This is the penultimate Jenny. Anything you have to say you better get it said before noon Friday or we’re going up without you.

And on that point, I’m sure a few of our staunch contributors are wondering why we’ve gone up without them repeatedly.

Simple. They’ve written reviews of shows that have all ready been covered in the Jenny. As I‘ve said many times over the years (It’s true! You could look it up at www.jennyrevue.com), Jenny prioritizes reviews of shows getting their first coverage, followed by first time writers, and finally the double repeaters.

Historically, by Monday’s issue, Jenny is replete with reruns; and the SSPs we solicit from the performers has dwindled to a trickle.

This year, everything is different. In addition to the gargantuan response to the SSP call, the presence of 182 shows (along with Jenny’s rule that our staffers have to stick to not yet reviewed shows), it’s been nearly impossible to incorporate repeats when the copy file of new shows grows every day.

So don’t fret, earnest and articulate scribes. It’s not you. It’s us. (And we put you on the web.)

Dave down—The Jenny has always relied on Daves. And while Pruden and Cramer contribute to every issue we publish, there’s a third Dave who, aside from being the subject of the July 20, 2010 frontpage column, has largely toiled in obscurity, while donating huge amounts of time, energy and creativity to the donkey goddess. (I mean Jenny, not me—though that too.)

He built the original Jenny boxes (there’s one just inside the King’s Head door), and the original wooden donkey trophy. He’s served as tech at Jenny Prevues and Awards Shows, contributed art to early issues, given us office space, been our photographer, and, while still in possession of a vehicle, chauffeured yours truly to and from the Fringe.

On June 29th, while heading home down Wellington Street on a recently acquired bicycle, he collided with a truck and the resultant head trauma put him in a coma for four days.

In fact, when they transported him from the Grace where the ambulance originally took him (stupid catchment area rules) to HSC, the neurosurgeon on call figured he was already brain dead and nearly didn’t operate. But he did, and a month later Dave is ensconced at Riverview’s traumatic brain injury rehab, clearly articulating his displeasure with hospital food. And he was able to phone me last night.

There’s still a long rehab road ahead of him and to help him along, there will be a benefit concert at Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club, 234 Main on Monday, August 27. Music starts 8-ish.

Featured will be Dave’s old band mates from the Magnificent 7’s and others, including some of the Dust Rhinos (who formed their nucleus at The Toad in the Hole when Dave’s family owned it and he was the guy who ran the music end of things there).

The full roster of entertainment hasn’t been set yet, so keep an eye out for various Facebook updates.

Admission is pay what you can. Now I know what some of you are thinking,’ cause I’m poor, Scottish, and from Winnipeg.

You’re thinking “Hey. we can see the Dust Rhinos and the Mag7’s for free!”

Wrong.

First off it’s a benefit. So If you think you can drop a looney in the donations can while holding on to that $20 for beer, please buy a 6 pack, stay home and wait for the inevitable YouTube vids. Also, there’s no full band confirmation from the Rhinos, and as to the 7’s, the core group haven’t played together in over two years, or with original member Chris Bodnarchuk for over 5, and never without Dave, so a Mag 7s reunion is unlikely. After all, they want to make him smile, not cry.

I’ll give you the scoop tomorrow on the Fabulous Jenny Awards, scheduled Sunday night 11ish at the King’s Head. Now we must press ahead—I’m pressing mine to my pillow.