Nic Gareiss & Simon Chrisman

Nic Gareiss (percussive dance, bouzouki, vocals) and Simon Chrisman (hammer dulcimer) met in 2007 at a fiddle festival in the Californian redwoods and have been exploring sound and movement together ever since. Both innovators on their instruments, Nic and Simon bring their unique approaches together for traditional song, percussive dance, instrumental tunes, improvisation and new compositions, engaging interlocking rhythms and dynamic textures. Well-known for his work with the groundbreaking new acoustic string band The Bee Eaters, Simon's music combines "chamber music’s finely calibrated arrangements with bluegrass’s playful virtuosity and pop music’s melodic resourcefulness." (Boston Herald)

Noted for his "dexterous melding of Irish and Appalachian dance" (New York Times) and described as "the most inventive and expressive step dancer on the scene" (Boston Herald), Nic has performed with many of the luminaries of contemporary traditional music and dance, including The Chieftains, The Gloaming, Phil Wiggins, Liz Carroll, Bruce Molsky, Bill Frisell, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas. Together, Nic and Simon adventure into the world of time and timbre to create a breathtaking evening-length performance of song, instrumental music, and percussive dance. 

Links:

www.facebook.com/simonchrismanandnicgareiss

@NicGareissLFI www.nicgareiss.com

$15 advance | $20 day-of

*all tickets are subject to a surcharge (both online + box office)

A Night on the Bayou:

Known at The Dance Hall for producing tribute nights to honor your favorite artists, Seth Warner and Marc McElroy are back at at it. This time they will lead an all-star band in a celebration of Creedence Clearwater Revival. 

Past tribute shows include: Neil Young, Bob Dylan, The Cure, The Last Waltz,

Joining them will be: 

Dan Beller-McKenna - pedal steel + dobro, 

Bruce Coulliard - saxophone 

Zac Francis - bass 

Andrew Hodgkins - drums

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included ($2 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)

Celia Woodsmith and Jason Anick Trio

Singer-songwriter Celia Woodsmith and violin virtuoso Jason Anick front this newly minted supergroup with bassist Charles Clements. They will perform an array of roots-inspired originals, country classics, western swing, and bluegrass music. These globe-trotting musicians have crossed paths at festivals all over the world with their respective projects (Della Mae, Lonely Heartstring Band, Rhythm Future Quartet) and are excited to share the stage for this special collaboration. 

Celia Woodsmith is a GRAMMY-nominated performer, vocalist, and songwriter. The daughter of the Vermont-based poet Sybil Smith, she is influenced by artists such as John Prine, Janis Joplin, and Mahalia Jackson. Woodsmith’s performances can be described as “one of a kind: gritty, muscular, folksy and intimate sometimes all at once” (Bluegrass Situation). Not confined by genre she is as comfortable playing Bill Monroe as she is singing an old jazz standard or a Led Zeppelin rocker. Woodsmith recently

spoke about her experiences with travel and music at TEDx Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, NH.

Berklee College of Music Professor Jason Anick, has earned a reputation among string players as an imaginative improviser, versatile composer, and insightful educator. As a band-leader, Anick has launched a variety of musical projects over the years, including the Gypsy Jazz group Rhythm Future Quartet, an Americana-inspired Acoustic Trio, and a contemporary jazz ensemble with pianist Jason Yeager. A versatile musician and sought after side-man, Anick has also shared the stage with an array of artists like Stevie Wonder, Tommy Emmanuel, Hamilton de Holanda, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, John Sebastian, Delta Rae, and Ward Hayden and the Outliers. With performances all over the world and renowned venues like TD Garden, NPR, and The Late Night Show, Jason has proven himself to be a leader in the ever-growing contemporary string world.

$20 advance | $25 day-of

*fees not included

Future Mailmen is a collective of potent instrumentalists based out of Portland ME. They express-deliver an array of original music sourced from every member of the band. 

Future Mailmen has a unique sound that comes from the meshing of their individual personalities, and diverse musical influences. On stage, The Mailmen look like a jazz sextet, but sound somewhere closer to indie rock. Each and every letter from this band is marked with IMPORTANT: DO NOT IGNORE

Andrew Bedard - sax

Jesse Beckett-Herbert - sax, flute and bass clarinet

Michael Sabin - trombone and flugelhorn

Alex Ouellette - drums

Robben Harris - bass

Hunter Lefebvre - guitar

$15 general admission | $10 student

*fees not included ($2 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)

The indie jazz duo of Taylor O'Donnell and Mike Effenberger feeds on the joyful apposition of the 'legit' musical worlds of the 20th century (the Great American Songbook and post-classical music) against that unhallowed ground of the popular music of its odd-numbered decades, all viewed from the lens of what jazz means in the 2020s. They are through with the bending of genres and instead seek to shake them to death. Listeners are as likely to encounter surrealist reimaginings of Elliot Smith's wise angst as they are the Pixies' punk rage. Vincent Persichetti's sonic riddles are presented equally with Paul Simon's unlikely transcendence of the mundane into the sublime. The result is a completely singular musical perspective focused on melody, gesture, and aural storytelling.

Known for her exploratory use of vocal color and texture, and sincere delivery in her musical stylings, Taylor O’Donnell is a contemporary vocalist, educator, and conductor who uses her roots in R&B, folk, jazz, rock, and classical music to communicate her musical dialogue. Growing up in Colorado and living all over the country from Florida to Maine, her performing experience has taken her from playing with her own jazz trio on cruise ships and throughout New England to performing as a guest artist with symphony orchestras. Her musical diversity informs her deep love for vocal improvisation and for exploring a plethora of sounds and colors to connect more deeply to her audience.

Mike Effenberger has been living in the NH Seacoast since 2007. He received the Young Beacon in Jazz award from New School University in New York City, from which he graduated in 2005. While there, he studied with diverse artists including Jane Ira Bloom, Kenny Werner, John Hollenbeck, Reggie Workman, Fred Hersch, and Joanne Brackeen. Mike has curated an unmistakably individual voice that draws equally on gospel, minimalism, jazz, and 20th century music. Playing throughout New England with a variety of bands including Soggy Po Boys, fiveighthirteen, Jazzputin and the Jug Skunks, the secular roots and gospel choir Rock My Soul, and Sad Bastards / Loose Standards, Effenberger also leads Weird Turn Pro, which plays his original music. When not in the northeast, Mike performs internationally with the minimalist cult favorite Bing and Ruth. Mike appears on countless recordings from independent releases to larger labels, including 4AD and RVNG Intl, and is also active as a producer. His work has been written about in international publications including the Paris Review, The Guardian, and Pitchfork, as well as appearing on nationally syndicated media including NPR's All Things Considered and PRX's Echoes.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Liz Frame & the Kickers

"This woman writes great songs and has the pipes to deliver them." 

— Elmore Magazine

Liz Frame wrote her first song at age nine and has been performing her own brand of Americana music since her early teens. Her efforts have paid off in exciting ways — nights in prestigious rooms and strong praise from respected sources — as she wins the hearts and minds of audiences and the industry alike. Giants like Patsy Cline and Linda Ronstadt have been evoked while describing her voice, and her writing has been compared to veterans like Dolly Parton and Lucinda Williams, among others. When not performing solo, she is backed live by her band, the Kickers — John Webb on lead guitar, Marjorie Senet on guitar and vocals, Jake Davis on bass, Max Chase on keys, and Jarrett Osborn on drums — talented friends whose musicianship help to deliver her material with distinction. 

Ms. Frame released her first full-length recording, Sooner, in 2011 that drew strong praise, followed by the ep, Justine, which continued to highlight her skills as a singer and writer. Her 2018 full-length release, Sparrow in a Shoebox, won her still more fans and acclaim, charting on the AMA Top 200, and her 2021 release, Firefly, has continued her trajectory.

www.lizframeandthekickers.com

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*all ticket sales subject to surcharge (both online + box office)

440 expands the gypsy jazz tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli with danceable swing standards from the era of Cole Porter, George Gershwin & Benny Goodman as well as originals by the band. Their toe-tapping, snappy, hot jazz, swinging style is a delight to experience. 

Tomoko Iwamoto, a leader of 440, has been in Boston jazz scene for more than 30 years. Being a "jazzy" violinist with a strong classical background, she expanded her repertoire in jazz, rock, pop to world music, toured with Hypnotic Clambake, while studying Jazz Composition and Arranging at Berklee College of Music. 

Mark Chenevert has been playing clarinet and tenor sax in the Boston area for some forty years now, working with various projects including Limbo Race ( 1982 WBCN Rumble winners ) , Willie Alexander , and Hypnotic Clambake. Currently , besides 440 , he works with the Hot Tamale Brass Band , David Champagne , Bertrand Laurence and others.

Jack Soref, graduate of Berklee College of Music, became captivated by the music of Django Reinhardt after attending the International Django Reinhardt festival in Samois-sur-Seine France in 2002. Jack is a mainstay of Django Festivals Django in June, where he has taught since 2009, and the Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest, where he has performed as recently as 2023.

Jim Guttmann’s career spans 40 years and many musical idioms. As a founding member of the Klezmer Conservatory Band, he has toured the world and has performed & recorded with Itzhak Perlman and Joel Grey, worked with Richard Stolzman and Dan Stepner he was part of the Grammy Award winning ensemble on Yehudi Wyner’s “The Mirror.”

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

amiright? is a Portland Maine based 3 piece cousin-rock band from Noah, Quinn, and Simi, currently off the trails of recording their 3rd studio record. Their love for lo-fi, math-rock, hardcore, doom, freak-folk, and guitar pedals translates to eclectic, and often heavy, post-punk instrumentation over lyrical content that ranges from overtly sincere to harrowing stories of frogs.

Ratland is a 2 piece queer folk group from Dover, New Hampshire.  Their sound is influenced by classic country, indie rock, and folk punk.

Ezra Cohen & The Big City Band is a rock band from Dover NH that channels the influences of bands like The Replacements, The Lemonheads and The Gin Blossoms.

Inspired by the traditional drum rhythms of Ghana, Kotoko Brass has created a unique, joyful, and improvisational style of West African dance music described by the BostonGlobe as “propulsive, infectious party music”. The drums provide the heart and soul of Kotoko Brass — merging syncopated African percussion polyrhythms with hard-hitting dance grooves on the drum set. The horns blend traditional sounds of New Orleans with the famous West African brass band sound heard from Ghana to Nigeria, and the guitar, keys, and bass evoke classic African and Caribbean styles of highlife, afro beat, and reggae.

A celebratory and energetic synthesis of music, people, and cultures fromaround the world, Kotoko Brass features musicians from Ghana, Antigua, Japan, and the United States playing together in unity. Kotoko Brass has shared the stage with An-gelique Kidjo, Red Baraat, Femi Kuti, the California Honeydrops, Vieux Farka Toure, In-nov Gnawa, Take 6, the Boston Pops, Rubblebucket, and more.

Attah Poku (percussion) was born and raised in Ghana inside the walls of the Asante King’s palace, and grew up to be a lead drummer in the king’s drum ensemble.

Michael Ofori (percussion) is a multifaceted performing artist from Ghana — his creative interests lie in African performing arts traditions including drumming, acting, and directing.

Ben Paulding (drum set) is an American percussionist who extensively lived and trained in Kumasi, Ghana, and now directs the Fafali Ghanaian drum and dance ensemble at Brandeis University.

Brian Paulding (trombone) has traveled the world playing pop, soul, reggae, and calypso music in Turkey, Tunisia, Georgia, Germany, Trinidad, Canada, and across the United States.

Dillon Zahner (guitar) specializes in African guitar styles from across the continent, playing music from Mozambique, Senegal, and Mali in bands such as Kina Zore, M’Bolo, and Samba Lolo.

Yusaku Yoshimura (keys) is an internationally touring pianist who has performed and recorded with Earl Chinna Smith and shared stages with Patti LaBelle, Ledisi, and Lalah Hathaway.

M’Talewa Thomas (bass) came to the U.S. in the 90s from his home country of Antigua after touring the Caribbean for many years with leading calypso act Short Shirt.

Andy Bergman (sax) is a versatile andeclectic global musician who has toured the world performing with bands such as Iyeo-ka Okoawo, Guy Mendilow, and the Macrotones.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included (all tickets incur a surcharge)

Funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.

Workshop with Kotoko Brass

Saturday, March 30th from 4:00 - 5:00pm

Kotoko Brass will offer a master class in traditional Asante drumming, dancing, singing, melodies, and culture. Through learning Asante rhythms from Ghanaian master drummers Attah Poku and Kwame Ofori, participants will connect not only with the traditional rhythms of Ghana, but also the country’s deep history and culture. 

FREE, ALL-AGES, ALL-ABILITY LEVELS

Wizzardess w/EarthKit

Wizzardess is a sludgy stoner pop quartet armed with a dual guitar aural assault (Jon McCormack and Stu Dias), backed by the demonic rhythm section of Rick Habib (drums) and Mike Klempa (bass). It’s an accessible bit of heavy fit to tingle spines and loosen up stiffened necks. Think Thin Lizzy steeped in a broth of soul braised from the ashes of The Sword. And if you’ve heard of neither of these bands, think about a Sabbathian fueled Queens of the Stone Age circa late-'90s riding into battle on the back of a black, fire-breathing unicorn.

Jesse Dold and Sean Daniels are the rock band duo called EarthKit. All audio you hear is created simultaneously.....on the spot. This includes drums, bass, synth, guitars and vocals. They have challenged themselves to make as much noise as two guys can, with zero to minimal overdubs in their recordings.

Their debut album EVOLITION is available now on all steaming platforms.

$15 advance | $20 day-of

*fees not included

Zakk Machemer is an up-and-coming saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer based in the Seacoast. His influences span from hard-bop greats such as Cannonball Adderley and John Coltrane to contemporary musicians like Eric Marienthal and Kazui Katsuta of the Mario Kart Band. In 2022, Zakk was selected as one of three finalists for the Carinthian International Jazz Award (CIJA) Saxophone Competition. He recently graduated from college, and has since been sharing his love of the jazz tradition through performance and education.

Zakk Machemer - Reeds

Jake Walters - Piano

Galen Walton - Bass

Lillie Cavanaugh - Drums

The quartet will be playing a smattering of jazz standards, not-so-standard tunes from other musical mediums, and original music composed by Zakk and cohorts. Zakk's music has been described as "reflective, intense, and sometimes goofy" making for a Sunday evening you won't soon forget!

$15 general admission | $10 student ticket

*fees not included ($2 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)

Joining forces in Glasgow in 2018, Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira were already two well- established musicians, who found together a kindred musical spirit. With Jocelyn on fiddle and Ellen on cello, they fuse traditional and contemporary music styles to create a powerfully uplifting and soulful performance.

On stage, their instruments weave a rhythmic, textured sound with nuanced fiddle-cello interplay. Complemented with vocal harmonies and lively stepdancing, they bring life and fire into original tunes, and high-energy repertoire from Scotland, Ireland, North America, and Scandinavia. FolkWorld Magazine calls them “A dazzling duo!”.

Jocelyn & Ellen have been gracing stages and delighting audiences in North America and the UK with their album, All It Brings. Nominated for 2024 “Traditional Album of the Year” at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, FolkWales Magazine calls the album “Wonderful, captivating... the most joyous and uplifting album in the entire galaxy.” The duo has been featured in live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, and performed at festivals including Celtic Connections (UK), Vancouver Folk Music Festival (CAN), Summerfolk Music Festival (CAN), Sutton Traditional Fiddle Festival (CAN), Celtic Colours International Festival (CAN), and New World Festival (USA).

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

PowerMoneyCake plays stripped down yet faithful versions of the entire Steely Dan catalog. This time around they will be playing the labrum Pretzel Logic in its entirety, plus a smattering of hits and deep cuts spanning their career. We'll also have special guest Josh DiJoseph joining us on electric guitar.

If you love Steely Dan, you’ll love PowerMoneyCake. It’s that simple.

The band:

Rick Habib: drums and vocals (Dreadnaught, Diaspora Radio, Wheel of Awesome, Kate Redgate Band)

Bob Lord: bass guitar (Dreadnaught)

Sky Rubins: electric guitar (Trade)

Chris Sink: keyboards (Trade, Queen City Soul, Amorphous Band)

People often ask us why we named a Steely Dan tribute Power Money Cake. The truth is that the band name has nothing to do with Steely Dan. We started as a band doing mostly odd covers that we didn't have an outlet for in other bands (Bob Lord came up with the tagline "Music for very few occasions"). By this date in 2012 we had crossed the threshold into a "mostly Steely Dan" cover band. I kept suggesting more Steely Dan tunes and the guys - god bless them - were receptive. By the end of the year it's all we did.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Local old-time and folk outfit The Mountain is Phil Boyd (banjo, mandolin), Colin Vandenbergh (mandolin, fiddle), Chris D'Amore (bass, guitar) and Joe Kenneally (guitar, banjo, fiddle).

At a Mountain show, you can expect rippin' old-time pickin', luscious harmonies, and beautiful dynamics. These four have been spending a little too much time over the past few years in Joe's barn playing music and the are thrilled to be bringing the results to The Dance Hall! 

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

The Smack Dabs, out of Boston MA, specialize in good-time Swing Blues music from the 1930s, featuring the songs of Tampa Red, Big Bill Broonzy, The Harlem Hamfats, and many others. This delightful and timeless genre features a rich variety of musical styles, ranging from mournful blues to joyful celebrations, setting the stage for incredible solo and group improvisations and delighting audiences and dancers alike.

We are proud to feature some of Boston's most compelling improvising musicians in our rotating lineup, bringing a fresh and unique sound to each performance.

• Mark Earley: guitar, vocals, kazoo

• Richard Saunders: piano

• Jim Gray: upright bass

• Mark Berney: cornet

• Kit Buckley: saxophone, clarinet

• Jon Kraus: washboard

SWING BLUES: THE BACKSTORY

The 1930s were halcyon days for Swing music, but not just for the likes of big bands like Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Lunceford, and the Dorsey Brothers. There were literally hundreds of small Swing combos from trios to octets, each with its own unique take on the music that dominated the market during the height of the Great Depression. The list of artists who led small combos include Tiny Grimes, Slim Galliard, Billie Holiday, and Fats Waller. In addition to these groups, several important vocal harmony groups were also active on the scene, including the Cats and the Fiddle, the Mills Brothers, the Ink Spots, and the Spirits of Rhythm. Evolving out of New Orleans jazz and ragtime stylings, Swing music was fueled by the improvisational and rhythmic innovations of soloists like Louis Armstrong and Coleman Hawkins. It remains primarily dance music. 

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Sad Bastards / Loose Standards

Performance / Q&A (workshop)

Area men Chris Klaxton and Mike Effenberger join forces to plumb the depths of the great American songbook of jazz standards, the lesser American songbook, spirituals, new standards, and the good and bad news of this post-tonal musical world.*

SBLS aims to provide audiences with a proper blend of "Saturday Night" and "Sunday Morning", bridging the gap from The Club to The Church, thereby extending an invitation to share sacred moments, whether through traditional jazz standards, the music of today, spirituals and hymns, or the avant garde.

*“To plumb the depths” comes from the concept of lowering a lead weight into the ocean on a long rope to establish the water’s distance downward. To do so one would be required to drop the weight to the very bottom, extending the line entirely until the answer is found. May it be so.

The evening's performance will culminate in a Q+A session, through which Effenberger and Klaxton would be happy to speak on their particular take on the intersection of secular and sacred, as well as provide insights into their arranging process for jazz standards, modern radio favorites, and liturgical music.

$15 advance | $20 day-of

*fees not included

"100%Blues....A pure marvel and delight."

--RollingStone

GA-20 clearly is on to something big. It’s a movement, a new traditional blues revival. The dynamic, throwback blues trio are disciples of the place where traditional blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll intersect. “We make records that we would want to listen to,” says guitarist Matt Stubbs. “It’s our take on the song-based traditional electric blues we love.” Stubbs, guitarist/vocalist Pat Faherty, and drummer Tim Carman have been at the forefront of this traditional blues revival since they first formed in 2018. It’s no wonder they skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard Blues Chart.

According to Stubbs, “Since we started the band we’ve focused on the story, the melody, and on creating a mood. Playing live as much as we do, we’re finding more and more that people are discovering how cool it all is. Traditional country, soul and funk music have all had these massive recent revivals, but traditional blues so far has not.” With their new Colemine album, Crackdown, and an intensive tour schedule, that’s all about to change.

"If you care to know how a rowdy 1950s Chicago juke joint sounded, GA-20 are here to help. They keep things simple and fierce...scything, growling riffs, driving grooves, blistering boogies and defiant vocals."

–TheGuardian(UK)

$20 advance | $25 day-of

*fees not included

The NYC-based, Christine Correa Ensemble will highlight Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite and Percussion Bitter Sweet in order to celebrate the creative and activist legacy of Max Roach, a high profile artist who was an outspoken civil rights advocate and used the arts as a catalyst for change.

For Correa and her ensemble, honoring Roach’s work means approaching his innovative music and powerful performances with deep reverence and sympathy. As such, the ensemble's goal is to stay as true to the spirit of the music as possible by returning to the powerful emotional and creative content with sincerity and artfulness.

After the performance, there will be an opportunity for the audience to converse with the musicians, which aims to not only shed light on the historical and social context that informed Roach’s work, but will also provide an opportunity for audiences to reflect on their experiences of this work and its relevance in the present moment.

Christine Correa - vocals

Sam Newsome - soprano saxophone

Andrew Boudreau - piano

Kim Cass - bass

Michael Sarin - drums

More on Max Roach :

Max Roach is a musician whose far-reaching ambitions were inspired and challenged by the inequities of the society around him. His stunningly diverse seven-decade career marked him as one of the great musical artists of the 20th century and a pioneering cultural activist at times when the nation was steeped in racism. His career was an epic musical journey – from the revolutionary Jazz of the 1940s to the Civil Rights years, through experiments in hip hop, multi-media works, and beyond.

$10 general admission | Students FREE

*fees not included

Stu Dias & The Ancient Well

The music of Abdullah Ibrahim

Join us for a night of the music of iconic South African pianist and composer Abdullah Ibrahim. His compositions reflect many of the musical influences of his childhood in the multicultural port areas of Cape Town, ranging from traditional African songs to the gospel of the AME Church and Ragas, to more modern jazz and other Western styles. The band will attempt to recreate and reimagine some of the compositions by this legendary figure.

The band:

Stu Dias-Guitar

Eric Klaxton-Sax

Michael Sabin-Trombone

Andrew Strout-Keys

Rob Gerry-Bass

Eric Von Oyen-Drums

About Abdullah Ibrahim

Abdullah Ibrahim, South Africa’s most distinguished pianist and a world-respected master musician, was born in 1934 in Cape Town and baptized Adolph Johannes Brand. His early musical memories were of traditional African Khoi-san songs and the Christian hymns, gospel tunes and spirituals that he heard from his grandmother, who was pianist for the local African Methodist Episcopalian church, and his mother, who led the choir. The Cape Town of his childhood was a melting-pot of cultural influences, and the young Dollar Brand, as he became known, was exposed to American jazz, township jive, CapeMalay music, as well as to classical music. Out of this blend of the secular and the religious, the traditional and the modern, developed the distinctive style, harmonies and musical vocabulary that are inimitably his own.

$17 advance | $22 day-of | $10 student

*fees not included

Anya Hinkle + Andrew Finn Magill w/ Tourist Attraction

Anya Hinkle + Andrew Finn Magill:

Anya Hinkle is an Asheville, NC-based songwriter, steeped in the tones of roots and folk and seasoned by travels across the world. 2019 Merlefest Chris Austin Song Contest winner, “a burgeoning force behind the Appalachian roots revival…” (PopMatters), No Depression calls her 2021 release Eden and Her Borderlands “...one of roots music’s gems so far this year.” She tours extensively across the US, Japan & Europe and releases her newest effort, OCEANIA, in 2024 on Red Parlor Records.

“Certainly striking, certainly beautiful...everything one could look for in a bluegrass-tingedAmericana”

—AmericanaUK

Andrew Finn Magill, a multi-style fiddler/violinist who has built his career playing Irish & American music (Rising Appalachia, Grammy-nominated John Doyle among others). Finn has been featured on PBS, NPR, and MTV, is also a Fulbright Fellow, North Carolina Arts Council Fellow for jazz composition and South Arts Emerging Traditional Artist. 

"Andrew Finn Magill is a leading fiddler in a new generation of musicians."

-Martin Hayes, BBC Folk Musician of the year

"Magill’s fresh, clear tones calls to mind Stéphane Grappelli...”

-Songlines Magazine

Tourist Attraction:

Tourist Attraction is a three piece acoustic outfit performing a variety of classic Americana “songs we like”  with original numbers sprinkled in. Top notch musicianship, rich three part harmonies and witty stage banter combine to deliver a captivating performance that you won't want to miss. https://www.instagram.com/touristattractionmusic/

Jon Ross - Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Dobro and vocals
Nick Phaneuf - Upright Bass and vocals
Jim Dozet - Acoustic Guitar and vocals

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Elroy (and special guests)

The Music of Bob Dylan

The band Elroy presents a unique evening of the songs of Bob Dylan. It will feature songs from throughout his lifetime performed by Elroy using guests to make three distinct Dylan style performances in one. An acoustic set in the pre 1966 style, an Americana-Texas Swing of his 90's and early 2000's songs, and a rocking set inspired by Dylan's work with "the Band."

Elroy is a 4 piece Rock band from Southern Maine and New Hampshire. They have 4 albums of original songs and have played up and down the east coast from the island of Vinalhaven to the island of Manhattan. They will be joined by an extended band of friends to round out this unique evening.

The band:

Marc McElroy: Vocals, Guitar, Organ

Charlie Kickham: Guitar

Brian Coleman: Bass

Adam Doiron: Drums

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Primo Cubano plays traditional Cuban dance music dating back to the turn of the 20th Century. Son is the most popular style to come out of Cuba and is the primary contributor to the blend of Latin styles today known as Salsa. It was first a music of the country people and eventually migrated to Havana, where it was urbanized and began to draw a wider audience. 

Paul D’Alessio: Tres Cubano (a traditional, cuban, guitar-like instrument)

Marc Chillemi: Trumpet, Percussion, BG Vox

Lenny Hatch: Congas, Bongos, Percussion

Eric Winter: Vox, Timbales, Percussion

Duane Edwards: Upright Bass

Primo Cubano interprets the classic Son Cubano with affinity, appreciation and inspiration bringing this vibrant music to life for audiences in Maine and beyond. As the Soneros of Cuba say;  “Pa’ Goza!”

Dancing is encouraged!

If you would like a seat, please select that ticket option at time of purchase.

PRIMO CUBANO (Cuban Cousins)

Primo Cubano es una agrupación estadounidense que interpreta géneros de música cubana en su forma clásica, incluidos el son, son montuno, cha cha cha, bolero entre otros géneros. El grupo es oriundo de Maine, el estado más al norte de todos los estados de la costa este Estados Unidos en el límite con Canadá. Es un estado rural, de hermosos paisajes naturales. Es conocido por sus pinares, que se extienden de la montaña en el interior hasta la orilla del Atlánico, en cuyas aguas frías se pesca la langosta más apreciada de los Estados Unidos. Es en este entorno natural que Primo Cubano inicia su trayectoria. Paul D’Alessio, cantante, guitarrista y violinista profesional, decide dedicarse a aprender a tocar el tres y formar un grupo de son tras visitar Trinidad, Cuba en 2004 en un viaje con la Brunsick-Trinidad Sister City Association, una organización cultural que fomenta lazos entre las ciudades de Brunswick, Maine, Estados Unidos, y Trinidad, Cuba. A lo largo de los años se conforma una familia de músicos, unida por el deseo de defender la música cubana en un rincón de Estados Unidos donde la mayoría tendría pocas posibilidades de conocer la riqueza del son. Es un honor para el grupo viajar a Cuba para tocar en el Festival Internacional Jazz Plaza y poder compartir con el pueblo cubano que los inspira constantemente.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Across the Americas with Acoustic Nomads:

A Musical Journey from the Appalachians to the Andes

Acoustic Nomads is an atypical string quartet of young superstars on the rise in the New England acoustic music scene, uniting their diverse musical backgrounds to create a uniquely Pan-American musical experience. It’s like a musical potluck - everyone brings something to the table, and before you know it you have a feast with friends!

Acoustic Nomads’ repertoire interweaves music from Venezuelan, Appalachian, Peruvian, Argentinean, Brazilian, and American Jazz sources, connecting these threads with beautiful original melodies, rhythmic grooves, and playful, lyrical improvisation between the musicians.

The Dance Hall regulars may recognize the name of Ethan Setiawan, mandolinist with Cornerhouse and Louise Bichan’s projects, who holds the mandolin chair in Acoustic Nomads. Also playing with the group are:

Clara Rose, a violinist and vocalist from the unceded territory of the Coast Salish people in Vancouver, BC. With her background in Celtic, Balkan, Swedish, blues, bluegrass and jazz folk traditions, Rose effortlessly melds these disparate styles into her own passionate and groovy fiddle voice.

Maurizio Fiore Salas, prolific composer, virtuosic guitarist and player of the Venezuelan Cuatro, and Latin Grammy Scholarship winner.

Noah Harrington, award-winning jazz performer, composer, educator, and sometime bassist with Mari Black, The Ruta Beggars, and Alisa Amador of Tiny Desk Fame.

Acoustic Nomads’ mission in presenting “Across the Americas” at The Dance Hall is to bring attention not only to the diversity within American music, but the common threads that bind us all together as people. We hope you’ll join us for a night of unforgettable music!"

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Annie & the Fur Trappers: A Mardi Gras Concert (for everyone who had work Wednesday morning)

Annie and the Fur Trappers are a Boston based traditional jazz and blues band which formed in 2016. Originally founded in St. Louis, Missouri, the band currently includes clarinet, trumpet, trombone, bass, banjo, guitar, washboard, and violin. Annie and the Fur Trappers is dedicated to performing and preserving the music of the 1920s and 30s today. The band plays traditional jazz, delta blues, ragtime, and swing music. Their version of "Delta Bound" was selected to be displayed at the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience in Meridian, Mississippi. Annie and the Fur Trapper's original song "You Break It, you Buy It" was selected for the St. Louis Blues Society's 17 in 17 compilation album.

Annie and the Fur Trappers have performed at a variety of music festivals including the Big Muddy Blues Festival, The Whitaker Jazz festival The Apple Butter Festival, Cherokee Street Jazz Fest, HONK!TX, Musikfest, The Cherokee Street Jazz Crawl, and The Rosebud Cafe Music Festival, to name a few.

The band released their second studio album, Muskrat Ramble, on vinyl in 2019. The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Paul Niehaus IV at Blue Lotus Studios. The album includes a number of blues, traditional jazz, and swing favorites, and won an award as “Best Self-Produced Album” by the St. Louis Blues Society. The vinyl was pressed by Standard Vinyl. The band, relocating to the Boston area in 2020 during the global pandemic, the band has been working on recording a new album at PBS studios in Massachusetts.

$17/advance | $22/day-of

*fees not included

Jon Nolan lives in the milltown of Newmarket, NH, where summers are a brief reprieve from months of cold and snow. There are two muddy weeks the locals call “spring.” Autumn is nice. Crisp air makes the coffee even better. Still a frontman of New England alt-country champs Say ZuZu (Strolling Bones/New West), Nolan explores the dreamier, pop-infused parts of his Americana sensibility in his solo material with his band Good Company. Friends Geoff Taylor (bass), Zach Tremblay (guitar) and Rick Habib (drums) accidentally formed Good Co. behind a new batch of Nolan songs in a barn in the summer of 2022. Roland Nicol (pedal steel) was kidnapped and added to the lineup the following year to round out the sound. The new Jon Nolan & Good Co. album (Nolan’s third) is due in early 2024.

https://jonnolan.net/

https://www.instagram.com/jonnolannh/ 

Laura Fox is a folk/soul singer-songwriter from southern Maine. An intimate and engaging performer, she writes about love, the lack thereof, and the in-between. Her songs and her voice are soothing and soulful—if you’ve ever loved someone, you’ll surely connect with her heartfelt lyrics. 

The band:

• Whitney Roy, vocals (Old Hat Stringband, Fox + Roy, The Hazel Project)

• Jim Dozet, electric guitar (Tourist Attraction, Crown Jules, Press Project)

• Roland "LeFox" Nicol, bass (Rhye, Rusty Boys, Jon Nolan & Good Co)

• Rick Habib, drums (The Kate Redgate Band, Jon Nolan & Good Co, North Village)

The collaboration with her band has helped to reshape and grow her songs, bringing in a dynamic nuance—a rich, rhythmic reframe.

https://www.laurafoxmusic.com/

https://www.instagram.com/lfoxmusic/

$17 advance | $22 door

*fees not included

The Hodes + Kent Allyn: Winter Love Songs

Peggo and Paul Hodes have been musical partners with Kent Allyn, the musical wunderkind of Kittery for going on three decades…YIKES! The Kittery Point trio have been performing, recording multiple albums and sharing beach bonfires at Seapoint Beach for years. 

Following an award-winning run of albums for children and families as Peggosus, Peggo and Paul teamed up with Kent to record a series of acoustic oriented albums, “Patchwork Quilt, A celebration of The American Spirit”, which earned them a trip to perform at the White House, “Summer Nights” and the classic Holiday album, “Winter’s Light”. They released Peggo’s solo Jazz record, “In Love” on Parma’s Big Round Records imprint. Their performances are always light-hearted and heartfelt featuring original folk songs, Americana, and classics. 

They’re joined for this show by Nashville singer-songwriter Ariana Hodes, (yes, a close relation!) who tore up the indie country charts a while back and writes really catchy songs about love and love lost. This annual “Valentine’s Day” show at The Dance Hall is becoming a tradition to lift your spirits and make your heart sing in the depths of winter. 

$15 Tickets | Children under 12 free

*fees not included

Randy Armstrong & WorldBeat Marimba

Randy Armstrong & WorldBeat Marimba perform South African, Zimbabwe and Popular Songs on handmade South African Marimbas, Trinidad/Tobago Steel Pans, World Percussion and Vocals. They received the 2023 Best of NH “Ambassadors of Peace” award from NH Magazine and released their new album, Ziya Buya Africa. WorldBeat Marimba’s exciting collaborative concerts include performances with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops! and with choruses Voices from the Heart, Ben Baldwin and the Stairwells, Songweavers, and the WorldBeat Marimba Singers. When listening and experiencing this upbeat and vibrant music, you will want to get up to dance and sing! It is a celebration of life and the art of unified ensemble playing. Featuring Special guests, Ben Baldwin, Lisa Marshall and Marty Quinn in this exciting “Winter Warmer” concert.

$25 advance | $30 day-of

*fees not included

Violinist Jason Anick and bandolim virtuoso Ian Coury join forces for this special concert. Accompanied by bassist Greg Loughman, they will perform a mix of choro music from Brazil and toe-tapping swing in the spirit of Django Reinhardt.

Berklee College of Music Professor Jason Anick, has earned a reputation among string players as an imaginative improviser, versatile composer, and insightful educator. Growing up playing fiddle tunes with his family and classical music with local orchestras, he developed a passion for improvisation, which led him to study jazz and classical music at Hartt Conservatory. In 2008, Anick started what would be a 10 year stint touring and recording with Grammy award-winning guitar virtuoso John Jorgenson while still a senior at Hartt Conservatory.

Having shared a stage with Brazilian choro legends Armandinho and Hamilton de Holanda by the age of 12, Ian Coury has since been accruing professional awards and accolades and is already, at 20 years old, one of Brazil’s most-respected virtuosos of the 10-string mandolin. As he continues to push the boundaries of the instrument and of the choro genre, he has performed with such luminaries as Paquito D’Rivera, Claudio Roditi, and Toninho Horta, and in the past two years has received two important awards: “Best Instrumentalist” in the National FM Radio Festival (2020), and second place (by popular vote) in Brazil’s eFestival (2021), both for performances of original compositions.

The Band:

Jason Anick – Violin

Ian Coury – Bandolim

Greg Loughman – Bass

$20 advance | $25 day-of

*fees not included

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!

Soulcolour is a Portsmouth, NH-based duo that carries on the time-tested tradition of writing and performing pop acoustic music. Nieshira's powerful, multi-genre vocals combined with Will's smooth acoustic stylings create original compositions infused with a distinct, soulful vibe. The Soulcolour sound.

Foreside Funk is a dynamic and groove-driven musical ensemble that seamlessly blends classic funk, jazz and fusion influences into a fresh and contemporary sound. Drawing inspiration from iconic artists like Maceo Parker, Herbie Hancock, Tower of Power, Average White Band and the Godfather of Soul himself, James Brown. Foreside Funk is all about paying homage to the rich traditions of funk music. Their performances are characterized by irresistibly infectious rhythms, tight horn arrangements, and soulful vocals that transport audiences to the golden era of funk while infusing their music with a modern twist.

In addition to celebrating the classics, Foreside Funk also showcases their versatility and innovation by incorporating elements of new music trends, inspired by contemporary acts like Lettuce and Dumpsta Phunk. This fusion of styles results in a sound that is both nostalgic and cutting-edge, appealing to fans of all generations. Attending a Foreside Funk live performance will assure that you experience a high energy, dance-inducing experience that leaves the audience captivated and grooving to the infectious beats of their music. The seasoned lineup of musicians along with a commitment to musical excellence from Foreside Funk offers a dynamic, unforgettable journey through the evolution of funk, jazz and fusion music.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

Get ready for a collaboration you will not want to miss. The Soggy Po Boys are back at it, returning to The Dance Hall Jan 26th with powerhouse vocalist Celia Woodsmith.

Celia Woodsmith is a GRAMMY Nominated performer, vocalist, percussionist, and songwriter. With a style that can be described as "one of a kind: gritty, muscular, folksy and intimate sometimes all at once" (Bluegrass Situation), she has been a fixture of the New England Roots Music scene since 2005. When not on the road with Americana string band, Della Mae, Woodsmith performs with New England roots-rock band Say Darling and has released two albums of original music with them.

Get your tickets early, folks! This is one for the books.

Celia Woodsmith - Vocals / Guitar

Eric Klaxton- Clarinet/Sop. Sax

Josh Gagnon - Trombone

Nick Mainella- Tenor Sax

Mike Effenberger- Piano

Brian Waterhouse- Drums

Scott Kiefner- Bass

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not inlcuded

This will be a limited seating event. Seats will be and can be made available. Dancing is encouraged.