December Music Highlights
Fr 12/18- The Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild presents the SOLSTICE CONCERT, with HAPPY TRAUM & FRIENDS, featuring JOHN SEBASTIAN, LARRY CAMPBELL, TERESA WILLIAMS, AMY HELM, and special guests, at Bearsville Theater, Woodstock—This special concert brings together some of the finest and well-known talents in the area for an annual fundraiser for the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild. Happy and Artie Traum started the tradition over a dozen years ago, ushering in winter with the help from nationally-known and talented friends, mostly from the creatively fertile region. Artie Traum’s untimely passing in 2008 stopped the tradition briefly, but Happy has decided to continue in his brother’s memory. Solstice “regulars” and Woodstock faves John Sebastian, Amy Helm, Larry Campbell, and Teresa Williams would be enough for any great night of music—along with Happy, of course—but this show has even more: Nashville singer/songwriter Pat Alger, bassist Roly Salley, singer/songwriter Eugene Ruffolo, and guitarist Pete Huttlinger. Call the Woodstock Guild for tickets at 845.679.2079. Bearsville Theater, 291 Tinker St., Bearsville/Woodstock, www.bearsvilletheater.com, 845.679.4406. Call 845.679.2079 for tickets to this show. 8 PM
Su 12/20- A Celtic Christmas Evening with CHERISH THE LADIES, at The Towne Crier, Pawling—Celebrating their recent Christmas release A Star In the East, Cherish the Ladies—Joanie Madden, Mary Coogan, Roisin Dillon, Michelle Burke, Mirella Murray, and Kathleen Boyle—bring a family-friendly singalong show to the Towne Crier. Starting out 24 years ago as a one-time concert idea, CTL has become an internationally popular Irish band blending virtuosi instrumental talents, beautiful vocals, captivating arrangements and stunning step dancing, this powerhouse group combines all the facets of Irish traditional culture and puts it forth in an immensely humorous and entertaining package. Accolades include being named Best Musical Group of the Year by the BBC, Entertainment Group of the Year by the Irish Voice Newspaper, chosen as the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall's International Group of the Year Award at the Celtic Connections Festival in Scotland and voted the Top North American Celtic act by NPR Radio’s “Thistle and Shamrock.” The Towne Crier, 130 Rte. 22, Pawling,www.townecrier.com, 845.855.1300. 7:30 PM
Sa 12/26- NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE Holiday Show with special guest PROFESSOR LOUIE & THE CROWMATIX, at Bearsville Theater, Woodstock—Few working bands today can claim to have Grateful Dead members in their original line-up, but when the New Riders of the Purple Sage started out in 1969, it was John Dawson and David Nelson (also once of Big Brother & the Holding Company) with Nelson’s old jam buddy Jerry Garcia on steel guitar, Dead lyricist Robert Hunter on bass, and Dead drummer Mickey Hart, with Phil Lesh sitting in on occasion. With a country flavor that contrasted nicely with the Dead’s freakier side, this made them a convenient opener for the Dead for awhile. As the Dead guys transitioned out, Dave Torbert, Spencer Dryden, and Buddy Cage transitioned in, hitting their stride with radio hit “Panama Red” in 1973. Many personnel shifts and deaths (Dawson passed away this July) later, Dave Nelson and Buddy Cage carry on the NRPS banner with Michael Falzarano, Ronnie Penque, and Johnny Markowski. With area favorite Professor Loiue and the Crowmatix, this should be THE feelgood show of the holiday season. Bearsville Theater, 291 Tinker St. (Rte. 212), Bearsville/Woodstock, www.bearsvilletheater.com, 845.679.4406. 9 PM
Through January- Spotlight on Tony Falco’s THE FALCON, Marlboro—Though a well-kept secret to most, true music lovers eventually get you hip to Tony Falco’s place in Marlboro. You could say he’s the king of “house concerts” in the Hudson Valley, as he has been hosting a stellar array of musicians at his private venue—in the barn behind his house. We’re talking some of the best in the jazz, blues, rock, and contemporary chamber music…last month Dave Liebman and Roswell Rudd passed through, to name a few. Falco is taking The Falcon “public” with a new listening room and art gallery, in a coffee-house style with great dessert menu (and with bar and restaurant to open next Spring). And, to quote the host, “Falcon Productions welcomes everybody. This is a place to celebrate music, to pay homage to the music that animates our lives, and the great musicians that make it. We receive the musician's gift by listening to the music they create. Our policy is that you donate what you can to support these musicians. It is their livelihood.” This guy is my new hero. The Falcon, 1348 Rte. 9W, Marlboro,www.liveatthefalcon.com. All shows 7 PM
Th 12/10- Avishai Cohen, Omer Avital, and Nasheet Waits
Sa 12/12- Eric Reed Trio
Fr 12/18- “Jazz Guitars Meet Hendrix” with Sheryl Bailey and Vic Juris
Sa 12/19- Winard Harper, with Bob Diorio
Sa 1/9- Rebecca Martin and Larry Grenadier
12/31- WGXC NEW YEARS MASQUERADE BALL at Basilica Industria, Hudson—Good news for fans of community radio in Columbia and Greene counties: WGXC has recently received a 3,300-watt non-commercial license, and a $71,000 grant from the Commerce Department to pay for half of the transmitter, antenna, and studio equipment costs. WGXC has until March 31, 2010 to match the other half of the grant, so it’s time for a big fundraiser. Basilica Industria is a large performance space across from the Amtrak station in Hudson, and two stages will be host to bands and DJ’s: Lady Moon, M.A.S.S., Saber Coup, Bella's Bartok, DJ Jackie Thomas, Mother Fletcher, Young Paris, Trixie (MC), Diata Diata, Hudson City Ramblers, Evan Randall, aerial dancers Ryder Cooley and Natalie Agee, and a Norman Douglas radio play are some of the confirmed performers/performances. Music, food, coffee, and champagne….good times for a good cause. Basilica Industria, 110 S. Front St., Hudson,www.wgxc.org, 518.622.2598
John Sebastian's photo courtesy CSP Images
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