CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SCARY GOOD MUSIC WITH A MISSION

Looking to play here? Two things; use email (no calls, I’m trying to get work done at the day job) and read the page linked to in the next sentence. We like to hear from musicians we don’t know about but… if you want to see if you’ll fit, look at this page here.

All shows are at the North Madison Congregational Church, 1271 Durham Rd, Madison. See you here soon!!

You can read this first, or scroll down to the shows:

Ticket Sales or Reservations:

1A: Reservations usually necessary, but not always. Some shows sell fast, some a little slower, just like life. ALWAYS Check under each show’s heading to see if it’s sold out or in danger of doing so.  With this level of talent, you never know, but we try hard to make sure there’s always room for walk-ins. 

1B:To reserve seats or for more information for these shows please send us an email. All seats are assigned and reserved in the order in which they come in, so if you reserve early, you get good seats. If the link isn’t working for you, the email is: workdog(at)mindspring.com, or call Charlie at 203-668-3735. Leave a message if he can’t hear the phone due to tools powering away.

1C: Pay at the door, always. Cash or check is fine. We don’t do the pre-pay thing because we’re too lazy to figure it out. Plus, if you’re sick or something, you’re already miserable, and losing the price of a ticket makes it worse.

We are the only concert venue with a mission.We want to educate, inspire, and yes, entertain. Not to waste space here, please look at the “workshops: the mission” page to see what we mean. Virtually EVERY concert is a fundraiser for a local non-profit.

And of course, visit our Facebook Page for links to really cool music… and  you know, stuff.

A benefit concert up next, and while not quite our normal level of skills, it’s an important subject for all of classic New England architecture and life.

November 17, (Sunday) 4:00PM:

The Skunks Misery Ramblers and the Shoreline Singers

This tiny little picture says it all. Are the Skunks worth the bucks? Well, let’s just say we’re in it for the fun, not the virtuosity. But what it is is a concert to help raise some bucks for the Killingworth Congregational Church’s restoration fund. It’s a landmark, and like all old churches, was only a church in name only, and then on Sundays. The ret of the time, they were town halls, meeting centers, entertainment venues, the works. So not only are these buildings important to a town’s history, in this case, it’s a cool building, too. At the Killingworth Congregational Church that afternoon, one ticket costs you $12, come as a pair, it’s $20. If you don’t think the music is worth it, ask for your money back and then turn around and donate even more the the restoration fund!

 

JANUARY… 18, 7:00 PM

SAM REIDER AND THE HUMAN HANDS

Yes, Sam was here just a short bit ago with the unbelievable Jorge Glem, and the show was so well received, we’re doing it again in January, where the house will be packed. Many felt this is was their favorite show ever. EVER. And that includes folks like Crooked Still, Solas, John Jorgenson Quintet, Hot Club OF Cowtown, etc. We’re not messing around with this one! Pack this house!! Adults $25, kids high school and under, $5.00

February 15, 7:00 PM

YOUTH IN A ROMAN FIELD

I’m going to lead with this statement: Claire has the sweetest voice that’s ever been here since Aoife O’Donovan. There. Now the rest: Youth In A Roman Field is a most interesting collaborative fronted by singer-songwriter-violinist Claire Wellin. The band can shrink to one, or expand to something like 30 when they feel like orchestrating something in an Icelandic volcano. (It’s true, looky here) Most often, though, it’s 4 or 5 musicians who are all extremely accomplished. All that’s insignificant, as what Youth really is is an attitude and an experience. Sure, Claire’s voice is simply remarkable, and the songs are equally superb, but it’s how the tunes are arranged, the super-relaxed and laid back manner in which they’re performed. The band is clearly having fun playing, and it shows. They don’t worry about perfection, they just feel the music so profoundly. This will be a great Brooklyn-based contrast with Sam Reider the month before in January. With Sam you’re swept away by the sheer technical skills, with Youth, you’re sucked in by the sheer intricacy of the subtle rhythms and magical voices. Really cool stuff. Adults $25, kids the 5 smackers.

March 21, 7:00 PM

Barefoot Movement

I’ve always loved Barefoot Movement, and we’ve had them twice now for holiday shows. Those were great, but they never really had the chance to show what they’re all about. Now they will. Once again, we’re talking about four folks who can really play. But once again, they’re well past the point of worrying about whether or not they’re showing off chops. Killer harmonies, but used to just slay soulful and rocking old-time/bluegrass/soul/R&B inflected tunes that like every good thing are impossible to adequately describe with words. Take that you ad copy expository writing professor from back in college. Adults $25, kids $5

And then….

April 25 7:00 PM

Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas

Do I really need to go on about this? From their first time here almost 15 years ago to now. Still two of the most influential voices in violin and cello. Still cranking out some of the most original sounding stuff. A perfect season-ender. And yeah, it’s also the volunteer/sponsor pizza party. Adults $30, kids the usual $5.00