On May 2, a fantastic singer and fellow Browncoat is coming to Arizona for the first time ever, and we're hoping to give her a grand welcome. Why should you muster up the $20 to go? Here's why in the countdown style that the kids today seem to like...
5) It's for charity!
The Marian Call concert is an "Open Bowl" charity for the Wildhorse Ranch Rescue, a horse rescue association created to "To save equines from abuse, neglect, slaughter and premature death and provide a safe place for them to live for the remainder of their lives." If that's not a great charity worthy of space western fans, I don't know what is. Also, for the $20 you get a handmade artist bowl, a chili or soup dinner, a signed copy of her CD Vanilla, AND Concert admission.

4) It's NOT FILK!
"Filk" is essentially a form of "geek folk" that formed out of scifi and fantasy conventions. CopperCon is a great place to see it in action, when casual singers and musicians get together and share their musical artwork. Michelle Dockrey is deeply rooted in the Filk community, and in my opinion the pinnacle of the art form. The Bedlam Bards can be considered "Firefilk"ers, though you will rarely hear them say it themselves. There's plenty to like about Filk, especially that in essence it captures the true spirit of traditional folk music. However, that deep traditional folk style turns a lot of people off. All too often, Filk winds up anyone with a guitar and the ability to rhyme "cthulu" to a ballad tune fancies themselves a musician. Fun at a gathering, but you wouldn't pay $20 for a concert.
Marian Call is NOT a Filker. She is a genuine, modern, mainstream, indie musician. She has an agent and is trying to get a record label deal. She's toured across North America, and usually plays in coffee houses and bars. She's a geek though, and a lot of her content revolves around subjects relevant to our interests. She has two albums out. One was contracted by Quantum Mechanix to focus on Firefly and Battlestar Galactica, though unless you're listening for it I defy you to spot the references. Her other album, Vanilla, is a pretty straight pop/jazz/blues-ish (that's modern indie music for you, impossible to classify) but she still manages to slip in "gorram" and a song inspired by Firefly's River.

3) She plays the typewriter!
Musicians all have their choice instrument, be it a harmonica, guitar, keyboard, monitor feedback... Marian Call accompanies her songs with a typewriter. She says "the typewriter, like me, is a little bit antequated, tiny bit rusty, got some paint peeling, old fashioned, very literate, very feminine, and very kickass." I look forward to questioning her as to how a typewriter can be "kickass" but the statement stands.

2) She's from Alaska, and Alaska is awesome!
So not everyone from Alaska is awesome, but it's the home of Deadliest Catch and Northern Exposure! That's hardcore! Granted she's an Anchorage girl which is like comparing us Phoenix folk to the cowboys in the rural parts of Arizona, but still. Props for having the mettle to survive the winters up there!

1) She's a Browncoat
Even though she's from Alaska, she's still a Browncoat and therefore one of us. We take care of our own and support each other to the end. I'll leave the relevant quoting to you, the reader. She's a fantastic performer and making her own way in the dangerous waters of the music business, but even the biggest stars need friends. This is our chance to show how hospitable, friendly, and awesome us Arizona Browncoats can be!

Also, She's a really talented singer and performer!