Confucius said, “Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.” With that in mind, this week’s The Weekend offers musical happenings for your listening and dancing pleasure.
Start your weekend off with Gypsy at The Westminster Arts Center in Bloomfield. M.O.C (Montclair Operetta Club) Musical Theatre’s production of the hit Broadway musical will include all the Sondheim classics in the story of stage-mother Rose as she pushes her daughters Louise (later known as Gypsy) and June into vaudeville. They will surely “Entertain You.”
Gypsy
Thursday, April 14 at 8 pm
Westminster Arts Center, 449 Franklin Street, Bloomfield, NJ
$25. Tickets available online here, by calling 973.744.3133 or at the door the day of the performance
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, multiple Grammy-winning pioneers of alt-country and Americana music, will perform many hit songs as part of The Sanctuary Concerts in Chatham. Songs such as their version of Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Mr. Bojangles,” “Dance Little Jean,” “Workin’ Man”, “Long Hard Road”, “Baby’s Got A Hold On Me” and “Fishin’ in the Dark” will showcase the award-winning band. Special guest David Massengill, a celebrated member of the Greenwich Village songwriting community that spawned Suzanne Vega and Julie Gold, accompanies his colorfully epic story-songs on the Appalachian Dulcimer.
The Nitty Gritty Band: The Sanctuary Concerts
Saturday, April 16 at 8 pm
Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township, 240 Southern Blvd, Chatham, NJ
$30. Fewer than 25 seats are available for this concert. Purchase in advance here.
Montclair’s own Porchistas are celebrating the release of their latest CD Save the Earth on Saturday with a spring release party at Tierney’s Tavern in Montclair. Porchistas guitarist and producer Adam Falzer describes the latest ten track Porchista record as “a metamorphosis of sorts; it’s different yet familiar, sounds like the Porchistas but tougher, meaner, and making a point.” Check our story of front man Alan Smith’s other life at Rancho Mastatal in Costa Rica here.
They’ll be sharing the stage with two bands from Jersey City (Shout out to my hometown!): Cecilia Celeste and The One and Nines. Expect bluesy rock n’ roll and R&B and funk all night.
Porchistas CD release party with Special Guests
Saturday, April 16 from 9 pm – 1 am
Tierney’s Tavern, 136 Valley Road, Montclair, NJ, 07043
$7
Take it low key on Sunday with the classical sounds of Passion Music presented by the Glen Ridge Choral Society and Orchestra conducted by Thomas Mustachio. Passion Music consists of Stabat Materby Gioachino Rossini
and Requiem by John Rutter.
Passion Music
Sunday, April 17 from 3 pm – 5 pm
Glen Ridge Congregational Church, 195 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge, NJ
$20 adults / $15 seniors / $10 students. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the church office or at the door.
Cecil’s Jazz Club will host the talented musicians of Jazz House Kids in their Student Sessions. All are welcome. Bring your instruments and join in on the action! This weekend’s Emerging Musician Performance Workshop is Blue Monk & Billie’s Bounce at 2 pm and the Youth Jam Session is Julian Lee & Friends at 4 pm.
Jazz House Kids Presents: The Student Sessions
Sunday, April 17 at 2 pm and 4 pm
Cecil’s Jazz Club, 364 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ
$5 non-Jazz House Kids students and friends /Free for Jazz House Kids students /$5 adults
Check our calendar for other local happenings this weekend.
(Photo: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band from their website)
(Photo: Porchistas from their website)
(Photo of Julian Lee/Richard Conde)
Unfortunately, this weekend’s Nitty Gritty Dirt Band concert is sold out. I hope to see some of my fellow Baristavillians at our upcoming concerts: Chris Hillman (of the Byrds), Peter Yarrow (of Peter Paul & Mary), David Bromberg, Shawn Colvin, Dar Williams, and many more.
All the best.
Scott
The Sanctuary Concerts
Sing out, Louise!