If you're easily offended, avert your eyes! (Jokes & Jazz)

Thursday night's Jokes & Jazz event at The Senator was a ton of fun, with some sweet sounds by Phillip "Doc" Martin and his band and some very, very funny comedians who should never be let out in public in front of anyone who gets easily offended or anyone under 21. You've been warned.

Here's a video of Phillip "Doc" Martin doing "My Cherie Amour."



Now here's Larry Lancaster. Really. Avert your eyes.



And here's Dominique. Yes, I really mean it this time. Avert your eyes for real.



And this is Joe Clair. Now, you know you really don't want to watch this. I'm not kidding this time. Not at all. Really. Avert your damn eyes...because they might get something nasty in them this time.



Well, that was a lot of fun not watching those videos, right?

I'm trying to get videos of all these events I've been documenting at The Senator uploaded relatively quickly, but the editing and uploading takes some time. Stay tuned for fantastic karaoke performances from last night and I guess I'm documenting the Senator Cipher Session tonight as well. The Cipher session tonight starts at 10:00 PM, with doors opening at 9:30. See you there?

Octoberfest at The Senator!

Last night was the kickoff of The Senator's month long Octoberfest 70th anniversary celebration. It all started with the first ever Karaoke night and contest at The Senator. Some very talented singers graced the stage. I should have video in the next day or two. Karaoke will continue on Friday nights throughout October, building to a final costume karaoke contest on October 30th. Admission is free.

Tonight, the Senator Cipher Series brings B-Boys and B-Girls to the stage for a night of hip-hop and poetry. Music by DJ Booda Monk. UCAM (United Community Access Media) is sponsoring the event. Doors open at 9:30 PM and the event starts at 10:00. Admission is free.

Sunday, The Senator, Park Vibe, and UCAM bring D'Jembe Jazz Jams to The Senator. This free drum circle event is a continuation of the Druid Hill Park drum jams that happen every Sunday in the park during the summer with a group of folks, some of whom have been playing together for 30 years. Instead of the weekly jam session ending in the colder months, The Senator is bringing it inside for Sundays in October. Event starts at 4 PM. Bring your drums and your dancing feet and enjoy the vibe!

Thursday, October 8th, celebrate The Senator's 70th anniversary with an evening of Jokes & Jazz starring Joe Clair, Dominique, Smooth Jazz sensation Phillip "Doc" Martin, and hosted by Larry Lancaster. Doors open at 7:30 and tickets are $30.

Many more events will be announced in the month of October. I don't always find time to list the events on my blog. The best ways to keep track of upcoming events at The Senator are to sign up for The Senator's mailing list or follow the official Senator Theatre twitter or become a fan of Friends of The Senator Theatre or join the Friends of The Senator Theatre group on facebook, or follow Friends of The Senator Theatre on twitter.

Senator Sessions and Custom Paul Reed Smith Guitar Auction

Tickets are now on sale for the full weekend of concerts to benefit the historic Senator Theatre in Baltimore. You can buy them at missiontix.com.

There will be four separate events showcasing a wide range of musical styles and local talents. It all sounds good to me. I like almost every kind of music, so I'm going for the $35 weekend pass. I think I may as well just move into the Senator next weekend!

The four events are as follows:

FRIDAY, February 13th - Save the Senator: A Baltimore Revue

From historic movie house to entertainment showplace –The Payola Reserve, Wye Oak, Nathan Bell, The John Hardy Boys, US Royalty and local radio legends Rob Timm and Alex Cortright (WRNR) have teamed up to help save the historic Senator Theatre. Join them and more for an evening of live music, film and performances and help preserve and transform this Baltimore landmark into a premier live entertainment venue. Proceeds benefit the Senator Theatre's operations and preservation efforts.

SATURDAY, February 14th - Acoustic Love Songs and Other Traumas

Ken Kolodner duo
Smooth Kentucky (bluegrass)
Ellen Cherry (trio)
ilyAIMY duo
The Swing States Road Show
Baltimore Songwriters - John Seay, Sahffi, Paul Iwancio, Mike McFadden

Gourmet vegetarian fare provided by Harvey Shugarman, owner of Harvey's Kitchen

The complete performance schedule is up on www.myspace.com/leajones2

SUNDAY, February 15th - Left Bank Jazz Revisited

The Michael Raitzyk Trio
Ebony & Irony
Nasar Abadey Quartet
Be Mo Jazz Ensemble

SUNDAY, February 15th - The Psychedelic, Post-VD Massacre Cleanup

Drum Circle: Bring a drum to play, and get one ticket for the price of two! (Just Kidding) Bring a drum and get to jam out with The Senator's own Tom Kiefaber and members of TELESMA.

Adrian Bond: Electronica/Drum & Bass/Trip Hop
www.myspace.com/adrianbond
Also including excerpts from his upcoming new soundtrack to METROPOLIS performed in front of giant projections of segments from the movie!

TELESMA:
www.myspace.com/telesma
Blending ancient and modern instrumentation and spirit, the Baltimore-based group Telesma bridges the gap between primal and futuristic. Setting themselves apart with their intoxicating sound and extraordinary live performances, they take the audience on a soul inspiring journey that transcends this world, tantalizes the senses, and moves the body with waves of pulsating rhythm.
"To experience Telesma live is to become part of the show. More than just music, it's a swirling, whirling, twirling event... it's extremely hard not to become involved in the swaying, hypnotic rhythms that pour forth from the stage." - Michael Macey of the Chesapeake Music Guide

For all you musicians out there, there is also a special commemorative guitar being auctioned on e-bay to benefit the Senator Theatre. Here's a message from the "Friends of the Senator Theatre" group on Facebook:

Subject: 1-of-a-Kind "Senator Theatre" Paul Reed Smith (PRS) SE One Guitar Auction!

Are you a musician? Do you know one?

For the musician who desires a no frills approach to get his music across, this vintage inspired SE One has:

* Singlecut, mahogany body
* 25″ scale length
* 22 fret mahogany wide fat neck
* Rosewood fretboard
* Moon inlays
* PRS designed stoptail, pickguard
* One Soapbar pickup & one volume control
* Cordura gig bag included.
AND
EXCLUSIVE to this SINGLE EDITION:
* Custom "Senator Theatre" commemorative body design with hand signature of Paul Reed Smith!

Go HERE to bid.

The Senator Sessions

The weekend of concerts at the Senator Theatre on February 13, 14th, and 15th appears to be shaping up nicely. In a February 2 press release, Sean Brescia of Manifesto Promotions, the promoter organizing the concert weekend, is quoted:

"We set out to demonstrate some new uses and audiences for this historic landmark. People have known about the Senator's ongoing financial troubles for some time now, but this is about the community stepping up to show the city, and even a national audience, that the Senator and irreplaceable arts and entertainment assets like it around the country are worthy of public and private support to preserve and transition them to new uses for the future."

Organizers are continuing to add to the bill, but the press release currently describes the several separate events as follows:

THE SENATOR SESSIONS - A New Generation of Entertainment for a Baltimore Landmark


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13


Save the Senator: A Baltimore Revue

Music and the Arts Converge for a Cause

Live at the Senator Theatre

Doors 8PM


From historic movie house to entertainment showplace - The Payola Reserve, Wye Oak, US Royalty, the John Hardy Boys, and local radio legends Rob Timm and Alex Cortright (WRNR) have teamed up to help save the historic Senator Theatre. Join them and more for an evening of live music, film and performances and help preserve and transform this Baltimore landmark into a premier live entertainment venue. Proceeds benefit the Senator Theatre's operations and preservation efforts. Tickets available now at www.MissionTix.com.

Show Details


SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14


Acoustic Love Songs and Other Comedies

2-7PM


Featuring: a Song Circle of Baltimore Songwriters John Seay, Sahffi and Paul Iwancio; the Ellen Cherry Trio; the Ken Kolodner Duo; the Ily Aimy duo; Smooth Kentucky; and the Swing States Road Show.


SUNDAY BRUNCH, FEBRUARY 15


Left Bank Jazz Revisited


A tribute to Baltimore's Left Bank Jazz Society of the 60's and 70's, featuring guitarist Michael Raitzyk, Ebony & Irony (a duet of vocalist Joyce Scott and pianist Lorraine L. Whittlesey), and the Craig Alston Ensemble (saxophonist Craig Alston, pianist Todd Simon and friends).


SUNDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 15


The Psychedelic, Post-VD Massacre Cleanup/Benefit

7PM-12AM


Come see the already mind-bending critically acclaimed TELESMA, playing in front of trippy, 30 foot high digital projections in the Senator's beautiful theater IN 6.1 SURROUND SOUND! The evening will feature a community drum circle, and local jam bands Adrian Bond and Telesma.

This is sounding like an amazing weekend!