Category: Concert News

Home for the Holidays special event series at TSC Performing Arts Center

The Home for the Holidays Special Event Series at the TSC Performing Arts Center in Brownsville. Photo: Sandra Cruz

Last Sunday November 28, the UTRGV School of Music and Patron of the Arts returned to the stage at the TSC Performing Arts Center in Brownsville for their Home for the Holidays series. During this free event, the community enjoyed musical performances by the UTRGV Symphony Orchestra, the UTRGV Wind Orchestra, and the UTRGV Master Chorale.

The night of holiday music began with a pre-concert music in the lobby by the UTRGV Trombone Choir to entertain the audience until the auditorium doors opened. The night’s first half of the concert series consisted of the UTRGV Master Chorale singing This Endris Night and What Sweeter Music, the UTRGV Symphony Orchestra performing holiday classics like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Stille Nacht. The intermission entertainment came courtesy of the UTRGV Horn Choir and for the second half of the evening’s performances, the UTRGV Master Chorale and UTRGV Wind Orchestra performed such classics as Sleigh Ride and The Christmas Song and the UTRGV Wind Orchestra performed The Polar Express and The Bells of Christmas, among other holiday favorites. The audience participation portion was a holiday sing along with the UTRGV Master Chorale and Wind Symphony of Deck the Hall, Jingle Bells, O Christmas Tree and We Wish You A Merry Christmas. The UTRGV Jazz Combo kept the momentum going in the lobby with a post-concert performance.

The UTRGV School of Music successfully kicked off the post-Thanksgiving holiday season with a wonderfully nostalgic night of music. Everyone from the musicians to the singers brought a much needed magical night of music for the community to enjoy. They performed to a nearly packed auditorium and all the night’s performances were delightful and deserve the spotlight just as much as the athletes. Hopefully, there will be more such concerts in the near future.

Patron of the Arts is the performance and membership series of the UTRGV School of Music that has provided Rio Grande Valley residents and visitors with excellent artistic programs for over 35 years. The program was created in 1984 in Brownsville, Texas, to provide the community and students with opportunities for learning and enrichment by attending live events by professional guest musicians as well as visual artists. Patron of the Arts was also intended to provide a venue for faculty and student performances to highlight the considerable talent we have in the Rio Grande Valley. (Patron of the Arts, 2021)

UTRGV Trombone Choir
UTRGV Symphony Orchestra
UTRGV Horn Choir
UTRGV Jazz Combo

Yonder Mountain String Band re-release Town by Town

Yonder Mountain String Band re-releases pivotal second album Town By Town for twentieth anniversary. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

September 27, 2021 marked the 20th Anniversary of award¬-winning Colorado bluegrass luminaries Yonder Mountain String Band’s incredibly popular and influential second studio album, Town by Town. To celebrate, YMSB has just announced a 20th-anniversary re-release of this modern classic on 180g double vinyl. Originally released on the band’s own independent label, Frog Pad Records, Town by Town features founding members Adam Aijala, Ben Kaufmann, Dave Johnston, and Jeff Austin, along with album producer and bluegrass legend Tim O’Brien who lends his talent on fiddle and bouzouki. “Wow, 20 years have gone by since I dove in with Yonder for a new recording,” says O’Brien. “It’s a good thing to look back and see what we did and what happened since.” The 20th Anniversary release of Town by Town is available on their online store. (Yonder Mountain String Band, 2021)

Over time, the songs of Town by Town have grown into classics in their own rights and are certainly considered fan favorites at YMSB’s legendary live shows. Additionally, Town by Town paved the way for the next generation of jam-grass talent who regularly pay tribute to the Nederland, Colorado-formed band—and specifically this album—in their live shows. Six-string shredder Billy Strings slides “Sorrow Is A Highway” into his live shows and Greensky Bluegrass cover “Peace of Mind” in their sets. Up and comers The Kitchen Dwellers cover “New Horizons” and fellow jam-circuit veteran Keller Williams put the same song on his first bluegrass album with Larry and Jenny Keel. YMSB’s reach expanded beyond the bluegrass community when rapper Bubba Sparxxx sampled “To See you Comin’ Round the Bend” for the track “Comin’ Round” from his 2003 album Deliverance.

Looking back twenty years later, it is apparent the impact Town by Town had—and continues to have—on YMSB’s fans and contemporaries. “They were excited and determined and open-minded. I pushed them some, they pushed me some and we both learned a lot,” remembers producer Tim O’Brien. “At that time Yonder was exploding on the scene, gathering new fans like a wet snowball rolling down a black diamond slope. I doubt they knew they were carving out their own legacy. I was honored to be there with them.” Check here for a full tour listing.

Town by Town 20th Anniversary Vinyl Track list:
Rambler’s Anthem
Easy As Pie
Idaho
Loved You Enough
Sorrow Is A Highway
Must’ve Had Your Reasons
Wildewood Drive
New Horizons
Check Out Time
To See You Comin’ Round The Bend
Red Tail Lights
A Father’s Arms
Hog Potato
Peace Of Mind

Composer Nathan Felix and the San Antonio Museum of Art present the four harpsichord concert

The San Antonio Museum of Art will present a new orchestral suite by composer Nathan Felix. Photo: San Antonio Museum of Art, used with permission.

On Friday November 12, 2021, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) will present a new orchestral suite, Black Neon Rose, by composer Nathan Felix, featuring newly written music for four harpsichords, strings, and a choir. The music draws inspiration from SAMA’s exhibition America’s Impressionism: Echoes of a Revolution. Local harpsichord builder Gerald Self will introduce the performance with a brief discussion on the history of harpsichords and give insight into his building process. The musicians will be in a formation that best activates the acoustics and spatial qualities of the Great Hall. This performance will be limited to fifty (50) people. Tickets are $15 for non-members and $10 for members. (San Antonio Museum of Art, 2021)

Nathan Felix – Composer, Filmmaker, Recording Artist
Friday November 12 from 7p.m. to 8p.m.

The Great Hall
San Antonio Museum of Art
200 W. Jones Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78215

The San Antonio Museum of Art serves as a forum to explore and connect with art that spans the world’s geographies, artistic periods, genres, and cultures. Its collection contains nearly 30,000 works representing 5,000 years of history. Housed in the historic former Lone Star Brewery on the Museum Reach of San Antonio’s River Walk, the San Antonio Museum of Art is committed to promoting the rich cultural heritage and life of the city. The Museum hosts hundreds of events and public programs each year, including concerts, performances, tours, lectures, symposia, and interactive experiences. As an active civic leader, the Museum is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the city and the region, and to supporting its creative community.

George Lopez adds two new shows at the Majestic Theatre

Late shows have been added for Friday, December 3 and Saturday December 4, 2021. Photo: google

Due to overwhelming demand, Grammy-nominated comedian, actor, and TV host George Lopez announces 10p.m. performances for his already scheduled show dates, Friday – Saturday, December 3 and 4, at the Majestic Theatre. Tickets for these new performances are on sale now. A limited number of tickets remain for his early shows. Please visit the Majestic Theatre online to purchase tickets or for more information. (Majestic Theatre, 2021)

George Lopez’ multi-faceted career encompasses television, film, standup comedy, and late-night television. Lopez teamed with Bill Burr and Al Madrigal’s All Things Comedy on his new podcast OMG Hi! with George Lopez with new episodes released on Mondays via George Lopez online, ATC’s YouTube channel, and audio available everywhere you get podcasts. Last year Lopez was on the road for his nationwide stand-up comedy tour. He also completed his tour for The Comedy Get Down, along with Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley, and Cedric the Entertainer. The comedians also debuted their BET scripted comedy series based on the tour.

Lopez also has a Netflix original comedy special We’ll Do It For Half which premiered globally in June 2020. Lopez has been featured in four HBO specials, The Wall in August 2017, It’s Not Me, It’s You in 2012, GRAMMY nominated Best Comedy Album Tall, Dark and Chicano in 2009, and America’s Mexican in 2007. Lopez also performed as part of HBO and TBS’ Comic Relief 2006. His acclaimed comedy concert Why You Crying? debuted on Showtime in 2004. He released his third standup CD, El Mas Chingon, in 2006, which also earned Lopez a GRAMMY nomination in the category of Best Comedy Album. In 2004, he was nominated for a GRAMMY in the same category for his CD Team Leader.

He also starred in Lopez on TV Land. Produced by Lopez, the series explored how he struggled between his two worlds and crises that are often of his own making. The half hour single camera serialized comedy aired for two seasons. Lopez Tonight, a late-night television talk show on TBS, also ran for two seasons. It represented Lopez’ return to series television after co-creating, writing, producing, and starring in Warner Bros. Television’s groundbreaking hit sitcom George Lopez, which ran for six seasons on ABC. George Lopez remains a hit with viewers in syndication on both broadcast stations and cable’s Nick at Nite, ranking as one of the top-rated shows on the network and among the top five comedies and top 20 weekly programs in syndication.

Photo: google

Agarita continues to bring the arts to the community through mobile concerts

Agarita was founded by Daniel Anastasio (piano), Marisa Bushman (viola), Ignacio Gallego (cello), and Sarah Silver Manzke (violin). The new mobile concert hall is scheduled to complete its season run through all ten city districts. Photo: Agarita

Agarita, San Antonio’s innovative chamber ensemble, has announced that it will be performing six more of its unique Humble Hall mobile concerts during the remainder of the year. The outdoor, open-air concerts, featuring classical and contemporary music, are part of a series taking place in all the city’s 10 districts. (Agarita, 2021)

“At a time where classical music and the arts are needed even more to connect, we’re thrilled to continue to bring free concerts to San Antonio and throughout South Texas. Our theme is bringing the music to you without financial barriers and without the extra expense of traveling to a concert hall or venue. We’re excited to have fulfilled our goal, by the end of year, to have performed in every district in San Antonio, exposing our live music and artist expression to new audiences.” – Marisa Bushman, viola and Agarita executive director.

All ages are welcome and attendees are invited to bring a chair or blanket. The concerts, which are outdoors, are sponsored by the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts. Performances will be held at the following times and locations:

Saturday, October 30
1p.m., Castle Hills, The Commons, 207 Lemonwood Drive
4p.m., District 4, Christus Santa Rosa, 2827 Babcock Road

Sunday, November 7
11a.m., District 4, Pearsall Park, 5102 Old Pearsall Road
3p.m. District 5, Roosevelt Park, 331 Roosevelt Ave.

Saturday, December 18
11a.m., District 6, location TBD
3p.m., Districts 9 and 10, McAllister Park, 13102 Jones Maltsberger Road

Agarita’s Humble Hall, the first of its kind in Texas, debuted in December 2020 and provides easy public access to world-class performances while reinventing the traditional concert experience. The concerts are bilingual and open to the public. They last approximately 45 minutes, with no intermission, and include members of Agarita discussing their art with audiences, thereby forging a deeper connection with them.

Other sponsors for The Humble Hall series include Blossom Storage Ltd., US Signs New Braunfels, Humble House Foods, Terra Nova Violins, Chula Boyle, Marco Chalaby, Angela Pfeiffer, Wine Guys, Alexander Vineyards, Pulmonary Consultants of San Antonio, San Antonio Symphony League, H-E-B, and the Paulena F. Mitchell Testament Trust.

An innovative chamber ensemble dedicated to producing bold, collaborative musical events, Agarita offers a new way to experience classical and contemporary music. Rooted in San Antonio and founded by Daniel Anastasio (piano), Marisa Bushman (viola), Ignacio Gallego (cello), and Sarah Silver Manzke (violin), Agarita nourishes the local community through artistic collaborations, community engagement and free, adventurous programming. With concise, eclectic performances that are “splendid – unified, spirited, [and] well prepared” (Greenberg, Incident Light), the young chamber group offers a new, open-armed experience for listeners.

Agarita was recently named San Antonio Magazine’s Best of the City 2021: Culture winner for its collaboration with area partners. It collaborates intimately with local artists of various genres to weave cross-artistic narratives for each concert. Agarita’s past collaborations have included the McNay Art Museum’s Pop América exhibit, lighting artist Chuck Drew, Cameron Beauchamp from the Grammy Award-winning vocal group Roomful of Teeth, chef Elizabeth Johnson and Pharm Table restaurant, poet Laura Van Prooyen, sculptor Danville Chadbourne, educational arts institution SAY Sí and the Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival for a concert inside San Antonio’s historic Mission San José.

As a nonprofit organization, Agarita believes that the arts should be accessible to everyone in its community. Agarita presents free public concerts, performs at local schools, and offers opportunities for other artists through its collaborations.

MerleFest makes a grand return for rescheduled 2021 event

Jody Carroll performed at this year’s MerleFest. Photo: Jim Gavenus, used with permission.

MerleFest, presented by Window World, has officially ended, but not without several unforgettable collaborations, spontaneous sit-ins, and world-class performances at North Carolina’s beloved festival. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sturgill Simpson, and Mavis Staples all brought extra MerleFest energy to the Watson Stage over the course of the weekend. MerleFest, held on the campus of Wilkes Community College, is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, which funds scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs. MerleFest will return to its usual spring weekend in 2022, April 28 to May 1. (MerleFest, 2021)

“Once again I want to thank all of our MerleFest family—artists, volunteers, staff, and fans—for their patience and support as we worked together to put on a safe and enjoyable festival that spotlighted the very best in roots-plus music. We’ve had a wonderful weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone’s smiling faces again in seven short months when MerleFest returns to its usual April weekend in 2022.” – Festival Director Ted Hagaman

The following are just a few of the weekend’s highlights.
Thursday: The raucous Po’ Ramblin’ Boys’ set on the Watson Stage kicked off the twice-postponed MerleFest. Los Texmaniacs joined Peter Rowan’s Free Mexican Airforce for a crossover set for the ages. Closing out the night on the Watson Stage were arguably the reigning queen and king of outlaw country, Margo Price and Sturgill Simpson. Simpson performed with his new bluegrass band which consisted of his longtime drummer Miles Miller, Tim O’Brien, Stuart Duncan, Mike Bub, Mark Howard, and Elmer Burchett. Over the course of ninety minutes, Simpson revisited his wildly popular catalog of songs in this new string band format much to the delight of day one festival-goers.

Friday: With programming on all twelve of MerleFest’s diverse stages, Friday found the festival firing on all cylinders. Highlights included a genre-melding set from Joe Troop of Che Apalache, Sierra Ferrell’s much talked about Watson Stage MerleFest debut, a Scythian-fueled late night party at the Dance Stage, and a grand return of Derek Trucks’ and Susan Tedeschi’s Tedeschi Trucks Band—playing only their second show back in the saddle with the full twelve-piece band. The TTB classic “Midnight In Harlem” followed a hair-raising version of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “I Pity The Fool” to close out Friday’s main-stage programming to much delight from fans, new and old.

MerleFest’s 2020 & 2021 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest winners (full list below) were announced on Friday. After nearly 30 years, CASC is ending, and long-time contest coordinator and host, Jim Lauderdale, was honored Saturday for his over twenty years of shared expertise, enthusiasm, and engagement.

2020 MerleFest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

First Place Winners

  • Gospel/Inspirational – Mark Atkinson (Charleston, W.Va.) – “Home” 
  • Country – Sarah Jane Nelson (Nashville, Tenn.), Kenny Foster (Nashville, Tenn.) – “Sins of the Father”
  • Bluegrass – Aaron Burdett (Saluda, N.C.) – “Rockefeller”
  • General – Jomo Edwards (Austin, Texas) – “You Need It”

2021 MerleFest’s Chris Austin Songwriting Contest

First Place Winners

  • Gospel/Inspirational – Daniel Davis (Bristol, Va.) – “Dear Lord”
  • Country – Ian Meadows (Higganum, Conn.), Dustin Meadows (Old Saybrook, Conn.) – “Trouble” 
  • Bluegrass – Andrew Small (Floyd, Va.) – “Yesterday’s Blues”
  • General – Shay Martin Lovette (Boone, N.C.) – “For Rose Marie”

Saturday: The Waybacks delighted music fans by honoring the late great John Prine, playing his self-titled album from front to back. MerleFest favorite Sam Bush joined the band, as did Jim Lauderdale and members of Shinyribs and Barefoot Movement. Watson Stage headliners Shovels & Rope had fans on their feet, dancing into the night with their own blend of low country Americana. Afterward, Shinyribs hosted the annual Late Night Jam. Themed “Gulf Breeze: Songs of the Third Coast,” the after-hours concert featured a rotating cast of all-star artists, entertaining music fans into the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Sunday: The morning kicked off with a special performance from the Band Contest Winner, Into The Fog. Tupelo, Mississippi-based Paul Thorn took music fans to church with MerleFest’s annual Gospel Hour at the Creekside Stage. Midday, Oh Boy Records recording artist Kelsey Waldon sang her truth on the Cabin Stage and Mavis Staples rocked the Watson Stage with her classic mix of gospel and rock ‘n roll. Speaking of rock ‘n roll, rock royalty Melissa Etheridge closed the festival and brought music fans to their feet for the final set of the weekend.

MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel, and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock, and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its thirteen stages during the multi-day event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.

MerleFest taking place September 16 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina

MerleFest is only a week away and the festival organizers want to remind festivalgoers of a few important details. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

MerleFest, presented by Window World—Wilkesboro, North Carolina’s annual homecoming of musicians and music fans—is only one week away. As the festival nears, organizers want to remind festivalgoers of a few important details. Festival gates will open at 1:30p.m. local time on Thursday and 9:30a.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. (MerleFest, 2021)

All attendees and participants will be required to show one of the following two options along with festival admission passes to enter the festival:

1. Proof of full vaccination. You can present your vaccination card, a paper photocopy, or cell phone photo of your card as proof of your vaccination when you arrive at the festival. Photos/photocopies must show the full card and be legible.

-OR-

2. If you have not been vaccinated or do not have a vaccination card, you must show a printed or digital copy of a negative COVID-19 test performed on you within 72 hours of the time of entry.

Once you have shown a copy of your vaccination card or a copy of your negative COVID-19 test result, you will be issued a “Well wristband” identifying that you have met the safety criteria for entry into the festival. Please do not remove this wristband until the festival is over as this will be good for the entire time you are at the festival. If you lose or remove your well wristband then you will have to go through the process outlined again to receive another well wristband.

The festival strongly recommends that those needing a COVID-19 test get the test before arriving at the festival. Advance planning will save time and avoid waiting in lines. Additional information on all festival protocols can be found by visiting MerleFest. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Milk Carton Kids and We Banjo 3 will no longer be performing at MerleFest and will be replaced in the lineup by Shawn Colvin and Gangstagrass, respectively. Shawn Colvin, along with David Childers, will replace Milk Carton Kids as judges in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest.

Additionally, Andy May’s annual MerleFest Acoustic Kids Showcase will no longer be held for the health and safety of its young participants. Andy and Lauren May released a statement that reads, “We are very sorry to have to let you know that we have decided we must cancel all Acoustic Kids Showcases scheduled for fall, 2021. This was not an easy decision. However, in light of the uncertainty surrounding the current COVID outbreak; out of concern for everyone’s health and well-being (including our own); and following our doctor’s emphatic advice, we see no viable alternative.” Although very disappointed, they look forward to next year’s festival with the hope that things will be back to normal.

Don’t forget to download the MerleFest app to help plan your festival experience. The MerleFest app can point you towards a variety of on-site activities for all ages. In between musical sets, the Shoppes at MerleFest is a centrally located shopping village of commercial vendors, official MerleFest memorabilia, and services such as first aid, lost and found, and internet access. Tickets for this year’s festival are available online. 

MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel, and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock, and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the multi-day event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.

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Two-step back into concert going mode at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa

The beautiful JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in the heart of Texas Hill Country. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

This year, concerts are coming back in full force with new events like Stagecoach and national tours being announced weekly. For those who are excited to return to concerts but are not quite ready to commit to a sold-out stadium, JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in the heart of Texas Hill Country is offering a more intimate and distanced approach to concerts this year. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, 2021) 

JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa—a 32-accommodation retreat on 13,000 acres in the heart of West Texas—has deep roots in country music and draws top talent to perform on its multiple indoor-outdoor “stages,” which include a private Fixed Base Operator (FBO) airport hangar and the resort’s sprawling main lawn. The resort is offering an intimate alternative to major concerts as music fanatics ease their way back into concert-going, with recent concerts featuring Shenandoah and Radney Foster. Most concerts are accessible both to locals and overnight guests and are offered either on the resort’s main lawn or in the spacious FBO airport hangar, with VIP tables featuring dinner and cocktails available for each event. The next scheduled concert is Labor Day Weekend, with additional ongoing private concerts at the resort throughout the year.  

For those enjoying a concert in tandem with an overnight stay, guests can embrace the West Texas lifestyle with horseback riding, cowboy cookouts, ATV adventures, trail and bike riding, archery, and more.  

 

MerleFest announces full lineup

JOHNNYSWIM, The Milk Carton Kids, We Banjo 3 and many more added to list of performers for September 16-19 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Photo: google

MerleFest, presented by Window World, is proud to announce the full lineup for MerleFest 2021, which will take place September 16-19, 2021. This lineup of world-class bands and artists will be joining the annual homecoming of musicians and music fans on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. MerleFest tickets are on sale now. (MerleFest, 2021)

MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel, and blues and expanded to include Americana, classic rock, and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the multi-day event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.

The following is MerleFest’s complete list of performers including the previously announced headliners:
Sturgill Simpson, Tedeschi Trucks, Melissa Etheridge, Mavis Staples, Margo Price, LeAnn Rimes, Shovels & Rope, Balsam Range, Amythyst Kiah, JOHNNYSWIM, The Milk Carton Kids, We Banjo 3, Adam Traum, Banknotes, Bill and the Belles, Brittney Spencer, Cane Mill Road, Carol Rifkin, Charles Welch, Charley Crockett, Chatham Rabbits, Cordovas, Creole Stomp with Dennis Stroughmatt, Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Donna the Buffalo, Happy Traum, Hogslop String Band, Iron Horse Bluegrass, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Jim Lauderdale, Jody Carroll, Joe Smothers, Joe Troop (of Che Apalache), John Cowan, Kelsey Waldon, Kruger Brothers, Laura Boosinger, Mark Bumgarner, Mary Flower, Mitch Greenhill & String Madness, Moore Brothers, Nefesh Mountain, Oliver Hazard, One Fret Over, Paul Thorn, Pete & Joan Wernick, Peter Rowan & Free Mexican Airforce with Los Texmaniacs, Piedmont Bluz, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Presley Barker, Rev. Robert Jones, Robbie Fulks, Roy Book Binder, Sam Bush Band, Sam Williams, Sarah Shook & The Disarmers, Scythian, Shinyribs, Sierra Ferrell, Smitty and the Jumpstarters, Sweet Potato Pie, T. Michael Coleman, Terrapin Creek, The Barefoot Movement, The Cleverlys, The InterACTive Theatre of Jef, The Local Boys, The Waybacks, Tommy Emmanuel, Tony Williamson, Wayne Henderson, Wyld Fern, Yasmin Williams, and Zoe & Cloyd.

JOHNNYSWIM: Much like families, bands go through it all together. At the core, husband-and-wife Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano translate the memories, moments, and milestones on their journey into spirited, slick, and soulful anthems steeped in singer-songwriter tradition, yet amplified by alternative experimentation, rock energy, and pop ambition. JOHNNYSWIM will perform on Friday evening.

The Milk Carton Kids: Listening to The Milk Carton Kids —Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale—talk about their creative process, it is easy to imagine them running in opposite directions even while yoked together. Defying the conventions of melody and harmony is a strategy The Milk Carton Kids have consciously embraced. The Only Ones, the group’s latest record, finds Ryan and Pattengale performing a stripped-down acoustic set without a backing band. On “The Only Ones,” the pair returns to the core of what they are about musically: the duo. The Milk Carton Kids perform on Friday evening.

We Banjo 3: One of the best live acts to come out of Ireland in many years, the multi-award winning We Banjo 3 combine supergroup credentials with a breath-taking command of the emotive power of fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and banjo. Any single member of this group could electrify a venue with a solo performance, but together, in the joyous musical alchemy of We Banjo 3, their passionate lead vocalist like a young Springsteen adopted by the Chieftans, the result is truly unforgettable. Simply put, the gold standard of Irish and American roots music. We Banjo 3 will perform on Saturday and Sunday.

 

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Legendary Mexican Jazz artist Tino Contreras to perform at Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul

Mexican Jazz artist Tino Contreras will perform at Frida Kahlo’s home, the Casa Azul, the flagship museum dedicated to the iconic artist’s life and work. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Legendary Mexican jazz artist Tino Contreras is set to perform a unique streamed show in the most beautiful space in Mexico City – Frida Kahlo’s home, the Casa Azul, which is also home to the flagship museum dedicated to the iconic artist’s life and work. The globally streamed event will be the first ever music stream from the Frida Kahlo Museum and is a celebration of both Contreras’ dynamic contribution to jazz and his 97th birthday. (Vesper Public Relations, 2021)

Inside the Frida Kahlo Museum, also known as the Blue House, are the artist’s personal belongings, as well as memories of the life that she lived there with Diego Rivera. Original paintings by Kahlo, Rivera, and their friends; a collection of Mexican folk art, handicrafts, pre-Columbian pieces, and Mexican regional textiles; as well as photographs, documents, books, and furniture are all showcased. The beautiful garden is an essential part of the Blue House, and crossing it leads to the internationally acclaimed exhibition of Frida Kahlo’s dresses. Many of the items in the museum were exhibited at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum in 2018, for ‘Frida Kahlo: Making Herself Up’, which was one of the most successful temporary exhibitions in the museum’s history.

Tino Contreras at Frida Kahlo Museum will show at the following times in the following territories on both days and for 24 hours on demand. The stream will not be available on demand after this initial weekend.

Saturday April 10 and Sunday April 11
8pm UK BST (ticket price £12)
9pm Europe CEST (ticket price €14)
7pm Mexico City HV (ticket price $17 USD)
8pm New York EDT (ticket price $17 USD)
8pm Los Angeles PDT (ticket price $17 USD)

Tickets available worldwide from Dice.fm.
“The price you pay. No surprises later.”

During Covid 19 The Frida Kahlo Museum has lost all income from admissions, so there is an opportunity to donate to the museum when purchasing a ticket and during the stream.

Born in Chihuahua in 1924 to a family of musicians, Tino Contreras is a master Mexican jazz drummer who for more than six decades has melded Latin influences with free jazz, psychedelia, avant-garde experimentation, and global sounds from Egypt, India, Turkey, and elsewhere. Tino’s career started in the 1950s and has seen him share stages with many of the greats – including Dave Brubeck, Cannonball Adderley, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Turning 97 on 3 April 2021, Contreras continues to play, record, and receive recognition for his contribution to Mexican jazz and beyond. His latest album La Noche de los Dioses was released on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood record label in October 2020.