Wes’ Gig Log - 2008
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Wes’ Gig Log - 2008 |
2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000
| Date | City | Venue |
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Sun., July 20, 2008
Moscow, ID: Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse 10th-Annual Gospel Sunday!
Can’t believe they’ve let us do this for ten years! I’ve never seen a crowd so big for any UUCP summer service (others concur), and though Dad and I’ll happily claim it, I’m sure it owes for to the imminent departures of one-time UUCP Music Director Cathy Green and Gospel Sunday Celebrant (and co-founder) The Rev. and newly-Doctored (maybe newly-‘Doctorated’—no plastic surgery involved...) Tami Moore, headed to Oklahoma...along with the Sonics... Love it when they come to sing!
Wed., July 2, 2008
Seattle, WA: Musicquarium Lounge @ the Triple Door
The best-laid plans... Drew up two sets tonight, plus a special five-song attention-grabber to insert whenever the mainstage show let out, but in hindsight I recognize two fatal assumptions: one, that we would have ample time/space to set-up; and two, that the esteemed mainstage headliner would not wrap before we were even underway (or all assembled for that matter...though nice of him to stick around for some of the set!). Once we settled some—which likely took me longer than everyone else given my personal makeup and the fact that I’d just come from a memorial service (R.I.P., Jim; glad to have known you)—’twas a nice evening in a fun room with a good (if occasionally over-enthusiastic) crowd. Whew!
Fri., June 20, 2008
Seldovia, AK: Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival
People come to Seattle and remark: “Wow!—water and mountains everywhere!” But all through my first twenty-four hours here in Alaska I find myself exclaiming: “WOW!—water and mountains everywhere!!” What a neat, unpretentious event in a marvelous setting (as billed) where one can walk anywhere (even to the airport to hop a John Deere ‘bush-plane’ back across the bay) and a tremendous community feel (even before a ton of family showed up!). Can’t wait for my next excuse to head back!...though the daylight plays with the sleep schedule quite a bit...
Sat., May 17, 2008
Renton, WA: Carco Theatre: Nelsen Middle School Concert Chorus Guest Composers Concert
My problem is that I don’t exaggerate like others do. I don’t drop ‘-est’ tags on everything, proclaiming each item I encounter in daily life the best, worst, or most-incredible thing ever, yet people shrug off my judicious superlatives as bombast or white noise just the same, assuming I’m like them in that respect (I’m not). I have, as folk point out regularly, a pretty good understanding of the English language, and if I need to use particular words—especially in writing—I will...so pay careful attention: what Brian Hoskins is doing with his choir program at Nelsen Middle School is nothing short of remarkable and unlike any other comparable outfit in the region and likely beyond. What other middle school director is commissioning original works from internationally-renowned composers, flying others across the country (twice!) to deliver Gospel goods to people who need to be told, tackling works last seen by the Seattle Men’s Chorus...and premiering works by a local singer/songwriter who thinks he tells it like it is better than you do (he does)? What other seventh-grader gets to sing at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre without American Idol-style humiliation? What a gift to the community and to the lives of these students and families!!
A treat to hang with Pete Malinverni, Jody Sandhaus, Scott Warrender—and, of course, the kids!! Amanda joins for “Carry On”.
And a big raspberry to the punk(s) who bashed in the window of Pete’s and Jody’s rental car...
Thu., May 8, 2008
Seattle, WA: Conor Byrne Pub
Again, if I could get these folks insurance (and convince ’em that their own abundant, additional undertakings should take a back seat) then I’d conscript all to WW band life full-time. Alas... Alicia opens with a set of her own and then the full outfit takes it the rest of the way for a nice house (and one local celebrity-type—who might’ve proved helpful at the other in-town attraction this evening) kept up past bedtime on an almost-springlike Thursday in the Northwest-People’s Republic. I’m happy to bring this group in any time; wonder if the film turned out...
Sun., April 20, 2008
Oysterville, WA: Oysterville House Concert
The entire community of Oysterville lies on the Register of National Historic Districts (and has since 1976), and my host (Oysterville gentry herself) has much to do with the town’s present presence and preservation (say that three times fast). Great crowd, enthusiasm, and all-around gig, and I much enjoyed the walking tour (Sydney and Nyel live in No. 13, across from the church) and visit afterward. I eagerly await a return: ‘Oysterville’ is not just a clever name.
(Those’re some massive piles of oyster shells on the drive in. And I couldn’t help thinking of The Fog at times while strolling around...)
Sat., April 19, 2008
Bellevue, WA: Crossroads
The Crossroads contract reminds performers that “our audience takes offense to comments like ‘I can’t believe I’m playing a mall’ and other put-downs of the venue”—which is perfectly appropriate given the wonderful, previously-espoused live-music-model-in-unlikely-setting this particular mall has maintained for sixteen years—but you try keeping your cheeky, in-the-know rhythm section in line for two full sets...on Brian’s birthday, no less! Good crowd as usual, and fun to debut a few new numbers/arrangements: Bon Jovi was meant to take the form of an acoustic waltz...
Sat., April 12, 2008
Pioneer, CA: Log Cabin House Concert
Not much one can do when the whole town has the flu... Still, sometimes the connection one makes to those in modest house-concert attendance—especially in such a strikingly-comfortable setting—is worth more than trying in front of scores in a noisy barroom. Fun, woodsy conversation before and after (learned about the Miner’s Cat), and figured this would be as good a time as any to attempt this forgotten chestnut, recovered a few days earlier whilst visiting an old friend who had unearthed a film from 2002.
Wed., April 9, 2008
Oakland/Emeryville, CA: Strings
What a cool model!: like other societies, etc., Strings members for their dues get great live music in a fabulous space and the chance to visit with one another at the regular events, hosted for fifteen years by one Joey Lent. Splitting a bill with Doug Blumer—late of The Westerleys and a truly great songwriter/entertainer/personality/presence—and pleased to be doing just that; nice pairing and fun night. These folk came to sing!
Sun., April 6, 2008
Campbell (San Jose), CA: TrueWind House Concert
If the spirit and benevolence it takes to host a house concert aren’t asking enough by themselves, TrueWind hosts Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon are doing it mid-remodel...and hosting a potluck and post-concert song-circle too! (Well, the potluck helps when you have no operable kitchen...) Nice in-the-round grouping/sharing, but the highlight comes after when the gathering becomes an episode of This is Your Life ambushing co-bill Ginny Mitchell, who finally discovers that the amiable gentleman who has sat right in front of her all night is in fact the very fellow whose dubious cover band played her eighth-grade graduation thirty-plus years ago and whom she has been trying to track down for more than a year. Love it. And better than the last time I was in-area.
Sat., March 22, 2008
Seattle, WA: Seattle Folklore Society
Night Two with the fearsome foursome. Happy to pull double-, producer/performer duty, though glad to do it on the back end. Got all into road-mode and now I find myself back after ~26 hours.
Fri., March 21, 2008
Portland, OR: Portland FolkMusic Society
PFS and my cronies with Seattle Folklore Society have collaborated some with bookings this season, and this month comes a special Portland/Seattle songwriters in-the-round billing in both cities: me; Val D’Alessio; Dan’l McIlhenny; and Joni Laurence. Always interesting to trace the musi-conversational thread in ITR settings—didn’t think we’d stay on goats for two full passes...
Sat., January 26, 2008
Maple Ridge, BC: Candlelight House Concert Series
Yes, greater-Vancouver is effectively tropical Canada, but I still think all Canadians should know how to drive in the snow as a requirement for citizenship (though it is really coming down). Still, some hearty souls make it out to Pam Southwell’s welcoming abode—likely winding (or sliding) their respective ways there more efficiently than me (how many darned Dewdney Trunk Roads are there?!)—and a nice night is had by all.
Sun., January 20, 2008
Moscow, ID: Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse
Another Gospel-y MLK service with Rev. Jim-Bob at UUCP. Got a title this time: Guest Soloist (with the choir).
Sat., January 12, 2008
Seattle, WA: House Concert
Took away from the recent FAR-West conference the sense that house concert presenters want some video content...so I thought I’d film one. Thanks to Dustin Patterson (camera) and Alicia Healey (sound):
More HERE