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Residents traumatised by shootout that left nine robbers dead

by Live Jam

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Nine suspected cash-in-transit robbers were gunned down in a shootout with police in Sebokeng, southern Gauteng on Thursday morning.

The gun battle erupted at about 5am when the police pounced on a house in Golden Gardens following information from crime intelligence that the residence was being used by suspects involved in a string of heists in the province.

According to Police Minister Bheki Cele, when the police arrived at the house, three cars were idling outside with another one inside the yard.

The suspects opened fire on the police and a shootout ensured.

Eight suspects were killed on the scene while four others were injured and taken to the hospital, where one of them succumbed to his injuries.

When Sunday World arrived at the scene, there was pandemonium. A large contingent of police, forensics, paramedics, and special investigative directorate had cordoned off different parts of the area where the suspects were gunned down.

Acting Gauteng police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, who was also on the scene, said forensics were combing through the crime scene, which spread across various blocks of the area including the house where the suspects were intercepted, an empty stand where another suspect was shot dead, and another empty stand where another suspect was also shot.

Mathe said the police also found explosives and rifles inside the house, which is alleged to belong to a parolee.

“Six commercial explosives that were already assembled and ready to be utilised were found in the house, including six rifles,” she said.

Mathe could not confirm whether the owner of the house was among the suspects who were killed or those who are in hospital.

Traumatised neighbours described the horror of being awakened by the sound of machine guns, car sounds and loud voices.

“The sounds were so loud, that I thought the shooting was happening right inside my yard,” said a neighbour who lives a few metres from the house where the suspects were cornered.

She said on hearing the first gunshots, she checked the community WhatsApp group.

“That was when I learnt that the police were after criminals in the area. We were advised to stay inside our houses and away from the windows,” she said.

Some of the neighbours described the man who lives in the house as a normal guy who kept to himself.

“He is just a regular guy. He was hardly ever at home. I thought he worked. Everyone here minds their own business, so, I didn’t think much of the fact that he stayed alone.,” said one of the neighbours.

A number of other residents told Sunday World that they were unable to go to work because of shock and fear for the safety of their children.

One resident said he will not leave his family while there was still a corpse lying opposite his yard. “I’ve never experienced this in my life. I am grateful that we are unharmed and my property was not damaged,” he said.

Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa.


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What’s Happening in the Great Lakes Bay Region?

by Live Jam

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Editor’s note: If you have an event you would like to have included, please email the information to the Daily News at midlanddailynews@gmail.com. 

Through April 16
Butterflies in Bloom is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Dow Gardens in Midland. The interactive exhibit features thousands of brilliantly colored butterflies from countries around the world, emerging from their chrysalis, feeding and flying all with the tropical environment of Dow Garden’s Conservatory. Admission included with regular admission to Dow Gardens or with purchase of an annual admission card. Reservations are required in advance of visit.

Saturday, April 8
Soldan’s Pet Supplies is hosting its Pet Easter Egg from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Pavilion F in Plymouth Park in Midland. You’ll find thousands of colorful eggs scattered in the grass for your pet to find. All eggs are stuffed with delicious dog treats and prizes. Hunts are planned for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. There is a $10 suggested registration fee per dog. Registration required. All proceeds from the event directly benefit The Humane Society of Midland County.

Egg-cellent Adventure is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. at Axiom Church, 1264 E. Isabella Road, Midland. Age-based egg hunts, carnival games, and more.

Venture out for a special egg hunt at Chippewa Nature Center. Each child will make their own egg hunt bag, then venture out into the woods to search for hidden eggs. Before or after the hunt, spend time discovering the wonders of Michigan’s egg-laying animals through games and activities. If the weather permits, all activities will take place outdoors near Arbury Trail. Select a hunt time at registration. Last day to register is April 7. This program is designed for ages 3-12; cost is $10/$8 CNC member. Visit www.chippewanaturecenter.org to register.

Frank ‘n Jude play favorites from the Beatles to the Cure from 4-6 pm. Kat Steih, singer songwriter from Ann Arbor, plays originals 6:30-7:30 pm. Merissa Faye and Becka Stewart play acoustic solos and duos from 8-10pm. Mi Element Grains and Grounds, 3124 Jefferson Ave, 989-486-9392.
Easter Egg Hunt begins at 10 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 303 Ruth St., Auburn.

22nd annual Easter Egg Hunt is set for 11 a.m. to noon at Holy Family Episcopal Church, 4611 Swede, Midland.

Sunday, April 9
An Easter dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Open Door Soup Kitchen, 412 W. Buttles St., Midland. Everything is free and provided by members of the community.

Easter Egg Hunt at The Clare Assembly of God, 3557 E. Colonville Road, Clare. Registration at 9 am, hunt begins at 9:15 am.  Kids 12 and younger welcome to hunt for eggs on the church lawn prior to the 10 am service. Information, 989-386-3232.

Nature Play! It’s time to play outdoors at Chippewa Nature Center is set for 2 to 4 p.m at The Woods Nature Play Area near the Arbury Trail. Whether we’re making pies in the mud kitchen, building forts, constructing rivers, lounging in hammocks, or creating nature art, this hour of play is sure to engage everyone. Caregivers must remain with children during this program. This program is designed for all ages, under 18 w/adult.

Monday, April 10
The Wild Ones Mid-Mitten Chapter will host a presentation on Going Native in Frankenlust Township with Martin Arford, professor of Geography at SVSU from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Chippewa Nature Center, 400 S. Badour Road, Midland. Meet at the Visitor Center. The public is welcome. Admission is free.

Mindful Monday Lunch & Learn: What is Anger?  MSU Extension is presenting a Zoom Online Live Webinar, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM. This workshop will help participants define anger, recognize and name their own anger signals and explore ways people use anger in unhealthy and healthy ways. To register for this free zoom Online Webinar visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/mmllanger41023/  Registration closes April 9.

RELAX: Alternatives to Anger. Alternatives to Anger is a four-part educational series designed to help adults, parents, and caregivers increase their knowledge about anger issues and put anger management and healthy relationship skills into practice, presented by MSU Extension. Through presentations, group discussion and skill-building activities, participants learn what anger is, what triggers anger, calming down and de-stressing methods, the principles of problem solving, effective communication skills and forgiving and letting go of the past. These sessions begin Mondays, April 10 – May 1, 4 to 5 p.m. via Zoom Live Webinar. There is no charge. To register use this link before April 9: https://events.anr.msu.edu/relaxap2023/

Food Safety Q & A. MSU Extension offers a weekly 30-minute informational program about food preservation or other related food safety topics. This session is Incorporating Food Safety into Your Recipes – Food safety should be a part of every recipe. Learn what food safety steps are commonly missed from recipes and apply this knowledge from recipes you get off the internet. Join this quick free presentation at 1 P.M. To register, visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/FoodSafetyQA2023/ 

Tuesday, April 11
Safe Food = Healthy Kids. Learn the best practices for food safety to keep the children in your childcare safe. Food safety education topics discussed in this online class include proper cleaning and sanitizing, cooking, storing food, as well as personal hygiene. There is no charge for this training; childcare providers will earn training hours for attending. The class is from 6 to 9 p.m. To register visit:  https://events anr.msu.edu/SFHK2023/

Wednesday, April 12
The 2023 Spring Senior Expo will be held Wednesday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Midland Mall. Admission is free and the event includes live entertainment, vendors, classes and giveaways. Attendees are encouraged to bring sneakers and dancing shoes. Activities include Walk15 from 10-10:30 a.m., line dancing from 10:30-11, Trena for Zumba from 11-11:30, and Borderline from 12-2 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring sneakers and dancing shoes. Activities include Walk15 from 10-10:30 a.m., line dancing from 10:30-11, Trena for Zumba from 11-11:30, and Borderline from 12-2 p.m.

Spring Choral Concert featuring the Choirs of the Center and the Youth Honors Chorus program will perform an uplifting repertoire “You are Enough” at 7:30 p.m. in the Midland Center for the Arts. The repertoire will be a celebration of these themes, ranging from classical works of Handel and Brahms, Louis Armstrong to contemporary pop. Tickets.

MSU Extension’s Adulting 101 programs help teenagers and young adults demystify the obscure reality of being an “adult” through engaging educational sessions. In the Build and Protect Your Credit session, learn about credit and how it impacts future goals. This free workshop at 6 p.m. will address credit myths, explain the importance of credit reports, demystify credit scores, and provide strategies to build and protect your credit. Visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/mimoneyhealth/ to register. Registration closes April 11 and is designed for teens and young adults 17 and younger.
Mindful Wednesdays Lunch & Learn: Begin with a Breath. MSU Extension presents Mindful Wednesday. The topic will be Begin with a Breath, noon to 1 p.m. Begin with a Breath introduces participants to the experience and practice of mindfulness, with a goal of reducing stress. To register for this free Zoom online webinar visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/mwllbreath41223/  Registration closes on April 11.

Thursday, April 13
Latin Grammy-nominated artist Sonia De Los Santos brings a joyful sound to children of all ages with the music of Latin America in a concert scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Midland Center for the Arts. Tickets.

Stress Less with Mindfulness. MSU Extension will host a live webinar from 1-2 p.m. This session will teach and encourage the use of mindfulness self-care skills to help one feel better and enjoy life more. There is no charge for this webinar, registration closes March 28. To register visit https://bit.ly/3WgKRvm

Financial Preparedness for Disasters – Webinar. No one is ever 100% prepared for a disaster. This webinar takes place April 13, Noon – 1:00 PM. There is no charge. Visit https://www.canr.msu.edu/mimoneyhealth/ click on the link “online classes”. Registration closes April 11.

Preserving MI Harvest. MSU Extension will offer a series of food preservation classes online on Thursdays, at 1 and 6 p.m. The topic will be Preserving Michigan’s Spring Catch. Join us for tips on preserving Michigan’s spring catch of fish. There is time at the end of each program to ask questions. To register visit: https://events.anr.msu.edu/PreservingMIHarvest23/
 
Greydon Perry Koellman, one-man rock party, plays from 5-7 pm. The Fabulous Mr. E’s Piano Lounge from 8-10 pm. Mi Element Grains and Grounds, 3124 Jefferson Ave, 989-486-9392.

VIP Investigations: Who Anne Frank? is set for 4 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Discovery Museum, 5093 E. Remus Road, Mount Pleasant. Program included with admission fee.

Friday, April 14
Maxwell  at 8 p.m., Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. Tickets, soaringeaglecasino.com

Jim Gaffigan is set for 7 p.m. The Dow Event Center, 303 Johnston St., Saginaw. Tickets, doweventcenter.com

Who’s Band: Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute is set for 78 p.m. The Dow Event Center, 303 Johnston St., Saginaw. Tickets, doweventcenter.com
Feats of magic and mysticism, comedic improvisation, raucous storytelling and musical revelry will return to the Saginaw Club, when the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy Foundation brings back Dragon’s À Faire gala. Saginaw Club is located at 217 N. Washington Ave. in Saginaw. Tickets for the 18-and-over festivities are $50 per person and include Renaissance festival-style finger foods, two drink tickets, entertainment, and music, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Half of the ticket price goes directly to the Foundation to support student projects and programs at SASA. For tickets visit the SASA main office or purchase online at https://dragonsafaire.eventbrite.com.

Wee Stroll. Children (ages 6 months – 2 years) and their caregiver(s) are invited to join a Chippewa Nature Center staff-led walk, 9:30 – 10:30 AM. Learn about the outdoors and ways to introduce children to the natural world around them. Meet at the Visitor Center in Midland.

Lee Ann Whitman and Friends play sweet acoustic tunes from 5-7 pm. Kristine Goodwin plays
old favorites and originals from 8-10 pm. Mi Element Grains and Grounds, 3124 Jefferson Ave,
989-486-9392.

April 14-15
Banff Mountain Film Festival, hosted by Chippewa Nature Center, is scheduled for 7 to 10 p.m. both nights at Bullock Creek Auditorium, 1420 S. Badour Road, Midland. See some of the best mountain films of the year featuring the people who live, play and enjoy those areas. Tickets are $18 for adults with 20 percent discount for CNC members.

April 14-16, 20-23
These Shining Lives, which chronicles the compelling true story of the young women who painted the faces of luminous watches with radioactive paint in the 1920s and 1930, will be performed on several dates at the Midland Center for the Arts. All shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. except Sunday shows, which will be at 3 p.m. Tickets. 

Saturday, April 15
Music and Art! featuring Empty Pockets band is set from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Dow Diamond. A painted canvas created during the concert will be auctioned. Appetizers and cash bar available. The event is hosted by Wixom Lake Association. Tickets are $35 for association members and $40 for non-members. Wixomlakeassociation.org

Nature Center, 1 – 2:30 PM, children will discover living and extinct Ice Age mammals that have called Michigan Home. Participants will explore the trails for clues to help them learn how mastodons, mammoths, and opossums adapted to the harsh Ice Age environment. Meet at the Visitor Center in Midland. This program is designed for ages 5+, under 18 w/adult.

SUGAR Ukulele group jams from 10:30 am- noon. Johnny Hunt plays fun-time ukulele songs from noon-1:30 pm. Jason Shaw plays acoustic favorites from 5-7 pm. Jacob Wisenbach and the Jazz Beets play classic jazz from 8-10 pm. Mi Element Grains and Grounds, 3124 Jefferson Ave, 989-486-9392.

Grove Music Festival presents Midland native Craig Trompeter and Brandon Acker in concert at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 405 N. Saginaw Road. The artists will perform a program of French Baroque music by Marin Marais and Robert de Visee on instruments of the period including viola da gamba and theorbo. Tickets are available at the door for $10.

Sunday, April 16
Going Geocaching. Beginners and experts alike are invited to stop by Chippewa Nature Center’s Visitor Center anytime between 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. to begin their adventure in search of geocaches. Geocaches are small containers hidden in nature that can be found using GPS units and the coordinates that CNC providesThis program is designed for all ages, under 18 w/adult.

The Extra Credit Club: a showcase for local music educators and their students 2-4 pm. Stumbl (a collaboration of members from Streetphish and Coleman Road) plays rock and roll from 5-7 pm. Mi Element Grains and Grounds, 3124 Jefferson Ave, 989-486-9392.
Monday, April 17

Bingo Days is set for 11 a.m. to noon at Greater Midland Community Center. Play for fun and prizes. Snacks, drinks available for purchase 15 minutes before play. Free for members and $5 for non-members For more information, contact Amanda Ewald at aewald@greatermidland.org or 989-832-7937 ext. 2270.

Tuesday, April 18
Midland High graduate Dr. Marcia J. Rieke, a principal investigator for the most powerful telescope ever launched into space — the near-infrared camera (NIRCam) on the James Webb Space Telescope, will speak at 7:30 p.m. at the Midland Center for the Arts. The telescope, launched by NASA in December of 2021, is essential to examining the formation of stars and galaxies. Tickets.

Wednesday, April 19
Lunch & Learn: Smart Tech Use, preventing pain through ergonomics, is set for noon in the 50+Center at Greater Midland Community Center. The program is free. Reservations are requested one week in advance by calling 989-832-7937.

Thursday, April 20
48th annual Rotary Pancake Supper and Fundraiser is set for 4 to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria of H.H. Dow High School, 3901 N. Saginaw Road, Midland. All you can eat pancakes sausage, applesauce, butter & syrup, milk and coffee. Take-out available. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger. 

Stress Less with Mindfulness. MSU Extension will host a live webinar from 1-2 p.m. This session will teach and encourage the use of mindfulness self-care skills to help one feel better and enjoy life more. There is no charge for this webinar, registration closes March 28. To register visit https://bit.ly/3WgKRvm

Ryan and Mr. E play the Blues from noon-1 pm. Tim Pajk plays acoustic favorites from 5-7 pm. The Fabulous Mr. E’s Piano Lounge from 8-10 pm. Mi Element Grains and Grounds, 3124 Jefferson Ave, 989-486-9392.

April 21-22
Sanford Antique Mall Parking Lot Flea Market, 3102 N. Meridian Road, is set for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Antiques, food truck and more.

April 21-23
Friends of the Library Book Sale is scheduled for Grace A. Dow Memorial Library in Midland. Hours are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday (Friends members only); 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday ($5 bag day).

Saturday, April 22
Midland’s Chippewa Nature Center is celebrating Earth Day with a day full of stewardship and conservation activities. Join us for a series of programs such as bat house workshop, invasive species pull, reptile talk, vernal pool citizen science monitoring project. Free for all ages, under 18 w/adult. Information, chippewanaturecenter.org

Cooking Matters for Parents. MSU Extension is teaching a hands-on nutrition program for parents/guardians. Learn about preparing healthy meals, food safety, grocery shopping on a budget, and much more. The classes are April 24 – May 22, 10 a.m. to noon each week. There is no cost. With the help of an MSU Extension Nutrition Instructor, participants will gain the skills and confidence to make healthy, budget-friendly meals at home for their family. Each week participants will receive take-home groceries they can use to practice as a family one of the recipes they learned in class! Classes fill up quickly, call today to reserve your spot, 989-832-6648. Or email salo@msu.edu.

Jolly Hammer and Strings folk group plays from 1-3 pm. Spencer and Brad Corpus play two- man rockabillily and country rock from 5-7 pm. Triple Play brings the party rock from 8-10 pm. Mi Element Grains and Grounds, 3124 Jefferson Ave, 989-486-9392.

Monday, April 23
String Thing Band play acoustic folk and Americana-styled pop from 5-7pm. Mi Element Grains and Grounds, 3124 Jefferson Ave, 989-486-9392.

Thursday, April 27
Stress Less with Mindfulness. MSU Extension will host a live webinar from 1-2 p.m. This session will teach and encourage the use of mindfulness self-care skills to help one feel better and enjoy life more. There is no charge for this webinar, registration closes March 28. To register visit https://bit.ly/3WgKRvm

Ike Beehr plays an acoustic set 5-7pm. The Fabulous Mr. E’s Piano Lounge from 8-10 pm. Mi Element Grains and Grounds, 3124 Jefferson Ave, 989-486-9392.

April 27-30
37th annual Freeland Walleye Tournament, featuring duck races, casino, car show, phish pong tournament, cornhole tournament and beer test with music and more, is scheduled. Information,  https://www.freelandwalleyefestival.com/

Friday, April 28
Alice Cooper at 8 p.m., Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. Tickets, soaringeaglecasino.com 

Rise Summit 2023: Bridging the Generations is set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Great Hall Banquet & Convention Center, 5121 Bay City Road, Midland. Hosted by Women in Leadership Great Lakes Bay, the event features Meagan Johnson, author, national speaker and humorist. Information, www.wilgreatlakesbay.org/event-4669588

LUX plays covers and orignials from 5-7 pm. Just Folkin’ Witcha plays folk rock from 8-10 pm. Mi Element Grains and Grounds, 3124 Jefferson Ave, 989-486-9392.

April 28-30
AAUW Used Book sale is set for Midland Mall. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, which is bag day. Proceeds fund college scholarships and other educational activities.

Saturday, April 29
Martin & Lewis Tribute at 7p.m. at State Theater, 913 Washington Ave. in Bay City. Tickets.

To support efforts of the National MS Society, Midland will be again hosting the 27th annual Walk MS event starting at 9 a.m. at Midland High School. To participate in this event, by walking or volunteering or making a donation, go to the WalkMS.org website or the event Facebook page: Walk MS – Midland. There are 1 mile and 3 mile walk routes plus food, live music, a silent auction, and fun. Proceeds enable the MS Society to empower people affected by MS to live their best lives as we work for a cure.

John Louis Good plays rockabilly from 5-7 pm. Bryan Rombalski and Three Worlds plays world fusion jazz from 8-10pm. Mi Element Grains and Grounds, 3124 Jefferson Ave, 989-486-9392.

Sunday, April 30
D Jam Featuring Roland Wallace plays jazz and blues from 5-7pm. Mi Element Grains and Grounds, 3124 Jefferson Ave, 989-486-9392.

Tuesday, May 2
American rapper, singer, songwriter Lecrae is set for 7 p.m. The Dow Event Center, 303 Johnston St., Saginaw. Tickets, doweventcenter.com

Thursday, May 4
Casting Crowns is set for 7 p.m. The Dow Event Center, 303 Johnston St., Saginaw. Tickets, doweventcenter.com

First Nations Mi’kmaq performer Morgan Toney, a 22-year-old fiddler and singer from Wagmatcook, Nova Scotia , who was an instant sensation at the Celtic Colours Festival 2020. He will perform at 7:30 in the Auditorium of the Midland Center for the Arts. Tickets.

Friday, May 5
Chicago at 8 p.m., Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. Tickets, soaringeaglecasino.com

Band Roulette returns to State Theater in Bay City with a spinoff: performing a classic album in its entirety start to finish. The crew will tackle Van Halen’s debut album featuring the classics Runnin’ With The Devil, Eruption, You Really Got Me, Jamie’s Cryin’, and many more. Proceeds to benefit music education in the Great Lakes Bay region. Showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets.

May 5-6
The Men of Music are back at it again for their annual spring show scheduled for 7 p.m. May 5 and 2 and 7 p.m. May 6 at the Midland Center for the Arts. As always, the guys combine jokes and fun bits with their sensational sound. Tickets.

Saturday, May 6
Bobby Pulido with Gary Hobbs at 8 p.m., Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. Tickets, soaringeaglecasino.com

Self-Guided Saturdays is set for 11 to 1 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Step into the world of Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow on a tour The Pines, a National Historic Landmark. The home is filled with treasures, collected by the Dow family, and trained docents will share the stories that make these artifacts come to life. You’ll visit the music room with its casket-style music box. View Herbert’s favorite chair next to a traditional inglenook fireplace. You’ll see books read by the Dow children and clothing worn by Grace A. Dow, herself. Limited space, reservations recommended. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour. Adults $5 plus admission. Children $3 plus admission. Children younger than 5 free.

Wednesday, May 10
Lunch & Learn: Pain-free Garden Work is set for noon in the 50+Center at Greater Midland Community Center. The program is free. Reservations are requested one week in advance by calling 989-832-7937.

Saturday, May 13
Elvis Tribute Artist Jake Slater with special guest Nicole King singing Jewel hits in concert at 7 p.m. at State Theater, 913 Washington Ave. in Bay City. Tickets.

Youth Eagles Flights are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon, weather permitting, at Jack Barstow Municipal Airport in Midland. YE is a program that provides free airplane flights for youth aged 8-17. These flights typically last about 10-20 minutes in length. Registration is required. Hosted by Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1093. Register at youngeaglesday.org

Friday, May 19
Country’s Tyler Braden is set for 7 p.m. The Dow Event Center, 303 Johnston St., Saginaw. Tickets, doweventcenter.com
Saturday, May 20

Ken Jeong at 8 p.m., Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. Tickets, soaringeaglecasino.com

Foster Fest 2023, a free festival featuring the live music of Austin French and local talent, is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. in Auburn Park in Auburn. Admission is free but donations accepted to help raise awareness for the fostering community. Presented by Foster Families Navigation and Resource Center.

Monday, May 22
A Senior Pancake Breakfast is set for 11 a.m. at Greater Midland Community Center. Cost is $3 for members, $5 for non-members; pay in cash only on the day of the event. Register a spot at least a week in advance. Breakfast will be canceled if Midland Public Schools closes due to weather. For more information, contact Amanda Ewald at aewald@greatermidland.org or 989-832-7937 ext. 2270.

Friday, May 26
Godsmack at 8 p.m., Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. Tickets, soaringeaglecasino.com

Saturday, May 27
Jelly Roll and Willie Nelson & Family at 8 p.m., Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. Tickets, soaringeaglecasino.com

Saturday, June 3
The Dows in Their Own Words: Meet at the 1899 Pines Home in Dow Gardens from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., as excerpts from family letters are read and shine a spotlight on life, for the Dow family, at the turn of the century. Participants will progress through this National Historic Landmark with readings along the way. Admission is $5 per person plus admission. Registration is recommended.

Self-Guided Saturdays is set for 11 to 1 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Step into the world of Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow on a tour The Pines, a National Historic Landmark. The home is filled with treasures, collected by the Dow family, and trained docents will share the stories that make these artifacts come to life. You’ll visit the music room with its casket-style music box. View Herbert’s favorite chair next to a traditional inglenook fireplace. You’ll see books read by the Dow children and clothing worn by Grace A. Dow, herself. Limited space, reservations recommended. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour. Adults $5 plus admission. Children $3 plus admission. Children younger than 5 free.

June 3-4
Summer Art Fair is set for downtown Midland.

Wednesday, June 7
Bay City Concert Band will play at 7 p.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City as part of the Wednesdays in the Park Summer Concert Series. Free.

Friday, June 9
Stone Street Rivival will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Saturday, June 10
Leave Those Kids Alone will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Kids Fishing Day begins at 10 a.m. at Stratford Woods Park, 3922 E. Ashman St., Midland. All fishing license fees in Michigan will be waived for June 10-11. Free admission; food trucks on site. Reservations recommended.

9th annual Mount Pleasant Craft Beer Fetsival begins at 4 p.m. in downtown Mount Pleasant.

June 10-11
Annual Riverside Art Festival is scheduled in downtown Bay City.

Wednesday, June 14
Lunch & Learn: Avoiding Injury, tennis, pickleball and racquetball, is set for noon in the 50+Center at Greater Midland Community Center. The program is free. Reservations are requested one week in advance by calling 989-832-7937.

Traveling Milburys: A Wilburys Tribute is set for 7 p.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City as part of the Wednesdays in the Park Summer Concert Series. Free. Rain site is State Theatre in downtown Bay City.

Thursday, June 15
Brooks & Dunn with Scotty McCreery at 8 p.m., Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. Tickets, soaringeaglecasino.com

June 15-17
Bay City Country Music Fest each day at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City. Headers are Jimmie Allen, Mitchell Tenpenny, Nelly and more. Tickets.

Friday, June 16
Hatchwing Rider will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Saturday, June 17
Roots Vibrations will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Tuesday, July 18
Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles at Jolt Credit Union Event Park, 300 Johnson St., Saginaw (across from Dow Event Center.) Ticketmaster.

Monday, June 19
Bingo Days is set for 11 a.m. to noon at Greater Midland Community Center. Play for fun and prizes. Snacks, drinks available for purchase 15 minutes before play. Free for members and $5 for non-members For more information, contact Amanda Ewald at aewald@greatermidland.org or 989-832-7937 ext. 2270.

Wednesday, June 21
Shakedown: The Bob Seger Experience is set for 7 p.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City as part of the Wednesdays in the Park Summer Concert Series. Free. Rain site is State Theatre in downtown Bay City.

Friday, June 23
James Taylor & His All-Star Band at 8 p.m., Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. Tickets, soaringeaglecasino.com 
Coleman Road will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Saturday, June 24
Rebel Line will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

June 29-30, July 1
Bay City Fireworks are scheduled each night in Bay City.

Friday, June 30
Fire House is scheduled in concert in the Wenona Band Shell at Wenona Park in Bay City. The event, scheduled from 5 to 10 p.m, is presented by Bay City Fireworks Festival. Tickets, evertix.io

Soul Xpress will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Saturday, July 1
Gutbucket will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Wednesday, July 5
Simply Queen is set 7 p.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City as part of the Wednesdays in the Park Summer Concert Series. Free. Rain site is State Theatre in downtown Bay City.

Friday, July 7
Gabby Barrett & Ashley McBryde in concert at 7 p.m. in Wenonah Park in Bay City as part of the Rockin’ the River concert series. Tickets, etix.com

Midland Saxophone Quartet will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Saturday, July 8
Styx in concert at 7 p.m. in Wenonah Park in Bay City as part of the Rockin’ the River concert series. Tickets, etix.com

Youth Eagles Flights are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon, weather permitting, at Jack Barstow Municipal Airport in Midland. YE is a program that provides free airplane flights for youth aged 8-17. These flights typically last about 10-20 minutes in length. Registration is required. Hosted by Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1093. Register at youngeaglesday.org 

Miranda and the M80s will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Wednesday, July 12

The Gambler Returns: A Kenny Rogers Tribute, is set for 7 p.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City as part of the Wednesdays in the Park Summer Concert Series. Free. Rain site is State Theatre in downtown Bay City.

Friday, July 14
The Sinclair Band will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Saturday, July 15
Viva Rex will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Wednesday, July 19
Sunset Blvd: Rock Music of the 1980s is set for 7 p.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City as part of the Wednesdays in the Park Summer Concert Series. Free. Rain site is State Theatre in downtown Bay City.

Friday, July 21
.38 Special in concert at 7 p.m. in Wenonah Park in Bay City as part of the Rockin’ the River concert series. Tickets, etix.com

Michele Spitz tribute to Linda Ronstadt and Country Show will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Saturday, July 22
Here Comes the Mummies in concert at 7 p.m. in Wenonah Park in Bay City as part of the Rockin’ the River concert series. Tickets, etix.com

23 North will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Monday, July 24
A Senior Pancake Breakfast is set for 11 a.m. at Greater Midland Community Center. Cost is $3 for members, $5 for non-members; pay in cash only on the day of the event. Register a spot at least a week in advance. Breakfast will be canceled if Midland Public Schools closes due to weather. For more information, contact Amanda Ewald at aewald@greatermidland.org or 989-832-7937 ext. 2270.

Wednesday, July 26
The Insiders: A Tom Petty Tribute is set for 7 p.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City as part of the Wednesdays in the Park Summer Concert Series. Free. Rain site is State Theatre in downtown Bay City.

Friday, July 28
Empty Pockets will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Saturday, July 29
Todd Michael & the Ghost Town Marshalls will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Wednesday, Aug. 2
Listen to the Music: A Doobie Brothers Tribute is set for 7 p.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City as part of the Wednesdays in the Park Summer Concert Series. Free. Rain site is State Theatre in downtown Bay City.

Friday Aug. 3
Kane Brown with Chris Lane and Restless Road at 8 p.m., Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant. Tickets, soaringeaglecasino.com
Friday, Aug. 4

Riot V in concert at 7 p.m. in Wenonah Park in Bay City as part of the Rockin’ the River concert series. Tickets, etix.com

River Days After Party with Stone Street Rivival  will play at 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Saturday, Aug. 5
Larry McCray’s Blues Festival in concert at 7 p.m. in Wenonah Park in Bay City as part of the Rockin’ the River concert series. Tickets, etix.com

Self-Guided Saturdays is set for 11 to 1 p.m. at Dow Gardens. Step into the world of Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow on a tour The Pines, a National Historic Landmark. The home is filled with treasures, collected by the Dow family, and trained docents will share the stories that make these artifacts come to life. You’ll visit the music room with its casket-style music box. View Herbert’s favorite chair next to a traditional inglenook fireplace. You’ll see books read by the Dow children and clothing worn by Grace A. Dow, herself. Limited space, reservations recommended. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to the tour. Adults $5 plus admission. Children $3 plus admission. Children younger than 5 free.

Jim Pagel Jazz will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Wednesday, Aug. 9
Van Halen Invasion is set for 7 p.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City as part of the Wednesdays in the Park Summer Concert Series. Free. Rain site is State Theatre in downtown Bay City.

Friday, Aug. 11
Detroit Social Blues Club Band will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Aug. 11-12
Saginaw Art Fair is scheduled on Ojibway Island Park in Saginaw.

Saturday, Aug. 12
Youth Eagles Flights are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon, weather permitting, at Jack Barstow Municipal Airport in Midland. YE is a program that provides free airplane flights for youth aged 8-17. These flights typically last about 10-20 minutes in length. Registration is required. Hosted by Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 1093. Register at youngeaglesday.org

Chick and the Boomers will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Aug. 13-19
Midland County Fair is scheduled at the Midland County Fairgrounds.

Wednesday, Aug. 16
Chicago Transit is set for 7 p.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City as part of the Wednesdays in the Park Summer Concert Series. Free. Rain site is State Theatre in downtown Bay City.

Friday, Aug. 18
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts in concert at 7 p.m. in Wenonah Park in Bay City as part of the Rockin’ the River concert series. Tickets, etix.com
Monday, Aug. 21

Bingo Days is set for 11 a.m. to noon at Greater Midland Community Center. Play for fun and prizes. Snacks, drinks available for purchase 15 minutes before play. Free for members and $5 for non-members. For more information, contact Amanda Ewald at aewald@greatermidland.org or 989-832-7937 ext. 2270.

JP and the Energy will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Saturday, Aug. 19
Nameless will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Wednesday, Aug. 23
Epic Eagles is set for 7 p.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City as part of the Wednesdays in the Park Summer Concert Series. Free. Rain site is State Theatre in downtown Bay City.

Thursday, Aug. 24
Kip Moore and Damn Love in concert at Jolt Credit Union Event Park, 300 Johnson St., Saginaw, across from Dow Event Center. Ticketmaster
Friday, Aug. 25

Brett Mitchell & the Mitchfits will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Saturday, Aug. 26
Paul Young, Tommy Tutone and Rick Springfield in concert at 7 p.m. in Wenonah Park in Bay City as part of the Rockin’ the River concert series. Tickets, etix.com

Kari Lynch Band will play from 7 to 9 p.m. in downtown Midland as part of The Common Live Music Series.

Wednesday, Aug. 30
Abbamania is set for 7 p.m. at Wenonah Park in downtown Bay City as part of the Wednesdays in the Park Summer Concert Series. Free. Rain site is State Theatre in downtown Bay City.

 

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Psychedelic Jam Rock Band moe. Is Back With a Vengeance

by Live Jam

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After an almost three-year hiatus, acclaimed psych rock band moe. is back on the road and ready to rock.

The band is currently touring the United States through the end of the year and is absolutely stoked. “People are showing up, everybody’s psyched to see Chuck [Garvey] back and everybody’s psyched that we’re playing again,” said percussionist Jim Loughlin. “It’s been fantastic.”

When we connect by phone with Jim and moe.’s longtime drummer, Vinnie Amico, the guys are feeling revitalized and excited to reconnect with their fanbase. Among other topics discussed was the potential for new music being created sometime next year.

Over the course of our conversation, Jim and Vinnie share stories of their early days in music, finding success with moe., changes in what it means to be a touring artist today, and how weed impacts their creativity and paranoia on various different levels.

High Times: What were your first exposures to music and how did you each find it?

Vinnie Amico: It’s weird, I always knew I wanted to play but I went to college for something completely different and was planning to get a “real” job and all that, but all I ever worked on was playing drums [laughs]. Music was secondarily the first thing I was ever going to do.

Jim Loughlin: Ever since I was a little kid, I was always fascinated with music. I would listen to it constantly and in seventh grade started playing. By the time I was a freshman in high school I knew that I was going to go to school for music and it’s what I always wanted to do. I didn’t know what kind of music or if I was going to be in a band, or how it was going to work out, but I knew that path was what it was going to be in some way.

Vinnie Amico: Seventh grade is also around the time you get into the Van Halen records and all of this other music, you find your guitar player buddy, you set up in the garage and then you start working out all of that music. Basically when you’re twelve, all of that starts to happen and you really get “bit by the bug” right around then. Some people don’t go forward out of high school, while others take off. That’s when you kind of know.

High Times: So high school was the gear shift when you realized music was what you wanted to pursue full time.

Vinnie Amico: For me, I was just playing all of the time. Next thing you know, you go to college, and I’m playing gigs all the time there. It was just something I did, not something I was really pursuing professionally other than I was getting paid for it already.

I got out of school and got a job, but was playing more gigs than spending time trying to get better at my job. Eventually, everything just switched to where the job didn’t mean anything anymore. It became all about the music.

Jim Loughlin: We had a garage band in seventh grade that played together until ninth or tenth grade, and then in high school, I played in a bunch of different garage bands and then started seriously studying music. In eleventh grade, I went to a conservatory program, so I’d spend my mornings at a different school studying music, and then would come back to my regular high school and take of my English and social studies requirements.

When I got to Buffalo, New York and met the guys in moe.—I was a bass player at the time—but got a drumming gig with them because I played both. At that point, it went down the path of “Okay, you’re going to be in a band,” and it’s going to be all about live music.

High Times: Was there an initial moment or experience that reaffirmed for you that choosing music was the right decision?

Vinnie Amico: I had become a working drummer in Buffalo before getting the moe. gig. The validation came once moe. was touring and I got to play at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), which was the concert venue that I grew up seeing concerts at. When I played on that stage I was like, “This is it, I’ve made it. This is my career.” 

It was like, holy shit, the dream came true. When you’re sixteen and you’re high and watching a concert at SPAC, the big dream is to be up on that stage. To then be on the stage was the affirming moment for me.

Jim Loughlin: When I first started playing with moe., we were playing a lot of local Buffalo gigs and stuff. We then started branching out, making a couple of two-hour drives and doing weekends.

When we moved to Albany, New York, we decided “this is it,” quit our day jobs and moved into a house together. Our first two-week tour down South—we all piled in the van with the gear, did the whole driving thing, sleeping on floors—that was our first actual tour. It didn’t matter how many people showed up, it was just amazing that people in North Carolina and South Carolina showed up to see this band from Buffalo play. The tour was so much and was such a great time that it definitely solidified the thought, “I can do this for the rest of my life.”

Vinnie Amico: That was all pre-Internet. 

Jim Loughlin: No one knew who we were, and at the end of each show, we’d break down our gear and meet the five or six people who stuck around. They’d be like, “Hey, great show, need a place to crash?” They’d sign up on our mailing list, ask for a CD, all that stuff. It was so impactful because it was so far away from what we considered home.

It wasn’t like up in the Northeast, we were playing in front of 5,000 people already, we were still only doing a couple hundred people per show. To be able to go down South and know that a little bit of word had already spread and people were showing up was mind-blowing back then. And this was ‘92 or ‘93. It was a different time.

High Times: Is what went into preparing for your live shows then different from what a band needs to do today?

Jim Loughlin: It’s completely different. I don’t know what would have changed for us necessarily. Back then, you couldn’t record a record in your bedroom. You had to go somewhere where someone had a tape machine and had all the gear. It was so difficult to put out your own album. When we put out Headseed, we carried physical copies of the CD for years. It wasn’t just, “Here’s a link to our new album.”

Back then, what started for us was “tape trading.” People would trade Grateful Dead shows and Phish shows because those were two big bands in our scene who allowed taping at their concerts. When there was room at the end of one of those tapes—like a Phish show would take up X-amount of tape and there’d be 10 minutes at the end of dead space—someone would put a moe. song on it. You’d then trade a tape with a Phish fan and you’d get a Phish show, and then at the end, you’d hear a band you never heard before and now you’re like, “Oh, I like that song.”

You had to really dig back then. The fans had to do a ton of work, bands had to do a ton of work. If we knew somebody in a town that we were going to, we’d mail them a bunch of fliers. Back then, you’d pray that the club that you were going to would hang up fliers around town, too. Nothing was guaranteed.

Bands today have so much control over what they do, what’s going to happen and where their careers are going to go. Whereas, I feel like we had a lot less control back then. A lot of dice were rolled compared to now. You can make a post now on social media and then dig into the analytics and know in which city you’re getting a lot of hits. We were just flying in the dark, man.

It’s also a double-edged sword because these bands today do put in a different kind of work and a different kind of stress for them. When you post something and hope that it catches—that stuff wasn’t hanging over our heads back then, it was just playing in the band and seeing what happened.

Vinnie Amico: The hard part today is that there are so many bands out there and there’s so much content and the kids’ attention spans are a lot less. We were only competing with so many bands and so many markets and now there’s a gazillion bands and people’s attention spans are like two seconds, so if you’re not constantly putting out new content to keep somebody interested, you’re almost irrelevant.

High Times: Back then, the music had to drive the ship. Whereas today, maybe social media posts can lead to virality, which can then lead to someone to the music. There are more avenues today for people to find you other than coming to a live show or being at the end of a tape.

Jim Loughlin: There’s a band from Long Island, New York called Adam and the Metal Hawks, and they basically started on TikTok.

The singer has an amazing voice, they started this huge TikTok campaign, got huge on TikTok and got people like Jack Black to respond to a bunch of their videos. This was all really before they went out on tour or released a record. They built up a fanbase before ever doing a tour. Back in the day, you had to tour for years before your name got out. It’s definitely a different world. The other side of that though is you can fail now before you even get out the door.

Vinnie Amico: And can easily make a ton of money on that platform. If they had a million views on TikTok, then advertisers are going to pay them money—sometimes before they ever go out on the road.

Jim Loughlin: Growing up in the ’80s, you’d always hear the story of “demos.” You’d go and see a band that you really liked, and hopefully, you’d be able to get your demo into one of the guys’ hands and they could listen to it. And then the next thing you know, you’re living in Los Angeles and recording out there. Back then it was about getting your demo into someone’s hands, they decide to record your band, you make a record, and then that record sells a ton, and then you go out on the road to support the record.

Vinnie Amico: And you’d make an MTV music video.

Jim Loughlin: When moe. first started, the mentality was just play as much as possible. Play anywhere. If you play at some fucking parade on the side of the road, that’s a gig. Take the gig. We took everything, it didn’t matter.

It’s really interesting to see the Generation X guys who started thinking about music in the ’80s and then started playing in the ’90s and are still playing now. The landscape has changed so many times, it’s incredible.

For us, the bottom line has always been our live show. It’s been our bread and butter and it’s how we know how we’re doing—when we’re standing on stage looking out into the crowd. That’s always been our gauge for how things are going.

Vinnie Amico: It teaches you to be a good band to play every night in front of people. You’ll have shitty nights and you’ll have great nights, but that changes as you get better—you’ll only have one shitty night every once in a while, but most of the nights are good.

If you’re practicing in your garage and making videos and stuff and then you get in front of people and you can’t play, that’s a big freaking difference. Playing live and being a band night after night after night—it definitely trains you and teaches you to be good and to be out there hustling.

High Times: Creatively, where do you draw a lot of your inspiration from?

Jim Loughlin: Honestly, I draw from everything. I can find something interesting in just about any music that’s been released—from pop music to Indian music, everything across the board.

High Times: And how is cannabis part of that process?

Jim Loughlin: When I was younger, I smoked a lot of weed and all my friends did, too. That’s what we did. We sat in my room and got high and listened to music. When new albums would come out, we’d pass around the record cover so everybody could look at the liner notes and all of that stuff.

Looking at it from an outside perspective, it was just a bunch of kids getting high listening to music. But inside of it, it was an experience for us every single time and it made those moments a little bit more important and definitely a lot more fun to remember.

There’s definitely an element of loosening up the brain as it were, and just being able to accept this new thing and get so into it. When you’re a little high, music hits you differently sometimes—especially back when we were younger, and getting high was a new thing. Now when I smoke, it’s just to relax and make sure I can sleep through the night. Though when I’m writing songs and recording at home, I’ll take a couple hits—cause that’s all you need these days—and things just kind of flow a little bit better.

Vinnie Amico: In my case, getting high and listening to things over and over again is how I learned a lot when I was younger. I sit there stoned in my room and would listen to records with my headphones over and over and learn a lot of stuff.

When I became a working musician, I don’t remember ever getting on stage without being high. I always smoked pot before I played. It definitely loosened you up and also freed your mind so that you weren’t so uptight when you played and weren’t so hyperfocused on screwing up.

That being said, now in my 50s, I smoke a lot less, and more into the hobby of growing weed at this point and giving it all away. It’s still a big part of the creative aspect of life, now it’s just more in the “see what you create with the plant itself.”

High Times: Are you guys more Sativa or Indica guys?

Jim Loughlin: I’m Indica. I can’t smoke Sativa anymore. That’s the one that makes me paranoid and schizy and looking over my shoulder and stuff. I’d rather be mellow and “in the couch” as it were. I don’t know why, but Sativa just hits me wrong now. It still gives me that eighth-grade feeling of, “Everybody’s looking at you, man.”

Vinnie Amico: I would agree with Jim, though for me it’s just a matter of how much I smoke or if I take that gigantic hit and start coughing all over the place. If that happens, I know I need to hide from other people because I’m not going to be able to deal with much.

At night, Indica works much better for sure because you know you’re going to be able to sleep versus sitting in your bed thinking about what you said to some girl in eighth-grade that you’re still thinking about.

As part of my grow this summer, I had a Sativa and an Indica and the Sativa isn’t paranoid or freaky, it’s actually a nice clean high—and same with the Indica. It’s very middle of the spectrum.

Jim Loughlin: I can vouch for Vin’s Inica [laughs].

High Times: In terms of touring and recording, any plans for new music?

Jim Loughlin: First of all, the tour we’re on now is the first tour we’ve been on in close to three years. We have Chuck [Garvey] back, which is huge for us. Playing without him was good, it was just weird. I kept having these ghost feelings like I’d lost a limb but I could still feel it.

Now, playing again and playing a lot—the shows have been really good. People are showing up, everybody’s psyched to see Chuck back and everybody’s psyched that we’re playing again. It’s been fantastic.

We also now have Nate [Wilson], which is a whole new flavor for the band. After doing this for thirty years and having something new—almost a new direction and a new breath coming into the band, it’s been really cool. I’m really looking forward to where everything is going to go and how it’s all going to turn out.

Vinnie Amico: This next year is fully packed with shows, rehearsals and getting the band back in its groove and its feet, so next year, we’re planning on writing and recording new music.

Having Chuck back is amazing and the band feels whole again. Nate also adds another aspect of improvisation, so our ears have a new fresh sound we can jump onto and collaborate with. We’re having a great time.

Follow @moetheband and check out https://moe.org for tickets and tour dates.

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Go Behind The Scenes For Ben Burgess’ Grand Ole Opry Debut

by Live Jam

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Ben Burgess has been around for awhile.

The Dallas, Texas native made quite an impact behind the scenes of the music industry, writing for some of the biggest pop and country stars since making music a fulltime job. During his stint in Los Angeles, he penned songs for the Jonas Brother and Lil Wayne, but even though he grew up in a city, the big lights of LA never felt right and he moved to Nashville in 2015.

That’s when things really took off.

He signed with Big Loud and began working with Morgan Wallen, Hardy, and Ernest, co-writing some of the biggest tunes in the genre’s history, but still, there was something missing.

He always had a dream of being onstage himself, so last year he took that leap, releasing his debut album Tears The Size Of Texas and hitting the road with Koe Wetzel.

To say it’s gone well is an understatement.

The album was fantastic, anchored by the title track and “Started A Band”, a true story of him losing a girlfriend to the lead singer of a band he took her to see.

He gained more fans each time he hit the stage, made an appearance on the Whiskey Riff Raff podcast, and then, at the end of February 2023, was called on to make his debut at the most iconic venue in Country Music, The Grand Ole Opry.

The Opry just shared some behind the scenes footage of his experience that day and it’s clear that the excitement and nerves he has are absolutely real and he’s just doing his best to fill the big shoes of those that came before him.

He spoke about what this meant to him during the video.

“It’s like I’m on a ride at Six Flags, but I had to pay for the ticket with 15 years of blood, sweat, and tears. It’s beautiful to be here… 

All the history of all the songs, musicians, artists, producers, managers, publishers, janitors… If you think about everybody and everything that’s a part of this, it’s like a million people. Probably the biggest stage I’ve ever stepped on.

When I came to Nashville, they welcomed me with open arms and this feels like an even bigger Nashville to me. I feel like I’ve been accepted as an artist and as a songwriter in the Country Music community, which, you know, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

He goes on to tell the story of how he grew up. His father was a fireman and local musician/songwriter and there was plenty of music around the house, from Frank Zappa to Willie Nelson, The Beatles to Al Green.

“Tears The Size Of Texas” was his song of choice for the performance and he also spoke on how it came to be during the video.

“That was the first song I wrote after I got offered the record deal… The young lady I was dating at the time, I think she knew it was going to keep me away from her, so there were some tears… It ended up being the first song we recorded in the studio.”

Chasing dreams is a tough line of work, but it’s easy to root for a guy like Ben Burgess.

Check out the video below and if you haven’t yet, get listening to Ben. You won’t regret it.

 

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Bill Janovitz goes deep to tell the story of Leon Russell, a rock showman teetering on a tightrope

by Live Jam

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Now comes “Leon Russell: The Master of Space and Time’s Journey Through Rock & Roll History” (Hachette), out Tuesday. In this, his first full-length single-subject biography, Janovitz traces the trajectory of the protean pianist/singer/songwriter/bandleader/arranger/producer through myriad musical highways and byways: from his formative years as a Tulsa teen playing with Jerry Lee Lewis to ace L.A. session man, a member of the legendary Wrecking Crew, on countless record dates with Phil Spector as well as the Beach Boys, Herb Alpert, Frank Sinatra, and scores of others. Then come Russell’s star turns as musical director of Joe Cocker’s “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” tour and subsequent live album and film, two classic albums under his own name, the cofounding of Shelter Records, top-grossing tours, and an eventual fade from the spotlight until a duo album collaboration with Elton John, 2010′s “The Union,” and Elton’s campaign to elect him to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Bill Janovitz’s biography of musician Leon Russell comes out Tuesday.John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Through it all, Janovitz shows all the strengths of his previous books: an insider’s understanding of how music is made and a literary flair for bringing that process to life on the page. Over 582 pages, he also manages to be a sure-footed guide through Russell’s extremely complicated personal and professional life.

That said, why Russell, who died in 2016 at 74? An agent had originally rejected the idea of a book on “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” as “too narrow,” Janovitz said when I talked to him at Caffè Nero in Arlington. But a couple of years later came word that the Russell estate was willing to cooperate on a biography.

Janovitz’s obsession with Russell and the “Mad Dogs & Englishmen” album goes back to his early teens, when he was just starting out as a musician. “I had a friend with a really esoteric record collection,” Janovitz said. “He had all this [jazz-rock] fusion stuff. He was really into the Dead and Zappa. He had ‘Mad Dogs & Englishmen.’ … We used to listen to that record endlessly. The only record I think I’ve maybe bought more copies of is ‘Songs in the Key of Life.’ “

Leon Russell was also a way for Janovitz to take another deep dive into a seminal slice of rock ‘n’ roll history.

“That era of ‘69 to ‘72 is the most fascinating era of rock ‘n’ roll to me,” says Janovitz. In the “post-Dylan” era, Janovitz saw the music newly enriched with country and blues roots. “It was a zeitgeist. The Band, Eric Clapton coming to Laurel Canyon, Delaney & Bonnie, and white soul, and the gospel thing, which has always just floated my boat. So I thought Leon, if nothing else, would be a great way to discuss all of those things.”

He also knew the arc of Russell’s life, the triumphs of the early ‘70s, later collaborations with Willie Nelson and the New Grass Revival bluegrass band, and a steady commercial decline.

Leon Russell performs during the Songwriters Hall of Fame awards in New York in 2011.REUTERS

And he knew “the redemption story,” with Elton John inducting him into the Hall of Fame in 2011 and Russell famously saying, “Elton came and found me in a ditch by the side of the highway of life.”

“I remember seeing that Hall of Fame speech and going, ‘Oh my God, what a story!’ ” Janovitz recalls. “It’s rare that you find somebody so important who has not been written about [in depth].”

Janovitz conducted more than 130 interviews, with everyone from Clapton and Randy Newman to “20 Feet from Stardom” subject Claudia Lennear (who sang backup on the Mad Dogs tour), and Russell family members. In addition to reading widely among memoirs (including Russell’s own) and rock histories, he also dug into primary sources like studio contracts and real estate deals, in some cases having to sort out the conflicting accounts every biographer faces.

Janovitz also discovered the depth of insecurities harbored by this “master of space and time,” and his self-diagnosis as being on the autism spectrum. “[Russell] saw a documentary [about autism] and he said, ‘That’s me.’ ”

Despite having penned numerous songs that have become standards, including “A Song for You,” “Delta Lady,” and “This Masquerade,” Russell was often dismissive of his own work. “This Masquerade” became a smash hit for George Benson, but Russell assumed that it appealed to the jazz guitarist/turned vocal star because the harmonic structure was based on the chords of the Matt Dennis standard “Angel Eyes.”

“He would get really down on himself,” Janovitz says. Whatever the cause, Russell “couldn’t trust himself and his instincts.”

He could also be self-defeating. Despite the success of “The Union,” Russell turned down the opportunity for Elton John and his team to essentially take on a production and management role.

As Janovitz puts it, “It was right back into the ditch.”

There are few artists today who can claim the stature of Russell at his peak in every category: virtuoso instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, bandleader, producer, arranger, and stadium headliner.

Of the remaining giants, are there any who are comparable? In an exchange of e-mails, Janovitz and I ran down some names: Elton John, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Sly Stone. Of them all, you’d have to go back to someone like Russell’s prime inspiration, Ray Charles, as “one of those [who] clicked all the boxes,” writes Janovitz.

It’s a very short list.

BILL JANOVITZ

In conversation with Tom Perrotta. At Harvard Book Store, Cambridge, March 14 at 7 p.m. 617-661-1515, www.harvard.com/events

Jon Garelick can be reached at garelickjon@gmail.com.

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Travel with Ease: Obtain an International Driver’s License for Driving Overseas – World News Report

by Live Jam

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Don’t travel with your IDP

simple as 1 . 2 . 3 .

International Drivers License

The Importance of Driving Overseas with an International Driving License

Drive the world with us”

— Mike

UNITED KINGDOM, April 6, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — Traveling abroad is an exciting and enriching experience but can also present unique challenges. One of the most significant obstacles for many international travelers is navigating unfamiliar roads and traffic laws. Fortunately, a simple solution is obtaining an international driver’s license.

An international driver’s license, also known as an international driving permit (IDP), is a document that allows drivers to operate a vehicle in a foreign country without having to take additional tests or meet other requirements. It is recognized in over 150 countries, including popular tourist destinations such as France, Italy, and Japan.

Driving Overseas with an International Driving License

For those looking to drive overseas, an international driving license can be a great way to unlock the freedom of exploring foreign destinations on their own terms. The permit allows individuals to rent a car, drive a personal vehicle, or even use public transportation in certain countries.

The process of obtaining an international driving permit is simple and straightforward. Applicants can apply online or in person at designated government agencies. The requirements for getting the permit may vary depending on the issuing country, but generally, applicants must have a valid domestic driver’s license, be over 18, and provide a passport-sized photo.

Benefits of Obtaining an International Driving Permit

One of the main benefits of obtaining an international driving permit is the ability to drive and rent a car anywhere in the world. This can allow travelers to explore destinations off the beaten path or take a spontaneous road trip.

An international driving permit can also be a form of identification while traveling overseas. The permit is recognized as an official government document and can be used to verify identity when required.

Why Do You Need an International Driver’s Licence?
An International Driver’s Licence is essential for anyone planning to drive abroad, and it provides a legal translation of your driver’s licence and serves as a form of identification. Car rental companies may require you to have an IDP before renting a car, and some countries may require it to drive legally. Driving without a valid licence can result in fines, penalties, or even imprisonment.

How to Get an International Driver’s Licence?

Getting an International Driver’s Licence is a straightforward process, and you must provide a copy of your driver’s license, passport-size photos, and a small fee. The process usually takes a few days, and you will receive your IDP by mail.

How to Obtain an International Driving Permit

To obtain an International Driving Permit, you must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driver’s license from your home country. You can apply for an IDP through your country’s national automobile association, and the application process usually takes only a few days. The cost of an IDP varies depending on the country you are applying from, but it is generally affordable.

Traveling with an IDP

Remember to always keep your IDP while driving abroad, along with your original driver’s license and other necessary documents, such as your passport. You can use your IDP to rent or drive your vehicle in a foreign country.

An International Driver’s License or International Driving Permit is a must-have document for anyone planning to drive overseas. It is a legal permit to operate in foreign countries, providing the translation of your driver’s license and serving as an identification document. Getting an IDP is a simple process, and it can make your driving experience abroad more enjoyable and stress-free. So, if you’re planning a road trip overseas, get your International Driver’s Licence before you go.

About InternationalDrivingPermit.uk:

InternationalDriverLicense.org is a leading provider of international driver’s licenses and other travel-related services. With over [number of years] experience, we have helped countless travelers navigate foreign roads with confidence and ease. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and ensuring that every customer receives the highest level of support and assistance.

Mike Jefferson
International License
email us here
Visit us on social media:
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Steve Katz of Blood, Sweat & Tears coming to Zoetropolis for concert, documentary premiere | Entertainment

by Live Jam

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Steve Katz has lived more than nine lives in the music industry. 

He’s a founding member of Blood, Sweat & Tears and The Blues Project. He was a “folkie” in Greenwich Village. He once backed up both Chuck Berry and Frank Zappa live. And he helped other bands get their start during his time as a record executive at Mercury Records in the early ‘80s.  

On Saturday, April 8, Katz’s illustrious musical legacy will be on full display in two events at Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse.  

Katz will perform a solo set at 8 p.m. with a setlist spanning his decades in the music business. Earlier in the day, at 3 p.m., Zoetropolis will host a screening of “What the Hell Happened to Blood, Sweat & Tears?” a new documentary highlighting a relatively unknown chapter in the Grammy-winning band’s history that involves the U.S. government and, of course, the funky horn stabs of BS&T.  

Katz will also host a post-film Q&A with audience members. 

The story goes that Blood, Sweat & Tears, fresh off the success of two high-selling albums and a headlining slot at Woodstock, found themselves in a standoff with the U.S. government due to then-lead singer David Clayton-Thomas’s Canadian criminal record. In exchange for a residency visa for Clayton-Thomas, the band embarked on a state-sponsored tour to countries such as Poland, Yugoslavia and Romania to promote democracy abroad. 

“Nobody really cared, so we never even really talked about it,” says Katz, 77, on the phone recently about the documentary. “It was us against the White House and the Justice department and the State department. John [Scheinfeld] the director came along and said, ‘There’s a story here. The government really screwed this up bad, and I’m going to get to the bottom of it,’ and he did.” 

Katz said the tour played a large part in killing the band’s popularity. Blood, Sweat & Tears won an “Album of the Year” Grammy in 1970 for the bands’ self-titled album, beating the likes of the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” and Johnny Cash’s “At San Quentin.” 

“The fact is that it really hurt us, and we sort of forgot about it after that,” Katz says. “Our popularity went downhill. We lost our base audience, which a lot of was counter-culture people, maybe a third of our audience. We were sworn to secrecy for a while, but then when we weren’t, nobody cared.” 

Katz’s notable musical journey is chronicled in his 2019 autobiography “Blood, Sweat and My Rock ‘n’ Roll Years: Is Steve Katz a Rock Star?” Naturally, he’s got stories galore – and isn’t afraid to intersperse them into his live show.  

In conversation, Katz can just as easily recall a weeklong Murray the K residency in 1965 or hanging out backstage with members of Cream and Wilson Pickett’s band as he does producing Lou Reed in the ‘70s. 

Katz’s solo concert will show his lifetime passion for music, supplemented by pictures on a slideshow behind Katz as he performs. He says that these pictures range from the obvious, like a picture of a specific kettle of fish from the titular song “Kettle of Fish,” which recounts his early days in music, to more fun, like one of his mom hanging out with Alice Cooper. 

“A lot of my show is kind of funny,” Katz says. “I look back on my time in the music business with a sense of humor. A quarter of the show is stand up … well … sitting-down stand up.” 

With hundreds, if not thousands of concerts under his belt, it is understandable that one might slip from memory after 54 years. 

“Well, people, I am really looking forward to returning to Lancaster,” Katz says with a laugh. “Now that I know that I played there before.” 

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Mohegan Pennsylvania announces Party on the Patio lineup

by Live Jam

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Mohegan Pennsylvania’s Party on the Patio is back.

The free summer concert series kicks off Thursday, June 1, and every Thursday through Sept. 14 guests can gather at the outdoor concert venue for a party, hosted by DJ Tommy from The River 105.

This year’s lineup has been extended to 16 weeks of live tribute bands, and Completely Unchained (a tribute to Van Halen), Fooz Fighters (a tribute to the Foo Fighters), Idol Kings (a tribute to Journey/REO Speedwagon), and Country Legends (a tribute to Keith Urban and Garth Brooks) make their summer debut. Local fan favorites Philadelphia Freedom (a tribute to Elton John), Bon Poison (a tribute to Bon Jovi and Poison) and Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentleman (a tribute to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan) are just a few bands set to rock the stage. Doors open at 6:30pm and shows starts at 7:30pm. There is no cover for Party on the Patio. After the show, keep the party going with DJ Tommy at Breakers!

After dancing up an appetite, guests can stop by the Mohegan Pennsylvania food tent for freshly grilled burgers and hot dogs or visit a delectable local food truck each week. Coors Light, Blue Moon, Patio Punch and a variety of seltzer, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages will also be available for purchase.

Featured bands for Party on the Patio, hosted by The River 105 are as follows:

6/1/23: Stayin Alive, a tribute to the Bee Gees

6/8/23: Completely Unchained, a tribute to Van Halen

6/15/23: Back in Black, a tribute to AC/DC

6/22/23: Fooz Fighters, a tribute to the Foo Fighters

6/29/23: Philadelphia Freedom, a tribute to Elton John

7/6/23: Best of the Eagles, a tribute to the Eagles

7/13/23: Black Dog, a tribute to Led Zeppelin

7/20/23: Idol Kings, a tribute to Journey and REO Speedwagon

7/27/23: Red NOT Chili Peppers, a tribute to Red Hot Chili Peppers

8/3/23: Who’s Bad, a tribute to Michael Jackson

8/10/23: Rubix Kube, a tribute to the 80s

8/17/23: Country Legends, a tribute to Keith Urban and Garth Brooks

8/24/23: Full Moon Fever, a tribute to Tom Petty

8/31/23: Tusk, a tribute to Fleetwood Mac

9/7/23: Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentleman Present An Evening Of Jimi Hendrix & Stevie Ray Vaughan

9/14/23: Bon Poison, a tribute to Bon Jovi & Poison

*Lineup subject to change

For more details on the tribute bands and a full list of food truck participants, visit moheganpa.com/potp.

All guests must be 21+ to attend Party on the Patio. Additionally, most areas of Mohegan Pennsylvania are restricted to guests 21 years of age and older, including the hotel, gaming areas, and several restaurants. Valid, unexpired photo identification is required (driver’s license, passport, military ID). Expired identification will not be accepted. Wristbands issued for Party on the Patio are not valid for the gaming floor. All persons, bags and personal items are subject to inspection. No portable chairs are permitted.

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Storm crashes stage, Farhan Akhtar’s Indore concert now on Friday

by Live Jam

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Storm crashes stage, Farhan Akhtar’s Indore concert now on Friday

Apr 06, 2023, 04:33 pm
2 min read


Farhan Akhtar’s Indore concert has now been rescheduled for Friday (April 7)

Actor-singer-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar was slated to perform in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday (April 5). Akhtar arrived in the city on Wednesday morning to perform live at Sushila Devi Bansal College of Technology and Management.

However, hours before the concert, a storm hit the city, causing the stage to come crashing down which led the organizers to postpone the event.

Why does this story matter?

  • Apart from filmmaking and acting, Akhtar is also an established singer. He made his singing debut with his 2008 film Rock On!! Since then, Akhtar hasn’t only sung in films but also held music concerts across the country.
  • The actor is slated to perform again in Indore by the end of this month, on April 22, as per local reports.

No one was harmed in the incident

The stage was constructed a night prior, on Tuesday. The sound check was to begin in the afternoon. While the rest of the team was ready for the sound check, Akhtar was still at the hotel and hadn’t reached the venue when the stage came crashing before the event.

Per eyewitnesses and college officials, no person was injured during the incident.

Concert will now be held on Friday

As per the college officials, Akhtar’s concert has been rescheduled to Friday evening, April 7. The actor-singer left for Bhopal on Thursday, where he will be performing live at Bansal Group’s other college festival in the state capital.

He, and his team, including his sister-in-law and singer, Akanksha Dandekar, will return to Indore on Friday morning for the concert.

Upcoming projects of Akhtar

Akhtar will soon be jetting off for a countrywide tour where he will be performing numbers from his latest album Echoes. His shows are scheduled to take place in Jaipur, Bengaluru, Indore, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, Akhtar is also presently busy with the preparations for his much-awaited film Jee Le Zaraa starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Katrina Kaif, and Alia Bhatt.



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Sherine to perform live in Dubai on April 28

by Live Jam

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Sherine Abdel Wahab, as one of the most influential and beloved artists in the Middle East, will make her debut performance at Dubai’s home of live entertainment on April 28 as part of Eid celebrations.

The singer has captivated audiences around the world with her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence.

The Egyptian superstar began singing at the age of nine as a young child in the chorus at the Cairo Opera House. She was quickly recognised and given the opportunity to perform as a solo singer, which led to tremendous success.

Sherine started her professional music career in 2002 with the release of her hugely successful album ‘Free Mix 3’, a collaborative project with Tamer Hosny. This album sold more than 20 million copies and gained her popularity in the GCC region. Her career has spanned over two decades with eight chart-topping albums each to critical acclaim with significant success across the Mena region.

The multi-talented artist is also an award-winning film and TV actor and has hosted her own show, ‘Sherry’s Studio’, on the Egyptian network, DMC.

Sherine Live In Concert promises to dazzle her fans at the Coca-Cola Arena this Eid, with her biggest hits and melodies. This event is brought to you by Best Moments Events and supported by Dubai Calendar as part of Eid in Dubai.

Tickets start from AED195 ($53) and are available on Coca-Cola Arena website. – TradeArabia News Service

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