From Brian Tottenham, AMP Board Member

"I miss live music!" A chorus that grows louder every passing day. And as good as our intentions may be, a live stream or a zoom dance party just isn't the same. Live music is having a beer with December Cover Artist In Memory of Della Moustachella the last band, while listening Photos and words by Thaddeus Hink to the current band, while Manon Racicot anticipating your moment to Our cover art this month comes from prolific Mourning the loss of a great friend, discussed what we would do next. She wanted be on the other side. For me, multi-media artist, Manon Racicot, age seven. to do something with the pig costume that it's the pre show chaos, spaces We spoke with Manon about the art she makes both to me, and our community. she employed in some of her acts. between songs and sets. The and the upcoming holiday season. I changed the hot tub water this morning. This I asked her what about doing the Liebovitz/ always present "I wonder if What kind of art do you like to make? normally routine chore was with a heavy heart Whoopie Goldberg bathtub image but with anyone will show up.” And the I like to make splots, and scribbles, and things today. Why? Just over a month ago I received the pig costume and in the hot tub. Much answer, even if just a few, is like that. Flowers and butterflies and snow- news that my friend and performer Della laughter ensued and it would be our next always yes. flakes. Once I made a butterfly that had all my Moustachella had been killed in an automo- endeavor together. Then the lock down hit To me it speaks of the profound favorite colors, blue, green, purple, red, and bile accident on a snowy Montana highway. and everything was postponed. In October bond that Anacortes and music then magenta. And it had flowers around the we spoke and I told her I was getting ready I met Della several years ago at the Bellingham have. And the reason, quite butterfly and I think the background was blue. to change the hot tub water so the timing Circus Guild where she routinely performed. frankly, I couldn't care less if would be good to do the shoot just before When you make art, how does it make Along with the BCG she could be found per- I never played for a different the water change. She let me know she and you feel? forming at a plethora of local events in What- audience again. Growing up, Wren were going out of town for a couple of Making art makes me feel happy because it’s com and Skagit counties. Recently Della, and the thought of a favorite "local weeks and we would convene on her return fun, to me at least. I’m especially happy when her partner Wren, performed in Anacortes at band" didn't exist. Local bands in November. I’ve been bored for a little while and then I the first AMPulance tour last June with Tom held just as much weight as any make art. Then I feel happy. But I’m not bored Savage and Chris Nickerson around our little With a certain sadness I drained the hot tub Top 40 band and still do today, very often because I read a lot. fishing village. and cleaned the filters this morning thinking if not more. Some of these of my friend Della and the photograph we bands still making relevant What are you reading right now? So why the hot tub? Della and I had worked will never get to make. Della was always a music in the purest form....for I’m reading The Secret Garden. I like it because together over the last couple of years on stu- point of light illuminating those around her, the love. This is in no small part there’s a secret garden and I like secret things. dio projects that were either theme based or whether on the stage or off. She will be missed due to the acceptance, desire, It’s about three kids and they find a secret promotional for her acts. One such memorable by her many friends and family along with and heartfelt demand for music garden and they plant seeds in it. And there’s project was recreating the Marilyn Monroe the laughter and joy that only Della could on this island. Ben Weatherstaff’s robin. Ben Weatherstaff sidewalk/air grate image but with a toilet uniquely convey. ■ is a gardener. instead. After our last shoot in February, we Seeing and being a face in that crowd, looking for a place to What are you looking forward to in happen. That's what I miss. December? I like Christmas because I like how the Christ- We worry about having venues mas tree looks. I like making presents for to go back to and what a new people. Oh, and I like opening presents that I landscape will look like on the get. That’s really all. ■ other side, which is valid. But Lincoln Theatre Livestream Series Continues what I do not worry about is by Joel Askey that bond. Music, like energy... This Month on The NeXt Show: and love ...is not created or The Lincoln Theatre has ramped up their live music offerings sig- Kelly Visten (vocals) and Joe Pintello (vocals, guitar). This diverse line- destroyed, but converted from nificantly this month. After past successes with such acts as The Sky up covered a wide range of music standards, from Linda Ronstadt one to another. Karl Blau and more! Colony and Mariachi Camarillo, the Mount Vernon landmark hosted to the Tempatations. Mama Dirty Skirt showed its musical and vocal For your regular fix of local music discussion two events in their Virtual Concert series, as well as a livestream by proficiency which makes it a favorite of the bar band/festival circuit So while we shout "I miss and artist interviews, tune into The NeXt Show, blues legend Taj Mahal. For those of us longing for the experience in NW Washington. live music!!!" It's each other the live show where you hear the music and of a live music performance, these productions are a welcome, if we really miss, the bond, the thoughts of artists from Anacortes and be- imperfect, relief. For the month of December, energy...the love. yond. Streaming live on the first Thursday upcoming live streams include: On Saturday, November 7th, the Lincoln hosted the band “Lazy of every month. For December we have Karl Acres”. This foursome from Sedro Wooley consists of Wes Jones Charlie Hunter & Lucy Woodward Trio Blau live with Shell Collection, Who is Eagle (guitar/lead vocals), Jeff Spradlin (guitar), Joe Hayes (bass) and Trev- Bear, The Enthusiasts, and more! ■ Brittany Collins or Lance (drums). The band plays original music, composed by Wes Jones, that bridges the genres of contemporary county to classic Magical Strings Celtic Yuletide Thursday Southern rock. Only together for about a year, the band played songs in support of their debut album “Who We Are”. Their performance All dates TBA, check the Lincoln Theatre calendar at started out with mellow ballads and culminated with the high-energy http://lincolntheatre.org/calendar for details. December 3 “Times Like Now.” Many of the paid events featured help to support live music and The following week, on November 14th, R&B/classic rock cover the Lincoln Theatre. Thanks to the Lincoln for continuing to be 7:00-9:00 PM band “Mama Dirty Skirt” took the stage for the second show of the a leader in the arts and cultural life of the Skagit Valley. Please Go to anacortesmusicproject.org to listen month. The band consists of experienced PNW performers Dave Lyon support their efforts if you can! ■

Ringing the Bell for Anacortes Music /// Brought to you by Anacortes Music Project by you to Brought Ringing the Anacortes Music /// Bell for live and access podcasts of past shows. (bass), Tim Maloy (drums), Buck Hammock (guitar), Ria Peth(vocals), MANIERI ENDOWMENT

Ringing the Bell for Anacortes Music /// Brought to you by Anacortes Music Project The Enthusiasts The Fanny Alger Pearl Tottenham John Van Deusen Karl Blau Jack Mattingly Tune inatanacortesmusicproject.org Live Stream! December Our localfavessingingholidaytunes. Rockin' Yule Bizarre! 5th Annual & more! Gillian Frances Marlo Cooley Allyson Foster Ebb Slack&Flood

19 , 7:00 PM Anacortes MusicProjectAnacortes Proceeds benefit Live Raffle! decorated AMPulance! traveling festively inthe distant caroling elves, hissocially Santa and of December by 20th, curbside evening on the be delivered to you Raffle prizes will

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Anacortes Music Channel New Releases Do you know about the Anacortes Music Channel? One great pool of Anacortes Represent! music just churning away—24/7! Each From Phil Elverum sound recording played at Anacortes Music Your support amplifies the music and Project online radio has an Anacortes tie- musicians of Anacortes. In addition to the Microphones in 2020 in, a story that, if not rooted in Anacortes, promotion, publication, and distribution Silent Version is affected by or involves a person from of the SHOW CHIME music calendar, AMP our town. Tune in day and night at ana- is committed to creating events featuring Phil Elverum has created a new book of 761 cortesmusicproject.org. local musicians, developing a scholarship photos titled Microphones in 2020 Silent and mentoring program, continuing the Version. The book compiles images taken development and collection of archives from the short film of the same name, Music Resources past and present, and shaping exciting which accompanied the Microphones’ first The Business visions for the future, such as a physical album in 17 years (also called Microphones The Business cultures Anacortes and the space for our community’s very own radio in 2020). world with its selection of fiercely inde- station and music space. "It’s a culmination of a lifetime still un- pendent new music. They offer music Your contribution is uplifting the culture derway. I’m still taking pictures in the subscriptions, curate local shows, and offer of art and music in our town. We’re doing weird low light with the same obsolete label operations and mail-order fulfillment this together! camera, finding ways. The pursuit con- for many self-releasing artists and labels. tinues, the path through distortion and Located at 216 Commercial and thebusi- Go to anacortesmusicproject.org grain twists forward.” nessanacortes.com. and click on the sponsorship button. to be released on December 25, 2020 The UNKNOWN: Recording Studio P.W. Elverum & Sun It’s an amazing place to record music. It AMP Swag for Sale sounds huge because it is huge. Our great AMP t-shirts and stickers are now avail- collection of equipment and instruments able! Support your local music scene by can give you a whole new perspective on a band writing featured here has a unique Anacortes plus the skills and familiarity with the space sporting some swag. Shirts and stick- Verse Chorus Verse or musician. As we experience the music in our connection. This month we have words and have made consistently great albums for ers can be purchased at AMP events town, we can appreciate the wonderful poetry art from Allyson Foster, who lives, works and people from all over the world who have or by becoming an AMP sponsor at Anyone who has ever gotten lost in the liner and writing that goes along with it. Here we creates art and music in Anacortes. ■ traveled here to record. Email Nich at: anacortesmusicproject.org. notes knows that reading the lyrics of a song highlight the words of one song. Each piece of [email protected] The ConneXtion Stay in Anacortes Since 1997, The ConneXtion has been a Coming to Anacortes for a show? Stay the water and you have to call the Coast Guard. » If the pandemic has you looking for additional family-owned and operated business pro- night! Check out the range of options at Do you really want to say "We need help! The safe coffee options, check out Za Za Turkish viding Direct2Consumer sales, marketing, Anacortes.org/stay/ Chime Chat Huffin' Puffin' is taking on water!" No. That Coffee in the Little Chicago area of Cap Sante and fulfillment solutions for hundreds of would be embarrassing. Maybe make a help- Marina. A real Turkish guy will make you real festivals, concerts, fashion brands, musi- Get in Touch! ful list of sane boat names and give them to Turkish coffee. cians and bands, filmmakers, comedians, Want your music projects or shows men- with Cherry your friend in a cheery Hallmark card. Short independent labels, foodies and more. » Times are tough people, and small businesses, tioned in the Show Chime? Want to sub- In the tradition of the great personal advice of that, spray paint does the job. Headquartered in Anacortes, Washington, especially restaurants, need your help. Shop mit a piece of art or an article? Have ideas column, Show Chime presents Chime Chat their bi-coastal team provides white glove Dear Cherry: locally for the holidays and get take-out food at for Show Chime you’d like to share? with Cherry. Do you have a problem you need services to customers around the world. My most treasured holiday tradition is caroling least once a week. ■ Please get in touch! help with? Are you wondering who you can Learn more at TheConneXtion.com. with friends, but singing with friends is out [email protected] turn to? Cherry doesn’t just dish out advice, of the question this year. Do you have any Hoopla she peers deeply into your soul to find the suggestions for new holiday activities that Missing your library? Check out Hoopla, answers within you. She also specializes in Thank You! might fill this hole in the season?—Sad Singer Share Your Local a digital media service provided by the naming bands, boats, and babies. Write to Thank you to our sponsoring businesses; Anacortes Public Library with support from Cherry at [email protected]! Dear Singer: Music Knowledge! Mugsy at The Red Snapper, Hal, Sheryl, and the Manieri Endowment. Access music, I feel your pain. Cherry loves singing carols. My Erik at The Brown Lantern, Nick and Caro- Dear Cherry: audiobooks, movies, ebooks, comics, and suggestion would be to get a bunch of paper Call for Band Bios lyn at Bikespot, Mark and Willy at Guemes My dad’s favorite Christmas album is Kenny more, all in an incredibly user-friendly towel tubes (for amplification and humor), AMP’s radio plays 1000’s of songs by Anacortes Island General Store, Rick Star at Rockfish G’s Miracles and my brother's favorite is Jingle interface. Sign up with your library card station yourselves a block apart, and have at connected artists 24 and 7. Now we are ready to Bar and Grill, Barrett Community Caring Cats. Needless to say, I dread the upcoming at hoopladigital.com. it! You'll entertain the whole neighborhood! ■ add all the details. The AMP archive of Bands, Project. Thank you Manieri board, Chris holiday music season at my house. Is there Venues, Shows, Compilations, Events, and Kennelly Keys Music Terrell, and Keith Eyer at How It Works. anything I can do to keep my sanity this Players is just getting started! We are compiling Kennelly Keys provides instruments, Thank you, community member spon- year? —The Grinch photos, videos, and music, along with details supplies, lessons, rentals, repairs, and sors; Laura Spehar, Victoria McNeil, Patti Dear Grinch: Town Talk of each artist/band. We need help from the venue space for performances, private Pattee, Terry Velin, and DJ Browne. Thank While both of those albums sound like community to build out this amazing resource. parties, and weddings. Check their you to The SAM Project for all they do to by Correspondent Nick pure torture, I feel that everyone is entitled If you want to have your band included, just fill website at www.kennellykeysmusic. promote our cause. A special thank you to a little Christmas cheer, and if that music » Paris Restaurant, the Mediterranean-European out our Archive Questionnaire! com/locations/anacortes/ for updates this month to all of our Yule Raffle sponsors brings them happiness, then maybe let it eatery next to the Brown Lantern, has opened on their operating schedule. for their amazing donations! Thank you to go. However, nothing is stopping you from after a transformational remodel. The breakfast, Manon Racicot for the enthusiastic cover Call for Contributors Manieri Jazz & Swing Collection loudly and poorly playing the trombone lunch, and dinner menu is quite extensive. art making. Thank you, Laurie Racicot, for Show Chime is looking for volunteer The Anacortes Public Library features simultaneously over those garbage songs. editing and design. This December issue of » J. Slocum Outfitter’s of Nautical Adventures is contributors to help us cover the local the Manieri Jazz & Swing Collection— Show Chime was printed by How it Works Dear Cherry: open now at 615 Commercial Ave., offering Marine music scene. Lend your skills and passion specially chosen books, CDs, and DVDs and made possible by a grant from the My friend just bought a boat named Huffin’ Clothing and “Work Wear” to tourists who appre- to help promote the homegrown music on the uniquely American art of jazz and Anacortes Public Library Manieri Endow- Puffin. He thinks it’s a cute name. Should I let ciate blue collar chic and incorrect punctuation. you love and help us grow this beloved swing music. Sponsored by the Manieri ment. Getting the Show Chime to you each him enjoy it or should I tell him what I really publication. Cover one show or become a endowment, the entire collection is ac- » The Samish Indian Nation is building a gas month is a community effort! This issue think? —Reality Check regular contributor. Have ideas about what cessible for check-out with your library station and convenience store off of Highway was written, edited, printed, distributed, we should cover? Contact us at membership. All materials can now be Dear Reality: 20 Spur east of Lake Campbell. Harold’s Market and probably read on the traditional lands [email protected] checked out with curbside pickup. Visit Nothing bothers Cherry more than a poorly and gas station undoubtedly will suffer and/or of Samish, Skagit, Swinomish, and Puget to start the conversation. the library website for more information named boat. Imagine your boat is taking on close due to this undertaking. Sound Salish people. From the World of “Ali Gorical” by Luuk Honey. and for jazz streaming services. ■