Dr. John is a symbol of a symbol. He represents all things bluesy and New Orleans, a city that itself represents governmental failure in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the delicate state of race relations and other slices of American life.
The iconic, gruff-voiced Dr. John even tickled the ivories for the national anthem at this year’s Super Bowl, joining singers Aretha Franklin, Aaron Neville and a 150-person choir.
The good doctor will bring a bit of his voodoo magic to Colorado when he headlines NedFest 2006, the eighth annual music and arts festival on the shores of Barker Reservoir in Nederland. Promoter Michigan Mike confirmed the growling piano man earlier this week. Dr. John will join such bluegrass and jazz luminaries as The Motet, Kan’Nal, Great American Taxi, John McKay and New Monsoon. A second headliner will be announced soon.
The three-day festival, 17 miles west of Boulder, added a day over last year and features up to six bands a day. Family camping is available for the first time at Chipeta Park. Proceeds support various nonprofits including Boulder Bio-Diesel and Biodiversity Conservation Alliance. Tickets for the Aug. 25-27 event are on sale now. ($55-$20, NedFest.com)
Wu-Tang Clan has seemingly launched more stars than Robert Evans’ casting couch. The ninja-themed hip-hop project, which includes Method Man, RZA and Ghostface Killah, started intentionally as a collective to be spun off into solo careers. The disparate celebrities will reunite for a summer tour. Tickets for the Aug. 9 show at the Fillmore Auditorium go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. ($35, Ticketmaster)
Mudhoney failed to catch the grunge wave the way its better-known Seattle brethren did, but the Sub Pop band remains immensely influential and innovative, even at 26 years old. Larimer Lounge owner Scott Campbell has worked for three years to bring the boys to Denver, and his efforts resulted in a two-night stint. “We had been a hair away from confirming a show with them like two years ago, but it fell through when they chose San Francisco instead,” he said. Fans, now’s your chance. The Sept. 15-16 shows are sure to sell out, so grab your tickets now. ($15, BigMarksTickets.com)
Bob Saget shocked a lot of “Full House” watchers with his profanity in the comedy documentary “The Aristocrats,” a venue for some of the most hilarious and unbelievable vulgarity in film history. They obviously didn’t realize his casual brand of shock humor has been his stock in trade for years. Tickets for Saget’s July 13-15 stint at Comedy Works are on sale now ($32.50-$37.50, ComedyWorks.com)
Mariah Carey excited her fans with news of her second-ever Denver date at the Pepsi Center. The Sept. 18 show was to be a triumphant return for a performer who has survived more storms than a New England barn. But her promoter cited scheduling conflicts in the cancellation, and no other Denver date has been set. Ticketmaster refunds are available at the point of purchase.
