Sunday, February 28 2010

Enjoy the joyous sounds of Gospel music, the depth and power of Spoken Word and Poetry, the dynamic energy of Rap and exciting dance performances, as well as mouth-watering Soul Food treats, as the community of Villa Victoria celebrates Black History Month.

This event will feature the acclaimed, Boston’s own New Jerusalem Men of Dreams and Visions in Christ Gospel Choir, the positive-message Rap act AVE Entertainment’s Keith Ellison, Gospel Rap singer Jay The Chosen One and Gospel singer Chantelle Lawton, 2nd place 2009 Individual World Poetry Slam Champion, singer and songwriter Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo, as well as Step dance troupe Iconic Movement. Delicious Soul Food will also be featured for all to enjoy in a brunch setting, followed by performances by these exciting artists. Do not miss this unique inter-cultural celebration!

FREE ADMISSION!! All-ages event.

For more information please visit: www.villavictoriaarts.org Artists’ web sites: www.iyeoka.com www.iconicmovement.com

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.

Two-hundred-plus voices strong, Greater Boston’s Mystic Chorale will present “Mystic Chorale Celebrates Gospel” This eagerly anticipated annual concert offers a mixture of traditional spirituals, traditional gospel and classic modern gospel. Selections will include the great Negro spiritual Listen To The Lambs, a gospel choral setting of Psalm 150 as originally performed by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, the traditional gospel piece I've Got Peace Like A River, I've Got The Joy and the gospel classic Goin’ Up Yonder, which was originally performed by gospel pioneer Walter Hawkins.The Chorale will be accompanied by the Mystic Band, led by Austin Marks on keyboards. Mr. Marks will be joined by Yusaku Yoshimura also on keyboards, as well as other talented musicians.

The Mystic Chorale is a non-profit, volunteer-run community chorus based in Arlington, Massachusetts. The Chorale was founded in 1990 by Melrose and Boston-based composer, conductor, author and song leader Nick Page who was inspired by his experience of working with the world renowned musician, actress and educator, Dr. Ysaye Maria Barnwell, of the legendary a cappella group, Sweet Honey in the Rock

General admission tickets at $15.00 and [$10.00 for seniors and students] go on sale January 18 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com; tickets may also be available at the door, day of show. For more information, call: 781-316-2500. Converse Hall is wheelchair accessible and is located one block from the Park Street T station, next to the Omni Parker Hotel.

A new CD has just been released: Mystic Chorales 20th Anniversary

 

JOHN PIZZARELLI, the internationally acclaimed guitarist-vocalist – a master in the art of reinventing jazz classics – celebrates the music of Duke Ellington, undeniably one of the most prominent musical icons of the 20th century with the release of his new CD, Rockin’ In Rhythm - A Tribute to Duke Ellington. This is Pizzarelli’s first ever Ellington recording and his ninth release with Telarc International, a division of Concord Music Group.

Opening for John Pizzarelliwill be the Cory Pesaturo Trio featuring Cory Pesaturo on Roland Electronic Accordion, Ron Murray on 6 and 7 string guitars and Arti Dixson on drums. In September 2009, Pesaturo won the World Digital Accordion Championship in New Zealand.

Tickets at $40.00 and $30.00 for the Sunday, February 28 show at the Wilbur Theatre can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, at the Wilbur Theatre Box Office [246 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02116], on line at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling: 800-745-3000. For more information please visit www.thewilburtheatre.com.

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!

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!!

"Triple Spiral" is a musical ensemble made up of some of the most innovative musicians in the New England area. The collaboration brings together experts in many, varied European musical styles to create a truly joyful fusion of Celtic and Folk music stylings. "Triple Spiral" takes an audience on a fascinating journey through time and place using "Ancient and Imagined" songs and tunes from across Europe and beyond. http://triplespiral.us/

The Irish music phenomenon, Celtic Woman, has announced their brand-new North American tour in support of their new CD/DVD release of same title, Songs from the Heart, available on January 26th through Manhattan Records. The group is set to delight live audiences with what the Cleveland Plain Dealer has called a “highly polished, tightly choreographed extravaganza.” The tour kicks off February 9th in Roanoke, VA with performances lined up in 60 cities through May 22nd in Salt Lake City.

Deemed a “phenomenon” by the Boston Globe, the group continues to enchant fans live - moving seamlessly between Irish classics, contemporary covers and original compositions. During the 2010 "Songs from the Heart" tour, fans have the opportunity to experience Celtic Woman's most dazzling production yet, featuring renditions of "Amazing Grace," Jimmy Webb's "The Moon's a Harsh Mistress," Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Pie Jesu," Billy Joel's "Goodnight My Angel," and Irish classics "My Lagan Love," "Galway Bay," as well as a new favorite "Níl Sé'n Lá."

For tickets call 800-745-3000 or visit Ticketmaster.com. For more information visit www.celticwoman.com

We close out February with a feature by Khary Jackson (aka 6is9), the St. Paul, MN powerhouse who took the indy crown in 2007. Jackson is a poet, teaching artist, playwright, actor, dancer and sometime musician. He is a Detroit native, currently representing the Twin Cities. His aim is to be a quality ambassador of poets, as well as artists in general. He writes, “The artistic self is experiencing serious neglect in today's society and economy, which necessitates an elevation of our work and focus. I hope to remain a part of that movement. Because it is indeed a movement. In the style of Harvey Milk: my name is Khary Jackson, and I'm here to recruit you.”

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 Certified

Motown celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2009. In tribute, a Berklee student and faculty orchestra will perform the timeless music of Motown artists The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, and others.

Tickets are $20 or $15, and available at the BPC box office, or Ticketmaster at (800)745-3000 and http://www.ticketmaster.com. All shows are reserved seating; senior discount available at the BPC box office. Call 617 747-2261 or visit http://www.berkleebpc.com for more information.

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.

Lauded as “sparkling” and “exhilarating”, Notorious presents a thrilling musical experience featuring traditional American, Celtic, and Eastern-European tunes, swing, blues, classical music and original compositions. Their performances are always new and exciting presenting a thrilling musical experience in genres that span many continents. http://www.notoriousfolk.com/index.html

This Is Boston Soul is a core band of Boston's legendary Soul-Men with a revolving door of Soul guests singing ,sitting in, and getting down. There's nothing like this in Boston.

Make this a Sunday institution.