Archive for July, 2009

Afternoon, folks…

Many curious customers have paused mid-crepe to inquire about the strange, sci-fi light zapping, plastic contraption used to clean the tables at the Montpelier Mini-Skinny. “What is that space aged gadget gun?” they anxiously inquire. Answer: it’s an active ion cleaner–General Manager Jeremy Silansky’s revolutionary answer to providing an environmentally friendly commercIal cleaning product.

So the question we keep getting is: How does it work? The Activeion is filled with tap water then uses an electrical charge to “activate” the water so that it attracts dirt & germs like a magnet, lifts them from the surface so they are easy to wipe away. By using the Activeion on our tables, we provide an eating surface that is free of chemicals, while also reducing waste as we no longer have to purchase individual cleansers in bottles. Further the Activeion website relays, “According to a new study, converting to just one Activeion Pro for general purpose commercial cleaning is equivalent to saving 93 gallons of gasoline and two barrels of oil.” Heck, yeah!

To learn more, visit www.activeion.com or the Skinny Pancake, Montpelier.

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This week’s special:

The Wrapatatouille (Burlington): 100% LOCALVORE!!! all veggies from the Intervale’s Pitchfork Farm!!! Sautéed eggplant, tomato, zucchini, green and red bell pepper, onion, garlic, fresh herbs & a sprinkle of Cabot cheddar, wrapped in a savory crepe shell.  $9.00

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Another word on Blueberries:

So last week I led with a plug for pick-your-own blueberries based on an email from Adam Hausmann (Adam’s Berry Farm). The next day I went down to check it out for myself…the abundance is incredible. The bumper crop of plump berries is a silver lining to the many rain clouds we’ve had this summer. One bush holds much more than enough big, fat, plump blueberries to fill a quart-sized container. It was almost too easy. I found myself saying, “self, if you’d only picked the bluebs before you wrote than newsletter, you could have exuded so much more enthusiasm…but as the old saying goes, “there’s no sense crying over spilled milk when the cow’s utter is swollen.” So with that said, if you are yet to go blueberry picking, now’s the time!!!

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Festival of the Week: The Champlain Valley Folk Festival

This weekend marks the 26th annual Champlain Valley Folk Festival. It is also the first time the Skinny Pancake will set up there to feed pancakes to the people. Some may balk at this comment, but this festival seems like a “sleeper hit” to me. With modest promotions but a dedicated fanbase, EIGHT stages including a main stage, a dance tent and several “very intimate” options, onsite camping AND THE BEST FESTIVAL VENDOR THIS SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC, The Champlain Valley Folk Festival has alot to say for itself (or alot for someone to say for it). The event also takes place on the shores of Lake Champlain, which makes for an awefully swell venue. So if you haven’t gotten to a festival yet this summer–or you’re holding out for just the right one–visit their website at www.cvfest.org/ and consider going to the Champlain Valley Folk Festival this weekend.

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Music this week at the Skinny Pancake:

Thursday, 07.30.09
Driftwood (indi/folk/roots)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/driftwoodgroove

Kim was a recent winner of the Lizard Lounge (Cambridge, MA) Open Mic Challenge. Check out her music ttp://www.myspace.com/kimdavidson and catch her show at the Burlington Skinny Pancake beginning at 9p.m.

Joshua Panda needs no introduction…if you don’t know him, you really should. He is the reigning king of Soul-Folk here in Burlington according to…ME! Josh is a consummate showman with “some serious pipes.” He breaks a hard-sweat as he puts the full force of his unabashed & talented effort forth at every gig he has. If you can’t make this show on Saturday, catch him TONIGHT (THURSDAY) at the Intervale’s “Thursdays at the Intervale” series at 6:30…you can enjoy some American Flatbread while you’re there too.

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In the pipeline:

Wednesday, 08.05.09
Pete Wyndorf & Jamie Bright (folk duo)
***$5 suggested donation
***SUNSET SET FROM 7 pm to 9 pm***
www.myspace.com/petewyndorf

Thursday, 08.06.09
The Silver Dagger Bluegrass Band (bluegrass)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/silverdaggerbluegrass

Friday, 08.07.09
Laslo Cameo (Roots, Rhythm & Blues)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/laslocameo

Saturday, 08.08.09
Qwill (roots/surf/soul)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/qwillmusic

Hey folks,

it’s blueberry pickin’ season on the Intervale & beyond…so it must be mid-summer. Adam Hausseman (of Adam’s Berry Farm) writes:

They’re Blue! The blueberries never cease to amaze me and this year is no exception. Starting with their delicate bell shaped flowers in May to their small green fruit slowly forming and increasingly swelling with each summer rain and finally blushing blue in July. The shear amount of berries on each plant is a marvel in itself.  Some of the branches are bent to the ground!

Adam’s Pick-Your-Own hours are weekdays from 10-6 and weekends from 10-4. He also mentioned in his email that there are “a limited amount of summer raspberries for picking that will be open on weekends along with the blueberries.”  For more information about Adam’s operation, visit him online at www.adamsberryfarm.com/

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In the spirit of blueberries, we’re happy to hype our specials this week…

The Dawn Beet Crepe (Montpelier): Dog River Farm beets with Green Mountain Gore”dawn”zola, VT Herb and Salad arugula, and caramelized onions. Wrapped in a savory crepe. $8.50

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And now, a professionally crafted plug by our friends at Seven Days newspaper:

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This week in music at the Skinny Pancake:

Wednesday, 07.22.09
The Goshen Ramblers (folk/rock)
***$5 suggested donation
HUMP DAY SUNSET SET….7-9 PM!!!
www.myspace.com/goshenramblers

The Goshen Ramblers are comprised of two young gentlemen: Mark Daly and Ethan West. Based on their sound, they are apparently folk-musical prodigies…seriously, click on the link above and listen. Hard-drivin’ instrumental skills, confident harmonizing, good songwriting…Ok, back from listening? Now set aside all your plans to come here these guys…if they keep it up, I’d expect to start seeing their careers grow quickly. Appearing for our Wednesday Sunset Session on July 22nd 7-9p.m. with special guest.

Thursday, 07.23.09
The Medicinals (bluegrass)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/themedicinals

One of our very favorite bands, The Medicinals, return to the Skinny Pancake in Burlington for a Thursday night performance. With a repertoire ranging from traditional bluegrass and newgrass to gospel and folk, The Medicinals deliver a serious & soulful acoustic sound that has been well received by audiences since their inception.

Friday, 07.24.09
Sarah Blackler (acoustic/folk/jazz)
***$5 suggested donation
www.sarahblacker.com

We’re pleased to welcome back Sarah Blacker to the Skinny Pancake. Sarah last joined us during Jazzfest.

Obscurely folkish, innately jazzish, all talent singer-songwriter…check her out www.sarahblacker.com

“Sarah Blacker is a bright light. Her performance is a wonderful combination of her varied musical talents and brilliant personality. She invites the audience in and treats them to an intimate musical connection.” – Anna Maria Tocci, Owner/Booking North Star Music Café

Saturday, 07.25.09
Shutters (roots/rock/electronica)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/emmett13

This Philadelphia band brings their original roots rock sounds to the SP on Saturday evening. The combination of traditional instrumentation & songwriting with an electric guitar-driven edge, filters, fuzzboxes and synths creates a dub-heavy and effects-washed spaciousness. Listen for yourself at the link above.

“Take the captivating intensity of Elliott Smith and roots rock feel of John Butler Trio and you have Newtown’s Emmett Lindsay….The listener is drawn in by Lindsay’s voice, which shifts between haunting spoken whispers and grooving melodies, making him a compelling and hypnotic storyteller. ” – The Deli Magazine, Philadelphia

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In the pipeline…

Wednesday, 07.29.09
John Creech & The River People (Nu-Jazz)
7-9 pm HUMP DAY SUNSET SET
***$5 suggested donation

Thursday, 07.30.09
Driftwood (indi/folk/roots)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/driftwoodgroove

Friday, 08.01.09
Shane Murphey (singer/songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/shanejmurphy

Hey folks,

well, there’s much ado mid-summer, weather be damned…while many people retreat into the peace & quiet of the lakes, rivers, hills & mountains of Vermont, the Adirondacks or beyond, there is also a marked tendency to gather in the benign warmth of the summer season. Each weekend brings a bevy of opportunities to people watch, music listen, food-eat, meet, mingle & be merry in the company of tens, hundreds & even thousands of people. Below is a listing of four great activities this coming weekend…but first, a word on our specials this week:

LOCAL RASPBERRY SEASON HAS BEGUN!!!

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The Red Stage Theatre Company’s production of the Pulitzer Prize winning play “J.B.” by Archibald MacLeish in the Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center. Shows are July 17,18, 23-25 @ 8pm, | July 19,26 @ 2pm.

The Pulitzer Prize winning play “J.B.” by Archibald MacLeish is a rarely produced work rooted in the Book of Job that provides a smarty theatrical and very moving examination of faith in the face of human suffering.

Below is some info on the play & people…speaking from my experience interacting with these fine folks: this young acting company is motivated, inspired, energized & engaged to make great theatre. The Red Stage Theatre Company represents their own initiative, their own choice for a summer of work on their collective calling. This reality alone is endorsement enough to ensure their efforts will yield a great production.

About the Red Stage Theatre Company: The company is comprised of young artists pursuing Masters Degrees in Fine Arts at the prestigious Mason Gross School of Arts at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, including Burlington, Vermont’s own Kohler McKenzie, a Burlington High School Graduate who also serves as one of three Artistic Directors. It is the mission of the Red Stage Theatre Company to bring cutting edge and socially relevant theatre to the public now and into the future. For more information, visit their website at www.redstagetheatre.org/.

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The Vermont Brewer’s Festival:

Literally a stone’s throw away from the Red Stage Theatre production this weekend is the 17th annual Vermont Brewer’s Festival located in Burlington’s Waterfront Park.

There will be 37 craft brewers sampling their wares from Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, Mass, Maine, DE and to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the European discovery of Lake Champlain by Samuel de Champlain, breweries from La Belle province, Quebec. This outdoor festival takes place in Burlington Waterfront Park with scenic views of Lake Champlain framed by the Adirondack Mountain Range. You can attend any of the three sessions: Friday July 17, 2009 6-10PM, Saturday July 18, 2009 12- 4PM and again from 6-10 pm.

For more information, you can visit the VT Brewer’s Festival website at: www.vermontbrewers.com/overview.html

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French Heritage Day:

Ok, ok…highbrow theatre & getting tipsy on the best of NE breweries not be your speed? Perhaps you’ve got kids to care for? Not to worry, there’s a VT event for everyone this weekend…French Heritage Day will be taking place this Saturday, July 18th from 9:30 am to 4 pm in the wonderful town of Vergennes.

In their own words: “Don’t miss this free, educational fun-filled family day!  Franco-American music, French Canadian fiddling,  learn French response songs, step-dancing, clogging, re-enactors, French food, antique vehicles and engines, traditional craft demonstrations, fencing demonstrations, exhibits, hands-on fun such as churning ice cream, pumping water, old time games, horse and carriage rides, French Canadian Genealogical Society will help you trace your roots, children’s educational activities, farmer’s market, Bastille Day Waiter’s Race, narrated English and French historical walking tours, boat cruises on Otter Creek.”

For more information, visit the Addison County website (www.addisoncounty.com/pages/event.asp) or call 802-388-7951 or 800-733-8376.

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The Greyfox Bluegrass Festival

Now this would be a larger endeavor…a full four days long (starting today) and several hours from Northern VT (northern Catskills), Greyfox is the premier bluegrass gathering of the Northeast. With world-class acts on the big stage, rompin’ get-ups to get-down with in the dance tent, great food, and 35,000 kind & cultured people…this is an extremely special, wholesome annual event. We’ll be there making pancakes, so be sure to stop by if you come. There is alot more information to be found at www.greyfoxbluegrass.com/general/home.php.

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Music at the ‘Cake this weekend:

We’ve got a really strong line-up of touring acts this weekend...click on the links below and listen for yourselves…well worth your time and attention if you’re not already at one of the events mentioned above….

Thursday, 07.16.09
Tiffany Pfeiffer & the Discarnate Band (lounge/soul)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/thediscarnateband

From Brooklyn to Burlington, phenomenal songstress Tiffany Pfeirrer & her “Discarnate Band” bring their foray into jazz standards, soul, dub and world styles to the ‘Cake this evening. Please click on the link above and listen…sounds awesome. Read TP’s bio…its impressive…here’s a few selections:

Here are some highlights from her impressive list of accomplishments: TP has toured nationally & internationally with the Nebraska Children’s Chorus from ages 11-16, co-founded a Midwestern underground culture magazine when she was 18 called “Blink”, Editorial Director and resident astrologer for San Fran based FREE magazine and Visual-Attack Organization, relocating from there to Nebraska to Brooklyn. In summer 2008, Tiffany happily relocated to rural Vermont. She is currently enjoying the new noises & smells, and looks forward to playing shows in Burlington and surrounding areas.

“TP” (not to be confused with Toilet Paper), writes: “The discarnate band is whatever it wants to be. it’s a musical forum without a set body or form. it may be a solo show; it may be an orchestra. its purpose is to explore the vibration of a particular place & time among people, awakening us to come forth from these shells of existence…The Discarnate Band is TP’s channel from which to present songs, vocals/instrumentals, and the kindred entities she meets along the way.”
Friday, 07.17.09
Jeremy Harple (singer/songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.jeremyharple.com

Saturday, 07.18.09
Aniemeke Quinn (swinging folk)
***$5 suggested donation
www.anamieke.com

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In the pipeline…

Wednesday, 07.22.09
The Goshen Ramblers (folk/rock)
***$5 suggested donation
HUMP DAY SUNSET SET….7-9 PM!!!
www.myspace.com/goshenramblers

Thursday, 07.23.09
The Medicinals (bluegrass)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/themedicinals

Friday, 07.24.09
Sarah Blackler (acoustic/folk/jazz)
***$5 suggested donation
www.sarahblacker.com

Saturday, 07.25.09
Shutters (roots/rock/electronica)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/emmett13

Howdy friends of the Pancake:

Hmmm…should I mention the deluge of rain we’ve been experiencing thus far this summer?…16 out 0f 30 days in June…nah…better to focus on something positive:

Did you know that yesterday at 12:34 and 56 seconds, the official time was 123456789?

Now that’s newsworthy!

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“When all the world is grey, at least you can eat your colors” Anonymous

This week’s food specials at the Skinny Pancake(s):

Stuffed Crepe Leaves (Burlington): a spin on the traditional Greek dish “Golabki”. Three Tightly Wrapped “Crepe Leaves” with Lean Ground Lamb, Rice, Scallions, Crushed Tomatoes, and Mint, Tied Together with a Ramekin of Plain Yogurt Seasoned with Lemon Juice and Salt…$9.25.

The Simple Summer Crepe (Montpelier): Heirloom Tomatoes, fresh basil leaves from Main Street Market Garden, and Maple Brook Farm fresh mozzarella.  Simple, local, yum.  $8.25

Seen here is an image of traditional “Golabki.” Given that this crepe creation is the brainchild of Kitchen Manager of Polish decent, Trent Kominoski…and Trent is the womb-child of his mother…we briefly considered calling this dish “Trent Kominoski’s Mother II.” But last week’s special “Trent Kominoski’s Mother Crepe” won the “awkward name of the year award” by staff and patrons alike, so we opted for a punnier description…

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If I would I could, if I can I will:

The 15th Annual Solarfest on Forget-Me-Not Farm in Tinmouth, VT.
July 10th-12th (THIS WEEKEND!!!)

Solarfest is a unique festival. With its blend of live music, vendors & exhibitors, it is one part summer music festival, one part exposition.

Organizers write: “Join us for three days of world-class musicians, dancers and performance artists, a stellar line-up of speakers, and over 90 workshops on renewable energy and sustainability topics. All for the price of a weekend festival ticket! You won’t want to miss this year’s SolarFest! Gates open at Noon on Friday and at 8:00am on Saturday and Sunday.”

For more information, visit www.solarfest.org/

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And now, the moment that has surely kept you checking  “The Skinny” each week:

Announcing the winner of June’s Drop-N-Draw Competition:

Ryan Cathrall of Rufus Design

Ryan, you’ve just won a $20 gift certificate to the Skinny Pancake, so come on down!!!!!

About Rufus Design: “Do you dress identically as your neighbors do? Of course not! So why would you want to look the same as the guy or girl standing next to you in the lift line? This is where RUFUSDESIGN comes in…

Whether a small helmet decal, full frame custom kit, vehicle decal, or window display, RUFUSDESIGN is committed to making sure a bold statement is presented to your fans, customers, sponsors, or anyone who happens to look your way. Decals are the perfect bit of customization that makes your bike, helmet, car, or business logo stand out amongst the crowd.”

For more information, visit Ryan at www.rufusphoto.com

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This week’s music at the Skinny Pancake:

Thursday, 07.09.09
Meghan Callahan (Folk Rock/Blues/Acoustic)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/megancallahanmusic

Originating from Buffalo New York, Megan just finished up an international music tour for the debut of her independently produced album “Megan Callahan-Since the Fire.” Her original roots are in folk and folk rock, but in recent years jazz and blues have found their way into the mix and she is excited to explore more electro-acoustic possibilities and multi-medium collaboration.

Megan is currently in Vermont working with the Lost Nation Theater in Montpelier and joins the Skinny Pancake in Burlington Thursday July 9th 9-11p.m. for a solo acoustic performance.

Friday, 07.10.09
Ten Dollar Pony (Original Folk, Pop, Blues)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/tendollarpony

Saturday, 07.11.09
The Smittens (indi/pop)
***$5 suggested donation
http://www.myspace.com/thesmittens

In the pipeline…

Wednesday, 07.15.09
That Toga Band (Electroacoustic / Jazz / Rock)
SUNSET SET…7 pm start time
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/thattogaband

Thursday, 07.16.09
Tiffany Pfeiffer & the Discarnate Band (lounge/soul)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/thediscarnateband

Friday, 07.17.09
Jeremy Harple (singer/songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.jeremyharple.com

Saturday, 07.18.09
Aniemeke Quinn (swinging folk)
***$5 suggested donation
www.anamieke.com

Howdy Cake-Eaters…

These are crazy days in Burlington. I’ve never known a city to keep the hits rolling one weekend after the next like our little city that could, can & does. Last week we had the 24th and final Green Mountain Chew Chew Festival, this week features the Independence Day celebration on July 3rd followed by the 10 day Quadricentennial  extravaganza, followed by the Vermont Brewer’s Festival and on from there…every summer I’m impressed by the quality of the events and the thoroughness of the organizers…

So what’s this “Quadricentennial” thing all about? For starters, you can check out the official website: www.celebratechamplain.org/. There, organizers explain that “2009 marks the 400th anniversary of French explorer and cartographer Samuel de Champlain’s travels by sail, oar and paddle to the lake that now bears his name. All year long, special opportunities are planned for young and old alike to celebrate and commemorate the anniversary of this historic occasion, the spectacular natural resources of the region, and the many peoples who have worked, battled and made their homes in the Lake Champlain Valley.”

These “special opportunities” hit their zenith this summer with The Burlington International Waterfront Festival which runs TODAY through July 14th. Rather than repeat, I’ll just send you to the source: celebratechamplain.org/content/view/167/107/ In particular, note the hot line-up of music on the waterfront including The Roots, Ween & Grace Potter.

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This week’s food special:

First, a guilty admission…I forgot to post the special last week and it was incredible…a “Crep-Burrito.” So good, in fact, that my crystal ball is showing beautiful scenes from the future where people once again enjoy this wonderful product.

But there’s no need to look back, no reason to cry over spilled milk. Thus, we proudly present to you this week’s Skinny Pancake oh-so-special crepe:

The Trent Kominoski’s Mother Crepe (Burlington)...in honor of Kitchen Manager Trent Kominoski’s mother for sharing fresh lemon balm and dill from her garden: Fresh Kale from Arethusa Collective with Prosciutto and a Lemon Balm, Dill, and Foraged Garlic Scape Cream Cheese Spread all wrapped in a savory crepe shell.  $9.00

(Trent pictured here on a recent vacation…contrary to popular opinion, he apparently does not have eyes in the back of his head)

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Music at The Skinny Pancake This Weekend:

Thursday, 07.02.09
D Davis (Classical Instrumental Singer-Songwriter)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/dsdavismusic

Friday, 07.03.09
Joshua Panda & Friends (glam-folk/neo-soul)
***$5 suggested donation
FIREWORKS ON THE BURLINGTON WATERFRONT!!!
www.myspace.com/joshuapanda

This is BIG. BIG!!!! Joshua Panda may well hold the crown for the greatest stage presence of any performing act in Burlington…so we’re giving him the biggest stage we have: July 3rd Independence Day Fireworks. Joshua & Co. will play for 10,000 people…and rightfully so!!! Whether you come for the whole show or just bend your ears to listen as you pass on by…Joshua Panda, Burlington’s King of Neo-Soul Glam Folk (a highly competitive category) will be putting on a performance worthy of this massive audience Friday night starting at 9 pm.

Joshua Panda on why he chose Burlington and what he’s up to: “I heard Burlington is a hip town with a home-grown music scene…and that’s where I want to be right now…as the double-shot of espresso in the mug of Burlington’s music scene.”  Indeed Josh’s music is strong stuff…

I, Benjamin Adler Pancake, have personally fought off multiple workaholism-breathing dragons to enjoy this show and this scene immensely…hope to see you there.

Saturday, 07.04.09
Red Hot Juba (blues/jazz/western swing)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/redhotjuba

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In the pipeline…

Wednesday, 07.08.09
Abi Robins & Sean Rener (Avante Guarde Singer Songwriter)
SEVEN PM SUNSET SET!!! ***$5 suggested donation
www.seanrenner.com
www.myspace.com/seanrenner
www.abirobinsmusic.com
www.myspace.com/abirobins

Thursday, 07.09.09
Meghan Callahan (Folk Rock/Blues/Acoustic)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/megancallahanmusic

Friday, 07.10.09
Ten Dollar Pony (Original Folk, Pop, Blues)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/tendollarpony

Saturday, 07.11.09
The Smittens (indi/pop)
***$5 suggested donation
www.myspace.com/tendollarpony