Edie Brickell And The New Bohemians

Two Cool Women Spread Love Of Art

Despite it’s reputation for stockyards and slaughterhouses, Fort Worth artists were on the cutting edge of modern art in Texas during the mid-20th century. Since then, people who grew up around here recall school trips to the impressive collection of museums in the Cultural District and can remember the fascination that comes with discovering art and artifacts.

So it’s great to see Alice Walton bringing a world-class art museum to Bentonville, Ark., home  of her Wal-Mart headquarters. The mammoth, 201,000-square-foot museum is on 120 acres with two ponds, and will feature American art, much of collected over the years by Walton. (Walton lives at her huge ranch in Millsap, Texas, and is been a major player in the American art collecting world.

Edie Brickell and New Bohemians to Headline Bands for Band Music ...

The first annual Bands for Band Music Festival will be held on May 21, 2011 at Yett Memorial Park in Blanco, Texas. Amidst a climate of statewide budget shortfalls for education and the arts, Blanco High School Band Boosters and band members have set out to raise money to purchase new uniforms for next year’s marching season.

The event begins at 2:00 pm and concludes at midnight. Tickets prices are $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for ages 6-18.   Ages 5 and under are admitted free.   Tickets can be purchased at the gate, but advance tickets are available online at www.prekindle.com .

Organizers are excited to announce that this year’s festival will showcase headlining act Edie Brickell and New Bohemians. The group is best know for their platinum-selling album entitled “Shooting Rubber Bands at the Stars”, which was released in 1988 and featured the hit single “What I Am.”  The original drummer for the band just happens to be Blanco’s own Brandon Aly.  Aly acts as the Percussion Director and band assistant for Blanco ISD and, over the years, has shared the triumphs of the Blanco Band with his friend Brickell.  When the festival plans were underway, Aly contacted Brickell to see if there was a chance that she might be willing to bring the band together for such an event.  To the delight of organizers, Brickell responded with an enthusiastic “let’s do this benefit! I think it would be a blast, as I am in love with your town and the High School Band and Drum Line.” In addition to performing their traditional set of familiar songs, Brickell hopes to open things up a bit, and has written a cakewalk song for the occasion. As Brickell says, “It appeals to me to make it a family fun, ridiculous, audience participation night.”

This year, Brickell has released two new albums, “Edie Brickell” and “The Gaddabouts.” Her most recent performances at New York Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall were enthusiastically embraced by sold -out crowds. Additionally, in May she will be performing at the Continental Club in Austin, Texas, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  “The fact that Edie is willing to take time out of a very busy schedule to support our band kids is an amazing gift,” says Band Booster President, Libbey Aly.

The complete line-up for the festival includes a wide variety of acts - from the country sounds of Alvarado Road Show and Jackie Cox to the Cajun and Zydeco styling of Zydeco Blanco. “Texas blues guitar legend” Bobby Mack, who is a Blanco resident, will be offering up a full helping of his traditional Texas blues sounds as well.  Rounding out the bill will be Dallas-based Rock, Soul, and Americana band The Electro-Magnetics. A side stage will be utilized to showcase several bands made up of current students and alumni from the Blanco Band program. The Blanco High School Band under the direction of Mr. David Shirk will also be in attendance, performing songs from their award-winning 2010-2011 Swing Show. To top it off, the Blanco High School drum line plans to lead a New Orleans-style second line parade prior to Zydeco Blanco’s performance.

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