Midnight Bermuda Moon

Moonlight ended its 2010 calendar year by establishing a standing tradition— we tossed a New Year’s Eve party with music that everybody could sing along with, served up by a boisterous bunch of Beatle clones, who clanged and jangled their way through the final three hours of an artificially-accelerated time zone. At the suggestion of the irrepressible Higgs brothers, who knew well the potential turnout likely from their numerous friends, we diddled the clock’s hands forward 120 minutes to accommodate early birds, and revelers of a more punctilious persuasion, perhaps. That ain’t the way it worked out, ya’ll— the spirit from melodies and mania a half-century old rattled the rafters, and left them still ringing by the time the real midnight rolled around. Boomers, indeed.

All this after a final eloquent plea for support from those who might find a need to make last-minute tax-deductible donations, or anyone who’d found themselves on the altruistic side of a Scrooge conversion. We asked, and we received— and were shown a year-end display of the affection we’d generated…. a thing for which we’ll ever be grateful.

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December 28, 2010

Friends of The Moonlight---
These few days between Christmas and New Year's could be the most relaxed of the whole calendar, except for one thing--- the barrage of last-minute appeals for your charitable contributions. On the presumption that there are still folks out there who had enough income in 2010 to look for tax deductions, we are peppered by the hour with requests to "help a brother"--- "make a difference"--- "leave a legacy." We were advised by our NPR affiliate this morning--- in between persistent 15-second spots asking for support--- that the last two days of the year are when a hefty percentage of annual giving actually takes place. The impulse to bestow presents on others, thankfully, goes completely through to the final minutes of December, with a helpful lil' boost from the IRS.

Moonlight doesn't want to be thought of as another outfit that begs you for money every time you hear from us. We have a higher mission here, and that is to offer you the best possible environment for enjoying world-class artists that you usually can't see anywhere else in town. This human-scale venue exists as a cooperative effort between three kinds of people--- the musicians, the audience, and the owner/volunteers. 

Somehow out of that alchemy comes just enough money to keep us all convinced it is a worthwhile project, even if it is perpetually at the edge of insolvency. The Moonlight believes it is our obligation to look after this crucial corner of our culture, and by whatever resources we can muster, we are committed to providing, and sustaining, a steady stage for the creators of the music that lifts, lubricates, and enlightens our lives.

So at this point we take our place in the year-end parade of supplicants--- and add our voice to the choir of beseechers. This world will always have its abandoned animals, homeless children, and damaged souls--- so part of our reason for being here is to provide a place to host events that will benefit the unfortunate, to reflect and redirect the generosity and blessings we have already been shown. 

We invite you to consider how your support of The Moonlight can extend to others who deserve our help.... and to toss a few pennies in the fountain that we all drink from. Please visit this link if you want to share, anything at all... it's the last time we will mention it specifically, before we get back to the business we are here to tend. You have, sincerely, our deepest thanks.

www.moonlightmusicalliance.org


THIS WEEK'S EVENTS--->

Wednesday the 29th--- RICK CARTER, $10
Yes, you can see him damn near any night of the week, as the smiling sparkplug in any one of three different bands he now shepherds across the Southeast--- been at it so many years, through thousands of gigs with Telluride, then the Loveland Orchestra, the bluegrass/jam of Rollin' In the Hay, rockabilly fun with The Mighty Veltones, now most often with the League of Legendary Artists.

Rick loves to boil it down to a solo, though, and he's made a tradition out of winding up another year in the bizness by inviting friends, family, and other players to join him for a night at The Moonlight... we're glad to be able to host him again. Original tunes, some old favorites, and always a surprise or two.... let's close out the year and raise a glass with one of Birmingham's true musical heroes.  7:30pm
www.rickcartermusic.com

Rick Carter, December 29 2010, 13 present

Friday the 31st--- THE BEATLADS, An Early New Year's Eve, $15
TIME is the theme of the night--- we look forward to the future with the arrival of 2011, we go backwards to the sound and the music of The Fab Four, and we leap a couple hours ahead of everybody else so you can do the midnight thing all over again someplace else, if you want to. The Beatlads are our area's most committed tribute band, having attained a remarkable approximation of the sounds and sense of John, Paul, George, and Ringo, by lots of practice, authentic instruments, and vintage wardrobe. Their Merseybeat songlist spotlights the best of the early days, up to the time of "Rubber Soul" and the Shea Stadium concert.

In consideration of the likely age of some of our celebrants (Ringo turns 71 this year!), we have chosen the British Territory of Bermuda as our compromise time zone for the arrival of New Year's... we'll shoot streamers and pour champagne at 10 pm CST, after which you can toddle off to home, or join friends at another location... we'll be done with it, thank you very much, and already rethinking our list of resolutions. Doors open at 7pm, music should start about 7:30.
www.thebeatlads.net

The Beatlads, December 31, 2010, 90 present

Jawn, Pawl, Jorch, and Fungo— and Brian too

NEXT WEEK WE START ALL OVER-- EVEN BETTER!

Monday the 3rd-- OPEN MIKE NIGHT, a search for new and unexpected talent, with another Grand Prize awarded this summer---

Thursday the 6th-- BILL and KATE ISLES, all the way from Duluth MN--- folk duo from up there in Dylan territory

Saturday the 8th-- BUDDY MONDLOCK, Chicago-Texas-Nashville itinerant, EVERYbody does his songs (even Garth Brooks!)

13th, 14th, 15th--- Women writers all, it's an estrogen-heavy weekend

Please visit the Moonlight web Calendar, for answers to your burning questions--- and our best to you for the New Year!

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