Also, this picture makes me happy. Have you ever heard of tea cup poochies? This is cocktail glass John Ralston. Unfortunately, it weighs more than four pounds. JR’s going to headline NewTimes big concert tomorrow night at Green Room. NT Music Editor Reed Fischer interviewed him about what it’s like to be awesome, and this is what Ralston told County Grind.

Thirsty for some JR?

The SW 3rd Ave Music Festival starts at 5 p.m. (seriously!) tomorrow at Green Room (@ Revolution). Very nice line-up with Lavola, The New, Plains, Young Circles, the Dewars and John Ralston in that order. These aren’t bands you get to see in Lauderdale every day, so take the opportunity to catch them. Seriously people, this is one step away from having them play in your living room. If you haven’t seen the Dewars yet, you are seriously out of the loop. Remedy that!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!! Here’s hoping that you have fun caricaturing the Mexican people! Drive safely or not at all.

If you’re in Palm Beach and able, go to this happy hour at Coco in Palm Beach to benefit the Snow family. There will be sushi, sake and the opportunity to help out remarkable people. All details in the New Times at the other end of the link above.

Heart,

Court

Details on event and limited release availability at Radioactive Record’s blog.

Radioactive Records Record Store Day Party!!!

Mr. John Ralston himself (Do you have your hands on a copy of his new album Shadows of the Summertime yet?? You should. It’s sick) put together a line-up at Top 5 Records in Lake Worth. A select group of talented local artists will be playing short sets all day long, including Evan Mui, whom I recently profiled in City Link Magazine. But, you already knew that, right?  You’re so ahead of me.

See you at Radioactive!!!

Radar v. Wolf and Dooms De Pop

Saturday: The Pauses and the songbird whose laundry I have to do on the regs Chris Horgan at Laser Wolf. Did you see Laser Wolf owner Chris Bellus on the cover of New Times this week for Reed Fischer’s Bruise Cruise feature article?  2010′s greatest gift to South Florida details all of the news that’s fit to print about his high sea excursion, but I still want to know the dirt.

The Pauses with Cristy

Guy Harvey and Sumsun play Dada on Saturday night. Go Dada! The Delray Beach restaurant/bar has been booking the heck out of its little living room-style stage lately. We tried to head over to catch Funcrusher and The Band in Heaven last week after the Black Finger CD release show, but didn’t make it in time. Oh well, next time.

Sunday: The Pauses will play again on Sunday night. This time at Dada with the Dewars.  They certainly know how to fill their dance card. Nice little weekend.

Dan Bonebrake (hottie on left), John Ralston (hottie 2nd from left), Sean Fernandez (3rd hottie), Greg "heartbreak" Lovell (4th in plaid), Jesse "dreamboat" Dalton (tall & blond) and Andy Mc"swagger"Ausland (far right). The diva in front contributed as well, but I don't know her name.

John Ralston played along on geetar and filled in for Marie Nofsinger on vocals for duet “Broken Heart”. It was quite pretty and earned a special shout out of “folk boy” from the back of the room. I’m going to go ahead and assume that the insulting compliment was delivered via the master of that particular art form, Sr. Copeletti.

Nice vert, Greg! How did I miss this moment?

Thank you, Mr. Jon Wilkins (pictured below) for reminding the world that there’s another album out this year that’s well worth a spin. John Ralston’s Shadows of the Summertime. You can listen to the jangly high-speed ditty “Your Love Will Come Around” on his website. I would say it’s a standout track, but it’s not. Ralston’s new release is hot, hot, hot, track for track. Track #2 “Solitude and Vine” is lovely with its big bellowing harmonies and the islandy Track #3 “Summer”, which comes packed with delicious ’70s-style harmonies (“I’ve been right here waiting…”), is like a mini vacation. My signed album is #84/500. That’s pretty sweet, but I wish I’d bought it in time to make the top 50. Boo! I’ve become such a Ralston nerd this year.

Thank you Monica McGivern for granting me permission to use your beautiful photos! See more photos from the Black Finger CD release at McGivern’s Flickr page. Don’t look at the picture of Moodvane though. It’s awful!

Lookin' good, Lauderdale

On this special day, we think about Frank and Ivy Stranahan and all of the early settlers who shaped this town when it was little more than a wilderness. Stranahan House pictured below.  There was no Cheesecake Factory next door to this little home in their day. I think that Ivy would have been a fan of the avocado eggrolls! Take a moment to check out these photos from the city’s early days. My favorite photo collections are the aerial views and beach and spring break.

Stranahan House -- How the pioneers lived!

Also, happy birthday to my very own Misha, the greatest pal a girl could have!

Tonight!

Friday night right here in Broward at Monterey Club – Heavy Boots, Los Bastardos Magnificos and Everymen.

Americana all the way

Black Finger releases new album Tokyo this Saturday at Elwood’s in Delray Beach. We will be there! $10 cover includes copy of the album. Listen here. Not familiar with Black Finger? You may recognize some of these guys from their presence and participation in other projects such as John Ralston (backing him up), Invisible Music and Grey & Orange.

Blackfinger CD release

Good job, everyone!

Somebody stop that leprechaun!!!

Maybe Laser Wolf would be easier. Haha, the’re pushing the same idea on their facebook page and know how to sell it: “Avoid the amateurs tonight and come drink with the pros and locals at Laser Wolf. No green beer, no car bombs, no jerks! Free parking and no cover! 21 and up only. New beer in stock.” It is indeed a dangerous night to wander too deep into amateur territory! Have fun whatever you do and don’t forget to wear something awful (even if it’s not green).

Most of us tiptoe through life for fear that we will cut a finger or toe and end up dropping our entire life savings on a 15 minute emergency room visit. The Snow family has been in the hospital for four months! The Snow Family Chip In page provides a way for those of us who are not intimately acquainted with the family but know them through the local music community to chip in and show our support. The fundraiser, which runs through March 27th, is 40% of the way to the goal of $10,000. Chip in if you can! Happy Saturday.
If you’d like to know more, see New Times Music Editor Reed Fischer’s story and the accompanying pics.

Stylin' Guy Harvey Style

Last weekend, we journeyed a full 26 miles to catch the New Coke and Guy Harvey show at Dada. It was pretty sweet.

Look at these dudes' extreme popularity

First we caught New Coke, which had a much bigger crowd than bands I’ve never heard of before usually do.  They played a very loud set (well, everyone sounds loud in Dada), and had a sinister rock sound with lots of vocal reverb. The crowd loved it and was completely nutso! I clung to the wall to avoid getting pushed around by this wild bunch.

Guys Harvey

Next, we caught Guys Harvey’s set. This local band with an unGoogleable name is a fave with a few of my friends, but I  never gave them (or they never held) my full attention until last weekend. I parked myself right in front of the singer Adam Perry’s mic (Dada is good for that) and got the show full force in the face. Actually, that did the trick. I couldn’t understand one dang word that Adam was was singing, but Guy Harvey rocked my face as hard as the chick with black hair who was flailing around behind me rocked my back.