Mini Maker Faire: A Big Kid’s Show and Tell

The opportunity to see invention and creativity at its finest awaits at the sixth annual RI Mini Maker Faire Festival. Rhode Island’s innovators will come together to showcase their creations for the public on Saturday, October 11 in Providence, and the event will feature everything from robots to custom pinball machines. It’s a DIY science fair billed by the organization’s website as “The greatest show and tell on earth.”

The whole movement began with Make Magazine, a bi-monthly publication out of California that began in 2005. The first Maker Faire festival occurred in Silicon Valley in 2006. In the ensuing years, the movement has spread around the county, and the festivals have even popped up in places like Rome, Tokyo and Santiago. According to the founders, “Maker Faire is an all-ages gathering of tech enthusiasts, crafters, educators, tinkerers, hobbyists, engineers, science clubs, authors, artists, students and commercial exhibitors.”

The first festival in Rhode Island started with Kipp Bradford and Brian Jepson, who were both involved in the national Maker Faire movement. Jepson works for Maker Media and Bradford serves as an advisor and is a maker in his own right. They saw the Bay-Area maker events and wanted something similar for the Ocean State, so they started RevolutionxDesign, a non-profit with the express purpose of putting on the Maker Faire event. The first festival took place in 2009.

For the past few years, Maker Faire has been presented as a small part of AS220’s block parties, and in 2011 as part of Waterfire. But increased interest from the community and the creators’ desire to grow made expansion a possibility. “We’ve been wanting the Rhode Island Mini Maker Faire to be its own event since the beginning,” says Jepson. The event is still sponsored by AS220, but this year it will take center stage.

The most notable thing about this year’s festival as compared to past years is the size; there will be more makers than ever before, and the festival will take up far more space. It will have three main locations: in front of Hasbro’s downtown building (across from the Dunkin’ Donuts Center), along Adrian Hall Way (between Fountain and Washington) and at AS220’s 115 Empire space. The offerings will include a showcase of Hasbro’s new Play-Doh creations, products from the Providence 3D printing community, and a coin-flipping machine (with manhole-sized coins!). But this list barely even scratches the surface, and the only way to see everything the mad geniuses from RI have produced is to show up on Saturday.

Champions of the entrepreneurial spirit young and old should not even think about missing this event. Even if you’ve been before, this year is sure to have something new in store. It may even inspire you to become the next great maker!

The Rhode Island Mini Maker Faire will take place in Downtown Providence on Saturday, October 11 from 11am – 6pm.

CD Review: ’ Self-Titled Album

Ryan Adams has made a career doing pretty much whatever he wants. As a young man, he became an alt-country icon, mostly for his work with his band Whiskytown, but has since gone on to explore a variety of genres, even making forays in punk rock and metal. His new album, Ryan Adams, marks the 39-year-old’s 14th solo album, and with the three Whiskytown LPs, the total adds up to a staggering 17 LPs of material. This album shows a more even-keeled Adams dealing with middle age.

The leadoff single, “Gimme Something Good,” is a possible reference to Adams’ career almost being cut short by his Meniere’s disease diagnosis (“All my life, been shaking, wanting something/holding everything I had like it was broken”). The song’s organ intro brings to mind Tom Petty (think “Refugee”), which makes sense because Petty’s longtime organ piano player, Benmont Tench, plays on the whole album.

About “Gimme,” YouTube user “southrules” commented that “We all knew it could happen and it unfortunately has: Ryan Adams and Bryan Adams have become one.” This sarcastic remark actually holds some truth; he hasn’t gone full-on power ballad, but listen to the jangly, poppy choruses on songs like ”Feels Like Fire” and tell me “southrules” is way off base. Historically, Adams hasn’t been amused by the comparison, but in a way, he seems to be becoming the thing he once rebelled against.

The more upbeat tracks besides “Gimme,” including “Am I Safe” and “Stay With Me,” sound like Eagles- y jams, songs you would listen to if you were going for a summer cruise in your convertible. It all seems very safe for such a boundary-breaker like Adams. The vibe makes even more sense when you consider Adams’ explanation for the origins: “I would go in with a couple bros at seven o’clock and just jam. We would like, smoke a bowl and drink some tea – and the words came free-flowing out of me.”

But his departure into ’70s radio rock isn’t entirely a downer, as the album has plenty of high points. “Kim” is a stirring, up-tempo ballad about a lost love, and shows Adams is still capable of arousing the emotions of even the most jaded indie listener. The album’s highlight is “My Wrecking Ball,” an incredible folk tune inspired by the death of his grandmother, which harkens back to early classics like “Come Pick Me Up.” At the folk fest, he prefaced the song with “This is a protest song … protesting the death of my grandma.”

Also evident on the new album is a sense of slowing down, which is no small detail for an artist known for breakneck prolificacy. In “Shadows,” Adams questions his mortality (“How long do I have here with you?”) and wonders about his potential (“Tired of Giving Up”). And his recent headlining slot at the Newport Folk Fest lacked any aspects of the tantrums for which he is well-known.

Adding to the new sound, Adams has a brand new band playing on the album, one that even includes Johnny Depp on a few tracks! It seems like he’s trying to relax instead of break new ground, which for other artists would be a bad thing. Over the course of his career, he’s challenged himself to evolve, sometimes with mixed results (see 2010’s Orion), and perhaps this new brand of soft rock is just the next chapter.

The album doesn’t have to twang of the records or the driving edge of rock ‘n’ roll, but as a solid entry in the ongoing saga that is Ryan Adams, it’s certainly worth a listen. It’s not his best work, but that’s what you get when you’ve released seminal albums like and Heartbreaker. Hey, Muggles — It’s Quidditch Time!

It’s that time of year again; the leaves start to fall, apples are ripe for picking and young people start running across open fields on broomsticks, hurling a deflated volleyball through hoops. Don’t be alarmed if you happen to come upon it; it’s a real sport! That’s right, athletic Harry Potter fans in the Northeast are gearing up for the next season of Quidditch.

Unless you’ve lived in the rainforest for the past decade-and-a-half, you probably know that Quidditch is the premier wizarding-world sport, dreamed up by J.K. Rowling in the Harry Potter Series. What you may not know is that there are people who play a real-world re-creation of the game, known to the public as Muggle Quidditch. In this part of New England, Muggle Quidditch is represented by the India Point Ashwinders and the URI Rhody Ridgebacks.

According to Harry Potter lore, the sport is named for the Queerditch Marsh, thought to be the site of the first ever game. A cranky witch named Gertie Keddle lived near the marsh around 1050 and recorded her account of a mysterious game some pesky wizards were playing near her home.

The game’s origins in the realm of reality are a bit less mystical; the game was first played in 2005 when Xander Manshel, then a freshman at Middlebury College in Vermont, was bored one Sunday. He and his friends laid the groundwork of the game that day, and later that year, the first game snowballed into an entire intermural tournament with seven teams.

The Ashwinders and the Ridgebacks compete with seven other Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts teams in the Southern New England Quidditch conference (SNEQC). Each team plays about 11 games between September and March, capping off the season with the SNEQC Cup. With less than smooth beginnings, the Ashwinders persevered, independently funding and organizing their squad after being rejected by their university. The Ridgebacks were founded by five students in 2010 and have grown to 25 members.

In the wizarding world, the score is based on points scored by throwing the main ball, known as the quaffle, through one of three hoops on the other team’s side. Each team has three chasers who are responsible for handling the quaffle, two beaters who protect their teammates from the dangerous bludgers (flying balls), a keeper to protect the goals, and a seeker to fly around and search for the golden snitch, which is worth 150 points.

Unfortunately, everything on this planet is subject to the laws of gravity, so the game had to be tweaked a bit for human play. Believe it or not, Muggle Quiddich is a full contact sport; throughout the game, defenseman tackle offensive players on the opposing team in hopes of derailing their path to the hoops. The bludgers are dodgeballs, and players hit with them have to sit out temporarily. Perhaps the most creative aspect of the game is the snitch, which is a tennis ball in the hands of a player who feverishly runs around the field, avoiding capture. Only the seeker can try to catch it, and it’s only worth 30 points, so it’s not as game-changing as in the novel. All this makes for fast-paced, high-octane gameplay, even if it is on the ground.

If you’ve never heard of the sport, it may sound like a fringe movement, but its popularity has grown steadily in the past decade. It’s played at over 300 universities and high schools throughout the U.S., and has even made its way to Europe and Australia. The International Quidditch Association (IQA) is the sport’s official governing body, and it is dedicated to “inspiring young people to lead physically active and socially engaged lives.”

You’re never too old to indulge your magical side, so get out and take in some Quidditch. If you’re really interested, send an owl to your local team to find out about signing up!

The Steel Yard Turns 10

Providence arts collective the Steel Yard will be hosting a party on Friday, August 15, to celebrate their 10th birthday, and the event will feature a lot of what makes the city great: arts, music, and food!

Musical entertainment will be provided by some of the finest musical acts in the Ocean State, including rockers Atlantic Thrills, retro synth-pop act 1-800-Band, Thirsty Music, DJ Just Jam and others. The event will also feature local food trucks, beer and wine, and special arts installations. The event will be sponsored by Fete Music, the City of Providence Department of Arts Culture and Tourism, Headlight Hotel, Thirsty Music, RISCA and Fire Tower Engineering

Built in 1902, the Providence Steel and Iron building was in business for almost 100 years before it closed its doors. The Steel Yard was founded when entrepreneurs Clay Rockefeller and Nick Bauta bought out the defunct steel fabrication factory when they didn’t want to see the space go to waste.

A new roster of Steel Yard events is set to begin in September. You can sign up for courses in ceramics, jewelry, welding and even blacksmithing, for those who’ve been watching too much “Game of Thrones.” These classes include A Weekend with the Romans: Making a Granulated Pendant, Mad Science Welding, and Full Spectrum Handbuilding, The courses have an average of five to eight students, and are for people of all artistic skill levels. For the more experienced artisan, the Steel Yard offers an Open Studio every Sunday, and residency programs for ceramics and the foundry.

According to their mission statement, the Steel Yard aims to “act as a catalyst in the creative revitalization of the industrial valley district of Providence” and “cultivate an environment of experimentation.” The steel works doesn’t only function as an arts center; it’s a great space with lots of room that the staff rents out for weddings, fundraisers and other community events.

If you’re already involved with the Steel Yard, you know it’s a great boon to the arts community. But if you’ve never been there, this is a good chance to learn what they’re all about, take in some local entertainment or sign up for a class. In attendance will be many past and current students and instructors who will be happy to talk about their experiences. This party is a great introduction to this hidden gem of a space where you can take steps to discover the creative genius inside you!

Steel Yard’s 10th anniversary celebration will be held on August 15 (rain date August 16) at the Steel Yard, located at 27 Sims Ave in Providence. General admission is $10, admission with a 10th anniversary commemorative gift is $20, and both plus a tax deductible donation is $50. Opening remarks begin at 7:30pm, with entertainment to follow.

Soul Memorial Honors Dennis McCarthy

On Sunday, July 27, the Rhode Island musical community will come together for a special event at The Met in Pawtucket to celebrate the life of beloved musician Dennis McCarthy. The singer/ passed away unexpectedly in his Providence apartment on June 2, leaving behind catalogue of well-crafted, soulful songs. The event, called Soul Memorial, will feature a host of local musicians, who will take the stage in celebration of the late singer’s legacy.

In the Late ’70s and early ’80s, McCarthy fronted the Groovemasters, a band whose eclectic style put his versatile voice in the limelight. He was also a member of the Dynamic Johnsons.

In recent years, McCarthy and his band had become a mainstay of the Thursday night slot at Nick-a- Nee’s. He also sat in with local bassist Joe Potenza at Aspire. A die-hard performer until the end, his last gig was at the Ocean Mist in Matunuck on May 30.

The music at the event will be a retrospective of McCarthy’s impressive tenure in the music scene. It will feature performances by The Nick-a-Nee’s Band and The Groovemasters, with a special appearance from world-famous jazz saxophonist, Greg Abate. Also in attendance will be The Ubiquitones with help from RI music veteran Marc Cutler and The Last Call Band. Running the show will be emcees Len Cabral, Rudy Cheeks and Mark Taber.

The event will also serve as a CD release party. One of McCarthy’s lifelong dreams was to have his own recording, an undertaking he never finished. Luckily, he had some great friends who stepped up and finished it for him.

McCarthy didn’t have a funeral or wake, so this is Rhode Island’s only opportunity to honor a man who meant so much to the Rhode Island music scene. If you want to help celebrate his memory by listening to some of the area’s biggest talents, this is not an event to be missed.

Soul Memorial will be held on July 27 at 4:30pm at The Met located at Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket. Entrance fee: $10 suggested donation, with a potluck dinner and all proceeds going to Dennis McCarthy’s son, Jefferson.

Dinosaur Jr. Brings the Raw, Brutal Power of Rock & Roll

The original lineup of Dinosaur Jr. came through a packed Met last Friday to pump some loud guitar music into the veins of local residents. Consisting of guitarist J.Mascis, bassist , and drummer , the band pioneered a high-octane, guitar- heavy sound in the mid-80s that was a precursor to the grunge explosion of the 90s. The show was originally supposed to be headlined by King Buzzo of the Melvins, but in a fortuitous turn of events, Dinosaur was added to the bill, turning this show into one of the concert events of the summer.

The band split in the late in the late ’90s, but the original lineup mended their famously fractured relationship in the mid-2000s and hit the ground running, making new music. And unlike many of their contemporaries, their new material has held up compared to the band’s golden age.

The show was kicked off by solo guitarist Mary Halveston, whose solo set included a number of diverse pieces. She incorporated elements of jazz, classical and distorted rock riffs to create a unique sound to effectively build the anticipation.

Buzz Osborne, a.k.a King Buzzo, frontman of metal legends The Melvins, took his turn next. Armed with just an acoustic guitar, he performed a mix of songs from his new album, This Machine Kills Artists and old Melvins tunes. There are few people who could command a room with just an acoustic guitar and vocals; his songs employed the punishing, down-tuned doom riffs he’s known for, and his voice boomed so loudly that even the people drinking outside were forced to take notice.

Dinosaur kicked off their set with the last thing I expected to hear: “Bulbs of Passion,” the first track from their debut album Dinosaur, which contrasts quiet, ambient verses with distorted, metal choruses aided by Barlow’s screaming. It was a good way to punish the audience’s ears right off the bat.

Dinosaur Jr. is the loudest band I’ve ever seen, by a considerable margin. The stage was dominated by Mascis’ three full Marshall stacks, which, as you can probably imagine, make the guitar’s volume deafening. And, of course, the volume of the other instruments has to be increased to compete, so the whole thing just ends up being ludicrously, gloriously loud.

There are some who may be thinking: That’s totally absurd! Why would anyone need three full stacks? But I say the more stacks the better! The heightened sensitivity of a lot of today’s indie music is great and all, but sometimes it’s great to just sit back and bask in the raw, brutal power of rock & roll.

J. Mascis has admitted outright that their songs are pretty much “just build up to the guitar solo,” and watching the master at work is the best part about their live show. He just stands there, hardly even changing his facial expressions while his fingers skate around the neck, creating roaring, distorted madness like only he can. The other members are no slouches either; Barlow frantically strummed his Rickenbacker Lemmy-style, and Murph’s blazing-fast fills were as clean as ever.

You’re Living All Over Me, which came out in 1987 and is thought by many to be their best album, was very well represented in the set, with songs like “The Lung,” “Raisins,” “Tarpit,” “In a Jar,” and their cover of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.” The band also tore through their ’90s radio hits “Start Choppin” and “” and post-reunion singles “Pieces” and “Watch the Corners.” The band even brought it back to the early ’80s, playing a song called “Training Ground” by Barlow and Mascis’s hardcore band that’s “about how school sucks.” The highlight had to be their encore, the fan favorite “SludgeFeast,” with the crowd going into circle pit frenzy.

My only complaint: It’s great that the band regularly plays the crowd-pleasers, but they seem to cycle through the same songs during every show. With such a large catalog, Dino could really expand their setlists into something a little more comprehensive.

The concert may have killed a few brain cells, but it was totally worth it to see a band that is showing no signs of slowing down.

Locale Profiles: Boombox — Little Boxes in Downcity Most drinking establishments offer a mere one night of karaoke out of seven, and is usually relegated to mid-week days like Tuesday and Wednesday. But fear not, fans of proletarian vocal performance, because Boombox, part of Providence’s new Dean Hotel, makes karaoke the star of the show five nights a week.

Sometimes it’s embarrassing (in hindsight) when you’re the most intoxicated person at karaoke night, belting out ear-piercing renditions of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Desperado,” which is why Boombox is great for karaoke lovers. In addition to the main room, they offer private karaoke rooms, where you and your friends can sing as forcefully and horribly as you want.

Boombox’s private-room format takes its inspiration from the karaoke “boxes” that have become popular in Japan and Korea. Karaoke originated in Japan, and is said to have been invented by musician Daisuke Inoue Kobe in 1971. Inoue frequently performed at parties and dinners, and would often be asked by guests for recordings so they could sing along later. Seeing dollar signs, he constructed a kind of tape recorder that played songs for 100 yen each. The rest is history, and the activity has since spread throughout Asia and the world

Boombox isn’t just another Providence dive bar; the carefully done decor reflects its Asian influences, from the small, sleek furniture to the art hanging on the walls. If you have a sweet tooth, the bar also offers an assortment of Asian candies, like gooey Hi-chews and chocolate-dipped Pocky Sticks.

Too afraid to brave the public room, a group of friends and I decided to try out one of the private boxes for an hour. The hourly rate for even their smallest room is more than the cost of a few drinks and it only goes up from there, so you may want to get a crew together to cover the cost. The manager handed us two microphones and two song books and we were off. The room was pretty tiny, only about 13’x13’. The karaoke system is built for the kind of rapid-fire sing-along action that you need to employ to get your money’s worth. The queue holds up to twenty songs at a time, and songs can be entered into an iPad while the system is going, so you can plug in a few to sing later while your friends are rocking out.

If you’re like me, taking the mic in public doesn’t even become an option until two or three (or five) drinks in. It seems that the establishment realizes this, so the Boombox provides a full bar to help facilitate karaoke shenanigans. The drinks include the “Boombox Bomb,” a sake bomb made with Milkie’s Milk Soda and the house sake, “The Sly,” a “beermosa” made with acai and blood orange flavors, and the Karate Prince, a delicious drink featuring soju (Korean vodka, sake, triple sec and apricot). If you’d like to slam a tall boy in between songs, they have ‘Gansetts, Sapporo and two kinds of Hitachino. And for those who consider themselves aficionados of sake, Boombox has 10 varieties!

Some highlights of the night included “I’ve Got a Name” by Jim Croce, “I Try” by Macy Gray, and “Tainted Love” by Soft Cell. I even tackled the high notes on “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” by the White Stripes; the results were, I’m sure, truly horrific. But when I looked at my watch and discovered that over an hour had gone by, I was truly flabbergasted. When you’re going from song to song, only stopping to swing by the bar, the time goes by pretty quickly. If you’re indifferent to the art of karaoke, you should stick with your local VFW on Monday nights, but if you’re not, Boombox is a must-try. Who would’ve thought spending an hour in a tiny, loud room full of abominable singers belting away would be such a good time?

Boombox is located at 122 Fountain Street at the Dean Hotel in Downtown Providence. They are open from 5pm – 2am Friday and Saturday, 5pm – 1am on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday (Closed Monday and Tuesday).

Shakespeare in the Park: A Summer Tradition

The Colonial Theater and TRIST host Shakespeare in the Park

Summ er: The season that brings to mind beers on the patio, camping trips with the family, and epic tales of magic, manipulation, and romance … okay, maybe not so much the last one, but it could be time to mix it up and take in some culture. This summer in Rhode Island, two theater companies are bringing you Shakespeare in the Park, a tradition that goes back more than six decades. You may have seen Henry IV performed by TRIST in the park in Providence earlier this month, but if you didn’t, there are few more opportunities at opposite ends of the Ocean State to experience the work of the world’s most beloved playwright. The Colonial Theater will present Twelfth Night, or What You Will, at Wilcox Park in Westerly and the RI Shakespeare Company is staging The Tempest at Sandywoods in Tiverton.

The first incarnation of Shakespeare in the Park in the US was put on by producer and director Joseph Papp in the mid-1950s. The program developed from a series of free theater workshops in New York City, eventually morphing into full-blown performances. The plays were first held in the East River Park Amphitheater, but after a few seasons, moved to Central Park in 1957. The Delacorte Theater in the park, where the free performances are still staged, was completed in 1962 and kicked off that year with The Merchant of Venice starring George C. Scott and James Earl Jones.

After the smashing success of the New York edition, outdoor productions of Shakespeare began popping up all over the country and cities in every corner of the US have since caught the fever. The Rhode Island versions of this institution are a stellar addition to the state’s varied theater offerings.

On the weekend of July 11th, the RI Shakespeare Company, which recently underwent a name change to become What Cheer Shakespeare, will bring outdoor theater to Sandywoods Center for the Arts for the third summer in a row. The Tempest is the story of the Duke of Milan turned sorcerer, Prospero, and his daughter, Miranda, who have been stranded on an island for 12 years after Prospero was deposed by his conniving brother, Antonio. Prospero, in the beginning of the play, foresees that his brother will be on a passing ship and magically generates a huge storm to wipe him out. Although the start sounds violent, The Tempest draws heavily from the romance genre, and it doesn’t end in a huge bloodbath like so many other Shakespeare plays.

When you’ve seen The Tempest and are ready for more, take the trip to Wilcox Park in Downtown Westerly for The Colonial Theater’s performances of Twelfth Night. The play, set in Illyria on the eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, also begins with a shipwreck. Viola, the heroine, manages to reach the shore, but is separated from her twin brother Sebastian. Meanwhile, nobleman Orsino yearns for the unattainable lady Olivia. This comedy, thought to be written in 1601, has everything you want from Shakespeare; hilarious hijinks, painful, unrequited love and women dressed as men. The performance will mark the 23rd season of free Shakespeare in Wilcox Park, so come be a part of history!

If you’re in the mood to enjoy the outdoors and participate in an American tradition, come experience the kind of heightened drama and confusing language that only Shakespeare can provide. Bespeak yourself and attend what will forsooth be events most grand!

The Tempest: Sandywoods Center for the Arts is located at 43 Muse Way in Tiverton. The performances will be held on July 11th and 12th at 7pm. Admission is $25 per carload and $15 for drivers with no adult passengers and walk-ins (kids are free). BYOB and food.

Twelfth Night: Wilcox Park is located at 44 Broad St. in Westerly. Performances will be held Tuesdays to Sundays at 8pm all summer, until August 17th. Admission is free.

Locale Profiles: The Revolving Door Newport is known for its history; there are establishments that have been around since the 17th century, and the White Horse Tavern is known as the oldest tavern in America. Many restaurants in the area may be trying to preserve the essence of past centuries, but the Revolving Door, opened this winter, is built around a concept that guarantees to keep the cuisine original and exciting. The Revolving Door is the newest addition to the Bouchard restaurant/hotel group, conveniently located next to the water on Thames Street.

The restaurant employs visiting chefs, and each one brings a brand new menu of their own invention. The chefs are given residencies that last between two weeks and a month. Currently at the helm is Ezra Lewis, a Trinidadian and Tobogian chef whose resume includes positions cooking at the world-famous Augusta National Golf Club and the 41 North resort in Newport. Lewis’ creations for the current Revolving Door menu offer the finest in seafood, including tuna tartar black sesame toast, roasted Cornish hen and lobster, pan roasted scallops and salad, and king crab. To end the meal, Lewis makes a chocolate tart (“chocolate passion”) and a vanilla bean cheesecake with roasted nectarines.

Not everything at the restaurant is unpredictable; house chef Josh Berman, who previously worked in Mario Batali’s restaurant Del Posto, created a menu that’s always available including New York strip steak and shrimp scampi provincial, both with salad.

The Revolving Door will be a refreshing change from the usual old-world steakhouses, and the only thing you can guarantee cuisine-wise is that your meal will probably be awesome. The format of the Revolving Door will give foodies an irrefutable excuse to dine out every month, sometimes even more!

The Revolving Door is located at 509 Thames Street in Newport. If you’re a chef who is interested in participating, visit their website.

Toy Soldiers Take Over the Columbus

It’s not every day that a band like Philadelphia’s Toy Soldiers comes along

Philadelphia troubadours Toy Soldiers, along with Quiet Life, came to the Columbus Theatre on June 8 to give the people of Providence some late-night entertainment. The intimate show took place upstairs at the Columbus Theatre, a small space that makes it feel like you’re watching bands perform in your living room.

The show kicked off with a set of songs from bluesman Mark Milloff of local group the Cannibal Ramblers. Backed by an impromptu band made up mostly of members of the other acts, Milloff sounded like a preacher possessed by the power of the blues. He hadn’t even met the other musicians before, but the set went very smoothly. “This song is gonna have a stop somewhere … we’ll figure it out,” he instructed at one point. The set became more like a sprawling jam session with the tunes fluidly blending together.

Next up was Quiet Life. The Pacific Northwest has exported a number of successful indie folk bands like Blind Pilot and Fleet Foxes, and Quiet Life seem right at home in this kind of company. Led by frontman Sean Spellman, the band is right at home playing rockabilly, up-tempo tunes (lead guitarist Robert Jenson is a fret board wizard), but the most powerful moments of the show came with more acoustic, straight-ahead folk tunes, including the showstopper “Shaky Hand.” Spellman commented at the surprisingly appealing atmosphere of the Columbus, formerly a pornographic movie theater.

Toy Soldiers took the stage after a brief intermission, and it looked like they were having a great time performing. They brought it back to 1971 with a powerful cover of Harry Nilsson’s “Early in the Morning” first performed by Louis Jordan. Their amped- up version of this mellow tune was exactly what you’d hope for from a band like Toy Soldiers. “Heart in a Mousetrap” explored classic country tropes (“you’ve got my heart in a mousetrap, you’re like a brick thrown at my head”) with tasteful background licks from guitarist Matt Kelly. “Tomorrow is Today” began with a slow, wistful intro then built into a salsa feel, with impeccable drumming from Domenic Billet. Frontman Ron Gallo’s voice is instantly recognizable and sounded like a kind of rock ’n’ roll crooning.

Toy soldiers released their excellent album The Maybe Boys in 2013, combining the energetic blues- rock of the Stones with the organ-laced sensitivity of The Band. Surprisingly, the band only played a few songs from the album during their hour-long set, which is probably a testament to their prolific songwriting ability.

One of the highlights of the show was experiencing the camaraderie between talented guys who clearly enjoy each other’s company; throughout each band’s set, various members of the other groups joined in onstage. Both drummers were playing together for most of the show, and Toy Soldiers bassist Bill McCloskey played with Quiet Life almost the entire set.

In the age of electronic music sensory overload, it’s great to see bands that can still take it back to their roots. These two acts with bright futures made staying out until after midnight on a Sunday night totally worth it.

Ron Gallo will be playing upstairs once again at the Columbus Theatre, along with Christopher Paul Stelling and Jonah Tolchin on June 27 at 8pm.