Music Scene: Potcheen

By Tammy Gemaehlich
Friday, February 11, 2011

Landlubbers of the Grand Valley soon can party like pirates to the Celtic pirate rock sounds of Potcheen.

The Front Range-based band performs at 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at Naggy McGee’s Irish Pub, 359 Colorado Ave.

Potcheen means “Irish moonshine” brewed high in the hills of Ireland, according to http://www.thepotcheenfolkband.com.

The website also notes that the group formed in 2003 and has toured nationally, fusing Irish music with bluegrass, rock and punk stylings in pirate and drinking songs.

Founder and head pirate Christian Blochinger, originally from Sparta, N.J., plays drums and sings. Red-haired lass Laura Quam from Memphis, Tenn., plays violin and sings. Andrew Thompson from Broomfield plays guitar and mandolin. Neil Zimmerman from Long Island, N.Y., plays guitar and sings. Chris LaPlante of Denver plays bass and sings. Frequent guest Joseph Barton of Denver plays bass and guitar and sings.

Potcheen lists a collection of awards and accolades on its website, the most recent of which notes the groups nomination by Westword Magazine as the 2010 Best World Band In Colorado.

The Grand Junction show is for those age 21 and older.

Call 424-5840 for information.

Other music events in the area:

Drum circle, 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, Mirth Fruita, 201 E. Aspen Ave., 234-9990.

“Sondheim Spectacular,” songs from Broadway musicals, written by Stephen Sondheim, performed by Grand Valley Community Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, Showtime Productions, 2148 Broadway, $15 adults, $12 seniors and students, 361-0243, 263-4152.

Desert Moon, 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, Triple Tree Tavern, 201 Second St., Clifton, 434-9428.

Latin Knights, 9:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, Rocky Mountain Pub, 539 Colorado Ave., $5, 245-0995.

Dolce Voce, seven a cappella singers from Montrose, Delta-Montrose Community Concert Association, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, Delta Center for Performing Arts and Education, 822 Grand Ave., Delta, $20 adults, $5 students, 835-4480, 921-4142, 249-9154, http://www.deltamontroseconcerts.com.

Bluegrass Jam, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, Bill Heddles Recreation Center, Delta, 874-8777.

Goodman Band, 10 p.m. to close Saturday, Feb. 12, Rockslide, 401 Main St., 245-2111.

Big Daddy and the Runaways, fiddles, mandolin and harmony singing, 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, Main Street Bagels, 559 Main St., 241-2740.

Blues with Elmo, 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, Rocky Mountain Pub, 539 Colorado Ave., $5, 245-0995.

Jenn, a capella vocalist, 9 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, Mirth Fruita, 201 E. Aspen Ave., 234-9990.

An Evening of Piano Duo Music with Gisela Flanigan and Andrea Arese-Elias, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15, Mesa State College, Moss Performing Arts Center, Recital, $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students/children, 248-1604.

Nicole Brady, harp, Guest Artist Recital, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, Mesa State College, Moss Performing Arts Center, Recital Hall, 1231 N. 12th St., $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 students/children, 248-1604.