*Snow forced the cancellation of a show by THE ADULTS at Proud Mary’s a few weeks ago, but Pete Grennan, Mark Iannucci and Jim Sheridan are ready to return to 19 Main Street in Newtown this weekend. The trio will be there on Saturday, March 13.

*If you’re holding out hope (and holding on to tickets) to see LADY GAGA in concert in Connecticut and haven’t already heard, Mohegan Sun announced on  Monday that the postponed January 18 performance at Mohegan Sun Arena has now been officially cancelled. There will not be a rescheduled Mohegan Sun Arena date.

Customers who purchased tickets at the Mohegan Sun Box Office or TicketMaster outlets should return to the point of purchase for refunds. Purchases made through TicketMaster either online or though its toll free charge by phone number will be refunded automatically.

Customers who purchased tickets online at LiveNation.com or ticketmaster.com for the cancelled Mohegan Sun and Oakdale Theater performances will reportedly have first access to tickets for Lady Gaga’s next area performance. Only online customers will be able to participate in this pre-sale, and they will be notified via email.

*Music at Mocha Coffee House in Sandy Hook this weekend will begin with an appearance by the four-man band ELISON JACKSON, performing folk, indie and western swing on Friday night.

Sandy Hook native KRISTIN RYAN, who studied at Suzuki Music School, Julie’s Piano Workshop and Newtown Music Studio before heading off to pursue a degree in music and Russian studies at Colgate University, will headline on Saturday night. Kristin offers a mix of original music that has been inspired by the acoustic rock and folk songs of Bob Dylan, Sarah McLachlan, Leonard Cohen, and the Dixie Chicks.

Next weekend’s music will include ADAM CALDERONE & FRIENDS on Friday, March 19, and then Kathleen Pemble and her band Cold Spring the Band will be at 3 Glen Road on Saturday night.

And before either of those shows take place, Julie Sorek will return to the sitting space at Mocha for her monthly acoustic jam on Thursday, March 18. These are very casual yet enjoyable events that run from 7 to 9:30 pm. The music generally includes traditional Celtic, English, Appalachian and southern folk. Bring your favorite instrument or stop in to enjoy the music.

*The Blue Z Coffee House will be hosting some homegrown music in a few weeks. (First, let me take the opportunity to also let you know that friend and co-editor JOHN VOKET will be back at The Z next week, performing on Thursday, March 18).

SUNDAD, comprised of father and son guitarists John Eurell, Sr and John Eurell, Jr, will be at 127 South Main Street in Newtown on Friday, March 26. John Jr lives here in Newtown, and John Sr lives nearby in New York. Sundad performs what they call “a new class of acoustic … filled with beautiful rhythms, harmonies and chord changes. Their original repertoire consists of acoustic guitar instrumentals that have been described as a blend of World Fusion and New Age.”

The duo is, as John Jr told me this week, an acoustic jazz-fusion guitar duo. For the past few years the Eurells have been mostly making the rounds at Borders and Barnes & Noble stores along the East Coast, promoting their CDs — August 2005’s Journey To Eternity(which earned them Best New Artist and Best Acoustic Instrumental nominations from New Ag Reporter, as well as a first round Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary World Album) and The Journey Continues from June 2008. The second release brought additional honors, including a nomination for 2008 Best Instrumental Acoustic Album by NAR, a first round Grammy nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album, and regular requested play on Sirius Satellite Channel 73.

If you haven’t already had the chance to listen to these guys, head over to their website (sundad.com) and listen to their music while reading a little more about John and John, who try to play The Blue Z every few months (just like my friend John, mentioned earlier).

*TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS will be at the Comcast Theatre in Hartford, along with CROSBY, STILLS AND NASH, on Tuesday, August 17. Tickets for that will be on sale through LiveNation.com beginning at 10 am Monday morning, and have been priced from $29 for the lawn to $119 for reserved seats.

*RINGO STARR has assembled the 11th line-up for his annual All Star Band tour and will be bringing that musical mélange to Mohegan Sun Arena on Sunday, June 27. Joining Starr this year will be including former members Edgar Winter, Gary Wright and Gregg Bissonette, along with All Starr newcomers Rick Derringer, Richard Page (Mr Mister) and Wally Palmar (Romantics).

Tickets are $35 and $50 and go on sale Friday, March 12, at 10 am, through TicketMaster vendors (in person, online and telephone charge). Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun box office starting Saturday morning at 10, subject to availability.

*Still available are tickets for March 28’s concert by DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL at The Webster in Hartford. Sponsored by radio 104.1, the concert will include opening sets by An Horse and Civil Twilight.

Tickets are $25 in advance or $28 the day of the show.

Another radio station-sponsored show at The Webster, the WCCC Homegrown Showcase originally planned for April 23 has been moved to Friday, April 16. This will be in the Webster’s Underground club, will feature sets by Domeringer, Tempest Edge, Limited Sight, Big Moon and Agrippa 93, and tickets are $10 for age 20 and under. Admission is free for ages 21 and up. Doors open at 6 pm.

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 clubs are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

 

UPCOMING SHOWS

 

MARCH 12 — Old School at Proud Mary’s, Newtown; Elison Jackson at Mocha Coffee House, Sandy Hook; Mass Distraction at The Lumberyard Pub, Georgetown; Train at the MGM Grand at Foxwoods, Mashantucket; Grace Potter & The Nocturnals at The Ridgefield Playhouse; Johnny Boots at The Georgetown Saloon, Redding; The Doug Wahlberg Band at Molly Darcy’s, Danbury;

March 13 — Kristin Ryan at Mocha Coffee House; The Adults at Proud Mary’s, Newtown; Leon Redbone at Fairfield University’s Quick Center, Fairfield; Martina McBride and Trace Adkins at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville; Alicia Keys at The MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods (also March 14);

March 14 — Alicia Keys at The MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods; David “Honeyboy” Edwards at Fairfield Theatre Company, Fairfield, with special guest Rocky Lawrence;

March 15 — The Subdudes at Fairfield Theatre Company;

March 17 — Earnest Hem N’ Haw & The Shotgun Republic at The Cookhouse, New Milford;

March 18 — John Voket at The Blue Z Coffee House, Newtown;

March 19 — Mental Health at The Georgetown Saloon; The Way-Back machine at Rivalry Sports Grille, Monroe;

March 20 — Carrie Underwood at MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Resort & Casino;

March 21 — Killswitch Engage at The Oakdale, Wallingford, The Devil Wears Prada opening; Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Infinity Music Hall;

March 26 — Sundad at The Blue Z; Mass Distraction at The Black Duck Café, Westport; Norah Jones at The MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods; Bon Jovi at Mohegan Sun Arena (also March 27); Sister Funk at The Georgetown Saloon; The Doug Wahlberg Band at The Atrium at Foxwoods Casino;

March 27 — Bon Jovi at Mohegan Sun Arena; Daughtry at The MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods, with Lifehouse and CAVO; Old School at Proud Mary’s; The Bernadettes at The Georgetown Saloon;

March 28 — Jeffrey Gaines at Infinity Music Hall, Rebecca Pidgeon opening; Dashboard Confessional at The Webster, An Horse and Civil Twilight opening.