Archive for May, 2009

Po’Girl In Concert!

Saturday, May 16th, 2009
June 29, 2009
7:00 pmto10:00 pm

Monday, June 29…7-10 p.m.  Though not a usual night for performances, this Monday evening Centre Stage will present a very unusual performance by the group Po’Girl.  Tickets are $10, we advise you to get them right away as seating is limited.  Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a truly original sound!

 

Po’Girl Bio

“The beauty and mystery of Po Girl’s music – a sound that has beguiled fans the world over – springs from the dynamic, improbable, mesmerizing bond shared by its two principal singers and writers – Allison Russell and Awna Teixeira. Hailing from Montreal and Toronto respectively, both women left untenable home situations at fourteen, found music instead of bad ends, and lived to sing the tales. The interplay between these two stunning performers is truly something to behold – and after honing it relentlessly in 13 countries in the last 12 months, the ladies are set to release a true testament to their bond and to their tremendous growth as writers in the last years. Casual Po’ Girl fans may not be ready for what they will hear…”

After adding the impossibly talented tickler/maker of all stringed things – Benny Sidelinger – to their number last year, Po’ Girl holed up in Austin, Texas this June past making the record that will almost certainly change forever the way the band is perceived. “Deer in the Night” is set to be released in North America in April 2009, and in the UK/Europe May 2009. Many of the trappings of the trademark Po’ Girl sound are still there – the echoes of speakeasy jazz, the western lament, the accordion-strapped ghosts of European folk — but it’s all delivered with a soulful clarity and depth only hinted at on previous records.

It seems almost silly – and not very interesting – to trot out a long, endlessly hyphenated list of the many influences coursing through Po Girl’s music. Suffice to say it’s 21st Century roots music, urban roots – never derivative, not faithfully aping a beloved tradition. Teixeira and Russell don’t re-hash the old forms, they reshape and reinvigorate them for new ears.

Joined by Benny Sidelinger and fantastic new drummer JJ Jones, like genuine gypsies, these two wander and play. They move and move and play and sing. It’s quite simple. Always restless, more often than not bone-tired, they write their flashes of sadness, their loss, their good love, their faint dreams of home into songs that matter deeply to them. Like any good art, they are little acts of self-rescue. So you should listen. You aren’t much different from them, and who couldn’t use a little rescuing these days?”

 

 

 

2nd Saturday Artwalk features George & Anwyn Leverett

Thursday, May 14th, 2009
June 13, 2009
4:00 pmto7:00 pm

The Second Saturday Artwalk will begin at 4 and end at 7.  Centre Stage is just about mid-way in the trek from one end of the artwalk to the other.  Ours will be a very special event featuring Christina Olsen the artist…dressed in period garb and George and Anwyn Leverett performing Ancient, Traditional & Contemporary Celtic Music.

 2009 marks the 16th anniversary of the acclaimed Celtic music duo, George & Anwyn Leverett . They have played such diverse venues as Celtic and Blue Grass festivals, Nevada casinos, pubs, fairs, school assemblies and sold-out concerts. They performed the “Green Show” of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival for seven years, before moving to Oregon.

They have a passion for Irish and Scottish music that proclaims itself with each performance. Ancient, traditional and contemporary Celtic music comes to life with their wide variety of folk instruments. Anwyn and George play Irish fiddle, cittern, guitar, mandolin, hurdy-gurdy, zither, hammer dulcimer, bowed psaltery, penny whistle & recorder but George’s main instrument is the beautiful self-made 36 string “Lady Harp” George hand builds all the instruments that they play. They blend a kaleidoscope of sounds and textures that makes no two songs sound the same.

Their CDs, Skye Boat, Songs from Shadow Wood, Altar Wind and Christmas Around the Hearth have sold over 50,000 copies. They are now pleased to announce their latest release, Hearth Light. It combines George’s new wire strung harp with Anwyn’s unique collection of medieval instruments (hand made by George) to produce a more up beat Celtic collection of songs.

Join In Jam

Monday, May 4th, 2009
May 16, 2009
7:00 pmto10:00 pm

This week it was necessary to reschedule the Join In Jam.  Normally held on Saturday night, the time will still be 7-10 on Friday, May 15th.  Bring your guitar, bass, or other instrument.  Drums provided.   This is a free event, although we will gladly accept donations on behalf of the “Stagelights” music lesson program. 

The Backstage Cafe’ will be open for espresso, appetizers, and other tasty treats.

Michael Quale Dinner Concert

Monday, May 4th, 2009
May 30, 2009
6:30 pmto10:00 pm

Saturday, May 30 6:30-10 p.m.  Michael Quale in a solo performance, will entertain you with classic hits from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s accompanied by 12 string and classical guitar. 

Dinner will be provided by The Backstage Cafe’ and will include Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread, and a desert…dinner and concert  $15  Concert only $5 (Reservations a must for the dinner, tickets may be purchased at The Backstage Cafe’ or Earl E. Books).

Open Practice…The Backstage Band plus Matt Harrison & Friends

Monday, May 4th, 2009
May 8, 2009
7:00 pmto10:00 pm

 

 Friday & Saturday May 8th & 9th is the debut of the Backstage Band !

 

Friday @ 7pm @ Centre Stage the Band is participating in an Open Practice Evening  to prepare for Saturday, when the Backstage Band performs during the Art Walk… probably last on the schedule near 5:30 / 6:00pm just prior to the Saturday Jam.

 

The Backstage Band is the “Property” of Centre Stage… the current members for this performance are:

Tim Mueller……6-string guitar

Kim Banfield……6-string guitar & vocals

John Marshall …..6-string guitar & vocals

Chele Later …….Percussion & vocals

Gordon Later …..Congas

 

Covering songs from:

Kingston Trio, Everly Brothers, Bob Dylan, Hollies, John Denver, Bette Midler, Smokey Robinson,  Righteous Brothers, Brothers Four, Patsy Cline, Roberta Flack, Bonnie Rait, Janis Joplin, Willie Neslon, and Ben E King

The Backstage Band will be sharing the time with another  ”Group” Matt Harrison is putting together. ..guitar/drum/vocals and other instruments.  This is a free event, although we gladly accept donations on behalf of the “Stagelights” music lesson program.

 

The Backstage Cafe’ will be open for espresso, appetizers, and other tastee treats. 

Grand Opening Backstage Cafe’ and 2nd Saturday Artwalk

Monday, April 27th, 2009
May 9, 2009

Saturday, May 9, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Join us for a full day of music, food samples, discounts, and surprises!  We are celebrating the grand opening of The Backstage Cafe’ and invite you to be part of the fun.

The music schedule is as follows:

11-12 to be announced

12-2   Rowdy Creek Band-Classic Rock & Blues

2-4  Perry Devine and Gil Kirk-Folk Rock Originals

4-6 Rick Wafler, Heather Clensay, Danny Clark-Jazz, Blues, BeBopp Intrepretations

6-7 To be announced…will go right into the Saturday Join In Jam and go until 10.

Featured Artist:  Bette Sherbourne, Billie Ruth Furuichi.  Bette will demonstrate between 4 and 6.