Calendars

Calendars on line Concert Calendar KGNU Presents Arts Calendar Events Calendar KGNU Presents   This calendar is a service of KGNU. More info KGNU is not responsible for the accuracy of the information presented here. For additional information on any posting, please use the contact information listed in the posting rather than contacting KGNU.   Show Venue Extra info Friday, February 03 Boulder Dr. Dog w/Purling Hiss Boulder Theater Dr. Dog was officially established in 1999 with the Psychedelic Swamp record. What followed was an intense period of stockpiling eight-track recordings, open-ended enrollment policies where Dr. Dog membership included a man who played a one-string guitar in a skintight skeleton costume and another who danced in the crowd while wearing a tuxedo. Despite their loyal hometown following, Dr. Dog could have very well remained a Philadelphia phenomenon had McMickens then-girlfriend not slipped a copy of Toothbrush, a collection of home recordings, to Jim James of My Morning Jacket, who would take them on their first tour and prepare the way for the waves of positive press that would greet 2005's Easy Beat. Dr. Dog has created a song cycle of doubt and despair, bookended with the woozily swirling harmonies of Leamans lonely opener Stranger and the harsh self-critique of the title track, a gnarled admission that sometimes its best to admit your mistakes and move on. The tone is entirely different, with doubt, confusion and unanswered questions. And yet Shame, Shame is not a joyless affair. Its a record destined to claim its place on the timeless margins, untouched by modern tastes and content to exist on its own terms. Dig deeper, and you'll hear that its the sound of bones groaning to support new growth and the story of how just how difficult the maturation process is, even when you want it more than anything. It's the sound of Dr. Dog writing their next chapter, the one they've been working towards since they played their first notes together.  Wednesday, February 08 Denver Greensky Bluegrass Bluebird Theatre If you're familiar with bluegrass music, then you're tuned in to some of what Greensky Bluegrass does. They're also known to throw a great party, rock n roll, and (if the critics are to be believed) they have great songs. They are unquestionably a team of friends that traverse the country making music they enjoy. What makes Greensky different than Bluegrass? Poignant rural ballads about real people? Dobro tone that Jerry (Douglas or Garcia) would love? Distortion Pedals? Grit and attitude from a whiskey soaked card game? Indeed, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. This quintet from Michigan has been staying up late at all the coolest festivals and stopping to play your favorite clubs and theaters across America for 11 years now. Nearly 175 shows per year has prepared them for the rigorous task of continuity. Greensky Bluegrass isn't slowing down. They're coming to your town to help you party down. Yeah. Really. Like you never thought possible. At the start of the millenium, some of these guys met, then they met more guys. They thought Greensky was a clever name for a bluegrass band. Fast forward to 2011 when they recorded their fourth studio record, called Handguns. Among them, words like, proud, killer, and damn right! have been spoken in regards to the music of Handguns. While they all may be accurate, we hope you'll find far more than you expected - even more than we expected contained in this piece work that may well come to define one of 21st Century Americas hardest working musical ensembles. 16+ doors 8 p.m./show 9 p.m.  Thursday, February 09 Boulder Greensky Bluegrass Fox Theatre If you're familiar with bluegrass music, then you're tuned in to some of what Greensky Bluegrass does. They're also known to throw a great party, rock n roll, and (if the critics are to be believed) they have great songs. They are unquestionably a team of friends that traverse the country making music they enjoy. What makes Greensky different than Bluegrass? Poignant rural ballads about real people? Dobro tone that Jerry (Douglas or Garcia) would love? Distortion Pedals? Grit and attitude from a whiskey soaked card game? Indeed, but that's just the tip of the iceberg. This quintet from Michigan has been staying up late at all the coolest festivals and stopping to play your favorite clubs and theaters across America for 11 years now. Nearly 175 shows per year has prepared them for the rigorous task of continuity. Greensky Bluegrass isn't slowing down. They're coming to your town to help you party down. Yeah. Really. Like you never thought possible. At the start of the millenium, some of these guys met, then they met more guys. They thought Greensky was a clever name for a bluegrass band. Fast forward to 2011 when they recorded their fourth studio record, called Handguns. Among them, words like, proud, killer, and damn right! have been spoken in regards to the music of Handguns. all ages doors 8:30 p.m./show 9 p.m. While they all may be accurate, we hope you'll find far more than you expected - even more than we expected contained in this piece work that may well come to define one of 21st Century Americas hardest working musical ensembles.   Paper Bird Fox Theatre When asked what genre of music they play, they answer "joyful." The eight-piece band consists of three female singers, accompanied by banjo, guitar, stand-up bass, percussion and trombone. Their rare and beautiful approach to music led them to be featured on NPRs All Things Considered and they were voted in the Top 10 Best Underground Bands by Denver Post three years in a row, as well as 5280s Top of the Town 2009 "Top Local Band". with Eye & the Arrow w/ Patrick Dethlefs & Nick Jaina. all ages 8:30 p.m. doors/9pm show  Saturday, February 11 Boulder KGNUs Mardi Gras Party w/ JoJo Reed and Happy Hill Zydeco Avalon Ballroom KGNU is teaming up with the Colorado Friends of Cajun and Zydeco music to bring you a true Mardi Gras dance! Louisiana musician JoJo Reed will perform two full sets with his band, and there will be traditional dance lessons taught at 7pm, followed by dancing from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Plan of authentic low country cuisine, beverages, auctions and more. We would love to see you there! Tickets are $20 for general admission, $10 for students with a valid ID. This is a fundraising event; tickets are available in advance online at kgnu.org or at the door.   Friday, February 17 Boulder Snowlive featuring Soulive and JJ Grey of MOFRO w/Jennifer Harts Fox Theatre When brothers Neal and Alan Evans first invited guitarist Eric Krasno to get down at their Woodstock, NY studio (a session that led to the trios break-out record Get Down! in 1999), it was out of mutual love for the great soul-jazz organ trios of the 60s and 70s (Jimmy Smith, Groove Holmes, Brother Jack McDuff). Not many bands can say theyve recorded with Chaka Khan, Dave Matthews, Talib Kweli and John Scofield. Nor can many bands open for The Rolling Stones on one tour and have Stevie Wonder sit in with them on the next tour. The developed musical relationships, from the aforementioned artists to Derek Trucks, Maceo Parker, Susan Tedeschi, Karl Denson, Robert Randolph, Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, Fred Wesley, The Roots, Ivan Neville and so many others, speak volumes about both how versatile these talented musicians are. Jazz, hip-hop, rock, soul, funk, R & B, Blues musically, there is not much the band hasn't done. March 2011 marked the 12 year anniversary of the trio, who celebrated their careers at Bowlive II alongside their longtime co-conspirators that comprise Royal Family Records: the Shady Horns (Sam Kininger and Ryan Zoidis), Nigel Hall, and all the Soulive side projects, including Lettuce, Fyre Dept, Chapter 2, and Adam Deitchs Break Science. The Bowlive residency at Brooklyn Bowl was their second annual residency which drew over 8,000 fans over ten nights with guests such as Maceo Parker, John Scofield, Ivan Neville, Talib Kweli, and Pharoahe Monch. In 2010, Soulive released Rubber Soulive their take on Beatles classics to rave reviews. The future of funk is in good hands. FULL PASS AVAILABLE--includes 3 shows, 4 workshops and a poster all ages, 8:30 p.m. doors/show 9pm  Saturday, February 18 Boulder Snowlive, featuring Soulive, JJ Grey of MOFRO and Jennifer Harts Fox Theatre When brothers Neal and Alan Evans first invited guitarist Eric Krasno to get down at their Woodstock, NY studio (a session that led to the trios break-out record Get Down! in 1999), it was out of mutual love for the great soul-jazz organ trios of the 60s and 70s (Jimmy Smith, Groove Holmes, Brother Jack McDuff). Not many bands can say theyve recorded with Chaka Khan, Dave Matthews, Talib Kweli and John Scofield. Nor can many bands open for The Rolling Stones on one tour and have Stevie Wonder sit in with them on the next tour. The developed musical relationships, from the aforementioned artists to Derek Trucks, Maceo Parker, Susan Tedeschi, Karl Denson, Robert Randolph, Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, Fred Wesley, The Roots, Ivan Neville and so many others, speak volumes about both how versatile these talented musicians are. Jazz, hip-hop, rock, soul, funk, R & B, Blues musically, there is not much the band hasn't done. March 2011 marked the 12 year anniversary of the trio, who celebrated their careers at Bowlive II alongside their longtime co-conspirators that comprise Royal Family Records: the Shady Horns (Sam Kininger and Ryan Zoidis), Nigel Hall, and all the Soulive side projects, including Lettuce, Fyre Dept, Chapter 2, and Adam Deitchs Break Science. The Bowlive residency at Brooklyn Bowl was their second annual residency which drew over 8,000 fans over ten nights with guests such as Maceo Parker, John Scofield, Ivan Neville, Talib Kweli, and Pharoahe Monch. In 2010, Soulive released Rubber Soulive their take on Beatles classics to rave reviews. The future of funk is in good hands. FULL PASS AVAILABLE--includes 3 shows, 4 workshops and a poster all ages, 8:30 p.m. doors/show 9pm  Denver Bad Weather California w/Night of Joy and Sauna Hi-Dive This is American music. Drawing on (perhaps channeling?) The Velvet Underground and Post Beatles era John Lennon, Bad Weather California is both timeless and classic while somehow being, simultaneously, forward thinking and modern. They have been around as in around the country countless times; touring the United States, Canada and Mexico, calling broken tour vans and random living room sofas home. Since their first tour with Leeds UKs Boyracer to the Dave Longstreth (The Dirty Projectors) jaunts to the Thanksgiving west coast rips to the epic voyages with Wolf Colonel, Bad Weather California have shared bills with Doug Martsch (Built to Spill), The Microphones, Scout Nibblete, The Mountain Goats, Little Wings, Mirah, David Dondero, CEX, The Blow Fuck it. You get the picture. Most recently the Bad Weather California live experience has been compared to The Flaming Lips, The Band, Bob Dylan (Blond on Blond era). Adolf has been critically praised as a lyricist. But he has a different take on the process, saying "Writing songs, or rather letting songs write themselves, has led me down an organic path of self, perhaps even spiritual discovery and creativity. I'm not unique in this. Its just that I have chosen to share my path through the things that I make. Heres my vibe: I just want to be a regular dude playing music for regular people. I am not special." 8pm  6th Annual Mardi Gras Ball and Parade Gothic Theatre This year's lineup features: Immundo Burlesque (immundo.net), Tony Trahan and the BlueKrewe (bluekrewe.com),DJ Vic Man Do spinning all of your Mardi Gras favorites, and, of course, The Krewe of Baloo Parade Bigger and more outrageous every year, the Krewe of Baloos Mardi Gras Parade has become the highlight of our annual Charity Ball! Floats, costumes, balloons, and beads, its a dance party on the move; winding through the theater to an authentic New Orleans beat! In 2009, the Krewe of Baloo was formed by Denverites wanting to raise money for charities and have fun while doing it. They formed a 501(c)4 non-profit organization and held their first charity event. The Krewe of Baloo's mission is honest and simple: to entertain open-minded, and fun-loving people with music, art, and spectacle while raising money for community-focused charities in Colorado and Louisiana. Since that time, the Krewe of Baloo has raised thousands of dollars for charities in Colorado and Louisiana, including Mi Casa and the New Orleans Musicians' Relief Fund.   Sunday, February 19 Boulder Snowlive w/Soulive, JJ Grey of MOFRO and Jennifer Hartswick Horn Fox Theatre When brothers Neal and Alan Evans first invited guitarist Eric Krasno to get down at their Woodstock, NY studio (a session that led to the trios break-out record Get Down! in 1999), it was out of mutual love for the great soul-jazz organ trios of the 60s and 70s (Jimmy Smith, Groove Holmes, Brother Jack McDuff). Not many bands can say theyve recorded with Chaka Khan, Dave Matthews, Talib Kweli and John Scofield. Nor can many bands open for The Rolling Stones on one tour and have Stevie Wonder sit in with them on the next tour. The developed musical relationships, from the aforementioned artists to Derek Trucks, Maceo Parker, Susan Tedeschi, Karl Denson, Robert Randolph, Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, Fred Wesley, The Roots, Ivan Neville and so many others, speak volumes about both how versatile these talented musicians are. Jazz, hip-hop, rock, soul, funk, R & B, Blues musically, there is not much the band hasn't done. March 2011 marked the 12 year anniversary of the trio, who celebrated their careers at Bowlive II alongside their longtime co-conspirators that comprise Royal Family Records: the Shady Horns (Sam Kininger and Ryan Zoidis), Nigel Hall, and all the Soulive side projects, including Lettuce, Fyre Dept, Chapter 2, and Adam Deitchs Break Science. The Bowlive residency at Brooklyn Bowl was their second annual residency which drew over 8,000 fans over ten nights with guests such as Maceo Parker, John Scofield, Ivan Neville, Talib Kweli, and Pharoahe Monch. In 2010, Soulive released Rubber Soulive their take on Beatles classics to rave reviews. The future of funk is in good hands. FULL PASS AVAILABLE--includes 3 shows, 4 workshops and a poster all ages, 8:30 p.m. doors/show 9pm  Wednesday, February 22 Denver DJ Krush Bluebird Theatre An internationally acclaimed producer, remixer and a DJ, producing music in vast variety of fields such as films, TV dramas and commercials. He has done countless collaborations with artists transcending genres, such as Grammy winning artist, from Black Thought (The Roots) provided a track for his solo album, to Herbie Hancock and K.D. Lang provided remixes. In 2009, he scored an animation film entitled FIRST SQUAD, which was shown in theaters throughout Russia, and won the Kommersant Award in Moscow Film Festival. Other remarkable activities include projects such as RYU, a producer unit he formed with DJs HIDE & SAK in 1998, doing innovative collaborations with cream of new artists from all over the globe such as African percussionists. At the end of the year 2000, he joined which was established to aim for the 21st Century, and provided a track for its first benefit compilation album African JAG vol.1 released in 2005. And from 2009, he joined Bill Laswell's latest project along with artists such as Bernie Worrell and Toshinori Kondo. Following a show in Montreaux Jazz Festival, he also took part on its album Incunabula released in 2010. That Herbie Hancock also took part on this album. As of now, he has performed in front of over 4 million audiences in 282 cities of 46 countries. And he still continues to renew this record, transcending all barriers, and leaving some distinctive footsteps of his own, achieving ever-increasing acclamation as an international artist. 16+ 9pm  Thursday, February 23 Denver Bonobo (DJ Set)--Snowball Music Festival Kick Off Party Bluebird Theatre Over the last couple of years, Bonobo has become one of the premier artists on the Ninja Tune imprint and certainly one of the most listened to, with over 16 million plays recorded on LastFM. His combination of superb live shows and studio wizardry means that he is now perfectly placed to push on into a yet bigger league. With Black Sands, Bonobo has made the record to achieve it. Simon Green was born and grew up in rural Hampshire, escaping to Brighton aged eighteen. There he fell into the jazz/hip hop/funk/soul scene centered around Rob Luis and nights like phonic:hoop. An accomplished musician as a teenager, he began producing his own tracks, pushing at the template established in the sweaty little venues studding the Lanes. Greens first release came on Luis label, Tru Thoughts, when his track Terrapin was included on the compilation When Shapes Join Together in 1999. His debut album, Animal Magic followed the next year, completely self-produced and largely self-played, too. Hailed as one of the new down-tempo pioneers, Green found himself attracting the attention of other labels and eventually signed to Ninja Tune. In 2003 he released his first album for the label, Dial M For Monkey. This was a time when Green was also focusing heavily on his DJ'ing, playing banging dance floor sets of hip hop, funk and drum & bass up and down the country and across Europe, a period which reached its apogee with the release of the mix album Solid Steel: It Came From The Sea. Days To Come followed in 2006, Green opting for a lusher, more live sound than on his earlier records. To tie in with this musical development, he put together and rehearsed a live band that could bring the music of his records to life. As a result he has moved from selling out the Luminaire to selling out Koko to selling out Kentish Town Forum and the Roundhouse and producing the live DVD to prove it. Days To Come also scooped the Gilles Peterson listeners poll for Album of The Year. At the award ceremonies he met the talented UK soul singer Andreya Triana. Not only did the friendship they struck up result in Andreyas superb contributions to Black Sands but Si has produced the whole of her solo debut, coming from Ninja later in the year. doors 8pm/show 9pm 16+  Friday, February 24 Boulder Bonobo (DJ Set) Boulder Theater A young Simon Green refused to be dragged down by the lazy journalistic prose that labeled him 'chillout' and 'downtempo'. Far from it. He upped the stakes, and indeed, even stuck his neck out, moving from his original label Tru Thoughts to Ninja Tune, and set about taking things to the next level. It's all about the levels with Bonobo. Not in a techy, studio kinda way, but in the levels of involvement with his music. On the surface there are the organic, pastoral atmospheres, the catchy melodies, the elements that caught people from his first album. You can engage with a Bonobo tune in that way if you wish, and will be well rewarded for it. But it's the deeper, slightly hidden levels that you should investigate, for they bring the greatest prize. It's these elements that he explored on 'Dial M For Monkey', as a greater focus on live instruments, the intricacies of rhythm, the darker shades of the soul, and almost a sleight of hand, that meant that you could be in one mood one minute, and the next you would somewhere different. He set about building his DJ style in the same way, refusing to conform to the preconceived ideas of a laid back style, and aiming headlong for the dancefloor, with a heavy mixture of hip hop, weighty jazz, broken beats, Latin, funk, and soul, with the occasional cheeky bit of psyche rock and drum and bass thrown in. Just to keep you on yer toes right? Now a DJ of international repute, Bonobo has played all over the world, including playing to huge audiences in the USA and Canada with Amon Tobin, a progress culminating in Ninja Tune asking him to put together a Solid Steel mix album. Bugger the lounge, lets dance. all ages 9pm  Saturday, February 25 Denver Hackensaw Boys Bluebird Theatre With feet firmly planted in the old-time song tradition, hands soiled by the dirt of rock n roll and eyes fixed steadily on the future of real country music, the Hackensaw Boys are among the most exciting groups charting new territory in today's diverse Americana music scene. Everybody sings a bit of lead, everybody sings a bit of harmony. Instrumentation includes banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, harmonica, upright bass, charismo (a home-made tin can contraption) and the occasional trap kit. The groups latest effort, The Old Sound of Music, Vol. 1, delivers original material that draws upon the songwriting talents of its members. This six-song collection will be followed by a companion Volume 2 early in 2011. The two projects are the result of recording sessions held at the decaying but comfortable Sound of Music studios on Broad Street in Richmond, VA before it moved to a different decaying but comfortable building on Grace Street. The recordings were mastered by Grammy award winner Charlie Pilzer at Airshow Mastering in Takoma Park, MD. As with the groups previous album, Look Out (Nettwerk Records, 2007), all songs were engineered by Library of Congress archival audio restoration specialist (and all around good guy) Bryan Hoffa.  Friday, March 09 Denver David Mayfield Parade w/ Boom Chick Hi-Dive David Mayfield is the other voice and lead guitarist, as well as a contributing songwriter for folk rock favorites Cadillac Sky, whose last album Letters In The Deep was produced by Dan Auerbach (Black Keys) but his role as a member of the Texas by way of Nashville quintet is just one of the many musical paths this Grammy-nominated artist has journeyed. Growing up in Kent, Ohio, David was surrounded by Bluegrass music. At the age of twelve he was playing bass for the family band, traveling from festival to festival, along with his younger sister, noted songstress, Jessica Lea Mayfield, singing and absorbing the stories and lessons taught by road hard veterans, all the while picking up tips on how to play a lick on guitar or mandolin. By the time he was a teenager, Mayfield had won several national awards for his guitar and mandolin playing and his reputation was being forged in the world of Bluegrass as a player to watch out for. Things changed however when the family parked their bus in the heart of Country Music USA. Settling in Nashville, with the hopes of finding a steady gig that would allow for some stability, struggling to survive on music alone, Davids father took a job in a machine shop working the graveyard shift, while 16-year-old David got hired to sweep its floors. Once the last day shift worker and office staffer had left the building, voices would soar over the roar of machinery. Father and son while working to keep the family afloat, would simply sing. As if they hadn't a care in the world. Mayfield recalls it as one of his happiest memories. The family eventually moved back to their hometown in Ohio but David returned a few year later and after a stint of all night gun-for-hire gigs in the tourist filled honky-tonks that line downtown Nashville, Mayfield auditioned for country hit maker Andy Griggs. He got the gig and hit the road, eventually landing several appearances on the coveted Grand Ole Opry stage. In 2008 when Jessica Lea Mayfield was ready to make her debut record, Blasphemy So Heartfelt, she asked David to play bass on it. He did. And over the next year he would tour as her bassist, and as a newly minted member of Cadillac Sky all while writing and performing his own songs. That same year he produced and engineered the album In Gods Time for old friend Barry Scott. Much to Mayfield's surprise and with some amusement the song went on to earn a Grammy nomination in the Southern Gospel category in 2009. His production credits continued with Among The Oak & Ash's sophomore effort for Verve Records. But it was while on the road with Jessica that Avett Brothers, Scott and Seth took notice of Mayfield's musicianship and the three quickly developed a friendship, leading them to invite David to sit in with them dozens of times including their 2010 Bonnaroo & Merlefest sets. After urging him more and more to make a record of his own, when he took to the studio the Avetts were quick to lend their voices. David Mayfield Parade is the culmination of that encouragement. The album reflects the numerous influences that come from a lifetime of being immersed in American music and channeling its unique forms with sincerity and celebration from the howl of early rock-n-roll, to the low lonesome twang of folk and country with a voice that is all at once heartbreaking and inherently hopeful. 8pm  Wednesday, March 21 Denver Typhoon w/ Motopony and Ravenna Woods Larimer Lounge Typhoon's music has always been marked by complicated arrangements and careful orchestration. Live performances routinely involve 12 or more band members playing at once. "The group masterfully combines indie rock instrumentals and vocals with violins, percussion, hand claps, xylophone, horns and a choir of other instruments, making for inspiring and catchy songs," says Lauren Rosenthal. Typhoon hails from Portland, Oregon and originally formed in 2005. The band is currently working on its third full-length record. On August 4th, 2011, Typhoon made their television debut on the Late Show with David Letterman. doors 8pm / show 9pm 21+  Saturday, March 24 Denver KGNUs Seolta Gael presents Solas L2 Arts and Culture Center Solas is the quintessential Irish-American band recording and touring in the US today. Fifteen years ago, in a manner befitting their name (Gaelic for "light"), Solas burst onto the Irish music scene and instantly became a beacon an incandescent ensemble that found contemporary relevance in timeless traditions without ever stooping to clichs. Anchored by founding members Seamus Egan and Winifred Horan, Solas is rounded out by Mick McAuley, Eamon McElholm, and newest member Niamh Varian-Barry. Through fresh and unexpected arrangements of age-old tunes, compelling and topical originals and covers, and unparalleled musicianship, Solas continues to define the path for the Celtic music world and drive the genre forward. 8pm all ages  Tuesday, March 27 Denver Megafaun Hi-Dive Based in Durham, North Carolina, Megafaun was built by brothers Brad and Phil Cook and fellow Eau Claire, Wisconsin, native Joe Westerlund. The trio, plus longtime friend Justin Vernon (a.k.a. Bon Iver), made the cross country move together from WI to NC as the band DeYarmond Edison, ultimately splitting in 2006. Megafaun was born from those ashes and proceeded to record the remarkable album Bury the Square in 2007. They found a home on the road, collaborating with friends (they also joined Akron/Family and Dreyblatt as backing band) and developing an American musical language that is exquisitely translated by this years Gather, Form & Fly. Megafaun pickles rickety back-porch folk reconstructions in a brine of chaotic field recordings and organic, free-form atmospheresso ingeniously balanced that it stands a chance of satisfying both folk and experimental music fans. Brian Howe, Independent Weekly 8pm 18+  Thursday, March 29 Boulder Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 Boulder Theater With the mighty new From Africa With Fury: Rise, Seun Anikulapo Kuti returns with his hybrid of Afrobeat touchstones and contemporary cues. As with his previous efforts, Seun heads up Egypt 80, the extraordinary combo first fronted by his renowned father. The album follows Kutis critically praised debut, 2008s Many Things, which was unanimously hailed for continuing Felas musical legacy. From Africa With Fury: Rise sees Kuti finding his own idiosyncratic voice as songwriter, singer, and band leader, its songs and sonic approach marked by provocative edge and mature self-assurance. Born in 1983, Seun first began performing with Egypt 80 at the age of nine, warming up audiences with renditions of his fathers songs. After Felas death in 1997, Seun stepped up to the front of the band, leading the celebrated combo as both lead vocalist and saxophonist. While his fathers influence cannot be understated, Kuti was determined to cut his own distinctive musical path, incorporating contemporary influences into the traditional Afrobeat approach. Seun Kuti is determined to speak to the new generation of young Africans born after his fathers glory days. If he learned but one lesson from Fela, it is that that no one has greater impact on hearts and mind than the true artist. As such, the powerhouse protest music found on From Africa With Fury: Riseserves as a kind of musical antidote to the corporate pop that he feels is polluting Africas airwaves, distracting its citizens from the things that truly matter. 7:30 pm doors/8:30 pm show all ages  Friday, March 30 Denver The Claire Lynch Band w/Finnders and Youngberg Swallow Hill Music By any measure, The Claire Lynch Band is high on the bluegrass world's A-List, with musicians whose accolades include International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Female Vocalist of the Year and two Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album (Claire); Canadian Open Mandolin Championship and Florida State Championship on both fiddle and mandolin (Jason Thomas); the MerleFest Doc Watson Guitar Champion (Matt Wingate); and two IBMA Bass Player of the Year awards (Mark Schatz). Claire's musical direction dates back to the days of the Front Porch String Band, and has evolved into a seasoned sound that is simultaneously unpretentious and richly textured. Its a down-home, front porch sensibility, until you realize that its a rare front porch, indeed, that has ever hosted musicians of this caliber. Ontario native Jason Thomas brings monster chops on fiddle and mandolin, supported by remarkable musical versatility and imagination. The band is grounded by bassist Mark Schatz's deft touch and masterful instinct for groove. And Matt Wingate is a remarkably soulful young gun whose mature improvisational musicality is seemingly far beyond his years, making him instantly at home in one of the greatest bluegrass bands currently on the scene. Finnders and Youngberg is not a law firm...they're a bluegrass band. The bands focus on original material, incorporation of the pedal steel guitar, and the entire quintets adventurous approach to all types of Americana music make this band truly an exciting development in acoustic roots music. 8pm all ages  Sunday, April 15 Denver The Sinking of the Titanic w/ JACK Quartet, MacDonald & Young Vo Newman Ctr for Performing Arts On April 14, 1912, the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg at 11:40 PM in the North Atlantic and sank at 2:20 AM on April 15th. Of the 2,201 people on board, only 711 were to reach their intended destination, New York. On Sunday, April 15, 2012, Newman Center Presents joins Historic Denver, Inc., the Friends of Chamber Music Denver, and Young Voices of Colorado to present a concert on the 100th anniversary of the sinking. The major work to be performed will be Gavin Bryars The Sinking of the Titanic. We have also commissioned composer Payton MacDonald to write a new work in honor of the most famous survivor of the wreck, Denver resident Margaret (Molly) Brown, an extraordinary woman whose fame and importance in Colorado history extends well beyond her survival of the famous shipwreck. This new work is tentatively entitled Lifeboat No. 6. JACK Quartet, one of the finest string quartets in the world dedicated to contemporary music, will offer additional performance, in a range of venues, of other repertoire. 4pm all ages  Friday, April 27 Denver Elephant Revival Ogden Theatre Elephant Revival, an indie acoustic quintet from Nederland, reveals hidden treasures deep within a vast repertoire of original material. In one show, the quintet can be seen delving into original folk pieces in the realm of traditional ballads, Scottish/Celtic fiddle tunes, psychedelic old-time, indie rock, rustic Americana, world beat, 40's/50's jazz and an occasional hip-hop feel, amongst other styles. The quintet consists of Bonnie Paine (vocals, washboard, djembe, musical saw), Sage Cook (electric banjo/guitar, acoustic guitar, mandolin, viola, vocals), Dango Rose (double-bass, mandolin, banjo, vocals), Daniel Rodriguez (acoustic guitar, electric banjo/guitar vocals) and Bridget Law (fiddle and vocals). Individually and collectively the band members have performed with some of the most prolific performers of our time including Little Feat, Michael Franti & Spearhead, The Avett Brothers, Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band, Bela Fleck, George Clinton and Parliament and State Radio, among many others. Elephant Revival carries a fresh sense of creativity and inspiration that is felt by people of every generation. Musically and collaboratively the quintet is inspired to spread a message of sustainability while nurturing an awareness of positive change through the pure light intention of their music. 8 pm doors / 9 pm show 16+  Tuesday, May 01 Boulder Delta Spirit Fox Theatre After the San Diego-based emo outfit Noise Ratchet called it quits in 2004, co-founders Jon Jameson (bass) and Brandon Young (drums) decided to ditch their punk-influenced sound for something more rootsy. The two left Rick Rubin's American label (which had signed Noise Ratchet several years prior) and joined forces with vocalist Matthew Vasquez, guitarist Sean Walker, and multi-instrumentalist Kelly Winrich to form Delta Spirit. Pitching its style between the indie rock and alt-country camps, the group issued an EP entitled I Think I've Found It in 2006 and hit the road alongside Cold War Kids and Dr. Dog. 8:30 pm all ages

Page updated Fri, 03 Feb 2012 at 20:00:02