The Broadway

Nice sound.

Before I start this blog, I feel I should disclose that Barclay Martin is my friend. But, that’s the thing about Barclay; anyone who’s ever written about him, or even seen him perform, probably thinks the same thing. That’s because Barclay is distractingly nice. And not just in a “Buy my CD” kind of way. But in an “I raise money for charity, and donate my organs to strangers” kind of way. I made up the part about him being a stranger organ donor, but only to prove a point. The point being, Barclay is really nice, and I’m a bit of a liar. Since Barclay formed the Barclay Martin Ensemble with Erin McGrane on supporting vocals, bassist Rick Willoughby, Mark Lowrey on piano and percussionist Giuliano Mingucci, the group has been getting press everywhere from the Kansas City Star to Present Magazine. The attention can be attributed to the unique sound the group created which can’t be categorized as folk or pop or jazz, despite peoples’ efforts to shove them in this genre or that.  Drawing from his travel experience, Barclay melds world beats with hard-thought lyrics to invent a sound that’s quickly making him more than just the nice guy in town. Barclay takes off for the Philippines this week, but not before a farewell show, Tuesday, April 24, at 8:00 p.m. at JP Wine Bar. Stop by. You’re guaranteed to make at least one new friend.

Please turn up your amp before entering the library.

This week is National Library Week. And no one knows how to party like a librarian. I’m not just talking about music video librarians either. They, of course, know how to party — and balance atop a 1982 Firebird. But I’m talking about real, live, know-how-to-read librarians. To celebrate National Library Week, the librarians at the Kansas City Public Library Central Branch are partying it up with a rooftop concert. The show will feature music by Detroit indie band, The High Strung. The group has enjoyed accolades from Rolling Stone, The Washington Post and the most discerning group of all — preschoolers. Check out the show, and maybe even a book, Tuesday, April 17  at 7:00 p.m. at the Kansas City Public Library Central Branch (14 West 10th Street).

Skating parties aren’t just for kids.

When I think of roller-skating, I think of Friday night at the local skating rink, really bad Debbie Gibson songs and the smell of stale Junior Mints. Recently, I discovered that roller-skating isn’t about hairspray and couples’ skates anymore. It’s about super-tough chicks knocking the crap out of each other for the love of sport and charity. The Kansas City Roller Warriors is an all-female roller derby league that was established in June of 2005 by two friends with a lot of vision and even more pent-up aggression. Since then, they’ve been turning the girly roller derby into an all-out spectacle in Kansas City. Tuesday, April 13 at 4:30 p.m. the ladies are holding a Lounge Party at the 13th Street Bar and Grill to help kick off their season. The night will feature music by modern cabaret act Alacartoona (9:30 p.m.), DJ Cruz, artwork and a silent auction. Get there early. I wouldn’t want to fight these girls for a seat.

You’re not dreaming.

There’s nothing I like better than sleeping. Well, maybe napping, but sleeping is really my favorite. So Saturday, when my friends asked me to go listen to some jazz at the Mutual Musician’s Foundation starting at 1:30 a.m. and ending at 5:00 a.m., I thought I must be in the middle of one of my weird dreams. Who plays jazz in the middle of the night, and who stays up past 11:30? The answer is legendary musicians and people way cooler than I am. Located at 18th and Vine, The Mutual Musician’s Foundation started in 1917 as Local 627 and served as an African-American musicians’ union and a place for traveling artists to get together and jam before and after their gigs. (Yes, I said “jam” and “gigs.” Quit laughing.) The Foundation has played host to Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Jay McShann, Jo Jones and countless others. Today, this historic landmark is a haven for Kansas City musicians to share music with each other, and those of us who stay up past our bedtime every now and then.

Experience live jazz for $8 at the Mutual Musician’s Foundation every Friday and Saturday between 1:30 a.m and 5 a.m., and do your part to keep this tradition alive and awake in Kansas City. Musicians and music students get in for free.