Away from Egypt

Carbondale's entertaining rock band Majnun has been on a very successful performance tour of Germany and the Netherlands this summer, making new friends and fans everywhere they play, as you can read in Majnun's blog, where one item caught my attention:

Din [Dayemi]'s new wireless microphone provided a lot of crazy action including something that looked like pole dancing, and the emergence of some alternate personality which sounded like German military. The combination of these two personae provoked some interesting responses from the audience."

So I'm wondering . . . Pole dancing? (Polish dancing?) Alternate personality? Interesting responses? Unfortunately the item has vanished from the blog, but if I have a chance to ask someone in the band when they get back to where their belongings are, I will. ;-)

Music festival offers expanded jazz performances

Music festival offers expanded jazz performances: "CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Music lovers of all ages will swing to all that jazz during the second annual Southern Illinois Music Festival, which started June 11 and continues through July 4.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale's School of Music and the Southern Illinois Symphony Orchestra are sponsoring more than 40 concerts, including several jazz performances that will feature local artists.

'We expanded the Southern Illinois Music Festival's jazz offerings this year from one event to eight events because we have a terrific ensemble in residence, the New Arts Jazztet,' said Edward M. Benyas, artistic director of the festival. 'It provides a wonderful added dimension to the classical art music of the festival.'

The New Arts Jazztet has been a mainstay on the Southern Illinois jazz scene for more than 20 years. During this year's festival, the group will perform at concerts in Cairo, Carbondale and Harrisburg. Members include Bob Allison on trumpet and flugelhorn, Tyler Kuebler on saxophone, Mel Goot on piano, Phil Brown on bass, Ron Coulter on drums and Tom Hensold on percussions. The members have experience sharing the stage with some of the greatest jazz geniuses of our time."