Okee dokee folks… Last night I coined a new word, “gignity,” in reference to musicians who will play anywhere, anytime, and under any conditions for little to no pay — these people have no “gignity.” I will just say this: It is better for you and for the music community as a whole if you don’t play shitty gigs. Read on…
Are you constantly searching for your lost shaker of salt? Are you inclined to wear loud shirts and grass skirts? If so, then you might be a “Parrothead” and should be in attendance at The Providence Performing Arts Center for Jimmy Buffet’s Escape To Margaritaville the musical! The plot revolves around a part-time bartender/singer who falls for a tourist. The show features music and lyrics by Buffett and runs through October 5. For more, “Bama Breeze” to PPACRI.org
The Common Fence Music Series kicked off in the newly renovated Hall on Anthony Road in Portsmouth. Woody Pines played to a packed house full of folks eager to get back into the regularity of concerts in the community hall. The place has been beautifully remodeled with a large foyer and wall-sized corner windows, and the main entrance has been moved to the side with deck-like stairs and a couple of Adirondack rockers placed up top for atmosphere. An elevator has been added and the kitchen has been updated. CFM has quite a few great shows coming up! On Saturday, October 5, Radio Jarocho plays rowdy, upbeat music born in the countryside of Veracruz and mixed with the sounds of urban New York. The Fall Moon Festival returns on November 2, Front Country is November 16 and The Sweetback Sisters return on December 14 for their annual Christmas Sing-a-long show. Don’t forget the Friday Night Hope & Main shows! For more, overhaul over to commonfencemusic.org
The Empire Revue, one of the best monthly shows in this state, will present its October edition on Sunday the 6th with The Wicked Show (in RI we say “wicket”). Keith Munslow and The Sparkling Beatniks always have something new brewing for each revue. Comedy, music and skits are all part of the fun, and y.ou will get plenty of bang, err, laughs, for your eight bucks! To purchase advance tickets and find out more about the show, banana over to fb.com/EmpireRevueProvidence
The Knickerbocker in Westerly always has something good going on, and October is no exception. Andrew Victor curates the Folks For Now Series in The Tap Room that brings Allysen Callery on Oct 3, Thor Jenson on the 4th, and Russ Connors on the 6th. The main room hosts a Hurricane relief benefit for the Bahamas with Hope Road, a Bob Marley tribute, on October 5 and on October 6 it’s Women’s Voices 3: A Concert to Benefit the Institute for the Musical Arts Rock and Roll Camp for Girls. This show features the amazing Christine Ohlman (The Beehive Queen from SNL), Rebel Montez, Daphne Lee Martin, Arlene Wow and Sue Mead & Friends. For more, paddywack to KnickMusic.com
We now have 3 billion birds fewer in this country since the ’70s; ecosystems are collapsing. The Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown helps the avian population by preserving and protecting habitats and providing environmental education. Every year they hold a Harvest Fair to raise money and awareness. This year, the event runs from 10am until 5pm on October 5 and 6. Bob Kendall has lined up some great music to provide a soundtrack at the fair, including Silverteeth, John Faraone, Long Trees, Smith & Weeden, and The CarLeans on Saturday; and Melissa Chaplin, Andie Belle, Mark Cutler, The Weisstronauts, and Los Duderinos on Sunday. For more, fly over to: NormanBirdSanctuary.org
If you are someone who works for the weekend then you will definitely want to hear that anthem performed live at Twin River’s Event Center on Saturday, October 12. Loverboy has been “Working for the Weekend” and playing shows around the world since forming in 1978. The band includes original members Mike Reno, Paul Dean, Doug Johnson, and Matt Frenette. Ken “Spider” Sinnaeve, a former member of Dean and Frenette’s pre-Loverboy band, Streetheart, replaces the late Scott Smith on bass. To find “Heaven In Your Eyes” get to twinriver.com for more. Also coming up at the event center are The Stylistics, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes & The Delfonics on October 11.
Tiverton Four Corners presents Trio Camino, made up of guitarists David Grimes, Gregory Newton and Michael Nigro, on October 11 at The Meeting House. Their imaginative classical guitar programs are impressive. Check out what they do and Tirando to TrioCamino.com For more about the show, take the square root to FourCornersArts.org
Fellswater will be making their debut at Linden Place Mansion in Bristol on Sunday, October 20, at 2pm. The Boston based Celtic band includes three Rhode island members: Chris Myers, Diane Meyers and Kyle Forsthoff. The ensemble performs a wide range of music that draws from the heritage of all the Celtic nations. For more, reel over to LindenPlace.org
From the “It’s All About Me” department, I have two important shows coming up! On November 2, my band, Forever Young — A Tribute To The Music of Neil Young, performs a RARE, stripped-down (not naked), intimate (again, not naked), acoustic show at the Pumphouse Music Works in Peacedale. These performances are a blast and we have wanted to do one of these again for a long time! For more, “Hey, Hey, My, My” to ForeverYoungNeilYoungTribute.com The show that I am most excited about is the 30th anniversary celebration concert of my duo Fuzek-Rossoni at The Blackstone River Theatre on November 16. If any of you remember the ’90s folk boom, Mary Ann and I rode it high all over the East Coast and beyond. Hard to believe it’s been 30 years. Put this one on your calendar and come celebrate with us! For more, “Tumbleweed” to FuzekRossoni.com
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com
