Toledo musician, designer, and all-around great guy Dave Piccuito has put out a completely free Toledo rock compilation called “Nowhere At All”. In reference to the title, Piccuito says:

“The title “Nowhere At All” comes from a song that John Denver made famous in which the first line is, “Saturday night in Toledo, Ohio, is like being nowhere at all.” Well, if this is nowhere then nowhere is where I want to be. Toledo is a beautiful city with an incredible pool of artistic talent.”

Composed of music from a dozen area bands, the album is available to download here–again, free!

The Ottawa Tavern played host to the record release party last weekend, with free shows from the bands involved. The physical CD’s (beautifully designed and printed, BTW) were given out to anyone who wanted one. If you want one yourself, head over to Culture Clash and pick one up (FREE!!!) before they run out. Only 1200 were made so don’t procrastinate.

Culture Clash | 4020 Secor Road | (419) 536-5683

Update: I got an email from a reader that was at the OT show. Dan recorded a few songs from the Boogaloosa Prayer set on his iPhone and posted them to his YouTube account, so enjoy!

We started out the night with dinner and drinks at Ice. It was our first visit to the “somewhat new” Downtown establishment. Next, drinks at our friend M.’s apartment. And the night ended at The Ottawa Tavern with shows by “Science of the Big Machines” and “The Dirty Damn Band”. Everything about the night was pleasant–except when they ran out of ice at the OT!

Hope you had a great night and 2011 treats you right!

The Ottawa Tavern | 1817 Adams Street | Uptown | (419) 725-5483

Ice Restaurant and Bar | 405 Madison Avenue | Downtown | (419) 246-3339

It was one great weekend. Favorite OWE fest ever, regardless of the weather. Above is some of the video D. shot during festival.

Toledo’s Historic Old West End Association

My good friend F. came into town via the train from NYC on the same Friday morning that the Crystal Bowersox/American Idol parade was scheduled. His cab driver enthusiastically told him all the details.

Neither of F. nor myself actually watch American Idol but this being his third visit to Toledo, and my love of giving all of my visitors a truely Toledo-centric time, we walked to Summit Street after breakfast to enjoy the parade. Having a mayor on a motorcycle is as good a draw as any.

There were quite a few mascots, and aside from the baseball team and the hockey team I was unable to identify for F. the other, silly tube-shaped characters. Any clues?

The Toledo School for the Arts had a good deal of pride during the parade. And they should have! Crystal Bowersox is an alumni of that fantastic school located in uptown Toledo.

And at the end of the parade, there was Ms. Bowersox. As I post this we know that she is 2nd in place for American Idol. Congrats to you, Crystal! You have a great career before you and Toledo (and all of America) loves you!

Crystal is a positive ambassador for Toledo and the TSA.

Toledo School for the Arts | 333 14th Street | (419) 246-8732

Following the Quest for Fire opening at the TMA, we checked into the Ottawa Tavern for another of their amazing FREE shows. The Black Atlantic are from Holland and were fresh off a stint at South by Southwest (SXSW). Sangsara are a heavily-lauded group local to Toledo. But, Big Kitty (video above) were my favorite of the night.

Big Kitty hail from Chattanooga, Tennessee and were simply precious.

The Ottawa Tavern was PACKED. I love how successful the bar has become, yet I hope this level of attendance subsides for the sake of the regulars! And the staff, for that matter.

Ottawa Tavern | 1817 Adams Street (Uptown) | (419) 725-5483