HARK!
I hear…a guilty plea…
The Court of Self-Reflection is now in order:
Prosecutor: “Your Honor, we the People charge the defendant, HARK Valley, with knowingly and eagerly promoting known music venues, e.g. The Rebel Lounge, The Nile, Yucca Tap Room, The Lost Leaf, etc. et al.
“Yet what of good, solid, law-abiding, under-appreciated venues for music around the Valley, such as Kimmyz, The Dubliner, Janey’s, Local Jonny’s, The Grotto?
“Your Honor, we demand Justice!”
My plea: Guilty, as charged…
So, for this weekend roundup, let’s flip the switch.
Let’s not talk about The Nile down in Mesa, which is hosting Authority Zero’s 20th-anniversary celebration of the album A Passage In Time Friday night.
And forget about The Rebel Lounge, which has Robbie's Abba Dance Party, with Robbie Pfeffer of Playboy Manbaby spinning some Swedish pop-rock jams Saturday night.
And who cares about the DJ collective Phoenix Funkeros Boogie Crew doing a FREE show at Yucca Tap Room down in Tempe Saturday night?
No! Enough!
Let’s talk about Kimmyz on Greenway in Glendale–which boasts of “live music, seven nights a week!” This weekend’s lineup: Shallow Water (“a high energy dance band that mixes the best of classic hits from the past with your favorite popular hits of today!”) Friday night, followed by Friendly Jesture–which cranks out metal-accented covers of hits–Saturday.
Shallow Waters
Kimmyz Tatum Point in Phoenix location hosts Outside the Line (“Hot Rockin funk, dance and Motown Band”) Friday night and Mojo Rats (“classic rock and blues/rock for any occasion”) Saturday night.
Outside the Line
Mojo Rats
At both Kimmyz locations, the only time there’s a cover is on New Year’s Eve…other than that, the music is FREE FREE FREE!
Way up north, Janey’s Cave Creek also is home to music every night–and during the day, Saturdays and Sundays. (Daytime shows are usually free.)
This is one of the most underrated venues in the Valley, with a charming outdoor stage set against a desert-on-the-hill backdrop–and consistently top-notch bands, at affordable cover charges.
This weekend’s lineup at Janey's:
Local Jonny’s, just up the road from Janey’s, also is a great outdoor music venue.
The Chuck Hall Trio performs there tonight, followed by The Mike Gallagher Trio Saturday night.
No cover!
More on some of the other lesser-known venues in the coming weeks…