Frolic

photo: Charles Sugg

The Ululating Mummies frolic tomorrow, December 31st, at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. The New Years Family Frolic begins at 2:00 PM and ends at 5:00 PM and is free with admission to the gardens or membership. The Mummies will start at 2:30 PM. Our first set will be our long one and include our random New Years count down. There will be crafts and noise maker making. We will pay a second set and end at 4:30.

Ancient mummies Stephen Williams and Paul Watson will be playing with. Rehearsals are producing a joyous noise! The photo above is of the band when Paul and Steve were regular members.

The Festival of Lights is still going on if you want to make an evening of it.

See blog entry below for Mummy photos etc.

New Years Eve

photo: Arthur Stephens

The Ululating Mummies will play at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens for the New Years Eve Family Frolic on New Years Eve day. The exact time of the Mummies performance is yet to be decided but we will perform two sets between 2 and 5 PM. The holiday lights will still be on display in the garden if you want to make a night of it. There will also be crafts and the making of noise makers.

The Mummies this year will include old time members Paul Watson, coronet and Stephen Williams, guitar.

Many new (old) pictures have been posted on the Facebook Ululating Mummies Fan Page. Thanks to all that joined the page and became members. Click HERE to see that Facebook page.

See upper right gig calendar for upcoming Happy Lucky Combo gigs.

Happy Lucky Holidays

Happy Holidays from the Happy Lucky Combo. Thought you might enjoy this video. Thank you Larry Yates for passing it on.

The Ululating Mummies play on New Years Eve day at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens for their New Years Eve Family Frolic. When we find out exactly when we play I'll let you know. It will be two sets between 2 and 5 PM. Also that night the garden lights will still be up if you want to make an evening of it.

This year the Mummies will be joined by old time members, Paul Watson and Stephen Williams.

Check out The Ululating Mummies Facebook Page for lot's of new photos.

Please note gig calendar, upper right, for Happy Lucky Combo gigs.

Also if you haven't visited the Happy Lucky Combo website in a while click HERE. We 're almost at 10,000 visits!

And what a great Years End Party last week! Thank you to everyone. We will be having another Yiddish Cabaret in the near future. See Facebook Page for photos.

The Happy Lucky Combo will be celebrating Hanaramakwanzamas Season with a Year's End Party this Wednesday Dec. 16 @ O'Toole's from 8:00 - 10:30 PM. Admission is FREE. There will be lots of musical guests including, Emily Avesian, baritone sax, Bob Jacobs accordion, Marcy Horwitz accordion (count 'em), Miles Barnett violin, Isadora and Odessa Bless vocals... it is even rumored that we may have a visit from John Winn clarinet and Daniel Clark melodian. Wow!

The Happy Lucky Combo has had a happy and lucky year. It has been gratifying to be part of the Southside Renaissance, to perform for gracious audiences and to have been able to play with some of the city's most... well... playful musicians. Thank you all.

Ellwoods Coffee, Rent Us for a Holiday Present

The HaPpY LuCkY CoMbO returns to Ellwoods Coffee this Saturday evening, December 12, from 7 - 9:00 PM. Admission is free. Ellwoods serves beer and wine as well as food and coffee. We love playing there because the room has great acoustics. Admission is FREE!

December 9th is the last day to bid on a private performance by The Happy Lucky Combo. We have volunteered our time as part of a fund raiser for the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts. Click HERE to bid. We'd make a great Christmas present.

Pippin is playing again with And the Wireman @ Balliceaux. They will perform Thursday Dec. 10 @ 8:30 PM. Paul Watson will also play.

We'll be back at O'Toole's NEXT Wednesday, December 16. We're expecting a visit from Bob Jacobs, accordionista and Emily Avesian, baritonista. Expect some holiday music.

Also The Ululating Mummies will be playing @ Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens on New Years Eve afternoon.... details to come. Click HERE for more info. You can click HERE for Mummies Facebook page.

Carl Kasell Thanksgiving and Us Under Your Tree?

photo: Tony Maimone

The photo above is The Happy Lucky Combo with guest Bob Jacobs, at our last O'Toole's gig. It's always exciting to play with Bob. Dueling accordions?...well let's just say we were lovin', not fightin'. Bob will be back with us on Wed. December 16.

Fans of Emily Avesian will be pleased to hear that she will come out and play with us this Wednesday, November 25th, at O'Toole's. 

It is also rumored that Nick Lewis will come by.

Also, Wednesday is Mile's (Pippin's son) birthday, and we'll be celebrating. Hopefully he'll bring his violin.

Pippin's Nov. 12th performance with And the Wiremen, was wonderful. They'll be playing again in Richmond soon...

And don't forget, Thanksgiving night WCVE will broadcast the 2009 edition of Virginia Arts and Letters Live,  of which we were a part. This years performance was hosted by Carl Kasell. 

Need a unique Christmas present? You can bid onThe Happy Lucky Combo   HERE. This auction is to benifit the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts.

 If you're around Saturday night check out our friend John Winn and friends @ Bogarts from 9:30 till 1:00.

A Video, an Auction, and Dueling Accordions

Dave arranged the Happy Lucky Combo song, Yemaya, for 150 music students from Midlothian Middle School and James River High School. See video above.

The HaPpY LuCkY CoMbO is back at O'Toole's this Wednesday, November 11th, from 8:00 until 10:30 PM. Our guest this week will be accordionista Bob Jacobs (photo right). Dueling Accordions!

Last week we had a delicious time "cooking with Carter" (photo right) and, as if on cue, Nicholas Lewis (photo right) came by and offered up dessert. And it was yummy! I went by O'Toole's today and the cook wants more! (for real)

As of the publishing of this blog, I can only say that it is rumored, that this week we will have a visit from Nick. 

Upcoming events include a Thanksgiving Eve airing of the Virginia Arts and Letters Live performance, of which we were a part, and a Dec. 12 performance at Ellwoods Coffee. And the inevetable release (escape?) of our CD.

Also, Pippin is perorming with And the Wiremen on Thursday November 12, 8:30 PM @ Balliceaux, 203 N. Lombardy St. ( the old Bogarts). Pippin's been working hard in preparation and says it's been challenging learning the new rhythyms he describes as Brazilian-like. Local musician Paul Watson is a member of this group that is based in NYC.

We've volunteered to be part of the Patrick Henry Charter School auction by offering to have our musical services put up for bid. This is an on-line auction. Hint, we're perfect for a holiday party.

Musicircus: a "near death experience"?

Musicircus

photo: Amie oliver

"I saw shadowy figures in a long tunnel or hall, and then light, and the music of The HaPpY LucKy CoMbO". 

Harry Kollatz, Flaneur

    

Thank you to everyone who came out to the chaotic and cacaphonous Musicircus. I'm sure everyones experience was different. For us it was part fun, and part enlightening near death experience. Can't wait till next year! (click HERE for photos by Dean Christesen)

The Happy Lucky Combo is back home at O'Toole's this Wednesday, October 28, 8 - 10:30 PM. This week we have special guest Carter Blough (photo upper right) on the bass fiddle!

The way it's been working out the trio plays a set and then we're joined by others. Last week it was Emily Avesian (painting right), baritone, and Jeff Adams (photo right), tenor. I can't wait to see who and what happens this week. See you there!

Our friend John Winn will have his composition "The More Things Change" debuted by  the Oberon String Quartet on Tuesday, October 27, 7:30 PM @ St. Christopher's School Upper School Chapel, 711 St. Christophers Rd.

Musicircus

What is a photo of John Cage doing on our blog? Let me explain.

This year The Happy Lucky Combo will be performing as part of our local Musicircus. Musicircus is a performance concept originated by John Cage. 

He explained it this way:

"The idea of this composition is nothing more than an invitation to a number of musicians, who perform simultaneously anything or in any way they desire."

Brian Jones is the organizer and is bringing together a multitude (around 60) of musicians. It happens this Thursday, Oct. 22, from 9:30 until 10:00 PM at The Visual Arts Center. The performance is free and open to the public.

Thank you to everyone who came out last week to O'Toole's. Emily brought her friend Jeff Adams, "the demon of beat street", to sit in (photo left). We hope to have Jeff back soon.

And Happy 30th Anniversary to Rostov's Coffee and Tea! That was a great party and the best smellin' gig we've been on.

For your AMUSEMENT: Cage-Water Walk 

See you next Wed. at O'Toole's!

 

Sad and Happy

       HLC @ Ellwoods Coffee  Photo: Charles Sugg

It's sad to have the Folk Festival come to an end, but The Happy Lucky Combo will be tapping the music keg @ O'Toole's this week, Wednesday, October 14, from 8 till 10:30 PM. 

Thank you to everyone who came out last time at O'Toole's. It was a  wonderfully "spirited" carnivalesque crowd. Seemed like everyone won a prize. 

Bob Jacobs, the accordion player from Gypsy Roots sat in with us, and he was great. Emily Avesian also came by with her baritone to help fill out the Happy Lucky "big town  sound". 

And  thank you to the sophisticated Cafe crowd who came to hear us at Ellwoods Coffee. We've been invited back and will let you know more.

People are requesting more button accordion songs. We've added one more for this week. It's called "Beer".

And what a time we all at had the Richmond Folk Festival! Thanks to those who came by to see Pippin and I perform with The Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra at the "Southside Stage".

And thank you  Venture Richmond and all the volunteers! The party's over... until Wednesday.

Propagate Globally, Cultivate Locally

The Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra has landed

Pippin and Barry will be performing at the Richmond Folk Festival this weekend with the Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra. 

They perform at 1:00 PM on Saturday and 2:00 PM on Sunday at the Parawing in the Family Area. 

The Orchestra will also be present at the Gourd Shack, next to the Parawing, propagating their vast, if questionable, knowledge, from noon until 3:00 PM each day.

The Happy Lucky Combo is back at O'Toole's on Wednesday October 14 and Rostov's Coffee on Thursday evening October 15.

Rare North of the James Appearance

In a rare appearance on the Northside of the James River the HaPpY LuCkY CoMbO will bring it's "Carnival of Sound" to Ellwoods Coffee. "The only band in town to give away prizes", they will have their "Cart of Good Fortune" stocked with curiosities from exotic and faraway places... like China.

The show starts at 7 PM and ends at 9 PM. Admission is FREE. Ellwood's serves wine, beer and food.

I'm just sayin', you know, if you want to have fun...

Accordions Must Predominate

Photo: Arthur Stephens

A while back Pippin and I made a vow to play with people who are better than we are. So continuing in that spirit, Bob Jacobs (photo above) will join us this Wednesday at O'Toole's.  Bob plays locally with Gypsy Roots and has had a long and fruitful accordion career.  My favorite story is when he played for Lawrence Welk at a book signing.

The Happy Lucky Combo will also be playing at Ellwoods Coffee this Saturday, October 3. This is our first gig there, so we hope a lot of friends from the North side of the River will come by. Admission is free. It is smoke free and beer and wine are served. We play from 7:00 until 9:00 PM.

RUMOR: Emily Avesian, baritone sax, will join us at O'Toole's.

For your AMUSEMENT; a Gang of Accordions, CLICK HERE.

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question.

A Watercolor, a Wedding and Britney Spears

The image above is a watercolor of Emily, our baritone player, by Jason Roane. His work is being displayed at Like Water Gallery.

EXPOSE: Emily came into Pippin's basement studio this week to record a couple of songs with us. Dave laid down some ukulele tracks. Our recording "Carnival of Sound" should be completed soon.

Thank you to everyone who came by O'Toole's last week. Nick Lewis (photo right) dropped in after Symphony rehearsal. Always a pleasure to play with Nick. Good to see old friends and meet new ones.

The Happy Lucky Combo will play next Wednesday, September 30th, at O'Toole's. 

RUMOR: We will have a very special surprise guest.

Congratulations Becca and Andy Coppola. We were honored to play at your wedding (photo right). It's always fun to play for people who love to celebrate and dance. 

For your AMUSEMENT: The Russian Ladies sing Britney Spears Thank you  Micol Hammack for this link.

Pippin and Barry are playing a lot with The Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra (photo right), including Chesterfest this Saturday.

Our friends with Hotel X  will be performing at The Jazz and Beyond Festival this Friday.

ALSO, I have reworked the blog to make it easy to leave comments. If you are so inclined, please do.

We're Back!

The Happy Lucky Combo is back at O'Toole's this Wednesday, September 16, from 8:00 until 10:30 PM. There is no cover charge and O'Toole's is smoke free. About six months ago O'Toole's expanded, so there is lot's of room.

RUMOR: Nick Lewis and Emily Avesian may drop by to play after Symphony rehearsal. Other friends are invited.

We've missed playing O'Toole's. It will be good to see you all again.

For your AMUSEMENT click HERE.

After August's slumber...

Photo: Jon Graham

The Happy Lucky Combo laid low in August. We've been recording, working on new songs and getting ready for a busy autumn. Songs featuring the button accordion are being worked into our repertoire.  See top right for upcoming gigs.

Pippin has been busy getting ready for the big Benny-Fit where the Orthotonics, pictured above, will awake from their twenty year slumber to play again, for one night only! Click HERE for more info.

And Dave?... well he's taken up the ukulele... for real.

Thanks again to Todd Woodson for another entertaining YouTube link: Indian Beatles

A Man and his Studio

The Happy Lucky Combo is recording in Pippin's studio. We've had a lot of requests for recordings so we're producing a series of CD's with a handful of songs on each. Jennifer Watson has created hand-made collages for the covers. The first two will be "Carnival of Sound" and "Lucky Buddha". Both are pictured on the right.

Home Sweet Home

The Happy Lucky Combo will be back home at O'Toole's this Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 8 until 10:30 PM. We have some new songs we look forward to playing for you. And we've dusted off some old ones.

RUMOR CONFIRMED: Emily Avesian (photo right) will be taking a break from playing in the pit orchestra at Dogwood Dell to come by. For more info on "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" click HERE.

Happy Birthday Timothy

The Happy Lucky Combo played at Timothy McClellan's (fourth from left) 50th birthday party. Lot's of laughter, sweaty dancing, good food, party games (including a unicorn pinata!) and really good people.

The beautiful woman in the photo is Timothy's wife Helen.

To check out Timothy's artwork click here; http://tsmcclellan.typepad.com/

Chesterfield County Fine Arts Academy

The Happy Lucky Combo performed at the Arts Camp/Academy. What a great group of teachers and children. And man can they dance!
To the left is the Global Percussion Orchestra led by Brian Sheetz.

Below is the string ensemble led by David Hartley.

Making Noise in the Library

The photo below was taken by Charles Stokdon. He is a librarian at the main branch of the Richmond Public Library. He took the picture during The Richmond Symphonies' "Music Free for All".

Queen Jarene? @ O'Toole's

Thank you Daniel Clark, John Winn and Emily Avesian (left to right above) for playing with us on our last O'Toole's gig. It was a joy. You are always welcome to come by. This Wednesday?

 

RUMORED: Jarene Fleming is in town. This has been substantiated.  What is less certain is if she will come by O'Toole's,  Wednesday, July 8, to sing a few with The Happy Lucky Combo . If anyone talks with her please confirm.

ALSO RUMORED: The young and beautiful, Emily Avesian will return to to front the band of crusty old guys.

If these rumors prove false the trio will play their broken hearts out.

 

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens on July 4th. That's us with the Butterfly Fairy, photo top right.

agri-Culture and July Fourth

Pippin and Barry are playing this week at libraries across the region with The Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra Trio, putting the "culture back into agriculture".

The Happy Lucky Combo plays at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens on July Fourth. And at O'Toole's Wednesday July 8.

Southside Renaissance Blossoms

The Happy Lucky Combo plays this week, Wednesday, June 24 at O'Toole's. We will be joined by fellow Southsider John Winn and Emily Avesian.

It is rumored that Daniel Clark, fresh off his talk show tour with Mandy Moore, will join us on melodian. 

Last week we actually had a string section with Angela Lehman-Rios on cello and Miles Barnett on violin. Be sure you check out Angela's blog, "The People's Snob".

I guess that's all for now. We continue to talk with Will at Crossroads about doing music and a jingle for their new truck, the "Crossroadster".  We work on our album "Carnival of Sound". We play July 4th at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in the afternoon.

For your amusement please click HERE. (Stick with it. It's worth it.)

A sonorous evening

I have it from reliable sources, themselves, that Emily Avesian, baritone sax, and Angela Lehman-Rios, cello, will be joining The Happy Lucky Combo at O'Toole's this evening, Wednesday, June 10. The music will begin at 8:00 and is free and open to the public.

Fourth Wednesday!

It's the fourth Wednesday of the month. And in Southside that means music, prizes (pictured above) beer, liver and chess. Yes the Happy Lucky Combo will be at O'Toole's tonight to further celebrate the blossoming of the Southside Renaissance.  

People from all parts of town are welcome.

Carnival of Sound

 

RUMORED:  The Happy Lucky Combo is returning to the studio to record and work on new music. They will be making "bite-size" albums with a handful of songs on each. 

Jennifer Watson has designed collages for each album cover. They are handmade with "paper, scissors,  glue..."

The first one made available will be "Carnival of Sound", above.

EXPOSED: The Happy Lucky Combo will only be at O'Tooles for two Wednesdays a month, the second and fourth. For the remainder of May that would be May 27. For June, June 10 and 24. 

AMUSEMENT: Marlene Dietrich screen test

Mother's Day

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Mother's Day Concert in Forest Hill Park. It was the largest "Music in the Park" crowd yet. 

What a "wunerful wunerful" evening, "we love you madly"! (to quote two of the greats.)

More photos @ Hills and Heights.

We hope to see you at O'Toole's on Wednesday. We'll be there from 8 until 10:30 PM. Hopefully some musical guests will come by. Last week we were visited again by Emily Avesian.  Angela Lehman-Rios (photo right) also came by and performed with us on her cello, a round gorgeous sound.

Check out Angela's music blog,  The People's Snob.

It is rumored that Bob Jacobs from Gypsy Roots might bring his accordion by this week.

Happy Lucky Mother's Day!

The Happy Lucky Combo will open the "Music in the Park" concert series on Mother's Day, May 10, from 6 until 8 PM. The location is next to the Stone House in Forest Hill Park. 

John Winn,  clarinet, (photo left) will be their guest.

Bring a blanket and have a picnic. The weather forecast looks good. Click Here for weather updates.

The Happy Lucky Combo will also be at O'Toole's again this week .

Big Times at O'Toole's

Emily Avesian will join The Happy Lucky Combo, again, at O'Toole's.  That's tonight, Wednesday April 29, 8 until 10:30 PM. 

Last week we were  also joined by Nick Lewis.  He says he'll be by later tonight.

Who knows who else might come by?

Richard Grossman is bringing his crew of NCAA fans and it is rumored that another entourage might wander in.

The "Southside Economic Stimulus Package" has been stocked with special Prizes.

Thank you Tom Campagnoli for the photos from last week. To see Tom's blog click here Kozmicdogz Breaks Loose.

Hey, our Facebook fan page passed 400 this week. Click HERE. Thanks Micol for "administering" the fan page.

And our Popidiot video is almost at 1000. 10 more hits to go. Click HERE.

We slowly progress at Southside speed. (not to be confused with Southside Speedway) Hope to have a recording available soon.

Monkeys and Crickets

The Happy Lucky Combo had a great time at O'Toole's last week celebrating with Beth Standford and friends.  Happy Birthday Beth. As you can see Monkey had a great time. The "Chess Guys" were out in force and shared with everyone the sour cream and onion flavored crickets they won from "The Cart of Good Fortune". 

The highlight of the evening was when Roger Carroll (photo right) sat in with The Happy Lucky Combo and played a tango, a ballad, and a blues. Although, this may have been surpassed by the chorus line at the end of the show. Truly a  Southside Revue. 

See y'all this Wednesday.  Emily Avesian (photo right) is going to bring her baritone sax!

WARNING: Next week Richard Grossman will be having his NCAA pool party at O'Toole's beginning at 6:30 PM. 

Don't forget Happy Lucky Mother's Day at Forrest Hill Park, May 10, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.

Spacious and Luxurious Party Room

photo Bill Eldridge

The Happy Lucky Combo will be @ O'Toole's this Wed., April 15. Happy Tax Day! 

We now play in the new "Party Room" where there is plenty of space to dance. 

Beth Stanford will be celebrating her Birthday with us this week.

Richard Grossman is planning his annual NCAA basketball pool party on April 29. 

 The prize cart will be stocked with cool prizes. Last week we gave away two brand new Easter outfits, and squid. 

There was a complaint about people not getting enough ants in their chocolate covered ants, so I  bought a bunch of crickets; barbeque, sour cream and onion, etc.

O'Toole's is a great place to have a party. Especially on Wednesday, you get a free band! On Wednesdays we've had birthday parties, wedding parties and class reunions (grade school). 

And don't forget, Wednesday is liver night @ O'Toole's.