Hour of Charm

Sxip rolled in to Joe's last night at just about the point our little heat-wave was subsiding not with a whimper but with a bang and he brought along a roster of talent that was its own little storm. I came running over from the Balthrop practice where the band was working on the new songs for their concert debuts this week and managed to get there just as the rains started.

But inside, all was well . . .

Amy Gordon's set was her comedy and music on skates which has to be seen to be believed. Video doesn't really do it justice, but it'll do in a pinch.

Rachelle Garniez was also there. Apparently she and Sxip have something planned for MOMA later this summer, keep your eyes peeled for it. Her songs and performance brought the crowd to its feet.

Greg Walloch presented a new piece he's been developing, although what I'm calling "presentation" in his hands is more like a conversation with a friend you didn't know you had. He has this charm, earthy presence and sweetness-with-a-razor-sharp-edge which sort of confounds the distinction between stand-up comedy and story-telling. He's also one of the nicest guys you're ever gonna come across.