*The Sweetport Music & Arts Festival and 2006 Summer Sounds of the World series, two events coordinated by Black Rock Art Center, has announced more concerts for this summer's schedule. The following shows all begin at 6 pm and will be on McLev
*The Sweetport Music & Arts Festival and 2006 Summer Sounds of the World series, two events coordinated by Black Rock Art Center, has announced more concerts for this summerâs schedule. The following shows all begin at 6 pm and will be on McLevy Green, at the corner of State and Main Streets in Bridgeport. Call the arts center, 203-367-7917, or visit InternationalPerformingArts.com or BlackRockArtCenter.com, for additional information. Also, admission is free for these concerts.
Grammy nominee for Best Tropical Band PLENA LIBRE will offer an exclusive US appearance on Friday, July 21.
Blues legend JAMES COTTON will headline the following week, on July 28.
In August âthe mother goddess of folk bluesâ (NY Times), ODETTA will headline. I can personally encourage anyone who even likes (never mind loves) the blues to see this gorgeous lady concert if at all possible on August 11.
The arts center will offer a Caribbean evening on Friday, August 18. Emeline Michel, âThe Queen of Haitian Song,â will open the evening, with Pregones Theater from Puerto Rico following with a rhythmic musical theater revue. Marit Price, from STAR 99.9, will host the evening.
The winners of Fairfield County Weeklyâs Grand Band Slam â the best local, independent bands in the county in all the styles you can stomach â will be featured on August 25. Of course, the bands performing canât be announced yet. Voting hasnât even begun for this event, which traditionally launches in late July or early August.
*Last year it was an EARTH, WIND & FIRE event on ice at The Arena at Harbor Yard. This yearâs ice skating-to-music event will be MICHAEL BOLTON TRIBUTE ON ICE. Be careful of that one word: Tribute. I donât know if this means Bolton will be actually performing while world class skaters like Brian Boitano, Shizuka Arakawa, Ilia Kulik, Brian Orser, Yuka Sato, Jason Dungien, and others perform, whether they will be performing to taped recordings of his music.
Regardless, the skating will certainly be live, as will a performance by special guest WYNONNAi, and everything takes place in Bridgeport on Saturday, November 11, beginning at 7:30 pm. Tickets will be $47.50, $67.50 and $97.50 for VIP tickets, and will be going on sale in September. Visit the arenaâ website for additional information (ArenaAtHarborYard.com).
*Recently added to The Webster Theatreâs calendar is a FASTER PUSSYCAT show on August 1, with Bang Tango and Adlerâs Appetite opening.
*Meanwhile, Lucky Boys Confusion has been added to the BOWLING FOR SOUP show at Toadâs Place on July 7, replacing the previously announced someone else.
Until next week Iâll 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
JUNE 30 â Robin Trower at The Ridgefield Playhouse; King For A Day at The Acoustic Café, Bridgeport.
JULY 1 â They Might Be Giants at Foxwoods Casinoâs Fox Den, Ledyard; Poco at The Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield, with special guest Pin Monkey;
July 2 â Tom Jones at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville;
July 3 â Phil Lesh & Friends Trey Anastasio & Mike Gordon at Dodge Music Center, Hartford;
July 5 â Sammy Hagar & The Wabos (& Michael Anthony) at Mohegan Sun Arena;
July 7 â The Joshua Tree at The Webster Theater; The Led Zeppelin Experience (Hammer of The Gods) at The Shubert Theater, New Haven;
July 9 â Paul Simon at Mohegan Sun Arena;
July 10 â Jo Dee Messina and Chris Cagle at Mohegan Sun Arena;
July 12 â Donna Summer at Mohegan Sun Arena; Dropkick Murphys at Toadâs Place, New Haven, Madball and Brain Failure opening (all ages);
July 13 â Ryan Cabrera at Toadâs Place, Josh Hope and Jay Buchanan opening (all ages);
July 14 â Orleans at The Ridgefield Playhouse;
July 15 â Kelly Clarkson at New England Dodge Music Center, Hartford, Rooney opening; Guster at The Chevrolet Theatre. Wallingford, Ray LaMontagne opening;
July 16 â Ringo & His All-Starr Band at Mohegan Sun Arena; Bonnie Raitt at The Chevrolet Theatre, Wallingford, with special guest Keb Mo;
July 17 â Bowling For Soup at Toadâs Place, Lucky Boys Confusion, Flashlight Brown and Army of Freshmen opening (all ages);
July 18 â The Black Crowes at Mohegan Sun Arena, with Robert Randolph and Drive-By Truckers.