Happy Birthday Vanessa Kafka

2nd Annual Wyman's Pond Music Fest

What a day! The sun was out, and it was sunny and pretty dry, with temperatures in the 80's. This year we had about 20 more people than last year's 70, but instead of staying all day, there were early departures and late arrivals, which gave the day a busier feel.

Two big changes from last year were: a) power for microphones (and other things, as you will soon discover), and b) I let the musicians announce themselves. Also, since there were so many more in attendance than last year, the children spent more time in the water and playing games in the upper field, and less time glued to the front of the stage area.

• Elizabeth Lorrey began the day, and surprise #1 old high school chum (and local musical wunderkind) Kris Lucander plugged in his bass and accompanied her for her entire set. She ran through songs both old and new, plus a cover or two, and Kris sang Joe Jackson's "Is She Really Going Out With Him?". Also, Pete Rathier (another old friend from high school) sat in on djembe for a few songs.
• Next up, married duo The Rafters cruised through an energetic set of their original material and a few covers (U2 and others). And in addition to their organist Glenn Compagnone, they had Elizabeth, Kris and Pete all come up at various times to fill out their crowd-pleasing sound.
• In between sets by the pros there was a short "Amateur Hour" wherein several of the girls in attendance (and a couple of the youngest boys) took turns singing at the mic for the crowd. One girl covered Taylor Swift's "Love Story", and later she accompanied one of the twins on an original song. In between, the other twin followed with an original of her own, and the crowd cheered all three of them for their efforts.
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Wyman's Pond Music Fest - Wrap Up

On Saturday July 31st, 2010 several local New England musicians gathered down at scenic Niemi Cove on Wyman's Pond in Westminster, MA for a day of unplugged music. The Wyman's Pond Music Fest began at noon on the sunny lakefront (it was a perfect day, blue skies, 78 degrees and dry), and the music ran from 2 pm to just before 8. The artists played anywhere from 40 minutes to an hour each for the crowd of 60-plus (of whom 20 were kids), who spent the day swimming, eating grilled meats, and listening to the finest gathering of local talent on the East Coast. And best of all, admission was free!

The roster included (in order of performance):

• Seacoast NH - Almanac Mountain
• Groton, MA - Elizabeth Lorrey
• Central MA (via Montreal) - Lee Villaire
• Brighton, MA - Vanessa Kafka
• Dover, NH - James McGarvey III
• Boston, MA - Kenneth Budka

The kids all had a blast, sitting in the front row, and asking the musicians for autographs. Vanessa even let some of the girls sign their names on her guitar case! The artists could be seen chatting with each other, and several of them did a cd swap amongst themselves. One copy of each performer's cd was given away in a simple raffle at the end of their set, as well as a t-shirt with the event roster, which was a welcome surprise. After nearly six fantastic hours of original music (and a few covers), the incredible day ended with new friends made, new fans found, new music connections, and happy people all around.

Pictured (l to r, bottom): Almanac Mountain, Elizabeth Lorrey, Lee Villaire, Vanessa Kafka (and bandmates). Photos by Ken M.

Stuff To Do On A Saturday

So, you say you've got no plans for this Saturday evening. May I humbly suggest stepping out to a local music event?

By a freak coincidence, nearly all of the bands/musicians who will be appearing at the Wyman's Pond Music Fest on Saturday July 31st also have gigs this Saturday July 10th:

• 5 pm @ Church of Boston: Vanessa Kafka will be playing her amazing songs, both old and new, at this hip entertainment & fine food venue, just a few blocks from Fenway Park. With pool tables, plasma screens for the 1 pm Red Sox game, and a wide variety of beer, it's a great place to escape the heat, and make a day of it. And while Vanessa goes on at five, the music starts at three (bonus!). $8 cover.
  
• 8 pm @ Bull Run Restaurant Shirley, MA: Lee Villaire and the boys are launching her latest cd, "Curious". Plus you get the added value of experiencing the sounds of both the esteemed Elizabeth Lorrey, and young Rhode Islander Jack Babineau as well! So come spend the evening listening to three quality local acts, and eating some fine food. $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
  
• 8 pm @ "Goodnight, John Boy!": Almanac Mountain is performing at his rustic home base in Exeter, NH. It's an intimate show in an old Victorian house with label mate Octo Octo. If you live nearby and have time to stop in, or if you feel a road trip coming on, you won't regret experiencing Almanac Mountain's infectious brand of 'trip-folk', with a few acoustic numbers and other good stuff mixed in. $5 suggested donation.

As always, show times with links are at the top of the page, or just click the ones in this post. And if you can't make it to one of the events this Saturday, check out each musician's artist page for future dates. Plus, don't forget to respond to the e-vite for Wyman's Pond Music Fest on Saturday July 31st, where you'll get to see Vanessa, Lee, Elizabeth, Almanac Mountain and more, all in one beautiful lakeside place!

Vanessa Kafka: Free Song & NYC Gig

Vanessa Kafka is offering another song from her show at The University of Connecticut's Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. For the next two weeks, you can get an mp3 of the live version of "Til August" by clicking here.

And if you want to see her live (you really should!), you can catch her several times in June and July:

• This Friday night at The National Underground (downstairs) in New York City at 10 pm.
• July 10th at Church Boston at 3 pm.
• And on Saturday July 31st at the Wyman's Pond Music Fest (invite only, check the festival site for details) at 5 pm.

So grab the free song, see one of her shows, and tell us all about how much you enjoyed either or both!

Vanessa Kafka - Free Song & NYC Live Date

Vanessa Kafka, one of our favorite local New England musicians, is playing live in New York City at The National Underground Downstairs on June 18th. She will be sharing the bill with three other bands, and will be onstage at 10 pm.

And for the next two weeks, you can get a live performance of her song "Don't Believe Me" from her March 2009 show at the University of Connecticut's Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts. It was written after her "Into Place" album was released, so if you want more VK, find the free download here. And if you enjoy your music stripped down, look for her 2005 EP "From The Backroom" on iTunes for early versions of several songs, as well as early gems "Box of Matches" and "Gold".