Live Music Friday Night in Phoenix
Weekends start on Thursday at www.LiveMusicPhoenix.com
Over 30 Live Music Events in Phoenix Saturday Night
Live Music Thursday Night in Phoenix
The Case for Live Music from Ovation Press
“Music is a temporal art form; it exists truly only for the fleeting time that it is heard, and then it is gone.”
http://stringvisions.ovationpress.com/2012/01/daily-bow-the-case-for-live-music/
Tuesday night blues….or jazz or ??? in Phoenix tonight.
The weekend starts on Thursday!
Crescent Ballroom upcoming events on Live Music Phoenix
The Crescent Ballroom
www.LiveMusicPhoenix.com
Crescent Ballroom is three things. It’s a mid-size music venue in Downtown Phoenix able to accommodate crowds in the 400-500 range. Crescent Ballroom also is a Lounge, open daily with full-bar service, and free live music everyday. The final component is our Kitchen, featuring a unique menu hand-crafted and operated by Chris Bianco, of Pizzeria Bianco, and Doug Robson, of Gallo Blanco.
Crescent Ballroom is an adaptive reuse project utilizing a block-constructed building built in 1917, the F.L. Hart Garage.
F.L. HART GARAGE
International Blues Challenge in February
Support Live Music – www.LiveMusicEarth.com
The International Blues Challenge (IBC) will be held this coming February in Memphis as it has been for the last twenty-seven years. The IBC is a gathering of almost two hundred bands competing for what could arguably be called their “big break” and for some it could be their biggest heartbreak. The IBC really began early this year with Blues societies throughout the world holding local and regional competitions to raise money and sponsor their representative band and/or solo-duo act to the IBC. The judging rules and information about the IBC can be found HERE, but this story is not about the rules but about the real-life drama, joy, excitement and blood, sweat, and tears of most of those who compete in the local, state, and then the global competition. Everyone cannot make it to Memphis.
Blues Societies holding local and regional competition usually have at least twenty-five plus bands competing for two spots, one for a band and one for a solo-duo artist. The numbers are staggering if you think about it. As the growth of the IBC’s these last few years have proven two hundred bands this year is very likely. So the math is simple, each bands had to qualify by winning against on average twenty-five bands. That’s five thousand bands competing for two hundred spots, staggering numbers! Never mind the fact that these bands average three and half members per band, that’s over fifteen thousand band members who ultimately will experience the rush of winning and the agony of losing, many more the latter.
To say there isn’t a lot riding on this would be a foolish statement. In the last few years, winners of the IBC have gone on to tremendous success, created memorable music and because of their talents we became their fans for life. Several of these winners have graced the cover of Blues Revue and other notable blues publications around the globe. Included are Tommy Castro,Susan Tedeschi, Watermelon Slim, and recently featured on the March-April cover, Trampled Under Foot, to name a few. That’s not to mention the many feature stories written about other IBC winners such as Zac Harmon,Eden Brent, Fiona Boyes, and the list goes on and on. The have together gone on to win some of the most prestigious music awards in the world.
This is a big thing! It starts with what I witnessed at a local competition this weekend and many times around the country over the years in other competitions. The Suncoast Blues Society held their final round of what I refer to as “The Road to Memphis And Beyond.” It took place at the long-standing blues venue Skipper’s Smokehouse (My children are 21 and 19. Their mother and I had our first date at Skipper’s prior to them being born; it’s been their a while and always had the blues). Having witnessed many competitions, take my word for it, this contest showcased some fierce local talent. SBS President Tom Carter shared with me that on the first day of sign-ups to compete fourteen bands entered the competition.
Upon arriving at the venue there was a unique energy that I have witnessed before, whole families and loved ones arriving to show their support for a family/band member. There was plenty of good humor and cool outfits but also nerves were on edge creating a feeling of excitement not normally witnessed at a blues party. The question that was posed to many band members, which seemed the focus of everyone’s thoughts, was “Are you ready?”
As the day progressed and both band and solo-duo acts performed, the next band up seem to huddle; set lists were changed based on what the previous bands performed, words of encouragement with hugs and high fives were witnessed as the artists took to the stage.
Then it was time to do what most musicians have been doing for many years in their living rooms, garages, high schools, and small clubs, play and try to play your best.
It was a spectacular array of local talent, with each act showcasing their own style of what blues is to them on harmonica, guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. A coordinated effort of many different styles called the blues. Each band and solo-duo artist seemed to raise the bar just a little bit higher and the vibe became really cool. But in this as with all competitions there is only one winner in each category and lots of heartbreak for those who left without a ticket to “The Road to Memphis And Beyond.” Witnessing the exhilaration of the winners and the thousand-yard stares from the bands not going to Memphis, hearing comments like “No one in my band has a job, we are musicians and winning this competition would’ve meant a lot” burned a hole in my soul.
So it is a big thing to most of the competitors and when you’re at your local supporting these musicians who sacrifice so much to entertain you, drop a dollar in the tip jar, buy a CD or t-shirt. Hell, buy two because you probably know someone who could use the blues.
The winners were all who performed in this amazing competition and The Selwyn Birchwood Band and Franc Robert got tickets for “The Road to Memphis and Beyond.” The other bands who played were Backwater Blues Band, Dennis Devine & Stan Geberer, Backtrack Blues Band, Josh Lamkin & Automatic Heat, Charlie Morris, R.J. Howson Band, Standback Band, and the Blackjack Blues Band.
Jack Sullivan is the circulation director for Blues Revue and BluesWax. He would like to read your IBC story below.
Where are you going to be New Year’s Eve? Over 40 locations to choose from!
Find just the right place for New Years!Live music almost all night long in Phoenix tonight. |
| 7:00 pm |
| Bobby’s Restaurant and Jazz Lounge 7122 E. Greenway Parkway #140 Scottsdale, AZ 85254 4805560770 |
| Donna Wilson & Todd Luckey, Classic, Smooth, Jazz ’til 12:30 AM |
| 7:00 pm |
| Eddie V’s Scottsdale Quarter 15323 N Scottsdale Road Suite E1-160 Scottsdale, AZ 85254 480-538-8468 |
| Diana Lee Quartet on NYE at Eddie V”s Scottsdale Quarter |
| 7:30 pm |
| Sail Inn Bar & Grill 26 S. Farmer Ave. Tempe, AZ 85281 480-921-1775 |
| The Sugar Thieves and friends on NYE at the Sail Inn Bar & Grill |
| 7:30 pm |
| Grapeables Wine Bar 12645 N Saguaro Blvd Fountain Hills, AL 85268 480-816-5959 |
| NYE with Steve Krum |
| 7:30 pm |
| Los Dos Molinos 4025 E. Chandler Blvd. Phoenix , AZ 85048 |
| Freddie Dduran at Los Dos Molinos in Chandler |
| 8:00 pm |
| Compound Grill 7000 E Mayo Blvd. Bldg 321 NE Corner of 68th Street and Mayo Blvd. Phoenix, AZ 85054 480-585-5483 |
| NYE Party! Uncle Lucius |
| 8:00 pm |
| Venue’s Café 34 Easy Street Carefree, AZ 12345 (480) 595 – 9909 |
| Los Dos Dons are at Venues Cafe! |
| 8:00 pm |
| Remington’s Night Club 7200 N. Scottsdale Rd Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 480-948-5000 |
| New Year’s Eve with Danny Long, Judy Roberts and Greg Fishman |
| 8:00 pm |
| Warren’s Jazz Bistro 1451 E Williams Field Road Gilbert, AZ 85295 480-899-5299 |
| New Year’s Eve with Smooth Groove 8:00pm – midnight |
| 8:00 pm |
| Old Town Tavern 7320 E. Scottsdale Mall Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480.945.2882 |
| Michael Nitro New Year’s Eve at 8pm |
| 8:00 pm |
| Crescent Ballroom 308 N 2nd Ave Phoenix, AZ 85003 602-716-2222 |
| NEW YEARS EVE PAHTAY – AMATEUR NIGHT WITH SEAN WATSON |
| 8:00 pm |
| 5th & Wine 7051 E 5th Ave Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480-699-8001 |
| NYE with the Stan Sorenson Trio |
| 8:00 pm |
| Zendejas Grill 19420 N.59th ave Glendale, AZ 85308 623-398-6434 |
| NYE with AZTEX Band |
| 8:00 pm |
| Skye Fine Dining and Entertainment 16844 N Arrowhead Fountain Center Drive Peoria, AZ 85382 623-334-0010 |
| Skye’s Annual New Years Eve Celebration |
| 8:00 pm |
| Yucca Tap Room 29 W Southern Ave Tempe, AZ 85282 480-967-4777 |
| New Years Eve: High Horse, Scorpion vs. Tarantula, The Love Me Nots, Minibosses, Bruises |
| 8:00 pm |
| Cactus Jack’s Bar & Grill 4747 E. Elliot Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85044 480-893-6630 |
| Marmalade Skies tribute to the Beatles on New Year’s Eve |
| 8:30 pm |
| Thunderbird Roadhouse 3549 W. Thunderbird rd. Phoenix, AZ 85053 602-439-6800 |
| Bill Tarsha & the Rocket 88s on New Year’s Eve at 8:30pm |
| 8:30 pm |
| Handlebar-J 7116 E. Becker Lane Scottsdale, AZ 85254 480-948-0110 |
| Herndon Brothers Band starting at 8:30pm |
| 8:30 pm |
| Blue Martini Lounge 5455 E High Street Phoenix, AZ 85054 480-638-2583 |
| Dy_Verse Band on NYE at Blue Martini starting at 8:30pm |
| 8:30 pm |
| Copper Blues 50 West Jefferson Street Phoenix, AZ 85003 480-719-5005 |
| Easton Ashe on New Year’s Eve starting at 8:30pm |
| 8:30 pm |
| Ritz Carlton Phoenix Lobby Lounge 2401 E Camelback Road Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-468-0700 |
| Nicole Pesce with Jeffrey Hattrick, MIke King and E.J. Rodriguez |
| 8:30 pm |
| Club Red 2155 E. University Drive Tempe, AL 85281 480.966.4733 |
| New Year’s Eve Romantasy Cabaret at Club Red |
| 9:00 pm |
| Renegade Canteen 9343 E Shea Blvd Ste 135 Scottsdale, AZ 85260 480-614-9400 |
| New Years Eve – Renegade Style |
| 9:00 pm |
| Rhythm Room 1019 E. Indian School Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85014 602-265-4842 |
| NYE with Cold Shott & the Hurricane Horns |
| 9:00 pm |
| Steel Horse Saloon 1768 W. Bell Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85023 602-942-8778 |
| NYE Bash with High & Tight! |
| 9:00 pm |
| Harolds Cave Creek Corral 6895 E. Cave Creek Road Cave Creek, AZ 85331 480-488-1906 |
| New Year’s Eve celebration with Young Country starting at 9pm |
| 9:00 pm |
| Kazimierz World Wine Bar 7137 E. Stetson Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85251 480-946-3004 |
| Sugahbeat at the Kaz Bar on New Year’s Eve at 9pm |
| 9:00 pm |
| Tempe Tavern 1810 E. Apache Blvd. Tempe, AZ 85281 480-794-1706 |
| Dead Hot Workshop w/ Ghetto Cowgirls & The Persuaders |
| 9:00 pm |
| Jersey D’s Tavern & Grill 5945 W. Ray Rd., Ste. 13 Chandler, AZ 85226 480-705-9700 |
| Zimis |
| 9:00 pm |
| The Blooze Bar 12014 N. 32nd. Street Phoenix, AZ 602-788-4574 |
| Lit Up for Adults Only |
| 9:30 pm |
| Casino Arizona 824 N 92nd Street Scottsdale, AZ 85256 480-850-7734 |
| Pima Lounge | True to Life |
| 9:30 pm |
| CK’s Tavern and Grill 40th St. and Chandler Blvd Chandler, AZ 85044 480 706-5564 |
| New Year’s Eve with Angry Inch ’til 2 AM |
leave a comment