Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Octbberfeest in Brighton

We at Lamocu have been given the opportunity to chair the Chamber of Commerce's annual Octoberfeest in downtown Brighton. Very excited about the chance to display our talents and work with one of the finest group of individuals around...the Chamber Ambassadors!

The date is Tuesday, October 18th, the event will feature possibly as many as 12 local eateries and will run from 5-9pm. We are off to touch base with several establishments today in preparation for the Ambassador meeting this Thursday. Stay tuned for further developments but put that date on your calender, Tuesday October 18th---you'll be glad you did.


Friday, August 5, 2011

Monday, August 1, 2011

The day the music died...

Let me start out by saying that this is MY Opinion, MY view of what went down and no one else's. That said, let the ranting begin...

It has been our pleasure to assist in the Kiwanis Gazebo Concerts this year that the Brighton Kiwanians put on. Celebrating their 35th year of bringing free entertainment at the duck pond in downtown Brighton is truly something to be proud of. To be asked to assist this year by supplying "opening acts" on certain Sunday evenings we felt was an honor.

Two weeks ago we began proudly showcasing some of the best talent around and things were going good. All bands that were to have a "warm up" had agreed to allow the soloist or duos to use their sound equipment. We were prepared if the performers had felt differently but all seemed willing to work with us, after all two vocalists DO NOT mess up a board. Then Sunday night hit.

And here is where I have to reiterate, this is MY Opinion and View...it has nothing to do with or have any reflection on the Kiwanis club of Brighton. But the Kiwanis club is who puts on the show, they're the promoter, they pay the bands; their posters state there will be a warm up act a half hour before the main show, they were... IGNORED.

Typically the Kiwanis shows begin at 7pm, "pre shows" start at 6:30pm, so at 5:30 we're awaiting the arrival of our "pre show" performers. All seemed going according to plan then at 5:35pm Moose of Moose & Da Sharks informed Kiwanis (again the show's sponsor, the people PAYING Moose and his band) that he would not allow anyone to use his sound board! He had every right, but he and his manager had been informed about this weeks ago and said nothing. If it was a problem, any other performer would understand and our performers were certainly willing to bring their own gear---but at 5:35pm I was sure our performers were on the road or nearly there and were walking into a disaster. Moose didn't care. Sad, very sad. I immediately tried to reach the performers and kept at it until their start time of 6:30pm. At this point I am worried, these performers are very reliable so I thought the worst. Later that evening I received a call back from one of the duo; they had been there and in trying to be respectful to Moose and his soundman, they had arrived at 5:15pm, extra early in case there were problems. We didn't know that Moose had told them, "no one warms up for Moose. No one shares the stage with The Moose" and basically sent them on their way.

Needless to say I was in shock. I apologized over and over again for what they had gone through, hoped they would not hold it against the Kiwanis club. I told them I wished they had stopped by the Kiwanis booth, thinking most people would do so to complain, but these performers are too nice. They didn't make a fuss, create a scene or anything like that. Actually they were a little in shock, they had never been treated like that by "another" performer. I'm still in shock! Moose didn't even have the decency to tell me and the Kiwanis club that he had spoke with the performers.

I'll make it up to these guys somehow...that is if they ever trust me and Lamocu again, but Moose----YOU'RE A LOSER. YOU'RE A SCAB ON THE FACE OF MUSICIANS EVERYWHERE!

You hear about prima donas like this in the entertainment world, but you figure they're FAMOUS or something like that, it's expected. But Moose & Da Sharks? Please.

That's it I'm done for now. It HAD to be said. And someday I may have the opportunity to tell Moose this myself...looking forward to it. Until next time, keep the faith and stay tuned.

Monday, July 18, 2011

This Weekend Ends

Hope everyone had a great weekend. I know there was a lot of grad parties still going on. We had our "company" party on Saturday and I'd say a good time was had by all, and why not the party was for us! David the IT head won the costume contest coming as not just as Curly, but took it a step further and came as "Bustoff" the wrestler Curly impersonates in "Grips, Grunts & Groans".
Mike McNulty, our logistics man did the best on the trivia contest, fetching an admirable 5 out of 7 correct and coming very close on the other two questions.

After warming up with some Looney Tunes we settled into our Stooge Marathon, capped off by viewing some Jethro Tull footage from Germany. Overall a good time was had by all who attended. We made plans for August which will put us in an entirely different venue next month. We, Lamocu, have been asked to assist in the First Annual M.M.C. Festival just east of here. The Michigan Musicians Collective, of which we are members of (and suggest all aspiring performers join) is putting on their first festival showcasing many of our members. To be asked to help means we have been noticed and appreciated---we can't wait. It's like a mini Woodstock, the biggest event (aside from some golf outings) that we have been a part of. To be recognized and given an opportunity --- we are handling Hospitality, Merchandising and some promotion---is very exciting to us. Thanks to Bob Clarke (Cowboy Bob) for believing in us and given us this chance!

Last night at the Kiwanis Gazebo Concerts, Rick & John once again made us look good. First ever warm up act in 35 years of shows. So the park wasn't totally full when the boys started playing (people so use to the 7pm start time) but as the crowd arrived for the 7pm show they were appreciative and responded to Rick & John quite favorably. We have seen Rick & John some half a dozen times at least but hearing their melodies carry over the duck pond into downtown Brighton was magical. Rick & John will be working with us again in September at the Spartan Gala put on by the M.S.U. Alumni. Overall a great weekend of music and entertainment.

For more information on the M.M.C. Festival, go to http://michigan-musicians.ning.com/

Until next time, try and stay cool and stay tuned!

Saturday, July 16, 2011

1st annual party tonight

Performances @ The Well takes a different direction this month. We're going to let the winner of the 50/50 decide where the money raised goes to. So we're concentrating on our party. Nothing elaborate, some beverages, kick back and watch some good videos. It's what made us what we are.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

I was a kid again!



If you were like me you got to see some fireworks over the weekend. Amusement parks and fireworks are two things that always seem to bring me back to childhood. It had been years literally since I sat on the grass lakeside and watched the local fireworks. I felt alive again, refreshed, rejuvenated. Maybe that's why it's such a good way to celebrate our nation's birthday---and it's right in the dead of summer, sort of like a "hump day" for the season. Ah it was grand.

Unfortunately there was such a lull between sessions, you weren't sure when they were done. So, like many of us on this side of the lake, we began to wander home only to see the massive display that lit up the sky when we were back in the sub. Shame on us, it wasn't like we had anything better to do :) Next year, we'll stay for that reason.

Things are picking up for the Michigan Musicians Collective first festival coming up in August. For more details click on their web site and follow the discussions. Profile sheets for the artists are due soon.

In July, Performances @ The Well is taking a new twist and holding a 3 Stooges film festival with games and activities for the entire family. The charity this month will be designated by the winner of the monthly 50/50 drawing. More details coming soon for this special Lamocu party but mark your calender now, July 16th, 8pm at the Well.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Shocking News!

Preparing for our celebration on July 16th.
Watch for upcoming details!





NOW FOR SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS & OBSERVATIONS


Recently through networking I have been involved with a couple disturbing discussions. Sharing them here just to "air" them out, get them out our mind and clear our thought process.


One topic was how the Muslims are successfully reinvesting funds in American culture. It was said that if we knew "half" of what was going on we would be amazed. Did we want to know more? Possibly...then it got onto the Muslims avoidance of pork. What's the connection we wondered...well apparently since we can't be totally sure of where Muslim money is going, it was recommended that we wipe all of our money in bacon so that when the money does eventually get in the hands of a Muslim, it will be tainted and unholy to them...Interesting.

At this point I needed another drink. I already had one but, it didn't seem strong enough, actually it seemed too strong, so I switched to water.

I had not walked five feet before I bumped into a conversation on the latest artificial sweetner. I had already heard bad things about this product, and for years have avoided artificial sweetners myself but there was new news...it was revealed that the chemical makeup of this sweetner was VERY similar to that of Agent Orange.
I then chugged my water and went back to my drink.

It is at times like this that I am glad I get lost in Rock & Roll. Despite what you hear out there folks, have a safe and happy Fourth of July. Forget the negative and celebrate all that is great about this country, who we are and how we got here. Until next time, keep your stick on the ice and stay tuned.