Cyndi Lee

This just in. Former Streetwise lead Cyndi Lee is in the valley. She is playing with Richard Soliz tonight(Wednesday) at Mr. Luckys and will be at Kat’s House of Blues in Nampa on Thursday for a Streetwise reunion. The Joplinesque Cyndi can belt the blues with the best of them. May see you at Kat’s Thursday night.

The new "upper"

Not there yet, but as a public service to my older male readers. I will post this very useful ring.

Coolightwest

Here is an interesting image I took for Coolight West. Remember that name, you will hear it again as they go bigtime.

Yes you are looking at a glow in the dark snowboard

Keeping the IRS safe.

If you want to see the US government working most efficiently. Go to the Federal building. I counted 7 guards between the sidewalk and the IRS information office. Why? Are they expecting an invasion from small African country? Maybe an old fashioned tax revolt.

Frank Lloyd Wright

Worked at the Boise Art Museum last night. The museum is all decked with an exhibit of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s work. This exhibit is a fitting tribute to Wright. By using a diverse mediums, from photos to furniture. This BAM show gives you a sense of the man and his influence. Not just on architecture but culture as well.

Just don't wash your hands!

Nampa's hot

There is a peacefulness to Nampa’s old downtown. It is showing signs of a revival similar to that of Boise’s. With new developments in the planing stage, the renovation of the theater and the depot, Boisee.com may have to change it’s URL to keep up

Bar watch update-oh, 12 or so!

In an apparent attempt to blunt the competition from Dirty Little Roddys across 6th street. Mobrey has decided to spilt up the upstairs and downstairs at Graneys/Toads. Toads appears to be going for a grittier image. No bull! Thanks for the reminder Don.

The Blues Picnic

The president of the Boise Blues Society Jim Teeter received this e-mail Monday morning. It says volumes about the how's and whys of the BBS. This is exactly why we do it. Thank you Mary! Subject: It was great Hi, I just happened to stumble across your Sunday Blues picnic today.   It was great!  I have two little kids and we were at the playground when I heard the music.   We came over to get something to drink and listen for a while.   I had a wonderful time and so did my kids.   It was nice to sit in the shade and listen to great music.   My son had fun dancing and my daughter loved seeing all the dogs that people brought with them to the park.     Jason Ricci and New Blood were out of this world.  I was only going to stay for a while but I couldn't bear to leave and we stayed until the end.  I don't get out much so to be able to relax and listen to live music was a wonderful treat for me.   Thank you for giving me such a wonderful Sunday.     Mary

Nampa/Canyon County Magazine

Here is a link to an article about the restoration of the Majestic theater in Nampa. I wrote it for the fall addition of the new Canyon County Magazine. Congratulations to Editor Earnest Woods for getting this magazine up and running.

Private Idaho

Sadly KBSU’s Victor Picania is ill. He has Pancreatic cancer. Picania is one of the good guys in radio. Victor has been playing just the right combination of blues, rock, folk, and whatever for years. Listening to his show is like putting a world class record collection on random. As a former radio show producer I can tell you that making it sound that easy is very hard. Victor’s mellow intelligent delivery is so very refreshing in a radio world that seems to be less and less about the music. Here is hoping that Victor beats his illness and continues to create our own Private Idaho for years to come. This Saturday July 22nd at the Big Easy. An event for Victor’s benefit will feature music from Frim Fram Fellas, John Hansen, Bindi Bowler, Rosalie Sorrels, Ned Evett, Curtis Stigers & more. Tickets are $20 - available at TicketWeb outlets.

BBS Blues Picnic

Today-Now(well now if you are reading this Sunday):Julia Davis not the band shell- the tennis courts great music beer fun stuff food BLUES FREEEEEEE Two can of food doantion THANKS

Smokin!

Looks like Smokin Joe Kubic will play one of the last two Alive after Five's. I will post more details as I get them.

Sarah is Tops

Beautiful barrista Sarahtops is showing her artwork at Dawson Taylor downtown this month. Her work shows a depth and range that far exceed her years. This displays is not as dark as her “Freak Alley" showing featured in Boisee last year. For her unique view of the world, come enjoy Ms. Sarahtops paintings. Were else is the artist going to get your coffee.

Behind the Mic

The Boise Blues Society is on a roll. The compliation CD, “Behind the Mic” is in production and will be ready for the annual Blues Picnic Sunday. Join all the great acts at the park and be the first one on your block to own this amazing CD.

I would like to give a special thank you to Nancy McIntosh for all of her hard work in designing this classy cover and insert.

What do you Know!

Shoot what you know, right!

I know martinis(these are really cosmos!), and have broken a glass or two.

John Nemeth is a Blind Pig-update-update!

Caught up with John Nemeth when he was in town this week. Great news! His new cd for Blind Pig is done. Earlier Boisee.com reported that John was going to use Charlie Musslewhite's band in San Francisco. As the schedule and venue shifted, John ending up in Texas. Now get this, John used the Anson Funderberg guys for back-up AND the Texas Horns. Wow, this could be very good. John tells us that after a full week of “thinking and playing” for 12 to 14 hours a day he has 19 cuts done. He and Blind Pig will narrow it down to 14 for the expected January release of the “John Nemeth Band.”

John reveled in the experiance of being in a studio with a full band including a horn section. “It was amazing, each instrument was dialed in and you distinctly hear ever one on the recording.” This should be a very good CD.

I ask John, why no “blues” in the bands title. “We didn’t want limit this CD in any way, also we ended up with a wide range of stuff, sure it’s bluesy but with a lot of Soul.”

Soon John gave me one of those classic smiles, and with a tip his vintage Pork Pie hat he headed to the Red Feather to catch up with some friends. Before he left I asked Mr. Nemeth where to next? He at first drew a blank, then said “Oh North Carolina I believe.”

Don't worry John you won't get lost on the road to success.

From Diane Ronayne

Hi! If you're downtown tonight, stop by the Idaho Photographic Workshop booth at Art Under the Stars in the Grove Plaza from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. You'll see some gorgeous photos (including some of mine) and you can have your portrait made for free by Allan Ansell and take a print of it home with you! Hear Chuck Smith and New Trio play jazz nearby at the Brick Oven Bistro patio from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., too! On July 11 (2nd Tuesday), please come to an artist reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Garden City Public Library at Glenwood and Marigold in the City Hall building. My 15 WaterShed Iconic Images (a public art commission I was awarded in 2004) and some of my roses are on display there through July 31. If you can't make the artist reception on the 11th, please stop by any time to see the work.

Later this month, on Monday, July 24 at 11:45 a.m., City Club of Boise presents "Rocky Mountain High: Global Warming in the West," a forum that you may find of interest. The speaker, Daniel Fagre, is in charge of global warming research for the U.S. Geological Survey, based in Montana. His discoveries include learning that only 27 glaciers are left of the estimated 150 in Glacier National Park when it was founded in 1910. RSVP by July 20 to 371-2221. Lunch is $19 for non-members but you can have just coffee and enjoy the forum for $5. Dr. Fabre's talk will be broadcast on BSU Radio; please check the City Club website (www.cityclubofboise.org) for times and dates.

I hope to see you soon! Diane

paul peterson to me!

Paul Peterson is turning over a new leaf. Thursday at the Idaho BotanicalGardens (on Warm Springs), his loosely organized "band", the StratO'Loungers, will play their last live gig. Joining Paul for this final show are Mike Trail, Bill Liles, Lawson Hill, Phil Garonzik, and Ben Burdick. Expect an evening of Blues, with a spot of Jazz for flavor. Shari Stuki will be performing on one of the breaks, and if you haven't caught this local 15 year old's act, don't miss this opportunity to hear one of Boise's most talented singer/songwriters. She'll amaze and delight the crowd, as will "Boise's All-Star Blues Band".....the ever evolving StratO'Loungers. Music starts at 5:45, and goes until 9:30, with the last hour or so becoming a Jam Session. So if you play Blues, or love Blues, Don't miss this show. For his next trick, Paul is plunging into 4 months of rehearsals for "The Royals", his new Tribute to British Music Band. More details to come, but booking begins in November. Paul would like to thank all the musicians who have played and recorded with the StratO'Loungers these past 8 years, and hopes to see them all at the Gardens on Thursday.

Independence Day

Happy Forth of July. Despite all of the problems. This is still the very best place in the world to live. I am proud to be a citizen of the USA. Do something to help your fellow Americans today!