Hi,

As I write this intro, I realize that tomorrow night Phil Lesh turns 60!!!! Hard to believe how quickly the years can fly by. I'm sure we can all remember when 60 seemed like such an ancient age...but now that some of our musical hero's are reaching those age levels, it makes them seem to really by quite young. Keep in mind this is the perspective of a 40 year old who would love to look at 60 as a young age.

Spring is finally upon us...or will be shortly, and the tour schedule is heating up quickly. Glancing at the St. Louis area schedule listed below makes one very excited about the upcoming concert spring/summer season.

We in the Big Sky region have something to be proud of this issue....as I believe our own Cicero's is going to be named venue of the month. This might be also listed elsewhere in the issue, however since it does involve a Big Sky venue I thought I would list it here as well......so....below are some fine words regarding Cicero's.

One more item of note...please check out the Mimi Fishman Foundation Spring Auction, found elsewhere in this issue. The auction features ticket/pass packages from Phish, String Cheese, as well as Widespread Panic...in addition to a Jon Fishman signed drum head.

In the mean time have a wonderful March and enjoy the shows.

-David For James Mullins' article on Cicero's check out this issue's venue of the month.

Nebraska Report-February/March 2000
Paul "Pro" Pearson, Ph.D.
© 2000, www.strangepleasures.com

Nebraska's jamband scene continues to grow stronger. Shows this month included Minnesota's the Big Wu and Dexter Grove (with guests) in Lincoln NE, HairyApesBMX from Austin TX and the Todd Harrold Band from Ft Wayne IN in Omaha, and the usual compliment of shows from local jambands Strange Pleasures, Freaks from Earth and Captain Kind. I also got my first taste of an excellent Omaha band, The Get. Not exactly a jamband by definition, but they definitely cross into the genre.

Strange Pleasures announced the depature of bassist/vocalist Steven Petty for personal reasons and has added Bob Rasgorshek, former bassist of defunct Omaha jamband Uncle Sid's Music Farm, as interim bassist.

Strange Pleasures Show Reviews

Monday February 14 Zoo Bar, Lincoln NE-Bob's first show with Strange Pleasures. This set featured some tasty jams with saxophonist Josh Hoyer. Lincoln jamband Brown Paper Bags opened and provided rhythm during SP's set.

Thursday February 17 Saddle Creek Bar, Omaha NE with special guests: Jamstreet (Omaha) Debut of covers from Pink Floyd's classic 'Dark Side of the Moon' drew rousing applause.

Thursday March 2 Saddle Creek Bar, Omaha NE with special guest: Greg Klyma (Buffalo NY). An excellent jamband crowd and a great vibe all night.

Wednesday March 8 Saddle Creek Bar, Omaha NE opening for HairyApesBMX (Austin TX). By far the most solid SP set since the lineup switch. Debut of a new song-"The Avenue". Excellent funk jam on "Step Inside the Van." Stellar cosmic breakdown type II jams in both "Lyin' In the Sun" and "I Don't Want To". An appreciative crowd stayed late to get their Butt Moving eXperience on with the Hairy Apes. This unique group has an instrumental combination of keys, jazz drums, funk bass and vibes/percussion interlaced with latin rhythm, hip-hop vocals and dynamic control. Moving from Tito Puente to cumbia/Mexican folk to more contemporary material from their "Expatriape" CD, the flexibility and various influences of HairyApesBMX impressed the savvy Omaha crowd.

Other bands:

March 3 and 4-The Todd Harrold Band (Ft. Wayne, IN). Not knowing what to expect running sound for this band, I arrived at the Saddle Creek in a bad mood. The sexy R&B vocals of singer Stephanie Harrold and the funk/jazz/blues/R&B twists on various cover tunes ranging from Led Zeppelin, Grateful Dead (Scarlet Begonias with a Phish 'Makisupa Policeman' tease), Erykah Badu (Tyrone), Tower of Power and Santana as well as the band's original material fixed me right up. A sparse crowd was in attendance both nights, but all members of the band demonstrated true musicianship and proficiency with a variety of styles.

Strange Pleasures is currently preparing new material and recording a studio demo in preparation for spring/summer touring. Here are the confirmed dates. As always, check Jambase.com or http://www.strangepleasures.com for updated schedules or to book Strange Pleasures.

Strange Pleasures dates for March/April. 2000.

Thursday March 16 Saddle Creek Bar, Omaha NE 1410 N. Saddle Creek Road 9PM-1AM, 21+, $6, penny pitchers, grill specials with special guest: Beth McBride (Omaha)

Friday March 17 Saddle Creek Bar, Omaha NE 1410 N. Saddle Creek Road 9PM-1AM, 21+ with: The Get (Omaha)

Sunday March 26 Earl Bates' Sunday Night Review Pastime's Bistro, Omaha NE 76th Cass Court, 7:00- 10:00 acoustic show, donations gladly accepted

Thursday March 30 Saddle Creek Bar, Omaha NE 1410 N. Saddle Creek Road 9PM-1AM, 21+, $6, penny pitchers, grill specials with special guests: JRZ System (Omaha)

April

Thursday April 6 Saddle Creek Bar, Omaha NE 1410 N. Saddle Creek Road 9PM-1AM, 21+, $6, penny pitchers, grill specials

Thursday April 20 Saddle Creek Bar, Omaha NE 1410 N. Saddle Creek Road 9PM-1AM, 21+, $6, penny pitchers, grill specials opening for: Snake Oil

Saturday April 22 Quixote's True Blue Cafe, Aurora CO 9150 E. Colfax Ave 10PM-2AM

Thursday April 27 Saddle Creek Bar, Omaha NE 1410 N. Saddle Creek Road 9PM-1AM, 21+, $6, penny pitchers, grill specials with special guests: Zen Mothers (Fargo ND)

Bob Dylan will play the Omaha Civic Auditorium on Tuesday April 4. Tickets are currently available.

Take care.

Pro
pro@jambands.com

For more information on Strange Pleasures, see www.strangepleasures.com. For Nebraska tourdates, check www.jambase.com.

Big Sky area shows (St. Louis and more)

Every Monday Devon Allman Cicero's
Every Tuesday The Kind Cicero's
Every Tuesday open mic night (moved from Rio's) **FREE** Obie's
Every Thursday Jake's Leg McGee's
Thursdays Jam Band Thursdays all Feb. Hi Pointe
Every Friday Jake's Leg (unless otherwise noted) Cicero's
Tue. Mar. 7th The Big Wu The Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS
Wed. Mar. 8th The Amorphous Band / Goonamona Cicero's
Thur. Mar. 9th Anger/Marshall Band / River City Buskers Cicero's
Thur. Mar. 9th Seven Days / Madahoochi The Side Door
Thur. Mar. 9th Goonamona / Brother Jed Hi Pointe
Fri. Mar. 10th G. Love & Special Sauce Blue Note, Columbia, MO
Fri. Mar. 10th EM Grueve Firehouse
Fri. Mar. 10th Torque Jeff's Famous Bar
Sat. Mar. 11th Tony Furtado Band / Tim O'Brian Cicero's
Sat. Mar. 11th Bockman's Euphio The Music Café, Columbia, IL
Sun. Mar. 12th Sex Mob Cicero's
Wed. Mar. 15th Torque / Headstash / EM Grueve Cicero's
Thur. Mar. 16thBockman's Euphio The Fieldhouse, Columbia, MO
Thur. Mar. 16th Amorphous Band / Sunny Daze Hi Pointe
Thur. Mar. 16th Pepperland Cicero's
Fri. Mar. 17th G Love & Special Sauce Mississippi Nights
Sat. Mar. 18th Vitamen A Cicero's
Sat. Mar. 18th The Schwag Mississippi Nights
Mon. Mar. 20th John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers Blueberry Hill Duck Room
Wed. Mar. 22nd Richmond Fontaine Shattered, Columbus, MO
Wed. Mar. 22nd Sector 9 / Static Circus Cicero's
Thur. Mar. 23rd Raven Moon / Smokehouse Allstars / Boney Goat Cicero's
Thur. Mar. 23rd Richmond Fontaine The Side Door
Thur. Mar. 23rd Amorphous Band / EM Grueve The Hi Pointe
Sat. Mar. 25th St. Stephen's Blues Cicero's
Tue. Mar. 28th Guster Mississippi Nights
Tue. Mar. 28th Groove Collective The Firehouse
Wed. Mar. 29thMiracle Orchestra / Madam Sky Cicero's
Wed. Mar. 29th Domestic Problems / Hello Dave / Nadas Copper Dragon, Carbondale, IL
Thur. Mar. 30thDeep Banana Blackout Cicero's
Thur. Mar. 30th Leftover Salmon (acoustic!) Copper Dragon, Carbondale, IL
Thur. Mar. 30th Amorphous Band Sally T's
Fri. Mar. 31st Leftover Salmon (acoustic!) Mississippi Nights
Fri. Mar. 31st Torque Jeff's Famous Bar
Sat. Apr. 1st Project Object (with Ike Willis) Cicero's
Mon. Apr. 3rd Zen Tricksters Cicero's
Wed. Apr. 5th Floodplain Gang Cicero's
Thur. Apr. 6th String Cheese Incident Blue Note, Columbia, MO
Fri. Apr. 7th String Cheese Incident American Theater
Sat. Apr. 8th Govt. Mule Mississippi Nights
Sat. Apr. 8th Static Circus Cicero's
Sat. Apr. 8th String Cheese Incident Madison Theatre, Peoria, IL
Sat. Apr. 8th Sean Canan (solo) La Café, Kirkwood MO
Wed. Apr. 12th Vinyl Firehouse
Wed. Apr. 12th Pork Tornado w/Jon Fishman Blue Note, Columbia, MO
Wed. Apr. 12th Sean Canan (solo) Sally T's
Thur. Apr. 13thPork Tornado w/Jon Fishman(ph: 314-935-5917)Gargoyle, Washington U.
Fri. Apr. 14th Arlo Guithrie Sheldon Concert Hall
Sat. Apr. 15th El Buho Cicero's
Sun. Apr. 16th Fat Mama Cicero's
Tue. Apr. 18th Widespread Panic UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL
Wed. Apr. 19th Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young The Kiel Center
Thur. Apr. 20th Bockman's Euphio The Hi Pointe
Thur. Apr. 20th Torque / Madahoochi Cicero's
Sat. Apr. 22nd Vertigo Sun / DC Tryal Cicero's
Fri. Apr. 21st Widespread Panic Fox Theatre
Sat. Apr. 22nd Smokehouse Allstars Coyote Café, Bellville, IL
Fri. Apr. 21st Amorphous Band Sally T's
Fri. Apr. 21st Seven Days The Juke Joint, Springfield, MO
Fri. Apr. 28th Smokehouse Allstars St. Louis Brewery & Tap Room
Fri. Apr. 28th Bockman's Euphio / Seven Days The Blue Note, Columbia, MO
Fri. May 5th Floodplain Gang Cicero's
Sat. May 20th Beanstalk Cicero's
Sat. May 27th The Wall Cicero's
Thur. June 8th Bela Fleck & The Flecktones American Theater
Fri. June 9th Bela Fleck & The Flecktones Uptown Theater, K.C. MO.
Sat. June 10th Bela Fleck & The Flecktones Hammonds Hall Springfield, MO
M-W. July 10-12th Phish Deer Creek, Indianapolis, IN

volunteer/programmer: KDHX FM88.1 St. Louis Community radio
Host of "Stumble In The Dark" Tuesdays 8:00 to 10:00 PM CST
AND "The Side Trip" Fridays 1:00 to 4:00 PM On KWUR 90.3
Stumble In The Dark page:
http://www.i1.net/~moby/stumble.html broadcasting on the WWW: http://www.kdhx.org (now using REALAUDIO!) request line: (314)664-3688 office: (314)664-3955

KDHX FM 88.1 St. Louis Community Radio
3504 Magnolia
St. Louis, MO 63118

KWUR 90.3 FM
1 Brookings Drive, Box 1205
St. Louis, Missouri 63130
Phone: 314-935-5952
Fax: 314-935-5699

Stumble In The Dark home office
James Mullins
5810 Goener
St. Louis, MO 63116
Phone (314)832-5529
Fax (314)481-1191

The UNION Bar 121 E. COLLEGE, IOWA CITY, IA 52240 (319)339-7713

SPRING 2000 BAND SCHEDULE

MARCH 08 (wed) SCOTT DORMAN/ acoustic rock *FRONT BAR*
08 (wed) THE FLAMING LIPS
special guests: LOOPER *BACK BAR* 09 (thur) 2 LIVE CREW
special guests: BEYOND *BACK BAR*
23 (thur) FRESH TRACKS TOUR
featuring:
DOMESTIC PROBLEMS, HELLO DAVE & THE NADAS *BACK BAR*
22 (wed) TBA/ acoustic rock *FRONT BAR*
29 (wed) GROOVE COLLECTIVE
special guests: T.B.A. *BACK BAR*

(T) = Tentative

For more information about entertainment, contact RIVER CITIES PRODUCTIONS,
attn: MIKE SZWAYA - (309)793-0085 / 794-6461 (fax)/ swayaman@ribco.com>

The Q-Bar
211 IOWA AVENUE, IOWA CITY, IA 52240 (319)337-9107

MARCH 2000 BAND SCHEDULE

09(thur) from Iowa City, IA EL NINO - (groove)
from Iowa City, IA special guests: RUVANE KURLAND
10(fri) from Lawrence, KS HAIRY APES BMX - (funk/groove)
(Members of Billy Goat)
from Iowa City, IA special guests: SLINGSHOT BOOTY SQUAD
11(sat) from Iowa City, IA MARY AUSTEN - (modern rock)
from special guests: PCU
23(thur) from Iowa City, IA LOS FUNKIEROS - (groove)
from Iowa City, IA special guests: CLEAN LIVING
25(sat) from Chicago, IL MR. BLOTTO - (roots rock/jam)
30(thur) from Iowa City, IA THE DIPLOMATS - (surf rock)
from Iowa City, IA special guests: BRUTUS AND THE MAGICAL 7 AND WILLIE WISELY
31(fri) from Chicago, IL WEED STREET- (roots rock)
from Iowa City, IA special guests: SKUNK RIVER BANDITS
01(sat) from Rockford, IL HARMONY RILEY- (rock)
from Iowa City, IA special guests: TBA

(T) = Tentative
For more information about entertainment, contact RiverCities Productions,
attn: MIKE SZWAYA @ (309)793-0085/ 794-6461 fax/
swayaman@ribco.com

MALONE'S 121 E. IOWA AVE, IOWA CITY, IA 52240

F.A.C. SCHEDULE
*ALL SHOWS ARE 3 P.M. - 6 P.M.*

MARCH

10 (fri) SCOTT DORMAN - (acoustic rock)

24 (fri) PAUL WRIGHT - (acoustic rock)

31 (fri) DOUGLAS AND TUCKER - (acoustic rock)

(T) = Tentative

For more information about entertainment, contact RiverCities Productions,
attn: MIKE SZWAYA @(309)793-0085/794-6461 fax
swayaman@ribco.com

Stebs Calendar March - April

MARCH

SUNDAY NIGHTS ITS...MOJO!!!
Wed. 8 From Lawrence, Pomeroy with special guests Ill Convoy $4
Thurs.. 9 deadletter w/ Fool's Journey $4
Fri. 10 From Iowa City Honey Farm and De-Solution $4
Sat. 11 Keepin' it real y'all! Oceans with guests to be announced $4
Thurs. 16 There will be casualties and collateral damage. Black Eye $4.
Fri. 17 A Blue St. Pat's Day at Stebs Soap Carvin', Stew and Guinness..
That night ... The Blue Band $5
Sat. 18 MOJO'S 7TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW! $4 Thanks Mojo!
Theresa. 23 Stardust: The David Bowie Tribute $5
Fri. 24 TBA
Sat. 25 Mohair Pear Fashion Show $5
Wed. 29 U.N.I. West African Drum Ensemble, w/ Capoiera Brazilian Martial Arts Dancers No Cover!
Thurs. 30 NineDollarMelonBaller with guests Splatterdash $4
Fri. 31 All Dead, All Night! The Schwag $5
APRIL

Sat. 1 Orchesta de Jazz y Salsa Alto Maiz $5
Fri. 7 UNI Jazz I
Sat. 8 Bo Ramsey
Wed. 12 Hello Dave
Thurs. 13 Brother Jed
Fri. 14 Reggae with Natty Nation
Fri. 21 Domestic Problems
Sat. 22 Black Eye
Thurs. 27 Bill Miller
Sat. 29 House of Large Sizes with Houston & Victorious Holland

DALTON'S 300 W. 3RD ST, DAVENPORT, IA 52801(319)322.8584

MARCH

10 (fri) SCOTT DORMAN - (acoustic rock)
17 (fri) BRET MILLER - (acoustic rock)
24 (fri) PAUL WRIGHT - (acoustic rock)
31 (fri) DOUGLAS AND TUCKER - (acoustic rock

DATE BAND

APRIL

07 (fri) TBA - (acoustic rock)

(T) = Tentative