*John Voket did a great big story for last week’s Enjoy section about the Rick Wakeman show scheduled for March 3 at Premier Music Hall in Danbury. And then last Thursday morning we received word that that show has been postponed.

There was a small announcement within the front pages of The Bee last week, but just to be sure everyone is still on the same page, consider this a reminder of that postponement. Just before press time on Thursday morning, The Bee received notice that Wakeman contracted a severe respiratory ailment and was forced to postpone his entire American tour including the stop in Danbury.

We’ll keep you posted on a rescheduled date once it is announced.

*Speaking of JOHN VOKET, details continue to come in regarding a set of shows he has planned at Mocha Coffee House, and just in time… considering the four-month series of shows begin this weekend.

My first note this week is a clarification of something I mentioned last week. During each of the four shows John will be playing monthly at Mocha in Sandy Hook, he will be personally donating $15 per hour towards the Newtown Relay For Life coming up on June. My column last week, I now realize, made it sound like John would be putting in $15 each night as a challenge for attendees to match during each show.

John’s show on Saturday, March 4, starting at 8, will be the first of several Paint the Town PurpleFests which will help raise awareness and support for this year’s Newtown Relay for Life, which will take place at Newtown High School on June 10-11.

In addition to his live music and sometimes subtle humor, plus the hourly challenge grants, John’s shows will feature Relay organizers on hand to accept donations, issue receipts for tax-deductible donations, and present donors with purple ribbons that can be displayed as a sign of support of the ACS Relays for Life. Newtown is preparing for its third annual outing, which benefits many support and research programs of the American Cancer Society.

John will also “make every effort,” he says, to honor every donor’s song or artist request, “yes, even Abba!” he said. So bring your wallet and your guitar, tambourine, voice and/or request.

In addition to this weekend’s kick-off event, JV’s Paint The Town PurpleFest will continue on Saturdays, April 8, May 13 and June 10. Donors and attendees at that final show can of course stop in to see John and then head over to Newtown High School to offer encouragement to Relay participants.

*During his last performance at Café Nine in New Haven, CHRIS SCRUGGS managed to segue a tribute to his grandpa (Earl) and the Star Wars franchise. “That’s cause,” wrote the café’s owners on their website, “he’s old and young at the same time.” See what the good fuss is all about when Scruggs brings his “rockin’, twangin’, funny show” back to the club on Friday, March 10. Tickets are $7.

Next month the club will welcome SQUEEZE member GLENN TILBROOK, who is doing a solo tour. Tickets for the April 4 show are $20.

Between now and then the club will also feature an early show this weekends by Boston guitar phenom JOHNNY A., on Sunday, March 5, starting at 7, to be followed by a blues jam starting around 10 and hosted by Ken Melillo; EILEEN ROSE headlining on March 9, with opening sets by Reid Paley Trio and Diamond Platinum Rings (tickets are $5); and a CD release party with LYS GUILLORN on Saturday, March 18, at 10 pm, featuring Tyler Trudeau Attempt.

This is just a smattering of what is coming to the club at 250 State Street. Visit its website (CafeNine.com) for a full schedule or call 203-789-8281 for tickets to any of the aforementioned shows. Parking vouchers are available for the ProPark lot at the corner of State and Crown streets, too – ask a bartender about those $3 deals.

*Amid the four shows her father will be playing in the state this season, ALEXA RAY JOEL will be performing at Toad’s Place. The singer will be in New Haven on March 15, performing an all ages show with Don’t Tell Muddy offering an opening set. All tickets are $10.

Miss Joel will also be at the club on March 22. BLACK 47 returns on March 24, APATHY will celebrate with a CD release party on March 29, and then BADFISH returns to close out the month on March 31.

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

MARCH 3 — postponed: Rick Wakeman at Premier Music Hall, Danbury; Isaac Hayes at Mohegan Sun Cabaret, Uncasville; Toby Keith at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Joe Nichols and Scotty Emerick opening (also March 4); George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic at Toad’s Place, New Haven;

March 4 — John Voket at Mocha, Sandy Hook; Toby Keith at Mohegan Sun Arena, Joe Nichols and Scotty Emerick opening; The Fab Faux at Premier Music Hall, Danbury (all ages); Isaac Hayes at Mohegan Sun Cabaret; Hat City Blues Band at The Lodge, Southbury;

March 5 — Dave Mason at The Ridgefield Playhouse; Isaac Hayes at Mohegan Sun Cabaret; Ted Leo and The Pharmacists at Toad’s Place, Les Auf opening (all ages); Johnny A. at Café Nine, New Haven;

March 7 — The Saw Doctors at Toad’s Place;

March 9 — Eileen Rose at Café Nine, Reid Paley Trio and Diamond Platinum Rings opening;

March 10 — Billy Joel at Hartford Civic Center (sold out); comedian Lisa Lampanelli at Premier Music Hall, Wendell opening (all ages); Chris Scruggs at Café Nine;

March 11 — Daryl Hall & John Oates at Mohegan Sun Arena; Hat City Blues Band at The Spot, Bethel;

March 15 — Little Feat at The Ridgefield Playhouse; Alexa Ray Joel at Toad’s Place, Don’t Tell Muddy opening (all ages);

March 16 — Joe Bonamassa at Toad’s Place (all ages);

March 17 — Jonathan Edwards at University of Hartford’s Wilde Auditorium, West Hartford;

March 18 — Hat City Blues Band at 59 Bank Street, New Milford; Children of Bodem at Toad’s Place (all ages); Lys Guillorn at Café Nine (CD release party), with Tyler Trudeau Attempt;

March 21 — Robert Cray Band at The Ridgefield Playhouse;

March 22 — Alexa Ray Joel at Toad’s Place, Don’t Tell Muddy opening (all ages);

March 23 — Billy Joel at Hartford Civic Center (sold out);

March 28 — Billy Joel at Hartford Civic Center (sold out);

March 29 — Nickelback at Mohegan Sun Arena, Chevelle and Trant opening; Dream Theater at Chevrolet Theatre, Wallingford; Apathy at Toad’s Place (CD) release party;

March 31 — Sublime at Toad’s Place.