*I had a quick, but very nice, chat with the members of CHARISMA this week. They had played a big wedding in Manhattan on Saturday and it had been a long weekend, but they were all there in Sandy Hook for their regular Monday night rehearsal and ready to talk about one of their upcoming shows. Charisma will be one of the two bands performing next month at the 6th Annual Newtown Youth Services Dinner Dance Auction.

The big event is Saturday, March 12, beginning at 7 pm, at the Fireside Inn in Newtown. Tickets are $40, which includes a buffet dinner, a silent auction, performances by Charisma and a band fronted by local chiropractor Dr Richard Coopersmith (who was a wonderful auctioneer earlier this month at Newtown’s Tercentennial Gala, and showed some of his chops for a few minutes when Third Shift – the band that played at the ball – invited Dr C to sing a few songs with them), and even a celebrity impersonator, are available by calling Newtown Youth Services at 270-4335.

*American Idol’s first champion, KELLY CLARKSON, is finally breaking away for her first headlining tour, which will stop at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford on April 24.

Tickets will be going on sale Saturday, February 26, and they’re priced at $28 to $38 each. Contact the Oakdale at 203-265-1501 or visit or contact any TicketMaster venue.

Also going on sale Saturday morning will be tickets for HARTFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PERFORMS THE MUSIC OF LED ZEPPELIN, a concert scheduled for Saturday, April 16. Unfortunately I don’t have ticket prices or additional details on the show as I approach deadline; try calling the Oakdale or visiting its website for additional information.

Coming up this weekend at the Oakdale is GOV’T MULE, on Saturday. Tickets, all $25 each, are still available.

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 CONCERTS

FEBRUARY 25 — Sol Dog at The Georgetown Saloon; Hat City Blues Band at Redding Roadhouse; Isaac Hayes at Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret Theatre; Throwback and Larissa DeLorenze at The Acoustic Café, Home By Midnight and Jade Horizon opening; Energy at Tuxedo Junction; Mickey Dolenz at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

February 26 — Gov’t Mule at the Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford; Isaac Hayes at Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret Theatre; Atreyu at Toad’s Place, Unearth, Norma Jean and Scars Of Tomorrow opening (all ages); Christine Ohlman & Rebel Montez at Café Nine; Vance Gilbert at The Acoustic Café; The Zoo at Tuxedo Junction;

February 27 — Isaac Hayes at Mohegan Sun’s Cabaret Theatre; The Girls Gone Wild Tour featuring Copper, Revelation Theory, et al at The Webster Theatre; Ferron at The Acoustic Café;

February 28 — Mötley Crüe at Hartford Civic Center.