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July 3, 2006
The Local Music Community
What I find so remarkable about this town’s music scene is the quality of the music and the true community of artists.
Wednesday night is open mic night at the Vault and it is there that the music community really comes together to share their art. True quality.
The open mic night has its regulars, but it is also a welcoming venue that both knowns and unknowns share.
James, the Mayor of Vine Street, keeps the evening flowing with jokes and music while each artist sets up. It is show where the knowns are never tired of and the unknowns really do “keep it real.� Everyone is welcome.
Last Wednesday the audience viewed several amazing musicians — banjo Kelly played a few tunes, three of the four Marbles showed up to play, Lori demonstrated her spoons and mandolin and oso stepped out from behind the bar to play a few favorites.
Several others joined in, all of whom had their own star quality, giving the audience a show that rivaled those seen on daily television (you know, the stuff that the kids listen to these days).
With such artistic quality and honesty it is no wonder that the local music scene has really developed into a musical community.
As I continue to write my weekly band profile, I am still approached by Redlanders who never knew that Redlands had such a great music scene.
Coming from a very musically progressive town (Berkeley, Calif.) I know that such scenes are not just created by strong musicians, but also by musicians who care about the integrity of the music scene.
Each artist that I have profiled has given praise to their fellow community members and other musicians and artists.
This is the stuff good music scenes are made of — the willingness for every artist to thrive for the sake of the art.
Posted by Darcie Flansburg at July 3, 2006 4:46 PM