Home

Elissa Greene

Elissa Greene's "This Week in Strings" column appears Mondays in Steamboat Today.

Steamboat Springs — Even though the Strings Music Festival's main subscription season has ended, the next two weeks feature four very exciting "Different Tempo" concerts. This week presents some Strings classics, and next week features something brand new.

The subdudes got their name after a show they'd played as the Continental Drifters.

"I think we were trying to be edgy," said original band member John Magnie on the subdudes' Web site, "and we just ended up being loud." So the band members decided to try turning down their instruments and turning up the vocals at their next gig. They decided to sound a little more "subdued."

Despite the origin of their name, the subdudes' show on Tuesday should be anything but. Last year, they packed the house, and there were people dancing in the aisles. This year, we are clearing out the first section of seats and making it a dancing-only section.

On Friday, Asleep at the Wheel returns once again for a nearly-end-of-season party. This is another concert with plenty of room to dance. This show is sold out, but be sure to check the box office for availability of lawn seating.

Next Tuesday, Aug. 19, features the Avett Brothers, a show the Telluride Daily Planet called "traditional sounds on the edge of chaos:punkgrass." I think it's safe to say that Strings never before has hosted a band quite like the Avett Brothers. And the Avett Brothers, making a point never to play the same show twice, never have played a show quite like the one you will be able to hear at Strings next Tuesday night.

And on Aug. 22, the Golden Dragon Acrobats stop at the Strings Music Pavilion as part of their 30th anniversary tour. In 2005, they performed on Broadway for six weeks to sold-out houses and earned two New York Drama Desk nominations. Unfortunately, this show is sold out, but those who do have tickets are in for an incredible performance.

By the way, two front-row tickets for all four shows have been set aside and are available for you to bid on at www.strings.cmarket.com.