Monday >> Not every band can pull off the feat of traveling with and playing a turn of the century Vittrolio Grammaphone, playing the saw, or convincing you that the theramin is a real instrument. But Portland band Norfolk and Western seem to be bear this burden with ease and a bit of quirk. This band plays a mix of folksy, whimsical and occassionaly dark rock music, using an eclectic array of instruments and revolving…

It was a beautiful Saturday at Pimlico; the predicted scattered showers never materialized and the temperature never went too far in either direction. Stages were set up for the innaugural U.S. edition of V Fest. And what fine stages they were. Never having gone to the Preakness, I didn’t realize how massive Pimlico really is. The man who makes cross-Atlantic flight comfy, spacious and fun did the same for his music festival. Compared to past…