Last Residency Wednesday

This past Wednesday was Daniel's last January residency date at Uncommon Ground.


Dan's last night was a round robin "Sad Bastard" song night. I unfortunately didn't get a picture of everybody. . . little fun camera was on the fritz. But Scott Richardson, Sneza from Good Apples, Steve Mulcahy from Honest Engine, Eric Zeigenhagen, and my sweetie, Dan Zapruder Point all played the world's saddest songs. Everyone was great and it felt like our own private fun-party.


And I don't know what's up with Eric Z. . . but every time I take a picture of him when he plays, he looks like an angel or a saint. Maybe he is one? Check it out.


And on the way home, Navy Pier off Lake Shore Drive in the cold and ice and snow, like a traveling circus just opening up on the edge of town.

Zapruder Residency

So, my talented husband, Dan Phillips of Zapruder Point is smack dab in the middle of a month long residency at the Wrigleyville Uncommon Ground. He's been playing every Wednesday, along with a guest of his choosing.

First week, Eric Ziegenhagen
Second week, Justin Roberts
Third week, Deanna Varagona
Fourth week, free-for-all, hoot-esque Sad Bastards evening.

This past Wednesday with Justin was lovely. I got to sit and listen with some of my best friends in the cozy space while Justin and Dan's voices filled up the room.

only really needed one picture of the boys for the this post, but the first is better and yet I couldn't resist how happy D looks to be playing so beautifully with his buddy.

You should definitely check him and Deanna out this Wednesday. Details (And some video of last week's show) at zapruderpoint.com.

Next Zapruder Point Album

Dan has been working hard to put together the next Zapruder Point album--this time with help from Larry Brown and John Aselin. I can't wait to hear the finished product.

In the meantime, I've been working on a cover for the album at Dan's request. I can't show you the final artwork, because the album's not done yet, but I can show you a few elements that went into the album cover. . . a little sneak peak!



It's been a great fun to work on this. . . The new album should be ready in a few weeks or less. Check the Zapruder Point website in the meantime for streaming music to tide you over.
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Zapruder Point at Sylvie's

Dan played at Sylvie's last week. . . and as usual, he rocked. But Sylvie's (as undoubtedly much of Chicago knows judging by my colleague's response when I told her, a drummer's wife, about the gig--anger, derisive laughing) is a pretty weird place.

Dan arrived and they told him he wasn't on the performer list. A phone call later that was corrected. But then they made him go on 30-45 minutes early, so when his friends showed up to see him play, his set was nearly over. And $5 for a Rolling Rock? meh.


The high point of the evening was definitely drinks after the show. . . down the street in another establishment.

Zapruder Point, Monologue Bombs, Nathan Blake Lynn

The Dan (Zapruder Point) and his twin brother Scott (aka the Monologue Bombs) played Uncommon Grounds with Nathan Blake Lynn a few weekends ago and I said nothing. . . Because I am a bad wife. And maybe a bad friend, because if you didn't go, you really missed out. It was a great night.

Nathan was up first and played country music that was filled with humor and charm. If Johnny Cash was still alive and still had a variety show on air, Nathan would be invited to perform. . . or if we figure out time travel, Nathan could surely slip back in time and sneak on the show. In his 3-piece tan corduroy suit and his gentle=y funny patter between amazing songs, he would fit right in there.

Dan has a new guitar--a jazz master. This was his first show taking it out for a spin. And I sadly didn't get a good shot of the two of them together.

Here's Dan and Scott singing Dan's "Johnny Without June." I'm hoping Dan will help me to post Dan, Scott and Nathan combining to sing Cash's "I Still Miss Someone" a little later.

Zapruderpoint at Uncommon Ground

Dan was awesome on Friday--and so was the first guy, Alain de Courtenay. They were a good pairing. Two acoustic guys with voices like angels performing in front of a warm brick wall, making the whole room forget about the cold and the snow and the ice outside.

Dan was funny, too. Here's some proof:



This is one of my favorite Zapruder Point originals, "Good as Gold":



Thanks to everyone who came out--lots of my peeps from work. Tim, here's "Common People" just for you.

Zapruder Point at Uncommon Ground 2/5

So, my honey is a one man band of awesomeness. He plays the guitar and sings, mostly original stuff, but probably a few choice covers as well. And he's got a show at Uncommon Ground this coming Friday.

Here are the deets:

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH
Uncommon Ground (Wrigleyville)
3800 North Clark
Free / $5 Suggested Donation

10:00 - Alain De Courtenay
11:00 - Zapruder Point

Check out his website to hear snippets of his music to see if he's your cup of tea or not. And know, too, that there's some strange rule about reserving tables in the music space at Uncommon Grounds. So, if you want to go AND get a seat in that actual room where music is happening, you should probably check that out.

Zapruder Point on the Cobb

This is Dan Zapruder singing (Violin -- Elizabeth Lindau (of Canasta). Harmony vocal -- Liam Davis (of Frisbie)). . . and I love this song.

But there's another reason to watch this video if you are from Chicago. For the last few days--when not watching picks from Netflix--I have been honing in on only videos or tv shows that depict skies that showcase the sun. This short film was shot on top of the Marina City Towers in downtown Chicago. Dan and Elizabeth and Liam are awesome. . . but just as importantly, there was sun shining in the city, not so long ago.

It could happen again. . .

Zapruder Point Week

It's been a musical week for Dan. Performance at Cole's on Tuesday and then tonight to the top of the Cobb Towers (Marina City) to film Dan, Elizabeth (from Canasta) and Liam (from Frisbee) performing "Steps from the Lake" for the Chicago Public Library Chicago song contest. Bob C was our ticket up and Camera Operator 2.

The music and the city were lovely.

Dan plays Cole's

and it was great!
(and so were Eric z and Denise Hadrecky!)

What a great week

It'll take me some time to get this all up, but after a great week of hanging out with Tom and Casey in Chicago (and the first week of HSSI!!! Success! Much art and smartness being created on campus!), we followed them back home to Cincinnati for the 4th of July weekend and to meet our redonkulously cute bebe niece.

We got more T'n'C time, plus family, plus niece, plus farm, plus small town funky 4th of July parade in the Northside neighborhood of Cincinnati.

T and C have been trying to lure us back to Cincy for a few years now. They send us listings for old farm houses that cost $40,000 less than our own Cicero bungalow, but sit on an acre of land and are 2000+ sq. feet of living space. It hasn't worked yet. But they may have figured out the perfect equation for Dan:

Impromptu Zapruder Point reunite/jam + crazy northside parade + kickass record store = Dan giving this some serious thought.

Shake It Records--really great.