The Hold Steady Not Too Cool for School

By now, it has probably set in that this show a) isn't at a bar, b) isn't at night, and c) won't be open to the public. But we still think you should know about it, because the circumstances surrounding the performance are pretty darn cool. See, the event is part of a special program at LHS called Freshman Academy, one dedicated to aiding ESL, Special Education, and behaviorally/emotionally troubled freshmen in the transition from middle school to high school.

One of the Freshman Academy instructors, Thom Uhl, heard about the Hold Steady on NPR's All Things Considered, and thought that the band's music and message would fit right in on Mental Health Mondays, a segment of the program directed at tackling various teen and social issues. Uhl contacted the Hold Steady and, well, the rest is history...or upcoming...or something!

The class is currently studying the band's music and using the lyrics to fuel class discussion. In preparation for the big day, the kids are participating in an invitation-design contest, constructing a Hold Steady Advent calendar and...wait for it...staging a Hold Steady look-alike contest. That gets a 10.0 on the Pitchfork Cuteness Scale. And the Awesomeness Scale.

Hold Steady vocalist/guitarist Craig Finn said in a press release about the event, "We were very honored to get Mr. Uhl's invitation. Playing music is about connecting with people, and not everyone can make it to a traditional rock show at a club. Kids are at a tough age, and an age where I increasingly turned to rock and roll for comfort and escape. Separation Sunday speaks to that sort of 'salvation', so it's exciting to see a teacher recognize this, and incorporate it into this curriculum."

The concert is also serving as a fundraiser for the program. If you'd like to join in the fun, send a contribution to Thom Uhl, c/o Littleton High School, 199 East Littleton, Colorado, 80121.

In other Hold Steady news, the band has been written into the script of a future episode of the hit television show "Lost", which will air sometime in October. That's all we know right now. But even if we did know more, if we told you, we'd have to kill you.

For those of you who are beyond high school age (though probably need some work developing your social skills regardless), the Hold Steady is kicking off a tour on October 6. Calm those nerves and get ready for some peer-to-peer networking.

Rock Rock, Rock N Roll High School!

09-30 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's
10-06 Lancaster, PA - Lizard Lounge at Chameleon
10-09 Duluth, MN - Pizza Luce
10-10 Fargo, ND - Great Northern Brewery
10-11 Winnipeg, Manitoba - West End Cultural Centre
10-14 Vancouver, British Columbia - Richard's on Richards *
10-15 Seattle, WA - Neumo's *
10-16 Portland, OR - Berbati's Pan *
10-17 Eugene, OR - W.O.W. Hall *
10-18 San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall *
10-20 Los Angeles, CA - Knitting Factory *
10-22 San Diego, CA - The Casbah *
10-23 Tucson, AZ - Plush *
10-25 Littleton, CO - Littleton High School at South Gym (PRIVATE)
10-25 Denver, CO - Larimer Lounge *#
10-27 Columbia, MO - Mojo's *#
10-28 Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium *
10-29 Madison, WI - Annex *
10-30 Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue *
11-01 Ferndale, MI - Magic Bag *
11-02 Toronto, Ontario - Opera House *
11-03 Montreal, Quebec - La Sola *
11-04 Ithaca, NY - Cornell University *
11-05 Cambridge, MA - The Middle East *
11-06 New Haven, CT - Bar Night Club
11-07 New York City, NY - Webster Hall %
11-18 Hanover, NH - Fuel Rocket Club at Dartmouth College
11-25 Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero $
11-26 Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance $

* with the Constantines
# with the Cops
% with Blood on the Wall, Thunderbirds Are Now!
$ with Bouncing Souls

* The Hold Steady: http://www.theholdsteady.com/