Music seen at Dogfish Bar + Grill, December 5, 2007
By TODD RICHARD | December 12, 2007
There are few terms in musical parlance that are as loaded as “open mic.” Images of overzealous hosts and performances of questionable quality come to mind. While some of the stereotypes ring true, it was refreshing to see some surprises too.
Michele Arcand hosts the weekly open mic night on Wednesdays at the Dogfish on Free Street. Michele curates the featured talent, manages the walk-in talent, and serves as MC. She regularly demonstrates her own vocal talent by opting out of using the microphone and instead speaking loudly to the intimate audience, announcing the upcoming acts.
The featured performer on December 5 was Dana Gross, of the band Los Federales. Gross played a very rootsy set of music, capping it off with a familiar John Hurt tune. The next act was a bluegrass-style group that Arcand referred to as the Cracker Brothers. I, for one, hope they reconsider their choice of band name. However, their back-porch picking was fun, if a little unpolished, and they played the hillbilly card with their “ode to leaving the big city behind and engaging in some trailer park love in (his) double wide.” Their take on Johnny Cash’s “I Still Miss Someone” showed reverence for the classics and some sense of class.
One of the best aspects of the experience is that the kitchen is open for a while after the open mic begins, so you can enjoy the music, good food, and inexpensive beers for under $20.
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