Saturday, May 17 2008

Ideal for families with children ages 6-and-up. Aubrey Atwater, half of the acclaimed folk duo Atwater-Donnelly, presents a captivating program of original and traditional folk music for children performed on the guitar, Appalachian mountain dulcimer, Irish tin whistle, and old-time banjo.

Drawing her repertoire from original songs, as well as those collected in New England, Ireland, Appalachia and beyond, Aubrey emphasizes participation as she jokes and interacts throughout the show encouraging folks to sing, dance, clap, use body movements, and even play instruments when possible.

This fun-filled show answers questions such as What is folk music? What did people do for entertainment before electricity? and How was folk music used in daily life and work?

"Performing with and getting to know The Loomers over the years has absolutely been the best musical experience of my life. I love their songs. I love their sound. I will be forever in their debt for bringing their considerable talents and personality to my own material. " - Don White

Mark your calendar and join us for the annual TCAN membership mixer – bring a dish and enjoy a potluck dinner, get into some live music and meet other TCAN members from across the region that love and support the arts at TCAN. Celebrate community and what we have accomplished together! Featuring Natick’s own Grammy-award winning drummer Mark Walker with an all-star Latin Jazz ensemble.

Would you like to play the guitar? You might think twice after seeing PAT DONOHUE perform, but it’s alright. He’s one of the best guitarists In the world. Acoustic Guitar magazine says “Pat Donohue could be described as a quadruple threat - he stands out as a guitarist, songwriter, singer, and engaging performer. His work taps deep veins of American music, from folk and old-time to blues and jazz".

Millions of listeners hear him weekly as part of Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion radio show. His version of “PETER GUNN” helped the HENRY MANCINI PINK GUITAR CD win the Best Instrumental Album Grammy in 2005. Pat tours in support of his new FREEWAYMAN CD. It contains 10 new originals and covers of the Goodman/Samson/Webb classic “Stompin’ at the Savoy”, “Skip James”, “Cypress Grove Blues” and Tampa Red’s “Boogie Woogie Dance”. Enjoy songs from his previous CDs PROFILE, BACKROADS, AMERICAN GUITAR, TWO HAND BAND and RADIO BLUES. Highlights include “The Road to Kingdom Come”, “Stealin’ from Chet”, “Freight Train” and “The Yardbird Suite”.

Critic Stanley Crouch cites AHMAD JAMAL's impact on the fresh form in jazz as an outstanding conceptionalist. Crouch considers Mr. Jamal's distinctive style as having had an influence on the same level as "Jelly Roll Morton, Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Count Basie, Theolonius Monk, Horace Silver and John Lewis, all thinkers whose wrestling with form and content influenced the shape and texture of the music, and whose ensembles were models of their music visions."

Augmented by a selection of unusual standards and his own compositions, Mr. Jamal impressed and influenced, among others, trumpeter Miles Davis. Like Louis Armstrong, Mr. Jamal is an exemplary ensemble player -- listening while playing and responding, thus inspiring his musicians to surpass themselves. Audiences delight in Mr. Jamal's total command of the keyboard, his charismatic swing and daringly inventive solos that always tell a story.

2nd Show 10:00pm

Note: 1st Show on April 17 SOLD OUT

Michael Logan, bass; Tomoko Ohno, piano; Greg Searvance, drums

This band specializes in the authentic high lonesome sound of bluegrass music, smokin' fiddle, banjo and mandolin tunes.

RUST NEVER SLEEPS is a unique, live rock show that celebrates the music, and musical career of Neil Young. Capturing the spirit, the sound, and the feel of what can best be described as a "dream come true" concert experience; you will hear selections from The Buffalo Springfield as well as Young's early 70's folk-rock gems. You will savor the sweet harmonies of Crosby, Stills, and Nash as well as the raging guitar duels between Stills and Young. Based in the Greater Boston area, Rust Never Sleeps pays "tribute" to Neil Young and his music the best way they know how... with integrity.

"Boston based, Philadelphia raised guitarist Vance Gilbert is among the quintessential musical poets of the 1990's. His lyrics are highly personal, his tenor vocals fluid and enthralling...... musical risks punctuated by passionate vocal delivery, brilliantly intuitive guitar playing, and immeasurable courage... gives you a feeling of utter joy" - Dirty Linen

Hip Anonymous is an innovative, energetic and whimsical instrumental jazz funk group mixing it up with originals and specially treated covers. The band features Morgan "Live Evil" on Rhodes piano and synthesizer, Paul Cummings - electric guitar and madness, Tom "Funkateer" Curatolo on bass and Josh "Crackin Ideas" Hunt on drums. They make the café groove.

2nd Show 10:00pm

Contemporary Jazz Icon Keiko Matsui's latest project "MOYO" (Heart & Soul in Swahili), was recorded on location with musicians in South Africa, Japan and the U.S. The resulting Cd is one of her boldest endeavors to date and includes international artists; legendary trumpeter Hugh Masakela, tenor sax player Gerald Albright, soprano sax player Paul Taylor, Richard Bona on bass and vocals, Akira Jimbo on Drums and Waldemar Bastos on Vocals.

2nd Show 10:00pm

It has always seemed like there are two different Cheryl Wheelers... one the performer who writes some of the most alluring and intelligent ballads on the modern folk scene, and the other being an unpredictably savage and funny social critic. Both Cheryls will be performing together, fortunately, as Mansfield's Rose Garden Coffeehouse rings down the curtain on another successful concert season.

Prior to Wheeler's performance, the finals of the Rose Garden's annual performing songwriter competition will be held to determine this year's winner.  Each finalist will perform the two songs that he or she entered in the contest and the winner will be announced by the end of the evening. The winner will receive a cash prize and a featured performance during the next Rose Garden season.

Doors open at 7:30 and patrons are urged to come early for best seating. Complete information on this event and upcoming concerts is available by calling 508-699-8122 or by visiting the website at www.rosegardenfolk.com.

Call to verify performance time

Guitarist/singer Matt Heaton and Irish flute player/singer Shannon Heaton have been making music together since their first meeting in 1992. Together, they built up their traditional Irish music skills on Irish flute and guitar in the Chicago sessions. When they began bringing in singing, they focused on their favorite aspects of both Irish and American traditions, ending up with new songs that sound traditional, alongside centuries-old ballads with fresh new melodies.

For years, the two worked as active side players for several major Celtic acts including Robbie O'Connell, Aoife Clancy, Boys of the Lough, Emily Smith and Halali. During a three-year "sabbatical" in Boulder, CO, Matt and Shannon formed the band Siucra with Colorado singer Beth Leachman and later, Vermont fiddler Sam Amidon, putting out three acclaimed recordings. Scott Alarik of The Boston Globe calls "Blue Skies Above," the Heatons' 2006 release, "masterful and inventive, their arrangements city-smart and spacious." This, their second duo CD, contained more singing and tackled a wide range of subjects: lovers lost at sea, a conversation with death, the summer harvest in Nebraska, a twentieth century disaster, and learning to ride a bicycle.

with live music of The Toni Lynn Washington Band (Swing)

Beginner Swing Dance lesson 8:30 - 9:00 P.M.  Info: (508) 435-2363

Annie Royer, a native of Paris (France), settled in Boston, Massachusetts, for ten years, and now resident of Palm Beach, Florida. She has been captivating audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with her musical and dramatic talents and her Gallic charm. Her repertoire ranges from her specialty soulful and haunting renditions of cabaret songs à la Edith Piaf - to other popular French tunes (Chevalier, Montant, Trenet, Mistinguette, Becaud, Aznavour), and lively performances of Broadway and Jazz favorites. Invariably, listeners of all ages respond with enthusiasm to her invitation for request songs in French and English.

Russian born Alexei is a master of Latin American Jazz...A monster vibes player he is even better on piano..he had them cheering for more on his last date here.

Jump blues & swing featuring saxophonist Kevin Aucoin

Here are a few words from Melissa about the shows! "i was thinking.. since i've been home working on my new record, i thought i would split the show into 2 parts: half of the show i will play you guys all my new material (for me) and then the other half i will play what you wanna hear (for you). the shows are going to be late (11PM both nights) but they have awesome dessert there so we can hang out and play songs over brownies. we'll have a bucket with pens and paper for you to put your song requests in.. until then, i'll be home writing.. and freshening up on old material!"