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Performances by a half-dozen or more solo female guitarist-singers highlight the Maidens Faire in the Bijou Center on Sunday, May 24.
The hosts of the event are Marie Vermilyea and her rock-star partner Athena. Well, maybe rock star isn’t the right description.
“I’m a diva, baby,” Athena said.
The Tahoe version of the Lilith Fair is free, but proceeds from a raffle benefit Tahoe Women’s Services. It starts at 1 p.m. and continues until 7.
“This is something I never thought could happen,” Athena said. “It’s bringing sisterhood together. Let’s rock out.”
Bijou businesses will be included in the celebration. Cosmic Creations Tattoo and Art Gallery will have its grand opening and will give away a $200 tattoo in the raffle, Tahoe Wellness Center has a 5 p.m. art reception and Hot Gossip is adding a full gamut of burgers — beef, veggie and turkey — to its menu.
At least seven art vendors will demonstrate their crafts.
“It’s a good lineup and it should be a beautiful day,” said Hot Gossip owner Liz Hallen. “Athena and Marie are doing a lot of good things for the Women’s Center.”
Artists Britta Nauta, Steve Newell and Anna Louise Darden will be featured at the two-hour reception at the Tahoe Wellness Center.
Cosmic Creations owner Joe Schoenfield said artist Mear One will be featured at the opening.
Schoenfield said he wants the Bijou Center at 3447 Lake Tahoe Blvd. to become an artistic hub for the Tahoe community, much like the one in the Old Town section of Eureka.
Athena will perform around 4 p.m., but the rest of the lineup will be determined by the draw of a hat. The other performers who are all from Reno include Jonie Blinman, Lacey Mattison, Lisa McCuiston, Whitney Myer and mixing will be by Royal Eyeness. Other guests are expected.
“We’re not just another chick with a guitar,” Blinman said. “We’re trying to set ourselves apart.”
Blinman is the host at a similar monthly event at Reno’s Studio on Fourth called Songwriters in the Round.
Blinman, who has been writing songs for six years, plays all original indie folk and rock. She is impressed with the Maidens Faire lineup.
“Lisa is the next best thing to Janis Joplin in Reno,” she said. “She plays real blues and is a phenomenal songwriter. Lacy is a refined vocalist and her guitar playing is more like Jewel. She does a Kate Bush style.”
McCuiston said female guitarists are often thought to be folk singers.
“That’s a stereotype,” she said. “They automatically assume it’s about emotion and rainbows. I have respect for them but I’m not going to sing a girlie song.”
McCuiston began studio recording 10 years ago with Cracker drummer Frank Funaro’s the Glass Ear. She later sang for Blue Stone.
“I cut my teeth with Blue Stone,” she said. “I learned how to entertain and not just be a singer. Blues is a different beast, for sure.”
She also played a “distorted Gibson Les Paul” electric guitar for the rock band Dirty Pretty.
Myer comes from a musical family and is proud to say her multi-instrumentalist father didn’t have a have a real job for 25 years. She plays in a band with her father and uncle.
Myer, who started singing in church, is influenced by her mom’s love for gospel and dad’s affection for James Brown.
Athena formerly played with Sonic Anomaly and Wickerbox, a favorite of Elmer Fudd.
“I love the connection with the audience, especially when they tear up or laugh or smile,” she said.
A percussionist named LP is likely to accompany Athena, who sings in a blend of styles from Annie Lennox, Joan Jett and Grace Slick.
The hosts of the event are Marie Vermilyea and her rock-star partner Athena. Well, maybe rock star isn’t the right description.
“I’m a diva, baby,” Athena said.
The Tahoe version of the Lilith Fair is free, but proceeds from a raffle benefit Tahoe Women’s Services. It starts at 1 p.m. and continues until 7.
“This is something I never thought could happen,” Athena said. “It’s bringing sisterhood together. Let’s rock out.”
Bijou businesses will be included in the celebration. Cosmic Creations Tattoo and Art Gallery will have its grand opening and will give away a $200 tattoo in the raffle, Tahoe Wellness Center has a 5 p.m. art reception and Hot Gossip is adding a full gamut of burgers — beef, veggie and turkey — to its menu.
At least seven art vendors will demonstrate their crafts.
“It’s a good lineup and it should be a beautiful day,” said Hot Gossip owner Liz Hallen. “Athena and Marie are doing a lot of good things for the Women’s Center.”
Artists Britta Nauta, Steve Newell and Anna Louise Darden will be featured at the two-hour reception at the Tahoe Wellness Center.
Cosmic Creations owner Joe Schoenfield said artist Mear One will be featured at the opening.
Schoenfield said he wants the Bijou Center at 3447 Lake Tahoe Blvd. to become an artistic hub for the Tahoe community, much like the one in the Old Town section of Eureka.
Athena will perform around 4 p.m., but the rest of the lineup will be determined by the draw of a hat. The other performers who are all from Reno include Jonie Blinman, Lacey Mattison, Lisa McCuiston, Whitney Myer and mixing will be by Royal Eyeness. Other guests are expected.
“We’re not just another chick with a guitar,” Blinman said. “We’re trying to set ourselves apart.”
Blinman is the host at a similar monthly event at Reno’s Studio on Fourth called Songwriters in the Round.
Blinman, who has been writing songs for six years, plays all original indie folk and rock. She is impressed with the Maidens Faire lineup.
“Lisa is the next best thing to Janis Joplin in Reno,” she said. “She plays real blues and is a phenomenal songwriter. Lacy is a refined vocalist and her guitar playing is more like Jewel. She does a Kate Bush style.”
McCuiston said female guitarists are often thought to be folk singers.
“That’s a stereotype,” she said. “They automatically assume it’s about emotion and rainbows. I have respect for them but I’m not going to sing a girlie song.”
McCuiston began studio recording 10 years ago with Cracker drummer Frank Funaro’s the Glass Ear. She later sang for Blue Stone.
“I cut my teeth with Blue Stone,” she said. “I learned how to entertain and not just be a singer. Blues is a different beast, for sure.”
She also played a “distorted Gibson Les Paul” electric guitar for the rock band Dirty Pretty.
Myer comes from a musical family and is proud to say her multi-instrumentalist father didn’t have a have a real job for 25 years. She plays in a band with her father and uncle.
Myer, who started singing in church, is influenced by her mom’s love for gospel and dad’s affection for James Brown.
Athena formerly played with Sonic Anomaly and Wickerbox, a favorite of Elmer Fudd.
“I love the connection with the audience, especially when they tear up or laugh or smile,” she said.
A percussionist named LP is likely to accompany Athena, who sings in a blend of styles from Annie Lennox, Joan Jett and Grace Slick.
The Maidens Fair
What: musical performances by a half-dozen female singer/guitarists, art shows and demonstrationsWhen: 1-7 p.m. Sunday, May 24
Where: the Bijou Center, 3447 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
Cost: free
