*I wish I had been able to publicize “A CURE FOR JOEY” last week, but the good news is Kaaren Valenta put together a story about tonight’s concert at The Hollow in Woodbury for last week’s Newtown Bee. So let this serve as a reminder and a suggestion to head over to the Woodbury park tonight if you have time.

Nick Larson and some fellow graduates of The Waldorf School in Newtown have arranged a fund-raising concert for Friday, July 30, in Woodbury for Joey Eckler, a 13-year-old Sandy Hook youth who is undergoing experimental treatment for a malignant brain tumor. The tumor and subsequent surgeries have left Joey partially blind and with diabetes insipidus. Worse yet, despite the treatment, the tumor cannot be completely removed and has begun to grow again.

Nick and his friends want to help Joey’s family with the mounting medical bills. Hence tonight’s concert, which will run from 4 to 7 pm. The concert will feature the Shrdlu Band, playing blues, rock, R&B, and fiddle; the Josh Berry Experience, original groove rock; and Larry Deming, on fiddle. Admission is by donation.

The Newtown Fund also has set up a fund for Joey. Donations are tax deductible, and will go specifically to cover Joey’s medical expenses. Checks should be made out to The Newtown Fund, with “Joey Eckler” written in the check’s memo area, and mailed to Newtown Fund, PO Box 64, Newtown CT 06470.

*AMERICAN MORTAR ROCK BAND will be at Dean’s in Naugatuck on Friday, August 6. Dean’s, at 191 Rubber Avenue (telephone 203-723-1844), was recently remodeled and has reopened with new ownership. Susan Washburn, the lead vocalist and a lyricist for American Mortar, says the bar has plenty of attractions including a jukebox, dartboard (and openings in its dart league), pool table, NASCAR Sundays, workday Happy Hours, live music as often as possible, and plenty of nearby parking.

“Bring your dancing shoes,” says Susan. There is no cover charge for the band’s August 6 show, which will run from 10 pm until 1 am.

*New additions to the schedule at Toad’s Place in New Haven include HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH on September 1, a return of the always awesome BUDDY GUY on September 9, HATEBREED on September 16, DAR WILLIAMS on September 19, MARILLION on October 10, and BEENIE MAN October 12.

*Another fantastic show coming to the Ridgefield Playhouse this year will be SHAWN COLVIN, who will be there on Saturday, November 20. Tickets are a hefty $70 and $75 for this show, which will be a solo performance for the multi Grammy Award winner.

*JOHN WAITE will make his debut at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den with two shows on Saturday, August 14. DELBERT McCLINTON will headline the room on August 19.

*TOBY KEITH concert tickets for Sunday, September 12, at The Meadows in Hartford, are going on sale this weekend. Priced at $65.25 for the pavilion and $32.25 for the lawn, these tickets will be going on sale Saturday at 10 am through any tickets.com outlet or in person at the Oakdale Theatre box office in Wallingford. The box office at The Meadows will not be open for this on-sale.

*The Acoustic Café, located in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, has an interested show scheduled for next Friday. Tony Clinton & Friends will feature Clinton, the percussionist of SPYRO GYRO, flutist Dave Valentin, percussionist Marc Quinones (of THE ALLMAN BROTHERS) and bassist Oskar Cartya (from J-LO’s band). Showtime is 9 pm; call 203-335-3655 for details.

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

JULY 30 — “A Cure for Joey” at The Hollow/Hollow Park, Woodbury (early show, 4-7 pm), featuring The Shrdlu Band, The Josh Berry Experience & fiddler Larry Deming; Twinkies at The Georgetown Saloon; Nina Sky at Toad’s Place, New Haven (all ages);

July 31 — Projekt Revolution 2004 at The Meadows, Hartford, featuring Linkin Park, Korn, Snoop Dogg, The Used, et al; Alice Cooper at the Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford; Blues Patrol at The Georgetown Saloon; Kick at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury; Deadwait and Aggressia at Toad’s Place (dual CD release party, all ages), Symphony of Sickness, Guerra and Good God opening.

AUGUST 1 — Sarah McLachlan at Hartford Civic Center; W.A.S.P. at The Webster Theatre, Hartford, Buff Daddy, Roadhorse, Push and Ariaken opening (all ages); Limelight at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury; My Chemical Romance and Senses Fail at Toad’s Place, New Haven (all ages), Funeral For A Friend and Grover Dill opening; Limelight at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury;

August 3 — The Dead with Warren Haynes at Meadows Music Theatre, Hartford;

August 4 — John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den, Uncasville;

August 5 — Maxi Priest at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den (also August 6);   

August 6 — Rush at The Meadows Music Theatre; Cyndi Lauper at Foxwoods’ Fox Theatre, Ledyard; American Mortar Rock Band at Dean’s, Naugatuck; Maxi Priest at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den; Finch at Toad’s Place, Recover, Counterfeit and Days Away opening (all ages); Tony Clinton & Friends at Acoustic Café, Black Rock; Funkestra at The Georgetown Saloon;

August 7 — The Bob Dylan Show at Yale Field, New Haven, headlining sets by Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson, opening set by Hot Club of Cowtown; Them Bones at Tuxedo Junction; The Dave Ross Band at Acoustic Café; DNR at The Georgetown Saloon.