i’ll be dahntahn.

For me, it’s a rite of spring: I look at the just-released list of performers coming to town for the Three Rivers Arts Festival, and start grinning like an idiot.

For example:

Friday, June 6: moe. Best jam-band going today
Saturday, June 7: James McMurtry – roots & rhythm with a political edge – with Scott Blasey
Sunday, June 8: Lizz Wright – contemporary jazz ingénue – with Raul Mihon
Wednesday, June 11: Entrain – infectious rhythm jam
Thursday, June 12: Rustic Overtones – hard-hitting, horn-powered rock
Friday, June 13: Maceo Parker – funk sax master
Saturday, June 14: Phoebe Snow – iconic singer-songwriter
Sunday, June 15: New York Dolls – punk rock innovators
Monday, June 16: Formula412 – hometown hip-hop
Tuesday, June 17: Israel Vibration – haunting reggae – with Outlaw Nation
Wednesday, June 18: Lotus – instrumental electronic rock
Thursday, June 19: The Holmes Brothers – gospel and blues originals
Friday, June 20: Shelby Lynne – country-folk with raspy soul
Saturday, June 21: The Avett Brothers – grungy bluegrass jamboree
Sunday, June 22: Alejandro Escovedo – alt-country guitar virtuoso

Any show is fair game, but I can guarantee you’ll see Uncle Crappy at moe., James McMurtry, Israel Vibration, The Holmes Brothers and The Avett Brothers. I’ll try to get to several others — I’ve been curious about Entrain for a while, and I shouldn’t pass on a chance to see Phoebe Snow.

And, as is always the case, the always-working-on-Sunday thing poses a couple problems. I’d like to see Alejandro Escovedo, but I may have to finagle a schedule switch so I can see the New York Dolls. We’ll see.

I also say this every year, but it bears repeating: I have lots of reasons to be thankful I live in Pittsburgh, and with all the awesome people I’ve met since last summer, that’s especially true this time around. But if I needed a reminder about why this town is so cool, taking a look at that list does the trick.

4 thoughts on “i’ll be dahntahn.”

  3. Kewyson? The voice of reason? When did that happen?

    K, you’re right of course. Coming soon, coming soon…

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  4. Having seen both the Dolls and Alejandro play live in the last year or so, I would go for Alejandro.
    The Dolls are great, and Johanson will wear a loincloth made from a souvenir napkin most likely, but they are still just playing songs from 30 years ago.
    Whereas Escovedo is one of the unappreciated long time heroes who underlies punk, cowpunk, country rock- whatever you wanna call Texas Roots music.
    His band rocks, he plays mean guitar, and he may even play “Castanets”, which he quit playing for something like 5 years because he heard it was on George W’s Ipod.

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