Apr
12
Sat
Imagine The Beatles Solo Years @ The Regent Theatre
Apr 12 @ 8:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Imagine The Beatles Solo Years @ The Regent Theatre

IMAGINE The Beatles Solo Years.  Tickets On Sale Now.

The Beatles walked across Abby Road in 1969 and away from the studio, where they created the most important body of work that any rock band has produced before or since.

Throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s, John, Paul, George, and Ringo continued to write and record countless iconic songs, keeping them front and center in the world’s eyes and ears.

IMAGINE brings together the solo hits of the individual Beatles as they might have sounded if they continued together and if their legendary producer, George Martin, had crafted these songs along with them.

From the creative team behind the hit show “Piano Men: The Music of Elton and Billy.”

Featuring Orchestrations by Christopher Eastburn.

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Apr
19
Sat
Danielle Miraglia @ The Rose Garden Coffeehouse
Apr 19 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Danielle Miraglia @ The Rose Garden Coffeehouse

Danielle Miraglia comes armed with a strong steady thumb on an old Gibson and an infectious stomp-box rhythm with tunes ranging from heart-felt to socially conscious that will move both your heart and hips. Her latest “Bright Shining Stars” debuted at #15 on the Billboard Blues Charts. Cascade Blues Association calls it “… tough as rawhide, but smooth as blended whiskey.” Released Oct 2020 with Vizztone Label Group, it’s a solo acoustic folk/blues record that highlights the one-woman-band live sound she’s honed over the years, featuring guest appearances by talented friends Laurence Scudder, Peter Parcek and Richard “Rosy” Rosenblatt. It includes originals as well as a collection of songs she’s been covering at live shows over the years, paying homage to influences like Big Bill Broonzy, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and more, plus the title track “Bright Shining Stars,” written by her husband, Tom Bianchi.

“Americana and blues practitioner Danielle Miraglia wisely avoids fuss and clutter on her latest album, Bright Shining Stars. Fingerpicking and strumming on acoustic guitar are central to her sound, with percussion frequently provided by the infectious stomp of her foot. Three of the 11 tracks here are solo recordings, reinforcing a truism that the artist frequently has proven on Boston-area stages: A charming voice and fluid guitar prowess are all an artist needs to keep a listener rapt.” – Bobby Reed, Downbeat Magazine

“Straddling the line where folk/roots meets rock/blues, Miraglia has a voice that can go from a raspy come-hither purr to an Etta James-esque powerhouse belt, although she may be best known for her lead thumb — a heavy, thumping strike on her Gibson that’s backdrop percussion in itself.” – Lauren Daley – The Boston Globe

“Danielle Miraglia is like a musical butterfly who’s been granted unlimited creative metamorphoses. Even her musical chrysalis stage was a surprise emergence. Unlike so many Boston artists who attended one of the city’s many music schools, Miraglia went to Emerson College, graduating with a creative writing degree. Though she owned an acoustic guitar she seldom played anywhere but at home, she hadn’t given any thought to making a career as a singer-songwriter until one fateful night at the famous, now-defunct Kendall Cafe. She went to an open mic at the Kendall just to watch and absorb. It didn’t take long for it to register with her: “I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do: Get on stage to do my storytelling that way.’” Voila!

Her evolution as a songwriter and performer since then has been remarkable. She quickly won great acclaim and a faithful national and regional following after beginning as a “folk-blues” picker, and it’s a persona she still skillfully embraces in solo shows, but to hear her musical storytelling with such a fine backing band as the satirically named Glory Junkies (Laurence Scudder, viola; Erik White, guitar; Chris Anzalone, drums; and Jim Larkin, bass) is an entirely different dimension. That soul of a creative writer thrives in a vast range of musical styles. Danielle now rocks an electric guitar with equal aplomb, and all with a rocking and soulful energy that pays homage to top influences such as Janis Joplin, Prince and the Stones. No matter how Danielle Miraglia’s stories unfold on stage, they are a joy to hear.

She and the Glory Junkies wowed the sellout crowd during their live-stream taping at the Fallout Shelter, playing tunes from the band’s second album, “All My Heroes Are Ghosts ” — now billed under the moniker “Danielle M & the Glory Junkies (sparing DJs the quandary of the pronunciation of her last name). Those stories she dreamt of telling musically on stage are now like butterflies of their own.” – Nate Dow – https://asheardhere.com/

“Danielle is a dynamic and captivating musician; her rich soulful voice and blues guitar mastery resonate in a performance both rare and unforgettable.”
– Paul Patchel, State Street Blues Festival – Media, PA

“The genius of Glory Junkies is that Miraglia successfully pokes fun at a proverbial “selfie nation,” while also fully owning that tendency. Glory Junkies offers up deeply narrative lyricism and carefully crafted compositions…Glory Junkies boasts a song about reality TV, and one (the title track) that pokes fun at immortalizing one’s own image. Others stray into more personal territory, hitting close to home on Miraglia’s family dynamic, but the concept of the album remains a mainstay throughout.” – Liz Rowley, BestNewBands.

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May
17
Sat
Abbie Gardner and the Performing Songwriter Competition @ The Rose Garden Coffeehouse
May 17 @ 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Abbie Gardner and the Performing Songwriter Competition @ The Rose Garden Coffeehouse

Abbie Gardner is a fiery dobro player with an infectious smile. Whether performing solo or with Americana darlings Red Molly, her tales of love and loss, both gritty and sweet, are propelled by her impeccable slide guitar chops. As an award-winning songwriter, captivating vocalist, and a world-class lap style dobro player, she has an unmistakable sound all her own. This is masterfully captured on her 2022 CD “DobroSinger.” The record made it to #11 on the Billboard Blues Charts and #2 on the Folk DJ Charts, receiving rave reviews in Bluegrass Unlimited, Acoustic Guitar Magazine and American Songwriter. It’s a raw intimate recording full of blues, ballads and the ache of the unknown. It’s quite a contrast to her previous CD, which featured a co-write with Chris Stapleton and leaned on full band production. Abbie stands strong as a solo act and has opened for Lori McKenna and Martina McBride.

Acoustic Guitar Magazine says, “sheer brilliance and power … her evocative guitar is a second voice throughout, sometimes singing in unison, in harmony other times, or answering as in a conversation with the singer. The playing and singing are both impeccable and loaded with personality. You can hear every nuance of the slide, smooth one moment or rattling slightly at the end of a phrase like punctuation; and her intimate, pitch-perfect vocals—wistful, playful, confessional—sound like they’re dancing with the guitar.”

Her background is as varied as the songs she writes. Her father, Herb Gardner, is a stride pianist and dixieland trombonist. Abbie didn’t get into music school on her original instrument (flute), but graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Occupational Therapy. She gradually found her way back to music in Boston’s folk music scene.

During the pandemic, Abbie started teaching free Woodshed dobro lessons in her backyard and posting them to YouTube. Helping other people fan the flames of their creativity has always been a nice balance to performing. She has taught in person at Nashville Dobro Camp, ResoSummit, Kaufman Kamp, Rockygrass Academy, and Roots Music Camp. Then for Songwriting, she’s taught at New England Songwriters Retreat, Swannanoa Gathering, Summer Songs, and Moab Folk Camp. Students can check out her month-long, small group virtual songwriting classes and her downloadable “Dobro from Scratch” course.

“Not only a first-rate Dobro player but a songwriter to be reckoned with.” –John Platt, WFUV.

For More Last Dance Productions, click here.

May
18
Sun
Peter Asher: A Musical Memoir of the 60s & Beyond @ The Regent Theatre
May 18 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Peter Asher: A Musical Memoir of the 60s & Beyond @ The Regent Theatre

Peter Asher, we first came to know him through the global smash “World Without Love” as one half of the British Invasion duo Peter & Gordon. He returns–now a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire– in “Peter Asher: A Musical Memoir of the 60s and Beyond” which brings a multimedia experience to the stage, hosted by the two-time Grammy winner for Producer of the Year. Peter Asher moved effortlessly from his role with Peter & Gordon to Music Executive with the Beatles’ Apple Records, then famously- (as in cover of Rolling Stone magazine level famous)- to Producer and Manager, handling the careers of James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt and a host of others. Books abound, documentaries with half-truths (and worse) are all too common, but, now, finally, Mr. Asher tells first hand his tales from the eye of the cultural hurricane in this intimate evening.

“Memoir” includes film footage and photos from Peter’s considerable personal archive, brought to life with a storyteller’s gift, transporting audiences back to the heart of 60s popular culture. Icons such as Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Marianne Faithful, Yoko Ono, Carole King, James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt are among the cast of characters in this narrative – along (of course) with the greatly missed Gordon Waller. The evening is filled with the music of Peter & Gordon, including “I Go to Pieces,” “True Love Ways,” and “Lady Godiva.” The songs given to Peter & Gordon by Paul McCartney are also front and center: “Woman,” “I Don’t Want to See You Again,” Nobody I Know,” and “World Without Love,” all of which were US Top 40 hits. Peter presents these timeless classics along with other old favourites from that golden era.

The show brings the audience through the earliest days of Peter’s journey all the way to the present day, and projects including his SiriusXM radio show on the Beatles Channel, “From Me to You” . Peter’s book based on the show, “The Beatles A to Zed” was released by MacMillan on October 29, 2019; the book is already in it’s third printing.

For more Last Dance Productions events, Click Here.

Jul
6
Sun
John Mellencamp Anthology @ Mass Arts Center
Jul 6 @ 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Paper In Fire ~ John Mellencamp Anthology

Click here for Tickets.

Outside under the tent by the beautiful Norton Reservoir. Bring a chair and a picnic!

Since their formation, Paper In Fire has been igniting stages across New England with the authentic sounds and high-energy performances of John Mellencamp’s illustrious career. Named after one of his iconic hits, “Paper In Fire” pays tribute to the rock legend whose music has resonated through the decades, from the gritty, soulful anthems of the late 1970s to his powerful contemporary songs.

Fronted by six seasoned musicians who share a deep passion for Mellencamp’s music, Paper In Fire delivers performances that capture the heart and soul of his distinctive sound. Every show is a journey through Mellencamp’s extensive anthology, filled with the hits you remember and many more, expertly performed to bring the spirit of the originals to life. From “Jack & Diane” and “Pink Houses” to “Small Town” and “Hurts So Good,” their setlist is a testament to Mellencamp’s enduring legacy.

Join us and feel the heat!

Paper In Fire ~ John Mellencamp Anthology, Click here for Tickets.

For more Last Dance Productions events, click here.

Aug
16
Sat
Jimmy Tingle: Humor and Hope for Humanity @ Mass Arts Center
Aug 16 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Jimmy Tingle: Humor and Hope for Humanity @ Mass Arts Center

Jimmy Tingle, former commentator for 60 Minutes II and three-time “Best of Boston” winner, comes to the Mass Arts Center for one show only, Saturday, August 16th, 2025. VIP seats include a meet-and-greet with Jimmy at 6:30 pm.

In Humor and Hope for Humanity, Jimmy will take us on a very funny and soul-searching journey from his Boston roots as an aspiring comic and street performer to network television, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, a run for political office, and up to the present 2025 moment.

Jimmy will speak to the challenges of the day with comedic insight, compassion and common sense during a 90-minute, laugh filled yet thought-provoking tour de ’force performance. If laughter is the best medicine, then Jimmy Tingle is the Surgeon General of American humor. Clean, funny, and hopeful, Jimmy will make you laugh, think, and feel better. Just what the doctor ordered!

“Martin Luther King, Jr., Winston Churchill, and Jimmy Tingle all spoke on the Sanders Theatre stage at Harvard University, and I can guarantee you Jimmy Tingle got the most laughs…gets my vote for Best Political Comedy film of the Year.”  — Paula Poundstone, comedian

More info on Jimmy click here.

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Sep
20
Sat
Eric Andersen In Concert @ Rose Garden Coffeehouse
Sep 20 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Eric Andersen In Concert @ Rose Garden Coffeehouse

Eric Andersen, his voice, songs, guitar, and piano playing created a career that has spanned over 45 years. He has recorded 25 albums of original songs and made numerous tours of North America, Europe, and Japan. Eric Andersen’s songs have been recorded and performed by world renown artists such as Ricky Nelson, Judy Collins, Sandy Denny, Fairport Convention, The Kingston Trio, Peter Paul and Mary, Linda Ronstadt, Johnny Cash, The Grateful Dead, Linda Thompson, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Francoise Hardy, plus many others in Europe, Australia, England, and Japan.

Eric Andersen is one of our finest singers and songwriters, in the most literal sense of that tradition…

the most elegant of singers.” David Fricke (Rolling Stone Magazine)

“A singer and songwriter of the first rank.” (The New York Times)

“An American master.” Robert Palmer (Ghosts Upon the Road liner notes)

“Eric Andersen is a great ballad singer.” (Bob Dylan – live on stage at the Oslo Spektrum)

Eric Andersen, Click here for Tickets.

For more Last Dance Productions events, click here.