4/29/2007 Slim Dunlap at Java Jack's
Every Friday night, in the basement of an unsuspecting coffee shop in SE Minneapolis, lies the Hootenanny. If you're any sort of a music fan, the Hoot is your mistress. No matter what plans you may have, you're going to have to break them, for the Hoot calls.
This week was no exception. With the talents of Jim Walsh, Ike Reilly, Chastity Brown, Louie and Slim Dunlap, and Luke Zimmerman to tempt you, how can you resist? The room at Java Jack's was packed; a handmade sign graced the door: "Sorry, we're full." If there's one thing you'll learn, it's come early to the Hoot. Each week the featured singer-songwriters offer up a round-robin of original tunes and covers, peppered with stories.
This Friday, Slim Dunlap (pictured) told the best story of the night, a story about the worst gig he ever played. He was playing a coffeehouse, and after his third song the place was empty. He finished the set and asked if it was ok if he just went home. But the boss said, "To get your $75 you need to finish the second set." Slim went back to the other room and whenever the workers would peek in, he'd pretend to play and move his mouth (as they couldn't hear him). At the end of the night he went to pick up his cash only to find out the entire show had been broadcast live on the internet - and the online audience liked his second set a whole lot more than his first.
None of the people on stage could beat this story, though they did try, telling their own versions of drunken gigs, rehearsals where they were the only band member to show up, and various other mishaps. The Hoot is the minister for Minneapolis's own revival, where the faithful find their way through story and song. It ends for the summer on June 8, so you'd better hurry on down while you still have a chance.
Photo by:
Stacy Schwartz
Text by:
Stacy Schwartz
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