Celebrating in between the legs of the holidays
It is indeed true that time flies and I more than any other person I know can’t seem to get a grip on it. It is one of my three major resolutions. The other day, this fact was clear as I read an email from my friend Sacha Chavez of Lilly Coogan’s (102 First Ave, NYC). It was an invitation to an ‘In Between the Legs of the Holidays’ celebration.
Suddenly I was struck by the time that had passed since my last visit. It was their one-year anniversary on December 6, 2006. The shame of it all is more than me simply losing track of time. You see, as much as I consider the weekly open mic at The Goldhawk the best in the area, the one on Thursdays here at Lilly Coogan’s is a remarkably close second.
This is mainly due to Sacha working with bartender–and chief booker of the featured acts–Frances. Developing a place where any performer can feel safe getting emotionally naked, there is a steady stream of solid performers on any given Thursday. And tonight’s feature was Blue Planet/Planeta Azul.
Performing a style of Columbian folk music known as Cumbia, they had everyone moving in a two-step sway. Cumbia is an old, traditional form that has spread all thru South and Central America. Modern groups, such as Blue Planet/Planeta Azul have added guitar and accordion. Although tonight they were short the guitar as he was visiting family for the holidays.
I had the pleasure of speaking with the band after the show. We discussed music and politics just as the open mic portion of the night got underway. Originally I was not going to stay out late, but now it was clear that my plan was thwarted as the first performer began singing. Tracy Thorne stepped out from her duties behind the bar (she’s the day bartender here) to showcase her unique way of phrasing words and melody over delicate finger-picked guitar.
I was so preoccupied by the rest of the night that I neglected to take any more photos. There was a young singer/songwriter who brought out the things I like in Amricana folk music. I just wish I could remember his name. Aside from clever wordplay, there was a lighter take on himself. What I hate about most modern folkies is that they take themselves way too serious. You can laugh without the meaning of your message being lost.
We were also treated to a rapid-fire performance by a poet named Athen. And there were little moments when a guy named Antonio (actually Anthony I think … Antonio could have been his ‘stage’ name) fascinated me with card tricks at the bar. I used to be that guy who could not be shown a trick without stressing over how it was done. Luckily I’ve gotten over that as Antonio made a toothpick levitate before my eyes. He then got up on stage and performed a few songs under the guise of being an illegal and very paranoid immigrant
The night ended with all of us finally convincing Sacha to get up and play. We felt it was only fair that he do something since he was–and always has been–such a wonderful cheerleader for all the rest of the performers. So he grabbed his guitar and played a beautifully crafted chordal piece and it was a great way to end this night. So were the homemade cookies that Blue Planet/Planeta Azul’s singer Holly had made.
See Also:
Lilly Coogan’s
Blue Planet/Planeta Azul
Tracy Thorne
Photo Gallery
Read on MurphGuide.com:
Music, Comedy, Booze and Cookies
And then I went to Lilly Coogan’s Open Mic One-Year Anniversary
