"Snazzy is as Snazzy Does!"
Gwen Joy is an artist who specializes in colorful folk art paintings.
Life experience is her subject matter which is translated in a lyrical/mythical fashion.
Follow Gwen's snazzy street reviews weekly here on
Motorcityblog Reach her directly at www.GwenJoy.com
On November 4th Daniel Johnson played to a large and attentive crowd at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor. I caught the last few songs by the opening band Seth Bernard & Friends. They proclaimed their love for Ann Arbor and reminded everyone to vote for our local progressive female politicians. The last song in their set Turkeys in the Rain was loose and spirited. I enjoyed the prominent farfisa organ and swinging drumbeat.
Daniel opened his set up solo. His lyrics speak of broken hearts, movie references, and the vast trickeries in life. After two songs another guitarist joined in. A potent song called Life in Vain was extremely heartfelt and struck a cord with the crowd. A few people shouted out," We love you Daniel" when this song was winding down. A full band joined in after this and the sound was more up tempo. The Speeding Motorcycle loaded with infectious farfisa organ, a moody brooder called Bloody Rainbow and a cover of You Got to Hide your Love Away by The Beatles were high points. At any Daniel Johnson show his merch table is not to be missed as evidenced by the photo of his drawings on his cassette tapes below.
On November 8th Henry Ford Museum hosted a roaring 20s themed culinary event at
Lovitt Hall. Participants were treated to a two piece band called The Sugarsnaps. They performed jazz standards from the 20s to the 50s like At Last by Etta James. My favorite song was called A Nightingale in Berkley Square. A significant amount of the crowd was dressed festively. Cocktails like The Last Word, The Side Car, and the classic Manhattan were abundant and partially supplied by The Oakland which is a craft cocktail bar in Ferndale. Highlights of the meal were the gin infused cucumber caviar shooter, the Paw Paw Junket Napoleon with Blueberry Compote and infused with New Holland citrus vodka, and the Braised Michigan Beef Short Ribs with Locally Sourced Mushrooms, Zeppelin Bend-Scented Roasted Garlic Sauce, Black Pepper-Herb Spaetzles and Roasted Brussels Sprouts. I highly recommend attending any special event/ dinner at Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. They will be remembered by all who attend. Why not celebrate life!? Please visit http://www.thehenryford.org/default.aspx?pageID=392 for more info.
