The Sounding of Two Canons

Two weeks from today….  THE LONESTAR MUSIC FEST 2010

www.thelonestarmusicfest.com

Gates open 11:30 A.M.; 14 Bands on 2 stages; Acts include Aaron Watson, Roger Creager, and Cory Morrow

Tickets available at www.outhousetickets.com and Cavender’s

Centennial Plaza, 117 W. Wall Street, Midland, Texas 79701

Camping and Barbecue Cookoff information: http://www.thelonestarmusicfest.com/CAMPING_AND_COOK-OFF.html

General Admission - $28.00; VIP Ticket - $150.00; Cook Off Entry (Include 1 Concert Ticket) - $75.00

VIP Tickets Include: Lunch with the artist, personal meet and greets, free beer, access backstage, and access to private VIP show in Hilton Ballroom

The Farmer’s Market is really catching on.  We’ve been so busy this summer that we have not had a chance to spend a nice Saturday morning Downtown with Farmer Matt and his crew, but we have promised ourselves we will do so before this summer ends.  We hear from friends that it is has been very well attended lately, and we are so excited that it has become so successful. 

What’s even better than the Farmer’s Market on a Saturday morning?  Coffee!!!  This week, the paper published a story about a Midland couple known as the Midland Brew Crew.  The Kennedys took over sales at the Midland Downtown Farmers’ Market of fair trade coffee shipped from the Big Bend Coffee Roasters in Marfa just more than a month ago, taking over coffee sales for Farmer Matt so he could concentrate on organizing the market.

According to Big Bend Coffee Roasters, which describes itself as a small, independent operation, more than 90 percent of the coffee sold in the U.S. is stale. They say they try to combat that by offering only the freshest, which they roast in “tiny batches” to make sure each bean receives the attention it deserves.  Once a small operation, Manager Erica Billingsley said they now roast 200 to 300 pounds of coffee every day and ship most of that to retailers around the country, including the Midland Brew Crew as well as the Midland’s Natural Foods Market. Other retailers span from New York to Colorado to Houston, she said.

The Kennedys order a new shipment of coffee each week, receiving beans roasted on Wednesday in time to sell at Saturday’s market, hoping it will be the freshest place in Midland to buy coffee.  They pick at least one blend to brew each Saturday morning so customers can purchase a cup to enjoy while they shop or get a taste before buying beans.  In addition to coffee, Kimberly Kennedy said she also gets up at 5 a.m. each Saturday to make fresh-squeezed lemonade and limeade to sell alongside the hot drinks and coffee beans.

Finally, we saw that Fleur de Lis Foods catering, who has been serving breakfast at the MDFM for $10.00 every Saturday this summer, served vanilla ice cream french toast, potatoes, pork sausages, scrambled eggs, and pure maple syrup this past Saturday.  Yum.  C&C

Midland couple finds niche in community through Fair Trade Coffee

http://www.mywesttexas.com/business/article_f6fa1a39-0b6e-58c2-96b7-9323a6f1c3d9.html

By Kathleen Thurber, MRT

Helpful links:

Midland Downtown Farmer’s Market

http://www.midlanddowntownfarmersmarket.com/

Midland Brew Crew

http://www.midlandbrewcrew.com/

Big Bend Coffee Roasters (Marfa)

http://www.bigbendcoffee.com/

Natural Foods Market and Strawberry Field’s Café (Midland)

http://www.naturalfoodsmkt.com/

Fleur de Lis Foods (Midland)

http://www.fleurdelisfoods.com/

Looking for something fun to do tonight?   Check out the Lawn Concert tonight at the Museum!  Every week on Sunday nights, starting at 7:45.  Playing tonight is “Jazzbird” - smooth jazz at its finest.

It’s now the 23rd Season of Summer Lawn Concerts at the Museum of the Southwest.  They’re Fun! They’re Free!  They’re For the Whole Family!  Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. Many bring their dinner or snacks.  Hot dogs on sale, partial proceeds go to the Museum.  Don’t miss it!  Schedule for tonight, and till the end of the summer.  C&C

July 25th – “JazzBird”

Smooth Jazz at its finest!

Sponsored by The Bosworth Company/Hosted by KODM 98

August 1st– Kori Jean Olsen & Band

Country/Country Pop

Sponsored by Corey Sly Electric Service/Hosted by LoneStar 92

August 8th– “Midnight Stampede”

Country & old time Rock n’ Roll

Sponsored by Corey Sly Electric Service/Hosted by KODM 98

August 15th –“The Shades”

Midland’s Party rock band

THIS CONCERT WILL BEGIN 7:15 p.m.

Sponsored by House of Printing/Hosted by 95.1 BOB FM & 97 Gold

Museum of the Southwest

1705 W. Missouri Ave. Midland

Phone 683-2882

ALL CONCERTS are 7:45 PM - 8:45 pm (No concert in the event of rain)

This is something we keep forgetting about!  We both work in Downtown Midland, and we have yet to check out the lunch vendors who have set up shop in Centennial Plaza this summer.  According to this MRT article, a new city ordinance allows vendors to set up on Texas Street at Centennial Plaza from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Vendors may remain at the plaza for the week and then must spend a week elsewhere before returning to the Downtown location.

As the Downtown trifecta of restaurants seem to be full at 11:30 on the dot for lunch these days (being Luigi’s, Cancun Grill, & Wall Street), this could be a great option during the busy work day.  For what it’s worth, we both went to a party last summer which Dog Gone It Hot Dogs catered, and their food is delicious (a little too delicious).  We have also heard excellent things about Brown’s BBQ, which usually is a fixture on the corner of “A” and Wall Streets.  Please enjoy lunch Downtown in the plaza this summer, and let us know how it is!

C&C

Food vendors at Centennial Plaza welcome addition to lunch hour options

http://www.mywesttexas.com/life/article_090b028a-f7b0-5c88-909d-51ed4c1781d9.html

A sampling of food from Centennial Plaza

http://www.mywesttexas.com/life/article_c2ef3028-89f8-11df-804d-001cc4c03286.html

“Dog Gone It” Hot Dogs – Photo courtesy of the MRT

The band War is coming to Midland Texas’ own “The Bar,” live this Saturday night Downtown.  Regardless of your generation, everyone is familiar with their song, “Why Can’t We Be Friends”….. and, as we learned from the MRT article, they were the last band to “jam” with Jimi Hendrix.  We are surprised they are playing here, but that’s the thing about Midland…. You just never know, and often events like this pop up when you least expect it (the time Lyle Lovett showed up out of nowhere a couple of years ago comes to mind).  As hard as it may be to believe sometimes, Midland is full of surprises. 

C&C

War, a band that has always stood for peace, to play The Bar

http://www.mywesttexas.com/entertainment/article_0506f033-4d41-5550-a255-3a81ad9fa112.html

Saturday night, July 3rd; $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Purchase tickets in advance at Cavender’s, The Bar and Endless Horizons, Odessa.

Making use of the old Ritz Theatre Downtown has been a widely-discussed topic for years here in Midland, and now it seems like it may become a reality. 

A recent MRT article stated that The Ritz Theater, located across the street from Cigar Frogs on Main Street and Texas Avenue, is currently under contract by the Ritz Cultural Event Center Inc., a nonprofit organization formed in March.  The group wants to rehabilitate the building, which originally opened in 1936, for use by various non-profit groups around town.  Best of all, the article said the organization is looking to remodel the outside of the building to its original design.  The group is hoping to close the purchase by July 31^st, begin construction on August 1^st, and said they would like to see it open by November 1^st.

We were excited to read this article in the paper on Saturday, and we wish this new project success. 

Nonprofit organization to start $1 million project on Ritz Theater

http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_5c01de6d-838e-5327-8358-a9e11b950c48.html

The Ritz Theatre in 1950, left; the Theatre today, courtesy Midland Reporter Telegram

Here are the details for this weekend’s Celebration of the Arts, presented by the Arts Assembly of Midland.  The street concerts Downtown, usually for COA and July 4^th, are always so much fun.  This one promises to be even more so, with this year’s impressive lineup of four bands, including Asleep at the Wheel and Stoney LaRue.  As fun as last year’s COA street concert Downtown with Charlie Robison was, we can only predict that this year’s will be even better. Enjoy!  C&C

When: Festival on Saturday and Sunday in Downtown Midland

Festival hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 15^th; Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 16.

Where: Centennial Plaza, Midland Center, Downtown

Features: Booths with art by 65 artists from multiple states. Live entertainment. Activities for children.

Festival admission: $4 adults; $3 seniors; $1 for ages 3-12; and free for those under 3 years old.

COA Street Concert: Saturday featuring Asleep at the Wheel, Stoney LaRue with special guests Blue Edmondson Band and Seth James. Gates open 6 p.m. Concert begins 6:30 p.m. For all ages tickets in advance before Wednesday, $25; tickets at the gate, $30.

COA Preview Party: 7-10 p.m. Friday. Preview Party tickets for all ages in advance before Wednesday, $75. Tickets at the door, $85.

Information: COA Distinguished Artist for 2010 is AnnElise McCoy. She will be honored at the Preview Party. The Festival closes down at 5 p.m. Saturday. The gates open again at 6 p.m. for the Street Concert. COA is presented by the Arts Assembly of Midland, the local umbrella organization for the arts.

Celebration of Arts brings art, music to downtown

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2010/05/13/entertainment/top_stories/coa_for_pulse_may_13.txt#ixzz0nqM6SzCe

        MS Walk 2010 is here in Midland, this Saturday, May 8th!  Benefiting National Multiple Sclerosis Society Midland.  Join the movement at Wadley Baron Park (the duck pond).  Check-in starts at 8:30 and the walk starts at 10:00.  Be sure to come out!  Volunteers needed in Midland; they could use a little extra help on Saturday morning for the walk. If you are interested in volunteering, please see their Facebook page, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, West Texas, or call 1 (888) 999-7992.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Multiple-Sclerosis-Society-West-Texas/173924982908 

Willie: Tonight, Thursday April 22 at Dos Amigos.  Let’s just say we’ve seen Willie before (just once or twice… maybe a few times), the most recently being the last time he played at Dos Amigos in Odessa.  The concert is currently sold out, but for more information or to check on new ticket availability, call 432.368.7556.  Doors open at 6:30, concert at 8:00 P.M.

Landon Pigg: Heart of Rock & Roll Benefit Concert for Koby White at Kroc’s.  Kroc’s in Midland will be hosting a benefit concert for Koby White who recently had a heart transplant. The show is this Saturday, April 24th at 8:00 p.m. The show will feature performances various bands, but most importantly features special guest Landon Pigg.  This music artist most recently co-starred in the movie Whip It with Drew Barrymore and Ellen Page, and his hit song, “Falling In Love at a Coffee Shop,” is everywhere (you’ve heard it on the new AT&T commercial).  A great cause, all proceeds will go to the White family, and it’s a great opportunity to hear the singer here in Midland before he performs at Stubb’s in Austin in June.

Finally, our new favorite resource to find out what’s going on in Midland, and the latest happenings in Midland/Odessa area entertainment: Check out this website, http://goodtimeswtx.com/  The site has a great theatre calendar, music events calendar, list of fundraisers and events, and more!  You can also subscribe to their newsletter by e-mail on their homepage. 

Newsletter: April 19-25, 2010

http://goodtimeswtx.com/newsletter/wassup-weekly-april-1925

Have a great weekend everybody!  C&C