March brings a lion-like offering of shows
March roars in this year with “Take Me to the River: NOLA Live!” bringing Dumpstaphunk, George Porter Jr., and Jon Cleary to Chico on Thursday, thanks to Chico Performances. Local audiences are familiar with the funky jams of Dumpstaphunk from previous stops in town. New Orleans legends Porter (The Meters) and Grammy-winning keyboardist Cleary will bring the feel of the Crescent City to the Laxson Auditorium stage.
A week later, on March 9 Chico Performances returns Pink Martini featuring China Forbes to Laxson. As Chicoans well know, Portland’s “little orchestra” mixes classical, Latin, jazz and traditional pop into a fabulously entertaining show.
But if country music’s your thing, that same night singer Chase Matthew comes to the Senator Theatre courtesy of JMax Productions. Matthew is out supporting his first album, “Born for This,” but returns to Nashville a few days after the show to make his debut at the Grand Old Opry. American Idol season 18 finalist James Dillon is the opening act.
Keeping in that musical vein, Gold Country Casino brings country star Gary Allan’s Ruthless Tour to Oroville on March 18. In 2021 the La Mirada, California-born hitmaker released “Ruthless,” his first album in 8 years and it’s filled with his signature gritty, impassioned vocals and clever lyrics that have had him all over the country music charts since the 1990s.
The next night, on
March 19, Chico Performances brings Los Lobos and special guest
Gaby Moreno to Laxson. Founded in East L.A. in 1979, the band’s membership has remained remarkably steady, as David Hidalgo, Louis Perez, Cesar Rosas and Conrad Lozano have been there from the start.
Keyboardist/saxophonist Steve Berlin joined up in 1982, quitting his band, The Blasters, after Los Lobos had opened for them. Los Lobos’ most recent release, 2021’s “Native Sons” is a collection of songs written by Californians (The Beach Boys, Jackson Browne, Lalo Guerrero) and garnered the band its fourth Grammy Award.
The Tackle Box continues bringing classic hip hop acts to Chico. On March 24, it’s The Sugarhill Gang, whose pioneering 1979 hit “Rapper’s
Delight” was the first Top40 rap single and made the band one hit wonders. But, more than 40 years later, they’re still making hay from it.
Old 97’s 30th Anniversary Tour is stopping at the Senator Theatre on March 27, thanks to JMax Productions. All four original members are still at it three decades after their alt-country debut. Since then, the band veered into power pop in the 2000s, although lead vocalist Rhett Miller describes the rock band’s music as “loud folk.” Whatever you call it, fans know what to expect. Fellow Texan Caitlin Rose opens the show.
Finally on March 31, in a performance rescheduled from February, Afroman comes to the Tackle Box making sure the month doesn’t go out like a lamb.