Music: Refugee All-Stars in Fairfield Saturday

This is nice mellow music, made by the Sierra Leonian refugees portrayed in the (devastating) documentary, Refugee All-Stars. These men have been through an awful civil war- imagine the most heinous crimes you can think of, and it happened to them- and still made music to entertain others in the camps. If you are free, it's worth a trip up to Fairfield.
Buy tickets for this Saturday's show here or see a trailer for the documentary on the Refugee All Stars' website. The documentary is great- I recommend it.



Click here to read more.

TAP Cafe at Palace Theatre... Drinks and Music Thursday!

This TAP Cafe thing sounds really cool! I didn't see this event, which happened last night, until today, but I'll be looking out for the next one next month. I caught wind of this one at the Fairfield County Happy Hour Club site:
TAP Café (Thursday At the Palace) -5:30-7:30pm

The Palace Theatre in downtown Stamford is launching their own monthly social event for young professionals and area residents alike. They will be featuring live entertainment from Irish Fiddler and Dan Tessler, as well as drinks and appetizers. Cost for the event is $20, but includes 2 drinks and appetizers.

The Palace Theatre is located at 61 Atlantic St, Stamford, CT 06901

I think this sounds like it's worth a try!

I will say, I think they should lower the price to $10 and have people just buy drinks. Twenty bucks is kind of a lot. Click here to read more.

Jazz Outdoors at Stamford Mall: I'll Take It!

I'm glad to see Stamford Town Center making the most of their outdoor space. Here's info on the jazz, which runs from June 17 to Aug. 12. Too bad the outdoor dining looks out on a traffic circle (for valet) and Tresser Blvd., but it will still be good people watching and good music. The food... well, I can't say any of the mall places (PF Cheng's, Mitchell's Fish Market, Capital Grille) are my favorites, but I've been known to eat at them! Looks like the mall will be a good place for Wednesday happy hour, and the press release actually mentions that the Fairfield County Happy Hour Club will attend the inaugural jazz event next Wednesday. I like those people, so maybe I'll try to go.
About those much maligned mall restos:

Mitchell's Fish Market was our first outing with baby because booths are perfect for breastfeeding AND stashing the baby's carseat if he happens to fall asleep. We wanted a slightly fancier booth place because it was our two year wedding anniversary.

Capital Grille- ate there once and will not go back if I have the option to do Morton's instead. The meat was OK, but house salad SUCKED (sorry to use that word, but I feel very strongly about salads) compared to Morton's chopped salad. Morton's is just cool, and Capital Grille is just OK.

PF Chang's- We sometimes go here if we go to Barnes and Noble. I really like their crab wontons with a glass of white wine! However, for your Asian food of choice, you should do Thai Chi, formerly Plateau- better quality food, and they deliver! Click here to read more.

Music This Weekend: Daria Musk

Yes!!! I finally got two good 3 hour stretches of sleep for the first time in a few days, so I can stay awake while baby takes his third sleep session of, if I'm lucky, 2 hours. He could wake up any second, though, so here I go.

One of my Tweople (Twitter friends), Daria Musk, is playing at Fairfield Theatre Company this Sunday. From the FTC site: Fresh from The Paradise in Boston and The Mercury Lounge in NYC, people are talking about Daria Musk. Producer Bob Power (Erykah Badu)says, Daria is "one of the most effortless singers I've ever heard. You can hear her smile when she sings. Killer guitar-player, too." And here's what PULP magazine says about her: If there’s anyone to keep your eye on it’s her.

Plus, look at her, she's gorgeous!
If I were a guy, I would ask a girl out on a date to this show. I think it would make you look cool.
The show is Sunday, May 17, at 7:30 PM, and tickets are 5 buckaroonis. (You can't buy online, so just show up.)

Follow me on twitter at stamfordtalk, and follow Daria at dariamusk!

And here is a gratuitous shot of my perfect angel baby:

Seriously he is amazing.
Well, he's probably just an ordinary baby, but I'm enjoying him. Click here to read more.

Drinks 'n Music This Week

A few events to share:
1. Fairfield County Happy Hour Club at Tigin this Thursday March 12, 7pm. I like the people that go to these events, and if I could drink, I'd go.

2. My friend Jeff is playing this Friday March 13 at Mackenzie's in Old Greenwich from 3:30 to 5:30. That's actually a nice little bar for happy hour; I was there a couple of weeks ago. Jeff plays with the Terryl Lee Band, but this is another group, The Sunday Morning Boys. The band members are great musicians and good people, so I bet it will be a very enjoyable show. Jeff's post about this gig mentions singing along to Irish tunes. I'm not sure if he's serious, but if you have ever sung along to Irish songs, you know how fun it is. "And it's no, nay, never (clap clap clap clap clap) no nay never, no moooooore, will I play the wild rover, no never, no more." That's my favorite.

3. On Saturday the 14th, Mystic Bowie is doing a show at O'Neill's pub in Norwalk at 8:30. I've not been to O'Neill's since they moved to their new location, but Mystic puts on a really good show.

That's all I can corral for you right now, so don't click to read more. Click here to read more.

Aug19-24 Music, Art, and Food

All week and next week:
Stamford Downtown Summer Restaurant Weeks. The special prix-fixe menus are a great chance to try restos at reasonable prices. Some places have better deals than others. I really liked Duo last time. Check out participating places here.
Thursday:
--Photography exhibit reception at Sundance Café on Broad Street, 5-6pm. That’s right by the mall. Photographer Vincent Rodriguez will display his photos of Stamford. Another local photographer, Shamik Ganguly, also has photos up.
--Fairfield County Happy Hour Club at Monster B’s, 7pm. Coincidentally, Fairfield County Bloggers will also be there for a happy hour. Should be fun.

Friday:
My real life and facebook friend Damon Grant is playing Jazz in the park in Darien. The concert is free, at Tilley Park, right across from the Darien train station. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Saturday:
Pet Adoption Day at Stamford Animal Care & Control from 10 to 4. Food, vendors, pet care experts, free. It’s at 201 Magee Ave. Google the address if you’ve never been down there, because it can be confusing.

Sunday:
Cricket! Biiiiiiig cricket match!

Next week:
Saturday Aug 30: Gospel, Arts & Crafts Festival at the Yerwood Center, free, 12-5pm. Click here to read more.

Norwalk Oyster Fest Sept 5: Oak Ridge Boys!!!! And, Treatise on Country Music

Oak Ridge Boys!!! OMG I am inordinately excited! Oak Ridge Boys, Sister Sledge, and Los Lonely Boys will be playing at Oyster Fest in Norwalk. I saw the Oak Ridge Boys play at the Boy Scout Jamboree in Va when I was like, 10. It was so much fun. I like country music. In fact, I'm going to go spend some of my iTunes gift certificate on the song "Bye Bye" by Jo Dee Messina.

The Oyster Fest starts Friday Sept 5. See Norwalk Seaport's website for more info. Prepare to park far away and walk to the Fest, and for goodness' sake, wear closed-toe shoes. After a weekend of oysters and beer, you don't want your feet to touch that ground.

Here's Jo Dee:


Funny- the video looks old. The song doesn't sound dated, though, which shows what an amaaaaaazing song it is. If you don't like country, and you're not from the South, I don't wanna hear it, because you just don't have the life experience to understand it. I'm not saying you can only understand country if you are from the South. I'm just saying, part of country's appeal comes from driving along a two-lane road with nothing to look at and nothing really to do. To someone from the NY Metro area, that might sound terrible, but driving along like that is a great feeling. I know people who aren't from rural areas can appreciate country, but they've got to have the right, chilled-out mindset. Click here to read more.

This Week: Music in Stamford and SoNo Arts Fest

Today, Wed: Fairfield County Happy Hour Club meets at Hula Hanks in Stamford. I love the guys that run this and I always meet nice people when I go (don't the people in this pic look nice?). I'm gonna stop by. I am dying to see what name tag I get; they always have funny ones. Also, there is music in Columbus Park tonight; I'm going to stop by that, too.
Ohhhh is that why Hula Hanks is doing 50's/Bike Night? Because the music in the park is 50's music? Nowwww I get it.

Tomorrow: I'm going to be at my 2nd FC Blogger Happy Hour at Monster B's, but Alive @ Five presents music (singer Billy Vera) in Columbus Park. Next week is the last one (Boys II Men!) so you should probably try to go to tomorrow's and next week's.

This weekend: SoNo Arts Celebration. Not only are the streets full of arts and crafts, there are two music stages. Mystic Bowie (he's my facebook friend!) is one of the opening acts on Friday at 8:30, and my real life friend Damon Grant plays at noon on Sunday. There is music throughout the whole event; see the website for a schedule of specific artists.

Related Stamford Talk posts:

--June 8, 2008-- Socializing Opps with FC Happy Hour Club

--July 10, 2008-- Mystic Bowie spotted at Monster B's?

--June 20, 2008-- First Alive at Five a Smashing Success

-- June 18, 2008-- Stamford Alive@Five Concerts: Drunken Frat Party? Click here to read more.

Alive @ Five Closes @ 9pm Due to Last Week's Violence

Quick reminder if you are heading out to Alive @ Five tonight: Due to fights between Stamford teens after last week's concert ended, SDSSD is trying out the tactic of emptying Columbus Park after the concert. This sign says that no one can enter the concert area after 9pm. I don't remember if the concerts usually end by that time, but I guess if you're in the park already, the concert can continue until 9:30 or whenever. I'm not sure if the solution will work, but if you read comments from Advocate readers, you'll see that the situation got pretty scary.
Thanks to the reader who sent me this photo from the show tonight!
Here are quotes from articles about the violence and tonight's solution:

From 7/21 Advocate, "Police to discuss Alive @ 5 brawls" by Jeff Morganteen:
Cooney said several fights broke out after Thursday's concert as youths from the city's West and East sides confronted one other in Columbus Park... Police arrested seven people in Thursday's altercations, and three officers were injured, Cooney said.

From 7/23 Advocate, "Columbus Park will close after Alive @ Five concert," Morganteen (this is the article with the interesting comments):
After discussions in the wake of last Thursday's Eve 6 concert, Stamford police officials and event organizers agreed to close Columbus Park from 9 to 11 p.m. after the show. Concertgoers, especially young music fans, said they were disappointed by the new policy... Jesse Arrico, 19, lamented the move because it would leave under-21 concertgoers with no place to go after the concerts. A greater police presence should be enough to correct the problem, he said... Police and concert organizers closed the park temporarily after last week's Eve 6 show. Many altercations between police and pedestrians occur after the music ends, usually at about 8:45 p.m., police and organizers said. "Most of the people who are the source of the trouble don't come for the concert," police spokesman Lt. Sean Cooney said. "They come after. We're trying to discourage that."

Blog Stamford also has an interesting post up about the subject in which he proposes some other solutions.

Click here to read my previous post about Alive at Five that links to my photos of the event. Click here to read more.

Reggae at Monster B's Was Good

I managed to catch the beginning of Monster B's Reggae Night with Timmy Love and Reflex Band. When the keyboard started, it felt like I was on a tropical island. On the next nice Sunday evening, I suggest you attend, get yourself a fruity (but strong) drink, and relax.

The music was supposed to be from 5-9, but I arrived at 8 and it was just starting. I don't like it when things start late, but I'm wondering if this band had to fill in last minute. They weren't listed for tonight on Monster B's page, but they are listed for several more upcoming gigs. That's what I choose to believe, since the band seemed cool, competent and not the type to stand people up.

Anyway. There was a mellow crowd on the deck- perhaps a bit too mellow. "This is a party... not a show. Dance if you want!" Timmy said. That is the right attitude. Get your butts out and dance, people. Not that many people were smoking, so you could probably even bring your (mellow) kids.

Related Stamford Talk Posts:
--July 10, 2008--Mystic Bowie Spotted at Monster B's?
Click here to read more.

Upcoming Music: Norwalk Jazz Fest and More

This area is rocking out with music this summer. Obviously, we have Alive @ Five Thursdays, but SDSSD also sponsors another concert series, Pops in the (Columbus) Park, Wed. July 16, 23, and 30th. That's classical/oldies/Broadway, and you are allowed to bring picnics (and, I assume, alcohol).

The Norwalk Jazz Festival is this Saturday. I'll put in a special plug for my friend Damon Grant, pictured above. He's a great percussionist and the VP for Artist Relations for the festival. The jazz fest starts at noon, Damon Grant Project plays at 3, and the Fest ends at dusk. It's at Veteran's Park in Norwalk; tickets at $25 in advance, $30 at the door. The lineup is impressive; there are several Grammy winners and nominees. Um... Norwalk is kind of out-cooling us with Jazz Fest, I have to say. Even Darien has one Aug 15.

Monster B's now has reggae every Sunday on the deck from 5-9pm. This Sunday's band is called Anthem, and there will be $3 Red Stripe beers. Monster B's has bands Thurs-Sun every week, so go to their website for the latest.

This one's interesting: every Thursday in July, First Presbyterian Church on Bedford, AKA the Fish Church, will have concerts on their lawn. The Advocate says, ...an hour of music from the Carillon Tower followed by an hour of live music. The concerts are free. Audience members may bring a picnic dinner. I'm not sure I want to eat while bells ring over my head, but maybe the bells are prettier than I think. I wonder if the church is doing this on the same night as Alive at Five to give people a less wild option? I also wonder if you're allowed to bring your own alcohol to First Presby's Concerts along with your picnic dinner.

Let's see... the Bartlett Arboretum has classical music on Sundays at both 10am and 5pm. 16 and under free, non-members $10.

Next week, my friend Jeff's band, the Terryl Lee Band, is playing on Friday, July 18th, at the Bottega Lounge in New Haven, CT. No cover.

On Thursdays, Thataway Cafe on Greenwich Ave. features singer-songwriters at their Songwriters Den.

Check out Faifield Theatre Company and Acoustic Cafe (Bridgeport) for more music options.

Here's an awesome pic of the Fish Church from the 1950s. You can click to make it larger. Click here to read more.

Mystic Bowie spotted at Monster B's?

I totally should have said hi to the guy with dreads at Monster B's. He was sitting on the patio when I was there randomly this Tuesday. I thought it was Mystic Bowie, but I wasn't sure; this guy looked younger than I expected. Also, I didn't want to look like a groupie, because I've never seen him play. If I said, "Are you Mystic Bowie?" all I'd be able to follow it up with would be, "I've seen your picture in the paper." Bo-ring!
Ugh. I should've said hi. I was tired, and not in the mood to try to be interesting, but now I regret it. Dammit. I also wasn't dressed that cutely, so... anyway, Mystic Bowie plays at Fairfield Theatre tonight.
***** Oh my god, that probably was Mystic Bowie! I just looked at his tour dates, and he's got several at Monster B's, including one on Sept 21: "Reggae Sunday Afternoon on the Deck." That sounds amazing.

Let's hope for great weather, but the indoor space at Monster B's is huge, so no worries. This event is SO already on my calendar and nothing is stopping me from going to it.

Monster B's
489 Glenbrook Rd
Stamford, CT
www.monsterbsbarandgrille.com

So, Mystic Bowie is from Jamaica. His website has an impressive bio, and you can hear samples of his music on his myspace page. I like "Sixteen Dimples."

Here's a description about the Fairfield Theatre show tonight: Mystic Bowie performs with a band of New Orleans natives. The result is music with a diverse mix of ethnic, geographic and musical roots, combining funk, jazz and rock with rich Caribbean traditions to create music with a hard-rocking, deeply funky reggae sound. Additionally since 1992, Mystic has delighted audiences around the world as the lead vocalist for the Tom Tom Club, a musical collaboration featuring Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads.

Monster B's is a nice bar. Excellent sound system, two pool tables, darts, extensive outdoor seating, good food. Check it out if you haven't been yet. They also have live music Thurs-Sun! They are making one of my dreams a reality: live music in Stamford! Click here to read more.

First Alive at Five a Smashing Success

"Guys, I saw a snapping turtle today, and it was spectacular." -me to my dining companions after Alive at Five.

AAF was soooo crowded, but in a good way. No one was stumbling-drunk until 8:30. People were patient and didn't mind other people bumping into them. Goooooo Alive at Five, you were great!

I got there at 4:45-ish. I met old friends- from 5 years ago- and new friends- from 2 days ago- hey, Trivia Girls! Music was good, glasses of white wine were full, and the crowd was motley. Verdict: not like a frat party. Please see more pics at my flickr gallery.

My friends got claustrophobic and left around 7:30, but I think they were just tired. I personally did not mind rubbing up against a bunch of strangers. In fact, I loved it.

About the snapping turtle. You may recall I saved an unsavable turtle last weekend. Well, yesterday on the way home from work, I saw a creature scuttling across the road. I realized he was a large turtle- imagine the size of a large cat- so I pulled over to make sure he made it. By then, the turtle was across, and a Direct TV guy had pulled over and was taking a pic of the turtle with his camera phone. I jogged over to get a good look at the turtle with his badass jagged shell, then I went home to get ready for AAF.

Oh- the bad news- walking to Morton’s for a burger after AAF, I saw some Lacoste-wearing punk push over a human statue! I reported it to the UBS biking security guard, who said, "Thanks- it should be on camera.” Yeah, Stamford, with your fancy businesses and their fancy cameras!

Turns out Morton’s does not have burgers, so go to Napa for your fancy burgers. After apps and salad, the statue of the hula-hooping girl was back up.

You know, and this is just a thought, maybe it's not safe to have small children around those statues. Can you imagine if a statue fell over and a kid got smushed between the statue and a concrete sidewalk? Consider yourself warned, people. Click here to read more.

Stamford Alive@Five Concerts: Drunken Frat Party?

a. "Of course! That's the point!"
b. "If you think that's a drunken frat party, you haven't been to a real frat party."

I think the truth is somewhere in between those 2 opposing responses.


AAF, Stamford's Thursday rock concert series, is like a frat party in that it's outdoors with beer as the main beverage.

However, it's much better people watching than a frat party because there is a wider variety of partiers.

And, like b. suggests, people don't get that drunk or crazy. First, most of us have to work the next day. Second, you aren't allowed to bring in your own coolers anymore. Finally, with all those strangers around, it's best to maintain some self-composure.

To me, these concerts are a good chance to hear OK music and see who else is out. I like to be near people.

Some people I know have said they hate the concerts, but I think as long as you know they are a CONCERT, you should know to expect beer and a crowd. Don't expect to hold a conversation. If you want a relaxed outdoor festival, go to an outdoor festival and sit on a picnic blanket, OR, go to the Wednesday classical music series at Columbus Park. Those are very nice and low key.

We'll see how it all turns out tomorrow... Always Home and Uncool reports that lead singer of Blues Traveler, John Popper, grew up in Stamford.

Good news: Fairfield County Happy Hour Club is having their Thursday happy hour in Stamford, at Rack and Roll on Atlantic, right after AAF ends! So, don't bother trying to wedge yourself into Tiernan's. Click here to read more.

Summer: Yellow Nails, Blues Traveler, Dead Animals

Sign of Summer 1: I don’t mean to be flip about the dead animals. Last weekend, I screeched my car to a halt on the side of the road to rescue a turtle. Turns out someone had already run it over and cracked the poor thing’s shell.

I know he was going to die a slow death after I placed him on the side of the road, but I don’t think there is anything else I could have done. Someone should have stopped long before he got that far out into the road. If there is any animal that’s easy to save, it’s a turtle. I’m sure none of you passed a turtle on Cold Spring on Saturday, because if you are the type to read this blog, you’re the type to save an easy to save animal.

An increase in animal encounters is a sign of summer. Whether it’s ticks, frogs, owls, baby deer, mosquitos, jelly fish, or snakes, let’s be on the lookout for our non-human neighbors. I’m busy monitoring a pack of young chipmunks running amok in my yard, so the rest of you need to pick up my slack with the other species.

Sign of Summer 2: Thursday summer concerts downtown! It’s got some fancy name, like Live at Five, or Alive at Five, which I get mixed up with the Fridays at Five concerts in college. All you have to know is that there is lots of beer and rock/R and B music.

This Thursday-- and I’ve already got an image of what it’s going to be like running through my head-- is BLUES TRAVELER!!!

Here’s what it’s gonna look like: all the girls are in tank tops, it’s hot as hell (although my weather widget says 77 and sunny), the music is so loud, and we’re dancing and singing along. Yeah! No coolers, no pets, etc. Just bring yourself and some cash to buy water and beer. I’d also plan ahead for parking; I’m scheming as we speak.

Sign of Summer 3: I kicked off the start of summer today by getting a bright yellow manicure. Ever since my bright blue manicure garnered me tons of attention, I’ve been picturing lime green as my next color. Zen Nails didn’t have that, so I went with yellow. It’s pretty bonkers.

Zen Nails, again, was a disaster. Understaffed, unaggressive cuticle grooming, no one to give me a massage while my nails dried... but all the equipment is new and they have great colors! Do not go there if you have any sort of time constraint. It took me almost an hour and a half to get a mani-pedi, but my nails look awesome. My toenails are magenta.

Oh- and my ATV riding neighbor who illegally rides on the street, with his kid, with no helmet? Well... now, at least, the kid has a helmet on... a helmet that’s adult-sized. Great. Just great.

Related Stamford Talk posts:

--March 16, 2008-- Spring in Stamford=Illegal ATV Riding

--April 27, 2008-- Girly Day in Stamford: Zen Spa and Nails Click here to read more.

Music at Monster B's Tonight! UPDATE: I Went and It Was Good, But Now the Durkins' Gig is Over

Original Post, 6:30 pm: And I know for a fact that Stamford Talk will be there 915-1015. She has a 10:30 curfew, but has been inspired by Blog Stamford's vow to visit all of Stamford's bars by Labor Day... Jen Durkin is playing and I hear her band is very good!

Update, 10:57 pm. Ha ha! That was me laughing at the fact that I sat alone for an hour at the bar. If you were one of the people who rejected me, no worries. I got to talk to the band, plus I like to test myself occasionally to see how I do alone in public places. No, seriously, I do! I did OK this time. Not the best, because I didn't work my magic and make new best friends, but I did get some good face time with some (husband, earmuffs!) cute musicians.

Unfortunately, this was the Durkins (Jen is the lead singer, John the drummer, they're siblings) and Friends last night gigging at Monster B's. However, Johnny's band the Cosmic Jibaros (that's them on the right) are at Two Boots in Bridgeport this Sat, May 21. From the Fairfield Weekly site: "Local cross-cultural legends the Cosmic Jibaros combine the intensity of rock and roll with an infectious Latin beat. This nine-piece Bridgeport band prides itself on the groove, and almost half the group plays some sort of percussion instrument including Deep Banana Blackout drummer Johnny Durkin. Lead guitarist Darien Cunning adds jazz and soul to the mix without overpowering the vocals of frontman Ricardo Reyes. He sings his politically charged lyrics, primarily in Spanish, to an audience that's usually nothing if not entranced. Two Boots, 277 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport. 9 p.m. $5. (203) 331-1377. www.twoboots.com."

So, we're back on the hunt for good live music in Stamford, and I don't mean cover bands. I don't want to hear songs I can sing along with. I just want to listen and appreciate. Tonight at Monster B's, Jen and Johnny had 5 others playing with them, including Rich Zirkowksi, bassist, and Darien Cunning, guitar. The music was really good and I hated to leave. The band started a little late, maybe 10:15, so I did not get to hear much before I left at 10:34. Not a bad night overall! The Blueberry Blue Point beer was tasty. Click here to read more.

Fairfield County Happy Hour at Monster B's

I am very curious about Monster B's. I meant to post about it on Stamford Talk, but I think I only posted about it at Chow. It's a new Stamford bar that I know nothing about, but I think it might have good music. Tonight (Thursday May 8) at 7pm, the Fairfield County Happy Hour Club is getting together there for what I am sure will be a total flirting drunk-fest. (That's the impression I get from the pics on their website.) I can't go because I'm sick, but you all should go and report back to me.

Here's what I know so far about Monster B's:

From the looks of the site, they DO have good music. Jen Durkin (Wednesdays) is well known and her friends are talented... Thurs is open Mike, and they have music Friday and Saturday. AND, I bet they have free parking. I can't picture where the place is, but I'm sure I can find it.

That's a pretty bold move to face off with Jimmy's Seaside's- I mean, Seaside Tavern's- Wed. Open Mic! Click here to read more.

The New Seaside Tavern (The Old Jimmy's!)

Last Wednesday, I forced my husband to go on a "Stamford Talk Adventure." First we cruised Cove Beach and took this pic of the boat dock, where anyone who wants to can drive their car straight into Long Island Sound. Go for it!
Then, we checked out Seaside Tavern, the new name of Jimmy's Seaside. Jimmy's is/was best known as one of Stamford's few live music venues. The new owners plan to continue the live music and place more emphasis on the food. I, personally, am not rushing to go try food at a place that is not known for its food, but please, if you have, post a review. I do hope the music continues, because the place can get pleasantly hot and crowded when a good band is playing.

When I was there last week, Seaside seemed just like Jimmy's. The house jam band was setting up for open mic, a yuppie-ish after work crew was wrapping up its happy hour, and some un-yuppies were playing pool. Jimmy's- I mean, Seaside Tavern- is a good place to go for a beer without feeling like you need to impress anyone. Its myspace page has the menu and a list of upcoming bands. There are also loads of pictures from the Seaside Tavern opening night party that are worth a gander.

Related Stamford Talk post:
Sept 2007: Hallelujah: Open Jam on Wednesday Click here to read more.

American Idol Tour at Bridgeport

If you're a real fan, you probably know about this. I'm an only sorta fan, but I am big time rooting for the guy whose name I forget who sang that jaw-dropping rock version of Lionel Richie's "Hello." And why was Chickezee eliminated again? Anyway, I think I am free Sept 6, so I might go to this.

David Cook! That's his name. If he does not win this, I will freak out. The tour is at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. Tickets go on sale May 17.



I love you David Cook!!! If you have the performance saved in TiVo in high def, you can see, on your 50-inch plasma, glimpses of his Mom's face in the audience behind him. The love and pride in her face is just amazing. Three of the 20 times I replayed the song were to watch her reactions.

One reason I'm only a sorta fan is because it's all performance. Boring! I wish they'd show us a few clips of the singers practicing. Maybe just at the end they could show it. Paula could try to make her comments more succinct so we have a few more minutes available. I like knowing the back story on things. I've actually only watched maybe 4 episodes this season. Click here to read more.

Weekend Planning: Yours, with the Fairfield Weekly

I tell ya, the Fairfield Weekly is where you need to go to plan your weekend. It's the most efficient way to find great events and the best resource for the local music scene.

I check the Weekly every Thursday. During the dark days when I first lived in Stamford, it was my lifeline to music, culture and creativity- the young kind. The FW led me to Green's, which led me to good music and all sorts of other things that are better off forgotten.

Scroll down a little bit to the "Leisure" tab on the right-hand side, and click on "7 Days: The Week That Is." The feature lists the top entertainment choice for each day of the week, which might be a lecture, concert, art show, or... any type of event you can think of that is legal. The wide variety of events means that you aren't only reading about things that cost 50 bucks, like tickets to shows at SCA. Click here to read more.