I'm Not Bill Graham. Yet.

I don't really want to be a concert producer. I just want a cool concert poster with my name (or this website's name) on it. Well, I'm still not a concert producer -- and there's nary a poster in sight -- but I'm helping my great neighborhood record store host a show this weekend. Stinkweeds Record Exchange is holding a Saturday Singalong this Saturday (May 5th). They did a small number of kid-friendly singalong shows a while back at their old Tempe location, but with my instigation, they're restarting the series. Saturday Singalong version 2.0, I guess. And it happens to be during Stinkweeds' 20th Anniversary celebration (as well as the 1st Anniversary of their next-door neighbor, Frances), so there will be a definite party vibe going on. (Well, above and beyond the fact that it's Cinco de Mayo, which is about 2 or 3 years away from overtaking St. Patrick's Day as the national drinking holiday.) So if you're in the Phoenix area, stop by at 11 AM Saturday for an hour of free music from Dario's Magic Bus. (Sorry, no Myspace page or website. How retro.) Weather promises to be not so hot (in a good way), and they have a lovely and slightly shaded patio. Do join us.

Concert Review: Dan Zanes - Rialto Theatre, Tucson

I've been to a lot of great concerts in my life -- Bruce Springsteen, Buddy Guy, U2. One of the key factors is the feeling that the crowd is having a shared experience -- amazement at Bruce's endurance, Guy's prowess, or U2's yearning. But that communal experience is one that ends up being focused on the performer(s) on stage (or not, as Guy ended up his concert jamming on the sidewalk in front of the Cats Cradle in Chapel Hill (back when it was in Chapel Hill) while his band played on inside). The wonder of a Dan Zanes concert, then, is that he produces a very communal experience that isn't so focused on him. Instead, the community itself is the communal experience...

This Is The Last Time I Talk About the Brooklyn Weekend

OK, I actually spent last weekend with my wife and away from the kids, which was very relaxing. And fun. Amazing how long of a conversation you can have. But it's also clear that last weekend's Spare the Rock / AudraRox hootenanny and the Park Slope Parents concert in Brooklyn was a blast. So to stave off any thoughts of jealousy I'm only going to provide the links here once. Yeah, I know Gwyneth beat me to this, but I blame that on laziness on my part, not lack of creativity. Besides, for some reason I can't explain, some of you still aren't reading her site. You people. (Besides, I've got some new stuff here, too.) -- The artist list for Saturday night, along with a picture from Bill. (Edit: More thoughts and pictures here. Warning: Takes for-freakin' ever to load.) -- Amy's inital thoughts here, with pictures from both concerts here. -- Gwyneth's thoughts and photos. -- Yosi's thoughts and a few photos. -- Warren weighed in. -- Hilltown Familes made the trek -- here are their photos (those may be gone -- try here instead). Also, Hilltown Families also put together a sweet collage. -- Photos of Saturday's hootenanny here, from Susan Fox, who clearly left early because, you know, she was putting on Sunday's concert. -- A video of Audra and Jen from AudraRox doing "D is for Drums" with Marty Beller [warning: very large file] -- Speaking of Sunday's concert, see a long slideshow with a fun though unrelated rendition of "Enjoy Yourself" here. Note: Adam from Astrograss just let me know they played "Enjoy Yourself" as a group finale. -- Here is another slideshow with (studio) versions of songs from the compilation. Now to check in on the other hootenanny/fests in the works...

Pirates and Disco Balls

Yeah, I know there was a show or two in Brooklyn last week, but I would be remiss if I did not direct you to Belinda and Hova's recap of their Grease Ball on March 18th. Doug Snyder of the Jellydots played, and Captain Bogg and Salty played at least one new song, "Don't Drink Sea Water." Another report can be found here. I can't decide if their description of one of Doug's songs ("a song about multiplying by three") was either very laconic humor or surprising lack of pop-cultural knowledge, but in either case it made me chuckle.