Thursday, April 30, 2009

JEWISH LITERARY FESTIVAL - TEMPLE ANSHE SHOLOM - HAMILTON, ON - JUNE 5-7

Shalom,

We hope you will be interested in attending this exciting festival in Hamilton, taking place June 5-7, 2009 at Temple Anshe Sholom.

Registration includes workshops with authors, a panel discussion, klezmer storytelling, a literary anthology, and much more. Our program is below. For your convenience, there is a registration form at the end of the email. Please print and return it to Temple Anshe Sholom by non-electronic means. If you would like us to drop off paper copies of this flier, let us know. Please forward this e-flyer to your friends, family, and colleagues. We apologize for multiple mailings.

Yours,

Lil Blume and Ellen Jaffe

Hamilton Jewish Literary Festival
From Sinai to the Shtetl and Beyond:
Where is Home for the Jewish Writer?
June 5 – 7, 2009
Temple Anshe Sholom
215 Cline Avenue North
Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4A1
905-528-0121
Program
Friday, June 5
6:30 - 7:45 p.m.
Service with literary readings by guest authors
7:45 - 10:00
Oneg Shabbat featuring Steve Stern’s talk, Radical Nostalgia. For information about Steve Stern, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Stern
Saturday, June 6
12:00 - 12:30 p.m.
Lunch, included in registration.
12:30 - 12:45
Songs and stories, performed by Allan Merovitz. Listen to one of Allan's previous great concerts, recorded by the CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20080517klezm

12:45 - 2:15
Panel Discussion: Where Is Home for the Jewish Writer? with
Isa Milman, poet, Victoria, BC, http://www.poets.ca/linktext/direct/milman.htm
Sharon H. Nelson, writer, Montreal, QC, http://www3.sympatico.ca/sharon.nelson/
Edeet Ravel, novelist, Guelph ON, http://www.edeet.com/
J.J. Steinfeld, Charlottetown, PEI, http://www.ditchpoetry.com/jjsteinfeld.htm
Steve Stern, Saratoga Springs, NY
The panellists will respond to the theme by reading from their works and discussing questions such as
· Does writing root you in a "home" land?
· Do you have a portable shtetl, or did you leave it in Bubbie's kitchen?
· How do themes in your writing link you to the Jewish community from Sinai to the shtetl to the kibbutz?
· Are you linked to the Yiddish writers of our past or the Jewish writers of today?
· What is your mameloshen? How does it speak in your writing?
· What voices speak to you when you write?
2:15 - 2:30
Songs performed by Allan Merovitz
2:30 Break
3:00 - 4:30
Concurrent Workshops I: Details below

7:30 - 10:00 p.m.
Literary Cabaret and Havdalah ceremony, with readings from the festival anthology (included in your registration package) and klezmer music performed by Allan Merovitz.
Our festival anthology includes poetry and prose selected from submissions we received from writers from across Canada. The writers tell us of homes lost and homes found. Their work speaks to our yearning for a home that might be found in our cultural traditions, in memories of our ancestors, in our identities as Canadians, in Israel, and elsewhere.
Sunday, June 7
10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
Concurrent Workshops II: Details below
11:15 - 11:30 Nosh

11:30 - 12:30
Dramatic reading of J.J. Steinfeld’s play, The Finest Performance of the Greatest Actor of the Yiddish Theatre, followed by Q and A with the author.
Concurrent Workshops
Workshop space will be limited so early registration will guarantee you a place.
I. -- Saturday, 3:00 - 4:30ish
  1. Reading/Discussion: Edeet Ravel reads from and discusses her novels.
  2. Presentation including slides and poetry: Isa Milman, The Making of Prairie Kaddish: The Story of Jewish Immigration to the Canadian Prairies.
  3. Presentation/Writing: Ellen S. Jaffe, Writing For Children: Passing on the Legacy. Ellen is the co-organizer of this conference. More information about Ellen can be found at http://www.ellen-s-jaffe.com/EllenBio.html.
  4. Reading/Discussion: Steve Stern reads from his works and discusses his sources.
  5. Reading/Discussion: J.J. Steinfeld reads from and discusses his new book, Word Burials.
  6. Discussion/Writing: Karen Shenfeld, The Poet and the Child. Karen is a filmmaker, researcher, and widely published freelance writer and poet based in Toronto.
II. -- Sunday, 10:00 - 11:15
  1. Storytelling Presentation: Barry Rosen, Introduction to Jewish Storytelling.
    Presentation/Discussion: Twyla Hendry, On Being a Leonard Cohen Fan. Twyla ran this popular session at our previous festival.
  2. Presentation/Discussion: Sharon H. Nelson, Just Cooking: Reading and Writing About Food. .
  3. Presentation/Discussion: Ron Ruskin, Creativity and Pain: A writer/psychoanalyst explores and discusses humour. Ron is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, and a co-chair of the Psychiatry and Humanities group at Mount Sinai Hospital.
  4. Discussion/Writing: Lil Blume, Writing Your Jewish Family Stories and Memoirs. Lil is the co-organizer of this conference. More information about Lil can be found at www.lilblume.ca.
  5. Presentation/Reading: Steve Mayoff, Turning Family Stories into Art. Steve Mayoff is joining us from PEI to read at the cabaret and present this workshop. More information about Steven can be found at http://www.stevenmayoff.ca/.

JEWISH LITERARY FESTIVAL: JUNE 5-7, 2009
Registration Form
Name: ___________________________email: ____________________________
Phone # ________________________________
Please write name and contact information for all people included in this registration.
Workshop Preferences (if known) ________________________________________
Registration includes all sessions plus Friday Oneg, Saturday lunch, Saturday evening desserts, and Sunday bagel breakfast, and the Festival Anthology of poetry and fiction, by writers across Canada.
Please consider making a donation to the festival. A tax-deductible receipt will be issued for amounts $10.00 above registration.
Registration: $20 x __ = ________ ($25.00 after May 15, and at the door)
Donation to Festival: $____
Total: $--------
Please make cheques payable to Temple Anshe Sholom, with “Jewish Literary Festival” in memo line. Mail or bring to the Temple Office : 215 Cline Ave. North , Hamilton ON L8S 4A1 .

www.anshesholom.ca

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EPILEPSY OTTAWA - PROPELLER DANCEABILITY WORKSHOP - MAY 4


PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING

Topic: Propeller DanceAbility Workshop

(Epilepsy and Wellness)

Instructor: Shara Weaver, plus three dancers and a musician

Date: Monday, 4 May 2009

Time: 7:00 p.m.

Location: Bronson Centre,

211 Bronson Avenue, Room 221

Ottawa, ON

For more information contact the Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton office at 613-594-9255.

Epilepsy Ottawa-Carleton is a local non-profit organization providing support and information meetings for people with epilepsy, their families, friends and the general public.


www.epilepsyottawa.ca


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CHARLENE GRANT WINS "BEST BLUES BASS" AT WBS "BB" AWARDS


Blues Flash - I received the 2009 Washington Blues Society "Best of the Blues Award" for "Blues Bass"!

Thank you, WBS and thanks to all for supporting live music.
Charlene Grant
Robbie Laws Bigger Blues Band

Robbie Laws
Photo by Tom Hunnewell

Catch Robbie Laws Bigger Blues Band at Highway 99 Blues Club, Saturday, May 2nd. We always have a good time at The 99! Band starts at 9 pm, $15 cover. Get there early for a good spot or call (206)382-2171 for reservations.

Robbie Laws - Guitar/Vocals
Mike West - Tenor Sax
Greg Lyons - Trumpet
Mike Tooley - Trombone
Frank “Hot Rod” Holman – B3 and Keyboards
Charlene Grant - Bass/Vocals
Steve Sarkowsky - Drums

RLBBB Live
Blind, Crippled & Crazy
Okie Dokie Stomp

More on RLBBB

Bigger Blues Band

Greg Lyons, Mike West, Robbie Laws, Steve Sarkowsky, Frank Holman, Charlene Grant, Mike Tooley
Photo by Tom Hunnewell


www.charlenegrant.com

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NEWS FROM ALICE STUART & THE FORMERLYS


Hi from the Northwest!

It's been awhile since I've sent out an email to anyone that wasn't on our Oregon, Washington or California lists. This is a special email to let all of you know that you can now watch a show that we did at the Triple Door (a very nice dinner theater in Seattle) on March 7th. There is a new webcast called SyncLive that uploads certain shows to their site. There are 2 ways you can view the show: Either go to www.synclive.com or you can see it on our fan site at www.myspace.com/alicestuartfanpage I think you may have to log in on their site if you watch it from there. If you go to the Fan Page on MySpace, you don't have to log in. (But we'd really appreciate it if you would join the fan club while you're there, if you are so inclined).

I am including our May dates, just in case you will be traveling to Washington, Oregon or California in May!

May Dates in California

Friday, May 1st: 8pm, Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, CA (310)398-2583 (Acoustic Trio)

Saturday, May 2nd: 7:30pm, Castoro Cellars, 1315 Bethel Road, Templeton, CA Reservations are highly recommended (805)728-0725 (Band Show)

Sunday, May 3rd: 2pm, Coalesce Bookstore, 845 Main Street, Morro Bay, CA (805)772-2880 (Acoustic Show)

Monday, May 4th: 8pm, Club Fred, 1426 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA (Trio) Glen Delpit & The Subterrainians open the show

Wednesday, May 6th: 8pm, 142 Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton, Mill Valley, CA (415)383-9600 (Band Show)

Thursday, May 7th: CANCELLED due to venue going out of business....Orchard Spotlight, Santa Rosa, CA CANCELLED

Friday, May 8th: Constable Jack's, 515 Main Street, Newcastle, CA (916)663-9385 (Band Show)

Saturday, May 9th: Westside Theater, 1331 Main Street, Newman, CA Reservations: (209)862-4490 (Band Show)

Other May dates closer to home:

May 20th: The Laurelthirst Public House, Portland, OR

May 22nd: Live TV appearance on SCAN TV with Marlee Walker, host

May 23rd: The Upstage, Port Townsend

May 24th: Folk Life, Stan James Memorial, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA

I believe that one of the main things that will sustain us through these tough times is music.

Cheers,


Alice & The Formerlys

www.alicestuart.com

www.myspace.com/alicestuart

www.myspace.com/alicestuartfanpage

www.facebook.com/alicestuart

www.twitter.com/alicestuart



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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

AIR CANADA'S enROUTE ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR SHORT FILMS

Air Canada's enRoute Film Festival is now taking short film submissions to show on board its flights between July and December of this year. The films will also be made available for online viewing at www.enroutefilm.com.

An awards ceremony for best short film, animation, direction, cinematography, etc., will take place in Toronto towards the end of 2009. A new Ford vehicle will be awarded to the winner of the "Best Short Film". Other winners will receive an all-inclusive trip for two via Air Canada to a major international film festival.

The festival is open to filmmakers currently studying in a film program, those who are recently graduated or informally trained, from anywhere in the world. Additional rules and eligibility requirements are available at enroutefilm.com. The deadline to apply is May 31, and there is no fee to enter.


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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

A CAPITAL SUNSET (DOWNTOWN OTTAWA) - APR. 18/09


(Photo by D.M. Wells)


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FATHEAD @ TUCSON'S (OTTAWA) - NOV. '08



(Photo by D.M. Wells)


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FORMER "IRON MAIDENS" - CKCU 93.1 FM - "EBONY" & "IVORY" (NOV. '08)




(Photo by Dick Altavista)


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ORIT SHIMONI OF LITTLE BIRDIE @ MANX PUB (OTTAWA)




(Photo by D.M. Wells - Jan. 2009)


www.myspace.com/weelittlebirdie


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Monday, April 27, 2009

NOTICE FROM BLOGMISTRESS D.D. ROCKER - APR. 27


There will no postings added to this photo/news blog from Apr. 29 - May 5, inclusive, as I will be visiting my sons for a human rights victory/high school graduation celebration on "The Rock" (NL).

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/unbelievable/1535402/story.html

http://www.esdnl.ca/schools/schooldirectory/heritage_collegiate/

D.D.


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Sunday, April 26, 2009

DAWG FM APPLICATION FOR HALIFAX STATION - APR. 29 DEADLINE TO SHOW SUPPORT


Hi, Blues fans.

The deadline for our Halifax Blues application is next Wednesday (Apr. 29). If you haven’t already…Please send us a letter of support.

The support letter for Halifax is now up on the Blues In Canada (BIC) website - www.bluesincanada.com. Just go to the website, click on the link that says “Click me to support our Halifax application”, and that will take you to an auto-generated email page.

All you need to do from there is fill out your name, address, and contact info at the top of the letter and then hit the “send” button, and the letter will be sent to us. We’ll then submit all support letters to the CRTC, which will become part of our file on the public record. If you wish to add your own personal comments to the letter, or craft a letter completely of your own, you are encouraged to do so – it has more impact on the CRTC committee.

Here's the second way:

Supporters who wish to craft their own personalized letters, as opposed to the form letter on BIC, are encouraged to upload them directly to the CRTC website themselves. These are highly regarded by the Commission.

Instructions are below:

1) Step 1 of 6

Go to http://support.crtc.gc.ca/rapidscin/default.aspx?lang=en&applicant=2009-158

2) Scroll down and click the button on the left of the page that says 2009-158

3) Step 2 of 6

The next page will show a list of the applicants. Click to place a checkmark in the small square beside our name and application number, i.e. "200816457 Frank Torres (OBCI)"

4) Click the “Next” button at the bottom right of the page

5) Step 3 of 6

The first box reads “my comments are in:” Click the down arrow and select the last option that says “support.”

6) In the large box, enter your comments, or if you wish to compose your letter in a word file and then attach the word file, you may do so by clicking the “browse” and “upload” buttons respectively.

The first line of all letters should say: “I support the Frank Torres (OBCI) application to start a Blues radio station in Halifax.”

7) Click the “next” button, bottom right

8) Step 4 of 6

In the box relating to appearing at the oral hearings, click the down arrow and select the line that says “do not want to appear.”

9) Click the “next” button, bottom right

10) Step 5 of 6

On this page, you will fill out your contact information. You must provide either an email address or a telephone or fax number. Click the box that says, “I will also be sending a copy of my comments to the applicant.”

11) Click the “Next” button, bottom right

12) Step 6 of 6

This is a confirmation/send page.

Thanks,

Ed Torres

General Manager

SkyWords Radio

Canada's Source for Radio Content

95 Royal Crest Court Unit 5

Markham, ON L3R 9X5

Tel: 905-470-7655 ext. 120

Fax: 905-470-1655

etorres@skywords.com

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MICHAEL PICKETT: unplugged/no borders
One Night Only - Ticketed Event


SOLO ROOTS, BLUES, AMERICANA
An acoustic evening with multi award winning recording artist and 2x JUNO nominee. Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist, Rack Harmonica. Raw, passionate, profoundly sophisticated.


"His songs transcend the urban Blues idiom." [BILLBOARD]
"His powerful delivery is as joyous as it is infectious." [BLUES REVUE]


Crystal Chandelier Cafe, Etc.
3878 Erie Rd. Crystal Beach, ON


Saturday, May 9, 2009
Concert 8:30pm
$10


PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!"


OR RESERVE YOUR TICKET(S) BY CALLING
CRYSTAL CHANDELIER CAFE ETC. - 905.894.9666
OR
EMAIL MICHAEL


If you are planning to have dinner before the show, be sure to RSVP dinner reservations by calling the Cafe directly. The Chandelier has an exquisite menu, an awesome chef, AND a full bar. Visit Crystal Chandelier Cafe, Etc. and check out their menu.

This show has limited seating and WILL sell out!

______________________

BOOKINGS, INTERVIEWS, INFO
Contact: Louise Pickett, Mgr.,
Mother Earth Management
PO Box 346, Crystal Beach, ON CANADA
Email
289.876.9202 office
OFFICIAL WEBSITE
MYSPACE
YOUTUBE
CDBABY


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ARTIST PAT PURDY (FORMERLY OF OTTAWA) @ FINE ART AMERICA



"Website", by Pat Purdy (sold)


http://fineartamerica.com/artwork/tag/Pat+Purdy?page=1


www.geocities.com/patpurdy_artist



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Friday, April 24, 2009

ANDY ALEDORT & LUCKY PETERSON TÊTE À TÊTE (CD REVIEW)





For those of you who like your electric Blues guitar hot and heavy, this collection of songs is the ticket. That being said, the powerful opening track, “’Til My Dying Day” (featuring drummer Trevor Somerville, Froc on rhythm guitar, and the lightweight, in contrast, alternate vocals by Mary Taylor), would have been better placed closer towards the end, after the listener has been acclimated to the musical intensity of this project.


Peterson is an excellent songwriter and musician, collaborating, for the most part, with co-producer and horn arranger Bruce Feiner, who performs on sax and piano. To my great joy, there are several slow blues compositions interspersed among the livelier selections on the CD.


The second track, “No More”, demonstrates multi-talented Andy Aledort’s prowess as the Band of Gypsies Tribute guitarist, with this particular piece invoking a strong memory of Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” classic. That’s followed by the first slow blues, “Leavin’ to Stay”, which is introduced with a trumpet-and-organ sampling of Al Kooper’s “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know” (notably covered by the late Donnie Hathaway).

It’s not difficult to recall the more commercially well-known sound of Robert Cray on the whammy-bar-infused “Get Outta My Bed!”, and, in fact, the pesky but irresistible paramour in the song is referred to as a ”strong persuader” (one’s of Cray’s CD titles).


“Not Guilty” is another engaging slow blues that partners soulfully rapturous guitar and piano (the latter by Bruce Feiner) and the strong but unobtrusive bass and rhythm guitar of Mike Nunno and Burt Teague, respectively.

The title track is an upbeat funky instrumental jam with a memorable melody dominated by organ, but which also features tasteful guitar breaks. I can’t distinguish which guitar licks Lucky and Andy contribute on a track-by-track basis, but Larry McCray makes a special appearance on guitar and vocals on “C’mon” (co-written by Peterson, Feiner, and 20-something blues vocalist/guitar prodigy Chris Piquette, who recorded his own scorching version of it). Although Chris is not credited as performing on the disc, McCray says he’s “gonna get down with Chris” during the song, so perhaps he does, as well. The tune is a lyrical parallel to Freddie King’s classic “Me and My Guitar” – “I sleep with my guitar right by my side; now, it don’t be cheatin’; it never lies; me and my axe, we’re quite a team; come to my show, you’ll hear what I mean. It’s easily one of my favourite tracks, along with the dazzling bass-heavy soul/funk/rhythm and blues of “Talk is Cheap” and the closing instrumental masterpiece, “Tribute to Albert Collins”.


Other players with credits on the CD include drummers John Pell and Jason Arnold, and Jamie Finegan on trumpet and Robert Feiner on tenor sax (The Nutmeg Horns).


The production work by Bruce Feiner (who has also worked with James Peterson, Eddie Kirkland, Phil Guy, and Johnny Rawls) and Lucky Peterson on Tête a Tête is best appreciated by listening to it via headphones – a cool 40-ouncer for “thirsty ears”.


D.D. Rocker


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Thursday, April 23, 2009

CROSSROADS VOTED WASHINGTON BLUES SOCIETY'S "BEST BLUES BAND"


The Crossroads Band was voted "Best Blues Band" by the members of the Washington Blues Society for 2009. Our thanks to the WBS! It's a great honor!
Keep your time open for Saturday, May 9th, at The Highway 99 Blues Club, when The Crossroads Band hosts the I-5 Harmonica House Party - The Finest Harp Players in the Northwest.

his great show will feature harp masters Jim Wallace and Bill Rhoades from Portland, Oregon, and also Mark Dufresne and Crossroads' own, Steve Bailey from Seattle. We hope you can join us in the fun. Contact the club at: 206-382-2171 for reservations. The Highway 99 Club is located on Seattle's waterfront at: 1414 Alaskan Way Seattle, Wa. 98101. 9pm.
Crossroads' new CD, "Up One Side and Down The Other", is getting air play all over the Puget Sound Area. Here are some of the stations where you can catch some of the band's tunes:
City Sounds Radio is a Tacoma internet station that plays a hip mix of Southern soul and modern blues. City Sounds has four Crossroads songs in rotation - "Stop Now", "The Sun Is Shining", "Crazy Mixed up Fool", and the title track, "Up One Side and Down The Other".

Do yourself a favor and tune in to: http://blues.citysoundsradio.com 24/7. Many thanks to Dick Fairchild and his fine staff.
"Mojo Mike" Witmer on KSVR 91.7FM in Mount Vernon, Washington is playing selected cuts of "Up One Side and Down The Other" on his Wednesday night blues show. Check it out online at: www.ksvr.org 8 to 10pm.
Clancy Dunigan is playing songs off the new CD on his show, Clancy's Bar and Grill on Kser 90.7FM in Everett, Washington. If you don't live in the Everett area, check it online at: www.kser.org Thursday nights from 8:30 to 10pm.
The award winning John Kessler is playing "Stop Now" on his much listened to All Blues radio show on KPLU 88.5FM out of Tacoma, Washington. KPLU is powerful enough to be heard all over Western Washinton, but if you need to listen online, go to www.kplu.org. All Blues plays Saturday and Sunday evenings from 6pm to midnight.
Have a great week. To find out where The Crossroads Band will be in the future or if want to order a CD, go to: www.crossroadsblues.net.

To order the CD, click on the CD cover on the home page. Thanks for your support!


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WITCHES IN BIKINIS AT CIRCUS OF THE SHATTERED MONKEY - APR. 30



Chuck Logo

Our Next Show - Thursday April 30

A long, long time ago in audio hemispheres
far from the mainstream...

There once existed a sect of performers
that dared to defy the corporate system
responsible for polluting the creative essence of music.


They traveled the Northeast under the moniker
CIRCUS OF THE SHATTERED MONKEY.
Their mission was to stage the statement of how
real talent is overlooked in the days of pretty voices singing cover songs and cheesy, tin sounding bands
with 10 minute shelf lives.

Success was obtained but then they became
victims of The System. Devastation
brought down the big top.
The monkey was left beaten, torn, smothered,
but the commercially driven dumb asses lacked
the insight to shatter it.


Now, the years have passed and a wounded
simian is ready to
rise from the bottom....

Circus Poster - general


Circus of the Shattered Monkey
The Return ...

Execution #47


Thurs. April 30
Public Assembly - back room
(formerly Galapagos)
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY

Show starts at 9 pm


Performing:
End of October
The=Equation
Witches In Bikinis
The comedy of William Flinn
&
the ever-unsquashable
Superbug

Admission: $10

Public Assembly
70 N. 6th St., Brooklyn NY 11210

Public Assembly

For directions, please visit:
www.publicassemblynyc.com/

Featured WIB Videos

Our Fangoria Radio Show:
Friday March 13, 11:30 pm segment
"Brooklyn horror/glam band Witches in Bikinis returned to FANGORIA RADIO to perform live in the Sirius XM studios in honor of Dee Snider's birthday."
Link to Fangoria Video

Music video: Party Like a Chimpanzee!!!
Almost 350,000 views! Add yours:
Link to Video on YouTube

Promo video:
Link to Video on YouTube

2008 NYC Halloween Parade:
Link to Video on YouTube


Links to WIB CDs


CD #1 CD #2



More Info:
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Website

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Upcoming Gigs
April 30 Public Assembly - Back Room
Aug 8 Musikfest - Bethlehem, PA
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Witches In Bikinis | 13 Moonwater Drive | Brooklyn | NY | 11215



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