We have a slow weekend ahead for live music, but there are still a few shows happening. On Friday night, Craig Johnson and Dana Takaki will be doing a happy hour set of originals and classics at the Bulkeley House in New London. Craig plays bass in Monkey68 (Vincent Tuckwood's band) and the Rivergods, but he occasionally does acoustic singer/songwriter type shows as well. Craig also hosts the highly successful Common Ground Open Mic that takes place on Wednesday evenings at the Bulkeley House. He'll have accompaniment on Friday from violinist Dana Takaki, who has been extremely busy lately. Dana is a classically trained player who performs with orchestras as well as with local artists such as the Rivergods, Dogbite, and Arlene Wow!. She plays a wide variety of styles, and it should be great to see these two talented musicians play together. The show takes place outdoors on the patio from 5-7:30 pm, and there is no cover.
Also on Friday night, Anderson Family Picnic, Doll Steak, and Crime will all be playing at 33 Golden Street in New London. Anderson Family Picnic, from Mystic, has been around for what seems like forever. They have been putting out CDs for at least 9 years (I have CDs they released in 2005 and 2006), and they played at last year's I AM Festival. I don't know much about Doll Steak except that they are a Nirvana tribute band, and they played at last weekend's Bruce Carpenter Memorial Benefit show in Mystic. The show starts at 10:30 pm and cover is $5.
If you're an early riser, you can catch some live music on Saturday morning at the Waterford Farmer's Market, where Hugh Birdsall and Dana Takaki will be playing from 10 am until noon. Hugh is perhaps best known for his many years with the Reducers and Dogbite, but his songs hold up beautifully in an acoustic setting as well. Dana has guested on violin (or is it fiddle?) with Dogbite in the past, and it will be worth it to get up early to hear what these two have been working on. The Farmer's Market is located at 15 Rope Ferry Road, which is Waterford Town Hall.
On Saturday afternoon, Sneekers Cafe in Groton will be having their 30th Anniversary Celebration. The event starts at noon, with bands and a free picnic outside, and continues until closing time. The full lineup is not yet announced, but I do know that The Hoolios will kick things off at 12:30 pm, and the Sue Menhart Band will be playing from 2-3 pm. Later that night, the band will be Erik Narwhal and the Manatees. There's no cover at Sneekers.
If you have kids or if you're just a kid at heart, Steve Elci and Friends will be doing a show at Captain Scott's Lobster Dock in New London on Saturday evening. Steve has a new album called Imagination Nation that will be coming out in August. In addition to Casey and Michele, who have been performing with Steve for years, there is also a full band that made its debut at a recent show at Ocean Beach. I believe the players are guitarist Todd Fake, drummer Shawn Fake, and keyboard player Dan Spano, all of whom are well known to New London music fans. Music is rain or shine at Captain Scott's (there's a pavilion that the bands play under). There is no cover, the grownups can BYOB, and the show starts at 6:30 pm.