The Underground Actors May 17, 18 & 19, Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm $25 Stoltz Listening Room
A brand new partnership between the Avalon Foundation and The Underground Actors!
This production of the Off-Broadway musical The Last Five Years marks the first Underground Actors’ show performed in the intimate setting of the Avalon’s Stoltz Listening Room!
It’s a fitting venue for this wonderfully humorous, romantic, and touching exploration of a five-year relationship between Cathy, a struggling actress, and her husband Jamie, a rising novelist. The show, told from the separate viewpoints of Cathy and Jamie, chronicles their life together as they fall in love, see failure and success in their careers, and experience the challenges of married life.
The Underground Actors’ Talley Wilford directs this one-act show by Tony Award-winning composer/playwright Jason Robert Brown (Parade). It stars Kelsey Blanco and Michael Petyak, two talented actors recruited by Wilford from Shenandoah University (his alma mater) to perform in the production.
Snarky Puppy Friday, May 18, 2012 8 p.m. $20 Adult & $10 Student Avalon Theatre Sponsored by Out of the Fire Restaurant in downtown Easton.
This Brooklyn-based band from Dallas plays an infectious mixture of jazz, funk, and world music that the Village Voice calls "an exultant throwdown of smart danceability." In addition to performing and recording their own music together as a band, Snarky Puppy's members also perform with an eclectic range of artists that includes P Diddy, Tower of Power, Snoop Dogg, Eryka Badu, Justin Timberlake, Yo-Yo Ma, Lucy Woodward, and many more. Named Best Jazz Band three years in a row by the Dallas Observer, Snarky Puppy has a reputation for putting on a live show that's unparalleled in energy and virtuosity.
Mars 4-tet Saturday, May 26, 2012 8 p.m. $20 Stoltz Listening Room
The MARS 4-tet features four award-winning recording artists: bassist Max Murray, sax man Jeff Antoniuk (who was a hit when he played in the Stoltz last year), drummer Frank Russo, and guitarist Donato Soveiro. Each musician is amazing in his own right, but together they forge a whole new sound that moves smoothly from classic jazz by Horace Silver and Herbie Hancock to the jazz fusion of Weather Report to innovative interpretations of rock staples by Peter Gabriel and Led Zeppelin.
With that kind of groove going on, the MARS 4-tet ain’t your grandma’s jazz band!
In their solo careers, singer-songwriters Jonah Smith and Doug Wamble have established themselves as original, high-energy performers. Put them together in a great venue like the Stoltz Listening Room and who knows to what new musical heights they'll go! With a soulful voice that the New York Times calls languid and pleasantly textured, Smith draws from the deep well of American blues and many of its offshoots (including soul, country, and folk) to craft his diverse body of work. Guitarist/vocalist Doug Wamble has two critically acclaimed albums to his name and has also performed with such jazz greats as Wynton and Branford Marsalis and Cassandra Wilson, as well as pop artists like Norah Jones, Madeleine Peyroux, and Courtney Love. While their solo and combined musical styles defy easy categorization, The New Yorker has called Smith’s music “an amalgam of American Roots and soul [that] evokes The Band,” while describing Doug Wamble as a “one-man compendium of avant-Americana.” If you saw Smith's band The Statesman open for Los Lobos at the Avalon in April, you know what an amazing talent he is. If you didn't, then you're in for a nice surprise!
Grammy-winner Béla Fleck, often considered the premier banjo player in the world, has a reputation for performing in genre-bending collaborations with diverse musicians ranging from tabla players to traditional bluegrass bands. The Marcus Roberts Trio—with Marcus Roberts on piano, Jason Marsalis on drums, and Rodney on bass—is known for its virtuosic jazz style, a style that is strongly rhythmic, melodic, and filled with dynamic contrast. Put them together on stage and what you get is a unique musical chemistry that erupts into something unforgettably exuberant, fresh, bold, and eclectic.
Boyz II Men Sunday, June 3, 2012 $100/$80/$50 Avalon Theatre
Having sold over 60 million copies of their albums, Boyz II Men is the most commercially successful R&B group of all time. Their touching ballads and heavenly a cappella harmonies have earned them four Grammies and legions of fans around the world with hits like "I'll Make Love to You," "On Bended Knee," "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday," and "One Sweet Day" (with Mariah Carey). And now you can experience this quintessential boy band live in concert here on the Shore in an incredible venue like the Avalon! Be sure to get your tickets early…this show will likely sell out fast!
The 27th Annual Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival will be held June 3rd-June 17th, 2012. The Festival is ably guided by Artistic Directors J. Lawrie Bloom, Principal Bass Clarinet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Marcy Rosen, founding member of the world-renowned Mendelssohn String Quartet.
Jim Fodrie is a favorite among local music lovers, as proven by his previous filled-to-capacity shows in the Stoltz Listening Room. If he can pack them in with just his guitar and a repertoire of soulful blues and folk-based songs, just imagine what’s going to happen when a few of Jim’s musician buddies from around the region join him on stage. Be sure to get your tickets early!
Cyrille Aimee Thursday, June 14 at 8 pm $25 Stoltz Listening Room
Cyrille Aimee has consistently proven herself to be an unstoppable, undeniable talent in the modern age of jazz. Internationally renowned and praised for her unparalleled abilities, Cyrille’s vocal stylings are synonymous with musical genius.
In addition to winning both the first and public prize in the Montreux Jazz Festival Competition in 2007, Aimee was also a finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition of 2010. She’s toured the world, receiving rave reviews and a loyal following in each country she graces with her voice.
France’s La Republique praises Aimee’s “sublime voice spontaneously built in the heart of the gypsy world,” while The New York Times says she’s “alert and thoroughly engaged in the logic of moving harmony when she improvises, one of those singers whom non-singing musicians call ‘a musician."
As part of the 2012 Juneteenth Celebration, the Academy Art Museum and the Frederick Douglass Honor Society are hosting a special screening of "Double Victory," a new documentary about the historic role of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II, produced by George Lucas and narrated by Cuba Gooding, Jr. A panel discussion will follow, featuring original Tuskegee Airmen, and moderated by Vic Carter, the WJZ Eyewitness News Co-Anchor from Baltimore.
Juneteenth, one of the most important African American holidays in the country, marks the abolition of slavery. The 2012 Juneteen Celebration will commemorate Emancipation Day, celebrate the significant contributions of African Americans in our country, and reflect on the common values that we share as a community.
This is an Avalon Foundation rental sponsored by the Academy Art Museum and the Frederick Douglass Honor Society. This Program is free and open to the entire community.
You may recognize several members of New and Used Bluegrass from the bygone Bitter Creek, a favorite band among bluegrass fans around the Chesapeake for over 25 years.
At its core, New and Used Bluegrass consists of Ed (Fink Floyd) Finkner on guitar and vocals, Toby Price on mandolin and vocals, Alan Breeding on banjo, Jon Simmons on fiddle and vocals, and various guest musicians such as Cody Finkner, Mike McBride, Martin Wirtz, and Bryan Irwin.
They’ve all played together in various combinations over the years and enjoy each other’s deep roots in musicianship and friendship. If you love fun, homegrown bluegrass music, then New and Used Bluegrass is a must-see!
Fred Hughes Trio Thursday, June 21, 8 p.m., $20 Stoltz Listening Room
Known for their innovative original compositions and unique renditions of the standard jazz repertoire as well as popular tunes, the Fred Hughes Trio has been described as a combination of “talent, technique, and taste” by JazzTimes Magazine.
Based in Royal Oak, the band consists of Fred Hughes on piano, bassist Keith Mohler, and drummer Frank Russo. Huges has a versatile career spanning two decades that includes performing with the US Army’s premier touring jazz ensemble, the Jazz Ambassadors, the Baltimore Symphony and the Kennedy Center Orchestra, as well as jazz greats such as Arturo Sandoval, Roy Hargrove and Toots Thielemans.
You'll want to be there when the trio introduces their unique brand of jazz to the Mid-Shore!
Milton Friday, June 22, 2012 8 p.m.$20 Stoltz Listening Room
The folksinger/songwriter known as Milton has developed a grassroots following for the warmth and spontaneity of his live shows. With a playlist that includes his original song narratives and traditional folk, blues, and country songs, he’s earned comparisons to many of his heroes—Van Morrison, Nick Lowe, The Band—while distinguishing himself with his sweetly gruff voice and literate, street-smart alt-country lyrics. With his growing reputation and a number of CDs to his name, the New York Times says Milton “has the pitch and rhythm to carry the day, and his sophisticated lyrics keep listeners coming back for more.”
According to his website, singer-songwriter Slaid Cleaves grew up in Maine, he lives in Texas, writes songs, makes records, travels around, and tries to be good.
Well, according to his ever-growing circle of fans, Slaid is good…amazingly good.
With a diverse range of influences that encompasses Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, The Everly Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Woody Guthrie, Slaid has crafted a musical style all his own that The New York Times says makes him “one of the finest songwriters from Texas.” He rose to national prominence in 1997 with the release of his national debut, No Angel Knows, and has been going strong ever since.
Novelist Stephen King has said of Slaid, “I’m glad I found Slaid Cleaves, because my life would have been poorer without him. You’ll feel the same, I think…Listen, go to one of Slaid’s shows, take a friend, and pass on the news: not all the good guys wear hats.”
7:00 PM music/7:30 PM performance In case of severe weather, program will be held indoors in the Avalon Theatre
Monday, July 9 Major General Robert Ross (Idlewild Park) US National Guard Band to start at 6 pm.
Tuesday, July 10 Rosalie Stier Calvert (Londonderry Retirement Community)
Wednesday, July 11 Francis Scott Key (Idlewild Park)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hear famous historical figures talk about their experiences and accomplishments . . . in real life? Join the Maryland Humanities Council at our annual Chautauqua where you will meet celebrated figures from our nation’s past and talk with them about their lives, ideas, and impact.
Since 1995, when Maryland’s Chautauqua began at Garrett College, this summer event has spread to six locations, providing free programs for communities in every region of the state. Chautauqua combines scholarship and performance to present an interactive program that engages thousands of Marylanders in thoughtful dialogue.
With support from the Talbot County Arts Council and in Partnership with the Maryland Humanities Council
Max Fisher Saturday, July 13th 8 pm $25 Adult Stoltz Listening Room
Max Fisher was born in the former Soviet Union and immigrated to the United States at the age of four. Growing up in New York City in a musical household, Max was constantly surrounded by classical music, jazz, and rock and eventually took up the guitar. Max has appeared and recorded with many notable artists including Mino Cinelu and Chris Keup (producer, Jason Mraz) and is currently personal guitar and music instructor to India Arie. He also performed his rendition of "The Harder They Come" for Jimmy Cliff at the Marcus Garvey Award Ceremony honoring Cliff. Performing in three different languages - English, Russian, and French - he has successfully toured Russia, Belgium, and France. Max has recorded music for various films including Warts and All starring Ani Difranco. He has also been featured on an episode of the A&E show Parking Wars and has been interviewed by NBC. Max's original music falls somewhere between late 70’s Peter Gabriel, Eric Clapton, and Leonard Cohen. Max first toured Russia performing songs by the great American songwriters - Gershwin, Ray Charles, et al. On tour, he was able to sneak in three of his own songs each night, and by the end of the tour, the promoter realized that all the standing ovations were for Max’s own songs. He said to Max, "Next time you come back, just play your songs. Russia has not had a writer like you in a long time.”
Billy Bragg Sunday, July 15, 2012 8 p.m. $45 Avalon Theatre
England's Billy Bragg is a working-class hero known for his passionate, provocative, and surprisingly poignant songs that raise awareness about the world around us and the world within us.
Inspired by a punk sensibility and the socially conscious folk tradition of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, Bragg has continually evolved as an artist and an activist in his three decades as a singer/songwriter, contributing his considerable talents to grassroots causes he believes in, releasing a number of celebrated solo records, and collaborating with American roots-rockers Wilco on two Grammy-nominated albums--Mermaid Avenue Volumes I and II.
"Bragg's idealistic...charismatic, funny, and incisive, both in his songwriting and his storytelling." – Hartford Courant
This Grammy-winning singer-songwriter from the Lone Star state has 20 albums to her credit and a well-deserved Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award. So, where does someone like Nanci Griffith go from there? Always to new heights. Her new album Intersection debuted in February at No. 1 in the UK’s Official Country Album Chart and received accolades from The New York Times for its “simple and often heartbreaking stories.” The BBC, comparing Griffith to Emmylou Harris and Steve Earle, says that in this album she “maintains her position as one of the most important voices in Americana; an impassioned songwriter unafraid to tackle difficult subjects head on.”
