Okee dokee folks… The “holidaze” are upon us, and like I have said many times I don’t do them. I do, however, LOVE to celebrate Brown Christmas! Before your sphincters get all tight, it is NOT a derogatory comment, though the current social climate may make you think so. It is simple: Brown Christmas happens because of Brown Santa — the UPS man! I learned about Brown Santa from a friend, but I have expanded upon it and now celebrate Brown Christmas. I order items online and after I get a few packages, I have myself a very merry Brown Christmas more than once a year. It’s fun! You get what you want, no disappointments and no returns! You should give it a try!
Many of you folks may be familiar with the local (international) songstress Allysen Callery, but what you may not know is that she has a very talented daughter, Ava. I worked with Ava a couple of 
times and first saw her perform in Jesus Christ Superstar a few years back. She is beginning to make a name for herself as a solo folk artist. The other day, Allysen, being the proud mom she is, posted a video of a song that Ava did with her new project, Toy Sale, which includes partner Matthew Requintina. The video is for the song called “Cupid Winter Song” and the video/song is said to be, “The one in which we affirm our love for winter, Christmas, Awful Awfuls, Benny’s and coastal Rhode Island.” It’s a jangly, poppy, little ditty that is as fun to listen to as the video is to watch. This is one of those holiday-esque compositions that could easily stand the test of many holidays to come. To view, get u to youtube.com/watch?v=
I have a few favorite local bands that I like to try to see as often as I can. One of those bands is David Tessier’s All-Star Stars. Tessier has great taste in music and plays the songs that I love to hear. He will go from an obscure Monkees song to the full 17-minute long “Dogs” by Pink Floyd. Besides the band’s cover songs, Tessier includes his own epic compositions in the sets. I first caught his performance during a local production of Jesus Christ Superstar (the same one that Ava Callery was in). I also saw him in Perishable’s production of Hedwig and The Angry Inch and at King Richard’s Faire, and just a few weeks ago he was in the orchestra for Jesus Christ Superstar at the Granite Theatre in Westerly. Tessier has a very well-rounded and eclectic music resume. The All-Star Stars band members are talented and versatile singers and players as well. They bring the best of the ’60s and ’70s music to wherever they play. On Friday, December 22, they will be at the Boundary Brewhouse in Pawtucket. You should take a chance, have a beer and enjoy the music of David Tessier’s All-Star Stars. For more, “Stepping Stone” to BoundaryBrewHouse.com
I first heard Dylan Sevey when he was brought up onstage to play his own song in the middle of an Indigo Girls show at Lupo’s a few years back. I was impressed by the song and the performance. After the show I met Dylan and as it turned out, in true RI fashion, I went to school with his parents. Who’s old? Sevey is quite the talent and his talent has taken him to Nashville to be a full-time drummer for Ron Gallo. Dylan will be back for the holiday season and he is reconvening his band, The Gentlemen, for one show only at the Pump House in his hometown of Wakefield. For four years, the Gentlemen played consistently in the northeast, sharing the stage with acts such as The Mallett Brothers Band and Bow Thayer. Get to the Pump House on Thursday, December 28, and welcome Dylan home. The Wolff Sisters and Jeff Kelly open up the show. For more, vandal the handle to PumpHouseMusicWorks.com
It’s still hard to believe that Tom Petty died. It’s been a little over two months and for many, the shock will never wear off. I was never a huge Petty fan, but I did like some of his music. I only saw him in concert once and that was about 35 years ago. I did gain a new appreciation of Tom Petty as the hard-working musician after I watched the lengthy “Runnin’ Down A Dream” documentary. It is definitely worth your time to check out. If you are a fan of Tom Petty, get to the Columbus Theatre on December 29 for “Something From A Dream — Tom Petty Tribute Night.” This show will feature full band sets by Dylan Sevey & The Gentlemen, The Quahogs, Josh Buckley, The ‘Mericans, Excitable Boys, Sorry Wrong Person and additional performances by Allysen & Ava Callery, Russ Connors, Ervis McGilicuddy & Lynny Bryan, Jen Long, The Marshall Pass, Mary Bee, John Faraone, Kate Mick, Randy Robbins and Jodie Treloar Sampson. On top of the great performers and music, the show is a charity event for Girls Rock RI, a volunteer-based non-profit that uses music creation and critical thinking to foster empowerment, collaborative relationships and the development of healthy identities in girls and women. For more, free fall to columbustheatre.com
I caught this show the last time it came around and it honestly was a lot of fun. There was a movie, some learnin’, some great music and some dancin’! Rex Fowler of the renowned folk/rock duo Aztec Two-Step is celebrating Elvis Presley’s birthday at the Courthouse Center for the Arts in West Kingston on Friday, January 5. The show begins with a screening of 200 Cadillacs, an original short film conceived of and co-produced by Fowler, showcasing the often forgotten generosity of Elvis Presley. A Q&A session follows the film, after which Rex’s four-piece band, Rex and the Rockabilly Kings, take the stage to perform a lively concert of Elvis’ early RCA and SUN Records classics. Fowler’s “All About Elvis” birthday bash also includes a multimedia slide show of young Elvis’ photos and video clips during the concert. For more, “Blue Moon of Kentucky” to CourtHouseArts.org
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com
