By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

At the age of 29, Des Moines native Damon Moreno has embraced the adage "The blues is the roots and everything else is the fruits," and he is trying to share that wisdom with other music fans by organizing the first-ever Des Moines Blues Summit on Sunday at the Val Air Ballroom. The blues are a long way from the hard rock he played as a founding member of the San Francisco group Pushing Earth, but not as far as you might think. Moreno says he was raised on the blues and credits his family for introducing them to him at an early age.

"I've been in rock bands for about 12 years, but I've retired my black outfits," he says. "I've been around blues my whole life and I've always loved them."

Moreno's passion for the blues inspired him to organize the Blues Summit with his girlfriend, Anna Frederick, who he says has played a significant role in organizing the event. The couple has put up its own money to book a handful of guitar slingers, including Tinsley Ellis, Corby Yates, Wayne Baker Brooks, Richard Johnston and The Mercury Brothers. To help defray the cost of the concert, they recruited 27 sponsors.

"From major corporations to small, non-profit groups, everyone has helped us get it off the ground," Moreno says.

Moreno and Frederick have also rolled up their sleeves and worked tirelessly to promote the event. They launched a Web site (www.dsmbluessummit.com), which has nearly 2,000 hits; printed 10,000 color handbills and hundreds of posters; and coordinated radio interviews with the artists.

"We've invested extra money to make everything look good, and I think it's working for us," Moreno says. "A lot of people are interested and excited about it. I didn't want to bring in these great artists and have a weak showing."

Moreno's attention to other details also makes the Blues Summit noteworthy. Fans an buy raffle tickets to win autographed guitars and gift certificates with proceeds benefiting the Central Iowa Blues Society's "Blues in the Schools" program and barbecue food will be served. A film crew, led by Moreno's older brother, Thor, will even be on-hand to document the event, though organizers say there are no plans at this time to release it for commercial use.

This isn't the first time Moreno has booked a large concert in Des Moines. In 1999 and 2000, he organized Buddhafest at Clearwater Lake, an alternative rock festival that drew thousands of fans both years. If all goes well with the Blues Summit, he hopes to make it an annual event. Moreno says he's also considering promoting a jam band festival and another event featuring Mississippi hill-country music."I'm addicted to the risk of these things," he says. "It's my entrepreneurial spirit. But if I didn't have that I'd be at home watching 'Seinfeld' like everyone else."

More blues news

On Saturday, the South Skunk Blues Society will host its annual Bowlful O' Blues at Maytag Park in Newton. The daylong event includes headliner Byther Smith (8 p.m.), as well as Millage Gilbert (6 p.m.), Jeff Banks and the Soul Providers (4:30 p.m.), Ed Fallon (4 p.m.), Hot Tamale and the Red Hots (3 p.m.), David Zollo and the Body Electric (1:30 p.m.) and Mojo Machine (noon). Matt Woods will perform between sets. A post-fest performance by Jeff Banks and the Soul Providers will be held at Rumours Bar in Newton. Bowlful ticket holders are admitted free.

Fans can bring coolers, blankets and chairs, but no glass. Food vendors will be on-hand. Tickets are $15 in advance at Peeple's Music and Zzz Records and $20 at the gate.

In other blues news, the Court Avenue Blues Festival, set for Sept. 4, will feature headliners Tommy Castro, E.C. Scott and the Damon Fowler Group. Main stage acts begin at 4 p.m., followed by a pub-crawl with local acts. Advance tickets, $12, go on sale Aug. 1 at Blues on Grand or by calling 225-6638.

If you prefer the serenity of organic acoustic tunes to the juiced-up sounds of electric music, you might want to check out the Farm Fresh Acoustic Fest in Manning. On Saturday, from 2 to 8 p.m., 18 acoustic artists from the Midwest including Andy Fleming, Sarah Benck, Ben Green, BeJae Fleming, Erik Koskinen and festival organizer Brian Joens will each perform 20-minute sets at Heritage Park. The park is located off Highway 141. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Fifth Annual Harmony in the Fields Music Festival, which Joens will host Aug. 13 at the same location. The lineup for that event includes William Elliott Whitmore, Echobliss, Floodplane and Koskinen. For information about both festivals, visit www.brianjoens.com.

Following his concert at Blank Park Zoo last Sunday, folk music singer-songwriter Todd Snider gave an impromptu performance at AK O'Connors in Beaverdale, where he jammed with former bandmate David Zollo before a packed house. Zollo, Snider, Tommy Womack and Peter Cooper played about a dozen tunes by artists like the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, Jimmy Reed and Bob Dylan... The Science Center of Iowa's SCI After 5 concert series has changed dates to the second Thursday of each month and extended the event time from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission is $6... "Shear Madness" plays the Temple for Performing Arts Sept. 16 through Oct. 31. Advance tickets are $30 through July 18 and increase in price by $2.50 after July 18. Performances will be held Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 3 p.m. Call 277-6261 or visit www.dmplayhouse.com... The comedy "Leaving Iowa" plays the Stoner Studio Theater Aug. 18-28. Tickets, $30-$35, go on sale July 18... Soprano Jane Redding has recovered from a chest cold that forced her to withdraw from her title role in the Des Moines Metropolitan Opera's production of "Lucia Di Lammermoor." She will sing the title role later this summer at Chautauqua Opera... Local post-rock trio The Autumn Project recently signed with Imagine It Records, which will re-release the band's debut album, "Fable," July 26... Absolute Art in the East Village will feature the "Drink Series" by local artist Christine Mullane. An opening reception is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. on July 28... The Department of Cultural Affairs recently awarded grants through its Iowa Community Cultural Grant program to the Fort Des Moines Memorial Park and Education Center ($15,000) and The Governor's Very Special Arts Festival ($10,000), which coincides with the Iowa State Fair... The Des Moines Music Coalition has rescheduled its Fall Festival from August to sometime in October. Last week, the Greater Des Moines Community Foundation awarded the group a $7,500 Community Impact Grant... More than 100 people, young and old alike, crowded The Walnut Tap last Wednesday to listen to hardcore country music troubadour Wayne "The Train" Hancock deliver nearly three hours of authentic hillbilly and western swing music. It was a breath of fresh air for those who don't subscribe to Nashville's watered-down version of country music. Seems the folks who run the cozy neighborhood joint have tapped into a groundswell of music fans. Now, how about getting Dale Watson to town?... A review of Tom Petty and The Black Crowes will appear online next week at www.dmcityview.com. CV

Like Knives

"Like Knives"

Bi-Fi Records

Over the years I've enjoyed Aaron Hefley's self-centered, eclectic, smart-ass ways, whether he was fronting the now-defunct Pookey Bleum or issuing records by other groups on his Ames-based record label, Bi-Fi Records. So it's nice to know that a little thing like maturity hasn't changed him (though it rears its head in a good way regarding lyrics and arrangements) as evidenced by the debut album by his new band, Like Knives. Here, Hefley and company cuts through 10 original songs that address a variety of themes from love to pop culture with skill while maintaining a sharp-witted, experimental, slacker feel throughout. Tunes like "The Unlincoln Tunnel" and "Follower" are heady observations of modern society; "Tune Sensations" is a heartfelt tribute to R.E.M. without being sappy; and "Emophiliac" and "The Party Starter" are poignant, tongue-in-cheek comments on their fellow smart-ass Echo Boomers. - Michael Swanger

(Like Knives will host a CD release party with Poison Control Center Saturday at the Vaudeville Mews. Showtime is 10 p.m. Like Knives will also play July 21 at the Bali Satay House in Ames at 9 p.m. Admission is $5 for both shows.)

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