Collinsville Nightlife Features Some of the Region's Best Entertainers

Collinsville's live music venues, including the Fireplace Cafe, the Crown & Hammer, LaSalle Market, Downright Music and Art and Bridge Street Live, regularly feature the most talented and popular musicians from around town, the region and beyond. This week brings some stellar performers to downtown for a weekend packed with a variety of original music. 

The Crown & Hammer Restaurant & Pub

Four of the Hartford area's well-known, veteran musicians appear at the Crown & Hammer this weekend, beginning tonight, Friday, with a duo performance by bass player David Stoltz with singer-guitarist Gary Ciuci. Both musicians have worked over the years with countless legends in rythym & blues, jazz and rock traditions; David's current bands include Jaimoe's Jasssz Band and the Marks Brothers. 

On Saturday night, guitar duo John Mayock and Dennis Fancher return to the Crown to delight music fans with a set mixing John's original songwriting with roots-rock covers. The two perform together in John Mayock and the Homesteaders, and Dennis' other current bands include Bipolar Jukebox and Spookie Daly Pride.  

The Crown is also celebrating "Halloween in February" on Saturday night at 9 p.m. with prizes for creative costumes. 

Live music at the Crown begins around 9:30 p.m. on the weekends; there is no cover charge. 

Open Mic Night, which takes place on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 9 p.m., is hosted by Danny Reilert, who will accompany any performers who prefer to have back-up. This week's open mic doesn't have a strict theme, but the restaurant's Mardi Gras celebration that night, including decorations and drink specials, is sure to inspire some New Orleans and Cajun tunes. 

The Fireplace Cafe

The Fireplace on River Street is also bringing back some of their veterans for a weekend of original and traditional live entertainment. 

Guitarist Con "Coyote" Doty is on the calendar for tonight, Friday, and it's anyone's guess if he'll perform solo all night long or bring special guests from among his talented bandmates and other friends.

Saturday night, Canton-based Americana band Sweetheart Mountain will fill the Fireplace with the sweet sounds of their vocal and acoustic instrumental harmonies. With them will be new member Charlie Newcomb on upright bass. 

Roaring Brook Concerts

Grammy award-winning acoustic guitarist Ed Gerhard performs as part of the Roaring Brook Concert Series on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m., with doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door. 

For more information and to order tickets, visit http://roaringbrookconcerts.org/ or call (860) 693-0263.

The Flatbread Company

Every Thursday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., the Flatbread Company hosts live music featuring performers from around the region. This week, on Feb. 23, diners will be treated to party cover songs by Canton-educators-turned-rockers The Substitutes, who play regularly at Flatbread and other Farmington Valley venues. 

Dish 'n Dat

Singer Sue Gallagher performs a set of covers tonight, Friday, at Dish 'n Dat within the Shoppes at Farmington Valley. She will be accompanied by a guitarist. 

On Wednesday night, Steve Driver returns to Dish 'n Dat for a set of music that starts around 7 p.m. 

Downright Music & Art

At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23, Downright Music & Art is the venue for a new Poetry Slam event hosted by local writer Anissa Zucker on the last Thursday of each month. All are welcome to share poetry or just to listen. Snacks will be provided, and the event is free. 

Canton Historical Museum Winter Lecture Series

The Winter Lecture Series arranged by the Canton Historical Museum continues this Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Canton Community Center on Dyer Avenue. 

The topic is "Presentation of Collinsville Company Tools" by Jan Fish, long known as "The Collins Lady."

Tickets are $5 for non-members and $3 for members.

Bridge Street Live and Tolly's 41 Prepare to Reopen

Collinsville's Bridge Street Live and the attached new restaurant, Tolly's 41 on the Farmington River, may still be closed for the winter season, but preparations are well underway for an early March reopening. 

Tolly's 41, open Wednesday through Sunday nights starting again on March 7, opened in fall 2011 and quickly collected strong reviews from customers and food writers. The dinner and cabaret menus feature ingredient-driven, culturally diverse dishes with specials often inspired by the musical styles of the week's concerts at Bridge Street Live. 

The first show of the season at Bridge Street Live, slated for March 10, marks the return of Brother Joscephus and the Love Revival Revolution Orchestra, a 12-piece New Orleans-style party band that includes Canton native Lucas Shine on guitar. 

Visit the venue's website to see the full calendar of events and to reserve advance tickets. 

Free Weekly Events

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 La Trattoria Restaurant, 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.

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.

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 Rice Fields has resumed their weekly Karaoke Nights on Fridays from around 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. in the lounge.

The Hub Bar & Grille 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.