Xanna’s Photo Essay: Day 1 of Capitol Hill Block Party 2017

July 25, 2017• byXanna Don't

2017’s Capitol Hill Block Party began with two music panels open to the public free of charge at Grimm’s. The first was entitled “Band Survival and Strategy in a Post-Industry World.” Xanna’s Takeaway: Everything old is new again; as in the 1950s and ‘60s, it’s all about the staggered release of (digital) singles over the big kerplop of an entire album. You still have to tour and if you want airplay, bring your music to the radio station in person. Photo above and seated left to right: Kelly Fleek (moderator), Matt Ashworth, Leigh Bezezekoff, Troy Nelson, Jodi Ecklund, Marco Collins, and (above) a vintage deer head who’s seen and heard it all before.

The second panel, “Resistance as Art – Gender, Race, Class and Sexuality as The Artist’s Platform For Change,” began with sobs about the presidential election and how it stymied works in progress. Xanna’s Takeaway: “Mixed genre” booking is a way to find more open minded audiences and, when the panel audience questions devolve into plugs for upcoming gigs (doesn’t it always), it’s time to leave. But overall, it was a good first exploration into identity-influenced music. Seated left to right: Kelly Fleek (moderator), Carlo Tulloss, EJ Tolentino, Irene Barber of Dust Moth, Sasha Bolof, and Emily Nokes of Tacocat.

The privacy fence for the VIP area—what could be inside? Keep reading…

Jen Stippich of MacGregor Event Staffing takes a breath before the VIP rush.

The VIPs of the VIP Lounge! Bob Marley’s granddaughters, Zuri and Shacia, promoting their family’s line of skin care products, Marley Natural (they also sell smoking paraphernalia). My favorite was the hand cream made with Sativa oil (non-psychotropic). www.marleynaturalshop.com

Patrick Galactic playing a rogue, free unofficial showcase at Everyday Music on 10th Street.

Tim Basaraba (Downstream/Substation) and with Mary of Oliver Elf Army at Everyday Music.

Lucy Dacas on the Main Stage.

Eastern Souvenirs at Neumos (The Modelo Stage)

Sloucher on The Vera Stage.

Noname on The Main Stage. When I politely asked if I could photograph her in the VIP Lounge, she put her hand in front of her face. Hmm. Hence her name?

Pizza break at Big Mario’s.

Kyle Craft and his endearingly “loud voice.”

The Gods Themselves at Barboza.

Adorable gay guys chilling in the VIP.

Zuri and Shacia Marley mixing the beats.

VIP Lounge filling up!

And the crowd kept growing…

ALL Photos by Xanna Don’t

About the Author: Xanna Don't

After studying operatic vocal performance at Boston Conservatory in the late 1980’s, Xanna Don’t made a name for herself in her hometown’s alternative music scene; that name, according to The Boston Herald, was “The Country Queen of Boston.” She has toured with Southern Culture on the Skids, opened for Devo, Jerry Jeff Walker, The Old 97’s, The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, and Lucinda Williams, and played CBGB’s and The Bitter End in New York City. In 1994, Xanna moved her award-winning act to Austin, Texas, where she showcased for SXSW and appeared in indie films, including Office Space. Booking live music for Austin’s Gay Pride led to her proudest accomplishment: the creation and co-production of SXSW’s first ever all-gay music showcase, selling out Austin’s largest gay venue. During 8 years in Atlanta, Xanna served as a board member for their gay film festival and on Atlanta Film Festival’s screening committee, taught voice lessons, published her own ‘zine, and performed with her quintet. She was Entertainment Editor for Atlanta’s lesbian magazine, served as Interim Editor of ATL Free Press, and wrote the music preview for Atlanta Pride’s official guide distributed to 250,000+ attendees. In 2012, Xanna and her wife of 20 years relocated to the Pacific Northwest where she has served on the screening committee of Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, coordinated the festival’s Opening & Closing Nights’ Parties in 2013, and in 2014 was a guest judge for Seattle Pride’s singing competition, Pride Idol. Some of Xanna’s press quotes include: GIRLS-WORLD: “The Grande Dame of Austin Music” // AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN: “Austin’s Underground Country Queen” // “Miss Xanna Don’t does. Sing great, that is.” / “…fiery twang vibe that has won fans over from Emo’s to Cibolo Creek Country Club to gay pride rallies.” // AMERICAN AIRLINES AMERICAN WAY: “[Mike] Judge [director of Office Space] was looking for the fabled ‘Texas big-hair look’…Miss Xanna was perfect.”// BOSTON GLOBE: “[one of] Boston’s most respected musical minds.”