Sunday, February 21 2010

Think of Dan Goggin's all male ''Nunsense A-Men'' as "Mrs. Doubtfire enters the Convent." Done totally straight, this laugh riot of a musical is, to quote one critic, "no drag." First performed in Brazil as "Novicas Rebeldes," this all-male version of "Nunsense" premiered in New York in 1998 receiving rave reviews and standing ovations. A whole new layer of comedy surfaces with lines like "The guys in the old neighborhood still can't believe I became a nun!" To quote the New York Times: "A change of habit, boy oh, boy!"

Don't miss this hysterically funny, slightly irreverent, toe -tappin' production with a team and cast filled with local IRNE and EMACT winners and nominees!

Birdsong At Morning plays what Daniel Gewertz of the Boston Herald describes as "art music both unpretentious and ravishing." For this special Valentine's Day show, the key word is intimacy. The trio of Alan Williams, Darleen Wilson, and Greg Porter will set-up in the center of the room, with minimal amplification, letting the audience surround the musicians, and recreating the vibe if the living room sessions that to the formation of the band several years ago.

Jamie Dunphy, guitar; Greg Passler, guitar & bass; Tony D'Anna, drums.

With rotating hosts:

1st Sunday guitarist Steve Berke

2nd Sunday pianist Molly Flannery

3rd Sunday guitarist Michael Chasse

4th Sunday vocalist Wendy Nottonson

Format: The house band plays from 4-5 while guests arrive and participants sign up. Full menu available! From 5-7 is the jam. The host is in charge of personnel on stage. The first 15 people to sign up are guaranteed a spot, so it's good to arrive early. Participants are welcome & encouraged to bring charts! Newcomers and listeners are always welcome!

The Boston-based band, Long Time Courting, shares a love of traditional Irish and American music, as well as contemporary folk and pop. They bring elements of these various genres to their traditional repertoire with sensitivity, musicality, beauty—and a bit of mischief, too! From their first appearance at Cambridge’s Club Passim in October 2008, they have begun to win over audiences throughout the Northeast. http://www.longtimecourting.com/home.html

Every Sunday at 4:30 – 8:00pm we host one of the longest running open blues jams in the Boston area with guitarist MIKE WELCH , and the HOODOO MEN acting as MCs— it's open to all ages (under 18 with a parent). Come on in, sign up, and let us hear your stuff!!

6pm Notrio

7pm No Eye Contact -  Architects of a unique sound they have dubbed Garage Folk, the members of No Eye Contact draw upon a diverse range of traditional and contemporary musical influences, from Sacred Harp singing and West African kora tunes to Bob Dylan and Neutral Milk Hotel. The band juggles an array of instruments and vocal parts in its live show, weaving Raky Sastri's world-weary lyrics around sweet melodies, forceful harmonies and unorthodox arrangements. http://www.noeyecontact.com http://www.myspace.com/noeyecontact

8pm The Gill Aharon Trio - Randy Wooten - drums, Gill Aharon - piano and compositions, Jef Charland - bass, Blake Newman - bass, Andrew Stern - guitar, Alec Spiegelman - winds/horns, Rick Stone- Alto, Kelly Roberge - tenor, Eric Hofbauer - guitar

The Poets' Asylum welcomes Marc Marcel as our feature this week. Marcel is an internationally known spoken word artist who has toured throughout the world, showcasing his seasoned craft at colleges and other venus since 2000. A dynamic spoken word artist, novelist, producer and speaker, Marcel was raised in Baltimore, MD and got started writing in Atlanta, GA. Through his work, he promises to capture the emotions and feelings of several issues including politics, love, spirituality, selfrevelation and the struggles of life. Marcel has appeared on The Jimmy Kimmel Show and performed at the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Peace Ball. You can get a preview of his work by visiting marcmarcel.com.

For the latest info about the Poets’ Asylum, including schedule updates, reviews, photos, slam scores, mailing list info, a weekly calendar of local poetry and much more please visit our website: www.poetsasylum.org

Lenny Clarke and friends come together for an evening of comedy to benefit the Officer Mark D. Bisnette Memorial Foundation. Special guests may include Tony V, Kenny Rogerson, Paul D'Angelo, Patty Ross, Frank Santorelli (Georgie from "The Sopranos") and Brad Mastrangelo. Just added Boston actor, comedian, funny man, Steve Sweeny.  (This list is subject to change.) 

Full price tickets are $25, $35, and $50, depending on seating location. $3-$4 discounts available for members, groups of 15 or more, corporate partners, kids, students, and WOO card holders. Please call the box office at 877.571.7469 for more information.

"Brilliantly original songwriter Tony Bird... wonderfully fuses African and European folk styles into songs that are clever, fun, urgent." -- The Boston Globe

"Most of my life I've been on a search for things that can unite life, rather than divide it, possibly because of my very divisive background in growing up with colonialism and racism in Africa. My music has ended up being a synthesis of universal spirituality, politics and nature." ~ Tony Bird http://www.mangotime.net

Doors/pot luck @ 6pm, Concert @ 7pm SEATING EXTREMELY LIMITED, RESERVATIONS REQUIRED ~ notlobreservations@gmail.com

In the Starlight Jams, participants can play on any tune at any time after the opening house band set. The host band will call tunes, keys or tempos. Players: be prepared to read and solo on an unfamiliar jazz chart with facility.

With rotating host bandleaders: John Funkhouser, Joe Simon, Phill Argyris, Joe Raia.

Distinguished by their high energy playing and brightly colored music folders, the sound Matching Orange creates is interesting and unique while maintaining a familiar feeling of age-oldness. The result is an alluring complexity from this refreshing approach to traditional fiddle music. This trio creates a swirling level of intensity, sometimes gritty, sometimes pure, and always engaging. http://www.matchingorange.com/

Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand are two of the most exciting and creative new faces on the acoustic music scene today. After years of touring, studio work and teaching experience they are both seasoned and mature musicians, but with their energetic stage presences and cutting-edge arrangements Andrew and Noah truly stand out in a crowd. http://www.vfiddle.com/vwelcome.html

Marcus Santos and Bloco AfroBrazil will take over the stage at Johnny D's with their tropical energy coming from Salvador, and they will tear the roof off. This 12-piece percussion ensemble guarantees a spectacular show combining traditional Brazilian grooves like Samba and Axé with Funk, Rock, Jazz and even Hip Hop. After just few beats everybody will be hitting the dance floor!! http://www.afrobrazil.org/blocoafrobrazil.php