Benefit Night at the Flatbread Company
Each Tuesday night from 5 to 9 p.m., the within hosts a benefit night with a portion of flatbread sales benefiting a charitable organization of local interest.
This week's event for the Happy Kids Orphanage in Ghana features live entertainment by sophomore Samantha Gauthier.
Flatbread provides a cozy atmosphere for families to enjoy organic, fresh and fun ingredients while supporting an important cause and an up-and-coming performer.
Live, local music is also featured at Flatbread on Thursday nights from 6 to 8 p.m. The March entertainment calendar is not yet confirmed, so stay tuned to this column for an update on who will be performing this week.
Dish 'n Dat
Carrie Ashton, a New Haven area-based singer and guitarist, entertains at at The Shoppes at Farmington Valley tonight, Friday, from 7 to 10 p.m.
A popular regular act at Dish 'n Dat, Carrie always opens with a powerful cover of John Prine's 1971 song, "Angel from Montgomery," according to bar manager Myles.
LaSalle Market Band Night
in Collinsville has added a Band Night to their offerings, which is held on the last Saturday of each month and provides a chance for the talented regulars of the popular Open Mic Night each Friday night to prepare and perform a longer set.
This Saturday night, singer-songwriters Tom Sheely and Mike Companik, both guitarists who reside in the region, will be the featured performers with Open Mic hosts Eric Paradine and Coyote Doty providing on-stage support.
Original and cover music will resonate throughout the dining area at LaSalle from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Roaring Brook Concerts
This Saturday's concert at the is a celebration of virtuostic jazz guitar with the Frank Vignola Trio featuring Frank Vignola with his sideman Vinny Raniolo. Frank's prolific recordings include projects with a musically diverse group of musicians such as Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Wynton Marsalis, Tommy Emmanuel, the Boston Pops, the New York Pops, and guitar legend Les Paul, to name a few.
Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting promptly at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door. Please visit http://roaringbrookconcerts.org for more information and to reserve tickets.
The Fireplace Cafe
Tonight, Friday, the Canton-based Johnny Larsen Band returns to the Fireplace Cafe on River Street at 9 p.m. The trio features a wide variety of cover music featuring their expert three-part harmonies and tight acoustic instrumentation.
Show at the Fireplace are free, but it is traditional to leave a generous tip for the performers "in the bucket."
The Crown & Hammer Restuarant & Pub
"Folk 'n' roll" solo artist Chris Lynch returns to the Crown & Hammer tonight, Friday, for a set of original and cover music on a wide variety of instruments, including acoustic guitar, harmonica and five-string banjo.
On Saturday night, acoustic folk singer-songwriter Jim Paradis provides the entertainment at the Crown during what the pub is billing as "Beach Night." Jim, traveling from Guilford, is known at venues around the state for his "smooth vocals, heartfelt melodies and poetic lyrics."
"Beach Night" features beer and cocktail specials along with summery give-aways from the pub's distributors.
Performances at the Crown generally begin around 9:30 p.m. and are free of charge.
Canton Public Library
Harpist Marcie Swift performs at the Canton Public Library this Sunday at 2 p.m. as part of the library's Winter Concert Series. Marcie, who is a psychologist and certified music practitioner, espouses the therapeutic benefits and healing power of playing and hearing harp music.
She brings her collection of Celtic harps and will provide an opportunity for audience members to play a harp themselves. Story-telling and guided imagery play a part in her performance as well.
The performance is free, but registration is requested. Please call (860) 693-5800.
Free Weekly Events
Hosted by singer-songwriter "GrimFacts" Ed Hoyer, Jr., Acoustic Open Mic Night continues each Tuesday at the Fireplace in Collinsville starting at 8:30 p.m., attracting a regular crew of musicians from around the local region. Attend to find out how Ed will top the previous two weeks' holiday-inspired themes, "Love Sucks" and "Shrove Tuesday."
Collinsville's busy LaSalle Market holds a popular Open Mic Night each Friday night at 6 p.m. hosted alternately by Eric Paradine and Con "Coyote" Doty, both familiar to music fans around town and the region.
At , members of jazz band Swing 39 play as a trio on Fridays from 7 to 10 p.m., and return as a duo Thursdays from 7 to 10 p.m. On Saturdays pianist John Lomartra from Cromwell entertains from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Trivia Night, starting at 9 p.m. each Thursday night at the Crown & Hammer, has proven to be a popular night, bringing together neighbors and friends for a little friendly competition. Prizes go to the winning team.
Asian restaurant has resumed their weekly Karaoke Nights on Fridays from around 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. in the lounge.
The hosts weekly Karaoke Nights on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:30 p.m. They are open to all interested singers, trained and amateur alike.
