Cheyenne's Reproacher launches new CD July 15 at Ernie November

On the road with the Monk and Moby Grape

When the idea came up for me to come to California and tag along as a possible back-up singer in M.L. Liebler and Peter Lewis's poetry and music act, I thought it was just a passing product of the time when you all meet for the first time and everybody's high on the positivity of whatever event that brings you all together. (M.L. and Peter came for Wyoming Poetry Out Loud at the end of February of this year.) So I really never thought that it would happen. Then Peter called me and asked me if I was still coming. "Absolutely," I decided at that moment.

You might want to get your broom and dustpan out now so you can sweep up all the names I'll be dropping here. It's the world that these guys travel in. All very nice folks, working hard at their craft. And a note on the visuals--they aren't great.

This past long weekend was my trip to Hollywood. ML picked me up at the airport after having spent all Thursday afternoon practicing with Peter and the band out in Venice. They had three gigs scheduled, one each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, and the performance in Venice at Beyond Baroque in the theatre would be the first.

Capitol Records Building

On Friday morning, M.L. and I went to Redondo Beach for a 2-mile fast walk. He warned me. I kept up, but he definitely won. He then took me on a mini Hollywood tour; first past the  Capitol Records building. Then past movie and television stars homes -- Ozzie and Harriet's, Lucille Ball's, Jack Benny's and Agnes Moorehead's. I took a photo of the Nelson's house, the front door of which was used in the opening shot of the TV show when the family would come out and stand during the opening credits.



Nelson's home

We drove past Book Soup, the famous independent book seller. M.L. was there for Chris Lemmon's (Jack Lemmon's son) book signing, where he sat next to Jack Klugman. There's where The Morrissey's have an apartment. There's the hotel (now an apartment house) where Janis Joplin died. Down this street is where Sal Mineo was stabbed to death. There's Whiskey a Go Go. The Roxy. Past Doheny Drive. Laurel Canyon. Stone Canyon Road, where Ricky Nelson lived and the band's name came from. Peter and Ricky were good friends. There's a song titled "Between Clark and Hillsdale." M.L. has this classic album. We drove by Pink's, the famous hot dog stand where many of the stars eat. There was a big line. M.L. had a dog there the day before. "Sometimes the line is all the was down the block," he said.

That afternoon, the boys wanted to have another short practice session and so I met Tony, at whose house they were practicing. Tony and Peter became friends when Tony was doing a documentary on Moby Grape, which is yet to be released. I also met Bill Bentley, drummer (VP of Vanguard Records; there isn't anybody in the music business who doesn't know Bill, and vice versa), who put on some nice brush work. M.L. and I took off to get ready for the gig.

Beyond Baroque is THE literary and arts center in L.A., and one of the leading poetry centers in the U.S. There are a few other centers around the country that also reach this realm -- Poetry Center in San Francisco; St. Mark's Poetry Project in New York City; Poetry Flash in Berkeley. The black box style theatre seats 70 and is, as you'd expect, intimate. M.L. and Peter were brought in under Baroque's new Beyond Music (scroll down to read more) series.

Poster in Beyond Baroques's
window

That evening I met Joyce Jenkins, editor and publisher of Poetry Flash. She came to California from Detroit in the 1970s to do the hippie and literary thing and ended up staying. I also met her daughter Claire, who is a visual artist. Claire and I had a terrific conversation about the weird kind of isolationism of L.A. and the famous Hollywood sign that LAers inevitably try to inventively climb up to (artistically and financially), but who are all living under it's seemingly significant cultural shadow.

The Friday gig went well. Joyce began the program with readings of poems that she'd written about Detroit, "in a California state of mind." A poem to her friend who passed away, "Robin's Song," was poignant and heartbreaking. The full band sounded great. Joining the band was Willie Aaron, guitarist and producer for Leonard Cohen, and Willie's longtime friend from childhood, Dave Sawyer on bass. M.L.'s and Peter's current repertoire usually includes works such as, "The Road," a tribute to Jack Kerouac; "Louisiana," "Jesus Gonna Be Here," "London," (poem by William Blake); "It's Late," a Ricky Nelson tribute; " and "Monkey Man," by The Rolling Stones.

M.L. picked me up on Saturday morning. We made a trip to Amoeba, that bills itself as the "World's Largest Independent Record Store," and carries vinyl, CDs, DVDs, and all kinds of rock memorabilia. What a store! We could have spent hours there. M.L. has on other occasions, but that morning, he was scheduled for an interview with Rattle Magazine. I met Editor-In-Chief Alan C. Fox, who greeted us at the front door and escorted us to his offices; editor Tim Green, and Daveen, Alan's wife and board member. The interview, which Alan thought turned out as one of their best, will be in the December issue.

We reached Peter's and we all dressed up for the gig in San Luis Obispo. Peter put on his tuxedo shirt painted with bunches of purple grapes down the placket and on the back tail. It was given to him by a movie star, whose name escapes me at the moment, but you'd know her if I dropped it here.

The drive wasn't far. San Luis is a quaint little town with a European-feel downtown area; it is one of California's oldest communities. There are many historical buildings there. The coffee shop where we'd be playing wasn't busy at all, maybe three people in the back room wheree the stage area was; the person who was supposed to greet us wasn't there. After a couple of songs, for which we received absolutely no notice, it was decided that we'd go to Pismo Beach and have some dinner. We sat out on the heated patio and had wine, big bowls of clam chowder, crab cakes and calamari. It was relaxing, something that it seemed like we hadn't had time for since I'd arrived. When we returned to Peter's he put in the so far unreleased CD recording of Moby Grape members Jerry Miller, Don Stevenson and Peter, Skip Spence's son, Omar, and John Mellencamp's rhythm section, of Grape classics and newer songs. Omar is a terrific rock vocalist. The music moves from rock to Peter's more gentle folk rock songs, and  songs in between.

Peter also let me listen to a couple of new songs that he's composed for a new solo CD. They were surprising in that he moved away from his beautifully gentle melodies and rocked out on these, but they sounded terrific -- relevant and contemporary, but with that history of having authored "brilliant masterpiece songs," brought forward to this point in time. Peter is really such a talented musician and song writer, in that league of people who have been creating in their discipline and have not only the technical discipline and background but the quick discernment about their work and others' work they encounter -- what it might need to make it better or more complete. And as many accomplished artists can, he works very quickly. He does all of his recording work on a Roland Boss digital device, and puts on all the tracks himself -- lead guitar, rhythm, lead vocals, harmony, bass and drums. His studio is minimalist, effecient and effective: a desk on which sits the recording machine, a pair of headphones, a pair of small speakers, a single mic on a stand, and a stool. Peter has been an inspiration to me, as he is to many.

On Sunday, we had to get up to Berkeley for the performance which would be a fund raiser for Poetry Flash at the Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Theatre (scroll down on home page under June events, and read about this event at Sunday 06/26/11). M.L. and Peter were up second. I joined them for a couple of songs, playing my ukelele, strumming on one song, playing "uke drum" on the next, because I didn't know all the chords to that one yet. Poets read -- Susan Browne, Raymond Nat Turner, and David Meltzer, an icon of the Beat generation poets and the San Francisco Renaissance. He and his wife Julie Rogers read together and then David closed the show by reading "When I Was a Poet" (City Lights, 2011), also the title of his most recent publication of  collected works. We stood when he was done with that one. Whew! We had a great time.

M.L. and I had to leave early on Monday, and so didn't get to say goodbye to Peter, he was still sleeping. We were very late getting home, and had to leave by 9 a.m. to get back in time return the rental car and miss any delays at the airport security checkpoints. But, we did get back to LA in time to go to Pink's and have a dog. We pulled at a most opportune moment. There were only a few people in line; we were served quickly.

ML in front of Pink's

M.L. was on a different airline than I, and his plane was leaving before mine, so we said our goodbye's on the rental car shuttle. He really took terrifically great care of me.

M.L. is off to Israel in a couple of weeks to teach a class sponsored by the State Department. He's been doing an American Studies program since about 2006. As all things do, the classes have evolved from teaching creative writing to teaching classes in American Studies -- The Beach Boys, African-American experience, Native Americans.

Watch for a further article focused more on M.L.'s and Peter's collaborative relationship. They will soon be releasing a CD of ten songs based on M.L.'s poetry that Peter has put to music. If my instincts are on, it will be worth adding this to your music library.

--Linda Coatney

Jentel Presents July 5 at SAGE Space in Sheridan

Jentel Artist Residency Program is pleased to present this month’s residents in an event open to the public.  “Jentel Presents” will take place Tuesday, July 5, 2011 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at SAGE Space, in the Historic Train Depot on 5^th and Broadway, across from The Sheridan Inn.   This month’s presenters include a sculptor, an installation artist, a painter/performance artist, a fiction writer, a creative non-fiction writer and a printmaker. “Jentel Presents” is a community outreach program that features visual presentations and readings by the visual artists and writers at the residency.

Presenters include: Elissa Cox, West Union, IA; A sculptor, Elissa has seen the world and lived in many cities but has decided to live in a small community in Iowa. Where she can create and imagine her sculptures. Rebecca Cummins, Seattle, An optical sculptor/photographer, Rebecca is the oldest of 7, she is from Lehigh, Iowa (pop. 497). She now lives in beautiful, drooly Seattle after 16 years in Australia. She can yodel a little. John Gonzalez, Boston; A painter/performance artist, John believes creativity is the last subjective refuge within a systematic and standardized world. As an artist, it is his job to reframe and repurpose these systems. John Lee, Menlo Park, CA; A fiction writer, John likes outdoor sports, second running cinemas, afternoon ball games, coffee shops with character, Japanese noodles, short stories, long drives, spicy food, chamber music, the novels of William Maxwell and Kazuo Ishiguro, any wearable cotton, English breakfast tea, fresh baked cookies, pale lagers, fall afternoons and girls in hats. Gail Schilling,  Concord, NH; A creative non-fiction writer, Gail, a single mother,  supported her four kids by skinning antelope, singing at funerals, teaching – and writing. As an empty nester, she wandered France alone – still writing. Sarah Smelser, Bloomington, IL; A printmaker, Sarah enjoys picking the yarn more than wearing the sweater, chopping the ingredients more than eating the meal, taking the walk more than reaching the destination.

For anyone looking for a stimulating evening, come join the crowd at the SAGE Space, at the Historic Train Depot, 5^th and Broadway.  There is no admission charge for “Jentel Presents” and refreshments are available.

The Jentel Foundation offers dedicated individuals a supportive environment in which to further their creative development. While at Jentel, visual artists and writers have the opportunity to experience unfettered time to allow for thoughtful reflection and meditation on the creative process in a setting that preserves the agricultural and historical integrity of the land.

The Jentel Artist Residency Program accepts applications twice a year from visual artists in all media and writers in all genres for a one-month residency. A residency includes a comfortable accommodation; common living, dining and recreation areas; a private workspace and a stipend to help defray expenses during the program.  For more information please visit www.jentelarts.org or call Jentel at (307)737-2311.

In Minot, the show will go on once flood waters recede

Photo by Eloise Ogden, Minot Daily News

Have to hand it to Cheyenne's unofficial sister city, Minot, N.D. (Minot has missiles too).

The rain and decidedly un-summerlike weather has put a serious crimp in the Arts in the Parks summer concert series, but organizers hope to resume the Oak Park performances as soon as is practical. 

Read about it at Arts in the Parks on hold from MinotDailyNews.com

The show must go on, and it will, as soon as the Souris River recedes and patrons don't need boats to attend concerts.

There are many ways to support Minot's hardy people and its lively arts scene. There is the very active Minot Area Council of the Arts. Many of the city's arts venues will need restoration. That takes money, which always is in short supply in the non-profit arts world. Also see the complete list of community and government resources at http://www.minotdailynews.com/. Donations to the American Red Cross can be designated for a particular need. Go here. 

Tha BossFoundation performs at VFW 1881 for Fourth of July weekend concert

Get updates at Tha BossFoundation on Facebook

"Murder Rides Again... in Jackson Hole" opens June 22

Jackson Community Theater presents "Murder Rides Again....in Jackson Hole," a wacky wild west murder mystery Dessert Theater show for the whole family. 

Discover how the West was fun!

Shows are June 22, 23, 24 at the Elks Lodge, 7:30 pm. Tickets available at Valley Books and at the door.

Call 307-733-7925 for more information. 

Micah Wyatt on stage at the Oasis Lounge June 3

Musician Micah Wyatt will perform on Friday, June 3, 6 p.m., at the newly reopened Oasis Lounge at the Holiday Inn, 1809 Sugarland Drive, Sheridan.

Musician Micah Wyatt will perform on Friday, June 3, 6 p.m., at the newly reopened Oasis Lounge at the Holiday Inn, 1809 Sugarland Drive, Sheridan. 

Amazing Arthur on stage June 25 at NIC Fest

Self-proclaimed “professional showoff” and “comedy superhero” Arthur Fratelli – who’s also known as The Amazing Arthur – will be one of the featured Family Area performers for NIC Fest 2011. On Saturday, June 25, Arthur will be showing off his talents at the Natrona County Public Library at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. He will take to the NIC Fest Family Area Stage on Sunday, June 25, at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. As a professional family entertainer, Fratelli travels the country performing a unique blend of magic, juggling, yoyo tricks and comedy.  Fratelli has more than 12 years of full-time stage experience, and is constantly refining his act. He is also a former elementary school teacher and a past student in the prestigious Second City comedy school in Chicago. For more information about The Amazing Arthur, visit www.theamazingarthur.com.

UW Happy Jacks on concert tour through 5/21/11

UW Happy Jacks, a cappella group

5.16.11, 7:00 p.m., Newcastle HS Auditorium, free

5.17.11, 7:00 p.m., Rapid City Central HS Theatre, Rapid City, S.D., free

5.18.11, 6:30 p.m., Tongue River HS Auditorium, free

5.19.11, 3:00 p.m., Campbell Co. Senior Ctr., Gillette, free
5.20.11, 7:00 p.m., Big Horn HS Auditorium, free

5.21.11, 7:30 p.m., Kelly Walsh HS Auditorium, Casper, ticked by ArtCore

Ensemble entertainment with George & Kristi Armijo May 15 at Casper College

“Ensemble Entertainment with the Armijos” on Sunday, May 15, 4 p.m., in Durham Hall, Aley Fine Arts Center, Casper College in Casper.

George and Kristi Armijo are active members of Casper’s musical community. Both sing with the Casper Civic Chorale and are members of the Casper Recorder Consort. George is a freelance trumpet player in the Casper area and has performed with the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Beach Civic Symphony, Augusta, GA Symphony Orchestra, Armed Forces School of Music Bands, Casper Municipal Band and Casper College organizations. Both Armijos are graduates of the University of Wyoming in Music Education. George has done graduate work in music at the University of Northern Colorado, University of Wyoming and George Washington University. Kristi has a MA in Curriculum and Development from National Louis University .For more info and tickets, go to http://www.artcorewy.com/event.php?id=218

Wyoming Plays the WYO features Jalan Crossland and Doug Andrews May 7

Via Facebook:

Wyoming Plays the WYO is an annual showcase of the best of Wyoming musicians and songwriters, including young upstarts, local favorites and top professionals from throughout the Cowboy State. This year at the WYO Theater in downtown Sheridan we feature a true Wyoming native and crowd favorite, Jalan Crossland Saturday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. Many have seen and heard Jalan live with his boot kickin band but this concert features Jalan, solo, with only his dusty vocals and trusty music makin’ gadgets to back him up and as an extra special treat, Doug Andrews will open the evenin’ with his own entertainin’ style. Join Doug & Jalan spinnin’ the tales of the Rocky Mountain West in a comfortable little place we call home.

And after the concert, join Jalan & Doug next door for an after party. $20 gets you into the party with Jalan, Doug, free beer, hors d'oeuvres from Oliver's and a cash bar. You're gonna spend that money anyway, might as well stick around for the party!

Ensembles and soloists take the stage May 5 at Casper College

A concert consisting of small ensembles and soloists will take place on Thursday, May 5 beginning at 7 p.m. in Durham Recital Hall at Casper College in Casper.

The concert will feature the Casper College Brass Ensemble under the direction of Douglas Bull, brass instructor, and the Casper College Flute Ensemble under the direction of Delores Thornton, adjunct flute instructor.

In addition to the ensembles, the concert will feature brass duets, flute duets, a flute solo, a scene from an opera, and others to be announced at the concert.

Durham Recital Hall is located in the Aley Fine Arts Center. The concert is free and open to the public.

Follow Casper College events on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/caspercollegeadmissions 

Dubois summer concerts to benefit Chance Phelps Foundation and Needs of Dubois

Suzy Bogguss (shown in photo) and Western Underground will perform in concert in the Dubois Town Park on Friday and Saturday, August 19 & 20. The concerts will benefit two local charities: Chance Phelps Foundation (CPF) and Needs of Dubois (NOD) 

Delta Sonics perform at Plains Hotel April 29

The Delta Sonics, a blues band from Denver, will perform in the grand ballroom of the Historic Plains Hotel in downtown Cheyenne on Friday, April 29, 8 p.m. Advance tickets $10 at Phoenix Books and Music, 1612 Capitol Ave. Tickets at the door will be $12. FMI: 307-632-3476

Stanislas Sextet in concert at UW April 28

The Stanislas Sextet, chamber musicians from France, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28, in the University of Wyoming Fine Arts concert hall.

Tickets, $7.50 for general admission and $5.50 for students and senior citizens, are available at the Fine Arts Box Office.

The program will include two blockbuster chamber music masterpieces: Mendelssohn's "String Octet," in collaboration with the UW String Faculty's Summit Chamber Players, and Tchaikovsky's sweeping "Souvenir de Florence."

The Stanislas Sextet brings together members of the French-based string quartet, the Quatuor Stanislas and two American musicians, violinist John Fadial and cellist Beth Vanderborgh, both UW faculty members. Since first performing in 1996, the sextet has enjoyed many fruitful collaborations and has performed regularly on both sides of the Atlantic.

The sextet's other members are: Laurent Causse, violin and viola; Bertrand Menut, violin; Marie Triplet, viola; and Jean de Spengler, cello.

The sextet will be in residence with the UW Department of Music for five days of rehearsals, master classes and discussions.

Photo: The Stanislas Sextet performs April 28 at the University of Wyoming (Stanislas Sextet)

Casper College Chamber Orchestra performs Mozart May 1 at St. Mark's

Mozart’s “Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra in A Major and his composition “Vesperae de Dominica,” will be the highlights of the 2011 Music of the Masters Concert featuring the Casper College choirs, the Casper College Chamber Orchestra and soloists Jerome Fleg, Gary DePaolo, and Douglas Bull on Sunday, May 1 at 2 p.m.

The concert will begin with a performance of Mozart’s “Concerto” featuring Fleg on clarinet, followed by “Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in G Major” by George Phillip Telemann featuring DePaolo on viola, and ending with “Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra” by Johann Nepomuk Hummel featuring Bull on trumpet.

The second half of the concert the Casper College Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir, and Collegiate Chorale will perform Mozart’s “Vesperae.”

The chamber orchestra is under the direction of Jennifer Cowell, Casper College strings and orchestra instructor, while the choirs are under the direction of Patrick Patton, Casper College voice and choir instructor.

The concert, which is free and open to the public, will take place at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church located on the corners of 7th and Wolcott streets in Casper. A free-will offering will be accepted at the door. Proceeds will go to help defray the costs of music-related events.

FMI: Lisa S. Icenogle, Information Coordinator, Casper College, 800-442-2963, ext. 2372

Inda Eaton returns to Casper May 7

May 7, 2011 • 7:30 p.m.
Kelly Walsh High School Auditorium

Acoustic rock artist Inda Eaton receives nationwide critical acclaim for her innovative songwriting – often compared to a fusion of John Mellencamp and Melissa Etheridge.

Inda and her band have opened for names such as Hootie and the Blowfish, LeAnn Rimes, Smashmouth, Chicago and John Hiatt.

Performing original work and featuring guests from the Casper and New York neighborhoods, she will debut music from the upcoming, sixth independent album.

“... Inda Eaton, a uniquely talented singer/songwriter who played to a full house. Eaton writes songs that are a little Indigo Girls, a little Springsteen, but largely-her. I was struck by how accessible the tunes were without being trite or simplistic. These were perfectly structured songs with good lyrics that led the first-time listener easily from section to section. Eaton’s vocals and stage presence are confident and highly likable.” –TalkHouse

Ozy Theater makes promises it can't keep for April 30 improv show at the Atlas in Cheyenne

Found this announcement on Facebook. Since the event is coming us soon, and it involves comedy and raises funds for the local community theatre, we're sharing it. Please come out to the Atlas and give these poor souls some appreciation:

Hello Ozy-maniacs!

Your friends at Ozymandian Theater are back with a ONE NIGHT ONLY improv show that is promised to change your entire life! By simply attending our improv show you will become a brand new person.

Here is a small list of just a few of the positive side effects you will benefit from by just coming to the show:

**Become better looking!

Earn the respect of your peers!

Have a very healthy bank account!

Be able to run faster than a train!

Understand the mysteries of the universe! (like Charlie Sheen and Unicorns)

Speak Russian!

Have a new appreciation for ballet!

Levitation!

Be able to explain why people are so excited about Motley Crue!

Suddenly be well versed in the language of love!

And Much Much More!**

**(Our lawyers have advised us to let you know that none of these side-effects will happen by attending our show. you would probably have to be bitten by a radioactive spider and attend LCCC to make these happen)

Become the incredible person you were born to become! Come to our show! Here are the details:

Ozymandian Theater's Spring Improv Show Of Doom and/or Destruction. April 30th @ The Historic Atlas Theatre (211 w 16th st). Show Starts @ 7:30 (doors open @ 7:00). Tickets cost $8 for adults and $5 for students. As always our show is rated PG-13!! For more info please visit www.ozytheater.com/

Ozymandian Theatre is excited to announce that we will be welcoming the East High Improv Group on stage with us during the show! This is the second year we will have performed with them and it is going to be awesome to see the "new talent" here in <

Bring your friends!! The proceeds benefit The Cheyenne Little Theatre!

Georgie Sicking at Buffalo Theater

Terry Gunderson leads the Casper College Percussion Ensemble one more time

Terry Gunderson, Casper College percussionist instructor, will lead the Casper College Percussion Ensemble for the final time on Thursday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Durham Recital Hall.

Gunderson, a member of the Casper College Music Department for the last 33 years, will be leaving the college to join his wife, Patty, in her new career as an architectural engineer in Washington, D.C.

"The concert will feature the music department's remarkably talented students playing works that form a retrospective of my years here including a composition I recently completed as a final number for the ensemble, The End of the Beginning, to celebrate my final years here," said Gunderson.

Pieces will include Warsaw 1939, the percussion sextet that opened the first concert he directed at Casper College in 1978; Fancy That, a "charming jazz number" the ensemble hasn't played since the 1980s, featuring Matt Greenlee on vibraphone. And, as promised at last year's concert, the group will perform Khatchaturian's Sabre Dance, featuring Rob Benson on xylophone.

Rhythm Net, one of many works Gunderson has composed for his students over the years, and performed by the Peruvian group Takaq, can be viewed by visiting www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwQLLqOk0aY

The concert is free and open to all. Durham Recital Hall is located in the Aley Fine Arts Center on the Casper College campus.