Sunday, June 30, 2013

6/30/13 - Twin Cities Pride Festival - Loring Park - Minneapolis

Set:
| Beards | Destiny, She Drives a Rolls | Golden Girls Theme [Andrew Gold] | Hell-Bent Woman | Refrigerator | Mystic Princess | Fluffy Little Hands | All the Young Dudes [David Bowie] |



Poster designed by
Tony L. Kollman
For the fourth time in five summers, we played the Loring Stage at the Twin Cities Pride Festival. And this year, the attendees had a lot to celebrate in terms of state and federal legislation regarding gay rights. The entire festival had an energy unlike that of previous years. Instead of a "let's do this" vibe, it was a "we did it" vibe. People are usually celebratory at this fest, but this year it was different. It was good.

We played a selection of stuff from Beards as well as a couple favorites of ours at Pride: "Refrigerator" and "Golden Girls." The crowd dug it and more people than in previous years stopped as they passed by to sit in the grass and enjoy the tunes. Kids were dancing and playing, including my son Josiah. He was, as he calls it, "run-dancing." Everyone had a great time.

And, as always at Pride, we had an American Sign Language interpreter on stage signing our lyrics. It's always fun to see what our songs look like. And during the song "Beards" she got a real workout with all the names in the song. She just gave up on some of them. I felt for her.

We're always happy to play at Pride and to celebrate with everyone. It's always such a great, inclusive, welcoming environment. Can't wait for next year!


Friday, June 28, 2013

6/28/13 - Acadia Cafe - Minneapolis

MPLS Habit at the Acadia

Set:
| Beards | Destiny, She Drives a Rolls | Modern Age | Hell-Bent Woman | Soul Shaker | Refrigerator | Mystic Princess | Fluffy Little Hands | Give Yourself | Heaven's Just a Mystery |



Poster designed by
Tony L. Kollman
It was the Friday night MPLS Habit series sponsored by KFAI FM and the Acadia Cafe in Minneapolis. We had all been there before on previous occasions, just in a hanging out capacity, but this was our first time playing at the Acadia.

The other acts were really great. As we were watching them, though, we began wondering if the organizers really knew what kind of music we play. The other acts were much quieter than we are. We were the only ones with a drum kit. We talked to Cait Leary, one of the performers and the person who put the show together, and she assured us that, yes, she was well aware that we are a bit louder.  Whew. Weight off our shoulders.

Our performance was timed just right, it seems. Right about the time we started, another show down the block just ended and the patrons were all coming into the Acadia for a drink. Seeing as how our show was free, that encouraged folks to stick around. We pretty much just played Beards tonight, minus "Handlebar" and adding "Refrigerator."

We won over some new folks, and sold some of our wares and trinkets. We want to thank Cate Leary, MPLS Habit, Cait Leary, and KFAI for a great, fun night.