April…
Wow, there is SO much going on – I appreciate you reading on to find out more…
So first: the Barbara Meyer Band with Lonnie Knight! We’ll be playing our final Wednesday evening gig at the Depot on April 10, but don’t despair – the inimitable Lonnie Knight http://www.lonnieknight.com/ will help usher us out. And for the summer at least we’ll be playing monthly at our beloved Depot, but on Sunday afternoons! More information soon on that, but check the calendar here on the website; all the dates are there. A perfect bicycle outing! FOR NOW, please join us on the 10th for music from 6:15 – 8:30PM. Last month’s show was a blast, and standing room only, so arrive early and stake out your claim… http://www.thedepotcoffeehouse.com/coffee/index.html
Stan and I are excited to be playing at the Oak Center General Store outside of Lake City on Saturday, April 20! http://www.oakcentergeneralstore.com/music.tab.html This terrific venue must be experienced; it’s roughly an hour south of the Twin Cities, and well worth the drive. We’re opening for Jennifer Markey, http://www.reverbnation.com/jennifermarkeyandthetennesseesnowpants, which promises to be tremendous fun. It’s kind of a test drive for us, so please consider treating yourself to a little getaway. 8PM
The wildly talented pianist Phil Mattson and I will serenade the residents at Jones-Harrison on Thursday the 25th at 7PM with some choice songs from Harold Arlen, the brilliant and prolific composer who created the music for the Wizard of Oz.
Due to popular demand (and Liz’s birthday), the exquisite Liz Lupien and I will be remounting our well-received and –loved Let’s Get Away From It All show at a private house concert on the 27th. It’s a campy, hip conglomeration of tunes from the ‘20s, ‘30s, and ‘40s, all with themes (somehow) of travel, and replete with entertaining bits and pieces. We are available for hire; consider having your own party-of-the-year!
A new venture: I’m thrilled to be taken on as lead vocalist for Wild Honey & the Locusts! Jazz, soul, R&B, funk – I can’t wait to get started! Watch for more news on that, as well as summer gig dates.
A theatre moment: Frank Theatre opened Misterman by Enda Walsh on the 5th, and I was there – a tremendous show! John Catron’s performance will astound you. Moreover, readings of potential plays will be happening at the Southern on Wednesdays during the run of Misterman and yours truly will be reading on the 24th. It’s a great, intimate way to hear a new play and have a voice in the choosing of it as a production. http://www.franktheatre.org/
Well, that’s April in my world. I’d love to know what’s going on in your world, too – drop me a line! And as always, love everybody – including yourself !
Music in March
The Barbara Meyer Band plays twice this month, and soon – this Sunday morning, to be exact. Kicking up the grooves at Lake Harriet United Methodist Church in South Minneapolis, March 3, at 11:11AM. Free, and open to the public!
OK, let’s be honest: my shows tend to be open to the public. Like our regular monthly gig at the Depot Coffee House in Hopkins, which happens on Wednesday the 13th of March. FREE!!! Can you beat that? No, you can’t. And again, open to the public. You know some of the public. Bring them along to this delightful couple hours of cool grooves! We play from 6:30 – 8:30.
I’m also excited to be playing with my friend and spectacular accompanist, Liz Lupien, at a private house party on the 10th. We’ve created a really cool and fun “Travelin’ Tunes” show of music from the (mostly) 1920s – ’40s. It’s a wealth of frolicsome songs and piano pieces that speak to the theme of Holiday. Seriously, don’t we all need one now and again? It’s a great show that we’d love to perform again and again; PLEASE let me know if you might be interested in booking us!
As always, be kind to all – yourself and others. I love you! Blessings…
February 2013 – music to warm your bones…
Here we are in the depths of a Minnesota winter, but don’t despair – music is on the way to heat things up! February Opportunities: the Barbara Meyer Band at the Depot Coffee House in Hopkins on Wednesday the 6th (the fabulously poignant and soulful David Booth opens http://www.davidboothmusic.com/); World Beat Connection sizzles with jazz on Friday the 8th in Anoka; Barbara joins the Wild Moon Bhaktas (http://www.wildmoonbhaktas.com/) on Saturday the 9th for lively beats and heart chants at Living Waters in Minnetonka; World Beat Connection goes on tour to Jamaica from the 12th through the 18th (that might be tougher for you to get to, but don’t be jealous…); Barbara joins the lovely and talented Virginia Ward on Friday the 22nd at Holy Trinity Church to celebrate volunteers.
Ruminations: we are all granted the gift (and challenge) of Free Will; the oppressed perhaps in only their minds, the free also in their choices and actions. I believe it is our responsibility to exercise that freedom with love and Light, making positive differences in this stressed and hurting world. Now. Michael Franti sings, “It’s never too late to start the day over…” However, if we aren’t careful we may reach a too late point. It begins and ends with us human beings. Be the best human you can!
Tis the month of love so I beg you to remember: I love you! And I hope to see you at one or more of these delightful locales…
Barbara Meyer Band @ The Depot
NEWS UPDATE, NOVEMBER 7: Launching the Groove. Dependably.
BIG EXCITEMENT!! We’re starting our first regular monthly gig!
Beginning here and now, the Barbara Meyer Band will play the 2nd Wednesday of EVERY MONTH at the Depot!!
You now have the opportunity to get your groove on for free at least that often.
It’s a sweet little intimate venue with great sound and delicious coffee, and what’s more – it’s free.
I hope you can join us now and frequently!
Cheers~barbara
CLICK HERE to buy my new CD on CDBaby! Or better yet, if you live in the Twin Cities, pick up a real copy at the Electric Fetus! The artwork, by Beth Joselyn, is fantastic. http://www.electricfetus.com/Home
”Barbara brings her sweet & soulful voice down to earth over the top of eclectic music focused around dub/reggae grooves laid down by some of the Twin Cities finest musicians!” –DJ Musically Rich, KFAI 90.3/106.7 FM
And as always, I’m thrilled to entertain for your special events, weddings, and parties. If you’d like to soften the edges of a funeral, I will humbly and respectfully send your loved one off in a nest of song. I am very versatile in my musical stylings and can make whatever mood you’re looking for happen. But wait, there’s more! I’m also ordained, so talk to me when you’re ready to tie the knot; together we’ll make it memorable.
Even after all this time the sun never says to the earth, “you owe me.” Look what happens with a love like that. It lights the whole sky. ~Hafiz of Shiraz