The band is an eclectic mash up that comes together beautifully.  Ginger A. Thompson, the lead singer, is what I would like to call the love child of Lenny Kravitz and Janis Joplin.  Janis’ soul, and Lenny’s style & rock and roll.  She’s got Janis’ emotional voice, the lyrics to back it up, and a stage charisma that kept me drawn in the entire show.   Her words are truthful, genuine, vulnerable yet bold – that’s what everyone really wants to hear…songs that tell it like it is…one of my favorite’s being the one they closed the night with – “Come Here, Sit Down, Shut Up.”

The bassist, Lee Sadler,  comes from a one-man-band background, and to look at him you would think – a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n roll.  He’s just one of those guys you love to hate, for all of his talent.  Bass, guitar, harmonica, mandolin – he can do it all.  I’m glad he settled on the bass for this band – he provides the perfect smooth undertone that accompanies Ginger’s writing style.  At the same time his style is so complex, that at some points throughout the show, I had to question if he was hiding an extra hand somewhere on his left arm.

Dave Bailey on drums reminds me of Dave Grohl, from the first Foo Fighter’s album.  His style of play is energetic, bordering on spastic – I found my eyes were continuously drawn to the flurry of his  drumsticks, wondering how anyone’s mind and muscles could work so in sync with each other with such ease.  Dave’s high-energy style doesn’t overtake the show however, just adds the perfect touch of high octane to fuel the band.  One of the coolest things I noticed about him was the fact that he uses the entire drum set – another Dave Grohl characteristic.  But I hate to keep comparing, it’s apparent Dave will make a name for himself.

I can count The 7s  lucky they found each other.  I can also count the music world lucky for what they will inevitably bring to the table.

Check out the “JULIE GOLDMAN BIRTHDAY COMEDY SPECTACULAR” at Lipstick24, Saturday June 11^th at 8:30pm.

Austin’s favorite funny lesbian Holly Lorka will also be performing her famous pee-your-pants-and-spit-your-beer-out schtick. And special guests Brandy Howard (InYourBoxOffice.com) and Chris Garza will be there, along with super funny host Julie Gillis of “Ladies are Funny Fest (LAFF).”

Spread the word on Facebook and RSVP to let your friends know you’ll be going to Julie’s Birthday!!!

Doors open at 8pm, show starts at 8:30pm. Tickets $7
Advance tickets: booking@lipstick24austin.com

And don’t miss the free after party—dance your booty off from 10pm – 2am!

And this Tuesday, January 18^th, is a super-special one. Come out and meet the ladies of the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls from 7pm – midnight. Help celebrate the kick-off of their 10th anniversary season. Meet and mingle with the likes of skaters from the Holy Rollers, the Hellcats, the Putas Del Fuego and more!

Drink specials shall abound to keep you ladies happy, but that money will won’t go to waste. This TXRD ladies’ night is actually a fundraiser for the infamous Austin Angel’s women’s softball team. You know ‘em, you love ‘em… now come support ‘em!

Two raffles will be held for pairs of tickets to the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls’ first bout on January 30^th at the Palmer Events Center – All Scar Army vs. United Skates Navy (oh how clever!). Both teams are made up of all star players from the league, so it’s gonna be a bloody awesome bout—guaranteed. Raffle tickets are $2 for one or $5 for three (you DO NOT have to be present to win. A pair of tickets is a $30 value).

Want the scoop on Austin banked track roller derby? Go to www.TXRD.com.

And be sure to check out OCH’s ladies nights EVERY Tuesday night.

This Saturday night is the pre-Grand Opening of Lipstick24—the self-proclaimed “biggest, nicest ladies club Austin has ever had!” This new club is located downtown at 606 E. 7^th Street (formerly SideBar) across from the Beauty Bar.

This Saturday, come see God-Des and She perform at 11:15, with opening performance by Anne Lorelle from 8-9pm. And if you want more than just live music, Lipstick 24 includes a lounge, a game room, and “club lipstick.”

A well-spent $12 will get you in the door, and you might even be lucky enough to snag some free giveaways or win the Halloween costume contests. But sorry kiddos, it’s ages 21 and up only.

Check out the Facebook invite here.

Looking forward to seeing how this new place fares. See you there Saturday!

Cap City Comedy Club
Monday 10/25 @ 8pm
Tickets $12 at Cap City Comedy Club

If you haven’t heard about this must-see documentary by Austin’s own Nevie Owens, here’s the scoop:

“Everyone is affected by cancer. It does not discriminate against age, race, social class, income, education, gender, or sexual orientation. Cancerpants - a story told through the eyes of Rochelle “Ro” Poulson is about life, love and a young woman’s journey with breast cancer. Ro faces each day as it comes, and is grateful for the lessons she learns along the way.”

Watch the trailer at www.cancerpants.com– and come support the film!

Advance tickets are $15, and available at the door for $20. Student tickets also available.  This event is 18+.

And a promo for our LezGoAustin followers: Go to http://goblingayla.mogotix.com and enter promo code “LEZGOAUSTIN” for $5 off your ticket!

The first 20 ladies to purchase a ticket online will receive a free gift – courtesy of C&M Couples. Everything you need to prepare for a passionate evening. Kit contains 2oz candle, 2oz linen mist, 2oz shower gel, 2oz massage creme, 2oz lubricant and 15 count Tela D’Amour in a sleek, metal travel case.

Date
Saturday, October 23, 2010 8:00 PM until Sunday, October 24, 2010 2:00 AM

Location
The Tiniest Bar in Texas
817 W. 5th Street, Austin, TX 78703

Thanks to the sponsors of this event:
• Brown Distributing
• C&M Couples
• FleshJack
• The Tiniest Bar in Texas
• Peevy Media
• Barefoot Wines

Elyse Haren 

Performing as one of the headliners at this Fall’s Donna Jam on Saturday night at Jovita’s, we wanted to get to know Elyse a little better and help introduce her to the rest of our lovely community of women who will be in attendance Saturday night!

LGA: Tell us a little bit about yourself, where are you from, and how you got into the music industry.

Elyse:  ”A little about me…  I’m a night owl, but not an all-nighter. I love bike riding, the rain, a great real-life TV mystery, good food and better company.  I’ve always been a little fish in a big pond. I’m originally from New York City, but moved to Los Angeles when I was little because of life-threatening asthma attacks. Both my parents sing. My Dad attended the High School of the Performing Arts (The Fame School), so music runs deep through out my lineage. I danced and sang in musicals growing up, wrote poetry, and then after high school, I started writing my own songs.”

LGA: Who are you biggest influences?  Is there any particular event or stage in your life or place you lived that really inspired you to get into music?

Elyse:  ”Musically: Alanis Morissette, the Pretenders, Fleetwood Mac, Heart, U2, The Killers

              Personally: Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton, and Lucille Ball”

LGA: For those who haven’t heard your music before, how would you describe your style?  What other artists past or present would you compare yourself to?

Elyse:  ”Intense pop rock with the intimacy of a singer/songwriter. I’ve been compared to the best of the non-drippy girls of the 80’s and more modernly to Florence + the Machine.” 

LGA: What is your favorite year in terms of music?  Meaning throughout the decades, which year in particular do you think produced the best music to date?

Elyse:  ”I’m going with 1977, which had “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen),  “Dreams” & “Go Your Own Way” (Fleetwood Mac), “Hotel California” (Eagles), “Breakdown” (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), “Barracuda” (Heart) , “Maybe I’m Amazed” (Paul McCartney and Wings) and Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are”.”

LGA: What is the craziest show you have ever played?

Elyse: “Craziest show will definitely be one of the shows on the current tour with Dave Schulz. Stay tuned, but Greg Pajer (guitar) and I once played a MySpace Records show where we had to sit in tandem. It was like playing on a school bus!”

LGA: Besides music, what else are you passionate about?  What are your other hobbies? 

Elyse:  ” I’m passionate about the environment, equal rights, suicide prevention, and helping the homeless.  I volunteer at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, but after I saw a man strip-searched on the side of the freeway in LA, it occurred to me how everyone donates clothing, but no one donates undergarments. So, in the next year I plan to start a non-profit organization, which will provide clean underwear, boxers, bras, tanks, and socks to the homeless.”

LGA: Describe a typical week in the life of Elyse Haren.

Elyse:  ”Typically my day starts with walking my Border Collie mut , Melrose, and a soy latte, and of course can’t forget to feed my hefty Orange Tabby cat, Harrison.  Then I’ll move onto email and band biz stuff, most likely picking up the guitar for a break, somewhere along the way.  I spend my days either recording in the studio, rehearsing with the band, writing new songs, or working as the band’s manager.  I am always inspired to write on walks, so after Melly’s late night walk, I’ll usually come back inside and write at least a verse or chorus on the guitar or piano.”

LGA: Have you found that lesbians compromise a large part of your fan base?  If so, why do you think that is? If not, why do you think that is?

Elyse: “I have found that lesbians compromise a decent part of my fan base and I hope it’s because I represent a real woman, who isn’t a size zero, who writes her own songs and plays an instrument.”

LGA: What is your impression of Austin, Texas?

Elyse:  ”Austin feels like home to us. It’s the first place we ever toured outside California and it’s truly the best city for live music. The people of Austin are so unbelievably supportive of the independent music community and it gives me hope for independent artists everywhere.”

LGA: If you could spend a day with any musician past or present, who would it be and why?

Elyse: “I’d love to spend the day Freddie Mercury because he was an original. His songs, his voice, and you just know he knew exactly how to host a party.”

 LGA:  We all know that even straight girls have girl crushes.  Who is yours?!

 Elyse:  ”Rihanna.”

On Saturday, September 4th at the usual hot spot – Jovita’s on South First St., Donna Jam will be showcasing an entirely new line up of both local AND world-wide talent!  We get to tune into some of Austin’s own talented artists, as well as some acts touring across the globe…it’s the best of both worlds!

We know you want the scoop on who is performing, so here it is:  

Savanna Kate Russell
Hannah Hagar
Elyse Haren
Dave Schulz

Savanna Kate Russel and Hannah Hagar are both home-town, ATX, talents, as well as “family!”  So, you know definitely do not want to miss out on their acts early on in the night!  Elyse Haren is an amazing touring artist from LA, while Dave Schulz — formerly of the GOO GOO DOLLS –  will be performing last as our “honorary Donna” of the night!  

We have to tell ya, we are absolutely pumped for this show.  It’s going to be new and different and just as fun (if not MORE) than previous Donna Jams!  So come one, come all!  Lots of great Mexican food, beer, and margaritas as usual!!

Tickets are $8 in advance (email info@lezgoaustin.com to get your name of the pre-sale list), and $10 at the door – same as always!  Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts SOON after that, so don’t be late!

And in case you forgot the date already, it’s SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH – so put it in your Google Calendars!!

This is an ALL WOMEN’S flag football league, so no having to worry about those ball hoggin’ boys and silly co-ed rules – it’s just all girls, all fun, all the time!

Here’s the scoop:  Games are every Monday night, anywhere from 6:30 pm to 9 pm, at the fields on Robert E. Lee off Barton Springs Rd. (right across the street from Zilker Park).  There are usually 4 – 5 teams in the league and the season lasts for 10 weeks (or 8 games)!

The games are fun and light-hearted, but there is definitely still some great competition out there!  So, ladies gather your friends – more importantly, step up and be a CAPTAIN and get a team together.  It’s easy, just find 8 people or more, get them to hand over about $40 a piece and register online right here: http://www.capitalcityflagfootball.com/

No practicing necessary, just show up on Monday nights with your coolers and folding chairs and get ready for a great time.  If you don’t necessarily have a group of friends in mind to play with, just use LezGoAustin’s Facebook page to put yourself out there as a free agent and have some team pick you up!  There should be plenty of room for everyone to play!

Again, registration starts today, August 2nd and goes ONLY until August 6th – so you have to HURRY!  Go to http://www.capitalcityflagfootball.com/ print fill out the registration form and get your team IN!

This year’s 2^nd Annual East 6^th Pub Crawl is next Saturday, July 17^th, and is expected to be bigger and better. Last year over 250 people attended this outrageous lesbian-dominant crawl, but we’ve got more venues to hit up, and more shenanigans to partake in, including:

Iron Gate Lounge
Cheer Up Charlie’s
The Good Knight
The Brixton
Shangri-La
The Liberty
La Perla
ATX
Club Primo’s
Plus more TBA…

This event will help send Softball Austin’s Women’s Division team, Blind Sided, to their quest of victory at the ASANA World Series in Las Vegas. What’s even cooler is that a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Texas Mamma Jamma Breast Cancer Bike Ride in September (www.mammajammaride.org).

Pub Crawl Registration starts at 7p.m. at Cheer Up Charlie’s. Last crawl group leaves at 8 p.m. SHARP Don’t be late!

But today is the last day for early discounted $10 registration online—Just go to PAYPAL and send you $$ to blindsidedsoftball@gmail.com. $10 reserves your Pub Crawl t-shirt (be sure and note shirt size!!) and includes entrance to the end of the crawl DJ/Dance party at Club Primo’s at approximately 10:30 p.m. or 11 p.m. Day of event price – $15 (t-shirt not guaranteed) so register early.

Sponsors include your beloved LezGoAustin, and also these great folks:

DebbieKnowsAustin.com
Kitty w/ FoodiesAustin.com
Goldstar* Promotions ATX
BoothBooth.com
TabbedOut.com

Any questions can be directed to blindsidedsoftball@gmail.com. Check out the event on Facebook.