Saturday February 20, 2010-
7:30pm
Sunday, February 28, 2010 - 7:30pm
ALASDAIR FRASER & NATALIE HAAS - Scottish fiddle and cello music of unrivaled beauty, eloquence, and passion. “...You’d think they’d been playing together for centuries. While his fiddle dances, her cello throbs darkly or plucks puckishly. Then, Haas opens her cello’s throat, joining Fraser in soaring sustains, windswept refrains, and sudden jazzy explosions”
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-The Boston Globe
The musical partnership between Alasdair Fraser, long regarded as Scotland’s premier fiddle ambassador, and the sizzlingly-talented young California cellist Natalie Haas may not seem an obvious one. Fraser, acclaimed by the San Francisco Examiner as “the Michael Jordan of Scottish fiddling,” has a concert and recording career spanning 30 years, with a long list of awards, accolades, television credits, and feature performances on top movie soundtracks (Last of the Mohicans,Titanic). Fraser has been sponsored by the British Council to represent Scotland’s music internationally, and received the Scottish Heritage Center Service Award for outstanding contributions to Scottish culture and traditions. The 25-year-old Haas, a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, wasn’t even born when Alasdair was winning national fiddle competitions on the other side of the Atlantic. But this seemingly unlikely pairing is the fulfillment of a long-standing musical dream for Fraser, whose cutting-edge musical explorations took him full circle to find a cellist who could help him return the cello to its historical role at the rhythmic heart of Scottish dance music.
Natalie Haas was just 11 when she first attended Fraser’s Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School in California. She responded to Fraser’s challenge to find and release the cello’s rhythmic soul, and four years later, when Natalie was just 15, Fraser and Haas played their first gig together. Now regularly touring with Fraser and creating a buzz at festivals and in concert halls throughout Europe and North America, Natalie is in the vanguard of young cellists who are re-defining the role of the cello in traditional music. “Cellists are coming out of the woodwork to study with Natalie, to learn how she creates a groove and a whole chunky rhythm section,” says Fraser. “It’s inspiring to hear the cello unleashed from its orchestral shackles!”
The duo’s two recordings, In the Moment and their debut CD, Fire and Grace — both on Fraser’s own Culburnie Records label — are providing a great deal of inspiration to other players. The CDs display the duo’s dazzling teamwork, driving, dancing rhythms, and their shared passion for improvising on the melody and the groove of Scottish tunes.
For moorsit www.alasdairfraser.com or www.nataliehaas.com
$25 in advance/$28 the day of at the door
Tickets sold online or at the Door
Click above to buy tickets
Doors open at 6:30 PM
ShowTime: 7:30 PM
All Ages
MARCH 20, 2010 - 7:30 PM
HE’S THE TALK OF THE TOWN!
Americana-Roots blend with great production, terrific musicians, including world-renowned Dave Mattacks on drums.
With comparisons to early Elvis, Jimmy Buffet and George Jones, Digney Fignus remains an original. His fourth CD "Talk of the Town" continues the story of Johnnie Boudreaux, “a man too good lookin’ for his own good.” Digney introduced fans to the devilish Boudreaux in his 2006 CD "Trouble on the Levee" which enjoyed 22 weeks on the Americana Roots Rock chart.
Digney Fignus is a Boston based singer/songwriter well known for his song and MTV hit "The Girl With the Curious Hand." He reaches a new generation with songs from "Talk of the Town"; ranging from the contagious can’t-get-the-tune-out-of-your-head “No Worry for the Berry” to the viral jump up and dance “Do the Walk,” to the thought-provoking song for peace “Letter from the Line.” A short story mystery (with a “who done it?” riddle for the readers to solve) accompanies the CD, bringing to life a cast of characters that includes Johnnie’s former lovers, Yvonne, the beautiful bootlegger (“What Kind of Fool”) and ex-wife Sally, now an angry nun with a score to settle (“I’m Sorry Sally” and “The Girl’s Gone Ga-Ga”).
Tickets $20 Seniors: $18
Tickets are available online or at the door
Click above to buy tickets
Doors open at 6:30 - Show Time is 7:30
BYOB and enjoy the Cafe!
APRIL 10, 2010 - 7:30 PM
songs and stories of wonder, irreverence,
big trouble and life’s little moments
Two-time Grammy award-winning artist, recipient of the Magic Penny Award from the Children’s Music Network and an NPR commentator, Bill’s songs and stories paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling and family life. Home f "Zanzibar", "Monsters In The Bathroom", "50 Ways To Fool Your Mother", "You're In Trouble", "Dad Threw The TV Out The Window", "Down in the Backpack" and "The Ballad of Dirty Joe", Bill’s work spans the generation gap. Singer, storyteller, author, playwright, educator, performing artist – welcome to the world of Bill Harley – a world of wit and wisdom.
Bill Harley's compassion, humor and musical vocabulary shine in this new all-song release for adults.
"Harley’s audiences are families but it’s hard to tell who enjoys him more – parents or children."
Los Angeles Times
TICKETS:$20.... SENIORS 65+:$18...KIDS 12 AND UNDER:$10 TICKETS ARE SOLD ONLINE OR AT THE DOOR
Click above to buy tickets
RESERVATIONS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
June 5, 2010 - 7:30pm
“Simply outstanding!” Cybergrass
“First rate bluegrass...precise harmonies, sharp instrumental work...soaring... and lush.“ Boston Herald
“Southern Rail's musical arsenal is formidable.” Worcester Magazine, Worcester, MA
“One of the most significant groups in contemporary bluegrass..the cutting edge of creativity.” Bluegrass Unlimited
“The best Gospel I’ve ever heard!” WXCF, Clifton Forge, VA
TICKETS: $20 ADULTS AND $18 SENIORS KIDS: $10
7:30 PM DOORS OPEN @ 6:30
BYOB & ENJOY OUR VIBRANT CAFE
JUNE 12, 2010 - 7:30 PM
Tom Rush
LIVE AT UNION HALL COFFEEHOUSE - JUNE 12, 2010
T H E C R I T I C S S A Y :
A Tom Rush show is nothing more complex than a man, his guitar and his music.
And absolutely nothing more is required. ... [Joni] Mitchell’s “The Circle Game” and his own “NO
Regrets” were stunning reminders that well-crafted lyrics need no bells, whistles or synthesizers.
— THE RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
Most impressively, Rush still has new tricks up his sleeve.
Chalk up another Symphony Hall triumph for Rush.
— THE BOSTON GLOBE
Tom Rush has been captivating audiences with his rich, melodic voice and gently laid-back, rustic brand of folk music since he first burst on the coffeehouse scene in Cambridge, Massachusetts while a student at Harvard in the early 1960s. One of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of our time, he has both written songs that have been covered by others and introduced the world to other notable artists through his gifted reinterpretations of their work.
Pure and simple. Tom Rush is a legend in these parts. It’s nearly impossible to navigate your way from one acoustic music venue to another without someone mentioning his name and recalling how they first heard of him and his music. Tom’s most excellent taste in cover tunes has uncovered a whole litany of singer-songwriter greats who have since gone on to become sensations themselves. Tom has a brand new CD called What I Know — his first in over 30 years. Check out his music at www.tomrush.com. Take a moment to watch his video of Steven Walters’ “The Remember Song,” which has well over three million viewings!
BYOB & enjoy the vibrant cabaret- atmosphere, as well as the delicious cafe, with its offerings of The Perfect Cheese to accompany your victuals, and a host of decadent desserts that Adam would have thrown over the apple for, any day of the week.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT
OR AT THE DOOR, HOWEVER, RESERVATIONS ARE ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED - PLEASE CALL 978-287-5745 TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT.
ALL TICKETS: $35
AGES 13 AND UNDER: $16
