THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND
Terri Binion, Melrose in the Mix, Aug. 5
Of course, local Americana diamond Terri Binion was good. That’s a given, not a revelation. What was, however, is the event and milieu in which she recently performed.
Generally speaking, the public library is an undervalued community asset. However much it may be appreciated, it’s never equal to the good it puts out. But to sleep on the Orlando Public Library would be to your own cultural detriment.
Besides being an under-heralded urban icon and probably the most important piece of architecture in downtown, the Brutalist beauty contains some resources that aren’t just vital but cutting-edge enough to probably surprise most. More specifically – and more specific to art – the library offers the Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center for Technology, Innovation and Creativity. And of the many great state-of-the-art things the Melrose Center offers, one of the best and most engaging is the live music event Melrose in the Mix.
Beginning last year, the monthly series has been live-documenting some of the city’s most notable musicians. It launched with Beth McKee’s Swamp Sistas and has since only gotten more contemporary with other legit feature acts like new-music champions Belt & Ramirez and next-gen rappers E-Turn and Sean Shakespeare.
Melrose in the Mix is, by design, a tri-directional musical engagement. It gives the artists a professional document of their work, aspiring audio engineers the opportunity to apply their trade and the public the chance to watch the magic of creation happen firsthand.
Inside a remarkably professional studio, musicians are set up to play before a small in-room audience. It’s as close to live music production as it gets. Check out the Melrose Center’s YouTube channel for highlights from previous sessions.
For this session, Binion brought Tony Macaluso on upright bass and Greyson Charnok (of Someday River and Day Joy) on guitar. Together, they sounded perfect, a testament as much to their skill as the Melrose’s facilities and equipment. When a setup like this and a craftsperson like Binion converge, expect chills.
Maybe you already knew the library was your oyster. But not enough realize how serious a pearl the Orlando Public Library contains in the Melrose Center. Up close and high fidelity, Melrose in the Mix is one of the most exceptional live music experiences to be had in the city. Keep up with their calendar here and register to attend the next free session here.
Follow Bao on Twitter (@baolehuu)
Email Bao: baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com
Related Stories
This article appears in Aug 1-7, 2018.
