Gig pics from last couple weekends on Flickr

Click on the links below each picture (or in the right side column) to check out the images from the last couple of weeks. Not going to comment on these nights next other than to say that they were all a lot of fun...check out the pics on Flickr and you'll see. I do intend to come back to a couple of these in the next three or four days and offer a brief review, so come on back.

Yacking with Kim, Terry, Sandy, (and Roger & Deb) during Bill's night.
Bill Martell 5/2/08

Ethan pushing through the pain of an injured eye...awesome.

Ethan Keller 5/3/08

Katie & Ric: security for Matt's show...putting fear into troublemakers.
Matt Schroeder 5/9/08

Image courtesy of Bill's son Nate Walkner...dang good photographer.

Bill Walkner 5/10/08

John Willy, Nick and Brian laying it down.

John Will Balsley/Whiskey Jars & Scandals 5/16/08
Nate's Flickr set of John Willy & friends

Updated: Weekend music report, Urban Gardening, emails...

A short list of various items:

1. I'll post a review and a few pics from this past weekend's music gigs with Bill and Ethan later...have a few items of business to finish up before I get to that, but check back tonight or tomorrow and I should have it up. I need to hear back from Ethan on something before I post the pics from the weekend, and as soon as I do then we'll put them up here. There aren't very many from either night (didn't take as many as we usually do) so we'll combine Friday (Bill Martell) and Saturday (Ethan Keller) into one Flickr set. Hopefully I'll hear from Ethan today.

2. Attached is a flyer for an Urban Gardening information powwow that is being held at the Stump this Wednesday. This is something that, if you're into gardening in any capacity large or very small, you will find both informative and fun. Wednesday at 6:30 at Stumpjack Coffee (click on the flyer to enlarge and get more info). Depending on how this goes on Wednesday we may make this into a regular affair...gardening and sustainability-related discussions. I was surprised after sending out the email announcement for this that we received a number of enthusiastic replies expressing interest in this...I wasn't surprised at the interest in the event but rather that several people from outside the area commented on what a cool thing it is and that they wish they could be here to join in the discussion. Usually people don't bother replying if they can't make an event or live too far away to participate, but this subject clearly is of keen interest to a number of folks.

3. If anyone would like to be added to our growing email list in order to get announcements for live music events, specials we run, and/or other general info having to do with Stumpjack Coffee please send me an email at stumpjack@gmail.com and we'll add you to the list. What we're working on is expanding our email list so that we can get more people involved in doing things like contests, specials, and interactive stuff online. We're also working on a more expansive blog format and online retail availability (for coffees, shirts, mugs, art, etc), and a good number of those items will be available only online. So, we're trying to get more people interested in our online presence as well as getting better at letting people know what's going on at the Stump itself (music, specials, events, etc) and offering in-shop "rewards" and fun stuff for responding to online announcements. So email us if you want to opt in to the mailing list.

There's more to say on these three items and I will do so later tonight I hope, but wanted to get something quick out there now so I can get out and have a cigar by the campfire while there's still some sun and chirping birds outside to enjoy. I actually had two cigars yesterday and enjoyed the fire longer than I thought I would initially...desperately need a little R&R, both physically and psychically. Heidi took over cooking duty for the evening and grilled chicken and made some fabulous veggies...Kim and the girls cleaned up, and so I didn't have to do anything but relax and eat and relax some more...a brief, albeit much appreciated respite.

Ethan Keller tonight...check out these sites.

Tonight, May 3, at 8:00pm: Ethan Keller - jazz and funk guitarist songwriter from Milwaukee and performer at The Jazz Estate.

Here are a few sites where you can see and hear Ethan and his music:
http://www.ethankeller.com/ - Ethan's website.
http://www.myspace.com/ethankeller - his MySpace site.
http://www.mkeonline.com/story.asp?id=1398639 - A brief, albeit somewhat older article about Keller.

One drink minimum. No minimum on good time...

Nick's post-Stumpjack gig blog post

Kind words from Mr. Venturella on his MySpace blog (click "Stumpjack re-cap" link), about Stumpjack Coffee and our fair city of Two Rivers. Nick came in for a little breakfast and conversation Sunday morning following his performance the night before...hung around and chatted with the Svatek clan, Greg Buckley, Lucy Z., et al.

My favorite line from Nick's post: "Even new folks who walk in are greeted and treated like they've been in there a hundred times before."

I was just going to link to Nick's blog, but just realized that I think you have to have a myspace account to get into someone else's myspace to view their stuff. So, I've copied and pasted it here for everyone who doesn't have a myspace account (if you don't have one it'll only take you a couple minutes to sign up for one). Here's Nick's post:

Monday, April 28, 2008

Stumpjack re-cap Category: Music Well, I first want to thank everyone who came out to Stumpjack Coffee Company last Saturday (April 26th) to see me perform. It's always a great time at the Stump, and of course, I'd like to thank David Smith and his lovely wife Kim for their generous hospitality. The whole Stumpjack crew, Glen and Stefanie, as well as all the regulars, make this an inviting community in and of itself. Even new folks who walk in are greeted and treated like they've been in there a hundred times before. The coolest part about Stumpjack, besides the great people and coffee, is that David keeps the Stumpjack community up-to-date with new happenings, thoughts, events, and pictures all available online for you to follow along throughout the daily Stumpjack journey…I check out the blog regularly just to find out what new happenstance David is writing about, and check out pics of other music performances and events. If you haven't already ventured up to Two Rivers, WI, I urge you to soon, and be sure that when you do you check out Stumpjack Coffee Company…and tell David I sent you. So, if you didn't already gather, I had a wonderful time at the show Saturday. There was a really great crowd that seemed to enjoy the show and, more importantly, each other's company, as part of the show involved a pedestrian comedy routine performed by audience members. We were all feeling so good that I ended up playing almost 40 minutes more than I was scheduled to…a thousand thanks yous to all of you that encouraged my goofiness throughout the evening. I'm working with David to schedule another time, possibly this summer ('08), to come back. I will be sure to keep you all informed of exactly when that will be. In the meantime, check out the pics below to jog your memory of what happened that night (if you were there and partaking in any libations), or to see what you missed (if you weren't there…why weren't you there?)

Nick Venturella is the man

We have the absolute most fun when Nick Venturella comes to town to perform at Stumpjack Coffee. Nick has a wonderfully earthy and upbeat musical style, that comes across as very immediate and spontaneous. That impression is a testament to his stage presence and competence, because with over 14 years of performing experience and a half-dozen CD's under his belt the man is as prepared and professional as can be. But that's the old saw isn't it...the people who make it look easy are most often the ones who work the hardest and are the best prepared. And Nick does make it look easy. He's got a great sense of humor and wonderful ability to connect with his audience, and if you check out the pics from last night that I just placed on Flickr you will see an awful lot of smiles and laughs in the house. I defy anyone to not have a good time at a Nick Venturella concert and to not immediately like this guy. This might sound a little corny but Nick is just a heckuva decent guy, without pretense or conceit, and generous with his knowledge and time...a straight arrow, as they say. It's a real pleasure to work with someone of his character and talent. And the music is pretty dang awesome too!

I just woke up from a long nap on the couch at the Stump...it's been a long couple of weeks and I'm going home now to go to bed early, but I wanted to get this post in and put the pictures on before hitting the hay. We're working on having Nick back sometime this summer and will hopefully post the date in the next day or two...when we do, make sure to mark it on your kitchen calendar and set that night aside...you will be glad you did, guaranteed.