Time to vote! No, I’m not talking about Doug Bruce’s latest hare-brained attempt to keep our city in the economic dark ages. You have the opportunity on November 12 to vote with your hard-earned entertainment dollars to support Friends House Concerts in Colorado Springs.  On that evening Eliza Gilkyson will be in town for a show with Nina Gerber at 7:00 pm.  “Friends” may be the only house concert series currently booking shows in Colorado (correct me if I’m wrong).  The Lucketts (who have put on the series for a number of years) took a hiatis a few months back.  Thank god they didn’t go the way of other Springs music venues-they actually came back!

The top 10 cool things about a Friends House Concert

1 starts and ends early (great for those nights when you have two dates) 2 the shows are byob so you save money on beer 3 every seat is almost too close to the artist 4 parking-free 5 obnoxious drunks allowed but discouraged 6 every show’s a meet-and-greet 7 autographed CD’s available for the low price of $15 8 Doug Bruce won’t be there 9 cover charge paid in advance so no need for pre-show trip to ATM 10 no Tickmaster fees.  All proceeds go directly to the artist – checks for $25 made payable to Eliza Gilkyson will get you in, for details go to www.house-concerts.org.  Eliza also plays Sunset Event Center in Ft. Collins on the 13th, Swallow Hill in Denver on the 14th, Crested Butte Arts Center on the 15th, Paradise Theater in Paonia the 17th, and Leon Memorial Hall in Alamosa on the 18th.

Check out the calendar for early November dates by David Allan Coe, Micky and the Motorcars, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, Chuck Prophet, and the Black Crowes.  Then things slow down for the holidays.  Don’t forget to wax those skis!

Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams

Never will get used to the fall weather here along the Front Range. After one of the most beautiful weekends ever, looks like it’s about to snow out there today.  Oh, well. Coming up in September, Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams make a couple of Front Range appearances.  Their music has been described as “Hillbilly Pink Floyd”.  Well all right.

Did you know “Van the Man” was playing Denver this week?  Me neither, and tickets are still available – pices range from $90 to $350.  Plus the usual Ticket master charges.  Wow.

In October, we look forward to the return to Colorado Springs of Friends House Concerts after a short hiatus. Willy Porter and Natalie Zuckerman play October 18, but I understand tickets are going fast. Eliza Gilkyson makes a return appearance in November, we’re currently enjoying her new cd “Beautiful World”.  Check the web for the full schedule and make sure and sign up for their newsletter.

Oh, also make sure you check out the new front range music calendar, it’s new and improved.