Friday night local favorites Hot Day at the Zoo christen Gemstones, Lowell's newest music venue on Market Street above the Blue Shamrock. With a growing legion of fans, HDATZ continue to impress audiences up and down the east coast. Last month they played Johnny D's in Somerville nearly bringing down the house with their foot stomping, dance inducing rhythms and high octane live show. At the end of May, the band plays the Mountain Jam in upstate NY. In its fifth year, the Jam has become one of the most celebrated music festivals in the country making Rolling Stone's top ten list. This years line up includes the Allman Brothers, Michael Franti and Spearhead and Govt Mule. Hot Day take the stage Friday night, May 29. Three day passes are sold out but single night tix are still available. Should be a great weekend of music!

After years of playing the support role in numerous local blues and roots bands like Red Devil Lye and the Contra Banditos, Groton bluesman and all around nice guy Arte Kenyon steps into the spotlight on his debut CD Be a Man. From the opening track Red Moon in the Morning, Arte bellows his way through a collection of old timey tunes, his deep, resonating voice at the font of the mix and sounding very much like a seasoned veteran. Though the blues influence is evident throughout the album, it's the country twang of Why I Always End Up Alone and the gospel spirit of Be No More Crying that keeps things interesting, highlighting the many influences that have shaped and molded Arte along the way.

With a core group of musicians including Justin Beaulieu on drums, Steve Esposito on piano and local guitar great Carl Johnson playing on nearly every track, Arte also gets help from Wayne Morgan on harmonica, Carl Ayotte on bari sax and Jim LeBoeuf on guitar, the band sounding like they've been playing together for years. Studio wizard Bob Nash of Wonka Sound continues to prove he's the best kept secret in NE with another crisply engineered production.

Check out Be a Man at CD Baby or catch Arte and Steve Esposito at the Devens Grille on April 9th.

Still basking in the afterglow of Graham Parker's solo show at Tupelo last night, I asked a friend, "Why can't a room like this make it in Lowell?" Come May 1st, we may all have a chance to find out when Hot Day at the Zoo christen the"Friday Night Concert Series" at Gemstones, Lowell's hottest new night spot. Upstairs from the Blue Shamrock, Gemstones is an ultra cool room with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, a huge stage, and a 300+ capacity complete with free VIP seating. Gemstones Live, the brain child of Hot Day mover and shaker Mike Dion, has one clearly defined purpose: to revitalize the live music scene in Lowell. That is the kind of singular vision necessary for any, successful venture. Under the wing of his own production company, Emerald City Productions, Dion hopes to re-establish downtown Lowell as a viable venue showcasing local, regional, and national touring acts.

Besides HDATZ on May 1st, Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion play Gemstones on May22nd to celebrate the release of their much anticipated new CD Year of the Ox. The fun continues when Boston based HI8US bring their soul laden "groove pop" to Gemstones on May 29th. While the Village Smokehouse dabbles in live music on Thursday and Mickey's tries to figure out whether it's Mexican or Irish, sports bar or music room, Friday nights at Gemstones may be THE music haven we've all been hoping for. Best of luck Mike!

With the release of their first full length album, If You Don't Mind, the Bella Birds continue to develop their signature indie-folk style with seductive harmonies, creative instrumentation and clever arrangements. I've always been a fan of bands with more than one lead vocalist and Pam Craven and Zack Root admirably share the spotlight throughout the album. It's the vocal harmonies, however, that grab your attention and make you want to listen further. During the chorus of Craven's Watchtower, the two voices blend beautifully, though somewhat eerily, as the descending melody melts over sweeping, minor guitar chords. Drummer Chris Forgione drives things forward without ever becoming distracting keeping the focus where it should be: on the vocals.

The Bella Birds celebrate the release of If You don't Mind at the Egg Roll Cafe in Lowell on Thursday, March 5th. Music starts at 7:30. Should be a cool show, especially while sipping on a bubble tea or a rasberry sake.

What happens when you take 10 of the most well known improvisational artists from outside the area and randomly pair them with 40 local artists/musicians? You can find out Friday and Saturday, February 27th and 28th, when Lowell's most innovative arts venue, 119 Gallery, extends the boundaries of contemporary art, music and media in what is being billed as the "alternative festival." Claiming the Lowell Folk Festival has become overly commercialized in recent years, Walter Wright, the Gallery's director, wanted to celebrate todays true, cutting edge artists. Each night will feature 10 half-hour sets with each act performing together for the first time: movement, visual arts and music breaking from tradition with the focus being on communication and possibility.

Walter has assembled a who's who of of avant garde artists including cellist/vocalist Audrey Chen, experimental dance artist Nicole Binder, and former funk band"Chuck" guitarist Dave Ross. Musicians from bands Ralph Eats Dynamite, Lowercase P, and Paraffin Section highlight the list of participating local artists. For a full schedule visit 119 Gallery.org.

Fair warning...not for the faint of heart!

This year's Winterfest was capped by a sold out performance by U2 clones the Joshua Tree and an awesome fireworks display that ignited the downtown night life. During the day, however, it was the soup competition that brought the crowds. And as an added bonus, it was great to see and hear local folk/rocker Brian Bergeron keeping them entertained as they sampled the offerings. Looking very relaxed, the amicable Bergeron played a mix of covers and originals to an appreciative audience. No surprise...he has honed his craft as a street performer in Fanueil Hall for the past two summers and is rapidly becoming a favorite in the all important college market. Last year he shared the stage with Matt Nathanson and Collective Soul to name a few.

Friday, March 13th, Brian celebrates the release of his first full length studio album at the Lilypad in Inman Square, Cambridge. Brian will be joined by his band of talented musicians, The Late Greats as well as special guests, Cahill. Should be a great show. The Lilypad is a small 100 seat performance space so get your tickets early.

2009, The Year of the Ox, is predicted to be an exciting year full of growth, stability and accomplishments. With a tentative release date sometime in March, Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion are currently putting the finishing touches on their much anticipated new album which not only shares the same astrological title, but which promises to reflect the growth and stability of one of Lowell's finest singer/songwriters as well. With an ever expanding fan base, a hot new album and a high energy live show, 2009 is already looking to be a very successful and accomplished one for Jen and the band.

You can catch Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion every Thursday in February as part of a month-long residency at Toad, the cozy, neighborhood bar adjoining Christophers in Cambridge. Jen takes the stage at 10:00PM. And as an added bonus, on the 12th and 26th, Lowell tunesmith and ukelele great Melvern Taylor kicks things off at 7:00. Couldn't think of a better night of music. Closer to home, Jen and the band play the Village Smokehouse this Thursday night.

And one other thing...anybody else find themselves fantasizing about a Jen and Daryl Hall duet at the close of last year's Boardinghouse concert? I can't get it out of my head!

This year the 21st Boston Music Awards takes place at the Roxy on Dec. 7th and several acts with ties to Lowell have been nominated:

Outstanding Americana Act, Frank Morey
Outstanding Hip Hop Act, Los Wunder Twins
Outstanding Blues Act, Evan Goodrow
Best Hip Hop Producer, D-Tension

Local favorite Frank Morey, the Tom Waits of Lowell, has been crafting timeless, gritty and bluesy gems that capture the spirit and essence of the Mill City more than any other artist I've heard. Check him out every Sunday night in December at the Plough in Cambridge.

Place your vote by December 5th.

Say it ain't so! Dave Cleaves out? The handful of times I've seen Hot Day at the Zoo, I've always been impressed by the band's chemistry on stage. Four distinct personalities stomping and romping and bringing the house down. And though Jed and Mike were the focal point, founding member Dave Cleaves always provided an aura of authenticity and sincerity that I found most appealing. He looked like he came down from the mountain to play his mandolin. And what he lacked in movement he more than made up for with his heartfelt, soulful playing. Anyone got the dirt?

I wish Hot Day all the luck. They perform at the Christmas Stroll in Nashua this weekend. But I for one will miss Cleaves' calming presence amidst the mayhem.