Instead of the usual personal profile, let’s just do a little musical merry go-round about upcoming events and shows. First up, and I’m so excited about this one I can hardly stand it, is the annual Play Music on the Porch Day coming up next Saturday, August 29th. The good folks at Kindred Folk Society (yes, Jane Vonderheide is in the middle of it, no surprise!) have lined up 18 porches all over downtown and literally dozens of musicians. It’s free, and it happens all afternoon.
The best way I can put this unique event into perspective is to bring in an outside perspective. Last July my father-in-law, Jim Norris, had just moved to Madison and was settling into life at River Terrace and starting to enjoy his new golf cart. He didn’t know Porch Day from Arbor Day, and he didn’t yet fully grasp what it means to live in Indiana’s Music City. When I suggested we take his cart out on Porch Day and cruise some of the porches, he said, Sure, let’s go.
It turned into a day Jim will never forget, and I know I had so much fun watching his reaction and surprise as he discovered for himself what an amazing event Porch Day has become. He was wide-eyed, he was incredulous, and he was utterly charmed by the sheer joy he witnessed that day. It was like he’d stumbled into the Musical Land of Oz, and the munchkins all came out driving golf carts and playing guitars! Needless to say he is totally stoked about attending next Saturday. If you had other plans for Aug. 29th, change them now and experience Porch Day for yourself.
The other event I want to mention is happening this weekend, Aug. 21 and 22. It’s the first ever Madison BBQ Party and BBQ Blast, taking the place of Ribberfest that has happened on this weekend for the last 20+ years. I know there are a lot of opinions about this change, but I for one am all for it. I’ve always felt that the barbeque didn’t get enough attention at Ribberfest, and this new format has great potential to be even more fun and tasty. And fear not, the music has not gone away.
Starting on Friday at 5:30 you can see Anthony Ray Wright, Mike Mulligan & Steam Shovel at 7:30, then the excellent Shelby Lore Band closing things out at 9:30. Then on Saturday the music starts again at 5:30 with BG Johnson’s Big Brass Band, 5-Piece Chicken Dinner at 7:30, and Jimmy Davis Band at 9:30. This new Party has the promise to be a lot more laid back, a lot more food focused, and have lots of great local music and fun energy. Oh, and did I mention it’s free now! No more price of admission or food tickets or any of that hassle. Just grab some friends, come on down and join the party!
Finally, I want to take a quick look back to last Saturday, when the band King Bee & the Stingers played at Red Bicycle Hall. I attended that show and it was one of those rare musical magical moments, when the band gets in a groove, the audience gets pulled along, and it becomes one of those nights that will live in your memory forever. Frankly, it doesn’t happen every time at every show. Sometimes it’s good, but not special. But when it hits, when the stars align and the magic happens, you don’t want to be anywhere else. And you’ll wish all your friends were there with you.
I guess my point is, you have to get yourself off the couch and go to a bunch of shows. You have to put yourself out there where live music is happening. You’ll always have fun, and in this town, the music will always be excellent. But every now and then you’ll catch lightning in a bottle. I’ve had it happen at Vintage Lanes on Jazz Night. It happened once at 1st Street Saloon at a Wednesday open mic night. More than a few times at Red Bike. Oh and Thomas Family Winery, more than once.
It can happen at any venue in town on any given night, but like they say about the lottery, you gotta play to win! This weekend has about 30 musical lotto tickets all around town. Get out there and try your luck.
HOT TIP OF THE WEEK
Zach Hackney and his band, Vaguely Familiar, were the opening act at the Red Bicycle Hall show last Saturday. And it just reinforced a fact I already knew … Zach is one helluva musician and vocalist, and his band is super tight. Anytime you can see the band or Zach solo you should jump at the opportunity. Fortunately for us, we get that chance at least once a week here in Madison. He’s at Rivertown Grill on Thursday. The other reminder I got last weekend was how special the Jazz Nights can be at Vintage Lanes on Friday nights. Last week featured Michael Fortunato on his woodwind instruments, and he was on fire! And Rob Houze on bass was sublime, as usual. We should not take for granted how lucky we are to have pro-level jazz happening in our little Hoosier town. It is a rare thing, believe me.
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