Merry and the Mood Swings to Headline This Weekend's Mamapalooza

The 4th annual Mamapalooza concert takes place this Saturday night at Opening Bell Coffee, featuring three acts that share a common bond: motherhood.

“We’re all moms this year as opposed to just females as in the past,” says event coordinator Mary Hestand, who also sings for the headliner Mary and the MoodswingsMerry and the Mood Swings.

Opening the show will be two up and coming singer/songwriters: Lisa Mickelsen and Jana Christy.

“Moms are usually forced to sit in the background or drive kids to soccer,” says Hestand. “We decided that mom could be center stage for a change.”

The show starts at 7 p.m., and the event has become an annual gathering place for those wanting to hear music by women and discuss women’s issues. This year, it also gives Hestand a chance to recruit for another show to take place at the Women’s Museum during the State Fair of Texas.

“The museum only wants women solo artists or bands that are all-female,” says Hestand, who claims that finding such hasn’t been an easy task.

Perhaps she could get creative in order to fill out the bill?

“I would be all for transsexuals performing, but the museum’s director might have other ideas,” says Hestand. -- Darryl Smyers