Reader Giveaway: Cherry Poppin' Daddies
One of my all-time favorite albums is Ferociously Stoned by the Cherry Poppin' Daddies. I bought the cassette tape when the album first came out, and then I bought the CD, and that CD wore out, so I bought another copy of the CD, then that CD disappeared so I bought another copy. Then, one summer day while I was driving with the top down on my jeep, I decided to listen to the CD, but it flew out of my hand and of my car. So, I immediately went to a record store and bought another copy. Thank goodness for technology because now I have the album stored on my hard drive. My point is the album is so good that, over the years, I have gone to a lot of trouble to make sure that album stays in my music library.
I am thrilled to announce that the Cherry Poppin' Daddies have TWO new albums out and they are playing at the Tractor Tavern on Nov 21. The two albums are called Susquehanna (a genre-hopper similar to their other full length albums, touching on Latin, punk, swing, ska, new wave, rockabilly, and more) and Ska-boy JFK: The Skankin’ Hits of the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies (a showcase of their Ska material, similar to how their successful album Zoot Suit Riot was a showcase of their swing material). Both are in stores now! Here are a couple songs from the albums for you to listen to now:
- Mongoose and The Snake - a rockabilly tune From Susquehanna
- Hi and Lo – a Ska/Punk tune from Ska-boy JFK and Susquehanna
Even better news is I have some Cherry Poppin' Daddies swag to giveaway. The first reader to comment on this blog post and name their favorite Cherry Poppin' Daddies song gets one copy of each new CD mentioned above, 1 signed poster AND some stickers, pins, and buttons.
Rockabilly Ball
I brushed up on my swing dancing at the Century Ballroom on Sunday and I have my outfits all picked out for this weekend's Rockabilly Ball at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard, so I think I'm ready for the weekend's festivities. This year marks the 22nd year of the three day event, and the lineup is hot.
Thursday: Roy Kay Combo, Jukehouse Hounds, Billy Dwayne and the Creepers, The Shake The Shack Rock'n Roll Party featuring: Vince Mira, Mark Pickerel, Christy McWilson, Billy Joe of the Dusty 45s and many more special guests.
Friday: The Star Devils, Rockin’ Lloyd Tripp and the Zipguns, Captain Jeffrey and the Chumbuckets, Slim Sandy
Saturday: Starkweather Boys, Rocky Velvet, Hillbilly Casino, The Still Creek Brothers
This is my first year attending this event and I have heard great things about it, and I have also heard that it sells out every year, so if you want to attend, make sure you get your tickets. Tickets are $15 for each night Thursday, Sept 24 - Saturday Sept 26. You can buy tickets in advance here.
I will be selling videos of past Rockabilly Balls for RJ of Smartass Press Productions at the event. Stop by and buy a video from me, or just say "hi," and compliment on my awesome hair, which will be courtesy of Marzi Mezzanotti.
4th Annual All Girl Arm Wrestling Tournament
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Location: Tin Hat 513 NW 65th St, Ballard
Date and Time: Monday, September 15, registration 6pm, tournament 8pm
Entry Fee: $15
Dead Baby Bikes Downhill Race 2008: The Greatest Party Known to Humankind
It's the time of year again to fix up your mutant bicycle (or regular bicycle) and ride it at the 12th annual Dead Baby Downhill Race this Friday, August 1. Claiming to be the "greatest party known to humankind," the event is more than a bicycle race, it's an amazingly fun party.
Last year's turnout was about 1600 people, some of whom traveled from far away lands like Canada. This year over 2000 people are expected to partake in the merriment that is northwest mutant bicycle culture. Fortunately for a crowd fearing gal like myself, there will be plenty of space for the crowds so I won't have to be crammed up against a wall all night trying to avoid the sweaty masses of people. But enough about my social anxiety disorder, let's get to the details of the race.
FAQs about the Downhill
Do you have to be a bicycle person to attend this event?
Nope. You don't even need a bike to attend the party at the end of the ride in Ballard.
Is this an actual race or is it a party?
It's a race AND a party. The winner of the race gets an assortment of cool prizes and, of course, glory. The race ends in Ballard where there will be events like tall bike jousting, bands on three stages, bicycle dance performances, and other bicycle related events. The race is also a fun ride for those who don't care about winning the race. Last year I stayed to the back of the crowd and cruised at a nice, mellow pace with my friends.
What time does registration and the race begin? Where?
Registration is between 5-6:45pm and costs $20. With the registration fee you get a t-shirt and a water bottle and a chance to race or just cruise down the hill to Ballard. Registration ends promptly at 6:45 and the race begins promptly at 7pm. Registration and race starting point will be at El Chupacabra in Phinney Ridge.
Do I have to have a mutant bike to ride in the race?
No, but you'll definitely want to build one after you see all of the cool mutant bikes at the ride.
I personally love the Dead Baby Downhill, but you don't have to just take my word for it that it's great fun. Here are some posts from other blogs about Dead Baby Downhills of the past:
Starting Location: El Chupacabra 6711 Greenwood Ave N (map)
Time and Date: Friday, Aug. 1, 5pm
Price: $20
Reefer Madness The Musical
Even though this doesn't happen in real life when people smoke marijuana, the reality of what happens to people when they smoke pot would be far too boring to make a movie about, unless you like watching someone play video games all day. The fact that this movie is so far fetched has inspired Reefer Madness to become... a musical! RK Productions has brought to Seattle Reefer Madness: The Musical, running February 22 - March 22. From the Reefer Madness: The Musical press release:
Too Shocking!
The year is 1936: FDR is in the White House, Duke Ellington is playing the Jazz Clubs; Gone with the Wind sits on everyone's nightstand and Our Gang plays on the goggle box. The unsuspecting nation sleeps easy while a leafy green assassin lurks in the shadows, feeding on America's seedy underbelly of filth and degradation. Marihuana is that assassin: a violent narcotic, and unspeakable scourge; the real public enemy number 1!
REEFER MADNESS: THE MUSICAL depicts the tale of Jimmy Harper, an exemplary, upstanding lad tragically ravaged and twisted into a hedonistic and murderous weed fiend. YOU WILL BE SHOCKED as the reefer seduces him into a world filled with sadistically wild orgies, junkie zombies, homicide, and the devil himself!
***REEFER MADNESS is a highly stylized and satirical political commentary. It contains adult humor, religious parody, drug use, as well as suggested violence and sexual explicitness. It may prove TOO SHOCKING for some audiences! ***
Location: Live Girls! Theater (map)
Show Dates: March 6-8, 13 -15, 20-22
Time: 7:30pm, Saturdays 7:30pm and 10:30pm
Price: $20 (buy tickets online)
Burlesque Bonanza and Variety Show
Some of the best burlesque performers in Seattle are appearing in Ballard at the Tractor Tavern this Saturday, Jan 11. I have seen a lot of these performers before, and my cynical seen-it-all-before eyes have always been shockingly pleased with their elaborate costumes and entertaining performances. And they are totally hot, too.
Performer Miss Indigo Blue is THE Miss Indigo Blue of Miss Indigo Blue's Academy of Burlesque. Ravenna Black is THE Ravenna Black who made headlines last spring. I'm guessing this show will surely sell-out, so get there early to get a good spot.
A few performer websites:
