March Music Highlights

Sa 3/15– LOS LOBOS at the Bardavon, Poughkeepsie—If so inclined, a spirited discussion can be had about the benefits of musical cultural cross–pollination versus the cost of losing traditional integrity (see Merasi, below). For the former, we give you Los Lobos, who have taken the best of their Mexican–American heritage, and skillfully incorporated rock, folk, jazz, and rockabilly to create an absolutely unique and incomparable style all their own. Built to last (13 albums, three Grammys), we’ll be talking about these guys for years to come, so go see ’em, so you can brag about it to your grandkids. The Bardavon, 35 Market St., Poughkeepsie, www.bardavon.org, 845.473.2072. 8 PM

Sa/Su 3/15,16– MERASI at Kleinert/James Arts Center, Woodstock—It’s a tough call for music on Saturday night, with Los Lobos at the Bardavon, and bluegrass masters the James King Band at the Hyde Park Methodist Church, but the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild re–opens the Kleinert/James Arts Center this weekend with Merasi, a musical group from Rajasthan (in India) that performs a diverse mix of Rajasthani Folk, Sacred Hindu Bhajans, Sufi and Qawwali songs, as part of their Hearts With Hope Tour. This music represents thirty–seven generations of musical heritage, a legacy that not surprisingly is becoming a casualty of rapid Indian modernization. Merasi is translated as “keeper of the story,” and this is a story we all should hear. Kleinert/James Arts Center, 34 Tinker St., www.woodstockguild.org, 845.679.2079. Sa 3/15, 8 PM; Su 3/16, 11 AM

Sa 3/29– TERRY DAME’S ELECTRIC JUNKYARD GAMELAN, at Time and Space Limited, Hudson—Anybody who has ever heard and enjoyed Balinese Gamelan music, with its non–Western tuned bells, gongs, and drums will appreciate eclectic instrument inventor and musician Terry Dame’s approach to music. Those who haven’t are in for a treat: Dame’s ensemble performs this gamelan–inspired music on instruments made out of farm equipment, saw blades, truck springs, rubber bands, and clay pots. All natural funky bass lines over interlocking rhythms intertwined and amplified…sounds like fun to us. Time and Space Limited, 434 Columbia St., Hudson, www.timeandspace.org, 518.822.8448. 8 PM

Su 3/30– Saugerties Pro Musica presents BRASS ROOTS TRIO, at Saugerties United Methodist Church, Saugerties—Between the three of them, pianist Rosetta Senkus Bacon, flugelhorn/trumpeter Travis Heath, and French horn player/tenor Douglas Lundeen sport impressive international performance and educational credentials and accolades. Together, they cover the gamut of musical styles, from classical and baroque to jazz, ragtime, folk, and gospel, performing at venues and colleges all over the U.S. and U.K. Saugerties United Methodist Church, corner of Washington Ave. and Post St., Saugerties, www.saugertiespromusica.org, 845.255.2799. 3 PM

Su 4/6– Benefit for The Queens Galley featuring ORLEANS, with ROBBIE DUPREE and JOE BOUCHARD (Blue Oyster Cult), at Bearsville Theater, Woodstock—Yes folks, there is such a thing as a GOOD 501 (c) 3, and one of the best we know is the Queens Galley of Kingston. The Queens Galley is a not–for–profit organization that provides awareness, education, relief and prevention of food insecurity in America while supporting, creating and implementing programs dedicated to the affordable nutritional education of children, families and seniors in the region. All volunteer, no government funding, and in the month of January 2008 served 7,048 meals to area residents. If you think this is something worth supporting and like good music, make a trip to Woodstock (during the Taste of the Arts Festival) for this one. Orleans need hardly be introduced here—how many rock bands do you know who have sent members to Congress? Though not definite (as of this publication), there is a good chance Rep. John Hall will be in attendance, but not to worry: Robbie Dupree and Blue Oyster Cult’s Joe Bouchard will be on hand to make this a memorable evening of Woodstock musicianship. Bearsville Theater, 148 Tinker St., Woodstock, www.queensgalley.org, www.bearsvilletheater.com, 845.338.3468 (Queens Galley), 845.679.4406 (Bearsville Theater). 2 Shows: 4 PM & 8 PM