Backbone > Ear Whacks
Nightlife Highlights for July 2002

Heinzevino!
July 5 The Highland Cultural Center has charted an ambitious line-up for this year’s 2002 Hudson Valley Summer Music Festival, flowing from West Strand Park in Kingston through New Paltz, Poughkeepsie, and down to Beacon in July and August. American-music-keepers Heinzevino! kick things off at Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie’s River District. 7pm. Free. 691-6008. hccenter@aol.com.

Tom Tom Club
July 6 “Seeing” the Tom Tom Club employs the wrong verb; you feel a Tom Tom Club show. Just try and stand still when they play The Port of Hudson, an intriguing new venue on South Front Street in Hudson. Opening set by New York City rockers The Hotheads. 8pm. $25 advance, $30 day-of-show. (413) 528-3394. www.clubhelsinkiweb.com.

Livio Guardi & Wilson Montouri
July 6 If Italy had a Mayberry, then imagine Livio Guardi and Wilson Montouri being its traveling minstrels. With their charming Italian-English banter and even-more-enticing repertoire of American and Continental favorites, Wilson and Livio have found a second home in the Hudson Valley. Rhinecliff Hotel, Rhinecliff. 10:30pm. 876-8688. wilsonmontouri @hotmail.com.

Sonando
July 6 Join 250 lucky partyers who will pack the Rip Van Winkle and leave Rondout Landing in Kingston for a three-hour cruise that even Gilligan couldn’t ruin. But don’t fret if you sweat on the boat: Sonando rounds out July at the Millbrook Winery (July 13); Southlands in Rhinebeck (July 20); and the ever-stylish Julia y Isabella’s in Red Hook (July 27). 7:30pm. $20. Hudson River Cruises, 340-4700. www.hudsonrivercruises.com.

eighth blackbird
July 7 Hailed as ambassadors of new music, eighth blackbird is currently ensemble-in-residence at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, no small feat. They have a growing reputation for astounding musical versatility and dedication to the work of contemporary composers, which fits the ever-diverting roster playing ye olde Maverick Concert Hall, Woodstock. 3pm. 679-2079. www.maverickconcerts.org.

Jorma Kaukonen
July 13 Everyone between Poughkeepsie and Woodstock has a Jorma story. It’s as much his engaging personality as his effervescent chops that keep the fans and friends coming back. WDST 100.1 FM welcomes the Jefferson Airplane founder and Hot Tuna vet to a homecoming show with Blue Country at the Bearsville Theater, just west of Woodstock. General admission show, all ages. 9pm $25 (plus Encite $1.50 surcharge). 679-7600 www.wdst.com.

The Woodstock Beat
July 13 The annual percussion fest to benefit the Woodstock Guild always shines with a special guest performer. This year it’s Tony-award nominated percussionist David van Tieghem who wowed ‘em at UPAC in May. Featuring “Woodstock Beat” impresario Garry Kvistad, Bob Becker, Russell Hartenberger, and Rick Kvistad. Maverick Concert Hall, Woodstock. 8pm. 679-2079. www.maverickconcerts.org. $20/$35/$45/$55.

Barebones and Wildflowers
July 20 When the Hyde Park Brewing Company added a large new dining room last year, they did more than give chef Sean a busier day: They cleared room in the bar for more bands like their fave acoustic duo. The weekly music schedule is also “jam” packed, with an open jazz jam Tuesdays, Upstart Blues every Wednesday and Four Guys in Disguise on Fridays. 10pm. 229-8277. www.hydeparkbrewing.com. $5 (cover on weekends only).

America
July 21 Normally America might be dismissed as come-back throwbacks but our current epidemic of patriotism allows them a second listen. Ironically America (the group) met on a US Air force base in England in 1971 where their parents were stationed. And, honestly, doesn’t it feel good to be out of the rain? Woodstock Harley Davidson is sponsoring the show, God bless ‘em. Paramount Theater, Middletown. 6pm. 647-3821. $41/37.

—Wavy Davy