Backbone > Ear Whacks
Nightlife Highlights 7-03
by DJ Wavy Davy

THE SAINTS OF SWING
JULY 4. What’s more inspirational than a July 4th parade, full of streamers, noise-makers and flags-a-wavin’? The same parade with a Dixieland band marching down Canal Street in Ellenville. Dave “Tubaman” Winograd’s Saints of Swing remain devoted to the roots of “jass” music. All musicians are invited to join the street parade, and the tunes are dedicated to the memory of late Ulster resident Bobby Johnson, vocalist and trumpeter with Duke Ellington’s orchestra. Noon. Free. Ellenville. WWW.SAINTSOFSWING.COM

ANNA CHEEK
JULY 11. This talented pianist-singer-songwriter draws comparison to everyone from Marianne Faithfull to Imogen Heap. But the nearly 20 tracks on her new CD Closer to Now, (Chestnut Records) confirm her inviting voice and personal, original style. Her usual band includes guitar legend Jim Weider, so no telling who’ll be on the bandstand when she graces the Clove Café’s warm cabaret room. (Feel free to smoke on the patio or lounge in the tap room between sets.) 8PM. $5. High Falls. 687-7911. WWW.ANNACHEEK.COM

CLERMONT HERITAGE FESTIVAL
JULY 11–13. The Clermont historic site hosts their fifth annual music festival featuring the region’s best blues, Cajun, and world beat artists. Saturday’s line-up (beginning at noon) includes Sonando, Professor Louie & the Crowmatix, Ernie Williams, and evening headliner Bill Perry. The Web site isn’t quite up to date, so call for Sunday’s schedule. Food, beverage, craft, and souvenir vendors will also be on hand. The Columbia county estate is between Rhinebeck and Germantown on Route 9G. $15, $10 advance, kids under 14 free. Clermont. (518) 537-4240. WWW.FRIENDSOFCLERMONT.ORG

MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD
JULY 14. Those paying attention have seen Franti and Co. take a shine to our area scene, playing four shows (two of them for WDST) here in the last 18 months. Maybe it’s the proximity to the chi of the Omega Institute, as resident gurus Krishna Das and spirit florist Anthony Ward show up to bless Spearhead gigs. Or it may be our crowd that brings a righteous boogie to each show. Whatever. Free your mind and follow the funk to the Woodstock Playhouse. 7PM. $20. Woodstock. 679-7266. WWW.WDST.COM

HAPPY RHODES
JULY 19. Who’s that guy singing with Kate Bush? Actually, it’s just Happy Rhodes and her four-octave vocals. The underground Internet artist and Rosendale resident is embarking on a house concert tour across the country, with one local stop before heading west. This unplugged performance, will feature Rhodes on guitar aside percussionist Bob Muller; it’s by reservation only, as seating is limited: invites by e-mail only to kosterhaudt@aol.com. 6PM. $10. West Hurley. WWW.AUNTIESOCIALMUSIC.COM

DEAD FLOYD
JULY 25. Nationally touring Floyd torchbearers The Machine (featuring keyboardist Neil Alexander, also of Nail) take a quantum-leap back in time by melding Grateful Dead tunes into Pink Floyd jams, an idea so far out it’s in. Celebrity guest stars include guitarist Jeff Pevar of CPR, Matt Abts of Government Mule, and Jeff Neel of the Allmans. (For hip-hop heads, L’il Kim and the Queen Bee posse boost The Chance on July 23.) 9PM. $15. Poughkeepsie. 471-1966. WWW.THEMACHINELIVE.COM

TERI ROIGER TRIO
JULY 25. Kudos to Roiger, who (with husband/bassist John Menegon) is a guiding light in the Ulster jazz scene. She’s wise to score a night at the Uptown, recently flush with top-tier jazz bookings, with her solid quartet, which includes Pat McKearn (piano), Mark Dziuba (guitar), Menegon on bass, and the dynamic Tani Tabbal (drums and percussion). The next night (July 26) catch Roiger/Menegon outdoors at the Water Street Market in New Paltz. Roiger, Menegon, and Dzuiba return to Kingston’s Armadillo each Wednesday in July at 7PM for dinner on the patio. 8PM. $10. 339-8440. WWW.TERIROIGER.COM

—DJ Wavy Davy