Apr
6
Sun
The Last Waltz Live @ Regent Theater
Apr 6 @ 7:00 am – 10:00 am

The Last Waltz LIVE is a re-creation of the Band’s classic 1978 concert film, The Last Waltz, featuring The Rev Tor Band and an all star cast of Boston-based musicians. The show includes renditions of all the hits by the Band featured in the film, such as “The Weight,” “Up On Cripple Creek,” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” as well as songs by Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton and many more.

For Tickets Click Here.

The line-up of artists includes the Rev Tor Band, Gary Backstrom of Jiggle the Handle, Vance Gilbert, Chris Fitz, Jim Infantino of Jim’s Big Ego, Chris Nemitz and Charlie Carrazzo of Sun Jones, Regie Gibson, Adam Michael Rothberg, Emily Grogan, Todd Mack, Marina Evans, Vinny Serino of Boston Baked Blues, Nikki Howard, Les Sampou, Vykki Vox, and Richard Cambridge.

 A diverse array of local, regional, and national artists perform the songs of the film’s original special guests, making the show a unique all-star experience showcasing the finest talent from the local music scene and beyond. All profits from the Last Waltz LIVE benefit Music in Common, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen, empower, and educate communities through the universal language of music.

The Last Waltz. On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, the legendary rock group THE BAND performed The Last Waltz, their “farewell concert appearance” at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco CA. The concert saw The Band joined by more than a dozen all star special guests, many of whom were and are considered the living legends of their time. This historic event was captured by director Martin Scorsese and made into a concert film of the same name released in 1978. The performances captured on film that night were magical and the movie has achieved a cult classic status amongst many musicians today. It continues to be a major source of inspiration to all who see it.

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The Last Waltz Live

Some of the profits from this concert benefit Music In Common, whose mission is to strengthen, empower, and educate communities through the universal language of music. The Last Waltz supplies the perfect soundtrack to bring musicians together and strengthen that common bond. The Last Waltz LIVE is a celebration of that spirit.

Tickets Here

Produced by Last Dance Productions.

Jun
7
Sun
A Tribute to Paul Simon: The Gary Backstrom Band @ Mile Marker One Restaurant, Bar and Function Hall
Jun 7 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
A Tribute to Paul Simon: The Gary Backstrom Band @ Mile Marker One Restaurant, Bar and Function Hall | Gloucester | Massachusetts | United States

Rhythm of the Saints: A Tribute to Paul Simon

Mile Marker One Restaurant, Bar and Function Hall
75 Essex Ave
Gloucester, MA 01930

Sunday June 7th, 6pm

More Info Click Here

What a way to enjoy a perfect Summer evening, in the outside tent at the beautiful Mile Marker One restaurant in Gloucester MA.

Gary Backstrom and friends present, Rhythm of the Saints: a tribute to Paul Simon. Featuring members of Jiggle the Handle, Max Creek, Heavy Metal Horns and The Grass Gypsys – Rhythm of the Saints present 2 sets of material spanning Simon’s eclectic career.

The Gary Backstrom Band is a high energy, innovative original act featuring the infectious licks and songwriting of nationally recognized guitarist Gary Backstrom.

Sep
30
Fri
The Last Waltz Live: A Special Benefit Concert for “Mended Little Hearts of Boston” @ The Regent Theatre
Sep 30 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
The Last Waltz Live:  A Special Benefit Concert for “Mended Little Hearts of Boston” @ The Regent Theatre | Arlington | Massachusetts | United States

The Last Waltz LIVE is a re-creation of the Band’s classic concert film featuring The Rev Tor Band as The Band (accompanied by a full horn section) and one dozen or more local, regional, and national artists as special guests.

Not a tribute show, but rather a powerful community event, each LWL concert features a local lineup of guest artists making it a unique, all-star experience.

Tickets here:
http://www.regenttheatre.com/details/the_last_waltz_live
or call (781) 646-4849

Most of the profits from the Last Waltz LIVE will be donated to Mended Little Hearts of Boston

Info on Mended Little Hearts of Boston Here:
http://boston.mendedlittlehearts.net/

Did you know that about 1 in 110 babies are born with a congenital heart defect each year?

Mended Little Hearts, a nonprofit organization, works nationally and in communities to empower children with congenital heart defects and their families through support, education and awareness.

Special guest artists for this performance will be announced soon.

“I lack the language to express the simply fantastic music, the awesome spirit, the camaraderie of the musicians, the MAGIC of last night’s Last Waltz LIVE production!! Some things are felt in the heart and in the soul, and this evening was one of those moments for me! Thank you all so very much for a Night of Magic!!” – Helen S., Last Waltz LIVE audience member

http://www.regenttheatre.com/details/the_last_waltz_live
or call (781) 646-4849

Presented by Last Dance Productions

Nov
11
Fri
Rhythm of the Saints w/ Gary Backstrom: A Tribute to Paul Simon @ The Regent Theatre
Nov 11 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Rhythm of the Saints w/ Gary Backstrom: A Tribute to Paul Simon @ The Regent Theatre | Arlington | Massachusetts | United States

Paul Simon is, without a doubt, one of music’s most important voices.


He wrote some of the most significant, generation-defining songs of the ‘60s (“Mrs. Robinson,” “The Boxer,” “The Sound of Silence”), he filled the world with some of its most infectious melodies in the ‘70s (“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard”), he redefined the sound of popular music in the ‘80s (“Graceland,” “You Can Call Me Al,” “The Obvious Child”) and has remained a compelling and important musical presence to this day.

Now Gary Backstrom (of rock band Jiggle the Handle) and Rhythm of the Saints—a talented seven-piece band—will perform a tribute concert featuring a career-spanning catalogue of Paul Simon’s timeless songs. Gary Backstrom and friends… present, Rhythm of the Saints: A tribute to Paul Simon. featuring members of Jiggle the Handle, Max Creek, Heavy Metal Horns and The Grass Gyp

 

 

 

Sep
23
Sat
The 2017 Working Waterfront Festival @ New Bedford Waterfront
Sep 23 @ 11:00 am – Sep 24 @ 6:00 pm
The 2017 Working Waterfront Festival @ New Bedford Waterfront | New Bedford | Massachusetts | United States

The Working Waterfront Festival presents performances of music, dance and poetry.  Experience demonstrations and contests of industry skills; tours of workboats; documentary films and footage at sea.  There will be cooking demonstrations; author readings; children’s activities; tug boat muster; whaleboat races, and more!

The largest fishing port in the US!

Join us in New Bedford, America’s largest commercial fishing port, to learn about the men and women who harvest the North Atlantic. Walk the decks of a fishing vessel, dine on fresh seafood, see fishermen’s contests, and watch a cooking demonstrations. Experience the workings of the industry which brings seafood from the ocean to your plate.

See the schedule here.

Jun
7
Fri
A Tribute to Todd Rundgren @ Regent Theatre
Jun 7 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
A Tribute to Todd Rundgren @ Regent Theatre

A Tribute to Todd Rundgren, Gary Backstrom’s Road to Utopia, comes to the Regent Theatre,  7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA on Friday, June 7, at 8 pm. Tickets here.

 

Todd Rundgren

Considered by many to be the “Ultimate Rock Cult Hero” Todd Rundgren has maintained a legion of fans through four decades.  Todd’s searing guitar work reached a nationwide audience in his role as lead guitarist for the blues-psychedelic band Nazz. He wrote and arranged almost all of the work that went into the three albums the group produced.

His first big solo success was in 1971 with “We Gotta Get You a Woman” and in 1973 from the double album “Something/Anything?”  He scored big on the charts with “I Saw the Light” and a revision of a Nazz song, “Hello, It’s Me.”

Rundgren has scored huge as a music producer, most notably on Meat Loaf’s “Bat Out of Hell” opus. In the late 1970s and through the 1980s Todd formed the group Utopia, each member an accomplished musician and vocalist. He has also been called on by films and TV for his musical scores and sometimes tours with Ringo Starr as a member of his All-Star Band.

Gary Backstrom

Gary is the founder and frontman of the acclaimed Jam Band “Jiggle The Handle.” The Gary Backstrom Band is a Boston-based Band that mixes Soul, R&B, Funk, Rock and Latin grooves blended into a unique sound. Their sound features exciting, unpredictable improvisation that can only be heard in the best live acts on the scene today. Gary is considered “one of the most underrated, fluid, and melodic players in the Northeast.”

Some of the proceeds from this concert will go to

The Alzheimer’s Music Project

The project brings personalized iPods to people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, helping them reconnect with the world through the music they love.

This will be a quite the night for a great cause.

Tickets Here.

Nov
20
Sat
Gary Backstrom and Friends Present: Rhythm of the Saints: A Tribute to Paul Simon @ The District Center for the Arts
Nov 20 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Gary Backstrom and Friends Present: Rhythm of the Saints: A Tribute to Paul Simon @ The District Center for the Arts

Gary Backstrom, founder, and frontman of the legendary Boston-based Jiggle The Handle, brings you Rhythm Of The Saints – an all-star tribute to Paul Simon. This seven-piece band featuring members of Jiggle The Handle, Max Creek, and The Heavy Metal Horns flawlessly navigate the musical library of Paul Simon’s solo carrier. The show features all the hits you would hope to hear, including “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover”, “Still Crazy After All These Years,” “Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes,” and so many more!

Sep
24
Sat
Gary Backstrom The Rhythm of the Saints: A Tribute to Paul Simon @ The Courthouse Center for the Arts
Sep 24 @ 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Gary Backstrom The Rhythm of the Saints: A Tribute to Paul Simon @ The Courthouse Center for the Arts

Gary Backstrom’s The Rhythm of the Saints A Tribute To Paul Simon

TICKETS HERE

Gary Backstrom, founder, and frontman of the legendary Boston-based Jiggle The Handle, brings you Rhythm Of The Saints – an all-star tribute to Paul Simon. This seven-piece band featuring members of Jiggle The Handle, Max Creek, and The Heavy Metal Horns flawlessly navigate the musical library of Paul Simon’s solo carrier. The show features all the hits you would hope to hear, including “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover”, “Still Crazy After All These Years,” “Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes,” and so many more!

GARY BACKSTROM Singer/guitarist Gary Backstrom has been a staple of the northeast music scene for nearly a quarter-century. He is co-founder of the legendary Jiggle The Handle and has enjoyed a long post Jiggle solo career fronting The Gary Backstrom Band and many other projects. Gary has been called “One of the most underrated, fluid and melodic players in the North East

Paul Simon is undoubtedly one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time. After his initial success with Simon and Garfunkel, he emerged in the ’70s as a solo artist with such hits as “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” “Still Crazy After All These Years,” and “50 Ways To Lose Your Lover”. Ever-evolving musically, Simon had great success in the ’80s with his South African influenced “Graceland” album that featured the hits “You Can Call Me Al” and “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes.” The 1990s brought the Latin influenced “Rhythm of the Saints” and “Songs from The Capeman” that features doo-wop, rock ‘n’ roll, and Puerto Rican rhythms. Simon continues to record and perform today.

About the Courthouse Center for the Arts

The Courthouse Center for the Arts is the perfect venue for weddings, corporate events and parties, fundraising events, networking, social events, and more. We offer music from all genres, a traveling chorus to entertain you, summer day camps for local schools, senior day centers, and groups, which include an art or music class, and a tour of our historic building.

For more Last Dance Productions events, click here.

May
13
Sat
Piano Men The Music of Elton and Billy @ Regent Theatre
May 13 @ 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Piano Men

“Piano Men – The Music of Elton and Billy”  is a tribute featuring the amazing songs of Billy Joel and Elton John. This concert experience features Joe Boucher on piano and vocals, combined with a four-piece band and a stringed quartet section. With spectacular arrangements by Chris Eastburn, these songs have rarely been performed live in this way!

The music of “Piano Men” concentrates heavily on recordings by Elton and Billy during their 70s heyday when their many hit albums featured lush orchestrations. The concert works its way through #1 hits including Tiny Dancer, Scenes From an Italian Restaurant, Your Song, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Piano Man, and MANY more!

About Joe Boucher

Joe grew up in the quaint seaside village of Biddeford Maine on the New England coast. He is a singer and songwriter who, for eight years, fronted the power pop band Frotus Caper. They recorded and released four critically acclaimed albums while performing constantly. Throughout that time he worked regularly as a studio session musician, playing piano and arranging pop, rock and folk songs for many artists. For fifteen seasons Joe has acted as the Concert Manager for The Portland Symphony Orchestra.

What They Are Saying:

“This show masterfully blends the hits of Billy Joel and Elton John with the sophistication and energy of a full orchestra. You must not miss the opportunity to experience Piano Men!!!!”

Suzanne Nance, WFMT – Chicago

“Piano Men is a wonderful, surefire hit. Joe Boucher’s first rate singing and playing of these classic and ever-popular songs is brilliant. Backed up by Chris Eastburn’s masterful lush orchestrations, Billy and Elton’s classic songs sounded better than ever. This show really connects and resonates with the audience.”

Robert Lehmann, Conductor, North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra

Joe Boucher

Joe Boucher

For More Last Dance Productions events, click here.

Sep
23
Sat
A Healing Garden Benefit: Jamie Walker & Friends with The Gravel Project featuring Jen Kearney @ Regent Theatre
Sep 23 @ 7:30 pm – 10:15 pm
A Healing Garden Benefit: Jamie Walker & Friends with The Gravel Project featuring Jen Kearney @ Regent Theatre
A Healing Garden Benefit
Presented by Patio Records
Proceeds will go towards caring for the Pratt Family Healing Garden at Mount Auburn Hospital.
JAMIE WALKER and Friends
Jamie Walker is the guitarist and vocalist for the legendary Swinging Steaks and has been the lead guitar player and vocalist with Susan Cattaneo. As another young kid inspired by the Beatles’ appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, Jamie Walker started writing songs on the school bus in 2nd grade. What do you do when you are obsessed with songs and the guitar in particular? You learn how to play and find some friends to play with!
Jamie fronted and fueled several Boston bands with his songs in the 1980s; the Lines, the Drive (V66 and MTV Basement Tapes), and finally, Swinging Steaks (Capricorn Records 1990 to present). A few of his songs became Boston radio staples on WBCN, WCOZ, WZLX, and WAAF in Worcester and have appeared in Hollywood movies and on tv. Jamie has made some friends over the years and has some old friends along too. So this is about more than just the music.
On this particular evening will be a veritable all-star cast, including:
Laurie Young (vocals, trumpet) brings the role of the goddess to the forefront and co-fronts the band
Joe Donnelly (drums) of the Del Fuegos, Swinging Steaks, and Wall of Grass
Pat Dreier (Keyboards, vocals) of the Lines and the Drive
Dave Weden (guitar/banjo) and Clayton Young (bass, vocals) of John Cate and the Van Gough Brothers
Dennis Semprebon (drums and percussion) of Craig Carter and the Hurricanes
Brad Kohl (saxophone) of Hot Acoustics and Group Therapy
They play roots rock music, that is, songs wrapped in elements of rock, pop, country, soul, R&B, and blues.
The Gravel Project featuring Jen Kearney
Initially created by Andrew Gravel (vocals, guitar), The Gravel Project is an all-star band of Boston music veterans, including brother, Jordan Gravel (organ, keys), Dave Fox (drums), and Eguie Castrillo (percussion). The Gravel Project’s live show blends rock, world music, and jazz with power and soul. Carrying the tradition of 70’s blues and psychedelic rock music, The Gravel Project embodies the spirit of Santana combined with the classic raw energy and moving songwriting of The Allman Brothers and Tedeschi Trucks Band. With three studio albums, a live album, and countless past performances, the future is bright for Boston’s The Gravel Project, and as the title of their 2022 studio album suggests, there are “Many Miles Ahead.”
For more Last Dance Productions, click here.