Alpaca Gnomes - Vine and Vibes Summer Concert Series

WE ARE THE ALPACA GNOMES AND HERE IS OUR STORY…
It all began in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport. Brennan’s Shebeen to be exact. It was there that 3 gnomes formed a group to be known as The Alpaca Gnomes. The first show in February of 2011 was a wide ranging mix of covers featuring Benny on acoustic guitar/vocals, Kimberly on violin and Matt Summ on percussion. The room was packed, like it would be many times over, with a mixture of dear, supportive friends and curious on-lookers. Summ was known in the area as the drummer from local band Roamer. Benny had previously played in a band called Spiral City which had done some shows in the Black Rock area, namely Ray Kelly’s Pub, who’s namesake happened to be friends with Summ. Spiral City had ceased playing when a certain guitar player moved to Pittsburgh, but more on him in a little bit. Mike Gargano had been the drummer of Spiral City and he, Benny and a new bass player named Martin Van Buren Amidon IX had been playing some local gigs as a trio. The Alpaca Gnomes played several gigs throughout 2011, and into 2012 mostly at Brennan’s Shebeen and a place called The Crooked Shillelagh in Branford. Kimberly would join Benny, Mike and Marty for some gigs as Benny Mikula & Friends including their first appearance at the Shelton Festival Soupstock.

Host or Publisher Small Batch Cellars