What to Do This Weekend

Aug 28, 2020 | Welcome Column

Fall is definitely in the air, and while a lot of the usual things we look forward to in the fall (Strawberry Music Festival, the CBA Fall Campout, and Hardly Strictly to name just a few), there is still a lot to do and a lot to look forward to. Here are just a few things I’ll be doing.
1. Listen to Molly Tuttle’s new album.
It just dropped today, and NPR’s All Songs Considered/New Music Friday this morning couldn’t stop talking about “…but i’d rather be with you.” It is a wide-ranging collection of covers that she recorded in quarantine after learning ProTools. It’s on the Compass label, covering songs from the Rolling Stones’ “She’s a Rainbow” to Rancid’s “Olympia, WA”. (I’ll admit, I grew up in Olympia, so I’m partial to this cover.) It’s not your standard bluegrass fare, but it’s oh so good. Here’s the track list to pique your interest: 
Album track list:
1. Fake Empire (The National)
2. She’s a Rainbow (The Rolling Stones)
3. A Little Lost (Arthur Russell)
4. Something on Your Mind (Karen Dalton)
5. Mirrored Heart (FKA Twigs)
6. Olympia, WA (Rancid)
7. Standing on the Moon (Grateful Dead)
8. Zero (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
9. Sunflower, Vol. 6 (Harry Styles)
10. How Can I Tell You (Cat Stevens)
Once you wear that album out, three others were released today that are worth a listen: 

Online, of course. Whippoorwill Arts is a production and performance company founded by Jim Nunally and Nell Robinson. This weekend, there will be workshops and concert live streams featuring the Nell & Jim Band (Nell Robinson and Jim Nunally, of course), Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Brittany Haas, Snap Jackson, Kamara Thomas, Annie Staninec, Molly Tuttle, and Keith Little. The livestreams are free. 
In addition, there are some ticketed events: Dix Bruce will lead a jam (everyone on mute and playing along), fiddle greats Chad Manning and Annie Staninec will each lead workshops, as will Kamara Thomas in singing. Events take place Saturday and Sunday.
3. Outside Lands is now Inside Lands.
The annual festival would normally rock Golden Gate Park this weekend, but they’re bringing it inside to your home via Twitch, presenting archival concerts from past years. Follow Twitch TV for updates. You’re not going to find much bluegrass there (okay, no bluegrass), but it’s a great opportunity to expand your musical horizons and throw a buck in the tip jar if you’re inclined. The music is free.
4. Catch Reba McEntire online.

Reba McEntire will present another concert special on YouTube. Reba In Concert will premiere at 5:30pm Friday, August 28th, and will celebrate with fans through a chat on her YouTube channel.
If all that doesn’t keep you busy, remember there’s still sourdough bread to bake, walks to take, your instrument to practice, Zoom happy hours to attend, friends and family to check in on, and the last gasps of gardens to reap.
Enjoy this last weekend of August.

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