350 Fair!

Okay, okay... so this was a while ago (2 Saturdays ago to be exact), but I was busy going to lots of events! And also there was Halloween... yeah... But this is perfect timing because I can actually just remind you to vote tomorrow! Ulster County elections are here!

170 countries participated, held events to create awareness about climate change. The goal is to get the carbon density back down to 350. Then the climate will be stable. So... let's get to it! Turn off your lights when you can! Ride your bike instead of driving!



Soul Purpose played some classics like "Mustang Sally", "Superstition", and (yes, they had to) "Soul Man".














High School rappers "Pistols for Pandas" spit some environmentally friendly rhymes.

Then Betty and the Baby Boomers played some classic folk songs.

It was a lovely day, the biggest Haz Park event this year :)

Friday Night Music! ... what I was awake for

Friday night was one of the biggest music nights that New Paltz has seen in a while. Unfortunately, I passed out. (Oh vodka, you've done be wrong.) What I did see was pretty exciting.

The Rhodes played their new singles! For the sake of New Paltz's Rhodes nostalgia, they performed a bunch of their old songs, too. I remember how I fell in love with The Rhodes last year. They booked every Tuesday night at Oasis, murdering jazz Tuesdays (which a lot of my jazz major friends were pissed about). But they made Tuesday nights exciting, livening them with Beatles-esque dance songs. Now they've left home, playing a lot more frequently in Brooklyn. They even played CMJ this year. Impressive.

Also, Adir Cohen (musical genius, makes it look easy) and his band Sharks Roar played at Cabs. I'm so sad that I missed this, but if you missed it and you're sad too, you can make it up to him! (I'm projecting.) He's hosting a big acoustic show at Oasis next Tuesday night! 18+, 2 for 1 drinks, what more could you want?

In The Pocket Helps Swing Hips

Be prepared. I'm gonna hyperbolize this shit: In The Pocket is the best, most dance-worthy band I've seen perform in New Paltz to date. Okay, okay... The Jonny Monster Band was pretty damn dance-worthy, too. But my hips have never churned so violently in one night before. They nearly danced themselves off of my body.

The band members for the evening included a pair of twins, a music teacher, a singing drummer (!), an above-average guitarist, and the ever-popular VT.

Favorite number of the night? Pass the Peas! I always want bands to play that song. It's the shit. It's also my new ringtone...

So here's the deal, this band is the bee's knees and you'd best be watchin' out for it. I'll tell you all about their next gigs. They play all over the place. New Paltz was just one stop on their groove train, but the other places they play aren't too far away. If you're carless, ask me for a ride. I'll try to fit you in my teeny tiny VW bug :)

Gertrude's Paradise at Oasis!

One week ago today, a star was borne in mine eye. It was called Gertrude's Paradise. This band takes edge over the edge. The corrupt merging of string instruments with the hardness of nearly-punk vocals from Liana Gabel and Mike Hollis was powerful. Keep an eye and an ear out for them. Their sound is unique, to this town if not this world.

Quatrane's Return to Oasis

It's where they began, and they returned this past Thursday. They were as amazing as ever. This time, VT brought his baby Casio. It was one of those old school keyboards. (I had one when I was a little Kate.)

Bassist and hat wearer, Ben Basile-

Check out his other band, In the Pocket, at Oasis this Tuesday, October 20th at 10:00 PM

Mike Kadnar, drums and... do I even have to say it?

Catfish Brown (Chris Dayton to the un-hip and un-jazzy) on guitar

VT and his ever-famous two trumpet routine

Vince again, with his baby keyboard

Oh yeah, and that lovely ham Chris Hernandez jumped on for a few tunes. Here he is on his sax with VT on trumpet.

I don't know when their next show is... but I will, of course, keep everyone updated. Or you could just look for the strangest flyers you see (ex: Samuel L. Jackson, Christopher Walken...)

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y... NIGHT!

This past Saturday The Jings had a gig at 60 Main. It was the first time I'd seen them, and I have to say... next big thing? Yup, I think so. Their sound is both unique and catchy, a rare and wonderful pairing. Rhythm guitarist and vocalist, Oscar Bilger, has such a pure and moving tone to his voice. They'll be playing at Muddy Cup on Friday, October 23rd at 9:00 with Mother's Borsch, so feel free to check that out :) They'll also be at Oasis on Tuesday, October 27th and again on Tuesday, November 10th. That's right, Tuesdays will be eventful.

Other acts of the evening included The Big Toe, Charles Cullen, and one Mister Jordan Siwek.

The Big Toe put a clarinet into the mix, making them even more amazing than they already are.

Charles Cullen roared out a couple of tunes. His vocals are emotionally charged for sure. I enjoyed it a lot.

And, of course, Jordan rocked it out with classic Alpha State (RIP) hits such as The Missing Piece and Soar. Then he covered some amazing songs like Radiohead's "Creep" and David Bowie's "Life on Mars".

Amazing evening! 60 Main is a pretty good place to be on the weekends. There's art and music and positive energy. Plus, really lovely people will make you coffee.

Rock the Vote!

There was yet another event in Hasbrouck Park, calling on all of us New Paltzians to be active. This time the message was, specifically, to vote in local elections! There's an election in November, so keep your eyes peeled for NYPIRGers and register to vote in New Paltz. The day also included lots and lots of music.

The day began at noon with a performance by Quatrane. The poor weather resulted in a small crowd, but Quatrane rocked the gazebo, experimenting more due to a more casual setting.

Then Ed Daley and The Allstars came on the gazebo-stage. There were some additions and subtractions since their last performance at Haz Park. The group contains many Allstars.

Haden Minifie joined the band and started a sing-along with the crowd. She wailed an outstanding and enthusiastic rendition of "Lean On Me" followed by a couple of other equally group-loved tunes.

After this joyous crowd unity, The Jonny Monster Band played. They revealed music that was made to move hips.

The finale of the day was a performance by The Big Takeover (which I sadly missed... if anyone has pictures, please send them to me?)

Anyway, there will be another of these festive days filling the park with music on Saturday, October 24th.

Weekend Music

Friday is a night known for drunkenness, for bars and parties and too many drugs. This past Friday, I went to the Muddy Cup instead, and it was definitely an above average evening. The band did not play typical coffee house music. It was highly dance-worthy, and very loud, an eclectic blend of amplified sound. The group has been together since 2006. They currently call themselves Umbrella, a name originally used for Mark Reynolds' solo project, but the band will be re-titled sometime in the near future. They're pretty damn skilled musicians, so you should all feel free to check them out.

Mike McGee Comes to New Paltz!

Slam poet, Mike McGee will be performing in New Paltz on Tuesday, October 6th in Student Union 100 (yes, on campus). Here's a quick preview of Mike McGee's poetry, his podcast, and... wait for it... yeah, it's a twitter. And as though it wasn't cool enough that Mike McGee was coming to our little school, the ever-brilliant Megan Falley and Tracy Soren will be opening for him. You should all check it out. I anticipate a lot of inspiration.

These are just a taste...

Liana and The Michaels at Oasis Cafe

Last night, Tuesday night, Liana and The Michaels played at Oasis Cafe. The band had a smooth, balanced sound, highlighting Liana Gabel's unique voice. They played primarily jazz tunes, but once during the night, Liana broke out into a folky cover of Joanna Newsom's "Sadie" (not gonna lie; It was my favorite moment...) Not nearly enough people came, so please be sure to make it out to their next gig.

Vocalist, Liana Gabel

Guitarist, Michael Hollis

Drummer, Michael Kadnar

Bassist, Ben "Michael" Basile

Market Market

Rosendale isn't quite New Paltz, but it ain't too far. Thursday nights, at a place called Market Market, Marvin "Bugalu" Smith hosts jazz jam sessions. There have been two so far, and this week will be number three. It starts at 9:00 PM, and if you enjoy listening to jazz or playing jazz, you might as well go. Here's a taste at what you'll be hearing:

A night at Market, Market 4 KesaiRiddick drums from Marvin Bugalu Smith on Vimeo.

A night at Market, Market 5 KesaiRiddick drums by from Marvin Bugalu Smith on Vimeo.

Yes, that is VT on trumpet... :)

Liana and The Michaels!

"Liana and The Michaels" are playing this Tuesday, September 29th at Oasis! Be there...

Also, why don't I just mention some other upcoming gigs? Is that cool?

"The Big Shoe" is playing at Oasis this Friday, October 2nd.

Then Ben Basile and his twin and the other members of "In The Pocket" will be at Oasis on October 20th, also at 10:00 PM.

Enjoy the music :)

Activist Day!

This past Wednesday was Activist Day in Hasbrouck Park. It was a "celebration" of Earth Overshoot Day (which is actually today, September 25th 2009). For more information on how the planet is dying go here: http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/earth_overshoot_day/

Although it marked a pretty bad moment in history, there was music, poetry, activism, and of course, hippies dancing.

First, Ed Daley and a couple of his Allstars performed. They played "Tangled Up in Blue", "Imagine", and a lot of other tunes in that vein. It was a true New Paltz gathering.

Here he is! Ed Daley!

And some of his Allstars...

The band grew in size...

Then Quatrane played.

It was another great show for them. Be prepared to hear a lot about their gigs.

Catfish Brown on guitar...

Ben Basile on bass and Mike Kadnar on drums





VT on trumpet, Ben Basile on bass


















Yes, it's a 5 string bass.

NYPIRG will be sponsoring a (larger? happier?) fair at Hasbrouck Park on Saturday, October 24th.

There's also another event at Hasbrouck Park next Saturday, October 3rd. Its purpose is to promote voting in local elections, and it's sponsored by Democracy Matters at New Paltz. There will be repeat performances by "Ed Daley and The Allstars" and "Quatrane" as well as some other great bands: "The Big Takeover" and "Liana and The Michaels". So check it out :)

Hello, facebook links!

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=143659076745&ref=nf http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=130077281191&index=1