Welcoming Spring: The Weekend Music Game

First off, I apologize for not updating the blog lately, but things have been very busy and will hopefully settle down over the next two weeks.

But...I can't neglect the weekend music game for too long! I didn't have time to really come up with a theme, so we'll stick to the basics. Music player on random/shuffle, and list the first ten songs you come up with. Perhaps comment on them. And, as always, no skipping! And see if anything comes up that reminds you of Spring, because today IS the first day of Spring.

Here's my list for the weekend:

1. John Vanderslice - Parade - this is from a live Daytrotter Session. I love this song. Just really got into Vanderslice within the past year after seeing him at the Chameleon. VERY small audience, but a great intimate show.

2. Lovedrug - Happy Apple Poison - another band I saw for the first time at the Chameleon a few years ago. Quirky voice, but I like it.

3. Copeland - May I Have This Dance - whoa...I'm sensing a theme. Saw these guys at the Chameleon for the first time...and I think it was on the same bill as Lovedrug! Really pretty vocals and music.

4. T-Bone Burnett - Stunned - OK, I've never seen T-Bone live...let alone at the Chameleon. But I've been a fan of his music since about 1980. Great producer, but I love his solo discs.

5. The Lassie Foundation - We Are Kings - nice Southern Cali indie-pop band featuring the talents of Wayne Everett and Eric Campuzano, among others. Now this is the kind of music that would be fun to listen to in the car on a warm Spring day.

6. U2 - I Will Follow - this is the live version from Under A Blood Red Sky. 'Nuff said.

7. Always Sunday - Let You Down - One of my favorite songs from this band that is no longer together, featuring one of my favorite singers, Trent Dabbs. I've loved all of his projects and his solo stuff is great.

8. The Gloria Record - Grace the Snow is Here - Well...I guess this is NOT the kind of thing you want to hear on the first day of Spring. I'm not interested in any more snow, thank you.

9. The Violet Burning - More - I'm partial to earlier Violet Burning stuff, but this is still good stuff from the album Drop Dead. Love Michael Pritzl's voice.

10. Led Zeppelin - Dazed and Confused - Going REALLY old school here. Gotta love me some Zep.

And ten more quick ones for the road:

11. Future of Forestry - All I Want

12. Michael Knott - Deaf and Dumb

13. Mute Math - Picture

14. Mark Heard - She Don't Have a Clue

15. Fly Eagles Fly - Philadelphia Eagle's fight song - hmm. Wish I had a Phillies song!

16. Serene - Autumn

17. U2 - Shadows and Tall Trees

18. Robert Deeble - Blue

19. Van Morrison - Steppin' Out Queen

20. Yes - Starship Trooper

OK, now it's your turn. Add a comment with your ten songs for the weekend. And have a happy first day of Spring. And don't forget, that means it's Free Rita's Day!

Weekend Music Game

Well, due to the fact that I'm really busy, I didn't put a lot of thought into this edition of the Weekend Music Game. So really quick...down and dirty old school version. Music player on random/shuffle and list the first 10 songs you hear...no skipping! See what surprises you come up with.

Here's my list:

1. Brandtson - As You Wish - one of their older songs. Still enjoy this stuff.

2. Woven Hand - The Good Hand - I think this is from the first Woven Hand album (post 16 Horsepower), and I really love this song.

3. Bob Dylan - Jokerman - nice song from Infidels.

4. Glorybox - Sonic Ocean

5. Mute Math - Control - can't wait to hear more from these guys

6. The Juliana Theory - Love - has a bit of a Joe Jackson feel to it...

7. Brown Feather Sparrow - Sleep Well Child - nice and quiet beautiful song.

8. The Bird and the Bee - Because

9. Always Sunday - Great - another great project involving Trent Dabbs. Love his music and his voice.

10. Elvis Costello - Clubland - seriously catchy tune.

Ok...your turn!

Your Weekend Musix Fix

Once again, Central PA is bustin' at the seams with all kinds of great music (and other entertainment) throughout the area, so don't come whining to me if you can't find anything to do.

Ken's Picks o' the Week:

Pick #1: 3/6 - It's First Friday in Lancaster, and while the focus is on art, there is still plenty of music to be found throughout the city. You can check out 8-Track Radio at Building Character, or hop across the street to the new Progressive Galleries featuring music from The Greatest Funeral Ever. There is sure to be other music at other venues throughout the city as well. And don't forget the First Friday After Party in the Lizard Lounge at 10 p.m.

Pick #2: 3/8 - Local favorites Slimfit and Perkasie rock the house at the Chameleon Sunday night, along with former local Madi Diaz. A great showcase of what Central PA is able to produce in terms of music. This is an XPN Welcomes event.

Friday, March 6:

Adam and the Weight (Adam Kowalczyk of Live) at the Chameleon, Lancaster

The Thrives, Flatbed Ford, and Girls Like Cigarettes at the Abbey Bar, Harrisburg

Irishfest featuring Wyndfall in the Brewpub at ABC, Harrisburg

The Irish Rovers at the Hershey Theatre

Carl Peterson at the Ten Thousand Villages Cafe, Ephrata

Saturday, March 7:

XPN Welcomes Penn's Mask & Wig Club to Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster

Irishfest featuring Fire in the Glen in the Brewpub at ABC, Harrisburg

Dakini w/ FDR & the New Deal at the Abbey Bar, Harrisburg

Josh Blue (Last Comic Standing season 4 winner) at Whitaker Center, Harrisburg

Capitol Bandstand - A showcase for undiscovered local bands at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, York

Spring Doo Wop Cavalcade at the American Music Theatre, Lancaster

Adam Blessing at McCleary's Pub, Marietta

The Reese Project and Indian Summer Jars at Bube's Brewery, Mount Joy

Stinging Nettles & 8-Track Radio at Quip's Pub, Lancaster

Sunday, March 8:

The Peking Acrobats at Whitaker Center, Harrisburg

And that's what's going on. Feel free to comment with other events of interest.

This is Not Your Mother's Art Gallery: The Progressive Galleries

There's a new gallery on the scene in downtown Lancaster. While it has been open a bit for the past few weeks, the Progressive Galleries will have it's grand opening "Art Explosion" this Friday night, March 6th, as part of Lancaster's First Friday events.

The Progressive Galleries isn't your mom's art gallery. This isn't just a space for art to hang on walls. For the past two years the Gallery has had a presence in Harrisburg and is more event driven. Art installations combined with music and projections have been happening up there on about a monthly basis. The Gallery also has a presence in York with the White Rose Gallery Project. But they have never really had a home to call their own. Now all that is about to change. Partners Jonas Hair and Walter Diehl are opening over 2000 square feet of space at 323 North Queen Street (in the Keppel Building, or Candy Factory) which will serve as the flagship space for their tri-county operation.

This Friday's "Art Explosion" will feature artwork from local Central PA artists, as well as music from New Cumberland-based band, The Greatest Funeral Ever. There will also be projections by Justin Ayala and live painting throughout the evening by Sean Poole. 

Normal hours for the new gallery are: Tues - Thurs, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., though they will be open later on First Fridays.

Hope to see you all there this Friday night for the grand opening, as a bunch of us will be converging on the Keppel Building. And don't forget to join the Progressive Galleries Facebook group.