Elliott Smith Tribute #2 (Friday, August 5th, 2005, Hexagon Bar, Minneapolis)

Janey Winterbauer, Jeaneen Gauthier and Jacque Wait at the Hexagon (more photos here)

By David de Young

Going to the Hexagon often feels like going to a private party, but one with great music, a professional soundman, relatively attentive bartenders, and of course the "hostess with the mostest," the inimitable Rosie.

Friday night's Second Annual Elliott Smith tribute was no exception as local musicians got together to pay their ongoing respects to the late Mr. Smith on what would have been the eve of his 36th birthday. (Smith was born August 6th, 1969.)

Performers included members of Friends Like These, Jan, The Beatifics, Elks, The Idle Hands, Seldom Scene, Landing Gear, Basement Apartment, and Doghouse Reilly.

Musical selections included Smith's songs as well as original compositions by the performers including ones inspired by Smith and his sad, early death at the age of 34.

John Solomon of Friends Like These performs Elliott Smiths "Say Yes"

The Hex Tribute to Smith also demonstrated just how far the South Minneapolis bar has come in the past year. HowWasTheShow was onhand for last year's event when it took place on the formerly narrow and long stage that ran across the back of the bar. See a photo and brief blurb in the blog here.

Music ran right up to just before the stroke of 2, when fans who could have listened all night were quickly ushered out of the bar just after John Solomon struck the final chords of Smith's "Say Yes."

See more photos by clicking on either photo here or the "Flickr badge" below.

www.flickr.com howistheshow's Elliott Smith Tribute photoset