Rockin’ the arts

Band gives crowd something to remember

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by STACY SNEED Broken Stigma performs at the Mattawoman Creek Art Center’s Crab Caper Sunday afternoon. Guitarist and singer Jimmy Love, guitarist Erich Donahue, drummer Gary ‘‘The Maddness” Keefer and bass player Andy Parker rocked the house with requests from the audience. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

Sunday afternoon could be considered an art lover’s dream. Not only could guests of the Crab Caper at Mattawoman Creek Art Center get to listen to an awesome band, but they were also able to view art at the same time. It was a paradise of goodness for those who enjoy the arts and those who were just looking for something other than the same-old weekend routine.

Eleven-year-old Daniel Maker of Lexington Park was one of the guests looking for something to do. His aunt said there was going to be a band at MCAC and he was ready to listen in.

‘‘I’ve never heard of them before, but I figured I would give them a try,” he said.

Daniel was the first to sign up on the request sheet for songs the band could perform. He wanted to hear ‘‘Dropping Plates” by Disturbed.

Other guests at the show were requesting songs by Johnny Cash, James Brown and other oldies. Not only was the audience nodding heads to the beat, some were even up out their seats and dancing.

Those songs seemed to work for the band, because the more they saw the audience groove, the more they got into the music. Guitarist and singer Jimmy Love was lively on the stage, probably because of it. With four buttons undone on his shirt, it was undetermined whether it was because of Sunday’s heat or whether he was just really into the performance.

Nonetheless, it didn’t seem to stop the crowd from partaking in the band’s energy.

‘‘I like it actually. I wasn’t sure about incorporating a rock band into an art festival, but I guess music is art,” said 29-year-old Caesar Alvarado, a docent for the MCAC and guest.

Alvarado said he was at the center to volunteer until about 4 p.m., however, he was intrigued and wanted to hear the band. So, he stuck around until they began to perform a little after 5 p.m.

He said if he weren’t out at the Crab Caper, he would be at home painting instead.

‘‘I consider this a part of art appreciation time,” said Alvarado who also has a painting in the MCAC art show, ‘‘Mexican Postcards.” ‘‘I like how they incorporated a local band too. I think it’s a good show and I got to enjoy it all day today.”

Next up were songs ‘‘Brickhouse” and ‘‘Mustang Sally,” which really got the crowd moving, which was a pleasant surprise for members of the MCAC.

‘‘The point of the Crab Caper is to bring more people to the center and to thank the people for supporting us. This is our second year with the Crab Caper and we lucked out weather-wise. The forecast said it was going to be rain,” said Barbara Stepura, the show’s chairwoman. ‘‘I think everybody is having a good time. The forecast scared off some people, because there were more people last year. We have about 50 out here today.

‘‘The band is good though. I’ve heard them before. They make me want to get up and dance. I just wish more people were here to enjoy them.”

Apparently, Love thought the same thing.

‘‘We’re all broke and single and happy to be here,” he said. ‘‘Donate $10 and get a CD. It’s like WETA, but we’re cooler. And if you made a request, you have to stay the whole evening to see if we will play it. It’s only fair.”

Alvarado said he thought it was a good choice for the band to play music the crowd is familiar with rather than music from their CD.

‘‘I think they are trying to please the crowd and they are doing it, because a lot of people are up dancing,” he said.

Despite the tall sculptures, picnic blankets and seating, Alvarado was right. People still found a way to enjoy themselves and dance. But the great scenery of the Mattawoman Creek couldn’t help but get people in the mood too.

Mary Agnes Swann, president of the MCAC, said although this particular event wasn’t a fundraiser, they do offer ways to help the center improve its dirt road. For instance, at the crab caper they offered raffle tickets to win a week in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, at a waterfront condominium –– airfare not included. The drawing will occur during the MCAC Sept. 19 fundraiser at the Jaycees center in Waldorf.

‘‘We’ve been trying for three years and we can’t afford asphalt. So, we’re [hoping to] mill it instead,” Swann said. ‘‘This is just a social event to get people knowing each other. I’m very pleased with the Crab Caper. We have members, their families and guests out here today. I think the people enjoy the location; it’s remote, peaceful and there is a variety of artwork that was juried in a show. Our media show was open to anyone from Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.”

As far as the band is concerned, Swann said she was glad the group donated their time.

‘‘I like all kinds of music and they are taking requests. We are grateful to have them,” she said. ‘‘I’ve [recently] gone from one extreme to another with music. I was at Stageworks listening to opera to this.”

Helene Farrall, organizer of the crab caper, said she just prayed for no rain during the event.

‘‘I found a four-leaf clover on my way to church, so it must be bringing good luck. We wanted to have something for members and guests where they can view the art. We have stuffed ham sandwiches, crab cakes. ... It’s a Southern Maryland picnic for our guests. It’s a kind of laid back pre-Fourth of July celebration,” said Farrall. ‘‘Broken Stigma plays for us and they’re great. It’s not my kind of music, but I like all kinds.”

As far as Daniel is concerned, he said, ‘‘I think they’re very good.”

While the band tried to keep their music more ‘‘conservative” than their Washington, D.C., gigs or Baltimore shows, they still managed to keep the crowd moving.