mike's barn newsletter
June 4, 2009
This Sunday at Mike's Barn
This Sunday Mike's Barn welcomes the rock band Mungus from Louisville, Kentucky. Kentucky it is said, besides fine Bourbon, has many fast women and good looking horses. Why do you ask are we hosting a rock band from Kentucky? Because it's Ricki Muzik's new band and they are coming to the Cleveland area for a show this Saturday at the Symposium in Lakewood and an appearance at Mike's Barn on Sunday. As many of you know, Ricki (pictured left) and for that matter his brother Rob literally grew up in the barn over the last 10 years and he has been a big part of the many jam sessions and shows held here as we watched him grow up and make allot noise with that damn double kick he used to like so much. The center stage column as many of you may have noticed is sculpted with broken drum sticks which can be largely credited to Ricki's early days on the drums as a source of material. Anyway, Ricki moved to Louisville last fall to be near his father, joined an original rock band and hasn't been in the hood since. I truly miss the guy and his unstoppable energy and it will be good to see him and meet the band. Come out and say hey to Ricki.
We will be hosting open jam sets before and after the Mungus Band plays and all of Ricki's friends are welcome to join in.
We will be hosting open jam sets before and after the Mungus Band plays and all of Ricki's friends are welcome to join in.
The YouTube video at left is of a live performance of the band from before Ricki joined and the MP3 player below is a sample of their music from their latest E.P. Liminal. The Band is schedule to join us again on August 8th. for annual Front Porch Awareness Project.
Links:
As always, admission is free, All spirits are B.Y.O.B. The music should start rolling around 7pm. It is suggested that all newcomers ply the host with a bottle of single malt scotch to win favor. The band will be playing for tips and merchandise sales to help fund their visit.
When Swing was King
As you may know, tickets are now on sale for our latest fundraising effort for the season "When Swing was King" a show featuring music of the Big Band era. This is going be a fun evening with great music and food for all to share.
If you've never experienced the sheer melodic power of a twenty piece swing band loaded with brass and reeds your in for a treat that you will remember for years to come. Perhaps a once in a lifetime experience for some.
I always thought that the swing era had to have been one of the greatest times to have been a musician just given the huge sound, complex musical arrangements with virtuosa soloist and the sheer volume of the venues with all the dancing with the dark backdrop of World War II through most of the era
I try hard to bring you all a diversity of music ranging from bluegrass to jazz every summer and serve it to you in a welcoming, hospitable environment loaded with musical vibe for all taste. I must say, I have even surprised myself with this project. What's next, the Cleveland Orchestra? I wanted to thank Larry Homolak and the gang from the Akron Big Band for making this show possible.
Chef Tim is preparing a feast that will cover all culinary desires ranging from fish to stir-fry typically and your dinner is included with your ticket purchase. You may have noticed that I have limited the ticket sales for this event to 125. We are going to be losing nearly a third of the floor space in the Barn as we clear off and polish up the dance floor for the first time since it was built. Besides clearing the dance floor we have to relocate almost all of the organs and Leslie Speakers on-stage to offsite to make room for the band and a drum riser. The band itself has twenty some members and they will be joined by their significant others as well as having a staff of nearly twenty people here to make the show happen. The place is going be packed for the show. By the way, The Band will be recording a "Live at Mike's Barn" type Album in the process.
I always thought that the swing era had to have been one of the greatest times to have been a musician just given the huge sound, complex musical arrangements with virtuosa soloist and the sheer volume of the venues with all the dancing with the dark backdrop of World War II through most of the era
I try hard to bring you all a diversity of music ranging from bluegrass to jazz every summer and serve it to you in a welcoming, hospitable environment loaded with musical vibe for all taste. I must say, I have even surprised myself with this project. What's next, the Cleveland Orchestra? I wanted to thank Larry Homolak and the gang from the Akron Big Band for making this show possible.
Chef Tim is preparing a feast that will cover all culinary desires ranging from fish to stir-fry typically and your dinner is included with your ticket purchase. You may have noticed that I have limited the ticket sales for this event to 125. We are going to be losing nearly a third of the floor space in the Barn as we clear off and polish up the dance floor for the first time since it was built. Besides clearing the dance floor we have to relocate almost all of the organs and Leslie Speakers on-stage to offsite to make room for the band and a drum riser. The band itself has twenty some members and they will be joined by their significant others as well as having a staff of nearly twenty people here to make the show happen. The place is going be packed for the show. By the way, The Band will be recording a "Live at Mike's Barn" type Album in the process.
I ask you all to buy your tickets as soon as possible, reserve a sponsorship table if you can and help support the Barn's fourteenth season. It's turning into a real humdinger so far and it would be great to keep it going till the snow flies.
This Video
Like most guys, I have absolutely, positively, no interest in dancing. Not a chance. OK, maybe after a few drinks I become a fool.
You may have noticed in the "When Swing was King" promotion that I mention dance lessons. We are going to have a gentleman here named John Crouch who will be offering dance lessons for the tepid starting about an hour before the show while dinner service starts. By the way, dinner will be available for most of the evening so don't worry if your busy getting a few dance pointers.
I ran across this instructional video explaining how to dance the "Jitterbug" and I thought I would share it you. Although you may pick up a few pointers from the film, what I love about it is the announcers "Hep-cat" slang. I suggest you get off your rusty dusty, warm up your dream box and have a look and listen.
You may have noticed in the "When Swing was King" promotion that I mention dance lessons. We are going to have a gentleman here named John Crouch who will be offering dance lessons for the tepid starting about an hour before the show while dinner service starts. By the way, dinner will be available for most of the evening so don't worry if your busy getting a few dance pointers.
I ran across this instructional video explaining how to dance the "Jitterbug" and I thought I would share it you. Although you may pick up a few pointers from the film, what I love about it is the announcers "Hep-cat" slang. I suggest you get off your rusty dusty, warm up your dream box and have a look and listen.