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MUSIC
- January 9, 2002
Live
music is everywhere, so go hear it
By ELAINE YAW
Since moving to the Lansing area three years ago and meeting people
in the music community, I have been amazed by the local scene.
I’m not just talking about Lansing. I’m talking about Laingsburg.
I’m talking about East Lansing. I’m talking about Okemos.
And there’s more I don’t even know about . . . yet.
As an arts and entertainment editor (sort of) at another local publication,
I made excuse after excuse for not going to see local shows (too tired,
too busy, sick of reading about it so sick of hearing about it). Then,
it all changed. And it had to – how could I not be interested in
it when we have the Ten Pound Fiddle Coffeehouse (excellent for folk
and off-the-beaten path musicians), Creole Gallery (which features local
musicians as well as Michigan and national folk, jazz and blues acts),
Jambalaya’s
Creole
Gallery provided an intimate setting for Ferron’s November
concert. |
(the Laingsburg restaurant that prides itself on its
blues lineup) and a plethora of local bars and coffee shops with live
music every night of the week (see Live & Local in City Pulse every
week to keep up with it all).
My real “experience” came when I popped into
the Creole Gallery last year to see Ember Swift. I knew then that I
HAD to start going to more concerts in this town. And it made me realize
how awesome the Creole Gallery is as a venue. It’s small and comforting.
And it’s smoke-free.
Another venue that certainly isn’t smoke-free but still a favorite
of mine is Mac’s Bar. I have to be in “the mood” to go
see shows there because of the smoke and the crowd. I never know what
to expect — sometimes it’s rowdy, sometimes the band seems
like background noise. But sometimes the crowd’s buzz is low and
all eyes are on the stage (or the wall, if it’s a Calliope show).
If blues is your thing, get to Jambalaya’s in Laingsburg. It’s
not rare for national blues acts to stop in for the night. Take, for
instance, Willie Kent and the Gents (W.C. Handy Award winner for the
“blues bass player of the year”) who will be there Thursday.
Or how about James Cotton, the blues harp legend, who played there back
in October. Or Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater who will be there
Jan. 31. The restaurant also features folkand
bluegrass, with local favorite Steppin’ In It making repeat performances,
the next one coming Jan. 18-19.
Back
in October, James Cotton entertained a crowd at Jambalaya’s
(at right). |
The scene isn’t limited to bars and galleries and
restaurants. There are churches (the Unitarian Univeralist Church in
East Lansing often hosts Ten Pound Fiddle shows), coffee shops (think
Cappuccino Café, Blue Note Café, Café Latte) and
more. I haven’t been everywhere, but I’m making my rounds.
And now we have the Temple Club with its live music every Wednesday.
So, I don’t agree with those who complain there’s nothing
to do here. The music scene is just as strong as the theater and art
scenes. But we wouldn’t know that if we didn’t go out and
hear it for ourselves. Now it’s your turn. Let me know what you
see and hear.
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