Like many a local fire department, Ludlow Fire 1840 takes to the streets each Labor Day weekend, urging residents to “fill the boot” for muscular dystrophy.
In learning more about the disease and the families that cope with it, however, Dan McKenney and his fellow firefighters have decided to raise the altruism ante this year. Instead of filling boots, they’re opting to have some of the biggest names in the biz shake some booties—and raise big bucks in the process.
“After considering several options, we thought, what better way to bring people together for a cause than music?” McKenney says of the multi-band benefit his department will host at the Ludlow Fish and Game Club Sept. 25. “Ludlow has always been a town with a passion for music, and we have many natives who have gone on to pursue careers in the industry.”
McKenney and company proceeded to tap one such local resource, Buddy St. Jacques, who instantly agreed to get his Grateful Dead tribute band Lobsterz From Marz into the mix. Doors duplicators Riders On The Storm and The Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience would soon follow suit.
All told, the Sept. 25 Rock The Boot concert will feature four bands from 4:30 to midnight as well as Lupa Zoo animals, a bounce house, facepainting and much more. Tickets are $20 for adults, free for kids 12 and and under. And considering that there are only a limited number available—not to mention that the fire department will most definitely be adhering to all “maximum occupancy” allowances for the venue—you’d better call (413) 583-8332 and get yours early!
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In other news, local talent buyer Chris White says he was hard pressed to find a big name for his next feature… ’til he stumbled upon a Lemonheads website.
“I am a longtime fan of the Lemonheads, and although I have never worked with singer Evan Dando previously, I decided to look him up online,” White explains of the origins of his Sept. 25 Flywheel show. “It didn’t take long to find out who his booking agent was, and after a couple of discussions, we had the deal done.”
In addition to Evan, White’s bill will be rounded out by NYC-based folk rocker Janet Labelle and the Bay State’s own The Jupiter Sea—the latter of whom is just putting the finishing touches on a debut EP titled Ghosts. For more info on the bands, venue or show, kindly point your browser to www.flywheelarts.org
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Up the road a spell on that very same night, Sept. 25, another familiar face will surface at the Iron Horse in the form of Mark Olson. The celebrated singer/songwriter best known for his work with The Jayhawks will hawk his second studio effort in three years, Many Colored Kite. Great Lakers Breathe Owl Breathe get the opening nod for this show. That haunting trio consists of three longtime friends who are, in their everyday lives, printmakers, calligraphers and a geographer. Boy, if the Crawler had a nickel for every time he heard of those walks of life banding together, he’d have… a nickel.
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Last up, Fat Tuesday proper may not roll around ’til February, but that isn’t stopping the LGBT Coalition of Western Mass (lgbtcoalitionwma.org) from declaring this Saturday, Sept. 25 “Mardi Gras In New England.”
“The idea for a Carnevale has a youthful appeal for all of us,” Executive Director Suzanne J. Seymour says of the daylong event her organization will host at the Three County Fairgrounds this Saturday. “It’s open to everyone, as we are committed to promoting fun and diverse events to all ages and cultures, as well as bridging the gap between the LGBT people and mainstream society.”
In addition to kid-friendly activities and assorted acts of wellness, Queer Carnevale: Mardi Gras In New England features live music performances by Melissa Ferrick, Antigone Rising, Carol Hahn and more.
Catch the Nightcrawler every Wednesday at 8:50 a.m. on the Steve Cantara Radio Show, WRNX 100.9 FM. Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, PO Box 427, Somers, CT 0071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
