Motown Mojo

If you are a fan of the band, The Last Goodnight, this is your chance to win tickets to see them live next Monday night at The Fat Cat.

The band is most famous for their smash hit, "Pictures of You." Their latest single, "Stay Beautiful" is on track to become a huge hit also after its video debuted at number four on VH1.

If you are a fan of The Last Goodnight and you are over the age of 21, drop me a line at modestofamous@gmail.com and put the words "The Last Mojo" in the subject line. The first 10 people to respond will each receive a pair of tickets to the show. These tickets will go quickly!

I am not a huge pop music fan, but I am excited to meet these guys and listen to their unique sound live. I am also excited to meet a fellow mohawk fan! I think that the my crazy new look is well, crazy, but many people say that it suits me. Now if I could only figure out a way to become internationally famous!

To learn a bit more about The Last Goodnight and hear some of their music visit: http://www.thelastgoodnight.net.

I also need to send a thank you out to Chris Ricci and his crew at The Fat Cat for providing the prize for this contest!

Have a great week and good luck!

-Mojo

What a strange week this has been for me. I have been home most of the week watching movies and playing video games and I have to say that the time alone has been good for me. This has been a week where I have been really concerned for my health. I feel fine and I have managed to stay out of the hospital, but the reality of needing a liver transplant has really been on my mind. It honestly scares the hell out of me, but with the support that I have received from our community and my family and friends, I am thinking now more than ever that I can win this battle.

What I need to do this weekend is get out of the house. I want to make it out to the Mistlin Gallery where my friend Jim has his prize-winning work displayed (congrats Jim!) and maybe tomorrow morning I will have breakfast at Cafe Deva and check out their latest art exhibit. If you never have had breakfast at Deva, you really should try it out. The prices are fair and the food is always good.

Do you have any big plans for the weekend? There are a ton of options available. You can check out the Modesto Air Show, see Blind Melon at the Fat Cat, watch the Coca-Cola relays or check out The World of Laughs comedy show at the State Theatre.

Click here for more details on weekend events: http://tinyurl.com/3ly7eq

Whatever you do, don't forget about your mom on Sunday. My mom is up in Redding and I will be sure to call her. Maybe I should have gone to see her this weekend. Maybe I will. She would enjoy the surprise.

Have a great weekend out there and enjoy this incredible weather that we are having! According to the nifty little widget on my Mac, the weather should not top 85 degrees until Tuesday when we may see 90 degrees. This is perfect bike riding and long walk in the evening weather!

Take care,

Mojo

I was downtown with a friend on Monday night and we noticed that Aquashi was closed. From the notice on the door, it appears that they have had their license to serve alcohol suspended.

I was a big fan of the sushi there, but I was not big on the dance party/club side of the business. I really hope that they don't close. Where else in town can I get sushi at midnight?

Please inform us of what is happening if you happen to know anything. Simply leave a comment on this post.

-Mojo

In support of their debut album, "Poison Kiss" which has spawned two hit singles, the band The Last Goodnight will stop in Modesto on May 19. This will be a great opportunity to see a band with a big future in a small venue. Call the Fat Cat at 524-1400 for ticket information and further details.

I just read a few show reviews on the band and they were all positive. The only negative thing that was mentioned was the the band did not play long enough. This one will most certainly sell out! Get your tickets as soon as possible.

-Mojo

Are you a big fan of Poison, Motley Crue, Quiet Riot or any of the other big hair bands from the 1980's? If so, you should try to squeeze into your favorite leather pants or leopard print tights tonight and have some fun downtown.

Starting at 10 p.m. local tribute gurus, Aquanett will take to the stage at Speakeasy and rock the night away. These guys are a blast to watch with their crazy costumes and flammable hair!

Speakeasy Lounge is located at 928 12th Street. Get their early because the place tends to fill up very quickly.

Enjoy the show!

-Mojo

What is happening in this area lately? We have a sex scandal brewing at a church in Oakdale, gang violence is taking over the area by the airport and Crows Landing Road and people are scared to leave their vehicles anywhere because they fear that they might get stolen.

Normally I try to be perky and high-spirited, but this is just getting depressing. I am tired of seeing cops hanging out and talking to one another or on cell phones while crime is happening all over the place. I am tired of hearing people talk about "the good ol' days" when Modesto was a peaceful place where raising a family was easier because crime was not such a factor.

Is there anything that we can do to tame the problems that we are facing or is it just too late? If my children did not live here, I most likely would have moved away from here a while ago. I realize that crime is everywhere, but how many communities have police chiefs more focused on busting people for illegal dancing then on battling theft and violence?

Your opinions would be greatly appreciated here.

-Mojo

If immigrants rights are important to you try to make it out to Crow's Landing Road on Thursday. A peaceful rally is scheduled. This should be a very informative event.

For complete details click here.

I just checked my voice mail (I should do that way more often) and I got some great news from local singing phenom and MAMA award winner, Jon Valenti. It seems that Valenti has been quietly working behind closed practice doors on a very cool project.

We are used to seeing Valenti rocking local venues as a solo act, but starting on June 12, Valenti will be joined by a full band. This is really great news for us here at Modesto Famous because Jon is hands down one of our favorite local talents.

So mark your calendars for Thursday June 12th and get to The Copper Rhino about 9:00. This will be a packed event and part of the Cruise and Good/B93.1 concert series so you may even consider getting there early for good seats.

If you have never been to The Copper Rhino, you have to check the place out. There are two full bars, some great areas to relax and even shuffleboard. All that and on Thursday nights they have drink specials that are always too good to pass up.

For more information on Valenti, see: http://www.jonvalenti.com

For more information on The Copper Rhino, see: http://www.myspace.com/copperrhino1

-Have a great weekend! The weather is amazing!

-Mojo

If you are seeking a little crazed fun after a long week of work, check out one of the two shows that local rockers, E.A.R.L. has scheduled for this weekend. Their opening act for both gigs, Heathen Ass Worship plays dressed in drag and came all the way from Utah to play the gigs. I am told that the shows are not designed for the weak of heart. They will be loud, full of pure energy and totally full of the insanity fueled talent that make E.A.R.L. one of the best bands to see live in the area.

For more information on the shoes, check out these links:

Friday Show

Saturday Show

If you not familiar with E.A.R.L. and you want to experience them before you drive to see them, check out this awesome video that they put together:

Have a great rest of the week! We are almost to the weekend!

-Mojo

We have done it again! Simply click this link: http://tinyurl.com/4kr4x9 and you will see why CNN is talking about us!