The debut of The Songs of the Haight Ashbury Stage Show back in July drew the largest crowds Stokers Siding Hall has ever seen. Those unable to fit into the hall created a mini festival outside as the ‘Hymns of a Generation’ were celebrated by some of the best musicians in the Rainbow Region. The Tweed Echo called it ‘a smash hit’.
Ecstatic crowds roared for more, and so with great enthusiasm Rainbow Region Gigs presents, The Weekend of Love with two performances at 8pm on Friday December 16 at the Nimbin Bush Theatre and 2pm Sunday December 18 at the Byron Bay Brewery.
The Songs of the Haight Ashbury Stage Show is a celebration of the timeless music of Canned Heat, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Country Joe and the Fish, Arlo Guthrie, Jefferson Airplane, Joni Mitchell and more.
S Sorrensen, reknown author and comedian is the Ringmaster, interspersing the songs with hilarious anecdotes and stories from the era.
James T, who spent 10 years in Canned Heat, will play the songs he knows so well, an American expat whose career highlights include sharing the stage with John Lee Hooker.
Multi award winning Blues Mama Lil’Fi sings Janis Joplin with an unique authority that can only come from paying her dues and living the Blues.
Jonathan Harvey is only 19 years old but his soulful voice has a timeless appeal and is a perfect tribute to Hendrix, indeed the Tweed Echo described him as ‘channelling Jimi Hendrix’.
New to the show to play Hendrix’s guitar is Connor Cleary, hailed as one of the regions most impressive young guitarists, Connor breathes Hendrix from every cell. Bill Jacobi’s groovy tramp-roots style will conjour Country Joe, Arlo Guthrie and Dylan. Worldfolk songbird Andrea Soler will channel the sweet purity of Joni Mitchell and mystical punk Diva Diana Anaid will sing Grace Slick as only one who has been down the rabbit hole can.
They are all joined by the All-Star-Full-Tilt-Band who rock like it’s 1967.
The Songs of the Haight Ashbury Stage Show is going places. Next year the grand old Tivoli Theatre will host a Show, as well as a plethora of old country halls across the region. January 2013 will see the show tour to Sydney to play the Enmore Theatre.
This show challenges the traditional way that shows are produced and artists are valued and paid. It is run under a co-op system called Fairtrade Music Oz. The performers all have a stake in the show. Everyone shares the risk and profit. It is about creating employment for artists on their terms.
For more information go to www.rainbowregiongigs.com.
