Canton Native Part of Season-Opening Concert at Bridge Street Live

Bridge Street Live Reopens for the 2012 Season

What better way to launch the season at than to bring back one of the venue's most popular and upbeat acts, Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra? This Saturday night at 8 p.m., the first public event after a three-month break opens the 2012 schedule of music and comedy.

Featuring Lucas Shine, who grew up in Canton, on guitar, the band's eclectic show includes around ten musicians creating a non-stop party atmosphere with their live style blending New Orleans music, soul, jam-bandy roots-rock and "secular Gospel" tunes with fun stage antics, including distributing Mardi Gras beads to the audience. 

BroJo, as they're known among fans, recently signed with Fleming Artists and plan to release their third recording in fall 2012. 

An optional New Orleans-style dinner buffet will be available for this show; the specifics have not yet been announced.

This season brings a new Happy Hour for ticket holders, which will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. each night there's a show. Drink specials include a $5 Cosmo-inspired "Love Juice," $4 house wine and $3 Budweiser and Bud Light bottles.

Entering their third season, Bridge Street Live is located right on the Farmington River in the heart of Collinsville. Entertainment director Pat Ryan books nationally and regionally popular musicians across many genres, along with some of comedy's best touring acts. See the venue's full 2012 schedule here.

Roaring Brook Concert Series

This Saturday night at , electro-acoustic violin troubadour Joyce Andersen performs as part of an ongoing concert series featuring talented folk and jazz artists from around the country. Joyce's new CD, Swerve, was recently released. Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show starting promptly at 7:30 p.m. 

Crown & Hammer Restaurant & Pub

The tight-knit Collinsville community includes an abundance of truly world-class musicians, and two of its most beloved residents are bringing their full bands to the this weekend.  

Tonight, Friday, Andre Balazs and his band, Bipolar Jukebox, return for their monthly "second Friday" gig to play jazz-inflected versions of Andre's original songwriting along with covers showcasing the quartet's unique style and strong musicianship. 

Andre, who takes care of lead vocals and piano, is joined by Dave Shuman on bass guitar, Dennis Fancher on guitar and background vocals and Charlie Dye on drums.

Museum of Sorts, Bipolar Jukebox's long-awaited new recording, will be available this spring.  

Saturday night, Collinsville resident Dan McNamara and his bandmates, all veterans of the Connecticut music scene, debut their new line-up and band name, Street Life. 

Dan performs vocals, keyboards and saxophone with Frank Giguere on drums and vocals, Craig Garfinkel on bass and some vocals and the newest member, Randy Ball, on guitar and vocals.

The setlist includes covers of classics by Tower of Power, Steely Dan, Chicago, Toto, Hall & Oates, Rob Thomas, Boz Scaggs, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Squeeze, The Doobie Brothers and more.

This Wednesday night, the Open Mic Night hosted by Danny Reilert also features country artist Will Corey, who's debut CD on the Nashville circuit should hit the airwaves this year. Backup will be provided for singers and other performers who'd like it. Open Mic Night occurs on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.

Live entertainment at the Crown is always free and begins around 9 p.m.

The first games of the NCAA Basketball Championships are coming up in a few days, and the Crown promises March Madness beer specials. Stay tuned! 

The Shoppes at Farmington Valley

Singer-songwriter Shannon Mulready performs his originals and cover tunes tonight, Friday, at . Current bar manager Myles Walsh reveals this special connection between the venue and performer: "Shannon was the bartender on duty here for my first bar-backing shift." 

The Frantic Blue, a Torrington-based folk-funk band, perform in Canton twice this week. On Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m., they'll be at Dish 'n Dat. 

The next night, the band returns to for a gig at the from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The Hub Bar & Grille 

Local educators by day and rockers by night, The Substitutes entertain with their set of fun covers of rock and party music at the tonight, Friday, at 8:30 p.m. 

Photography Workshop in Collinsville

Photographer Kelli Dease, whose studio is located at 30 Depot Street within the former axe factory in Collinsville, is offering Session One of a photography workshop this Saturday. Designed especially for parents, grandparents and others with digital SLR cameras they'd like to learn more about, the workshop will be held from 12 to 3 p.m. Learn more and register on Kelli's website. 

Free Weekly Events

Hosted by singer-songwriter "GrimFacts" Ed Hoyer, Jr., Acoustic Open Mic Night occurs each Tuesday at the Fireplace in Collinsville starting at 8:30 p.m. In the event's new tradition of holiday-inspired event titles, this week celebrates "National Open an Umbrella Indoors Day." 

Collinsville's  holds a popular Open Mic Night each Friday night at 6 p.m. hosted alternately by Eric Paradine and Con "Coyote" Doty.

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 starts at 9 p.m. each Thursday night at the Crown & Hammer.

Asian restaurant  hosts a weekly Karaoke Night on Fridays from 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.