The Spot Underground
Upon entering The Spot on Elbow St. in Providence, I was met by Josh Willis, the Artistic Director of the new venue. Proud of his creation, he described to me just how new the place was, yesterday was their 12th day of being open. They have had live music every night. As he spoke, my mind wandered to a world where all bars had daily live entertainment. As Josh described Happy Hour at The Spot currently in planning: "We don't give people cheap booze, we give them free live music." What a wonderful world it could be.
The layout of the building is unique and well designed. The multiple levels and separate seating areas give all types of listeners a chance to feel at home at The Spot. There is a sizable dance floor, immediately surrounded by hightops. Take a few steps up from the stage area and you'll find traditional restaurant tables that snake around the bar and sound booth. In the back of the room there are some way too comfortable looking couches and chairs. I didn't go near them, for fear that I would be coaxed into staying there perpetually by the vocals of Heather Waxman, one of last night's performers.
The stage and sound are a perfect fit for the venue. Large enough for a big band, but cozy enough for a small group, the stage is an odd shape, relatively shallow from back to front but very wide, taking up a large section of the wall. The sound booth sits back near the bar, the crew perched up high like pharmacists.
For Sound Session, The Spot Underground is a perfect venue. Although last nights event was more of an local artist/open mic/invited guest style show, I could have imagined any big act drawing a crowd there. As the week's Sound Session events ramp up, be sure to check out The Spot and the awesome shows that will be there all week.
Reflection 20/10 @ The Black Rep
I was completely intrigued by last night's fashion show at the Xxodus Cafe at the Black Rep. I honestly had no idea what to expect. The bill listed a slew of musicians, mostly hip hop, with credits for clothing designers, jewelery designers, and a bit about "reflection of self and outward expression of self-esteem". Again, I had no idea what to expect.
I arrived about 10:30pm to a very warm crowd. The place was full, people leaning over the balcony, overflowing bunches at either end of the stage, and a small group so excited about what was coming they were literally dancing circles around the stage. I could tell immediately this would be a decidedly different show than the one I just watched.
After a short introduction, models began their routines, each with about a minute on stage for their speechless acts which highlighted the clothes and jewelery they were wearing. Musical acts were cleverly worked in, often entering the stage as a model. It wasn't until the rest of the stage cleared that you realized they were performers.
The short performances were entertaining, and a good break from the clothing on display. Hip hop solo acts and duos were accompanied by the DJ.
The night reached its climax the second Paul Lowe Jr. entered the stage. All the models left, the lights dimmed, and the music stopped. Standing alone with his soprano sax under a spotlight, the crowds attention came to a screeching halt as they witnessed the seriousness of the look on his face. He played a smooth instrumental version of Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You" that had the crowd singing to the words that weren't there. Sadly, he had only the one song as all the other artists did.
To cap the night, Chachi Carvalho came on stage with the opposite demeanor of Paul Lowe Jr. He rushed the mic, beaming, greeted the crowd, and caused the expected ruckus that he brings to RI stages. He did an extra song, to end the night with the classic "Cape Verdean in America".
Check out videos and pics from the night coming soon to facebook.com/401Sounds
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