Oswego Music Hall

Dust Poets

admin — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:02:40 +0000

Melding perceptive and melodic songwriting with the creative juices of five sensitive and worldly musicians, the Dust Poets have spent the last seven years touring across North America honing the trademark sound that binds World at Large, their fourth record, together. Drawing on folk, bluegrass, gritty alt-country and 60’s soul, while tackling topics such as homelessness, loss, life on the road, and the pitfalls of an oil-crazed culture, it’s the band’s distinctive personality that shines through on World at Large. Upon their return to the Music Hall after their debut performance in December 2006, eager fans of the band will find all the stunning vocals, daring arrangements and insightful lyrics that the Poets are known for in their most polished and personal effort yet.

“The band pokes affectionate fun at themselves and the world around them while spreading their own irreverent brand of small town angst.” ~Music Hall, fall 2006

Oct 1 – Contra Dance

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:40:58 +0000

7 PM Newcomer Workshop | 7:30 – 10:30 PM Dance

Held at the McCrobie Civic Center (same location as Music Hall shows), with live band, Great Bear Trio, and caller Sara Van Norstrand.

Ontario Center for Performing Arts, along with Stewart’s Shops, is sponsoring Contra Dances, fun for all ages. Contra dances are a combination of line and square dancing; fast-paced and learn-as-you-go. No partners are necessary.

Future dances (all first Fridays): 2010: 11/5, 12/3; 2011: 1/7, 2/4, 3/4, 4/1, 5/6

Raz-de-Maree

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:41:28 +0000

Raz-de-Maree, or “Tidal Wave” in English, is Sabin Jaques on accordion, bones and foot percussion; Rachel Aucoin on piano; Stuart Kinney on upright bass and banjo and Eric Faureau on violin. Hailing from the cross-border regions of Quebec and New England, their liveliness and outgoing personalities have lead them to evolve as a dance band as well as perform concerts on the folk music planet. They will be premiering on the Music Hall stage in a shared partnership with the “Phylla Mae Fall Fest Dance Weekend,” sponsored by the Syracuse Country Dancers, the very same folks who helped bring contra dancing to Oswego County. For those hearty folks who also want to dance, you may catch them on Friday night (www.syracusecountrydancers.org)

You can count on irrepressible energy and musicality from this quintessentially Quebecois quartet” ~David Smukler, Syracuse Country Dancers

Guy Davis & Ann Rabson

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:44:13 +0000

The music of Guy Davis is steeped in the language of his forbears, and pays tribute to the greats of the genre, including Mississippi John Hurt, and more contemporarily, Taj Mahal. Yet, Guy breathes new life into these deep blues roots, and melds his forceful interpretations of the classics with a growing catalog of his own brilliant originals—many of which are destined to become classics in their own right. Through his dexterous slide, dobro and fingerpicked guitar, a sprinkling of banjo, a torrent of harmonica, and a voice that can bark and growl and murmur softly without missing a beat, Guy needs no accompaniment. And then there are the stories. Guy can tell you stories of his great-grandparents and his grandparents, their days as track lineman, and of the interactions with the infamous KKK. http://www.guydavis.com

Now in her fourth decade as an internationally acclaimed songwriter, recording artist and performer, Ann Rabson sings in a distinctive contralto voice. Her smoky, gritty delivery draws from a wide vocabulary of bluesy bends, squeals, and sensual whispers to match the story she is telling. At age 35, Ann decided to learn the piano. Honored as a member of the Boogie Woogie Hall of Fame and praised as having “the best left hand in the blues, Ann brings her ability to play challenging left- and right-hand melodies while singing is nothing short of magical! http://www.annrabson.com

Two great blues artists in one night: Seasoned acoustic bluesman and Red House Records artist Guy Davis, and boogie-woogie/barrelhouse pianist and gritty vocalist Ann Rabson.

(Ann Rabson photo below by Tim Rasmussen)

Nov 5 – Contra Dance

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:44:41 +0000

7 PM Newcomer Workshop | 7:30 – 10:30 PM Dance

Held at the McCrobie Civic Center (same location as Music Hall shows), with live band, Great Bear Trio, and caller Sara Van Norstrand.

Future dances (all first Fridays): 2010: 11/5, 12/3; 2011: 1/7, 2/4, 3/4, 4/1, 5/6

Roy Book Binder

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:45:04 +0000

A student and friend of the great Gary Davis, “Book” has been described as a guitar pickin’ hillbilly bluesman. Equally at home with blues and ragtime, Bok shifts from open tunings to slide arrangements to original compositions with both traditional and self-styled licks. His storytelling emphasis is unique, mixing stories.

“Nobody writes in the idiom better than Roy Book Binder. He is a master player, singer, writer and teller of tales… true tales…” ~Jorma Kaukonen

Little Toby Walker

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:45:53 +0000

As John Platt, host at WFUV once stated: “If he doesn’t get them with his phenomenal guitar playing or catchy songs, he gets them with his wonderful stories. True entertainers have an engaging spirit that puts a smile on your face. Arlo Guthrie has it, David Bromberg has it, and so does Toby.” First discovered at NERFA, he made his Music Hall debut in February 2008; this is the soonest we could get him back.

“Little Toby Walker has got to be one of the hottest acts on the circuit. This is the real deal and not to be missed.” ~Dorset Blues Society

Dec 3 – Contra Dance

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:46:17 +0000

7 PM Newcomer Workshop | 7:30 – 10:30 PM Dance

Held at the McCrobie Civic Center (same location as Music Hall shows), with live band, O’Shanigans, and caller Bob Nicholson.

Future dances (all first Fridays): 2010: 11/5, 12/3; 2011: 1/7, 2/4, 3/4, 4/1, 5/6

Arrogant Worms

admin — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:47:44 +0000

Calling themselves “Musical Comedy at its Folkiest,” the Arrogant Worms turn out a seamless blend of words, music and message. They originate from the hub of Canadian grass roots music: Kingston, Ontario. Their fantastic stage presence, brilliant lyrics, rapier wit, and tight harmonies have entertained audiences across North American. The Arrogant Worms’ show is a polished yet satirical romp through life’s little inanities. They have clearly established themselves as Canada’s Clowned Princes of Humor, Purveyors of the Absurd and Ambassadors of Fun.

“You’d be hard pressed to find a band more outrageous or genuinely gleeful in its antics…” ~Tom Knapp, Rambles Magazine