So here's the deal: I didn't do a dang thing last week. What kept me home, you ask? Two things - love and exhaustion. Let's deal with exhaustion first. I'm talking about the mental kind. Have you ever talked and talked until you're just out of stuff? Well, I'm there. Not that I haven't enjoyed all of the conversations I've had or the people I've talked to, I just wanted to take some time to be quiet, and that's hard to do in a bar and surrounded by people, you know. And then there's love. The scorned will scoff; the bitter will snarl. I'm with ya, but man it's a good feeling to have and worth hanging on to if you and your partner are worthy. And that translates - suddenly - into having a really good time with a couple (did I just say couple?) bottles of wine, parking your booties in front of the soul sucker (television) and getting a kick out of how truly bad American television has become.
So where does that leave us? Does this mean I am growing up? Gawd, I hope not. Will I continue squandering my hard earned cash in the pursuit of a good time, good convo and good company? Yes, please. Just probably not as often. So instead of hearing about my running 'round town last week, eating rich food, listening to music, checking out art and guzzling killer cocktails, let's talk about some of the other rad people and places around that make Tacompton and beyond as cool as it is. That's what you all enjoy, right? Seeing your name in print and giggling about it. Yeah, me too.
Shall we begin?
Ross Eckers, who acts as security (and beefcake) at Hell's Kitchen and road manager for metalicious 3 Inches of Blood, has just been given the sweet offer to be the road manager for Exodus. How many black T-shirts do you think he owns?
The sultry good looks of Miss Adrianne can be found behind the bar at Tempest Lounge on Saturday nights as she joins the Tempest family. I know there are usually few places to go and things to do Sunday evenings, so you'll be glad to know you can now add Tempest to that short list. Miss Adriane will be pouring the drinks that night as well. Did I mention Tempest's red felt covered pool table or the intimate patio in the back?
And just around the corner, the Monsoon Room has been having the occasional night of live music, typically tied in with Third Thursday. Other nights you can experience the musical whimsy of DJ JoMama, Uncle Eli and others. It's always free. Ultra hip girl Johanna Gardner has taken up bartending at Monsoon as well. She's one of the folks putting on the Urban Art Festival this summer.
Shakabrah Java has an open mic on Wednesday that's been attracting some very talented kids. Take the young Tommy Dean, the teen-age musical prodigy. I remember him from when he played opening slots at the Shoboat before it went down and seeing his band play The Swiss. This kid had an amazing grasp of old-time blues, even emulating the stance and facial expressions of some of the greats while doing blues covers. He's a bit older now, and as he puts it: "I've run through the blues. I spent my time with the blues, and now I've been writing my own stuff." I was lucky enough to listen to one of his originals as he spontaneously offered to play a song for me outside in front of Jazzbones after the Shakabrah jam ended.
Want to plug your band, your bar or your art? Shoot me a line. - Ginger Knoxx