If you haven’t scored your tickets for the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards music ceremony this Sunday, you’re out of luck. For the first time in the show’s 12-year history, the event has sold out. Thanks to everyone who purchased a ticket. All of your admission money is given to the Michael Bany Scholarship Fund. —-
If anyone is interested in just catching Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley’s show-closing 30-minute set (part of the CEAs' tribute to King Records’ rich history and promising future), you still have a chance get into the show. Limited “Ralph only” tickets will be sold as people leave the event (many nominees leave after their categories are presented). Those interested should show up at the Emery and get a number. You can hang out at Below Zero Lounge next door and then when Ralph is ready to take the stage (approximately 9:30 p.m.), you can purchase a ticket (while they last). Check here for more details.
A few more CEA notes:
• If you were lucky enough to get a ticket to the ceremony, be sure to dress to impress (or shock or mortify or whatever). Local Indie greats The Fairmount Girls will again be on the red-carpet for the pre-show dress-down, legendarily known as the “Fashion Trashies” awards (now in its sixth year!). Members of the Fairmounts (who, in my opinion, should have scored a couple of nominations for their great, recent Forever CD) have set up a cool blog site that includes pictures from Trashies past and some photos of the groovy “trophies” that will be doled out at the Know Theater afterparty. In an effort to finally catch the Trashie judges’ eye, I’m going with just a G-string and bow-tie this year. Wish me luck!
• Be sure to check out this great essay about Ralph Stanley by Katie Laur, a local Bluegrass hero in her own right (as well as a Bluegrass CEA nominee this year and CityBeat contributor). Laur writes eloquently about her personal experiences with Stanley in her passionate "ode."
• The Rivertown Music Club will again announce its winners for the RTMC Recording Grant at the ceremony. The Club’s Kelly Thomas will be at the show to tell everyone who won this year’s grant, which awards funds to local musicians for recording projects. Past winners have included Lauren Houston, Liz Bowater, Straw Boss, Junior Revolution, 500 Miles to Memphis, The Sundresses, The Turnbull ACs, G. Burton and Kristen Key. The Grant has put $4500 back into the local music community so far.
• As the CEAs are the first step in revitalizing the historic Emery Theatre (all of the bar proceeds go to the rehab project), please “pardon our mess.” The bathrooms are still not quite up to snuff, so we’ll be doing the Port-O-John shuffle. Or, for those who don’t want to miss a minute of the action, might I suggest one of these babies?
