CaroJenn Moon
I remember that at some point, well into Moonlight’s timeline, a local writer for one of the city’s vibrant street papers noted that we’d leaned heavily on presenting a plurality of female performers—- lotsa ladies on the schedule, he observed. I guess it surprised me to realize he was right— after I evaluated a submitting artist’s level of talent and their possible draw, I booked ‘em according to their availability, and how well they’d fit into a calendar space that we still had open. Let me honestly declare that I had no specific “gender agenda” at hand as part of that process, but if there was indeed a subconscious personal bias towards the feminine in my selection of players, that’s something for which I do not apologize.
Folk music is a fertile province for the open expression of feelings, wherein a songcrafter may willingly lament their own state of pain, dismay, confusion, or vulnerability. I cautiously submit that women are less reserved than men about airing those themes, and are without question much better at doing so. Ergo, we might expect a greater percentage of songwriters to come from the distaff direction— or, to use a spectacular Word of the Week, more likely to be “muliebrious” (Look it up!). Maybe that’s how we’d find ourselves with a week like this one… ain’t the only time it happened, and THAT is something of which I am right proud.
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September 25, 2010
Friends of The Moonlight---
We've gotten good initial response to our call for participants in Tuesday's STRATEGY SESSION--- it's obvious that there are folks in the community who want to have a hand in keeping our project on track. A business plan as whimsical as the one we've been using is only good for start-up, and for putting a public face on the enterprise... if Moonlight is to stay on course, and continue to attract and present original acoustic performers in a facility unlike any other setting in town, it will have to be sustained and steered by more than one solitary hand.
We need immediate assistance from casual volunteers who could offer help with any aspect of developing and fortifying The Moonlight's mission--- programming, marketing, web presence, social media, community outreach, staging, decor--- we're also ready to move ahead with the formation of a non-profit support group, to explore the potential of special Moonlight Memberships, and to facilitate fundraising from foundations, organizations, and individuals who underwrite cultural arts activities such as ours.
Please come to hear what we are thinking, and to give your own ideas in this open, friendly forum--- we won't pressure you into any obligations, certainly-- we just want to examine our options, and find out if Birmingham itself has the juice to maintain a multi-function listening room. Your contribution might be small... but it could be the very thing that determines whether we will continue to be here for your pleasure, in the better times to come.
MOONLIGHT STRATEGY SESSION, Tuesday, September 28th, 7:30pm--- Bring your own ideas, suggestions, and refreshments (of course), we'll have coffee, cake, and lollipops....
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A SPECIAL REMINDER for SUNDAY'S SHOW--
We are particularly proud to be presenting MONTANA SKIES in a late addition to the schedule, tomorrow night, September 26th, at 7:30pm. If this performance slipped under your radar, please have another look, you will be pop-eyed at the level of intensity and proficiency that this world-class duo displays. Our recent Sunday shows have not been particularly well-attended, for reasons that mystify us--- it would be a distressing shame indeed if artists of this caliber are willing to come play for all of us, only to be met with a minimal response.
Best we can do is remind you that these two amazing musicians truly electrified an audience at City Stages some years ago, and have been looking to return to the area for another show since then. Simply take a moment to sample this video link, and we're certain you'll see why you should be here, up close, when Jenn and Jon plug in and say HELLO!!!
http://www.youtube.com/user/montanaskies?aia=true#p/c/628B1A0AAAE554FE
www.montanaskiesmusic.ning.com
Montana Skies, September 26 2010, 31 present
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OUR FIRST OCTOBER WEEKEND---
Friday the 1st-- CAROLINE HERRING, $12
A special favorite from her appearances at the original Moonlight--- Caroline has quietly and steadily succeeded in achieving universal acclaim for her standing as an iconic Southern voice. Her Mississippi genesis, and her subsequent Texas and Georgia residencies have stamped her indelibly with Dixie sensibilities... but her material transcends regional limits, drawing highly literate influence from every corner of the musical landscape.
Her fourth and newest record, Golden Apples of the Sun, most closely approximates her live presentation, while paying homage to the female singers and songwriters who drove her to her own creations. 7:30pm
www.carolineherring.com
Caroline Herring, October 1 2010, 51 present
Saturday the 2nd--- JENNIFER DANIELS, with Ben Wakeman, $12
Another of our strongest Southern contemporary folk performers--- from her home high atop Lookout Mountain, Jennifer has been able to survey and absorb the spirit of New Appalachia, reflecting the Southland's ways of life and love in both town and country terms. She's stirringly introspective, bringing close focus to the details of a modern woman's variant paths as a daughter, sister, lover, and now mother--- since the birth of her twins, she and husband/guitarist Jeff Neal have a new perspective on the songs they've played together so many times.
Jennifer's a curious mixture of tenderness and temptation, candor and confidence... and a melody-crafter of first order as well. 7:30pm
www.jenniferdaniels.com
Jennifer Daniels, October 2 2010, 17 present
Opening for Jennifer will be Ben Wakeman, an Atlanta songwriter whose work recalls the best of James Taylor, David Wilcox, Jackson Browne, and--- Suzanne Vega?
www.benwakeman.com
Sunday the 3rd--- DATRI BEAN, $10
She's known far and wide for performances with her 25-piece circus punk washboard tuba brass ensemble, The Minor Mishap Marching Band--- but a girl needs a break from the craziness every once in a while. We are fortunate to get her as a solo, so she can charm us with her original old-school jazz-pop creations, tunes that sound like the standards of the '40s and '50s, played with great assurance on piano. 7:30pm
"Bean describes her music as "Southern-fried vintage jazz," and with its languid melodies and sultry vocal lines, it does sound as if it could have floated off a Georgia porch and landed by accident in rainy, cold Seattle. Bean's vocals recall Billie Holiday, only with sheer joy replacing all that pain." - Seattle Post Intelligencer
www.datribean.com
Datri Bean, October 3 2010
Monday the 4th--- OPEN MIC NIGHT, $5
Another edition of our unfiltered sampling of area musicians, wherein we offer equal stage time to anyone inclined to either distinguish or humiliate themselves in front of an audience. Up to now, it's all been musical in nature--- we THINK you could say that--- no magic, comedy, or turkey calls so far... though the day will surely come when we might be challenged to consider such. Anyway, five bucks a head, you eat and drink whatever you like, and there's a cash prize at the end of the night--- might be for you! Sign up at 7, show starts at 7:30.
There are new extensions on the Calendar page of our website-- please bring it up, and look deep into the future... see you Tuesday?
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