The Roots Report: Don’t Let the Rain Fool Ya: Summer is coming in hot

Okee dokee folks… ‘Tis the season when things start wrapping up indoors and begin to crawl out into the sun and squint their light-deprived eyes. Our next issue will be the Summer Guide, which is a big issue of “must do” activities for the hot and heavy months of June, July and August. If you have music events during this time period and would like me to consider writing about them then NOW is the time to send the information to me. Yes, right now, while you think of it. RISongwriters@yahoo.com is the address and put SUMMER GUIDE in the subject line. Okay, you have been told. Read on…

Cumberland’s Blackstone River Theatre will end their spring season with two big concerts before they gear up for their Summer Solstice Festival. On May 18, Karan Casey, long one of the most innovative and imitated voices in Irish traditional and folk music, returns with Sheila Falls on fiddle and Matt Heaton on guitar. She has sold more than half a million albums and since being the front woman for the group Solas, Casey has carved out a unique place in contemporary Irish music. She has recorded seven solo albums, has won Best Irish Female Vocalist twice, Best Irish Folk album and a Grammy for her collaboration with Paul Winter. On Sunday, May 19, Darlingside makes their Blackstone River Theatre debut in a rare 6pm concert. The Boston-based quartet features four distinct voices clustered around a single microphone; their tightly arranged tunes draw from bluegrass, classical and even barbershop. Accompanied by strings, guitars, mandolin and percussion, these four close friends swap instruments from song to song and offer a sound that defies standard genre classifications. Darlingside’s signature superpower harmonies draws frequent comparisons to late-’60s era groups like Crosby, Stills & Nash, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Byrds. For more, paddle over to riverfolk.org

It’s a folkin’ fundraiser! As I mentioned in my previous column, The Providence Folk Festival is in serious need of funding to produce this year’s fest, which has been moved to Larisa Park in East Providence. In order to help raise some of the backing needed they are holding the first ever Providence Folk Festival fundraiser on Friday, May 31 at the Galactic Theatre in Warren. Some of the organizers themselves, Allysen Callery, Lisa Couto and Bob Kendall, will be performing along with Dan Lilley, who has played at every PVD Folk Festival. Lending their talents to the cause as well are Anthony Loffredio of Barnburning, Ant Savino and  Mountainess (Emily Goldstein). Donation admission is just $10 and the music starts at 8pm. There will also be PVD Folk Fest swag available for purchase. For five years, the festival has presented local, regional and national talent at this free event; however, it does take money to make it happen. Show your support for a sixth year and beyond! Get the folk over to providencefolkfestival.com for more.

I know I have told this story before, but I will tell it again. Hey, I am getting old — isn’t that what I am supposed to do? Back when I was running the Rhode Island Songwriters Association I used to produce all kinds of songwriter showcases. I would just book who was worthy of a performance spot. One time I scheduled a show and RISA member Jan Luby pointed out that there were no women on the bill. To appease her and to correct my oversight, we set up a show called The Women of RISA. That was a decade and a half or so ago and those XX (chromosomes — it wasn’t three Xs!) shows are still going strong. This year’s Women of RISA show marks the 15th annual and features host Jan Juby as well as Kim Moberg, Rachel Marie and Kathleen Healy. It will take place on June 1 at the Mediator Stage. For more, estro-go-go to: risongwriters.com

Maryann Price is a Smithfield native, but she is currently an Austin-based vocalist, author, songwriter and performing artist. Her career has included stints with Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, The Kinks and Asleep at the Wheel. Her numerous credits include appearances on “The Texas Connection” and “Austin City Limits.” Price’s vocal command of western swing and jazz make for a magnetic and compelling performance. Rolling Stone magazine stated, “… consistently convincing in her celebration of the style. Price shows a seemingly effortless mastery of the musical idiom at hand — Texas swing or otherwise and moving uptown.” Maryann Price & The Edge Hill Rounders will perform in concert on June 8 at the Gamm Theatre on Jefferson Blvd in Warwick. Also appearing will be Austin Brookner. For more, wham, bam to gammtheatre.org

Let’s get to the Running Out Of Room Department! Sunday, May 19 brings Duke Robillard to The Met to play a CD release show for his latest, Ear Worms. Joining him will be Chris Cote, Sunny Crownover, Mark Cutler, Dave Howard, Klem Klimek and more (themetri.com). The Vox Hunters and special guest Sweet Cousin Maldehyde perform at the The Collaborative, 498 Main Street in Warren on Friday, May 24 (thecollaborative02885.org). Level Exchange’s Rug Room hosts Shannon Corey and Brianna White for an early show on Saturday, May 25 at 6pm. Accompanying Corey will be Mike Maven on guitar/bass and Matt Covey on percussion (shannoncoreymusic.com). Zoe Lewis hits New Beige with gypsy jazz, jump jive, Latin grooves, swing, international and folk originals. Catch her at the Music in the Gallery concert on Friday, June 7 at the Wamsutta Club on County Street in New Bedford. Lewis has performed with the Indigo Girls, Pat Benetar, Judy Collins, Richie Havens and Nanci Griffith (brownpapertickets.com/event/3657530).

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com