Acoustic View By Aaron Rowan
Going Dutch
“You can lead a horticulture, but you can’t make her think,” Dorothy Parker once famously replied when asked to use ‘horticulture’ in a sentence. Parker was a 1920’s-era writer known for her razor-wire wit and sarcasm – certainly my type of gal. She was also a prominent member of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of writers, actors and critics who met for lunch daily at the Algonquin hotel in NYC for over a decade. Mostly they just engaged in lots of wordplay at these meetings, but members were also inspired to collaborate creatively as a result; the entire group even produced a Vaudevillian revue at one point.
I’ve been fascinated by this concept for some time now, and in the fall of 2011 I first endeavored to bring it into the present day. The New Algonquin Round Table consisted of myself and some other friends on the area music circuit, along with a few from the visual arts and comedy circles, among others. We met up at various downtown eateries (could never really settle on a suitable one) once a week or so, to discuss anything and everything. We drifted off into some other projects after a few months and have not reconvened since, but I still believe in the creative connections that can grow out of this.
Therefore, let us try once again. If you’re a creative soul or organizer of events in the local arts scene, you are invited to gather with us at Café Deva on the 2nd Saturday afternoon of this month (the 12th) at noon. Brush your teeth and sharpen your tongue like Dorothy Parker used to, make some new connections, and see where it leads!
World music reigns supreme around town this month. A few highlight performances:
-Saturday 10/5 at Queen Bean Coffeehouse, merrymaking nomads The Hollands, a family folk band from Australia. They are some seriously passionate musical people (one of them is even named Banjo!) who are sure to get you singing along. 7 PM, $5 cover.
-Saturday 10/12, British songwriter Susan Enan, who has recorded with the likes of Sarah McLachlan, gives a house concert near downtown. Email cottersL@yahoo.com for info. -Friday 10/18 at Central Grace Community Church, 918 Sierra Dr. (corner of Sierra & 1st.), Maurice Tani of alt-country/Americana group 77 El Deora, giving a solo set at the season opener of the Great Valley Acoustic series. Show starts at 8 PM. $10 donation.
-Sunday 10/20, Murasaki Ensemble, playing a fusion of Latin American, Mideastern and Asian sounds with lots of diverse instrumentation, is featured at Congregation Beth Shalom (1705 Sherwood Ave.) at 3 PM. Tickets are $20.
-Friday 10/25, Kerry Grombacher, a veteran composer of cowboy and campfire music from New Orleans, is featured at my Hotel Euterpe house concert series. Travis Lake and Dr. Blue of local groups Bad Medicine and The Dustbowl Children will open the show with a short set. Email crashdog3@yahoo.com for info.
-Saturday 10/26, a new monthly music series continues at the Mistlin Art Gallery (1015 J St.) with Celtic folk-rock acts Tempest and Golden Bough. I’ve got high hopes for Mistlin to prove a fine listening-room venue, and we could surely use more of those around here. Doors for show are at 7, music kicks off at 8.
Caption The Hollands! “ashes to beauty” Photo Shoot. By Kara Counard
