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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Twin Cities Singer/Songwriter Brianna Lane to Pedal from Milwaukee to Boston

Twin Cities singer/songwriter Brianna Lane is on the road with Signature Sounds recording artist Peter Mulvey. But before you get the image in your head of a couple musicians in an old car or broken down van, read on.

Lane and Mulvey will be pedaling their bicycles from Milwaukee, WI to Boston, MA, a distance of over 1,000 miles. Along the way, they will play a dozen shows in an effort to promote health and wellness and raise money for organizations that promote the same, specifically Bolder Options, a local non-profit that focuses on mentoring youth through running and cycling.

HowWasTheShow has made an arrangement with Brianna Lane to check in via audio blog during her journey and we will be publishing the audio right here on HowWasTheShow. Brianna tells us she is writing a bunch of new songs while in training for the long distance ride. Stay tuned for more later in the week.


For more information, visit www.BriannaLaneMusic.com. To learn more about Bolder Options visit www.BolderOptions.org.


Here's more from a recent press release:


Brianna Lane is a gifted singer/songwriter in the true Americana tradition. She writes and performs on an acoustic guitar as well as a banjo, crafting songs that are clear-eyed and pure—with an integrity derived from her gritty, unflinching emotional honesty. She pairs her lyrics with songs that match the lyrical mood with tremendous grace and skill, and nobody who is really listening walks away unaffected.

Long time music-writer/author/rock-journalist Jim Walsh recently wrote that Brianna Lane is “…a star in the making. She’s poised, ambitious, a great writer, a soul singer of the first order, and a lithe, accomplished guitarist.” (Star Tribune)

Lane grew up in Minnesota and still calls Minneapolis home. She once found a home in the mountains of North Carolina, but is truly a restless old soul. She now spends most of her days criss-crossing the country, touring out of her little black hatch-back or by bicycle—depending on the season, and on how crazy she’s feeling. You may blame her evident Midwestern sweetness on her roots, but this girl has been on the road non-stop for eight years and you can hear her experiences in every note she sings. In her years of touring, Lane has shared the stage with Billy Bragg, Dar Williams, Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, The Weepies, Jennifer Nettles (of Sugarland), and numerous other well-seasoned musicians. She has also shared powerhouse, leg-powered bicycle tours with Signature Sounds’ artist Peter Mulvey.

Lane has released three full length solo records and one duo EP with Cahalen David Morrison as “Harbor Collective.” Her latest full-length, entitled “Let You In,” is a collection of eleven well-crafted songs that digs into Lane’s natural Americana side.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Little Lebowski Urban Achievers to play Lebowski Fest September 11 at First Avenue!


(Photo - Little Lebowski Urban Achievers at the Hexagon by David de Young)

This news really ties the room together.

For immediate release: August 25, 2009

Little Lebowski Urban Achievers to play Lebowski Fest September 11 @ First Avenue!

Well if that isn't fitting....drunk rockers Little Lebowski Urban Achievers will be a part of Lebowski Fest again in 2009 to celebrate the release of their split LP with The Divorce Force. The band played at the Los Angeles Lebowski Fest in 2007 and now is jumping on the Minneapolis dates for the 2009 Lebowski Fest Tour.

The two-day fest begins its Minneapolis stop with a "Movie Party" on September 11 @ First Avenue. LLUA will be opening for the Black Diamond Heavies. A special screening of The Big Lebowski will also be played that evening. The second night of Lebowski Fest in Minneapolis will be a bowling night at Memory Lanes. This is a can't miss event for Lebowski fans!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Claire Taubenhaus Austin Sendoff Party - Sunday, August 23rd



Sad news: Claire Taubenhaus is moving to Austin.

Exciting news: she's throwing one last shebang before leaving town.

HowWasTheShow.com is proud to present Claire Taubenhaus's Austin sendoff, an arts extravaganza featuring live music by Taubenhaus herself, with super special guests Molly Dean, Alicia Wiley, The Tribe & Big Cats.

RSVP on Facebook here.

Visual art will be for sale by Matthew Harris, Jenn Barnett and Adam Carstens.

It all takes place Sunday night, August 23rd at the 7th Street Entry. Doors are at 8PM, and it's just $6.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Kings Wine Bar in Kingfield finally open

I live in Kingfield, so I've been eagerly awaiting the grand opening of Kings Wine Bar, a European-styled cafe/bistro at 4555 Grand Avenue South. (Corner of 46th and Grand in South Minneapolis.)

This past week, when the restaurant finally opened its doors to the public, Twin Cities music fans may have noticed a few music related folks putting in a few shifts there, including Marc Perlman, Jim Walsh and Mike Brady.

Check out the menu which includes many fresh, local and organic ingredients at http://kingsmpls.com. And visit them on Facebook. I plan a visit soon and will give a report, though at least one customer filed a report via Twitter that it's "faboo."

Here's the press release with more details:





PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KINGS WINE BAR & RESTAURANT NOW OPEN IN MINNEAPOLIS

“Your neighborhood bistro with a Minnesota twist”


Minneapolis, MN (August 16, 2009) – Sisters Molly Barnes and Samantha Loesch are thrilled to announce the grand opening of their new restaurant “Kings.” Named in honor of the Kingfield neighborhood, Kings is located at 4555 Grand Avenue South in Minneapolis.

“Sam and I had talked about going into business together for a while,” explains Molly. “And about a year ago, we decided to open a restaurant in the neighborhood.” They have created a friendly European cafĂ©/bistro atmosphere featuring casual dining that is moderately priced.

“You can come to Kings in the morning and grab a cup of coffee on your way to work and then stop back later in the day for dinner and a glass of wine or a beer,” says Samantha. “It will be a fun and funky place to hang out.”

Chef Peter Maccaroni comes to Kings from the Sample Room where he was the Executive Chef. Prior to that, he worked as the Executive Sous Chef at the View and Executive Chef at Tiburon. He also held similar positions in Atlanta, GA and Plainview, NY. As for his education, he received an associate degree in Baking and Pastries from the Art Institute of Minnesota and an associate degree in Culinary Arts from the Art Institute of Atlanta.

When asked about the menu he’s conceived for Kings, Chef Pete says “I’ll be cooking with a lot of fresh, local, organic ingredients. You might describe it as Minnesota friendly, French cuisine,”

During the week, light breakfast items will be served and, on the weekend, a special brunch menu will be offered.

Highlights from the lunch and dinner menu include “Bigger Bites”:

A Fried Green Tomato BLT served on Rustica bread with Pete’s aioli served with fresh fruit or fries
Braised Beef Short Ribs with mashed potatoes and asparagus served with a rich red wine demi glaze.

Vegetarians will enjoy the Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Sandwich with spinach and pesto or Pete’s signature macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs.

Several soups and salads and other entrees are also available.

“Small bites” appetizers feature House Made Tater Tots with bacon and gruyere cheese sauce.

For dessert, try the Cookies and Cream, a house made chocolate chip cookie with espresso cream and chocolate sauce.

A late night happy hour, daily from 10-12 midnight, offers discount drinks and “small bites.”

Kings’ wine list is extensive, offering more than 70 wines. (Molly and Sam’s brother Mike is their wine seller.) There will also be four beers on tap and 17 or so bottled beers, including a Belgian-style ale from a small, local brewery. The coffee served comes from a local, Kingfield “small batch” roaster.

Stop by morning, noon or night to meet your neighbors Samantha, Molly and Pete.

Kings will be open daily from 8 a.m. – midnight. See you there.

Call Kings 612-354-7928 or visit www.kingsmpls.com.

###

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Our own DJ Jake Rudh is a finalist to land walk-on role on Mad Men

Jake's given the music community a lot. Here's one way to say thanks. Jake is a finalist to land a walk-on role in Mad Men. All you have to do to help him win is click a link. No sign ups, no fancy stuff. Just click.

Here's what Jake had to say:

Many of you probably know I'm in a national contest to land a walk-on role to the set of Mad Men...and many of you have voted to keep me up near the leader board. Well, there's less than 24 hours left now, and I'm really asking for your help to give me that final push that's needed!

To vote is very simple...there is no registering or signing up, it's clicking on the link and clicking on the 5th star under the pic. Here's the link to make your vote count -

http://madmencastingcall.amctv.com/photos/view/1023/sort:Photo.score