Nite Crawl

May Issue

By Roger L. Anderson

First and foremost, last’s week’s cover story on Ken Valdez, was a literary contribution by Jeff Lawrence, not yours truly. Credit should be given where it’s due. Nice review, Jeff! Jeff is the new web / graphics designer at House of Tone Graphics, which is housed at the ARM facility (651) 483-8754. Jeff’s client list includes such local artists and venues as Knight Crawler, Molly Nova and the Hawk, Lucid Groove, Hoodlum Johnny, Rare Divine, The Rock, Star Bar, Montana Rockfest, Nite Times Magazine and Mainstreet Bar & Grill to name a few. Jeff now is a contributing writer on staff and we welcome him aboard . . . Last month - New York City banned smoking in bars. Clean air for singers and music lovers, diners and drinkers alike – hint, hint Minnesota lawmakers, “What are you waiting for?” . . . Two outstanding options on the 2^nd of May, with Corey Stevens and a new disc on Fuel 2000 at the Rock in Maplewood, with Iowa’s best new import, Molly Nova and the Hawk opening . . . Last month’s Nite Times featured artist, Ken Valdez, to perform at the Medina Ballroom, May 2^nd, Crow and Gypsy to be rescheduled hopefully in June due to the Minnesota Wild / Vancouver face off at Excel Energy Center . . . May 3^rd, Bonnie Raitt to perform at the Pacer Center Benefit at the Minneapolis Convention Center, (952) 838-9000 . . . Wednesday, May 7^th, Sepultura and Voivod performing live at the Quest - an all ages event, doors open 5pm . . . For you more dated rockers, check out the world-class star vocalist of all-time, Stephen Pearcy, former lead singer of Ratt (“Round and Round”) and Touched in a mid-week concert at the Star Bar, Twin Cities newest concert venue, www.starbarlive.com . . .Steel Venon, Valleyfair’s new roller coaster debuts on the 10^th of May . . . On the evening of the 20^th, gobble up some early Beatles with Beatles Forever at Mainstreet Bar and Grill in Hopkins. “Oooh, I need your love babe, 8 days a week” . . . Motorhead and Anthrax (www.anthrax.com), Tuesday, May 20^th First Avenue main room 21+ show, doors open 8pm . . . May 23-24, 93X-Fest at Float-rite Park in Somerset, WI for a mere $45 ticket . . . Take a gamble at Mystic Lake Casino with a well preserved heart-throb, Ann Margret on the 20^th for a 7:30pm show. . . Happy Birthday Bitch with Impaler headlining at the Lab on May 22^nd. Speaking of the Lab (formerly Ryan’s in St. Paul, for you old guys), how about a Thursday with Austin Healy on the 29^th. They do have the best Bloody Mary’s in town . . . For you blues enthusiasts, Reneé Austin at the Medina Ballroom in her first headline appearance at the Ballroom. Last month, Reneé inked her recording contract with Blind Pig and is recording in June with a tentative September release. Reneé will also be performing the National Anthem for the St. Paul Saints at Midway Stadium on the 24^th, with a evening performance at the Mayslacksfest in Minneapolis to kickoff the summer. . .Yanni will NOT be performing Chameleon songs on the 30^th at Xcel Energy Center - check out his new disc with some co-writing on a couple of cuts by Pamela McNeill, the local Princess of Pop. Rest assured, Pamela and Dugan will be backstage - How about me? Just kidding . ? . ? . A more intimate climax in May will be at Famous Dave’s on the 30^th with a Corey Stevens, post Chicago Bluesfest appearance and a live DVD filming – be a part of it. Limited capacity, so reserve your tickets NOW!. . . Up next: Journey, Styx and REO at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul June 14^th - it doesn’t get much better than that. . .Tickets on sale now for Ozzfest 2003, 14 hours of music featuring 20 bands, starring Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, Voivod, on Saturday July 19^th at 11:00 am at Float-rite Park. Don’t miss the all-new Village of the Damned. FYI www.ozzy.com, www.ozzfest.com . . . Lollapalooza (www.lollapalooza.com) also on sale for July 6th Target Center, featuring Jane’s Addiction, Audioslave, the Donnas, Incabus and more . . . Web-site of the month: www.minnesotametalscene.com; Movie of the month: The Real Cancun; Best new artist: Lisa Marie Presley; Best concert for April: Firehouse at the Rock in the bars and Avril Lavigne at the arena; Best new DVD release: Norah Jones “Live at the House of Blues”; Best haircut (glad it was you and not me): Dave Wing of Knight Crawler (Don’t worry girls, he’s still got it going.”; Best May vacation: Mine - off to Dublin and London, see ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya, I’m out of here!!!. . . Next month, some International news coming your way. Cheers!