“The event,” Jim said this week, “is gathering momentum with new performers and listeners each week, and many returning to catch it all again.”

Don’t let Mocha’s small parking lot scare you off, either. There are only about a dozen parking spaces in the lot immediately in front of the coffee house at 3 Glen Road — and those are used by patrons of Mocha, Tre Regazze and The Red Brick Tavern — but just drive up to the next driveway, which is the entrance to a brand-new, paved and spacious parking lot that accommodates dozens of vehicles. Let’s support local musicians, good coffee and great refreshments… and park in a lot that’s a few extra spaces away from Mocha’s front door so that after the open mic you can walk off those extra calories.

*NICKELBACK will be at Mohegan Sun Arena on Wednesday, March 29, with special guests Chevelle and Trant.

Tickets are going on sale this weekend — at 10 am on Saturday, January 29 — and have been priced at $41.50. Saturday’s sales will be done online or at outside vendors only; the box office at Mohegan Sun will open on Sunday for in-person sales.

*Now that’s he has gotten some rest, ISAAC HAYES is back on the road and coming to Connecticut for five shows (doesn’t sound like he’s shying away from another case of exhaustion). One of the biggest icons of soul music around, Hayes will be in Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret Theatre for nightly shows Wednesday, March 1, through Sunday March 5.

Tickets are available through TicketMaster, priced at $35 for all seats, all nights.

*THE REMBRANTS will be here for us, twice next month.

The band that had the opening song for all ten seasons of Friends will be in Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den for a few show on Friday, February 17, and then at The Community Cultural Center in East Hartford for an early show on Sunday, February 19. The band is touring in support of its collection of remastered greatest hits (plus the new single “Don’t Give Me Up”), Choice Hits.

For information about the show in Uncasville (at Mohegan Sun) call 888-226-7711. I have a note that says Northey and Valenzuela will offer openings sets for that show, but no mention of opening bands for the East Hartford show.

Tickets for the East Hartford show are $18 in advance or $25 at the door. Call 860-528-1458 for details and reservations about that show, which will start at 3 pm.

Until next week I’ll be seeing you... on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call the office at 426-3141. Shows listed at club locations are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

 

UPCOMING SHOWS

JANUARY 27 — Less Than Jake at The Webster Theatre, Hartford, A Wilhelm Scream, Rock & Roll Soldiers and Damone opening (all ages); Rascal Flatts at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Keith Anderson opening (also January 28); The Nelsons at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den, Uncasville (also January 28)

January 28 — Blue Oyster Cult at The Ridgefield Playhouse; Rascal Flatts at Mohegan Sun Arena, Keith Anderson opening (also January 27); The Nelsons at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den (also Jan 27); Hat City Blues Band at The Georgetown Saloon; OK Go at Toad’s Place, New Haven (all ages, early show);

January 29 — Armor For Sleep and Boys Night Out at Toad’s Place, Chiodos and Action Reaction opening (all ages); Silvertide at The Webster Underground, Hartford;

January 30 — Avenged Sevenfold, CKY and Day of Contempt at The Webster Theater.

FEBRUARY 1 — Bon Jovi at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville;

February 2 — RAQ sat Toad’s Place, New Haven (all ages);

February 3 — Valencia at The Webster Underground, Hartford;

February 4 — Lez Zeppelin at Premier Music Hall, Danbury.