The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
See Christine Ohlman and Rebel Montez at the Kate
Christine Ohlman and Rebel Montez will perform at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center on Sunday. The Beehive Queen welcomes the reunited Sin Sisters in a night that will celebrate the wonder of love, with all of its laughter and tears, and some special songs.
You know what kind of show Ohlman puts on. Now, add the Sin Sisters and get ready for some real hip-shakin’.
Saturday at Danbury Palace, get ready for a Valentine Party with Jeff Pitchell. He has a special guest in Carla Cooke, daughter of Sam Cooke.
The Weight Band, featuring former members of The Band and Levon Helm Band, are in The FTC Warehouse on Friday. This is the real deal, featuring true long time members of The Band, Jim Weider and Randy Ciarlante, along with Marty Grebb (Bonnie Raitt, The Fabulous Rhinestones) Albert Rogers and Brian Mitchell (Levon Helm Band). The Weight revisits the hits and deep tracks from one of America’s most revered musical institutions. The Weight is the real deal “second generation” that is keeping The Band’s unique roots-rock sound alive.
The performances have inspired dancing in the aisles, reflecting the continued appeal of favorites like “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “Up on Cripple Creek” and “The Weight.”
Seating for this show: There will be seats on the floor and upstairs in the Mezzanine that are first come first serve. If you have additional questions, call the box office at 203259-1036.
Friday, Mr. Nick & The Dirty Tricks featuring Dennis Gruenling are at Black Eyed Sally’s. Mr. Nick & the Dirty Tricks unites veteran musicians Nick David (aka. Mr. Nick), “Lonely” Gus Carlson, Teddy B. (Bukowski) and Rick Rousseau for one of New England’s most formidable live outfits in any genre, but their hearts belong to blues.
They play elegant, stomping and swinging classics by the likes of Little Walter and Howlin’ Wolf and a mix of original rumbas, jump blues, and boogies they’re developing for a debut album and taking to a growing legion of fans throughout the US and abroad.
David led the popular and critically acclaimed Mr. Nick’s Blues Mafia. Everything comes together when they play. They bring to the surface their deep understanding and knowledge of blues, their originality and depth, and the band’s ability to put on a great show that brings people to their feet.
Saturday, Black-eyed Sally’s brings Grayson Hugh & The Moon Hawks to the stage. He is an internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter and pianist. Hugh’s piano playing has been called “a veritable cyclone of soul” and his voice has been compared to Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. At this show he will be introducing The Moon Hawks with 17 yearold blues guitarist Bobby Paltauf and vocal instrumentalist Polly Messer, formerly with the popular swing band Eight To The Bar. Hugh’s music and high energy shows have earned praise from Soul, Blues and Roots Rock music critics and musicians alike.
The Painkillers is a rock and blues powerhouse that will be bringing its show to The Hungry Tiger on Saturday.
Something new for Blues Beat is a Friday dance at Vinnies’ Jump & Jive in Middletown with the Maggey Blues Dance Combo.
The Outer Space has a regular weekly Honky Tonk Tuesday. This week hosting will be The Delta Blues Boys.
The 33rd International Blues Challenge was a booming success. Bands and Solo/duo acts from around the world were there. The acts numbered over 250. One of the highlights is the afternoon with the Women in Blues. Blues Beat’s activities can be seen at Bluesbeatnews. wordpress.com.
The Connecticut representatives did some fine playing. The Danny Draher Band, The Balkun Brothers, and Jake Kulak and the LowDown all drew comments from the crowd. The Balkun Brothers made it to the semi-finals and had the crowd rockin’in the Blues Hall.
The Winners are: Bands; Dawn Tyler Watson from The Montreal Blues Society; Solo/Duo winner was Al Hill of the Nashville Blues Society and the award for the Best SelfProduced CD went to JW Jones, “High Temperature” of the Ottawa Blues Society.
Learn from the Blues Masters. Learn to play Chicago Blues from the some of the city’s best. Instructors are professional musicians who work, live and breathe the Blues. Most of the instructors and guest artists are Chicago Blues Hall of Fame Artists.
Chicago Blues Camp is a unique 5 day immersive learning and performance opportunity for adult musicians to learn and play authentic Chicago Blues with leading blues performers. There are two 1-week camp sessions during the month of June. Learn blues guitar, blues bass or blues harp. For more information go to: www.chicagobluescamp.com.