The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Robert Cray to play Ridgefield Playhouse
A busy week of blues acts and seasonal events in the state. The Ridgefield Playhouse brings in Robert Cray on Saturday. It is hard to believe that Cray has been bridging the lines between blues, soul and R&B for the past four decades.
He was always mentioned as the young player leading the blues into the future. He has done a good job doing tha,t and the word “legendary” will be the next to appear in his description. With five Grammy wins and more than 20 acclaimed albums, he has many standout songs. To mention a few: “Smoking Gun,” “Blues Get Off My Shoulder,” “Right Next Door (Because of Me)” and “Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark.”
Cray keeps open ears and an open mind, giving him the essence of successful singer, guitarist and songwriter. It is all part of his approach to writing, recording and playing music. He has created a sound that rises from American roots and arrives today both fresh and familiar. For the past 40 years, Cray and his band have played bars, concert halls, festivals and arenas around the world. He has a suitcase full of W.C. Handy blues awards and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. And he was part of Otis Day’s band in Animal House.
Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk will use Friday to showcase Ana Popovic. The award-winning, busy-touring, guitar slinger blends smoking electric funk and slide guitar with jazzy instrumentals and a tight blues groove. Add soulful vocals with a charming stage presence and you get a force in the today’s world of contemporary blues music. On Thursday, Popovic will be at FTC Stage One.
It is harvest season, which means it is Berlin Fair season. The Berlin Lion’s Club throws a good taste of blues in the fall mix. The Pavilion Stage on Friday has Frank Breen at 2:30 p.m. and Shiny Lapel Trio at 5 p.m. Saturday, the Stage hosts the Rich Badowski Blues Band at 1 p.m., followed by Ryan Hart and the Blue Hearts at 5 p.m. Get your dancing shoes on for Sunday, when Vitamin B-3 opens at 1 p.m. and River City Slim and the Zydeco Hogs come on at 3 p.m.
The Fair’s Blacktop Stage has Jake Kulak and the Lowdown, 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
On Friday, the Beehive Queen, Christine Ohlman, will rock her hometown — she was born in the Bronx and grew up in Cheshire. She and Rebel Montez will be at the Cheshire Festival in Bartlem Park starting at 7:30 pm. For the third year in a row Ohlman will, of her brand, The Beehive Hipshake, rule the Cheshire evening. She is more delighted to welcome her friend Frank Critelli to open the night.
The BIG-E, New England’s fair has all kind of attractions. On Friday evening, Shawn Taylor will have the title of Connecticut Tent Residency.
It is always good to see the blues in new, sometimes different venues. Afew of the shows this week include the Simsbury Historical Society sponsoring Liviu Pop & Friends Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Sunday morning at 10 a.m. you can catch Carl Ricci & 706 Union Ave at Town Fair Tires in Somers. Over at the First Church Of Christ in Saybrook Johnny and the East Coast Rockers will perform on Thursday. The Hunt Hill Farm Stage provides Friday entertainment with the Boogie Boys and friend Chris Vitarelloin New Milford.
The Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY, has Gary Clark Jr. on Friday. Following the show, the Balkun Brothers will host an after party at Garcia's at the Capitol Theatre. The Brothers are taking their high energy show to Two Roads Brewing Ok2berfest in Stratford on Saturday.
The Falcon Main Stage in Marlboro, New York bring in Scott Sharrard on Friday. They also have a Sunday Brunch with Big Joe Fitz & The Lo-Fis at 11 a.m. Thursday, Tom “The Suit” Forst comes to town.
Then on Monday Forst helps the Palace Theater of Waterbury start a new monthly speakers’ series featuring ordinary people talking about the extraordinary things they are doing in the 2nd (half) ACT of their lives. The first presentation is with executive turned musician, Tom “The Suit” Forst. Stories are scheduled to be 45-60 minutes followed by Q&A with the audience. Light fare will be provided before each presentation. As an aside, AARP members can save on up to four tickets to the new, nine-event 2ND ACT monthly speaker series.
This weekend, The Heights at Brother Vic's in South Salem, NY, is presenting School of Rock. In ‘The Roots of Rock and Roll they're digging down deep to unearth the blues, gospel, country, rockabilly, and doo wop in their most energetic and raw forms. This show is full of fun, classic songs performed by immortal rock personalities that paved the way for everything in rock music since. The list of artists you'll hear includes icons and innovators.
If you want to go back to the 60’s on Saturday, don’t miss Westonstock. Six hours of peace, festivities and music at Weston Historical Society's Coley Barn. Put on your bell bottoms and love beads and journey back to the 60s. There will be 1960s-inspired music, a 1960s car show, craft booths, food & beverage trucks, music trivia & tie dye outfit contests with prizes, kids games. Bring picnics, lawn chairs, blankets, tents, etc. Go to: WestonHistoricalSociety.org for more information.
Get the complete Blues Beat schedule on Thursday at the blog http://bluesbeatnews.wordpress.com/. Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.