• Friday night starting at 8 p.m., Molly Malone’s in Covington presents a benefit show for local Irish Folk/Rock performer Roger Drawdy and his family. A month ago, Drawdy’s home burned down and the family lost everything but the clothes on their backs, a couple of guitars and a child’s car seat. Friday’s benefit will feature music from Drawdy (pictured) and his band The Firestarters (who perhaps should come up with a new band name, just to be safe), as well as a silent auction. Those who can’t make the show or would like to help more can make donations at any Fifth Third Band location. The fund is under the name “Roger & Kate Drawdy.” (rogerdrawdy.com)
• The efforts of local fans and friends of Katie Reider to have a stage named after her at the annual Taste of Cincinnati music and food fest have paid off … and then some. The original music stage in front of P&G’s headquarters will now be the “Katie Reider Stage,” starting with this year’s event (which takes place May 23-25 downtown). Taste organizers also announced the creation of a new award, also named in Reider’s honor. The Katie Reider Spirit of Music Award will be presented annually to “a local musician who personifies Reider’s essence and that of the Cincinnati music scene.” The first award will be presented at this year’s Taste event to Reider posthumously (she passed away last year as the result of a rare facial tumor). On May 23, which would have been the singer/songwriter’s 31st birthday, there will be a special ceremony in Reider’s memory at Taste and the mayor will declare the date “Katie Reider Day” in Cincinnati. Taste of Cincinnati was an especially important event in Reider’s career — the first and last place she performed with her band. (tasteofcincinnati.com)
• Saturday night is “reunion night” at CincyPunk Fest (see more on the local groups “getting the band back together” here), but, once again, the festival features a stellar lineup from start to finish, making it one of the year’s mustsee local music events. Taking place Friday and Saturday throughout the Southgate House, CPF — now in its eighth year – will benefit the no-kill Animal Adoption Foundation in Harrison. Organizer Adam Rosing says the fest, which donates proceeds to a different charity each year, has raised around $19,000 since its inception. Artists performing on Friday include Alone at 3am, The Seedy Seeds, The Lions Rampant, White Girls, Turnbull ACs, Wonky Tonk, Stick Figures, Wake the Bear, Duppy a Jamba and Guitars (featuring former Death in Graceland and Crybaby members), while Saturday’s lineup has bands like Slow Claw, Arms Exploding, Eatafetus Trio, The Frankl Project, Mint 6 Ten, John Walsh and The Dopamines, among many others. For the complete schedule of acts go to myspace.com/cincypunkfest.
• Following a hiatus and lineup shift, Indie Pop/Rock group Giant Wow returns to the local scene Thursday with a show at the Southgate House Parlour with Buckra and Indy’s Stereo Deluxe. Keith Adams has moved from drums to guitar, with newcomer Kevin Sturgill taking over skins and Jesse Gilsinger (singer/guitarist) and Robert Moore (bass) staying put. The band’s “return” show coincides with their recent release of a single (“Kitten” b/w “Enough”), which is available now on iTunes, Amazon and several other music download sites. (myspace.com/giantwow)
• As a part of several in-store performances leading up to Shake It Records’ 10th anniversary, the Northside record shop will host a set from longtime local faves Roundhead Saturday at 8 p.m. The band has been recording lately – its first new music in several years — and is streaming new music via its Web sites (“Stuck Between” can be heard now at roundheadv2.com and myspace.com/roundheadcinci). Dayton’s The Breeders will do an in-store April 18 at Shake It in honor of national Record Store Day.
CONTACT MIKE BREEN: [email protected]
