It’s Tuesday night, and the place to be in Soulard is The Shanti, where Kimmy V (Vrooman) plays hostess to the RFT’s Best Open Mic for 2008! The Shanti is known for its eclectic crowd of regulars & locals, nightly music, and NEVER A COVER! The entertainment is as diverse as the patrons - most are welcome.

As the clock rolls past 9:00, the signup board fills, Kimmy V readies the PA, and the evening begins. It’s no surprise that Riverfront Times named Kim the Best Female Vocalist in St. Louis for 2003. She has been performing since the sixth grade, and her experience, talent, passion for music, and enthusiasm for entertaining have not diminished with time or size of the crowd.

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The 17th Annual Noelathon was held at BB’s Jazz, Blues and Soups. Proceeds benefit the music program at St. Frances Cabrini Academy, along with profits from a CD (featuring a number of Noelathon performers) and T-shirt sales. The famous and sometimes controversial Beatle Bob emceed the evening.

Margaret Bianchetta, an employee at BB’s, organized the event. Margaret is a musician and performs with The Mighty Big Band, among several others.

Performers booked for the fundraiser included Hudson & the HooDoo Cats, Alvin Jett & the Phat noiZ Band, The Mighty Big Band, Soulard Blues Band, Blu Tones, Dizzy Atmosphere and more.

To say the evening was entertaining would be an understatement. I was not able to shoot pictures from start to finish, but managed to get a good sampling for the night’s photo gallery. Great job, Margaret (the flutist in the photo gallery) and all those that helped out!

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2008 Noelathon Picture Gallery

It seems that too many of my posts must report the loss or suffering of those dear to music in and around St. Louis. Mike O’Toole fought a courageous battle against cancer.  Sadly he lost this battle in November.

I didn’t know Mike well, but I had the opportunity to shake his hand, talk to him for awhile, and enjoy his performance at Park Avenue Coffee in the Lafayette neighborhood.  To meet Mike was to instantly become a friend. He was full of life and musical talent.  My heart goes out to his family, his friends, and his many fans.

I was lucky enough to record some of his performance at Park Avenue Coffee.  You can see pictures of Mike playing with The Friendly Henrys in this photo gallery.  Absorbing the energy and love of life displayed in the video links below is also well worth the time.

The Mike O’Toole Collection CD, Volume I is now on sale. The CD features the very moving “Unconditional Love”. You can help Mike’s family by purchasing the CD online.  PayPal is used for processing credit cards. If you’re not a member of PayPal, it is an easy process to use your ATM or credit card directly.  The family benefit web site also accepts donations.  Your help will be appreciated.

Videos

Roller Derby Queen ….. Steel Rails

This talented sister/brother act stepped up to help Pik’n Lik’n celebrate their 1000th show. The musical siblings took the stage and filled the room with a number of tunes, including their version of John Barleycorn, as you can experience on the video below.  Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood–core members of Traffic–would be pleased. (If you haven’t heard Traffic’s 1970 album, John Barleycorn Must Die, check it out.)

Teresa and Dan Nienhaus perform “John Barleycorn”

Teresa and Dan will perform together next at The Shanti in Soulard on the 10th of January.  Check out each of their sites for a complete schedule and more sample tunes.

Dan’s MySpace

Teresa’s MySpace

Teresa & Dan MySpace

Pik’n Lik’n celebrated their 1000th show at Alandale’s in Kirkwood this past Friday (December 12, 2008).  Current members appeared, along with guest appearances by Dan & Teresa Nienhaus, Atomic Duo, and Chuck Wagon Deluxe.  Joe Credit, one of the original members of Pik’n Lik’n, and the newest member, Ryan, rounded out the total of 54 musicians that have been part of the group through the years.  The party started at happy hour (5:00) and extended till close at 1:00 am.

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The 1000th show was the perfect opportunity to release the band’s latest CD - Takes a Lik’n and Keeps on Pik’n.  The CD will be available at The Shanti in Soulard this weekend.

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1000th Show Celebration Photo Gallery

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted and I have a backlog now, so it’s time to stop taking photos long enough to post them.  A couple weeks ago Carol and I had the opportunity to take a mini road trip to listen to one of our favorite groups, the Friendly Henrys.  The trip took us way out to that booming metropolis–Fayetteville, Illinois, population 374!  We’re not positive, but we believe The Faye Inn may be the only bar in town–certainly the only one with entertainment.  It’s the kind of bar you would expect in a small town, a friendly bar with a lot of interesting characters, and everybody knows everybody else.

This was the first time we had a chance to hear the Friendly Henrys plugged in.  Yep, they’ve added more equipment and have a larger sound now for those venues that need it.  Check out the Friendly Henrys photo gallery for the Faye Inn.

Catch the Friendly Schedule at the Friendly Henrys Website.

Saturday the 8th was to be a 46th birthday bash celebration at The Shanti in Soulard for a man that was a big brother to everyone in Soulard, Kelty O’Brien.  By now most have heard of Kelty’s senseless murder last week while on his way to work last Friday morning. Sadly what was supposed to be a joyous occasion turned into a memorial/fund rasier to help cover funeral expenses, and to celebrate Kelty’s life.  The place was packed with friends and family sharing tears, hugs, laughter, and lots of memories.
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Kelty O’Brien was the big slugger for The Shanti softball team, not to mention a very big Cardinals, Rams, and Blues fan. He was a great lover of music and often would sit in with the band,  Pik’n Lik’n, singing his favorite Rolling Stones songs. Kelty’s brother, Mark, is a St. Louis police officer and active in Guns ‘N Hoses (officer-firefighter advocacy organization - see The BackStoppers website). Saturday’s event was covered by KSDK TV with a live report by Alex Fees.Spacer

Visitation for Kelty will be Tuesday, November 11th, at Kutis Funeral Home on Gravois, from 4-9 p.m. On Wednesday the funeral mass will be at Epiphany of our Lord, with interment at Resurrection Cemetery.
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While I did not know Kelty personally, it was my privilege to photograph the event. Pik’n Lik’n performed, with talent from other groups and close friends of Kelty’s sitting in.  My hope is that these pictures warm the hearts of those that have suffered the loss of a family member and good friend.
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Kelty O’Briens Memorial At The Shanti Picture Gallery

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The amateur boxing community, the police department, and many of the unions in St. Louis are going to put on a benefit to help ease the financial burden of the funeral. The benefit will be Thursday night, December 4th, at South Broadway Athletic Club.  I’ll update this post as more information becomes available.  Information will also be added to Ed Belling’s myspace page:

http://www.myspace.com/piknuncleed

Bernadette Holzer, better known as Beltana of Wolvenwold, Sona, and Bellawyck (http://www.myspace.com/beltana ), has contracted Guilliame-Barre Syndrome, a disabling neuro-muscular disorder which also permanently impairs the immune system. This disease has no known cause or cure.

Beltana has bravely battled back from almost complete paralysis and is now learning how to walk again, but her recovery is not over, as this will be a lifelong struggle. She also has a precious 3 year old daughter, Bela’, to take care of. Beltana has given much to our communtiy.

Please join us in giving back by attending this Benefit Auction to help Beltana and her family. The auction will be held 7PM- 11PM at the union hall of IAFF Local 73, located at 4271 Delor, St. Louis MO 63116.

There will be live entertainment and food provided. In addition to the auction there will be a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds will go directly to Beltana to help her and her family. Please bring your love, your generosity and cash or your checkbook. If you have any further questions, please call Robynn at 314 368-0371. Any donations for the auction may be sent to R. Hope, 5235A Delor, St. Louis, MO 63109. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Photo copied from Beltana myspace page.