't my cup of tea (was a complicated journey) and I split camp about 4 days ago after a bit of unresolvable tension with one of the junior staff members.

I travelled to my families original homestead site on the Manitoulin Island (my great grandfather Charlie Wilson's 100 Acre Farm traipsing up there in my flip flops) and I took what turned out to be 25 really excellent pictures of the farm on a 12 dollar disposable camera, heh. The place is rather remote and in-accesible and has no water view - and there are several deer blinds. There are three or four big stone piles and two dilapidated farm buildings. There were two great big Blue Herons flying around. It was nice to see the place first hand, I have carried an old picture of it in my wallet for years.

Anyhow, I know this little briefing leaves out a ton of details, nonetheless I have since travelled to The Sault Saint Marie and I have been visiting with some of my Canadian relatives.

More later ...

Canada - Niagra Falls - on to Tobermory

Hi!

I am in Canada, writing this from the HI (Hosteling International) in Niagra. Had a nice overnight stay, in a very small room (waaaay to stuffy for my taste - would rather camp out) with a fellow from South Africa - an HIV scientist, very interesting. Went out to Casino Niagara and spent money on nickel slots (lost about 30 bucks, heh) annd ate at the buffet with two nice ladies, only 10 bucks all you can eat, best thing about the Casino Niagra, so if you come up here and don't have too much cash, head straight past all the glitz to the Casino and down to the buffet. I am on my way to Tobermory today, about 300 or so more miles, and then onto the fairy and on to the Manitoulin Island where I will work at the camp for the next two months. And I dont know how much internet I will have up there - see you all soon.

Summer acoustic entertainment at UCA & beyond!

Most of you know by this time that I am going on a summer hiatus. I will not be able to communicate as frequently while I am away (I will be working) but I will still be answering voice mail messages and email if only once or maybe twice a week. Anyway, here is an extended calendar of acoustic entertainment at UCA including the open mic nights:

Acoustic Entertainment University Circle Arabica
June, July, and August 2005

OPEN MIC NIGHTS AT UCA SUMMER 2005:
Wednesday June 15 with guest host Tim Fry
Wednesday June 29 with guest host Will Cheshier
Wednesday July 13 with guest host pending
Wednesday July 27 with guest host Jim Snively
Wednesday August 10 pending guest host
Wednesday August 24 host Steve2.Net back from hiatus

ARTISTS COMING TO THE CAFÉ IN JUNE 2005
Friday June 3: Jeff Guhde
Singer/Songwriter – Poet Core
Jeff is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art with a major in sculpting he is also a struggling songwriter and musician this is his first “official” gig at the UCA.

Saturday June 4: Mike Allen
Local Singer/Songwriter – Acoustic Rock
Mike is a Cleveland resident who works with Times Beach Records and producer Al Sutton in Detroit Michigan. Mike is formerly the bass player for the band Jericho Turnpike and he will be releasing an album of his original songs, recorded with a full band and produced by Al Sutton (of Kid Rock fame), sometime in the not too distant future.

Friday June 10: John Toula
Jazz Instrumental Guitarist – Jazz Guitar

Saturday June 11: Greg “Jake The Dog” Harper
Country Tinged Acoustic Folk Rocker – Cow Polk Folk

Thursday June 16: Victoria Vox
Visiting Singer/Songwriter – Acoustic Girl Pop

Saturday June 18: Will Cheshier
Local Singer/Songwriter - Progressive Folk

Monday June 20: Teresa Storch
Visiting Singer/Songwriter - Acoustic Girl Rock
Originally from Omaha Nebraska Teresa resides primarily in Boston where she finds the space to do what she loves, connecting with people in clubs and coffee houses, on streets, and in subway platforms. Teresa has two full length CD’s and has been written about in various magazines and music reviews: “Vega/Merchant-esque vocals and simplistic yet funky guitar work…fabulously catchy folk-genre’d tunes” -- The Boston Girl Guide
“Bounding folk rock sound…mesmerizing vocal riffs”
-- Metronome Magazine

Tuesday June 21: J. Scott Franklin
Poet Core Sound Artist – Acoustic Poet Core

ARTISTS COMING TO THE CAFÉ IN JULY 2005

Friday July 1: Zach
Local Acoustic Folk Rocker – Funky Folk Rock

Thursday July 7: Fred Shafer
Visiting Singer/Songwriter from Buffalo New York – Dude with Folkatude

Saturday July 9: Nate Jones
Local Singer/Songwriter playing well known cover songs

Friday July 15: Joe Rohan
Highly regarded local singer/songwriter voted Best Roots/Folk Artist and Best Male Singer/Songwriter according to Cleveland Free Times Magazine 2004

Friday July 22: J. Scott Franklin and Shelly Miller
Singer/Songwriters Scott is based in Cleveland and travels nationally as an artist Shelly Miller is a folk artist visiting from Chicago

Friday July 29: XELA (Alex Alverez)
Xela is back fresh off the road from dates on the West Coast and will probably have a few new songs to play

ARTISTS COMING TO THE CAFÉ IN AUGUST 2005

Saturday August 6: Celtic Duo Emerald Frequency

Saturday August 13: Laura Webster and her acoustic band “Willoughby Run”
Local Singer/Songwriter

Saturday August 20: Steve Roth
Visiting Singer/Songwriter – self described “Neo-Bohemian”
Voted “Top Original Acoustic Solo” act in the 2004 Buffalo Music Awards Steve has recently released a very well received CD of original material and garners raves from music publications, radio stations, and TV stations from around the country:
“[Beautiful Addiction] Easily on of, if not the best, local release of 2004” – Bob Silvestri of ‘Night Life Magazine’
“People like to think that singer-songwriters are a dime a dozen, but really good ones are a lot rarer than that. Case in point, singer-songwriter Steve Roth” – Mark Norris ‘ARTVOICE’
“…a sterling blend of folk tradition, pop smarts and modern rock flourishes…” – Jeff Miers ‘The Buffalo News’

Saturday August 27: XELA (Alex Alverez)
Local Musician – Funky Bluesy Folkster

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University Circle Arabica is located at 11300 Juniper Road Cleveland Ohio 44106 on the beautiful Case Western Reserve Campus (the cafe phone number is 216-791-0300)

Owned by Executive Caterers and located in a refurbished mansion built in 1907, the café offers warmth and a homelike atmosphere for anyone who stops there. Natural woodwork and full-size wood-burning fireplaces add cozy atmosphere to accompany any good conversation.

If food is on your agenda, a pleasing menu includes sandwiches, salads, and Executive Caterers' impressive pastries, made fresh daily at Landerhaven's in-house bakery.

University Circle Arabica never charge a cover for acoustic entertainment and we are a non-alcoholic ALL AGES venue for live music!

University Circle Arabica features FREE wireless internet access with only non-smoking seating on the main floor of the mansion (including the music parlor and library rooms) and with a large and comfortable smoking room, a game room, and auxiliary semi-private “study rooms” in the upstairs of the mansion.

PLEASE Check my website frequently http://www.steve2.net for updates and changes to these scheduled events


ALSO: There may be some interesting events coming up in Tremont, if you think you might be interested in PLAYING ON THE STREETS DURING A WINE TASTE EVENT SATURDAY JULY 30TH let me know and I can give you some more details.

MATT GEROVAC - BRENT KIRBY

Hi everyone -

I have made some pretty significant changes to my website home page just recently, I think this version of my page is prolly as 'long' and content rich as I can make it without it being too busy - well, some of yous readers might think it's too busy, ok, I admit, it IS to busy it's JAM PACKED my whole site is lopsided with my home page so rich and thick with significant content. Heh.

OPEN MIC EVENTS AND A NEW MP3 SINGLE ON MY HOME PAGE:
I have posted a long list of significant Open Mic scenes around Cleveland AND I have posted a single MP3: A very mellow 'full band' version of The Burnside Blues that was recorded at Strangelove Recording with Sam Phillips and Tony Koussa Jr. - please oh PLEASE listen to the song.


Ok, enough about my home page, here are some new local music news items for consideration:

Matt Gerovac has kinda been elusive for, like, months now but he is coming out for a show - solo I think - at the house of blues - here are the details he has sent me:

• MATT GEROVAC at the HOUSE OF BLUES on Sat., May 21st at 8p.m. opening for - Paul Fayrewether. For tickets you can go to www.ticketmaster.com or www.hob.com. www.mattgerovac.com (Pssssst: I can't find a site for Paul Fayrewether)

Also, there is a double CD release party - a big un - for Brent Kirby at the HIFI club coming up Thursday May 5th:

You are cordially invited to be an exclusive guest of Brent Kirby and The Flashing 12's 'The Mean Days' CD Release PartyMay 5th, 2005 8:30pmThe Hi Fi Club$5 21 and over $8 under 2111729 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, OH (216) 433-4444 www.hificlub.infoWith Special Guests G.S. Harper The Company Line Jason Jay Guggy Tim Longfellow The Special Appearances by The Jody Grind Kim Kennedy Joey D from Liquid Brent Kirby and The Flashing 12's will perform at 930pm

Anyhow, I hope everything is going well for YOU and YOURS - I am still struggling to make sense of the things that I am trying to make sense of - planning for some time away from CLE this summer - so stay in touch, OK??

BY!

Audra K. - Arabica - Open Mic - Bloging - Email

Hi All Y'all!

Who is out there:
Uhm, actually, I have very little idea who "All Y'all" might even be .. I get so little 'real' email anymore, I get a HUGE pile of bullshit SPAM like every single day and it sucks. I so rarely get an email from someone who has looked at my site and has something to say about it or otherwise just found it usefull, shanggers, maybe it's just not as usefull as I would like it to be!! If you are a reader of my site, please drop me an email line or two just to let me know that you are 'out there'.

Audra Kubat:
For the first time in a very long time I have had a few minutes on the phone with Ms. Kubat and found out that she has just recently released her brand new album!!! If you surf on over to timesbeachrecords.com you will find a tiny picture and a couple of sample mp3 files - I have only just downloaded them and will listen to them later on this evening.

Blogging:
I have only begun to write in my blog again just recently - I was way out of the habit for a long time. And then I rigged up that bit of javascript to show the headlines on my homw page and I think that has helped me to motivate - however, still a huge problem with the script in that the Netscape browser will not show display the headlines and I seriously am completely baffeled as to why this little bit of script won't display the headlines in the netscape browser, if you think you can help please send me a line.

Open Mic and the Arabica Empire:
Ok, for what seems like awhile now I have been meaning to offer a round up of the open mic events in and around town, and even though it might be impossible to get a complete list I have what I think is a pretty good and useful list - there are some new ones coming online at all of these Arabica Cafe's around town:

ARABICA BEDFORD 720 BROADWAY 440-439-0555
Thursday Night Open Mic 7PM with host Dave Terry

ARABICA CLEVELAND 818 E. 185TH STREET 216-486-7777
Saturday Open Mic 8PM no host specified

ARABICA CLEVELAND HTS. 2209 LEE ROAD 216-321-0761
Tuesday Open Mic 8PM with host Charlie Mosbrook back at the helm of things - a particularly notable open mic event with Charlie Mosbrook one of the elder statesmen of open mic and a fine
singer songwriter

ARABICA BROADVIEW 7462 BROADVIEW ROAD 216-520-4437
Thursday Night Open Mic at (no specific time was listed) with host Alan Studt

ARABICA RICHFIELD 4174 WHEATLEY ROAD RICHFIELD 330-659-2030
Thursday Open Mic at 7PM no host specified

ARABICA SHEFFIELD VILLAGE 5322 ABBE ROAD LORAIN 440-934-0900
These guys just ran an ad in one of the local music rags indicating that they were looking for music

ARABICA PARMA HEIGHTS 6285 PEARL ROAD 440-886-6648
These guys just ran an ad in one of the local music rags indicating that they were looking for music

And that about does it for the Arabica cafe's there are probably a few more but these are the ones that I see advertised.

At any rate, I need to get going here tonight - again, please email me with any questions about the music scene at the University Circle Arabica - and dont forget we have Ms. Racheal Sage coming to the cafe for a couple of sets this wednesday April 27 - this is a free show - all ages - smoking and non - non-alchoholic - free wireless internet

gOODbye forNOW!!!

UCA in MAY 2005 : Open Mic Nights : Guitars

There was a good crowd of guys (and one woman singer songwriter, Chelsea Ryan) for the last Open Mike at UCA - thanks all of you for coming out - thanks Dave for blowing that cross harp with me, that made my night, I hope we can do that again soon!

I want to alert all of you to a new Wednesday night happening at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Lyndhurst on - heh, I don't want the whole UCA open mic crowd dodging over there at once, but you all know that we only do open mic twice a month so there are two other nights - anyhow, they have beer and sports TV heh, whatever, it's shapping up to be a decent event, nice PA, MC is Robin Stone, signup between 7 and 8 for a spot to play - and AND - they give away prizes!! Yup, it's a sponsored event, Guitar Center and Budwieser ganging up on the whole thing. Go on up there, BUT WHATEVER YOU DO DONT GO ON WED. 27TH BECAUSE RACHEAL SAGE IS COMING TO UCA!! All of you should come out to this show.

ON THE EAST SIDE Monday nights belong to XELA and the open jam night at the B-Side lounge below the grog shop - heh, you know where that is, dontcha? Anyhow, they have (litteraly) PILES of AMPS and they have drums and mics and everything - just bring an instrument wit you.

ON THE WEST SIDE Monday night jam session and open mic belongs to JIM SNIVELY hosting open mike night at McNamaras 8611 Lake Ave. Cleveland Ohio 44102 216-939-9346

ON THE WEST SIDE on Tuesday night we are back with the Phoenix open mic in Lakewood Ohio on Detroit - a younger crowd, lots of street side action and tea sippin.

I am hammering out the music calendar for MAY and it will be posted soon - briefly we got Zach, Xela, Kate Morrisey, Randy Martin, Brent Kirby (welcome back dude), John Toula and Justin Markert (who BETTER make his gig this time - heh) and we are doing the strangenight again: Adam Probert comes to the cafe and records for two and a half hours. Musicians dont pay anything up front, but if you want your tracks, you gotta go to strangelove recording and sit with Adam for a few minutes while he chats up the studio - generally, tracks recorded at the strangenight can be had on CD for about ten to fifteen bucks for the musicians. Last time we made a CD from the whole night. It was allot of work.

Bela Dubby Cafe in Lakewood has beer and art!!

First, about my auto updating blog headlines issues (like you care anyhow):

April 8 2005 6:19 PM: Ok, in my attempts to create web site perfection I decided I just HAD to try to get my blog headlines from my blog onto my home page, and it (the project) kind of worked, and so far it also kind of doesn’t work. I mean the obsession can’t be a healthy thing, so I had to let it ride. Here’s how it stands: This feature currently works well enough within Internet Explorer. The blog headlines won't print within the Netscape Browser...I am working on figuring out why. I have always found the Netscape Browser to be picky and I am getting this HUGE ridiculous error in Dream weaver that is supposed to be a problem with my style sheet - I can’t find the problem. What - the - fuck - EVER... it's working well enough. I really had to struggle with this feature - seems like the javascript objXML is able to parse the Atom Feed just fine, as long as the index is on my site not the Atom site - I think it's a username password problem, however, this does not look good for trying to pull in other peoples headlines - like r3tr0 - I was hoping to parse HIS blog headlines as well, but R3Tr0 posts his blog to the blogspot, which means the Atom feed is hosted on the Atom site. Whew! So, for the time being, it’s working as well as I can make it work with the current set of technologies. I might change my blog to work differently, but the whole point was to be ale to pull in news feeds from other blogs – anyhow, if ANY of YOU PEOPLE have ANY IDEAS at all then contact me.

BELA DUBBY Art Gallery and Beer Cafe in LAKEWOOD at 13321 MADISON 216-221-4479
I found a really neato local café this past Saturday, one I had been looking for and looking for and could not find – it’s in Lakewood on Madison at 13321 Madison Ave. and the place is called Bela Dubby and the owner woman is a sweetheart – and HUGE BONUS they have a BEER LICENSE and they have an American IPA ON TAP – yeah! Thos of you who know me well enough to know that I like IPA better than any other beer should know that I am rejoicing. They have a huge pretty storefront as well, funny that it’s seems to be so easy to miss. I mean, where have this place like BEEN anyhow?? I suppose it’s been right there. Anyhow, free wireless internet, great coffee, nice space, good beer, art on the walls, it’s lookin’ good for these transplanted New Yorkers and we should al be so happy to have an alternbative to the old Jitters place – which, by the way, seems to have closed down for no good reason and with NO indications of when of if they are coming back again but personally although I really liked the place I could not STAND the indoor smoking and I hope that ALL OF THAT is going away once and for all in Lakewood call me a prude or whatever I don’t care.

Here for your convenience are the official (Jill wrote these down for me) is the Bela Dubby hours for Summertime:

Sun & Mon: Closed

Tue through Thurs. - 8am to 8pm

Fridays - 8am to 12am

Sat. - 10am to 12am

Open Mic Nights in Lakewood and Coventry

Open Mic Nights in Lakewood and Coventry

The self proclaimed 'Kid with the long hair' reminded me this past Tuesday that the Capsule Bar in Lakewood at 13376 Madison Ave. continues to host a Monday Night Open Mic ... from 8PM until 2AM - to be somewhat more specific Jeremy is the kid with the long hair, he works with Food Not Bombs and he is the host of the Monday Night show at Capsule. I have not had the pleasure of attending this event just yet, but since I have now been 'officially reminded' I will try to stop in there. Jeremy can be reached at starvationarmyzine@yahoo.com

Jim Snively continues to host the highly successfull and well-attended Monday Night Open Mic at McNamara's Bar just around the corner from Don's Lighthouse where the Shoreway runs into Lakewood - if you need specific information about this event, feel free to contact Jim at his number 216-409-1011 he answers his phone and he is a super pleasant fellow to speak with

Here are a few other choice Open Mic events to consider:

Mon. 10PM The B-Side Lounge - with host XELA
Coventryyard Cle. Hts. 216-932-1966
(This one is not in Lakewood but its a good night in Coventry)

Tues. 8PM Phoenix Coffee Detroit Ave. - with host XELA
Lakewood Ohio 216-226-4401

I have it from the horses mouth that Mr. Xela is prolly skoochin' out-of-town for some travels in June and so will be using some guest host's for his various events.

Hey, all of you readers must have by this time seen the January music calendar for the UCA but if you have actually been INTO the café anytime recently then you have only seen part of the calendar on the wall, you know the big ones that Mark keeps on the walls – it’ missing an important date FRIDAY JAN. 21 JUSTIN MARKERT is an indie pop singer songwriter acoustic guitar slinger guy who has most recently been traveling in Europe, he was in Spain, England, and Amsterdam. Justin, as you might recall, owned and operated his own coffee shop for awhile there, the Cellar Door, they had a healthy little music scene cooking at the coffee shop from what I understood (I never actually made it out there) however Justin has since moved on to bigger and better things. C’mon out and hear this young guy - he is worth the visit!

I had to miss Matt’s solo show at UCA last Sat. – how was it? Did any of you readers hear Matt do his solo acoustic thing? Matt G. has an awful lot of talent and it’s possible we are all going to be hearing him play out allot more in the near future – and, conveniently enough I just got his band schedule in my email box, the email explains that Matt’s band is going to play a few shows with bass player Corby Hien – interesting (Corby is pretty much a MONSTER bass player) - here is the near future schedule:

MATT GEROVAC IMPLOSION
TOUR DATES:

Fri., Jan. 21, 9 p.m. - SHADOW LOUNGE - 5972 Baum
Blvd. - Pittsburgh, PA

Sat., Jan. 22, 10 p.m. - BROWN HOTEL - 6 Water St,
Indiana,PA

Thurs., Jan. 27, 9 p.m. - MANHATTAN'S - 1516 Adams St.
- Toledo, OH

Fri., Jan. 28, 10 p.m. - VILLAGE IDIOT - 309 Conants
St. - Maumee, OH

Sat., Jan. 29, 9 p.m.- KALAMAZOO BREWING CO. -
355 E. Kalamazoo Ave., Kalamazoo, MI

Sat., Feb. 5, 10 p.m. - SOUTHSIDE - 2207 W. 11th St. -
Cleveland, OH

OH MAN!!!! I met John Hill recently at the Lakewood Library, you know, he is the Cleveland’s high end electric guitar and bass entrepreneur fellow – anyhow, he is such a really low-key fellow and he is bringing a bunch of guitars to the Agora TONIGHT for the filming of a pilot series called “Axe to Grind” – gosh, this sounds way to sweet - they got all the local hot axe slingers players tonight:

The Billy Morris Band
Swim
The Armstrong Bearcat Band
Beau Coup
SNC
The Bad Boys of Blues
AND
Special Surprise Guest: MICHAEL STANLEY!

All these hot shots will play Hill Guitars tonight! Whoooooo sweeeeeeetneeeessss!!!


You can even enter to win a Hill Custom Guitar! And a portion of the proceeds will benefit breast cancer research – wow, I wish I could go I feel so – lame.

Uhm, hmmm - Jordan Stone answered my email, HE answered my email - the lady featured in some of his site design is his wife! So, someone is the godess. Coolness that he answered me. What else, oh yeah - I have heard Kaki King, she honed her acoustic guitar style on the subway platforms in NYC - check her site out - she is at HOB this Thusrday and tickets are "ONLY" almost 30 bucks - ouch. Geesh though, what some girls can do to a dang acoustic guitar, it's almost unbelievable.

Audra Kubat updated her webblog - she is in NYC busting her ass - nice to see something from her, I have been wondering. I cannot wait to hear her new album!! Well, I suppose I will have to wait. She is at The LIving Room end of this month.

The Musicians Friend is now duping CD's for a couple cents over a buck a piece on 50 or more and they have this cool web interface that allows you to design the CD face right online. The printing is thermal, good quality on a silver CD. Coolness.

And, hey, I finally have my own copy of the recent Cats On Holiday CD recorded 98 percent live downtown at Wilberts - I will be listening to it ASAP.

I watched some of Storefront Hitchcock last night, Robyn Hitchcok live in a storefront downtown NYC. Cool.

Well, I am at work i better actually do some work.

G'bye.

Gosh Dang! I think I have met the ULTIMATE WEB DESIGN GODESS OF ALL FREAKING TIME!! Ok, I haven't actually met her, like, in person or anything but my buddy Casey C. who is a web sauve individual living in Seattle - he sent me a couple links and, gee, this is some HOT SHIT - the designer is Jordan Stone and her partners are probably various, her home page is sofake.com and here and here are a couple of links - this design quanta is gonna stone you, prepare yourselv, this is the some amazing stuff. I mean, gee, I really like it - i have sent Jordan a couple of emails trying to explain to her how in awe I am - I am not sure if I can succeed to communicate with her, I got some weird email in return from her 'robots' hmmmm. ... so anyway check out the links and the site work and leeme know what you think.

Oh, what else, I got my tracks from Strangelove - fresh from the Strange Night - they sound damn good, you know, I am pretty good, not like a GOD OF SINGING or a GUITAR GOD or anything but, heck, I am good you know really pretty good I think I am anyhow, aren't I??

And anyhow Adam Probert and Strangelove Recording capture THE BEST FREAKING ACOUSTIC GUITAR SOUNDS IN CLEVELAND OR MAYBE ANYWHERE ELSE EVER IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE period. .. hurry and go see him and record yourselve AND DON'T WAIT ANY LONGER!!! GO NOW whataaya waiting for there, cmon, git on wit it -


So, we (Adam and I) have already scheduled, tentatilvey of course - STRANGE NIGHT II - yup, what's that? You want to know that exact date? No, you cannot know it yet - soon though. It's all in the works, and your gonna love it. Strangely of course.

I gotaa go pee, so, later.

Here we are post Christmas and Pre-New Year and everything is pretty mellow, which is certainly one of the ways "I like it" (just generally speaking) and I am still not sure what to do for the Big New Year Event, I have a few options to consider, not the least of which is go home and hide, heh, what you think I am kidding? I have an outstanding traffic ticket for the heights, so I should pay that this week before I even think about going up to the GROG SHOP for the big new years bash featuring "Moon the Giant", and "The Matt Gerovac Implosion" and "XELA" as well as "Hip Hop with Poetic Republic"- sounds like a "really big shooow" to me but I am not even sure I will be going out that night.

THE TINY LISTING OF OPEN MIC EVENTS:

There are a few new OPEN MIC NIGHTS around town, the most recent event I have heard about is Open Mic at Capsule Bar 13376 Madison Ave. in Lakewood 216-CAPSULE hosted by "The Kid with the Long Hair" and he can be reached at starvationarmyzine@yahoo.com

Xela is currently hosting these Open Mics:

Sun. 8PM Cafe Europa rt. 84 & rt. 91 in Willoughby 440-943-8914

Mon. 10PM The B-Side Lounge Coventryyard Cle. Hts. 216-932-1966

Tues. 8PM Phoenix Coffee Detroit Ave. Lakewood Ohio 216-226-4401

Jim Snively continues the highly successfull and well-attended Monday Night Open Mic at McNamara's Bar just around the corner from Don's Lighthouse where the Shoreway runs into Lakewood - if you need specific information about this event, feel free to contact Jim at his number 216-409-1011 he answers his phone and he is a super pleasant fellow to speak with

And, well, thats about that - if you have an open mic event let me know about it I will ad it to my tiny listings here.

I haven't written in my blog for, like, weeks - I have been busy and this has just been low on my priority list. Anyhow, lemme get right into a few things:

WEB DESIGN:
I have been playing around with the image maps functions in Adobe Image Ready and have begun to create a series of exciting new image navigation maps for my site here - of course my use of the word 'exciting' is relative - and in the process I have discovered a few minor discrepancies between the way IE handles image maps and rollovers and the way that Netscape handles maps - gee, I might as well get this off my chest right away: When you mouseover my fancy new buttons in IE you get the rollover effect, and the link - however, when you mouseover my fancy buttons with Netscape, you only get the rollover image UNTIL you hit the actual dimensions of the IMAGE MAP and then you get - the original image. Blah!!! I cannot figure this one out, so what I have done is to create little tiny map hotspots within the middle of the image so that you get the rollover effect in both browsers. The limitation is obvious, is it not? You have to mouseover the tiny image map to get the link to the target page, otherwise, you get no link at all. But if I make the map as big as the button image, then you get no rollover AT ALL when browsing the page with Netscape. Well, we all have to compromise don't we, I have done so JUST to accomodate any Netscape users.

CD LISTENING:
I have a whole bunch of new CD's to listen to - Justin Markert recently sent me one, so did Chris Viola, I have listened only to a little of both of those 'demo' CD's. Chris Nekvinda had a FABULOUS CD release party at UCA early this month and since then I have been listening to his CD "Picture Show" and just yesterday while listening to the track "Lost in America" (or maybe it's "3000 miles" ) I got all misty. I have Tim Fry's new CD - very nice sounding, open, mellow and peaceful solo acoustic tunes with interesting and introspective lyrical poetry - these recordings capture a focused studio performance on Tim's part, recorded mostly at Strangelove and mastered by Charlie Mosbrook. Good job Tim!!! I have been listening to "Mirandas Moon" - the first CD, with the cut "Saturn Five" - and I have been diggin it waaay more since giving it some time in the CD player. All the tracks from that CD are super well done and the music is really unique and interesting and fun too. I have a copy of Jake Harper's demo CD and I need to spin that one up a few more times before I can get a feel for it - it sounds good at first listen, but I usually need several listens before I can fully tune my ears into a new voice. And lets see, I have XelaKooshtick - and these cuts are so big sounding and warm and alive! I just am totally into the sound of those tracks, they were recorded in front of a live audience at a soundstage somewhere in the TRI-C campus, and Xela man plays some great songs (I just groove out totally to LALALAND) with Nick Gaudette's accompany on double bass, if you have not heard this CD yet, get it very soon, I think it's his best recorded work to date, however, I am a huge fan of the XelaMonster and I have all his full-length CD's sometimes I get to accompany him myself on acoustic bass and I listen to the CD's frequently so don't hold me to my word if I all a sudden decide that I like one of the other CD's better again. I must not forget to mention that I have Mike Allan's illicit demo CD (Thanks Roger!) and I have been listening to that allot as well - although, recently, Mike has recorded new vocal tracks to those cuts and has been working with the music and the vocals during trips to Detroit, so I cant wait to hear the final versions! The Stoigatronic one laid down some delicate, tender and generally sweeeeet asssss solo acoustic versions of a few of those tracks during the Strange Night event this past SAT - heheh!!

STRANGE NIGHT:
Ok, enough about what I have been listening too - and back to what is happeneing! The Strange Night at UCA with 'Mobile Love' (Mobile Strange Love Recording) went of without a single hitch - it was smooth, flawless, perfect in every way. All the artists showed up, every one played really, really well - probably better then they would under 'ordinary circumstances'. It was an OUTSTANDING event and one worth repeating which is exactly what we are going to do. Look for another Strange Night sometime in FEB 2005 - thanks to everyone who made this night so special, y'all know who you are: Terry, Miriam, Tim, Jim, Mo, Brittany, Mike, Chris, Veronica

CROP CIRCLES:
I have been kind of a little bit obsessed with the crop circle formation phenomenon just recently and the nav map idea that graces the home page is made from a legitimate crop circle photo here are the details about that particular picture:
==========================
Location (nearest town or landmark): Noyan, Quebec
Date First Reported or Discovered: August 24, 2004
Crop: cattle corn (9-10 feet tall)
Shape: circle
Size: 27 metres (89 feet) diameter
On-site investigation: CCCRN Quebec (Denyse Aita), BLT Research Team (Nancy Talbott)
Found August 24 by farmer. Later reported September 11 in Le Canada Francais newspaper. Offset centre. Plants flattened radially outward from centre to outside edge, never seen before in a corn formation. Cavities / splits in some stalk nodes. Additional photos and diagrams coming soon.

-----------
Here are the actual picture credits for the photo I used to construct the image map: Aerial view - October 15.© Denyse Aita, CCCRN Quebec
===============
Ah, I feel so much better publishing the picture credit.
Here is a blurb about CCCRN:

(visit the site for a whole bunch of really neato pictures taken of and around legitimate crop circle formations)

===============
"The Canadian Crop Circle Research Network (CCCRN) was started in 1995 (initially as Circles Phenomenon Research Canada, an affiliate of Circles Phenomenon Research International in the USA, before the later closure of the CPRI offices, and then refounded in 2001 as CCCRN), as an effort to investigate and document the crop circle phenomenon in Canada. Up to that point, there was no organized means of doing this, other than a handful of very few independent researchers. As the phenomenon was now being reported virtually across the whole country (since 1990), although concentrated in the prairies, it became clear that a more organized approach was necessary, including having field researchers spread out geographically to cover as many reports as possible, as quickly as possible. The situation was different than in England, the long-standing centre of activity, where by far most formations are found within an eighty kilometre (fifty mile) or so radius of the Stonehenge / Avebury region. In Canada however, and in the United States, they have been found literally from one side of the continent to the other, although again, most have been in the prairie provinces. Thus, CCCRN was born."
=========

So, there you go.

And here is a link to another really interesting site devoted to crop circle formations and the investigation of them. Go eahead, click on over there, I would not steer you wrong.

=======

I gotta go pee. See you later.

All right - Lets get this party started!

Audra Kubat has updated her website - she is in Brooklyn NYC, she has an apartment, she found a job, AND she has finished her new album with Times Beach Records! Whew, that girl can move through the world like a warm spoon through butter - here is a link to a recent interview with Audra, check it out - there is a cool picture of her as well.

UCA recently hosted and evening of acoustic pop rock with Bay Village teenage pop diva Kate Voegele and I don't remember seeing you there - and I have to ask myself - why the hell weren't all of you at the cafe for that night? It was a great show! She brought young guitar slinger Sam Getz and Will Voegele (her dad) to play alongside her and between them they made truly fantastic music (the three of them together and Kate solo) there is no longer any doubt in my mind that Kate is capable of getting to the top of the 'business model'. Ok, juicy gossip: Kate is working with Marshall Altman (yup that A&R guy from Columbia Records) - and I understand that Kate has procurred the services of both an Entertainment Lawyer and a Manager - she ain't foolin' around here - she has recently re-recorded several of the already-hot-sounding songs from "The Other Side" EP (which was recorded in Lakewood ohio) with Marshall out in some fancy schmancy Hollywood studio - whew! I would loooove to hear those new cuts! I bet they sparkle like diamonds! Will explained briefly that after Altman heard songs from "The Other Side" EP he picked a couple to re-record with an 'edgier' groove in order to shop them to the major lables. Kates fabulous acoustic performances indicate to me that she has developed (in only a short period of time) a healthy and mature 'working musicians' respect for acoustic instumentation and an already excellent grasp of what it takes to work within an acoustic performance setting, I guess it's up to the Mighty Music Industry Machine to lift Kate's warmly glowing gift up up and away into the pop-culture ubersphere where it can be heard and seen by all - that is after all what they do best. Until Kate has 'flown the coop' so to speak I hope we get to hear more than a few more of those parred-down style performances with Sam and Will - the next show here in town is at Hard Rock, Kate is the local Pantene Pro Teen voice finalist: Kate Voegele Fri, Nov 19 7:00-9:00PM Pantene Pro Voice & YM Magazine Listening Party Hard Rock Cafe CLEVELAND OH

Solo performance newcomer Miriam Mendelson will play songs and recite poetry for a couple of hours over at the Eye Candy Gallery in Tremont for the 2nd Friday Art Walk November 12- she has been coming out to the Open Mic events at UCA religiously for a couple of months now, singing her heart out at every chance, and had asked me for the opportunity to stretch out a little bit more into an evening of music and poetry that she could 'call her own' and so be it! The Eye Candy is the place to be to begin or end the Tremont Art Walk and that's where you will find artist and gallery operators Rita and Bob Telaak. The fabulous hand fabricated Art Jewelry pieces that Rita creates are not to be missed, you will probably decide that you cannot live a single day longer without one or more of her pieces adorning your body and life!

Adam Zadok is finally coming into town this month from Buffalo NY for a night of acoustic musical revelry at UCA on Saturday November 13 - and I am looking forward to hearing him play live after speaking with him on the phone, and hearing his CD. Check the entire November UCA Music Calendar for all of the music scheduled this month.


December will be a light music calendar with our last live music night of the year at UCA being Dec. 18th - a "Strange Night at the U.C. Arabica" with live recording sponsored by Strangelove Recording and a lineup of musical acts featuring --- well, we are going to have a bunch of acts, I am not ready to publish any potential lineup yet because its still only November. I am personally going to want to try to fit as many acts into the one night of recording as will be humanly possible - think of all those clowns coming out of a tiny car at the circus - just like that - but I don't know that Adam feels exactly the same way about things so - well - I dunno - at 2 to 3 songs per act I think its going to be crazy night anyway we work it. Just plan on being there even if you are not 'on the bill' because we are going to have fun - so there. If you are interested in recording that night, lemme know, and soon.



Anyhow, I hope that these blog entries are interesting to a few readers, if you have anything to say to me just drop a line to my email address music@steve2.net

Audra K. updated her website recently - it's really nice to read a few words from her, she writes that she is in Brooklyn NY and has an apartment! Sweeeet! She explains she is looking for work, and will be playing guitar and singing in The Big City for about the next six months or so. She also writes that her new album is completed - Audra is such a hot singer/songwriter talent and I like her so much ... I can't wait to hear the new songs!!


Laura Webster at U.C. Arabica this weekend - if you get the chance to stop by on Sat. night please do, Laura has a really pretty voice and she is a graceful talent - check out her website for pictures and more biographical information.


Kate Voegele at U.C. Arabica Sat. Oct. 30th for an acoustic show and she will bring with her a couple of other musicians for this show - Will Voegele and perhaps an electric guitarist. I am excited about this show and a little nervous because I want Kate to have a good crowd to play to and latley the neighborhood (Barking Spider and Arabica) have been a little bit slow at night - at least on the nights I have been over there. So, if you read this and you can make it out please come to hear Kate, she is a really bright young songwriting talent and her voice is ... there is so much already written about her songwriting and her voice - just google her name and see what you find. I have been digging the K.V. EP "The Other Side" - check out her site, it was recently re-designed and it looks really good!!


Kate Morrissey called me recently to setup a show at U.C.A. for Friday Jan. 28th - gee, thats Next Year!! She has a show at the Barking Spider that weekend so I really won't have any excuse not to make one of the nights - Kate has played the U.C.A. a couple of times and I have not yet managed to get to the shop for one of her shows - uhm, I have listened to the samples of the music on her site, and I have also noted with much appreciation that she has a really nice phone voice.




Kristine Jackson has tentativly agreed to play a solo acoustic show at U.C.A November 11 - Kristine is a fabulous young blues singer and she is also a working horn player - she was a member of the local group "Blues On Purpose" and she has played horn with many blues greats including Cleveland's own Robert Lockwood - she has lots of top-notch real-world experience as a horn player and now she is fronting her own act as a singer, I have her demo, I listen to it frequently - it's really good!



OK, well this is just a preview of what's coming up - I need to work on getting the whole November calendar up. In November U.C.A. will host shows with Chelsea and Allen, "Flip Side" (with Beth Hyland), Ryan Anderson, and Ben Jacobs as well as Adam Zadok and Xela and John Toula. The calendar is coming .....

I have been on hiatus from work (took some badly needed vacation time) and have been listening to some music and I have some news items to share with you:

OPEN MIC:
Open Mic at the Arabica University Circle has been going really well this past few weeks and I want to thank all those who come to play and hang out: Matt Rayl, Terry Writz, Dan Rose, David Mansfield, Dan and Ben, and Dan and Lee and finally Dan and George. A special thank you to Jim Snively for not only making his own Open Mic very special but for making the effort to come out and make other events happen. And thanks to Ben Jacobs for bringing in his original songs and his friends. Thank you to Miriam for putting up with all the ‘cavernous’ sound issues - please keep coming to Open Mic, OK? Thanks Angelisa for coming out to play last week even though it was late I enjoyed listening to you and I hope to see you again.

AUDRA KUBAT:
You may or may not know that I am a HUGE Audra Kubat fan and that she is moving to NYC, I am going to miss seeing her here in Cleveland once in a while. I went to her biter sweet going away party this past weekend in Detroit and I got to say I felt only a little out of place not knowing anyone there (other than Audra) – I was the only out-of-state fan to be invited to the party. But everyone was friendly and nice, the crowd was composed of totally eclectic hipsters of all ages and the music, of course, was really fantastic. I noticed Audra was a little bit nervous – maybe because her parents were in the audience? I met Audra’s brother Chris, but I neglected to make a pointed effort to introduce myself to her parents. I got a really cool poster and I met a nice girl there by the name of Gwen Joy and I hope maybe she might read this and if she does, well I gave her my web site address, maybe she will contact me, but probably not. Anyhow, Audra is wrapping up her second full length CD release with Times Beach and she told me it would be done very soon – probably done by now. How exciting! I cannot wait to hear it!

SPECIAL EVENT:
I have an associate in Lakewood who owns and operates a really nice full-service recording studio – perhaps you are familiar with Strangelove Recording? Adam Probert is the engineer and the owner operator of Strangelove and he has done tons of work with bands around town, releasing several compilations CD’s along the way. Adam is interested in finding and recording acoustic talent and is looking for ways to promote his studio. So, after batting a couple of ideas around, we have decided to coordinate a live recording event at the U.C. Arabica and we have even decided a date: Saturday December 18 2004. For this date Strangelove and U.C. Arabica will co-host an evening of music at the café with anywhere from 5 to 8 acoustic acts (to be decided upon in the very near future). Each act will have about twenty minutes to play a TFA (Totally Freaking Acoustic) set. Each act will be recorded, free of charge and professionally, with a mobile 16-track studio setup. Please stay tuned for more details as to which acts will be included in this very special event.

WHAT I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO:
Here are a few things I have been listening to:

NEIL JACOBS: Neil is a local resident guitar player of astounding talent – I heard him for the first time at the Lakewood Arts Festival this past summer and I won a CD and only recently started listening to it. It is full of the most amazing acoustic twelve string guitar playing I have ever heard. According to the bio, Neil has traveled the world playing the guitar and the music on this CD ‘World Blue’ is nothing short of simple brilliance.

JOHN MONTGOMERY: Just got this CD in a press kit from John and – wow! John has a really gorgeous voice talent and his writing is superb – maybe when he comes out here he will make a stop at the U.C. Arabica.

MIRANDA’S MOON: These guys are friends of mine and I just got a copy of the most recent complete ‘demo’ CD and it is a rock and roll boner for sure! The guitar sounds are alternately clear and springy (in that glass tube way, you know) then growling, lush and punchy crunchy with plenty of edge. The drums are sounding great, even from my little speakers, the cymbals get plenty of mix and the snare and bass drums are both really well represented. The bass guitar sounds are clear and tight punchy, course my home speakers are just itty bitsy things so I don’t get all that fat low end but overall this is a really great sounding mix. Finally, the raspy and keening whining vocals are delivered right into the center of everything just as pretty as a picture. These songs are all very different from one another and this is not your typical homogenous sounding rock music, it’s sort of equal parts bashing garage and melancholy geek rock and it takes a few listens to get below the surface of MIRANDA’S MOON. My only complaint is that the lyrics are not printed on the CD insert.

KATE VOEGELE: Kate’s CD ‘The Other Side’ has top notch production values applied to it – it just a huge sounding CD with crystal clear sparkling warm acoustic guitars and dirty clean Fender sounding electric guitars. There are sweeping keyboard sounds, accordions, organs and assorted ‘orchestrations’ – no effort was sparred in putting this work together, it’s a jewel with Kate’s sinuous voice glowing at its center. I can’t really say much more that hasn’t probably already been said, Kate has had this ‘demo’ CD heard by some of the music industries top producers and I guess she is well on her way to making a full length CD sometime in the very near future. I imagine she will sign some kind of lucrative record deal before she is twenty years of age.

BASICALLY BLUE/ACOUSTICALLY BLUE: I really dig Kristine Jackson’s voice and on this demo CD she sounds dusky, honeyed, serious, sweet and sexy and green enough to sound ‘cute’ in the way one might apply the word to a playful and purring young kitten. The full band cuts are clean and groovy funky with sweet orchestration and really nice big brassy horn parts and some horn solos (Kristine is also a trumpet player). I also like the relaxed sounding acoustic tracks on this CD and hope Zack and Kristine will be able to play the U.C. Arabica some night.


I am so certain there were some other things on my mind, but now I dunno what they might have been.
Until later, have a nice … whatever it is you have.