OK, I'm going to try to do this right...I'm never good at advanced planning and promotion, but feel the strong need to do so for this community, since I've gotten too good at reporting an event after it happened.
Five years ago, we were surprised by a last-minute addition to Audra Kubat's fourth or fifth monthly Dinner & a Show home concerts in Woodbridge. She got a call from bandmates of Colorado-based avant garde cellist Ian Cooke, who was booked to play the Toronto Pride Festival and was catching small gigs along his drive across the country.
In Detroit, we had the extra advantage of meeting a few of his bandmates with corporate day jobs, since they planned to fly into Metro then continue into Canada with the rest of the group.
Every one of these Denverites were just wonderful people, having the advantage of the extra oxygen nearer sea level certainly helped. I've kept in touch with Ian O'Dougherty, Cooke's guitarist, video producer, and occasional booking agent, ever since. I've always intended on finding a way to bring his musical genius back to town, and showcase his art properly. I've finally found my home to do such things.
We've undertaken a grand effort at the Detroit Contemporary division of CAID [[the Contemporary Arts Institute of Detroit) to revamp the music room. Using the existing equipment...all rescued from various states of disrepair, but still state-of-the-art enough for a venue of this size and intent...and through the volunteer energy of two student groups from Ann Arbor...we are ready to finally stage some serious music events.
Over the summer, we will dedicate the room in memory of a very special person who used to play here often.
But for now, please consider joining us for either the Wednesday night or Sunday afternoon performance from Ian Cooke. These are May 8th and 12th, repectively. The Sunday show will co-incide with the closing of the current art exhibits, as well.
Since meeting him, he has earned awards from the local Denver music press and an independent music webzine. You can read about them, and catch a hint of his music style on his site: http://www.iancookemusic.com/
I'll have more details as the weeks progress.
Cheers,
John
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