Orton Park Festival

August 26-29, 2010

Orton Park, Madison, WI

Although summer is nearing an end and schools will soon be starting a near year, you still have opportunity to fully enjoy your summer right here in Madison!

This weekend is the Orton Park Festival presented by the Marquette Neighborhood Association.  This year will be the annual festival’s 45th year and will feature a diverse lineup of performances.  The Orton Park Festival has purpose of creating and growing community and friendship.  The festival is free of charge, but funds raised throughout the festival will go to implement community projects and organizations.

What is a festival without music?  Well we are in luck because Orton Park Festival will feature a great lineup of music and other performers.  The schedule for the four day event is as follows.

Thursday, August 26th

Family Night (Ice Cream & Soft Drinks for sale):

• 6:30 p.m. – Daithi Wolfe & Company
• 8:00 p.m. – Cycropia Aerial Dance Theater

Friday, August 27th

• 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. – International Dinner with Vendors
• 5:45 p.m. – The Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Sextet
• 6:45 p.m. – MNA Auction
• 7:15 p.m. – Razia Said (NYC/Madagascar)
• 8:45 p.m. – Cycropia Aerial Dance Theater

Saturday, August 28th

• Noon – Whitney Mann
• 1:30 p.m. – Robert J and the Rowdy Prairie Dogs
• 3:00 p.m. – Cris Plata and Extra Hot
• 4:15 p.m. – MNA Auction
• 5:15 p.m. – Monika and Christian Nieves (Puerto Rico)
• 7:00 p.m. – The Carolina Chocolate Drops
• 9:00 p.m. – Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble

Sunday, August 29th

• 9:00 a.m. – Jazz Brunch with The Randall Harrison Trio
• 11:30 a.m. – The Rohnalleros
• 1:00 p.m. – The Getaway Drivers
• 2:00 p.m. – Orton Cake Walk
• 2:30 p.m. – Kings Go Forth
• 3:45 p.m. – MNA Auction
• 4:45 p.m. – The Rousers
• 6:45 p.m. – Dave Alvin & the Guilty Women

So if you are in Madison this weekend and looking for a fun way to spend a late August weekend, head to Orton Park!  More info!

Looking for a great way to spend your Sunday?  Well grab your bike, helmet and sunglasses and head into downtown Madison and join Lance Armstrong, Triple M and all your fellow Madisonians at Ride The Drive!

Ride the Drive

Sunday August 29

Downtown Madison/John Nolen Drive (Route)

RIDE THE DRIVE is a celebration of Madison’s commitment to healthy, active lifestyles. This community event is an invitation for all citizens to leave their cars behind to experience some of Madison’s most scenic byways a whole new way – by riding, walking, skating, or strolling along some of our city’s most beautiful streets.

Join legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong and cruise designated downtown Madison streets without worry of motor vehicle traffic.

After or during your ride join Triple M at the “Ride The Drive – People Powered Stage” to catch some of your favorite Project M contestants!

The schedule for the “People Powered Stage”

11-11:35 Beth Kille
11:50-12:25 Mark Harrod
12:40-1:15 Keefe Klug
1:30-2:05 Anna Laube
2:20-2:55 Corey Hart

For more information and details, head over to our Triple M information page.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Big thanks to Triple M for the Ingrid Michaelson/Keane tickets, Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, 8/10/10. We were able to congregate with Keane for their sound check in the afternoon. Tom Chaplin was a great host, personable, kind, and very welcoming. Tim Rice-Oxley won my heart after the sound check chatting about the tour, enjoying their visit to the States, etc. Rice-Oxley won my heart even more at the show as the most physical keyboard player I have ever seen.

But, honestly, Ingrid Michaelson pretty much stole the show…as the opening act! She and her band truly seemed to love what they were doing. They had great energy and her use of the ukulele was absolutely endearing.

They closed by covering Britney Spears’ Toxic and I now cannot get that darn song out of my head!! The band does a charmingly choreographed routine to the song in the end. Here is a version that someone caught at their show in NJ.

Truly a great evening with two great bands connecting with their fans and not taking themselves too seriously!

And, I have to offer a shout-out to Mo’s Irish Pub on W. Wisconsin. Magen Snipas is, by far, the best bartender I have come across and I think we convinced her to move to Madison!!

Thanks again Triple M!

–Melissa Amos-Landgraf

Want to have the opportunity to win awesome prizes like this? Become a Triple M Member!

by Kitty Dunn

It’s about time Farm Aid makes it to the Dairy State!

Having had the chance to attend one previous Farm Aid, I was ecstatic to hear that the 25th anniversary benefit concert is happening at Miller Park in Milwaukee October 2nd.  Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews are all scheduled to perform, and more artists will be announced later.

Farm Aid founders  Nelson and Mellencamp made the announcement via webcast on Monday, and despite some technical glitches managed to get the information out.

Mellencamp says Milwaukee is a perfect place to celebrate Farm Aid’s silver anniversary, noting that “Midwest farmers share the same struggle as family farmers across the country. They are survivors, and they’re on the land creating solutions for America’s most pressing issues.”

According to a news release, the all-day festival will be a celebration of music, family farmers and good food and will again feature HOMEGROWN concessions—family-farm identified, local and organic foods. Farm Aid’s HOMEGROWN Village will showcase hands-on activities that give concertgoers a chance to meet farmers, get their hands dirty, and learn how family farmers are protecting our land and water and connecting us to our roots.

I got to attend Farm Aid in 1998 in Chicago, and it was a blast. Not only did I get to see the main headliners (minus Dave Matthews who hadn’t joined the team yet), I got to see Wilco, Brian Wilson, Steve Earle with the Del McCoury Band and even Hootie and the Blowfish.  I have to say I was extremely blown away by Phish..who were joined on stage by Neil Young for a marathon guitar duel during “Down By The River.”  Even though I don’t know the complete lineup for the 2010 edition, I’m going to do everything I can to be there.

Tickets for Farm Aid 25: Growing Hope for America will go on sale Saturday, August 14, at 9 a.m. CDT and are available at the Brewers box office, by phone at (414) 902-4000 or online at www.tickets.com. Ticket prices range from $39.50 to $97.50, including facility fee.

Farm Aid will offer special advance sale tickets to Farm Aid members beginning Friday, August 6. To become a Farm Aid member, click here. (Cost is $40 per membership and the availability of advance tickets is not guaranteed).

This Saturday the 2000 and 2100 blocks of Atwood Avenue (in front of the Barrymore Theatre) will be rockin’ with great live music on two stages…that’s right, it’s Atwood Summerfest time again.

It’s one of the city’s best neighborhood festivals..with yummy ethnic food, icy cold beer..and fun for the kids too with face painting, arts and crafts, and those inflatable jump-around thingies!

The festival raises money for the Goodman Community Center (formerly known as the Atwood Community Center), so you can get a little wild, and feel good about yourself at the same time.

Here’s the line-up: 

Harmony Bar/Capital Brewery Blues Stage

12:00-12:50 pm Kristy Larson Honky Tonk Band: A little country music never hurt you! The Kristy Larson Trio won a couple of Madison Area Music Awards in 2009..and it looks like she’ll bring a few more musicians this time around!

1:10-2:00 pm  Piper Road Spring Band: How about some bluegrass? The Piper Road Spring Band has been playing together for more than 35 years, with bluegrass that’s far from traditional. They’ve been known to weave in some Grateful Dead inspired jams!

2:20-3:10 pm  The Alex Wilson Band: Alex grew up immersed in the Milwaukee/Chicago blues scene and picked up the guitar at the age of 5. He’s a little older now and ready to impress you with everything from Beale Street blues to Chicago swing.

3:30-4:20 pm  The Midwesterners: At the border of classic rock and country–that’s where you’ll find the Midwesterners. Led by veteran Madison musician Richard Weigel, it also features the highly charged guitar of Ernie Connor from the Rousers.

4:40-5:30 pm Altered 5: This Milwaukee based blues band takes pop and rock songs and “bluesifies” them! This is one of Gabby Parsons’ favorite area bands.

5:50-7:00 pm  Jim Schwall/Andy Ewen Band: What a combo! Jim Schwall was half of the famed Siegel-Schwall Band that played places like the Fillmore..sharing the bill with folks like Janis Joplin and the Doors. And Andy is the seemingly ageless guitar player and singer for the band Honor Among Thieves. Sparks have got to fly when these guys get together.

Maximum Ink / Ale Asylum Rock Stage
times not listed, but this is the schedule in order

The Shtetlblasters: Madison’s very own electronic klezmer band.

The Kingtown Rockers : Madison band described as reggae with a touch of metal.

VO5 : They want you to party like it’s 1978! A funk/disco/dance band from Madison.

Soul Shaker: Blues band from Madison. ..self-described as “dirty blues rock for yo dirty minds.” Influences include  Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Humble Pie, and Muddy Waters.

Beatallica:  Beatles meet Metallica. ‘Nuff said.

UPDATE 8/2/10: The concert has been confirmed!

As Mr. Willie Nelson’s website explains, there has been a “Willie-leak.”  Earlier today Willie Nelson had a slip of the tongue while on The Bill Mack Show on XM radio (Willie’s Place is Willie’s XM channel) when he revealed that the location for Farm Aid 25 will be Milwaukee, WI.  The date of Farm Aid is reportedly October 2, 2010, but few details beside a date have been revealed.  More details will be officially released Monday August 2, 2010.

Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the original Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the decline of family farms.  Farm Aid was established to prevent family farms from losing their land while providing financial aid to local farmers.  Last year Farm Aid was held in St. Louis, Missouri and featured a great lineup of artists including Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews Band, Wilco and many more.  For more information about Farm Aid musicians and other general inquiries, head over to the Farm Aid site and check it out.

As more details about this amazing event are released, Triple M will make sure you are informed.  Until then, check out Willie and Neil rocking Farm Aid 2009!

John Eddie with The Rowdy Prairie Dogs

Saturday July 31, 9pm, 21+

High Noon Saloon, more info

American folk-rock singer John Eddie will be taking the stage Saturday night at the High Noon Saloon in Madison, WI.  Eddie is a skilled guitarist and songwriter who has plays rock ‘n’ roll with folk country influences.  Originally from Virginia, Eddie moved to New Jersey to progress his music career in the 1970s where he became friends with Bruce Springsteen and signed with a major record label.  Many critics compared the young John Eddie to Bruce Springsteen, but the comparisons fell short due to Eddie’s country music inspired sound.

John Eddie is a wonderful songwriter and musician who has released a handful of records both studio and live throughout the last two decades.  This skilled musician’s first album, self-titled John Eddie, reached number 83 on the Billboard album charts in 1986.

Joining John Eddie at the High Noon Saloon are Madison’s own The Rowdy Prairie Dogs.  The band focuses on Americana and southern rock music and have won 6 Madison Area Music Awards, including Best Country Album and Best Americana Song.

So, if you are free Saturday and looking for a fun night filled with great Americana-Folk music, head to the High Noon Saloon for John Eddie and The Rowdy Prairie Dogs!  For more information and ticket information, head over to True Endeavors.

In preparation for the show, check out the official video from John Eddie’s 1986 hit “Jungle Boy”