"What happens at the Gorge stays at the Gorge." That's the new tagline following radio ads for shows happening at the Gorge Amphitheatre. Frankly, I find it terrifying.
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Closer to home, more information has been released on the upcoming Capitol Hill Block Party, and it looks like this year's installment is shaping up to provide an apt representation of the mishmash of personalities living and working in relative harmony on the Hill. The Grammy folks have kicked down plenty of funds to enable Block Party organizers to book some big-name bands: Mudhoney, Quasi, Botch, Pedro the Lion, Maktub, Carissa's Wierd, the Briefs, and DJ Donald Glaude will play the Mainstage, located at 11th Avenue and Pine Street, and the Gossip, Aveo, eXBeSTFRIeNDS, the Catheters, Watery Graves, the Cock-Ups, and Alta May will play the indoor stage located inside the Bad Juju Lounge, on 11th Avenue between Pine and Pike Streets. Faux Bang's Ursula Android and Jackie Hell will host the Saturday, July 14 event, and Seattle politicians who have been supportive of our local music community--the likes of Judy Nicastro, Heidi Wills, Nick Licata, Richard Conlin, Peter Steinbrueck, and state senator Dow Constantine--will serve as guest emcees throughout the day and night. Between the band sets, DJs Baby J, Dan Galucci, Spencer Moody, and Vitamin D will spin. Though there is an $8 cover and a beer garden, the front of the Mainstage area will serve as an all-ages refuge, affording the kids the best seats in the house. Festivities kick off at noon and wind down at midnight on the Mainstage and at 2:00 a.m. at the Bad Juju Lounge.
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Past Block Parties have lent the neighborhood a crazy, anything-goes atmosphere, and revelers dressed as surly clowns and menacing devils wandered the streets in drunken, sunburned abandon. A couple years ago, the day proved unseasonably chilly; but instead of heading home, folks staggered into a store on Pike, purchased gloves and rain slickers, and continued right on with their outdoor party until an outright cloudburst finally forced a flight to covered confines. This year's wealth of bands and DJs and political entertainers (no disrespect intended, I just call it as I see it) should ensure that no one goes home party-pooper style and people return home happy, just in time to lay their heads on a pillow and tune their brains into a night of crazy cocktail dreams featuring the lovely Mark Arm. Sigh....
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And now, as I retire to my haven of sunshine and brightly colored blooms for a much-needed vacation, let me leave you with one small gripe and a great big "I TOLD YOU SO": If I, the queen of hating to leave my neighborhood, can pack an overnight bag and head out to Ballard on a Friday night to see a show, then so can all of you black-clad hipsters. My date and I trekked to the Sunset Tavern to see if I was still right in haranguing everyone, as I have done for the past five years, into seeing a Richmond Fontaine show. For my trouble I was pleasantly validated and graced with a truly inspiring set, and was once again convinced that this Portland band is one of our region's most criminally overlooked acts. RF's blend of rock, punk, and country surpasses any offered by Whiskeytown, Wilco, and all the other alt-country kings, and singer Willy Vlautin is one of the best lyricists in the land. Charming and sweet, too. Do yourself a favor next time the band is in town: Take off work early and make the pilgrimage. You'll be a better person for it.
