Connecticut Local Bands - Historical Chronologies & Reviews 2006

Connecticut Local Bands - Historical Chronologies & Reviews 2006

Extremely biased reviews. Unfair, unbalanced, and proud of it. If you're looking for fairness, look somewhere else.

This is a chronology of shows by certain musicians, whether I went to them or not. Actual reviews of shows are rarely written anymore. Shows I did not go to are mentioned in [brackets.] Links to other websites were valid when I typed the entry.

I'm also going to try to mention some of the performers that I see at open mikes up my little corner of the state. Some of them are very good, and not known outside the towns surrounding the teeming metropolis of Torrington.

8/17/2006. I will no longer list anyone who I hear at an open mike who I think sucks, unless they suck so bad that I feel other open mike hosts/performers/audience members need to be warned. This info will be preceded by a Warning! label.

As I state above, I write extremely biased reviews. Go elsewhere for fairness.

January February March April May June July August September October November December

January 2006

[Frank Critelli at Club Passim, Cambridge MA, on Tuesday, January 3rd.]

[Tyler Trudeau Attempt at 21 Daniel Street, Milford CT, on Tuesday, January 3rd.]

[Maximum Operating Depth at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, January 9th. It was a Beatnik 2000 appearance, and due to cancellations, they got to perform their entire set, instead of just 20 minutes or so. And of course, I missed it. Okay, I was violently ill, but that's still no excuse. Cafe Nine has a bathroom.]

[The Mold Monkies at The Space, Hamden CT, on Thursday, January 12th. This was their second live appearance, and the first for 2006.]

Jesse Meade at The Crown and Hammer Pub, Collinsville CT, on Friday, January 13th.

[Frank Critelli at Gallery 53, Meriden CT, on Saturday, January 14th.]

[The Sawtelles and The Nortons at The Green Room, Bridgeport CT, on Saturday, January 14th.]

The Sawtelles at The Creative Cocktail Hour, Real Art Ways, Hartford CT, on Thursday, January 19th. They were performing on the stage in the RAW Cinema. The room has good sound, lighting, and mixing board with a soundman who knows what he's doing. I missed their first set, but in their second set, The Sawtelles did a mix of old and new songs.

[Tyler Trudeau Attempt at The Space, Hamden CT, on Friday, January 20th.]

[Jesse Meade opening for Cheryl Wheeler at The Town Crier, Pawling NY on Sunday, January 22nd. Postponed until February. Ms. Wheeler was ill.]

[The Mold Monkies at Beatnik 2000, Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, January 23rd.]

[Krizta Moon at The Cotton Gin, Hamden CT, on Friday, January 27th.]

The Sawtelles, The Jellyshirts, and Al Howard at the Puppet House Theater, Stony Creek CT, on Saturday, January 28th. Okay, what was more important to do than go to this show? The weather was clear. It's a good sized venue, with lots of seats. There's plenty of parking. It's not in a bad neighborhood like The Webster, or Cafe Nine. You pay $10.00 at The Space for less entertainment. I drove 150 miles round trip for this show. You live way closer than that. Why didn't you go?

[The Sawtelles at Beatnik 2000, Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, January 30th.]

February 2006

[The Sawtelles, Tyler Trudeau Attempt, The Battlecats and others at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Friday, February 3rd. This was a benefit show for a young girl who is seriously ill. We were told the venue was packed, and a nice sum of money raised toward the young girl's medical bills.]

[Jesse Meade, opening for Cheryl Wheeler, at The Town Crier, Pawling NY on Friday, February 3rd.]

[Frank Critelli at The Nameless Coffee House, Cambridge MA on Saturday, February 4th.]

[Mad Room at The Neverending Bookstore, New Haven CT, on Saturday, February 4th.]

The Sawtelles and Zoo Front at Javapoolza, Middletown CT, on Saturday, February 4th. The Sawtelles were kind enough to let this GrimFacts Ed Hoyer guy sing a few songs during the intermission.

The Sawtelles made a surprise appearance at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, February 9th. Mark your calendars for an evening with The Sawtelles at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe on May 19th.

[Jesse Meade, opening for Mike Greca at The Main Pub, Manchester CT, on Saturday, February 11th.]

[Tyler Trudeau Attempt at Rudy's, New Haven CT, on Thursday, February 16th.]

[The Sawtelles at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Thursday, February 16th.]

Jesse Meade at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Friday, February 17th.

[The Sawtelles at The Baggot Inn, NYC, on Friday, February 17th.]

[Frank Critelli, The Sawtelles, and many others at Beatnik 2000, Episode #300, at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Friday, February 17th.]

Bret Logan of The Jellyshirts "Making a Mix" in the New Haven Register Weekend Guide for Friday, February 17th.

[Jesse Meade at The Crown and Hammer Pub, Collinsville CT, on Saturday, February 18th.]

[Chris Buskey at Beatnik 2000, Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, February 20th.]

[The Jellyshirts and The Mold Monkies at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Thursday, February 23rd.]

Krizta Moon performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, February 23rd. She is rehearsing with a new guitarist, and getting ready to record her second CD. Other performers included Andrew Jamieson, Jesse Meade, Dave Richardson, Jesse Hunter, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer. Carlos also sang a song with Joel accompanying him on guitar.

The Jellyshirts at Songs From The Sofa, Books & Co., Hamden CT, on Friday, February 24th. Opening was Dharma Brown.

A one hour show featuring selected performers from the February 8th open mike at Cafe 64 was shown on Winsted Community TV (Charter Cable Channel 13) on Friday, February 24th. Two other open mike shows have also been videotaped. Performers included GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Crystal, Jesse Meade, Dave Richardson, Jesse Hunter, Andrew Jamieson, Calico, and Paper Street.

[Suzan Hurtuk at the NYACK Alliance Theological Seminary, someplace in NY, on Saturday, February 25th.]

The Sawtelles on WNHU 88.7 FM on Sunday, February 26th.

[The Sawtelles and Frank Critelli at Beatnik 2000, Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, February 27th.]

Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Pat Alexander from Calico, and Crystal at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, February 28th.

March 2006

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Calico, Andrew Jamieson, Dave Richardson, Jesse Hunter, Paper Street, and The Love At Work Band at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, March 1st. Dave Richardson is also appearing at Cafe 64 on Fridays from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and Jesse Meade performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, March 3rd.

[Frank Critelli at The Starving Artist, Island City NY, on Friday, March 3rd.]

The Sawtelles, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Brendan Donohue performed at the open mike at The Peanut Cupboard, Plymouth CT, on Saturday, March 4th. Mark your calendars for an evening with The Sawtelles at The Peanut Cupboard on Friday, June 9th.

[Joe Carniglia at The Crown and Hammer Pub, Collinsville CT, on Saturday, March 4th.]

[Suzan Hurtuk at The Living Room, NYC, on Sunday, March 5th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Calico, Andrew Jamieson, Dave Richardson, Jesse Hunter, Crystal, Rich Hall, Jesse Meade, Brendan, and MANHOLE at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, March 8th. MANHOLE and Calico are still way too loud for the room. They don't get it. It's about music, and when it's too loud, it's just noise.

Carlos, Jesse Meade, Crystal, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Papa Ron Blake, and MANHOLE performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, March 9th.

Joe Carniglia, Caitlin Corless, Mike Ingram, The Sawtelles, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, March 10th.

Crystal at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Friday, March 10th.

[Mad Room at Blues Brick Oven Pizza, Hamden CT, on Saturday, March 11th.]

Jesse Meade at The Crown and Hammer Pub, Collinsville CT, on Saturday, March 11th.

Jesse Meade, Crystal, Pat Alexander from Calico, , and a raspy voiced GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, March 14th.

[Suzan Hurtuk at the Galapagos Art Space, Brooklyn NY, on Wednesday, March 15th.]

Andrew Jamieson, Jesse Hunter, The Love At Work Band, Calico, MANHOLE, Crystal, Robot IQ, Dave Richardson, and vanillED performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, March 15th.

The Sawtelles, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Dave Richardson, and Darcy St Onge from MANHOLE performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, March 16th.

Joe Carniglia, Caitlin Corless, The Sawtelles, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, March 17th.

Jesse Meade has a front page interview in The Winsted Journal for Friday, March 17th. "Blues, Folk Roots Propel Singer-Songwriter Jesse Meade" is the title of the article. (The web version of the article doesn't appear to have a direCT, link. You may have to scroll down the page to find it. It's also missing the photo of Jesse that appeared on the front page of the paper version.)

[Tyler Trudeau Attempt and The Sawtelles at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Saturday, March 18th.]

Darcy St Onge from MANHOLE and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, performed at the open mike at Artwell Art Gallery, Torrington CT, on Saturday, March 18th.

[Frank Critelli, Ray Neal, Chris Buskey, and Shandy Lawson at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Tuesday, March 21st.]

[Jesse Meade performed at the open mike at The Space, Hamden CT, on Tuesday, March 21st.]

Crystal, Calico, MANHOLE, Jesse Hunter, Paper Street, Dave Richardson, Sean O'Neil, Andrew Jamieson, Joe Hoover, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer (and his out of tune parlor guitar with the underpowered acoustic pickup,) and Big Bad Bald Mother Bananas performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, March 22nd.

[Jesse Meade and Andrew Jameison performed at the open mike at the Roaring Brook Nature Center, Canton, CT, on Wednesday, March 22nd.]

Dave Richardson is mentioned in Dan Barry's column in The Hartford Advocate for Thursday, March 23rd. Dave regularly appears at Cafe 64 in Winsted on Friday evenings.

Papa Ron Blake, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer and MANHOLE performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe,Torrington CT, on Thursday, March 23rd.

Joe Carniglia, Caitlin Corless, The Sawtelles, Jesse Meade, Coyote Doty, Darcy St Onge from MANHOLE, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, March 24th.

[Frank Critelli, Ray Neal, and Chris Buskey at the Last Licks Cafe, Huntington NY, on Saturday, March 25th.]

The Sawtelles and Doot! at Brass City Records, Waterbury CT, on Saturday, March 25th.

Crystal, , Mike Wilson and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, March 28th.

Andrew Jamieson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, MANHOLE, Dave Richardson, Kenny James, Paper Street, Brendan, Jesse Meade, Karate Chopapella, Matt from RGB Speak, and Mike Wilson performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, March 29th.

The Sawtelles, Andrew Jamieson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, MANHOLE, Dave Richardson, Matt from RGB Speak, L'il Mike, and Kurt Singer performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, March 30th.

Joe Carniglia, Jesse Meade, Coyote Doty, Broderick, Hamilton & Friend, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, March 31st.

April 2006

Parker's Tangent at Blues Brick Oven Pizza, Hamden CT, on Saturday, April 1st.

Maximum Operating Depth on WNHU 88.7 FM on Sunday, April 2nd.

"Front Page News" by The Sawtelles and "When The Aliens Stole My Car" by GrimFacts Ed Hoyer on WPLR 99.1 FM
The Local Bands Show on Sunday, April 2nd.

[Maximum Operating Depth at Beatnik 2000, Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, April 3rd]

Crystal, Jesse Meade, Mike Wilson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, The Love At Work Band, and the band formerly known as Last Call performed at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, April 4th.

Andrew Jamieson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Calico, MANHOLE, Dave Richardson, Brendan, Big Bad Bald Mother Bananas, Joe Hoover, and Paper Street performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, April 5th.

[Jesse Meade and Crystal performed at the open mike at The Town Crier, Pawling NY, on Wednesday, April 5th.]

Parker's Tangent at The Cotton Gin Steakhouse, Hamden CT, on Friday, April 7th.
The Cotton Gin Steakhouse is on Whitney Ave in Hamden. It's named after Eli Whitney's cotton gin. The Eli Whitney Museum is about 3-4 miles away. It's a beautiful place. The bar area is narrow, and has subdued lighting. Next to it is the restaurant dining room. Then through two sets of glass doors is the banquet room. That's where the bands set up. There is a stage, and some red spotlights. There's also a small grand piano. There's no PA or mixing board. There's a low ceiling made out of tin, and the walls are covered with mirrors.

No one from the bar or restaurant came in to hear us. We saw them look at us as they were walking out the side entrance. There were no signs at the restaurant announcing live music. We were mentioned in the New Haven Advocate music calendar, and we were mentioned by Dave in his band calendar on the Local Bands Show on WPLR. One problem could have been playing a steakhouse on a Friday night during Lent in a Catholic neighborhood, but someone else I know who played there had the same problem we had.

As I was leaving, I tried to complement the owner's assistant. I said, "You have a beautiful restaurant." She snapped, "YOU HAVE NO FOLLOWING!"

Gee, thanks. We're not going back. My advice? Eat there, have drink, because the food is really good. Then leave. Don't bother to play there unless you know you are going to have your "following" come see you, or you want to have the equivalent of a band practice on their stage.

[Joe Carniglia and Jesse Meade performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, April 7th.]

[The Sawtelles at an art show opening in Bridgeport on Friday, April 7th. More details if we get them.]

LaSalle Spring Benefit Concert 2006 at the LaSalle Market & Deli, Collinsville CT, on Saturday, April 8th.

[The Jellyshirts at Beatnik 2000, Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, April 10th.]

[Jesse Meade performed at the open mike at The Space, Hamden CT, on Tuesday, April 11th.]

Pat Alexander from Calico, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, performed at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, April 11th.

Andrew Jamieson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Calico, MANHOLE, Dave Richardson, Papa Ron Blake, Joe Carniglia, Crystal, Jesse Hunter, Derek from Ivy Drive, and Sean O'Neil performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, April 12th.

The Sawtelles, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at Ken Safety's Open Mike at C. J. Sparrows Pub in Cheshire CT, on Thursday, April 13th.

[Robert Messore and Jesse Meade at Klekolo World Coffee, Middletown CT, on Thursday, April 13th.]

Joe Carniglia, Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Andrew Jamieson, Coyote Doty, Ian & Dad & Friend, Courtney, and R. L. Golden performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, April 14th.

Crystal, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Mike Lavalo, Bette, Mylo (didn't get their last names) performed at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, April 18th.

[Jesse Meade and Crystal performed at the open mike at The Town Crier, Pawling NY, on Wednesday, April 19th.]

Joe Carniglia, Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Andrew Jamieson, Coyote Doty, Calico, MANHOLE, Dave Richardson, Papa Ron Blake, Jesse Hunter, Matt from RGB Speak, and Sean O'Neil performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, April 19th. Todd from Winsted Community TV Channel 13 is also videotaping the open mikes again.

Joe Carniglia, Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Coyote Doty, The Sawtelles, Hannah & Andy, Don Kitch from C-Side Alley, and Tom Sheeley performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, April 21st.

Andrew Jamieson, Jesse Meade, Calico, Crystal, Joe Hoover, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, performed at the Earth Day Festival at The Puppet House Theater, Branford CT, on Saturday, April 22nd.

The Sawtelles at Beatnik 2000, Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, April 24th.
Cafe Nine may have new P.A. Speakers and a Mackie Powered Mixer, but the vocal sound is still too loud, too distorted. Peter Riccio also plugged his Line 6 guitar directly into the P.A., and the tone was awful. I can understand why he wanted to smash his guitar near the end of the set, but the guitar wasn't the problem. It was the P.A. and the monitor mix.

Cafe Nine calls itself "The Musician's Living Room," but I've never been impressed with the sound system or the room itself. If you've never been to Cafe Nine, it is a narrow, rectangular room. The stage is in a front corner, and the bar runs the length of the room on one side. One P.A. speaker is behind the bar, over the P.A. mixer, the other near the ceiling over the pay phone booth. The P.A. mixer should be further away from the speakers. A cable snake could be used to get microphone cords and guitar cords into the P.A.from the stage. This is also a place where four smaller speakers, two in the front of the room, two in the back, might make more sense than two large speakers, at earsplitting volume, in the front of the room.

Crystal, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, and Pat Alexander from Calico performed at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, April 25th. There was also a tall, drunken guy named Bill, who kept bugging the performers to play cover songs he could sing to. He was really annoying. The bouncer had to ask him to leave, and a few minutes after he left, two Torrington cops showed up and were looking around the bar and the performance room for some reason. I realize Otter's is a bar, and a really nice one at that, but there's no excuse for the behavior of people like Bill at any bar at any time. Drink at home buddy.

Crystal, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Calico, Big Bad Mother Bananas, Papa Ron Blake, Sean O'Neil, Andrew Jamieson, MANHOLE, Dave Richardson, Martha (didn't get her last name - her first performance at 64 - she did good), Steamship Fantasises (Hey, that's what was magic markered on the back of bass player's denim jacket! They were a trio, and played two instrumentals that sounded almost the same, except for the key they were played in), and Desiree and her karaoke machine, (Ouch! I needed earplugs, and not for volume control. The less said the better) performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, April 26th. Todd from Winsted Community TV Channel 13 wasn't there. This is one open mike he should have videotaped, just for the "kids don't try this at home, or anywhere else for that matter" factor.

The Sawtelles, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Kurt Singer, Papa Ron Blake, Crystal, and Rich Hall performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, April 27th.

Krizta Moon, Melissa Mulligan, and Lisa Lawrence at Songs From The Sofa, Books & Co, Hamden CT, on Friday, April 28th.

Jesse Meade at The Crown and Hammer Pub, Collinsville CT, on Friday, April 28th.

A very busy Frank Critelli was host for both the Main Stage, and the Welcome Stage, at the Meriden Daffodil Festival, Meriden CT, on Saturday, April 29th.

The Bret Logan Band at the Meriden Daffodil Festival, Meriden CT, on Saturday, April 29th.

The Sawtelles at the Meriden Daffodil Festival, Meriden CT, on Saturday, April 29th.

[Chris Buskey and the Better Things at the Meriden Daffodil Festival, Meriden CT, on Saturday, April 29th.]

[The Cave men Go at the Meriden Daffodil Festival, Meriden CT, on Saturday, April 29th.]

[Frank Critelli at the Meriden Daffodil Festival, Meriden CT, on Sunday, April 30th.]

May 2006

Crystal, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, and Mike Wilson performed at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, May 2nd.

Crystal, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Calico, Pat Alexander, Andrew Jamieson, MANHOLE, Dave Richardson, Martha, Desiree and her karaoke machine, Paper Street, Nathan Day, Tom Sheeley, Jesse Hunter, and Kayzure performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, May 3rd. Kayzure is a rap artist from Hamden CT. He did one rap. It was a standard, tired, cliche ridden, profanity laced, woman-hating, boasting rap. At least, he cannot claim to be the first rapper to perform at Cafe 64. That honor goes to Evil MC Ed back on March 13th.

The open mike ended on a bad note. A quartet of 16-18 year olds,calling themselves "The Tri-County Riff Raff," were allowed to perform after the open mike should have ended at 10:30pm. (Last week, they were "Steamship Fantasises.") They played a very sloppy, way too loud version of some Velvet Underground song. At the end of the song, the lead guitarist, a young man who smelled of alcohol consumption, screamed some obscenities, and something about hating everyone into the mike. He then knocked the mike and the stand on to the floor, wrecking the mike cable, and stormed out the front door of the cafe. (He plays a yellow Epiphone Wildcat guitar with a Bigsby on it. Watch for him.) The host then banned him and the "band" from any future open mikes. It should have ended there. It didn't. There was an argument of some kind outside of the cafe, involving this "band" and some audience members. A police officer was driving by, and stopped to find out what was going on. Five police cars later, everything was explained to the officer's satisfaction, but the open mike has been tarnished. The cafe owner was not there at the time, but I'm sure the police will be talking with him. Is this the end of the open mike at Cafe 64?

Parker's Tangent, Chris Buskey, John Holt & Generous Thief, Ian Charles at The Space, Hamden CT, on Thursday, May 4th.

Joe Carniglia, Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Coyote Doty, Tom Sheeley, Chris Sheehan, The Offbeats (drum circle) Papa Ron Blake, Mike Wilson, and Ian & Dad & Friend performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, May 5th.

[The Sawtelles and Al Howard at Javapalooza, Middletown CT, on Friday, May 5th.]

[Crystal at Spinstock, Wolcott CT, on Saturday, May 6th.]

Jesse Meade at The Crown and Hammer Pub, Collinsville CT, on Saturday, May 6th.

The Local Bands Show on WPLR 99.1 FM played "Three Little Words," one of GrimFacts Ed Hoyer's "love songs", on Sunday, May 7th.

[Maximum Operating Depth at Beatnik 2000, Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, May 8th.]

Crystal, Pat Alexander from Calico, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and some other people, performed at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, May 9nd. And "performed" is being kind. It was a bad night. was okay, but the rest of us were off our game. And that includes the guy who sang the really bad originals, and the guy who sang the nice original, (he was better last week,) followed by extremely bad cover songs. Guys, drink the beers after you perform, okay?

Crystal, Pat Alexander from Calico, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Andrew Jamieson, MANHOLE, Dave Richardson, Brendan, Matt Kolb, Brock, Rich Hall, Kenny, and Desiree and her karaoke machine, performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, May 10th. And another drunk guy kept trying to talk to me. I'm not a girl! The open mike is continuing despite last week's incident. Cafe 64 is a BYOB restaurant, but the owner has requested that no alcohol be brought to the open mike, and really drunk people may be asked to leave. He also asked the teenagers, who make up the bulk of the audience and like to hang around outside on the sidewalk, to report any troublesome people to him or his staff right away. Loitering is a crime in Winsted, and the police will enforce that ordinance if there are further problems.

The New Haven Advocate for May 11th has an article on the Meriden Daffodil Festival, and photos of Jessica Brauner of The Bret Logan Band, and Frank Critelli.

[The Sawtelles, Jesse Meade, Dave Richardson, and Mike Greca performed at the open mike at Alibi's Bistro, Wolcott CT, on Thursday, May 11th.]

[The Sawtelles and Zoo Front at Oobah's Deli, Willimantic CT, on Friday, May 12th.]

[The Secret Ink at Firehouse 12, New Haven CT, on Friday, May 12th.]

[Paul Belbusti and Shandy Lawson at The Buttonwood Tree, Middletown CT, on Friday, May 12th.]

Joe Carniglia, Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Coyote Doty & Bloodbrother, C-Side Alley, Tom & his Daughter Sarah, Kim, Matt, and Paige & Andy, performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, May 12th.

The Sawtelles and Maximum Operating Depth at the John Slade Ely House, New Haven CT, on Saturday, May 13th.

The Sawtelles on WAPJ 89.9 FM Torrington CT, on Tuesday, May16th.

The Sawtelles and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, May 16th.

Crystal, Calico, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Andrew Jamieson, MANBEAR (MANHOLE in disguise) Dave Richardson, Rich Hall, Papa Ron Blake, Nathan Day, Big Bad Mother Bananas, Patty & Max, and Ivy Drive performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, May 17th.

Jesse Meade, Dave Richardson, Nathan Day, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, May 18th.

Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and Mike Greca performed at the open mike at Alibi's Bistro, Wolcott CT, on Thursday, May 18th.

Joe Carniglia, Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Coyote Doty & Bloodbrother, Kim, and Paige & Andy, performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, May 19th.

The Sawtelles at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Friday, May 19th.

C-Side Alley at the Winchester Grange Hall, Winchester CT, on Saturday, May 20th.

[Jesse Meade at the Irving Farm Coffeehouse, Millerton NY on Saturday, May 20th.]

[The Sawtelles, and Coyote Doty & Bloodbrother, at The Peanut Cupboard, Plymouth CT, on Saturday, May 20th.]

[Jessica Brauner of Maximum Operating Depth, The Bret Logan Band, and The Jellyshirts graduated from Yale University with a PhD on Monday, May 22nd.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer and Mike Lavalo performed at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, May 23rd.
Last week, this open mike changed hosts, and went straight to hell. The former host, a singer/songwriter, knew five other singer/songwriters, and was able to get them to perform at this open mike. He's gone, and so are four of the singer/songwriters. Last week, after The Sawtelles and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed, nothing happened for almost an hour. One of the two new open mike hosts was more interested in eating hot wings than running the open mike. The other host was nowhere to be found. Finally, some band arrived to play, and the missing open mike host reappeared. He plays drums for this band. I left before the band started.

This week, the same band was back. They did an overly loud sound check of their instruments, but failed to perform a vocal mike check. GrimFacts Ed Hoyer and Mike Lavalo each sang four songs. Then this band played three drawn out covers. The bass player and the rhythm guitarist were louder than both the vocals, and the lead guitarist. Too many beers before playing doesn't make you play better, just louder and sloppier. I left. From the signup sheet, it appears that this is now an electric open mike, featuring bands, not singer/songwriters. Which is fine. If that's what the hosts want, then that's what they will get.

[Chris Buskey at Bishop's Lounge, Northamption MA, on Tuesday, May 23rd.]

Crystal, Calico, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Darcy St Onge from MANHOLE, Dave Richardson, Papa Ron Blake, Big Bad Mother Bananas, Nick Panagakos from MANHOLE, Coyote & Charlie, Tom Hansen & Kate, and Sean O'Neil performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, May 24th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer and Dave Richardson performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, May 25th.

[Parker's Tangent, and Brian Dolzani at Songs From The Sofa, Books & Co, Hamden CT, on Friday, May 26th.]

[The Sawtelles, MANHOLE, Matt & Kim, Apse, and Buzz Lightyear at the Artwell Gallery, Torrington CT, on Friday, May 26th.]

Coyote Doty & Bloodbrother, Jesse Meade, Gil Dube, Broderick, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at The Peanut Cupboard, Plymouth CT, on Saturday, May 27th.

Coyote Doty & Friends, Jesse Meade, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at the West Hill Grill, Barkhamsted CT, on Sunday, May 28th.

[Suzan Hurtuk at Sunny's Bar, Brooklyn NY, 11201 on Wednesday, May 31st.]

Calico, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, MANHOLE, Dave Richardson, Papa Ron Blake, Nathan Day, Jesse Meade, Pat & Friends, and Brendan performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, May 31st.

June 2006

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Rich Hall, Crystal, and Jason performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, June 1st.

[Jesse Meade, and Hannah Friedenburg at Javapalooza, Middletown CT, on Friday, June 2nd.]

Krizta Moon at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Friday, June 2nd.

[Suzan Hurtuk opening for Graham Parker at The Town Crier, Pawling NY, on Saturday, June 3rd.]

Coyote Doty & Friends, Gil Dube, The Sawtelles, Some European Band, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at The Peanut Cupboard, Plymouth CT, on Saturday, June 3rd.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer and Mike Wilson performed at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, June 666.

Calico, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Nick Panagakos from MANHOLE, Dave Richardson, Sean O'Neil, Big Bad Mother Bananas, and Paper Street performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, June 7th.

[The Jellyshirts at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Wednesday June 7th.]

School Safety Patrol, Caitlin Corless, and The Metacomet Sound Company performed at the open mike at The Downtown Cafe, Bristol CT, on Thursday, June 8th.

Hello, Goodbye (New releases from the Furors and M.O.D.; new directions for guitarist Jess Brauner) The New Haven Advocate, June 8, 2006

The Sawtelles at The Peanut Cupboard, The Country Store, RT 6, Plymouth CT, on Friday, June 9th.

[Jesse Meade at The Crown & Hammer Pub, Collinsville CT, on Saturday, June 10th.]

Maximum Operating Depth, The Jellyshirts and The Furors at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Saturday, June 10th. CD release for Maximum Operating Depth.

[C-Side Alley at Federal Hill Park, Bristol CT, on Sunday, June 11th.]

Parker's Tangent, The Melissa Mulligan Band, and The Victoria Kafka Trio at 21 Daniel Street, Milford CT, on Tuesday, June 13th.

Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Nick Panagakos (formerly from MANHOLE,) Dave Richardson, Tom Hansen & Kate, Coyote & Charlie, Sam & Caitlin, Crystal, and Rich Hall, performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, June 14th.

Jesse Meade and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, June 15th.

Joe Carniglia, Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Caitlin Corless, Papa Ron Blake, and Kim performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, June 16th.

Calico at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Friday, June 16th.

Coyote Doty & Bloodbrother, Jesse Meade, McMillan & White, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at the West Hill Grill, Barkhamsted CT, on Saturday, June 17th.

Parker's Tangent at IdeatFest, Pitkin Plaza, New Haven CT, on a very hot Sunday, June 18th.

[Frank Critelli and The Hooters at Hubbard Park, Meriden CT, on Sunday, June 18th.]

[Frank Critelli at the UCONN Student Union, Storrs CT, on Wednesday, June 21st.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Darcy St Onge & Nick Panagakos (a surprise MANHOLE reunion,) Dave Richardson, Tom Hansen & Kate, Rich Hall, Lindsey Palmer, Paper Street, Pat Alexander, Papa Ron Blake, and L. Herzig performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, June 21st.

[Frank Critelli and Essence at Rudys, New Haven CT, on Thursday, June 22nd. Benefit for the New Haven Cat Project.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, June 22nd.

Jesse Meade at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Friday, June 23rd.

[Coyote Doty at The Peanut Cupboard, Plymouth CT, on Friday, June 23rd.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Mike, Ian from the Metacomet Sound Company, Tom, and Dakota & Carly & Bailey performed at open mike at LaSalle Market & Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, June 23rd.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Gil Dube, and Pete Serge performed at the open mike at The Peanut Cupboard, Plymouth CT, on Saturday, June 24th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Coyote Doty & Friends, Tom Hansen, Papa Ron Blake, and Andy Styles performed at the open mike at the West Hill Grill, Barkhamsted CT, on Saturday, June 24th.

[Jesse Meade, Crystal, and Susan Hurtuk performed at the 2006 Open Mike Finals at The Town Crier Cafe, Pawling NY, on Sunday, June 25th.]

The Sawtelles, Mo' Folkies, and a really bad, overly loud, teenage band named Goda, at 21 Daniel Street, Milford CT, on Tuesday, June 27th.
Mo' Folkies was a really good bluegrass cover band. They said they were working on originals. Guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and stand-up bass. They picked some lively, danceable tunes. The Sawtelles were supposed to be second, but after Mo' Folkies finished, the teenagers of Goda got on stage. Apparently, some of their parents were in the audience, and the parents didn't want to wait for their children to go last. No one from the band, or their parents, bothered to talk to The Sawtelles, and ask if they could play second. That would have been polite. It's a bad reflection on both the band members and their parents.

Goda was overly loud, (you don't need a Marshall half stack at Daniel St) and the band constantly stepped on the front-man's vocals, which actually was a plus. The front-man wasn't very good. He tried to sing in a low, rock growl voice, but it just didn't work. The bass guitar player actually had a better singing voice. Goda played a little over a half hour, and then they, and their parents and friends, left the room, and went outside. The band came back in later, near the end of The Sawtelles set, but their "following" had left for the evening. Mo' Folkies, at least, stayed for The Sawtelles set. IMHO if you find yourself on a bill with Goda, seek these children out, and settle the order of the bands before they decide to change it for their convenience.

The Sawtelles went into "punk rock mode," and played a little over a half hour of speeded up old and new songs, such as "Rain," "Russian Dead Soldiers," "She's a Star," "Front Page News," "Vision," and "So It Goes."

[Frank Critelli at Casa Del Popolo, Montreal QC, on Wednesday, June 28th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Nick Panagakos, Dave Richardson, Ben & Evan, Andrew Jamieson, Craig & Joe & Mark, Sean O'Neil, Alan & Sean, and Eddie (from Calico) performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, June 28th.

[Frank Critelli at Radio Bean, Burlington VT, on Thursday, June 29th.]

[Frank Critelli and Shandy Lawson at Songs From The Sofa, Books & Co, Hamden CT, Friday, on June 30th]

Joe Carniglia, Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Coyote Doty, Jim & Chuck, Mike Lavolo, Hamilton, and Shane performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, June 30th.

Jesse Meade at The Crown & Hammer Pub, Collinsville CT, Friday, June 30th. Special guest appearance by Crystal.

July 2006

[The Sawtelles at the City Seed Farmer's Market, Russo Park at Wooster Square, New Haven CT, Saturday, July 1st.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Coyote Doty & Friends, Jim & Chuck, and The Styles Brothers performed at the open mike at the West Hill Grill, Barkhamsted CT, on Saturday, July 1st.

Floral Print Massacre, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Lindy & Serina, Calico, Nick Panagakos (formerly of MANHOLE), and Dave Richardson as Jack Tar performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, July 5th.

[The Sawtelles at the Squeeky Wheel Productions Fundraiser held at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Friday, July 7th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Coyote Doty, Joe Carniglia, Broderick, Jesse Meade, and Caitlin Corless performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, July 7th.

Parker's Tangent at C. J. Sparrow's, Cheshire CT, on Saturday, July 8th.

Parker's Tangent at the New England Arts & Crafts Fair on the Milford Green, Milford CT, on Sunday, July 9th.

[Crystal, Neil Gomberg, and Pat Matheson at The Town Crier Cafe, Pawling NY, on Sunday, July 9th.]

[Frank Critelli at Beatnik 2000 held at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, July 10th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer interviewed on WAPJ 89.9FM on Tuesday, July11th. Premier of a new spoken word demo CD.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed twice at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, July 11th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Lindy & Serina, Nick Panagakos, Darcy St Onge, MANHOLE, Paper Street, Papa Ron Blake, Dave Richardson as Jack Tar, and Graffiti (from New Jersey) performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, July 12th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, July 13th.

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Coyote Doty & Charlie, Chris Sheehan, Tom Sheeley, and Caitlin Corless performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, July 14th.

[Jesse Meade at the Cubbyhole Coffeehouse, Poughkeepsie NY on Friday, July 14th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Coyote Doty with Charlie & Keith, Jim & Chuck, Barbara White, and Tom Hansen performed at the open mike at the West Hill Grill, Barkhamsted CT, on Saturday, July 15th.

[Charlotte Kendrick and Red Rooster at the Las Vetas Lounge, Fairfiled CT, on Tuesday, July 17th.]

[Charlotte Kendrick and Red Rooster at SONO Caffeine, South Norwalk CT, on Wednesday, July 18th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Nick Panagakos, MANHOLE, Will Panagakos from Paper Street, Dave Richardson, Lindy, Gabe & Pat & Kinky (really nice electronica,) Jesse Hunter, Sean Deland from Back of the Bus, and the rock/metal bands A Brazillian Times Faster and TCE performed at the open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, July 19th. The open mike is on a hiatus for two weeks, and may be restructured as an acoustic only open mike. Details will be posted on the Open Mikes page if any changes are made.

[The Sawtelles at the City Seed Farmer's Market, Quinnipiac River Park, Front & Grand St, New Haven CT, on Thursday, July 20th.]

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Coyote Doty & Keith, Tom Sheeley, Frank & Dennis and Paige performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, July 21st.

The July 22nd open mike at the West Hill Grill, Barkhamsted CT, was cancelled to due the weather.

[Frank Critelli at WPLR's Buried at the Beach, West Haven CT, on Tuesday, July 25th.] Click here for a rant about WPLR.

Almost 10 at East End Park, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, July 26th. Part of the Wednesday night Summer Concert Series sponsored by the Winchester Recreation Department and Friends of Main Street.

[The Sawtelles and The Furors at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Thursday, July 27th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, July 27th.

[Frank Critelli at Max Crema's, Fleetwood PA on Friday, July 28th.]

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Coyote Doty & Keith, Tom Sheeley, Chris Sheehan, and Caitlin Corless performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, July 28th

Coyote Doty & Bloodbrother, Jim & Chuck, Barbara White, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Don Kirsh & Pat McDonald, Brad, and Katie performed at the open mike at the West Hill Grill, Barkhamsted CT, on Saturday, July 29th.

[Frank Critelli at The Atlantis Nightclub, Charleston WV, on Saturday, July 29th.]

[The Sawtelles at the City Seed Farmer's Market, Edgewood Park, New Haven CT, on Sunday, July 30th.]

[Frank Critelli at the Uncommon Ground, Chicago IL, on Sunday, July 30th.]

School Safety Patrol and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer at Beatnik 2000, Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, July 31st.

August 2006

Caitlin Corless, Tom Sheeley, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Peaberry's Cafe, Simsbury CT, on Wednesday, August 2nd.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed a half hour set at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, August 3rd.

Caitlin Corless, Tom Sheeley, Hannah K., Jesse Meade, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, August 4th.

Coyote Doty & Keith L., Barbara White, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at the West Hill Grill, Barkhamsted CT, on Friday, August 4th.

[The Sawtelles at the City Seed Farmer's Market, Russo Park at Wooster Square, New Haven CT, on Saturday, August 5th.]

Coyote Doty & Keith L., Gil Dube, Jim Gardner & Chuck, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer (and his badly out of tune guitar,) performed at the open mike at The Peanut Cupboard, Plymouth CT, on Saturday, August 5th.

Jesse Meade at the Beardsley & Memorial Library, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, August 9th.

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Tom Hansen, Darcy St Onge, Andrew Jamieson, and Sean Deland from Back of the Bus performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, August 9th. This is now an acoustic only open mike. All electric instruments, amplifiers, and all drums are banned. See the July 19th entry for the names of the teenage bands responsible for the change to acoustic music only.

[Frank Critelli and Shandy Lawson at Koffe on Audubon, New Haven CT, on Thursday, August 10th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed a 20 minute set at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, August 10th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed a 20 minute set at the open mike at Bohemian Pizza & Ditto's, Litchfield CT, on Thursday, August 10th.

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Tom Sheeley, Broderick, Chris Sheehan, Jesse Meade, and The Off Beats Drum Circle performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, August 11th.

PORKSTOCK at The Pig Out Bar-B-Q, Southington CT on Saturday, August 12th. Featuring The Sawtelles, [The Metacomet Sound Company, Todd Cote, Brendan Donahue, Caitlin Corless, Coyote Doty & Bloodbrother, and many others]

[Jesse Meade at The Crown & Hammer Pub, Collinsville CT, on Saturday, August 12th.]

[The Sawtelles and James Velvet at Javapalooza!, Middletown CT, on Saturday, August 12th.]

Coyote Doty & Keith L. & Steve F., Jim Gardner & Chuck, Eddy Williams, Chris Philbrook, Barbara White, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at The Peanut Cupboard, Plymouth CT, on Saturday, August 12th.

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Andrew Jamieson, Sean Deland from Back of the Bus, Brendan, and Will Panagakos from Paper Street, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, August 16th. Warning! Three members of the teenage metal band A Brazillian Times Faster performed an acoustic set as a group, and then two of them performed songs as individuals. They were barely tolerable as an overly loud metal band...

[Ukelele Night with School Safety Patrol, and others, at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Thursday, August 17th.]

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, and Crystal performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, August 17th.

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Tom Sheeley, Jesse Meade, Caitlin Corless and Coyote Doty & Keith L., performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, August 18th.

[The Panini Brothers (Frank Critelli and James Velvet) at the City Seed Farmer's Market at Russo Park, Wooster Square, New Haven CT, on Saturday, August 19th.]

[Parker's Tangent at 21 Daniel Street, Milford CT, on Saturday, August 19th]

[Jesse Meade at the Panini Cafe, Kent CT, on Saturday, August 19th]

[School Safety Patrol at 21 Daniel Street, Milford CT, on Saturday, August 19th]

[The Sawtelles at Beatnik 2000, Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, August 21st.]

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Andrew Jamieson, Sean Deland from Back of the Bus, Crystal, Jesse Meade, Papa Ron Blake, Pat & Dawn Alexander, and an overly loud Calico, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, August 23rd.

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Andrew Jamieson, Crystal, Jesse Meade, and Rich Hall, performed at the open mike at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington CT, on Wednesday, August 23rd.

[Frank Critelli & Brutally Frank, Mike Lasala, The Evolving Souls at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Thursday, August 24th.]

Crystal, Jesse Meade, Papa Ron Blake, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, August 24th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed a 40 minute set at the open mike at Bohemian Pizza & Ditto's, Litchfield CT, on Thursday, August 24th.

[Peter Riccio and Russell Shaddox at Songs From The Sofa, Books & Co, Hamden CT, on Friday, August 25th.]

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, and Papa Ron Blake performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, August 25th.

[Frank Critelli at The Starving Artist, City Island NY, on Saturday, August 26th.]

Coyote Doty & Keith L. & Charlie, Tom Hansen from Federal Hill, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at the West Hill Grill, Barkhamsted CT, on Saturday, August 26th.

[Suzan Hurtuk at The Living Room, NYC, on Sunday, August 27th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, August 29th

The open mike at Cafe 64 was cancelled for Wednesday, August 30th

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, , Papa Ron Blake, Jason Dray, and Rich Hall, performed at the open mike at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington CT, on Wednesday, August 30th

[Suzan Hurtuk at Pete's Candy Store, Brooklyn NY, on Thursday, August 31st.]

Crystal, Jesse Meade, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, August 31st.

September 2006

Crystal at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Friday, September 1st.

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jim & Chuck, Tom Hansen from Federal Hill, Caitlin Corless, CeCe Borjeson, and Mike Lavalo performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, September 1st. Warning! There was also a young man who performed three original songs. Unfortunately, one song indicates he is suffering from BDS - Bush Derangement Syndrome. There's little kids in this audience. Save your anti-American, pro-totalitarian songs for a college, or a totalitarians rally.

[The Sawtelles at the Colebrook Jam Fest, Knights of Columbus Hall, Winsted CT, on Saturday, September 2nd.]

Parker's Tangent and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer at The Puppet House Theater, Branford CT, on Saturday, September 2nd.

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Tom Hansen & Kate, Matt, and Lindy, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, September 6th.

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Papa Ron Blake, Jason Dray, and Rich Hall, performed at the open mike at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington CT, on Wednesday, September 6th.

[The Sawtelles at the City Seed Farmer's Market, Quinnipiac River Park, Front & Grand St, New Haven CT, on Thursday, September 7th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed a one hour set at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, September 7th, and premiered 5 new songs.

[The Secret Ink at AS220, Providence RI on Friday, September 8th.]

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jim & Chuck, Donte, Jesse Meade, and The Splinter Group (drum circle) performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, September 8th.

Tom Hansen from Federal Hill performed a solo show at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Friday, September 8th.

A photograph of The Sawtelles from the Colebrook Jam Fest appeared in The Winsted Journal for Friday, September 8th.

Jesse Meade at The Crown & Hammer Pub, Collinsville CT, on Saturday, September 9th .

[The Mold Monkies at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Saturday, September 9th.]

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Crystal, Sean Deland, and Lindy, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, September 13th.

Papa Ron Blake, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Crystal, Jason Dray, and Dave Richardson performed at the open mike at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington CT, on Wednesday, September 13th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, September 14th.

[Caitlin Corless at The Standing Stone, Hartford CT, on Friday, September 15th.]

Blue Tattoo at Dee-Man's Bar & Grill, Naugatuck CT, on Friday, September 15th. GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed a half dozen songs during the band's break.

Coyote Doty & Keith L. & Charlie & Steve F., GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jim & Chuck, Tom Sheeley, Don Kirsh, Mike Sherman, performed at the open mike at the West Hill Grill, Barkhamsted CT, on Saturday, September 16th..

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Darcy St Onge of MANHOLE, Tom Hansen & Kate, and Lindy performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, September 20th. The open mike first started one year ago, on Wednesday, September 21st.

Papa Ron Blake, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jason Dray, and Dave Richardson performed at the open mike at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington CT, on Wednesday, September 20th.

[Jesse Meade and Crystal performed at the open mike at The Town Crier Cafe, Pawling NY, on Wednesday, September 20th. Crystal reported that there were over 20 performers at this open mike, and that you only get to sing two songs.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer and Rich Hall performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, September 21st. Warning! The teenage band who were thrown out of Cafe 64 on May 3rd showed up at this open mike. They have a new name, which was scrawled illegibly on the signup sheet. The lead singer flat out lied when he said, "we're a new band." No, they're not a new band. They're the same overly loud, sloppy band that got thrown out of Cafe 64 for acting like morons. The only thing new was I didn't sit in the cafe and listen to them. I fled outside with the other twenty or so people in the cafe. We all waited outside on the sidewalk until the band finished. And they were still loud even out on the street. After they left the cafe, we all went back inside.

[The Tyler Trudeau Attempt at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Wednesday, September 20th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Kim, Dylan, Tara, Chris Sheehan, and Caitlin Corless, performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, September 22nd.

The Sawtelles at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Friday, September 22nd.

[The Sawtelles at The City Seed Farmer's Market, Russo Park at Wooster Square, New Haven CT, Saturday, September 23rd.]

The Sawtelles, Victoria's Secret Sauce, Deep City Elm, and The Jellyshirts at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Saturday, September 23rd.

[The Secret Ink on WNHU 88.7FM on Sunday, September 24th.]

[Frank Critelli on the WPLR Local Bands Show 99.1FM on Sunday, September 24th.]

[Washboard Slim & The Blue Lights at the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, Saugerties NY, on Sunday, September 24th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Dave Richardson, Tom Hansen & Kate, Sean Deland, and Lindy performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, September 27th.

[Dave Richardson, and Jason Dray, performed at the open mike at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington CT, on Wednesday, September 27th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and George & Jim performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, September 28th.

[Frank Critelli and James Velvet on WESU 88.1FM on Thursday, September 28th.]

[Josh Rifkin, Corin Ashley, and Chris Buskey at Songs From The Sofa, Books & Co, Hamden CT, on Friday, September 29th.]

Parker's Tangent at the New England Brewery, New Haven CT, on Friday, September 29th.

[Jesse Meade at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Friday, September 29th.]

[The Secret Ink, and Elf Power at the American Legion Hall, Wallingford CT, on Friday, September 29th.]

[The Panini Brothers (Frank Critelli and James Velvet) at the City Seed Farmer's Market at Russo Park at Wooster Square, New Haven CT, on Saturday, September 30th.]

Frank Critelli and James Velvet at the John Slade Ely House, New Haven CT, on Saturday, September 30th. CD release from both performers.

Mad Room at The Neverending Bookstore, New Haven CT, on Saturday, September 30th.

October 2006

The Collette Hurst Jazz Band and C-Side Alley at the New Hartford Arts Festival, New Hartford CT, on Sunday, October 1st.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Dave Richardson, Andrew Jamieson, Darcy St Onge from MANHOLE performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, October 4th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and Jason Dray, performed at the open mike at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington CT, on Wednesday, October 4th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, October 5th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Chris Sheehan, Tom Sheeley, and Coyote performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, October 6th.

[Sugarfist at The Beanery, Fairfield CT, on Friday, October 6th.]

[Frank Critelli & Chris Buskey at The Buttonwood Tree, Middletown CT, on Saturday, October 7th.]

C-Side Alley at the Winchester Grange Hall, Winchester CT, on Saturday, October 7th. This was a benefit show for the local food bank sponsored by the Winchester Grange.

[Frank Critelli at the Twilight Tea Lounge, Brattleboro VT on Sunday, October 8th.]

[The Sawtelles at Popfest! New England on Sunday, October 8th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Dave Richardson, Darcy St Onge from MANHOLE, Tom Hansen, Jesse Meade, Adam, Mylo, and Kate performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, October 11th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Crystal, Jason Dray, and Rich Hall performed at the open mike at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington CT, on Wednesday, October 11th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, October 12th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Tom Sheeley, Coyote & Keith (Bloodbrother), Jim & Chuck, Ian & Lee (Metacomet Sound Company), and Kim & her classical guitar performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, October 13th.

[C-Side Alley at Bogey's, Torrington CT, on Saturday, October 14h. Fundraiser for the United Congregational Church.]

[The Sawtelles and The Scissormen on the Naugatuck Blues Train, Thomaston CT, on Saturday, October 14th.]

Bloodbrother, at the Cartober Fest, Collinsville Antiques of New Hartford, RT 44, New Hartford CT, on Sunday, October 15th.

The Sawtelles, Frank Critelli, Maximum Operating Depth, and The Jellyshirts at Beatnik 2000, Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, October 16th. The New Haven Advocate for 10/12/2006 had an article about the upcoming show. A true rock 'n roll moment occurred near the end of the instrumental that The Jellyshirts play to close out "Truly." Bret Logan, guitar and vocals, broke every string on his Fender Telecaster guitar, not an easy feat. He continued to play by grabbing one or two strings, pulling them over the pickups, and strumming a percussive pattern. (Bret later said he had "a lot of anger to work out." Gee, I can certainly understand that.)

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Dave Richardson, Darcy St Onge, and Lindy performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, October 18th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Crystal, Jason Dray, and Kenny performed at the open mike at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington CT, on Wednesday, October 18th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, October 19th.

The Sawtelles, Chris Sheehan, Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jim & Chuck, The Splinter Group, and Kim & her classical guitar, performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, October 20th.

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, and Crystal, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, October 25th. This is Jesse's last appearance at Cafe 64. He will be starting his extended west coast tour in early November.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Jason Dray, and Crystal, performed at the open mike at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington CT, on Wednesday, October 25th.

Jesse Meade, Crystal, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and Bob Hunter, performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, October 26th.

Joe Carnigla, Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and Jim & Chuck, performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, October 27th.

[Jesse Meade at The Crown & Hammer Pub, Collinsville CT, on Saturday, October 28th.]

November 2006

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Nick Panagakos, Darcy St Onge, and MANHOLE, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, November 1st.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and Jason Dray, performed at the open mike at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington CT, on Wednesday, November 1st.

[Jesse Meade, and Crystal, performed at the open mike at the Town Crier, Pawling NY on Wednesday, November 1st.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and Bob Hunter, performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, November 2nd.

Joe Carnigla, Jesse Meade, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Chris Sheehan, Kim & her classical guitar, Papa Ron Blake, and The Sawtelles, performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, November 3rd.

[Frank Critelli at The Vanilla Bean Cafe, Pomfret CT, on Friday, November 3rd.]

[Jesse Meade, and others, at The Town Crier, Pawling NY, on Sunday, November 5th 8:00pm.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Smokin' Sandy's, Naugatuck CT, on Sunday, November 5th.

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Lindy, Rich Hall, Crystal, Nick Panagakos, Darcy St Onge, and MANHOLE, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, November 8th..

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Crystal, Jason Dray, and Rich Hall, performed at the open mike at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, Torrington CT, on Wednesday, November 8th.

[Neptune's Daughters (Krizta Moon and Aliza Hava) at Flatbread Company, Canton CT, on Thursday, November 9th.]

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and Crystal, performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, November 9th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Papa Ron Blake, The Sawtelles, Jim Gardner, and Coyote Doty & Charlie & Barbara White, performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, November 10th.

[Frank Critelli at Max Crema's, Fleetwood PA on Friday, November 10, 2006.]

The Secret Ink at the John Slade Ely House, New Haven CT, on Saturday, November 11th.

[The Bluelights at The Space, Hamden CT, on Saturday, November 11th.]

The Sawtelles, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, New Belief (unplugged), and The Means, performed at the open mike at Smokin' Sandy's, Naugatuck CT, on Sunday, November 12th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and the Mo' Folkies, performed at Beatnik 2000 at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Monday, November 13th.

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Lindy, Nick Panagakos, and Darcy St Onge, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, November 15th..

Rob Aldrich, Jesse Hunter, Jordan Meyer, Bob Hunter, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and Crystal, performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, November 16th.

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Papa Ron Blake, Coyote Doty & Charlie & Keith L., The Flood, and Tara, performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, November 17th.

Neptune's Daughters (Krizta Moon and Aliza Hava) at Flatbread Company, Canton CT, on Sunday, November 19th.

Cafe 64 closed early on November 22nd, and the open mike was not held. The Yankee Pedlar Inn held Karaoke night instead of an open mike. JP's Prime Time Cafe held a pre-Thanksgiving party with a "Live DJ" instead of an open mike. Live DJ. Does anyone ever use a dead DJ?

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and Kim & her classical guitar, performed at the open mike at Peaberry's Cafe, Simsbury CT, on Wednesday, November 22, 2006.

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Ellie & Adrian & Charlie, Caitlin Corless, Tom & Sarah, Ian (from The Metacomet Sound Company), and The Sawtelles, performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, November 24th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed a 40 minute set at the open mike at Otter's Pub, Torrington CT, on Tuesday, November 28th.

[Frank Critelli at Club Passim, Cambridge MA on Tuesday, November 28th.]

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Hunter, Rob Aldrich, Nick Panagakos, and MANHOLE, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, November 29th..

[Frank Critelli and others at Alchemy, New Haven CT, on Wednesday, November 29th.]

Rob Aldrich, Jesse Hunter, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, and Joe Carniglia, performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, November 30th.

December 2006

Rob Aldrich, Chris from Opus Dai, and Jesse Hunter, at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Friday, December 1st.

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Kim, and Chris Sheehan, performed at the open mike at LaSalle Market and Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, December 1st.

[The Sawtelles at Jitter's Coffee House, Southington CT, on Friday, December 1st.]

[Frank Critelli and Chris Buskey at Las Vetas Lounge, Fairfield CT, on Saturday, December 2nd.]

[The Tyler Trudeau Attempt and the Queen Killing Kings at Bar, New Haven CT, on Sunday, December 3rd.]

[Neptune's Daughters (Krizta Moon and Aliza Hava) at Flatbread Company, Canton CT, on Sunday, December 3rd.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at Smokin' Sandy's, Naugatuck CT, on Sunday, December 3rd.

[Suzan Hurtuk, and others, at Crash Mansion, NYC, on Monday, December 4th.]

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Hunter, Rob Aldrich, Chris from Opus Dai, Nick Panagakos, Darcy St Onge, Matt, and Sean O'Neil, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, December 6th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Crystal, and , performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, December 7th.

[The Sawtelles, School Safety Patrol, and others, at The Monkey Bar, Danbury CT, on Friday, December 8th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Papa Ron Blake, Ron Zabrocki, Charlie Knox, Kim, and Steve H., performed at the open mike at The LaSalle Market & Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, December 8th.

[Dave Richardson at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Friday, December 8th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at LARC, the Litchfield Adult Retarded Citizen's Center, Torrington CT, on Friday, December 8th.

The Lindsey Muir Ensemble at Northwestern Connecticut Community College, Winsted CT, on Saturday, December 9th.
I don't normally write reviews anymore, but this performance almost deserves a Warning! The ensemble is tight, (piano, upright bass, and drums). The problem is the vocalist. Her voice is okay. She can sing, but she blew the lyrics twice on her opening number, and later on in another number. She seems uncomfortable sitting there when the band is soloing, and the majority of her "stage banter" to the audience was telling us what song she just did, and who wrote it. I couldn't keep my eyes open, and almost fell asleep. And what's with everyone in the ensemble needing sheet music? Is this a Jazz thing?

Neptune's Daughters (Krizta Moon and Aliza Hava) at Flatbread Company, Canton CT, on Sunday, December 10th.

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Darcy St Onge, Gabe, and Sean O'Neil, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, December 13th.

[The Mold Monkies at Studio 70, The Arts Council of Greater New Haven, New Haven CT, on Thursday, December 14th.]

[The Mold Monkies at Toad's Place, New Haven CT, on Thursday, December 14th.]

John Couch, Bruce Wheeler, Charlie Knox, and GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, performed at the open mike at The Marbledale Pub, Marbledale CT, on Thursday, December 14th.

Dave Richardson at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee & Cafe, Torrington CT, on Friday, December 15th.

[Break Free Productions presented Majestic Trust, Sarcophagus, Lucid, The River, and Mulder, at Metropolis Music, Torrington CT, on Friday, December 15th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Chris Sheehan, Tom Sheeley, Steve H., Jim G. & Charlie Knox, Joe Carniglia, and George "Wolf," performed at the open mike at The LaSalle Market & Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, December 15th.

[The Sawtelles at Jitter's Coffee House, Southington CT, on Friday, December 15th.]

Bloodbrother at McGuilicuddy's, Unionville CT, on Saturday, December 16th.

[Suzan Hurtuk, and others, at The Sub Rosa Party, Cousin Larry's, Danbury CT, on Saturday, December 16th.]

[A Dark Tomorrow, Dead By Dawn, Undetermined, and others, at The Play Room, Winsted CT, on Saturday, December 16th.]

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at The Winchester, Torrington CT, on Sunday, December 17th.

Neptune's Daughters (Krizta Moon and Aliza Hava) at Flatbread Company, Canton CT, on Sunday, December 17th.

[Suzan Hurtuk and others, at The Cake Shop, NYC, on Tuesday, December 19th.]

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Nick Panagakos, Lindy, Ivydrive, and Sean O'Neil, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, December 20th.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Sandy (Poetry), Randy (solo Djembae), and Kenny (Bagpipes), performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, December 21st.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Joe Carniglia, Coyote, Ian (from Metacomet Sound Company), Donna Gentile, Don Kitch (from C-Side Alley), Todd Cote, and Tom & Rob (Jazz saxophones), performed at the open mike at The LaSalle Market & Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, December 22nd.

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer performed at the open mike at LARC, the Litchfield Adult Retarded Citizen's Center, Torrington CT, on Friday, December 22nd.

[Dave Richardson at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Friday, December 22nd.]

[Frank Critelli, Rich Suarez, and Deep City Elm, at Cafe Nine, New Haven CT, on Saturday, December 23rd.]

Neptune's Daughters (Krizta Moon and Aliza Hava) at Ditto's, Litchfield CT, on Saturday, December 23rd.

[The Sawtelles at Alchemy, New Haven CT, on Wednesday, December 27th.]

Dave Richardson, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Nick Panagakos, Will Panagakos, and Crystal, performed at the acoustic open mike at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Wednesday, December 27th. This was the last Wednesday open mike since it began in September 2005. A lot of people have come and gone since then, both performers and cafe staff. We weren't listing the performers at this open mike back then. If memory serves me, I believe the first open mike featured , Krizta Moon, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Jesse Meade, Crystal, and Rich Hall. I don't remember if Andrew Jamieson, Paper Street, or MANHOLE were at the first open mike, or they started appearing in the weeks that followed. I do know that none of the wait or coffee bar staff from that September night are still there, and that doesn't say very much about the cafe owner. The open mike is moving to Tuesdays, starting January 2, 2007..

GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Randy & Mut & Friends (bass and drum circle), and a young man who didn't announce his name, performed at the open mike at Chiane's Gourmet Coffee House and Cafe, Torrington CT, on Thursday, December 28th.

[Dave Richardson at Cafe 64, Winsted CT, on Friday, December 29th.]

[Convergence at Songs From The Sofa, Books & Co, Hamden CT, on Friday, December 29th.]

[The Blue Lights on WSHU 91.1FM on Friday, December 29th.]

Joe Carniglia, GrimFacts Ed Hoyer, Chris Sheehan, Papa Ron Blake, Todd Cote, Ian (from Metacomet Sound Company), The Dexters & The Underwoods, Jake Zola & Javier Smith, performed at the open mike at The LaSalle Market & Deli, Collinsville CT, on Friday, December 29th.

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