Rob Sweet, on tour from Key West

Rob Sweet surveys the crowd at one of the bustling nightclubs in downtown Key West, trying to sort out who will listen to the music, who will ignore him, who will mockingly call out “Free Bird!”, who will really understand what he’s doing. Many musicians have performed in this venerable venue over the years, some famous, some not so, some talented, some, well, less blessed. Rob figures he’s in the middle somewhere, and just considers himself fortunate for being able to make a living at doing this, his chosen profession. He strums a few chords on his Martin, launches into a familiar song, and soon has most of the revelers smiling and nodding or tapping something in tempo. He’s just started, but he’s already well on his way into another day at work, or play, a four-hour excursion through the well-chosen covers and well-written originals that comprise his varied repertoire.

He has the self-assurance of someone who has found his calling and is making it work for him. If you love what you do for a living and can do what you love for a living you have achieved a level of personal success that eludes most of us. He understands that he may never attain the sort of national, even international, recognition that some the musicians he admires have – such as Steve Earle, Todd Snider, Ben Folds, even Erin McKeown – but he doesn’t let that concern him. He’s glad to be able to play for people in this intimate, boisterous setting – and he really enjoys playing rather than working for a living – and feels he has been successful if he can leave at the end of his shift having received a good number of compliments, and yes, a respectable amount of tips. He can judge by these indicators that he has touched and moved peoples’ hearts, an intangible yet real reward for his efforts.

The average bar patron may not pick up on any of this. After all, most people go to Key West to hang out, carouse, have a loud rowdy good time, and probably don’t pay too much attention to what the skinny guitarist over in the corner is doing until he plays a favorite song or fulfills a request. They’d be missing out on something special, though, and would seem to have completely forgotten that playing gigs just like this is how their beloved Jimmy Buffett got his start. Of course, they’re on vacation and understandably not too interested in digging deeper than what is immediately apparent. That is what makes them tourists and not travelers, and maybe that’s alright in this context – though even sitting still and listening intently for even ten minutes might bring them a little closer to realizing the potential rewarding experience close at hand. Even if they weren’t interested in maintaining a higher level of attention for very long, they could buy a copy of Rob’s new CD, “Introducing Rob Sweet,” listen to it at their leisure later, and finally get an idea of what could be theirs for the asking – an introduction to a valuable and evolving musical resource in the guise of a charming rogue and talented troubadour.

Saturday, August 28: Gene’s Jazz Hot

If you missed the their last visit, the improvisational jazz dance, random full frontal humor, and consumption of a fine cab, well, you lost those moments and they are not coming back… but Gene and her crew of merry makers are returning for yet another rendition of the big olde tyme fun and superior song craft.

Yummy!

This weekend you should try Rogue Dead Guy Ale and Karma Red Blend, 2007, from Grand River Valley, Ohio.

They are both fantastic, and with it being Friday the 13th and all, they are particularly good at warding off bad luck and maniacs with implements of death.  I’m not kidding. These quaffs could save your life.  Please drink them.

Friday, August 13: Rachel Wearsch and the Beatnik Playboys

This will be your lucky day if you come on out and enjoy the tasty and tasteful ensemble of veterans wringing every last hope and tear out of every standard and original that they humbly and gracefully lay before you.  Not this is something artsy. It’s real, authentic songcraft that mixes well with a sizable quantity of food and drink – mostly drink. I’d call this a beer night -Rogue Dead Guy Ale.

Saturday, August 14: Hey Mavis!

Our New World Americana series continues with the return of the nearly-world-renown vocal trio from the bohemian hills of Nohio.

Cuyahoga Calico (audio track)

Hey Mavis was formed in 2008 by nationally-acclaimed fiddler Ed Caner as part of the Artist-In-Residence program in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Hey Mavis is Laurie Michelle Caner (lead songwriter, vocals, banjo), Sarah Benn (songwriter, vocals, bass), and Ed Caner (viola profunda, fiddle, mixmaster). Ed has performed as soloist and sideman with countless artists, including Luciano Pavarotti, Smokey Robinson, Wayne Newton, Michael Stanley and Page and Plant. Laurie and Sarah both have extensive experience as members of the all-women vocal harmony group The Rhondas.

In honor of their big hot, Red Wine, we’ll be imploring you to partake of Karma Red Blend, 2007, from Grand River Valley, Ohio. It hearkens of tobacco, blackberries and sturdy tannins and mixes well with cutting-edge blue grass.

Friday, August 20: Good Things!

Good Things Live, The Band, mixes Afro-Cuban, Brasilian,  and Jazz music and totally rocks the house.  Plan to dance, sway, tap, and/or bob your tired head uncontrollably and leave happier than you’ve been in a very long time.

Saturday, August 21: Black Gypsy, featuring Barnabas Crosby

Compared to the likes of Bill Withers and Anthony Hamilton, Barnabas blends his melodic voice and smooth jazz chords to take you to another place. A playwright by trade, Barnabas began performing spoken word in high school, before earning a scholarship to study theatre at Ohio University. As an undergrad Barnabas took advantage of every opportunity to be on stage, whether it was acting or spitting rhymes at a poetry slam, Barnabas was drawn to the spotlight. After college Barnabas headed straight for New York where his plays “Hands”, “After the Rain” and “23: Laces on Wire” earned him considerable recognition before returning to Ohio to study Theatre History and Criticism. While back in Ohio Barnaba’s play “Fox Hole” was performed at the Cleveland Playhouse for his Master’s thesis, and set him off like a rocket. “When I left Ohio and moved to Philly, the arts scene was boomin’ like crazy- I had to get involved”, Barnabas says. Ironically, it was in Philadelphia where Barnabas picked up the guitar and penned his first tunes. Despite the lack of experience as a vocal performer, Barnabas uses catchy lyrics, the chops of an experience stage performer and comic wit to keep audiences hanging on his every word. Since returning to New York in 2008 Barnabas has been writing songs for female vocalist and educational music for elementary children.

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/barnabascrosby1

World-renown acoustic guitarist Brian Henke returns to manifest a musical connection to the earth. As Taylor Guitars offers in their tribute to Henke:

…virtuosic fingerstylist Brian Henke, whose aptly titled CD, Love Songs for Terra, is a cornucopia of sonic vistas. Henke celebrates a Grand Canyon sunset, the fireside magic of an American shaman, Anasazi ruins in New Mexico, a virgin forest, and the intoxicating panorama of a field of flowers, among other pastoral pleasures. An avid hiker, Henke often brings a guitar along to create a spontaneous musical response to his outdoor settings.

Read the rest here: http://www.taylorguitars.com/artists/awp/indies/henke.html

Saturday, July 31: Yonder Blue Duo

Amy Fish and Mitch Tobol from Yonder Blue making some great Bluegrass, Newgrass, fun music.

Hey Mavis plays 7/24

Hey Mavis returns to charm and entertain with their exquisitely delivered form of New Blue Grass, or New Grass, or Alt Grass. As mentioned earlier, they have an exciting new record (or CD, really) out, Red Wine produced by the legendary Don Dixon. Don produced records by REM, The Red Clay Ramblers and the Smithereens.

This is bluegrass at its grown-up sexiest.

Four courses with the finest Ohio wines paired for each course!

Saturday, August 7, 2010 seating at 6:00pm

$110 per couple or $60.00 per person (all inclusive)

Click here for details and reservation information

]]> http://vineandbeancafe.com/2010/07/lucky%e2%80%99s-cafe-fresh-fork-market-presents-a-special-wine-dinner/feed/ 0 http://vineandbeancafe.com/2010/07/music-this-weekend-elliot-ingersoll/ http://vineandbeancafe.com/2010/07/music-this-weekend-elliot-ingersoll/#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:12:03 +0000 Jim http://vineandbeancafe.com/?p=1273 Continue reading →]]> Friday July 16, 8PM: Elliot Ingersoll

http://www.myspace.com/elliottingersoll
This eloquent raconteur calls his music is “Freethought Folk” and he likes to write about gods/goddesses, philosophy, altered states and occasionally psychology.

Saturday July 17, 8PM: Gene’s Jazz Hot

http://www.myspace.com/genesjazzhot
Our monthly dose of fun + high-class musicality + swing era jam session.
Come sing. Come dance. Come buy Seth a wee drink and ask him to tell a story.

We are ever so happy that wine, good wine, is now available from natural and organic vintners. Without compromising any part of the wine experience, you can now enjoy rich, robust pours from organic grapes and natural processes.

This week we want you to know about Earth 3.o Red.

The winemakers of Earth 3.0 strive to live in harmony with the land. Producing wine made from organic grapes; they believe that keeping the planet healthy is just as important as making great wine.

Earth (or Tierra) 3.0 Red has a bouquet of tropical fruit with touches of nut and marzipan; fun pineapple and melon flavors  on the palate. Cocoa notes persist over a backdrop of dark cherry in this rich, medium body organic wine.

http://www.romeromiller.com/earth-wines/eng/index_eng.html

Aside from the great performances this weekend by Rachel Wearsch on Friday and Yonder Blue on Saturday, the festival is coming to town!

Do not miss the biggest festival of the year! Saturday, July 3 from 10 am to 5 pm, celebrate your Independent Spirit with dozens of local merchants and indie vendors of kitsch and collectibles. This is a street fair with flair!

ANTIQUES FAIR

The dozen or so antique dealers on Larchmere will be open for business. Plus, the Shaker Heights parking lot (12737 Larchmere) will be dedicated to antiques. Vendors include KLM Antiques, Swope Antiques, Ann Douglas Antiques, Lakewood Antiques Mall, Maria Antiques, Jaxdec

o and BoomModern and more.

GALLERIES GALORE

Nothing says summer festival quite like a collection of artists. Galleries Galore will be in the parking lot at the far east end (formerly American Crafts Gallery) at 13010 Larchmere.

FLEA MARKET

Everyone loves a flea market. Scads of used but useful stuff will be available for sale by friends, neighbors, and residents.

BAZAAR BIZARRE

After a successful debut at last year’s Holiday Stroll, The Bazaar Bizarre – “NOT your granny’s craft show” returns to Larchmere. Organizer Shannon Okey, owner of  fiber arts/craft paradise Knitgrrl Studio, and her crew of 50 irreverent and indie artists and crafters will be back in the former Sedlak’s headquarters at the intersection of Larchmere and East 127th Street. www.bazaarbizarre.org

AUTHOR ALLEY

45… count ‘em… 45 local authors from the famous and mainstream to grassroots to self-published will be in Loganberry Book’s driveway at 13015 Larchmere. Authors include J.T. Dutton, Sharon Gregor, Charles Mintz, Carolyn Nilson, Susan Petrone, James Renner, Les Roberts, Sarah Willis, Loung Ung and Carlo Wolff. The Lit, the non-profit center that supports writers and sponsors workshops, will also be on hand with their list of upcoming events. www.loganberrybooks.com

LARCHMERE UNCORKED

Larchmere Merchants Association and Summit Charitable Events Foundation present the first annual Larchmere Uncorked, a benefit for the Larchmere Beautification Fund. Larchmere Uncorcked kicks off at 12 noon in the courtyard in front of Shaker Quality Auto Body (12916 Larchmere).

A “Festival-within-the-Festival,” guests will be able to sip and sample over 100 wines from local, national and international producers. Delectable food will be featured, prepared by local restaurants. Tickets are $20 in advance, or $25 at the door, and include 10 wine tastings and a souvenir wine glass. Designated Driver tickets and additional drink tickets are also available. www.LarchmereUncorked.com

FOOD COURT
In addition to the nine eateries on the street, there will be several sidewalk vendors, plentiful food at Larchmere Uncorked, and a Food Court at Community Housing Solutions at 12114 Larchmere. This is festival food: fudge puppies, PizzaBogo, Just Like Mom’s soul cooking, Belgian hot dogs, tacos, ice cream, gyros and fried dough.

CHALK DRAWING

Artists Robin VanLear and Jesse Rhinehart will create a three-dimensional chalk drawing on the sidewalk of the LifeSkills building (12201 Larchmere). Check back throughout the day to see their progress! Robin is a sculptor, costume designer and performance artist who has served as the Artistic Director of The Cleveland Museum of Art‘s Parade the Circle throughout its 20 year history. Jesse is a painter, muralist and educator.

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Rachel Wearsch

Friday, July 2: Rachel Wearsch and the Beatnik Playboys

http://www.myspace.com/rwearsch

As I’ve mentioned before, it is a fortunate tragedy that for you and I that we can see Rachel and her band for free in an intimate location like Vine and Bean. Her voice has the sweetness of angels, the power of Athena, and the gravitas of long hours spent in smokey joints selling hard liquor.

Saturday, July 3: Yonder Blue Duo

Amy Fish

Amy Fish and Mitch Tobol from Yonder Blue making some great Bluegrass, Newgrass, fun music. Amy and her troupe were long time fixtures and community favorites at Cafe Limbo. We have coaxed them to come on back and make us smile again.

If you’re smart, and I know you are, you’ll come for brunch, lurk around  the Larchmere Festival for a few hours and then come on back for dinner, some cool refreshment and an evening with Amy and Mitch.

Diving Nails in My Coffin by Yonder Blue