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 THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED: Bob Weir--you know, Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead--is the founding member of an outfit called Ratdog, whose lineup also includes the impressive talents of bassist Rob Wasserman (who's worked with Van Morrison, David Grisman, Lou Reed, and Bobby McFerrin), drummer Jay Lane (formerly of the Freaky Executives and the Uptones), harpist Matthew Kelly (of T-Bone Walker and Kingfish fame), Dave Ellis and Mookie Segal. This all-star lineup plays to what should be a very full and fragrant house at 8 p.m. Monday, March 31, at The Outback, 296 N. Stone Ave.
BLACKMOON SETTING: It's the end of an era, and a great loss to the Tucson music scene. Blackmoon Graffiti plays its final performance at 9 p.m. Friday, March 28, at The 3rd Stone Bar & Grill, 500 N. Fourth Ave. Apparently Blackmoon decided to disband with the departure of one of its members, feeling that to continue with a replacement would alter the je ne sais quoi that makes Blackmoon magical. It's an amiable parting of ways, and rumors have it that several of the remaining members will regroup for a new project. We can't wait! If you want even a snowball's chance in hell of getting in, arrive early. No opening act has been confirmed, leaving the possibility that Blackmoon will fly solo, playing everything you could possibly want to hear, all night long. It's a shame to see one of the most popular bands in town, one so close to breaking through, call it quits after so much hard work. Good luck and best wishes to all of Blackmoon Graffiti--we'll have our ears tuned for what's next. Call 628-8844 for more information about the show. Blackmoon Graffiti is not the only Tucson fixture lost of late. As I'm sure you've all heard by now, The Empire Cafe & Lounge, 61 E. Congress St., downtown's ritziest venue, was recently damaged by fire. Seems their beautiful bar and back room remain intact, and the owners plan to get back to business as soon as possible. Best of luck, fellas--we'll be there to raise a glass when the doors reopen.
The spirits of two divergent talents find such expression this weekend in one outstanding musical celebration: A program of favorite spirituals by ground-breaking African-American tenor Roland Hayes will be performed in memory of young local musician Sean Kelly "Sphere" Ball, who many will recall from his involvement with bands Brenda's Never Been and Piñata. Ball, a recent UA graduate in music, was killed in a car accident on February 28, 1997. Vocal soloist Mark Gordon Allen and pianist Nicola Nine celebrate these two shining stars with The Life of Christ: Aframerican Spirituals from the Songbook of Roland Hayes. Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 27 through 29, at the Southside Presbyterian Kiva, 317 W. 23rd St. (near 22nd Street and Wilmot Road). Suggested donation is $8 at the door, $5 for students, with all proceeds going toward the Sean Kelly Ball Scholarship Fund, to be established through the University of Arizona School of Music. Ball was a budding talent, a passionate performer on both double and electric bass. He wrote prolifically for the double bass, as well as for other solo instruments and ensembles. His discipline in studying music (he was to start graduate school at Mills College in Oakland in the fall), and his innovative approach to the often bleak alternarock landscape, are an inspiration even to those of us who didn't have the pleasure of knowing him personally. Our best wishes to his family and friends. For more information on this weekend's shows, call 624-3880. LOCALPALOOZA! Didn't make it to Phoenix for the party? Who cares! Localpalooza packs in bands from Tucson and Phoenix from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the TCC Exhibition Hall, 260 S. Church Ave. The all-ages bash, organized by Flowing Wells High students with help from sponsors, includes blues, jazz, alternative and classic rock, and more. Admission is just two cans of food for the Community Food Bank. Call 791-4266 for information.
Also on April 1, heavy metal heir-apparent Machine Head
will crush The Planet, formerly The Paragon, at 144 W.
Lester St. It's an all-ages show, and locals M.A.C. and
Grudgeholder will put you in just the right frame of mind.
Tickets are $8. Call 622-5560 for more information.
--Lisa Weeks
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Opening for Ratdog is huge talent Susan James. Hailing
from San Francisco, James was invited along for her first tour
with Ratdog after knocking Weir's socks off with her opening set
at an Orange County nightclub called the Coach House. Since then,
she's toured with Lindsey Buckingham, opened shows for John Doe
to Stephen Stills, and last year released her first full-length
CD, Shocking Pink Banana Seat. Stylistically, her vocal
dexterity is comparable to the likes of P.J. Harvey, Sinead O'Conner,
and 
HERE'S TO SPHERE: Since time immemorial, people have turned
to music to celebrate life. The styles change, from tribal rhythms
and orchestral maneuvers to avant-garde rock fusion; but the impulse
toward expression remains constant. The vibration of sound, of
strings and wind and vocal chords, is an approximation of the
ethereal, an affirmation of the human spirit. Powerful stuff.
LAST NOTES: It's Martini Time on April Fool's Day, Tuesday,
April 1, at The Rock, 136 N. Park Ave. The Reverend
Horton Heat, with fellow Interscope up-and-comers Red Five,
from 