The late Xavier Figueras (April 20, 1957 - January 23, 2014) reinvented himself more than once during his lifetime. In an incarnation during the 1990’s, the X-man held a series of famous X-Jam showcases at the Riv and then at the Small Planet.
Xavier was all about local music. Bands that appeared at the showcases included The DTs, Global Village, Knee Deep Shag, Showdown and Botfly. He also promoted shows with Medeski, Martin and Wood, back when they were touring in a van, and Morris Tepper, who played guitar with Captain Beefheart and Tom Waits. The capstone of X’s effort was booking the main stage at the now-defunct Michigan Festival.
“The X-Jam Showcases became the place to be seen and also the place for new bands to audition for shows at the Planet,” said Rob (The Hopening Quartet) Klajda, who has organized the memorial showcase at The Avenue in Lansing on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
“X was a cat lover,” said Klajda. “So we are doing the show as a fund-raiser for Voiceless-MI.” This area non-profit supports humane education programs for the public and respect for all living things.”
Slated to appear:
- Frog & the Beeftones
- Ben Hassenger
- Mark Lansing
- Marc Nischan
- Tommy Foster
- Lew Russ
- Tom Taylor
- Storyville
- Mighty Medicine
- Ingham County Regulars
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An open mic jam will close the show.
The X-Man may have left the building, but the showcase lives on . . .
