Bellingham Shows
This Week’s Live Music Calendar at The Green Frog
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Sometimes you just have to drop everything in the middle of the week and just go see a show.
Raina Rose has been making her way from Austin, Texas to the Green Frog for years now. It is always a pleasure to have her in the house, wooing us with her beautiful voice and lyrics. The first time she came through she was paired up with John Elliott, of whom we all know and love, and I have been a fan ever since. She is a wonderful person and a fantastic artist worthy of full house all on her own, but this time she brought some friends.
I feel that with the number of people that come out to live music in this town that many of you are not at home watching television programs about music, but if you are a fan of The Voice, then maybe you will recognize Rebecca Loebe. I am pretty sure she was on the first season because I recognize her from the show (I was supporting Vicci Martinez, don’t judge). She got Christina Aguilera and Adam Levine to turn around and give her a shot and for good reason, she deserves one. Give her a listen and I think you will wholeheartedly agree.
Jenn Grinels hails from New York City, a recent transplant from California, but is someone who is almost never home. She has been touring nearly constantly, playing over 500 shows in the past few years and supporting her sophomore album brokenHEARTbreaker. Her vocal ability in range and control are impressive and much talked about in the reviews I have read. I have not heard her live, but you can bet that I won’t be saying that for long.
Thursday, May 16: The Bad Things, Danbert Nobacon, Dirty Bird Cabaret.9:30pm. $8.
I remember the last time The Bad Things played when we were across the street. I had gone to Seattle on a beer run and came back pretty late, only to find a packed house! I waited politely outside until the band finished their song, but I wish I hadn’t, it was their last. I had no idea that they were as popular as they were, but I understand why they have the success that they do. This band is Seattle’s premier Junkyard Cabaret band, leading us all down into the dark recesses of debauchery. Known far and wide as a band that gets people up and moving, don’t be surprised if you find yourself dancing!
Danbert Nobacon (pronounced, to my horror, No Bacon) once played the old space as well, as the feature for an open mic. I wasn’t at that show, but instead fulfilling my paternal duties at home. Before his debut performance here he was a founding member of English anarchist bandChumbawamba, which despite its three decades in existence would likely be best remembered in the US by the nineties single Tubthumping. His outspoken stances on many social injustices and socio-economic issues are throughout his songs, but a fair amount of notoriety came his way after dumping an ice bucket over the UK Deputy Prime Minister’s head at a music awards show in Britain. I don’t expect that we will see any of that at the Green Frog, but we will see an interesting and compelling performance by a musician who has been standing up for the little guys for over 30 years.
The Dirty Bird Cabaret is our local group of upstanding citizens, professionals, and mothers who once in awhile turn into tailfeather waggin’, jaw-droppin’, provocative dancin’ beauties that show us all just what freedom means. They are awesome. They are going to be here to show you just how awesome.
Friday, May 17: Deception Past and The 1 uppers. 9:30pm. $5.
Deception Past is crazy. I don’t mean in any sort of clinical way, but there are 12 of them in this band. TWELVE of them. There are two things that I know for sure and they are as follows: a) They will be packed on stage like sardines and b) these guys love to play music for the music, because there is no way they are going to make any money with that many people in a band. I haven’t seen them live, so I am going to put a little something from their website here…
Deception past finds inspiration in outlaw country, bluegrass and the legacy of the full, real sounds of America. Always inspired, always remembering the country that bore them, the whiskey that quenched them and the patriots that gave them this opportunity. They’d sure like to make your acquaintance and show you a hand-clappin’, boot-stompin’ good time.
The 1Uppers are great. They played here a few months ago and totally blew me away with their style. They are full on country music masters, conjuring the spirits of the greats that have come and gone, getting people to move just 2 steps at a time. And if that isn’t enough, they are the best dressed band I have ever seen. I might just have to wear my cowboy cut suit as well!
We’re going to have a great time at this show, I hope you are all a part of it!
Saturday, May 18: Maria in the Shower w/ Vikesh Kapoor. 9:30pm. $10.
We’ve been asking Vancouver’s Maria in the Shower to play every month almost as long as we’ve been here. They bring a fantastic energy that is hard to parallel, with the musical capabilities to back up the enthusiasm. From the brim of their hats to the spats on their shoes, this band is here to entertain. They only have a couple more shows with us before they take off for the summer on the festival circuit, so come on down and see them while you can! I promise you that it will be worth your time!
Vikesh Kapoor is a singer/songwriter out of Boston, Massachusetts who I think will be a great addition to the list of performers who have been on our stage. He is folk musician in the tradition of early Dylan, but with the modern voice needed to connect today. He is the winner of the Boston Phoenix Best Music Award and was invited to perform at Howard Zinn’s memorial service alongside Noam Chomsky.
I realize the energy is going to change throughout the night, but this is going to be a fantastic night regardless. I’ll see you there!
Sunday, May 19: Open Mic hosted by Misty Flowers. 8:00pm. FREE!
I’m not sure what more I can say about the open mic that I haven’t said many times in the past. As my step-dad, Omar, likes to say, “There’s no sense in beating a dead horse to death!” But that’s just it, this horse ain’t dead. It’s a great open mic that could be premier open mic of the area, a place that careers can be born, a catalyst to the big time! Well, it could…
This Sunday’s feature is Corwin Bolt. His blues guitar is a great addition to the songs he sings. Check out some of the music on his page and you’ll see the kind of quality music that comes from this open mic. He’s not the only one. And heck, you might be one of them too!
Sunday, May 19: Slow Jam. 4:00pm. FREE!
This is the longest running tradition at The Green Frog. Slow Jam was started about 5 years ago by Jim and Nancy Lahatt, whom we lovingly call “The Geezers,” and they have been assembling a group of merry music makers ever since. This is an open jam for any of you who would like to play in a group setting. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about pickin’ and grinnin’. There is a whole to be said for that.
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For more shows coming up, check out our full event calendar.
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Bellingham Shows @ The Green Frog
We showcase talented musicians from far and near, from Bellingham to Paris, France.
If you’re a musician looking to play a show in Bellingham, click here to contact us!
Artists from C.R. Avery, The Waybacks, Crooked Still, Hamell on Trial and Amy Speace to Chuckanut Drive, Anais Mitchell, Danny Barnes, Jonathan Byrd and Sarazin Blake have played on our tiny stage. And those are just a handful of the many talented artists to pass through.
You may not know every name on our calendar, but you can be rest assured that all the musicians are worth a listen. We appreciate your support of these traveling troubadours. Check our Event Calendar page to see what’s coming up at the Green Frog!
