Wendy V's Local Blend

Volume 10 Issue 2

November/December 2002 - Writer/Editor: Wendy Vickers

 In this issue:

-  Fun at the Minnesota Folk Festival

- Amy Holland is now Amy Angeline!

 - CDs: David Levin 

- Benefit concerts for Leslie Ball

Related Links:
 
 Gig Calendar

Just Plain Folks

 Links to musicians playing around the area.
 
 Radio Regulars page

What this newsletter's about.

Matter of FAQ: So what's it (normally) take to have your CD mentioned in Wendy V's Local Blend? Click here for the guidelines!

Singer/songwriters, venues: Have a web page full of gig dates? Send me your link for the gig calendar! 

First of all, I want to sincerely thank all of you who sent notes of congrats and encouragement on the 10th anniversary of Local Folk/ Local Blend. Your support is a great blessing. Sometimes when I go chasing after things that may seem more exciting at the time, ultimately I am always brought back to what's "home" and constantly "real" --that's all of you in this great community. 

Fun at the Minnesota Folk Festival

I had a great time emceeing at day one of the New Folk Songwriting Contest at the Minnesota Folk Festival in September. The audience was gracious to me --no one threw tomatoes, or yelled "get that person off the stage." My singer/songwriter friend and 2000 contest winner Josh Misner joined me in hosting duties. (Josh, by the way, is preparing to start doing more performing again in the near future!). 

We met a lot of new faces at this year's contest. The winner was Sara Thomsen of Barnum, MN. People took note of her alluring voice and compelling winning songs "Irene Marguerite" and "Keeping the Peace." Sara will be playing several dates with Heather Murphy on a West Coast tour next spring.

The Minnesota Folk Festival website is still up and running, and the festival organizers still have many events planned throughout the upcoming months and next year. Check them out!

Meet an old friend...Amy Angeline!

When I first heard of singer/songwriter Amy Holland here in the Twin Cities, and noted that she was blonde, there was one question I just had to ask: "you're not the same Amy Holland who is Michael McDonald's wife, are you?" Seems a lot of people thought the same thing, judging by the e-mails she started receiving. Thus, to avoid confusion, Amy finally decided to change to a new performing name: Amy Angeline (combining the last name of her favorite writer, Maya Angelou and her middle name, Lynne).

Along with the new name, Amy's got a new CD coming out (self-titled "Amy Angeline") on her very own new label, Yemana Records! Amy's CD release show is set for Friday, November 15 at Theatre de la Jeune Lune 105 North First Street, Mpls.

7:30 pm doors open
8:30 CONCERT BEGINS (with full band)
CD signing and party immediately following concert
18+, non-smoking concert

CDs:

David Levin - Zuni (Day Eleven Productions) 

David Levin returned this year to the Twin Cities after living on a Zuni Indian reservation in New Mexico for the past three years. Before moving, he took time to record this acoustic (except for "a little help here and there from my secret gadgets, " he says) album of original songs. This is a very gentle set of songs --particularly impressive are "Margret's Pillow", "Part Time Believer" and "Demolition Boy." David has reformed his old group the Song Circle (including Dan Schwartz, Tim Snow and Rick Barron) and they will be playing at the Cedar Cultural Center on the second Tuesday of the month thru December. 

Leslie Ball Benefit Concerts

Leslie Ball, well known versatile performer in the Twin Cities, perhaps best known for her "Balls" Cabaret artist showcases, is battling thyroid cancer. Two benefits, "She Don't Need No Stinkin' Thyroid" are being arranged to benefit the Leslie Ball Cancer Recovery Fund, and Artists Emergency Relief Fund Benefit. See more information on this at the Radio Regulars section of my website.

Do you believe it is just about time to wish this (well, the decorations do go up in the stores after October 31, if not sooner...)

 Happy Holidays, everyone!!

Thanks again for all your good words, encouragement, prayers and support for this community of ours!