Friday, May 23 2008

Some of the confirmed performers, many more to come! : Mark Schwaber, Matt the Electrician, Meg Hutchinson, Myq Kaplan, Nala Kete, Patrick Thomas, Ralston, Ramona Silver, Rebecca Pronsky, Rick Berlin, Ronald Reagan, Rose Polenzani, Royal Wood, Ryan Lee Crosby, Brendan Hogan, Carsie Blanton, Cuddle Magic, Dave Godowsky, David Wax Museum, Dinty Child, Fluttr Effect Acoustic, Hanneke Cassel...

Reflecting his ability to play a wide variety of musical styles, Williamson has shared stages with many of the world's most popular and finest musicians, including Sleepy LaBeef, Alan Dawson and Joan Osborne. His jazz credits include gigs with Rich Greenblatt, Jack Pezanelli, Reggie Walley, Dick Odgren and Emil Haddad. Williamson’s blues connections are just as deep and varied. As a teenager he played a weekly jam session in the Great Brook Valley Housing Projects. Since then he has performed with such notable players as Kenny Pino, Ken Vangel, Joanna Connor and Troy Gonyea.

Williamson's chromatic harmonica styling can be heard on She's Busy's Strange Bedfellows, Valerie and Walter Crockett's Moonbone and Emily’s Angel, Mike Duffy's Destined to be a Rumor, and the Movie Channel's station ID, "Try a Little TMC."

“These contestants come from all different levels of experience and from a good variety of styles, from soul, pop, musical theater and folk,” said Kelly Grill, a co-founder of ESL and host of Hopkinton Idol. “I am certain this year’s contest will prove to be just as entertaining as last year with some added audience fun! For instance, each week we plan to run an "Idol trivia" contest.”

The shows will continue every Friday night hereafter (with the exception of May 2) with the final show on Thursday, May 29 and a final reveal with all the performers on May 30. The broadcasts will take place at HCAM studios in front of an audience, which is open to the public (there will be a $5 admission charge). Viewers in the studio audience or who watch the show on HCAM-TV 13 or on the HCAM website www.hcam.tv will then vote via email for their favorite performer. The performers with the lowest number of votes will not continue to the next round.

For more information call 508-435-2114 or visit www.enterstagelefttheater.com

This month featuring The Vital Might, Stayrock, Spare Change, and Red Rock. The cover feature in the March issue of Metrowest magazine, Metrowest’s best all-ages rock series is now 10 years old and going strong, featuring the region’s top young bands taking their eclectic mix of music out of the basement and putting it on stage where it belongs. Hosted by Diane Young. www.myspace.com/rockoffmain

FEATURING: Joe Russell - vocals, Jim Hayes - vocals, Ray Sanders - vocals, Jayotis Washington - vocals, BJ Jones - vocals.

THE PERSUASIONS are the undisputed heavyweight champions of a cappella. They are to singing what Muhammad Ali was to boxing—invincible, innovative, original, beautiful. Together since they started singing on the stoops of Brooklyn in 1961, The Persuasions have released 18 albums, and have recorded or performed with artists including Liza Minelli, Bette Midler, Stevie Wonder, Lou Reed, Van Morrison, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, The Neville Brothers, Country Joe McDonald, B.B. King. Their music has turned up in films from Joe and the Volcano to E.T.

2nd Show 10:00pm

Worcester’s Hispania Dance Company, a new dance company dedicated to the creation and presentation of contemporary works presents its spring concert, “Anoranzas/Reminiscing.

The concert features work by local choreographer, Lindiana Flores. Ms. Flores graduated from Dean college with a concentration in dance and continued her dance training in New York City with Alvin Ailey and many great artists including J.T. Jenkins (Steps on Broadway), Brice Vick (Choreographer of Ashanti’s Only You Video) Maurice Hines (Hines, Hines and Dad) Denise Jefferson (Alvin Ailey).

This repertory is a journey to the soul of great Latino composers—She fuses modern dance with a blend of Latino styles including Bolero, Flamenco, Tango and Mambo. The concert is one hour and is not to be missed!”

Our very own Steve Howard, along with Todd Verdun and Ryan Howar

"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. You will feel the high voltage snap of Crazy Horse as well as the plaintive beauty of "Heart of Gold". This show is a must for all Neil Young fans!.

2nd Show 10:00pm

Over the past two decades, saxophonist Walter Beasley has artfully and dynamically redefined the phrase “musical Renaissance Man” for the modern generation. Considered by fans and critics alike as “the heir to Grover Washington Jr.’s throne,” the Boston-based musician has long mastered an exhilarating high wire act of balancing a successful career as a contemporary jazz recording artist and performer with an equally thriving presence in the field of music education.

2nd Show 10:00pm

Rock Bottom came about when a bunch of well known Boston rockers (from bands the Upper Crust, the Baggs, Ross Phasor, and other bands) started playing their favorite ‘70’s covers, strictly for kicks. Fortunately, they didn't know when to quit and you'll never hear better renditions of guilty pleasure classics by Kansas, Billy Squire, Styx, and Led Zeppelin.

Taking it's cues from '60's Beat and Soul and 70's inspired Punk and Garage, The Downbeat 5 create their own wall of sound filled with foot-stomping beats, three-part harmonies, and JJ's ripping lead guitar riffs accenting Jennifer's sensual vocal screams and primal rhythm section featuring Mike Yocco on bass and Eric Almquist on drums.

One of the most exciting trombone players in the world, Jeff Galindo will team up with Ken Clark's very funky organ for...jazz...funk...and BIG sounds!

Great rock-a-billy