preservation act 1
The ruckus surrounding the proposed CentrePointe may have settled down a bit as of late. But that should not suggest the project is no longer with us. The deal on CentrePointe is neither dead nor done.
To help out Preserve Lexington, which is promoting alternative construction on the downtown “Dame block” that blends new architecture with existing structures deemed historical, is a benefit tonight at Al’s Bar. Performing will be a strong regional music bill that features the always hearty grooves of Club Dub, local popsters The Phat Mavericks, the Versailles psychedelic blues troupe Joint Venture and Sans Serid.
Aside from serving as a cool show for a vital cause, the Saturday benefit will be an opportune time to catch The Phat Mavericks in action. The band’s new Zebra Gazebo album is a clever cross-generational party that wraps up rockabilly, reggae-fied grooves, tropically inclined pop, swing and modest hip-hop accents in one bright, melodic package.
There is a fun performance attitude surrounding this lot, as well. Check some of it out via a fun homemade video for the tipsy Sideways Strut now playing on the Phat Mavericks’ myspace page.
Need another reason to check out Zebra Gazebo? Try this: The Phat Mavericks will donate half the proceeds of the album’s sales tonight to Preserve Lexington.
The band will also be chatting and performing Saturday on WRFL-FM between 4 and 6 p.m.as a warmup for the show.
Still want more? Then keep May 15 open. That’s when The Phat Mavericks will headline its own concert at The Dame, one of the very downtown businesses Preserve Lexington is hoping to preserve.
The Benefit for Preservation Lexington will be held at 8 tonight at Al’s Bar, Sixth St. and North Limestone. Admission is $5. Call (859) 252-9104.
I am a native Kentuckian and freelance journalist who has been writing about contemporary music for the Lexington Herald-Leader since 1980. I have not a lick of honest musical talent myself, just a pair of appreciative ears for jazz, folk, blues, bluegrass, Americana, soul, Celtic, Cajun, chamber, worldbeat, nearly every form of rock 'n' roll imaginable and, when pressed, the occasional tango and polka.