Every Wednesday, I get a short, simple email from the ever-smiling AC Logan to let me know about that night’s installment of the Charlottesville Music Showcase. The showcase started a year ago as a way for local artists to, well, showcase their talent in front of the home team. The list of conspirators behind these events includes local talents from various places. Some are from in front of the mic, others from behind the soundboard, and others from the back room, where shows are booked and connections are made.
One of the strengths of the Showcase is the diversity of music presented. Some weeks, the act is established (Man Mountain Jr., Dreaming Isabelle…) and other weeks, the use of “and Friends” in the headliner hints that the line up might be a surprise (Joe Lawlor & Friends, Travis Elliot & Friends, etc.), even to the organizers!
The crowd has grown steadily over the past year and while you can no longer say you were there when it started, you might be able to say that about a band that plays the showcase - some of these people are at a point that could be described as “on the verge”.
If you’re looking for a good night to check out the Charlottesville Music Showcase, consider heading to Orbit Billiards on Wednesday, August 22nd for their first anniversary party. The usual start time (10 PM) won’t be an issue for anyone who isn’t a night owl because they’re starting the music at 3 PM that day. They’ll have acts on two stages until the wee hours. Some of the groups on the line up for the anniversary show are: Peen, Man Mountain Jr., Sons of Bill, DJ XSV of the Beetnix, The Nice Jenkins…the list goes on. There’s more information on the Showcase’s website and on their MySpace page. You can see photos from past nights on Webshots.
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Tagged as: Charlottesville, Concerts, The Corner
For those who don’t recognize the name Joe Lawlor, he’s from X Porn Stars. Oh, and he works for another local band that a few of you might know.
Upstart, you rocked my world for posting this!
I LOVE Sons of Bill. They’re going to be famous.
Come check it out, Lil!
Next week’s act, Adrian Duke, is a piano player with a New Orleans vibe, which I absolutely love! Should be fun! Man Mountain Jr. is starting the night and if you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing them yet, it’s worth it to come early. They’re great…and it doesn’t hurt that they’re easy on the eyes.
I’m not involved with organizing these events, but they’re so cool that I wish I was!
I just went to the website and saw that they’re at Orbit every week, so I have been to a couple of these, one to see a friend play, one just because I like the corner on the occasional Wednesday and I heard good music coming out. You’re right, they are well-attended, and I thought the bands were great. Don’t plan to be able to hear your friends talk, but you will have fun!
Yes we really would like someone to do music scene coverage and reviews.. if anyone goes to shows all the time, please share your thoughts! We promise to post it!
I’m happy to report on shows, though I’m not sure my taste will be universally appealing. Maybe after a while, some others will join in and talk about other genres.
Peen rules
I would definitely try to make it out for the show on the 22nd if for nothing else than just the amount of talent that is going to be in one building for that night….and the vast diversity of music you are going to able to hear….now I know I am one of the artists performing but that has nothing to do with it….I got the phone call to get in on the night and jumped at the opportunity to share the house with so many great acts….and the best part of the Music Showcase is it is always FREE!!! So do what you can and support great local music…
DJ XSV
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