Aug
3
Sat
Hayley Reardon & Friends @ Walnut Street Cafe
Aug 3 @ 6:30 am – 9:00 am
Aug
4
Sun
Hayley Reardon @ Soule Homestead
Aug 4 @ 5:00 am – 8:00 am
Oct
13
Sun
Hayley Reardon at Club Passim @ Club Passim
Oct 13 @ 2:30 am – 5:00 am
Hayley Reardon at Club Passim @ Club Passim | Cambridge | Massachusetts | United States

Recently naming her a 2012 “Bostonian Of The Year”, The Boston Globe characterized her as…”a confident, radiant teenage singer/songwriter who is helping to pen the next chapter of the Boston folk scene…while Reardon is rapidly making a name for herself under the stage lights, it could be said that she’s having a bigger impact on her peers across the country as a leading spokesperson for bullying prevention.  By pairing her music with a message of collective responsibility, she has become an effective teen-to-teen ambassador, sought after by schools nationwide.”

Jan
16
Thu
The Hayley Reardon Trio @ Club Passim
Jan 16 @ 8:00 am – 10:30 am
The Hayley Reardon Trio @ Club Passim | Cambridge | Massachusetts | United States

“When you listen to 17-year-old folk singer Hayley Reardon, it’s hard to identify what’s more impressive: the fact that she’s already considered a seasoned folk artist or that she’s a national spokesperson for PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. In any event, both are laudable facts that dovetail nicely on her debut album Where The Artists Go.

 

Mar
12
Thu
Carolyn Waters Cafe Concert @ Somerville Armory
Mar 12 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Carolyn Waters Cafe Concert  @ Somerville Armory | Somerville | Massachusetts | United States

Carolyn Waters…Socially Conscious Soul…

“Carolyn’s music is hypnotic, in a deeply soulful groove. You’ve heard it said that pure music seems to “flow” through a great singer? Go hear Carolyn to experience the real thing” – Pete and Maura Kennedy, The Kennedys.

Carolyn Waters is a performing singing/songwriter who fuses blues/roots/folk and other musical genres into a unique unforgettable blend of songs and sounds.

As a young girl growing up in Philadelphia, Carolyn Waters sang alone in her bedroom or out loud in the house when she was sure it was empty. It wasn’t by choice, but as the result of thoughtless teasing she got from her family. Even in her church choir, a place where many singers first get noticed and make early names for themselves, she mouthed the words to avoid embarrassment. She, however, never lost her love and passion for music and spent endless hours moving up and down the radio dial, and listening to albums from her parent’s collection.

A life changing event about a decade ago pushed Carolyn to take a voice lesson. This time she wasn’t teased. She was taken notice of, supported, and given a start in folk music, which highlights included opening for Judy Collins, Tom Rush, and Kate Campbell among others.

Oh, and have we mentioned the blues?

“Carolyn Waters is a force of nature. Some people are simply created to sing and bless those who listen, Carolyn is one of those people”. Rev. Robert Jones, Sr. Acclaimed Blues/Roots Musician/Blues Historian – September 2013

Carolyn can belt out barrelhouse and juke joint blues, or fuse them with a pinch of Gospel and roots. She has been featured in the Boston Blues Society’s Ladies Sing the Blues Events where she shared the stage with the late great Shirley Lewis “Regal Queen of the Blues”, Lydia Warren, Lisa Marie and the wonderful Diane Blue to name a few.

Recently Carolyn joined forces with Satoru Nakagawa, a Japanese-born blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and member of the Tokyo Tramps to record her first all blues ep. This powerful duo merged the Delta slide with soulful singing and produced a deep blues experience.

“Carolyn’s voice is amazing, captivating, compelling—any superlative will fit. I don’t believe I have heard such a rich, velvety, and yes—bluesy—voice locally in years” – Karen Nugent, Boston Blues Society – May 2010

Performing solo, and with various accompanying musicians ranging from an incredible single guitarist to fronting her new dynamic Carolyn Waters Band, she can and has performed at all sizes and types of venues including clubs, festivals, galas, coffeehouses, vigils, and intimate-private functions in New England, New York, Maryland and Virginia.

“Carolyn’s songs are personal and have an emotional quality that moves the soul. Her easy natural style communicates immediately with your heart. Her performance is calm but powerful, putting you at ease and making you feel that all is right with the world. I look forward to hearing Carolyn perform her wonderful creations in the future. The best is yet to come”. Charles Williams, Principal, Phillip Glass’ Einstein On The Beach (2012-13 World Tour)

 

A benefit for Folk New England.

May
14
Thu
Hayley Reardon Cafe Concert @ Somerville Armory
May 14 @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Hayley Reardon Cafe Concert @ Somerville Armory | Somerville | Massachusetts | United States
It’s hard to believe that Hayley Reardon can be considered a seasoned folk artist before even completing high school, but the impressive career she has built thus far is only the beginning.Noted for her thoughtful, vivid songwriting and engaging stage performance, Hayley has spent the past five years sharing the stage with acts like Tom Rush, Peter Yarrow, Buskin & Batteau, Christine Lavin, and opening for the likes of Lori McKenna, Mark Erelli, and Catie Curtis.She has been selected for official showcases at Folk Alliance International and New England Regional Folk Alliance, as well as The Boston Folk Festival, New York Songwriter’s Circle, and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist Showcase.In 2012, The Boston Globe Magazine named her a Bostonian of the Year for both her music and her work to pair it with a message of teen empowerment. The feature article characterized her as “a confident, radiant teenage singer/songwriter who is helping to pen the next chapter of the Boston folk scene….while Reardon is rapidly making a name for herself under the stage lights, it could be said that she’s having a bigger impact on her peers across the country as an effective teen-to-teen ambassador, sought after by schools nationwide.”

More on Hayley here:
http://www.hayleyreardon.com/

 

Jun
5
Fri
Patty Larkin, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion and Tumbling Bones @ The Regent Theatre
Jun 5 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Patty Larkin, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion and Tumbling Bones @ The Regent Theatre | Arlington | Massachusetts | United States

PATTY LARKIN

Patty Larkin redefines the boundaries of folk-urban pop music with her inventive guitar wizardry and uncompromising vocals and lyrics. Acoustic Guitar hails her “soundscape experiments” while Rolling Stone praises her “evocative and sonic shading.” She has been described as “riveting” (Chicago Tribune), “hypnotic” (Entertainment Weekly) and a “drop-dead brilliant” performer (Performing Songwriter).

“Larkin’s shows are celebrations of song, guitar and voice coming together in perfect unison with a perfect blend of skill and humility. Patty Larkin would never tell you that she’s a great guitarist, but she’ll show you all night long.”_CityBeat

Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion

“Moves seamlessly from Beck-meets-Beatles rock to soundscapes, folk-roots and Beach Boys summertime rock… [with] a sincerity that is undeniable.” (RELIX)  “baroque folk with a quietist edge” (Nashville Scene)

Tumbling Bones
Tumbling Bones is a trio of young men inspired by old music. They play a mix of original compositions and traditional material drawing on bluegrass, pre-war folk, and a bit of the contemporary rock ‘n’ roll the guys were reared on.

“Take one listen to Loving a Fool and you’ll feel like you’re front and center at the Grand Ole Opry.  Yes, they’re that good.”
– Kathy Sands-Boehmer, (No Depression)

FOLK New England
Founded by Betsy Siggins in 2009, FOLK New England’s mission is to document, preserve, interpret and present the ongoing cultural legacy of folk music in all its forms, with emphasis on New England’s contribution to the enrichment of North American life.

FOLK New England creates a dialogue between the history of folk music and the future of folk, through robust collections development, multi-disciplinary education, and engaging entertainment programs for the public.

Produced by Last Dance Productions.

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.

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.