Community Weblog

Hangin' With Willy

Want to spend some one on one time with Willy Porter?  We're going to open the doors an hour earlier for a limited number of folks.  Marc will cook up some tasty appetizers, we'll have drinks available and YOU will get to enjoy a few quiet moments with the artist.  The catch?  How about a donation to TESSA, Colorado Springs Domestic Violence shelter?   

Join us for gourmet snacks and great company...

Hangin' With Willy
Friday, August 15, 2008
6:00 - 7:00 PM
Friends House Concerts
Donation:  Suggested $50 to TESSA

Seats Open Up For Chris Smither!

We’ve not received replacement checks from many who held Chris Smither tickets, so there are seats available on a first come, first serve basis.   Chris is the total package:  a great performer, musician and songwriter.    Let's see, he won the Boston Music Award for the Outstanding Folk Artist of the Year and then 2 awards at Folk Alliance in 2007.  It was Chris's benefit concerts back in New York for WFUV that first planted the thought that we needed to have more live music in our lives.  IF you get a seat, you won’t be disappointed!

Back Again...

I will be forever indebted to Lisa / Gurney for introducing us to Willy Porter.   We're lucky enough to have him here at the house for the 4th year running later this summer.  We do mean "lucky" because Willy is cutting back on touring, concentrating more on producing other’s music.  FHC is still in his sights, so we’re safe this year!

For those unfamiliar with Mr. Porter’s abilities, the following quote from David Schultz of Earvolution  is dead on:  “What Porter does with an acoustic guitar is simply masterful and needs to be seen in a live setting. Porter’s fingers glide across the fretboard with a natural ease that seems otherworldly, as if he’s channeling a higher musical force. Often it’s difficult to believe that many of the sounds coming from his guitar are actually being played with his fingers. On “Breathe,” he moves from a lilting leisurely opening into a breakneck pace that he remarkably sustains throughout the entire song. “   The reviewer then goes on to talk about Willy’s amazing ability to adlib a song with the crowd and his genuine, self-deprecating sense of humor.   

It will be a great show and it will sell out quickly. 

Upcoming Concerts

Please mail all checks made out to the artist AND dated
the month of the concert to:

Friends House Concerts
PO Box 38943
Colorado Springs, CO   80937
Tel:  719-329-1644

Willy Porter
Date:  Friday, August 15, 2008
Time:  7:30 PM
Artist Donation:  $22 made out to the Artist
Hangin' With Willy
Time:  6:00 PM
TESSA Donation:  $50 check to TESSA
 
Chris Smither
Date:  Friday, September 5, 2008
Time:  7:30 PM
Artist Donation: $25 made out to the Artist
 
Steve James & Del Rey
Date:  Sunday, October 26, 2008
Time:  7:00 PM
Artist Donation: $20 made out to the Artist

Girlyman In 3 Weeks

We think that you will be pleasantly surprised by our June concert.   For years, some our favorite artists (Catie Curtis, Zoe Lewis, Julie Wolf) have told us that we needed to bring Girlyman through the series.  This Atlanta based trio opened for The Indigo Girls on several of their last tours to rave reviews.  Girlyman's crisp, clear harmonies are captivating and their banter on stage will fit in perfectly here at Friends House concerts.  The Village Voice quote on them says it all:   "really good, really unexpected, and really different." 

So come enjoy an evening of not taking ANYTHING too seriously!  (That's awful hard to do these days...)  Get your checks in today, because we have folks who've never heard of us sending checks this way.    Groupies, aren't they great?!

Del Rey & Steve James: Hot Guitars & Cool Tunes

We are truly looking forward to our October concert with Steve James and Del Rey.  Both artists are fixtures of the Americana and Blues / Roots  genres and are incredible instrumentalists & great storytellers.   Marc & I went out to them on a lark, and they came back quickly saying that they would love to do a show here.   We’ve had their CDs forever, but I’ve never been lucky enough to see them live.  Getting musicians of this caliber is what this series is all about.  You can read a review of their 2004 CD release here…

Best Laid Plans - Chris Smither

Just a quick reminder to folk's about the rescheduled Chris Smither Concert.   People who held seats for Friday night will have first dibs on seats for the September concert.  To claim those seats for the Friday, September 5th concert, you HAVE TO GET A CHECK IN THE MAIL IMMEDIATELY.   We will begin giving away unclaimed seats on July 1st. 

There will be a benefit on Saturday, September 6th in the Broadmoor area with another chance to see Chris, but seating there will be very limited.

Upcoming House Concerts

Catie's Newest Recording

We're surpised to see that there are still seats available for Catie in two weeks.  She's really a great show guys!  According to an update earlier this week, Catie just finished the recording her next CD down in Nashville.   This should give us some juicy new songs for next month's concert here at the house.  The CD still needs final production, so unfortunately it won't be on the CD table here. 

Check out this video of her song "People Look Around" on Catie's website.   It's a song she wrote with Mark Erelli & one of my favorites.  There are also recent show reviews the site that are worth taking a look at.  Hopefully we'll see you here at the house in March...  If you don't already have a ticket for Chris Smither, the next concert here at the house will be Girlyman in late June. 

Patty Larkin Sold Out

Girlyman?!

You may never have heard about Girlyman, but you won't want to miss them.  Everytime that we have artists through, we ask them for their recommendations on artists for future house concerts.  Several people along the way (Catie Curtis, Zoe Lewis, and Julie Wolf among others) have recommended a trio called Girlyman.  They're a unique blend of voices and talents and after over a year of negotiations, we're looking forward to hosting them here in late June.  Girlyman toured with the Indigo Girls last year and was a finalist for the 2007 Independent Music Awars in the Folk Singer / Songwriter category.  You can click here to get a sense of their full harmonies & playful vibes.  In the news section of their website, there is a link to a podcast from the Indigo girls concerts...

Patty Larkin Next Sunday

Just a week shy of our second concert of the year and we're not sold out yet, so give us a call.   The reviews for Patty's latest CD (released last month) are overwhelmingly great.   Check out what the New York Times, Billboard & AP have to say about her latest work.  Her concert last year was a sell out - so it's a crime that there are still seats left...   Join us a week from tonight!

Pennies For Peace

You all are so tuned in that I don't have to tell you that Greg Mortenson was here last week.  Because of a couple of dear friends, I was able to spend most of the day with Greg & the ED of Pennies For Peace, Christiane Leitinger.  I was blown away by the simplicitiy & beauty of his message.  Educate (especially the girls) and people will be happy where they are and not set out to destroy their neighbors.  More importantly, one person can make a difference.  I understand that people were turned away from Shove and that Armstrong was full.   Incredible!

His visit was a huge success in introducing "Three Cups of Tea" to Colorado Springs.  What's important now is to introduce Pennies for Peace to COS and we'll see what kind of money we can raise to build schools in Afghanistan.  There's a rumor out there that Breckenridge raised about $100,000!  So... FHC is going to put a bowl out Friday night for loose change to pass back to Pennies For Peace.  Let's celebrate our 50th concert by collecting change for change!

Catie Curtis In March

According to her website, Catie is back in the studio as we speak recording her next CD.  We're looking forward to havinger her back with us in March.  How can you go wrong with an artist that The New Yorker calls a Folk-Rock Goddess?   We love having Catie here because she's so much fun to have around.  Her performance at Lyons last summer reminded us that we needed to bring her back her for y'all.  Check out "People Look Around" co-written with Mark Erelli! 

Travl'n Blues

Chris Smither returns in April.   There are only a handful of tickets left...  Those of you who were here last time need no urging to get your money in for this concert.   We really haven't said much about the concert, but Chris has a new album since his last visit and one if the tracks was named in Rolling Stone's top 100 songs of the year:  Origin of the Species.   His song crafting skills are legendary and his playing one of a kind.   Something about those southern bluesmen just makes me go weak at the knees... 

This concert will sell out - get your check in and don't miss it!