*The WIDESPREAD PANIC show at Toad’s Place on Monday night is sold out.

*I didn’t have the opportunity to get into one aspect of what’s going on at Ives Concert Park in Danbury when I wrote my feature last week, which I wanted to make mention of this week. One of the park’s longstanding missions has been to not only provide a forum for music lovers to hear good music performed live, but also to be a location for up-and-coming artists to perform alongside established musicians. In following that idea, the park’s current production manager, Bob Connor, has been making sure to book area musicians for the opening sets of this summer’s shows.

The Natalie Merchant show on July 8 was the first thois year to feature a local, and CARRIE Tortorici of Oakville had the opportunity to perform her folk/adult contemporary/rock music in front of a few thousand people that night.

“What a rush!,” Carrie, who performs using only her first name, said about 30 minutes after leaving the stage. “The crowd was fantastic. I was nervous, I still get nervous before going on, but once I got out there it was just great.” Carrie writes her own music and even she says she doesn’t know how to categorize it, but most people tend to call it folk-rock.

The singer had 30 minutes to wow the crowd on July 8, and she did just fine, performing four or her own songs and a pair of covers. She pulled music from her first album as well as the second one, which is on the way. Information on upcoming dates, a bio on Carrie, some photos and even an email contact can be obtained at her Web site, www.carrie2000.com. Sound bytes are expected to be added once the second album is finished.

PETER SPINKS BAND was given the opportunity to perform last weekend — yes, THE MOODY BLUES show did happen Saturday night, even in those downpours! — and the rock band XRC is up next, opening for JETHRO TULL on July 29.

*This weekend marks the debut of PLAYBACK’s second album, urban lullaby. The new album and new band lineup — Rich Donnelly and Jason Hirou have joined David Goodwick and Joshua Swetts — will be headlining a concert at Dickinson Park in Newtown on Friday, July 21. The event is a fundraiser for Newtown Youth Services, and all ages are invited. SCI-FI LULLABY will be performing an opening set. The event is being called “Music Under the Stars.” Gates open at 7, the music is expected to run from 8 to 10, and admission is just $5 per person. Bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating. Grilled food and soft drinks will be available for purchase. In the event of bad weather, Newtown Youth Services will have a message running on its answering machine by late afternoon, call them at 270-4335.

And just a reminder: Playback’s official CD release party is coming up on Thursday, August 3, at Colorado Brew Pub in CityCenter Danbury.

*Progressive rockers DREAM THEATRE are scheduled to be at the ctnow.com Oakdale Theatre — note the new major sponsor of the theatre, which took over ownership of The Meadows last week as well — on Tuesday, August 29. Ticket prices are being mentioned at $26 and $28.50 apiece, but no sale date yet. Also being mentioned, but not even in ink on the schedule yet, is an August 27 show by D’ANGELO.

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

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks, c/o Bee Publishing Co., 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown 06470, or shannon@thebee.com. Include a phone number for confirmation, please. If you don’t have a stamp or a piece of paper or a writing utensil that works, give me a call! The phone number at the office is 426-3141. Shows listed on the calendar at club locations are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

 

UPCOMING CONCERTS

JULY 21 — “Music Under The Stars” at Dickinson Park, Newtown, performances by Playback and Sci-Fi Lullaby; Bob Dylan and Phil Lesh & Friends at The Meadows, Hartford; Roomful of Blues at Summertime Festival of the Arts at CityCenter, Danbury (free outdoor concert, begins 7:30 pm; call 792-1711 after 3 pm if rain); Jethro Tull at Foxwoods Casino, Ledyard; The Zoo at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury; Randy Lippencott Band at Blues Alley, Danbury; Off The Hook at Remington Arts Studio (part of Festival of the Elements), Bridgeport; Johnny Winter at Toad’s Place, New Haven,

July 22 — Yes and Kansas at The Meadows; Peter Frampton at Foxwoods Casino; King’s X at The Webster Theatre (all ages); The Benjamins at Tuxedo Junction; Gary & The Moodswingers at Blues Alley;

July 23 — Good Rates/Rat Race Choir, Future Tense and Sapphire at Tuxedo Junctio;

July 24 —The Slackers at The Webster Theatre, Hartford;

July 27 — Electric Mayhem at Toad’s Place (all ages), Union Groove, Buzz Hound and Moho opening;

July 28 — Peat Moss & The Fertilizers at Tuxedo Junction; Anthony Gomes Band at Blues Alley; Off The Hook at Carl Anthony’s, Monroe; Gargantua Soul at Toad’s Place (all ages), E-Town Concrete and American Trashed opening;

July 29 — Jethro Tull at Ives Concert Park, XRC opening; Reggae Summer Splash Festival at The Meadows with Beres Hammond, Luciano, Cocoa Tea, et al; Shadablu and Syphter at Laszlo’s Arts Café; John Kay & Steppenwolf at City Limits; Big Orange Cone at Tuxedo Junction; Anthony Gomes Band at Blues Alley.

July 31 — Incubus at The Webster Theatre (all ages); George Thorogood & The Destroyers at Toad’s Place, Johnny A opening.