First Ever Solstice Bulb Fest Stirs Up Some Great Soul!

The weather could not have been finer for this first ever BYO Sol Jam on the Albany Bulb. By 3PM as the sun started to dip in the sky and the cool bay breeze picked up the Cavepainters played an even cooler set of band faves. By 4:30 or so some fine fiddle was added to the mix with a rare appearance of Strange Angel. To top that the Ravines popped in to deliver some terrific accordion fare. The Happy Clams wrapped up the show with their usual one-of-a-kind performance. As shadows grew long a soul stirring rendition of the Doggie Jomo theme song could be heard warbling on the breeze. Much fine food was in evidence with a delectable sandwich plate served up by Paul Pot, some fantastic Kim Chee prepared by Missy Dee and a host of garden veggies and fruits. Many thanks to Big Rick for conceiving and organizing a truly wonderful event. A really great time was had by all!

Still Missing the Muffin Experience? Come Out to the Albany Bulb this Sunday for a Summer Solstice Performance of the Happy Clams and Cavepainters!

Paul Pot sez: We're playing a summer solstice picnic and beer thing at the Albany Bulb Ampitheater. I hear it's near the big woman statue and it's made out of old concrete, wrecked bicycles and stolen shopping carts. We're playing with the Cavepainters (I sometimes play kazoo with them at the Starry Plough on Thursdays) and Strange Angel.

It's all sorta loosely organized to take place in the 3pm to 7pm area. I don't know how the music will go or when anyone plays. I hope we just mix it up. We'll be acoustic with guitar, bass, banjo, and maybe (if Barry is there) congas. 3ish to 7ish and out in the sun, cause the sun is what it is all about.

Behind the racetrack at the Buchanan Street entrance. Take the road as far as it will go and park in the parking area. Take the main path, bear right at first fork, right again at the second fork, and then left at the big cypress tree.

BYOBAF (Bring Your Own Beer and Food)

Captain Mike Announces 2cd Annual SalmonAid Fest at Jack London Square on June 20 and 21st

Mike sez: I've been working very hard over the last year to help produce the 2nd annual SalmonAid Festival which is happening this weekend, June 20/21 at Jack London Square in Oakland. There will be lots of great music, excellent food, ice cold beer and good people. We also have a bunch of children's activities, so no worries about the little tykes - bring em along!
Go to http://www.salmonaid.org/ for all the details.

To kick off the Festival, on Friday evening our friends from the Karuk & Yurok Tribes will host a Ceremonial Salmon Roast at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. All the details are in the press release below. If you like salmon you really don't want to miss this event, last year's salmon roast was some of the best salmon I ever had - and if you know me, you know that I know my salmon and don't give this kind of praise away randomly.

The best band of the SalmonAid Festival will perform on Sunday, they are called "Captain Mike & the Sea Kings", (with Special Guest Bobby Young from Zachya Hooker's band) - but please feel free to also come to Oakland on Saturday when bands like Albino, The Zydeco Flames, and Mitch Woods will grace us with their presence.... yeah I know, they don't compare to the Sea Kings, but they try really hard, so come on by & show 'em some love.

Did I mention that this is a free event? No cover charge!!!!

Here's the info on the Salmon Bake:

WHAT: Members of the Karuk, Yurok, and Hoopa Tribes travel to San Francisco to host a traditional salmon bake on the eve of the 2009 Salmon Aid Festival. Tribal members will share fire roasted Klamath Spring Salmon with the public.

WHERE: Ocean Beach, San Francisco. Look for the fire pit one block south of the intersection of Fulton Street and the Great Highway.

WHEN: Friday, June 19th. Fire starts at 4:30 p.m.; fish will be ready to serve around 6:30 p.m.

WHO: Participants include fishermen, cooks, singers, and drummers from the Karuk, Yurok, and Hoopa Tribes. Tribal members are traveling from the remote Klamath River, and invite Native community members from throughout the Bay Area, as well as the general public, to come down and share fish.

Although Klamath salmon runs are dwindling, tribal fishermen still harvest salmon for ceremonial and commercial use. By joining forces with commercial fishermen, conservation groups, and others concerned about native salmon stocks, Tribal members are building support for the removal of the lower four Klamath River dams. Members of Klamath Basin Tribes will be an integral part of the 2009 Salmon Aid Festival, hosting a traditional salmon bake on the eve of the festival as well as demonstrating cultural activities throughout the Salmon Aid weekend.