With the Democratic National Convention quickly approaching, the dance card around town is quickly filling up with noteworthy performers. In addition to the other artists we’ve already reported, looks like noted firebrand Jello Biafra is going to be back in town on Saturday, August 23, for the Slim Cessna/Ghost Buffalo show at the Bluebird, where he’ll serve as MC. That same night, Blues Traveler and Porter, Baptiste & Stoltz will appear at the Paramount Theatre.
Biafra will also be on hand for the Tent State Music Festival To End the War, which is being staged at City Park on Monday, August 25 featuring Flobots, Wayne Kramer of MC5, Michelle Shocked, the Coup, State Radio, Jill Sobule, Blue Scholars, Son of Nun, God-des and She, 8 Inch Betsy, David Rovics,Rachel Bagby, Common Market and a host of local acts, including Apex Vibe, P-Nuckle, Fulcrum, Kombat and the Flash Mob.
We’ve also received word that Irma Thomas will performing on Sunday, August 24 at the DNC welcoming party at the convention center and will also be joining Voice of the Wetlands All-Stars at the Fillmore later that night for the New Orleans All-Star Jam-Balaya, in which members of the Meters, including Zigaboo Modeliste, George Porter, Jr. and Leo Nocentelli, will reconvene for a special performance with Allen Toussaint, Terrance Blanchard, Henry Butler, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and Randy Newman. Brandon Victor Dixon will also offer up a few cuts from the musical Brother Ray -- the Life, the Loves and the Music of Ray Charles, which is set to debut on Broadway next year.
On Monday, August 25, Rock the Vote will be hosting an event dubbed Ballot Bash at Ellie featuring Wyclef Jean and other artists yet to be announced, followed by the Every Woman Counts party on Tuesday, August 26, with after-parties slated for both at Grant Chambers Salon (inside Ellie Caulkins, with Nick Cannon deejaying) and Cowboy Lounge, respectively. Rock to Win featuring Melissa Etheridge and Cyndi Lauper is also scheduled for Tuesday night at the Fillmore.
Finally, later in the week, there’s also a like named all day event, Rock the Vote Denver 2008, slated to take place Friday, August 29 at Sculpture Park (outside DCPA, next to Borofsky’s “The Dancers” sculpture). Keep checking the blog in the coming weeks for more event info. We’ll be adding updates as they come in. -- Dave Herrera
