Flanfire

Vacations are fun - except when you are too worn out to do anything. So we have missed an entire month of reporting (so it seems). But not to quibble. We do have news to report.

First off, an opening of yet another new coffeehouse and music venue in NORTH Austin. Genuine Joe's Coffeehouse at 2001 West Anderson Lane is about a week away from serving coffee and stuff and encouraging folks to come and rest in their very comfortable couches and sit out on their wooden patio (across from Lack's Furniture and other scenic sites). Owners Victor Levi and David Swainston are eager to make your acquaintance. Genuine Joe's reminds one of Saradora's in Round Rock in its ambience and a little of Flightpath in its comfort level. Their fledgling website says it all (for now): As an Austin neighborhood coffeehouse, we reflect what makes us unique. Whether you're a boot, suit, hippie, or techie, or you defy all labels, there's a place for you here. We'll do our part to bring you quality espresso beverages, the freshest of roasts, and a cozy comfortable atmosphere; your part is to relax, feel happy, get inspired, and above all be yourself!

Speaking of coffeehouses, we were down on Oltorf Avenue on Sunday evening at the Green Muse and got to visit their absolutely beautiful amphitheatre out back that is one of the nicest music venues I have seen in all of Austin (complete with fountain and multi-level seating). The occasion was quite special -- Songwriters with Product, it was called, featuring three old pals --

Mark Ambrose (whose new CD we recently reviewed and who was in town in between his Chicago area tour and his Nashville to North Carolina tour that has 14 dates in 18 days).

Steve Ulrich (whose new CD, Leadbelly and Me, is currently being mixed and mastered); Steve is soon to be off to Oregon for a summer of gigs and a wedding (his own), and may be back through Austin to sign a few of the new CD's before heading back to Guatemala in the fall.

Jackson (whose new CD, Growing Up To Be a Childhood Genius, should be on the streets in time for this Friday's gig with Leeann Atherton - or not).

Sure, it was hot - but there are fans on this patio, and there was a breeze rolling through the shade trees that help make the Muse a place for meditation. But it got even hotter when Ulrich and Ambrose (separately) were joined by sidemen Richard Parks (violin and electric guitar) and Mike (World Wide) Webb on drums. Ambrose's second set blistered as he closed with a Jimmy Reed oldie that followed his own Going to New Orleans and Train Whistle Blues. Earlier, Jackson showcased half a dozen songs that are even newer than those on the new CD (which features Leeann Atherton, Perry Drake, and AnnMarie Harrop plus the golden girls of Jinx Avenue on harmony vocals). Folks were blown away by the likes of 'I Wish I Could Write Fiction,' 'Banks of New York City,' and a song so new it has two working titles - 'Black and White Are Colorful' and 'Confetti Stars.' Here's hoping the NEXT Jackson CD will have major backing, because the guy is emerging out of his own shadows into poet laureate stature.

Further back in time we skipped The Addictions big splash at the Red-Eyed Fly (of which we can duly report that Nick Ulrich and the Fabulous Amanda and others danced uproariously all evening) to go to Antone's to see the final performance of bassist David Kline [who is preparing to join the Peace Corps after finishing up at UT next year] with The Illustrated Band. This was especially sad, because it is not as though bassists in this group are easy to replace. The last time drummer Paul Roraback and guitarist/songwriter Michael Blake lost a bassist (the guy who moved here with them from Seattle and got homesick), it took nearly a year AND a band name change (well, that came later) and the addition of keyboardist Nic Whitworth to complete the transition from Gideon's Press to the (even) bigger sound and light show that makes The Illustrated Band one whose music you feel rather than just hear.

Watching Pink Floyd reunited (sadly, for what may be the only time) at Live 8, one gets some idea of The Illustrated Band, though anyone who knows about these guys has to also see the influence of Geddy Lee and Rush. [If you like Eric Johnson, for example, you ought to like The Illustrated Band - or these guys by whatever name they may one day go by.] The Forever of Now is a MUST GRAB for any fan of stadium rock - The title cut includes these lines:

All around me today, the world is falling into place, and like a flower in the sun, I unfold and become.
Through the seasons of change, And through the joys and mistakes, I'm defined, I have found In the Forever of Now.
And with my eyes off the ground, I start looking around, To see the beauty of the day, To try to love, come what may.

Blake says of his work - There is a moment that is happening, continuously, repeating itself over and over. I have the choice to see it is there [but .... ] And then, there is this sudden brief moment of clarity, when my eyes are opened, and the whole world just falls into place.... This is the eternal moment. The Forever of Now is the awareness of divinity intrinsic in every single instant ... To live in the Forever of Now is to kiss the face of God. It is pure, unconditional Love.

Roraback (who spent time earlier this year drum teching for Terry Bozzio) spent quite a while earlier in his Austin career drumming for Lisa Tingle. Finding a new bassist who fits with the band would be a great boost to this hard-working guy who is about to be a new father. So would a few more opportunities to showcase their music in appropriate (read, LARGE) venues. Anyone who doubts my words here that these guys are amazing should just check out their website - www.theillustratedband.com and watch both of the video downloads, Anna (a concept video) and Rain Down (all band).

Finally, I want to update on a couple other things -- Andiamo's at Burnet and Rutland has GREAT Italian food prepared by real Italian (Sicilian) chefs who came here from the Washington, DC area, because the owner's wife missed her Austin home too much. Drakula's (across from NTB on Research just northwest of Lamar) has Romanian food and tales of the Count himself (not the one on Sesame Street), and still there is nothing better than lounging around at the Magnolia Cafe chowing down and visiting with old old friends.

DO NOT MISS the upcoming Hope Arts Festival, which kicks off on July 14 with the Ragamuffin Film Festival at the Galaxy Highland Theatre (behind Highland Mall) with two feature-length documentaries:

BEYOND THE GATES OF SPLENDOR (7 pm showing)
Set in the Amazon Basin of Ecuador, Beyond the Gates tells the story of the Waodani, a violent and isolated tribe—the most violent culture known to man with a homicide rate of 60%--and five North American families who contacted them. All five of the North American men (Jim Elliot among them) were killed by Waodani tribesmen. Following the killings, the wife of one of the men and the sister of another went to live with the Waodani.

Beyond the Gates juxtaposes interviews with the surviving principals in the 1956 drama—including the five widows of the slain missionaries, their children, rescue workers and the surviving killers—with vintage 16-mm film and still photos shot by the missionaries themselves in the Ecuador jungle.

The MPAA Rating is PG-13 for some violent content and thematic elements.

This will be the Austin premier of the film.

FRISBEE: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A HIPPIE PREACHER (9:30 pm showing)
Controversial throughout his life and even after his death, the brief but dynamic life of evangelist Lonnie Frisbee is a powerful story of biblical proportions. Frisbee captures the dramatic life story of this spiritual seeker turned Jesus freak who thousands remember as the agent through whom they experienced spiritual transformation.
Two of the largest evangelical denominations sprang up in the wake of his ministry, Calvary Chapel and the Vineyard, and many of Southern California's most well-known spiritual leaders were compelled into their present ministries. Yet, because he died as a result of AIDS, his name has been all but removed from the history books.

This will be the Texas premier of the film.