Broke? Check out the free entertainment at Colorado Earth Day 2000.

Earth Day is not just about hugging trees any more. This year, Earth Day is about renewable energy, recycled fashions, electric bikes and entertainment. Lots of entertainment for free. Colorado Earth Day 2000 is a three-day event to be held April 14-16 at Currigan Hall located on 15th Street between Champa and Stout. Some of the best local and regional entertainment will be featured with everything from comedians to musicians, Aztec dancers to magicians.

The Earth Day festivities actually begin on Sunday, April 9, with a fundraising concert to be held at the Mercury Café located at 2199 California Street. For $12 one can enjoy an afternoon of blues beginning with Greeley-based Blue Illusion at noon and featuring a performance by Sundance and MIB at 2:30 PM. Proceeds from the concert go toward funding the free event the following weekend. Those who read the tattooed food critic's article last issue will realize that they have an opportunity to enjoy an incredible Sunday brunch at the Café downstairs and can also support Earth Day and local entertainment by continuing the afternoon adventure upstairs with equally incredible blues.

The main event, Colorado Earth Day 2000, kicks off at 10 AM Friday, April 14. Anyone with spring fever and a sick day in their pocket should use it and attend this event. Highlights of the day vary depending on your tastes, but the opening ceremony with a performance by Hazel Miller and an appearance by Mayor Webb will be guaranteed to surpass that monthly staff meeting. Earth Day this year offers a bit of everything for everyone. The recycled fashion show is set for Saturday afternoon and one can test ride electric bikes at their convenience. There is an aerial and flat-land bike show scheduled for both Friday and Saturday afternoons, comedians will perform in the late afternoon every day and ethnic dance groups are scattered throughout the event.

And music -- let's not forget music. Some of the best local and regional artists will be performing over the course of the three-day event, many having just released new CDs. If for some strange reason participation in the actual Earth Day event is not an option (perhaps alien abductions will be at a peak that weekend), one can enjoy the music of Earth Day performers indirectly by purchasing an Earth Day 2000 compilation CD to listen to at home. Most of the bands performing as well as other earth-friendly musicians contributed music to the CD, with the proceeds going to fund entertainment for Colorado Earth Day 2001. The CD will be available for $10 at the event, can be purchased at Twist and Shout, Wax Trax, and the finest record stores, or ordered online from hapiskratch.com, firstfame.com, and kpaw.com. This gives those suffering from agoraphobia a chance to participate as well.

It is not often in this world that things are handed to us without a cost of some sort or another, but this appears to be one of those rare occasions. For more information on Colorado Earth Day 2000 check out coloradoearthday.org; for more information on the entertainers who will be performing at Earth Day go to firstfame.com.

Coming up is the one year anniversary of the Columbine Tragedy. Angela Sanders, daughter of slain teacher Dave Sanders, is organizing a musical event to honor and remember those lost, to be held at Eck's Saloon on April 20. The local bands scheduled to play include many local favorites, with the bill so far consisting of Love.45, Vox Demon'na, Kindred, Moore, Rogue and Blister 66. Rumor has it she's also looking for a band containing either current or former Columbine students to add to the lineup. With the cover being only $5, and access open to all ages, there's no good reason not to go support a worthy cause. (Proceeds will go to Healing of People Everywhere).

On a brighter note, Nilaihah Records is releasing a compilation disc including a track from Fiction 8 (who are still slaving in the studio over their own CD) called "Let Go." A celebration is being held at Club Onyx on April 9, with a $3 cover, and $1 wine, well, and draft. The compilation CD will be played, and prizes will be given, so scoot your butt on down there!!

In the Colorado Music Association announcements, I received word that Jordi's (a large bar/lounge which has been in business for over 30 years) is now expanding and wishes to include live music. They are looking for acts in a variety of styles, including blues. It is located on Main Street in Brighton. Contact Daniel about open dates and to inquire about fees...rbic@mindspring.com or call 303-659-4715. Unfortunately, there was no information available as to potential pay arrangements, sound/lighting situations, etc.

The Fabulous Boogienauts reportedly fired vocalists Zack and Jennifer as well as guitarist/business guy Stan. The rest of the band has decided to continue on as the Fabulous Boogienauts, so bets are being placed around town as to what will result from these changes. As Stan has been the main contact for announcements and publicity, I have received no word yet as to whether the positions have already been filled or if auditions are planned.

After what's seemed like years of complaining and waiting, Tinker's Punishment will finally be releasing their long-awaited CD. Their press release compared the recording process to that of carrying a child, but assured me that it was finally ready to be released into the world. (A little unnerving coming from a group of young men.) They didn't reveal the title of the soon-to-be-available treasure, but will be having their CD release party at The Soiled Dove on April 7. Also in Tinker's Punishment news, their search for a new drummer has ended with the addition of Chad Mokler. (And you can find out all about Chad on the band's Web site, located at tinkerspunishment.com). And when you thought it couldn't get any better, KCSU (90.5 on the dial for those of you living up north) has begun slipping songs from Tinker's Punishment into regular rotation.

Rumor has it that the legendary Pink E's has plans to build a stage and begin featuring live bands as early as this month. No one at the club could be reached for an official comment on what styles they're looking for, but if you have a band that would like to play there, give them a call. Also opening their doors to live original bands is Whiskey Bill's. Typically a haven of cover bands, word has trickled to me that Carla is now looking for original bands to play on Wednesday nights. If you're a harder edged band looking to get your foot in the door, this could be a good opportunity. Speaking of opportunities, newer musicians will no longer be able to come jam with the "All Stars" at Herman's Hideaway on Tuesday nights. Herman's has decided to cancel the jam night, probably due to poor response. It may return in another form at some undisclosed future date. If you're craving a jam session, however, your hopes may lie out east, specifically at Heimmie's Pub, located off I-225 and Parker. The Tony Luke Trio (remember them from the People's Fair auditions?) hosts a jam night there every Monday, open to anyone interested, and starting at 7:30 PM. And Heimmie's has had some major improvements made to the place, courtesy of Erebus Music (yup, they're still booking there), who even built a nicer stage for the bands to play on.

Noel Miller is a singer/songwriter looking for musicians for hire. He needs everything: Keyboards, guitar, bass, and the ever-popular drums. His style is reportedly pop/rock, in the vein of Sting, Seal, and James Taylor...drop him an e-mail at noeldamonmiller@yahoo.com or call 303-438-7151. eleven2go needs a bass player...e-mail them at eleven2go@uswest.net. Swivel Hips Smith is looking for both a keyboardist and a rehearsal space...if you have either, contact them at 303-388-2251 or swivel_hips_smith@hotmail.com. Sad Star Café is looking for a guitarist still...call 303-606-3767 and leave a voice mail. Former members of Flat Rabbit & Occams Razor have formed SINKWHOLE and are looking for a DJ...send info to sinkwhole@hotmail.com. Esovae still needs both a bassist and drummer ...e-mail esovae@yahoo.com. Dame's Rocket is back on the searchpath, this time for a whole new rhythm section. They say "Our new stuff is coming out a little heavier but we are still basically a hard rock act with a metal edge. I'd say Led Zepelin meets Soundgarden. We have PA and space, a ton of material, and anyone who hooks up with us will get a pretty free hand to put their parts together and play what they want. No one stuck in a box."...e-mail them at damesrocketrock@aol.com. Talea of decanonizeD fame has formed something new and needs a bassist and guitarist...e-mail her at alleycat@decanonized.com. Carolyn's Mother and Brethren Fast both have new drummers! The new sticks man for Carolyn's Mother will be Andy Goodnow, formerly of The Overground. (No word on whether The Overground is now looking for a replacement.) Another drummerless band, or soon to be, at least, is EL fiendHERO, whose drummer will be moving out of state soon...call Mike at 303-657-4753 or e-mail elfiendhero@hotmail.com.

With their debut, Running With Sally serves up a mix of rock and roll and funky grooves with sides of flamenco-influenced riffs and countrified guitar. This Boulder-based band attempts to include something for just about everyone on "The First Sally." The band's musical diversity rules out their potential for being blindly stereotyped into any specific genre, but they describe their sound as "home-grown groove rock and psychedelic funk." You decide.

Running With Sally formed in 1997 after Trevor Clendenin returned to Boulder from the Peace Corps in Jamaica. Vocalist Clendenin is joined by guitarist Doug Miers, drummer Chris Sheldon, bass guitarist Josh Forman, and sound engineer Jeremy Cartwright. Clendenin and Miers have known each other since they were children in Rochester, NY.

The band picked their name based on their inspiration from Don Quixote -- a character dedicated to the spirit of imagination. Sally is defined as an adventure or a great coming forth of energy.

After signing with Hapi Skratch Records, Running With Sally recorded and produced their debut CD at Mountainworks studio in Idaho Springs.

The 11-song disc offers, at its best, an eclectic yet generally monotonous song selection. "Something Like That" and "What About Me" start the musical and emotional feel of the album off at a somewhat subdued pace. "Cadillac" changes that bland impression by offering more of a distinctive, yet unembracing, sound. The CD's strongest offering, "Cowboy Vai," is a feel-good, toe tappin' hillbilly tune. Ear-catching "Porno Music" showcases the band's funkability.

And, "Mustachio," while lyrically weak, is highlighted with palatable Spanish-style guitar.

Mildly impressive guitar work and musicianship is consistently maintained throughout the disc. Lyrically, on "Not Much To Ask For" and "Lucea," Clendenin attempts to present glimmers of optimism about holding onto dreams and striving to search for happiness even if existence is bleak. The subtle optimism implied in some of the band's songs is what sets Running With Sally apart from many other groups.

However, the vocal delivery and lyrics often lack impact, passion and clarity:

"Moving on for what you want, letters to leave
The innocence of patience, an ace up your sleeve
Kind of want to somehow make a clean break
From what's said and read,
Stolen from another man's bed."

-- "Lucea"

Running With Sally's members clearly have great abilities in conveying their musical diversity but "The First Sally" serves as nothing greater than uninspiring hold music. D

Catch Running With Sally live at their CD release party 10 PM Sat. April 15 at Quixote's True Blue Cafe, 9150 E Colfax Ave, Aurora. $5, 21+. 303-366-6492.