Two Shows Mark the Birthday of Local Bar Proprietor

Duke's Birthday Weekend at the Fireplace Cafe

Collinsville nightlife regulars owe a great debt to Phyllis and Duke Carroll, who keep the Fireplace Cafe on River Street, a longstanding local institution, open virtually every day of the year, including many holidays. 

This weekend, customers have two opportunities to honor and celebrate Duke, the first being tonight, Friday, at 9:30 p.m., with a show billed as his "Pre-Birthday Party" featuring The Steve Polezonis Trio. Band members Steve and Keith will be joined by special guest Lou Grimaldi on the drums for a night of blues and rock. The trio shares members with regular Fireplace performers West Coast Cadence.  

On Saturday, it's Duke's official birthday party at the venue, which is affectionately known as "The Pit." The featured band is roots-rock stalwarts The Regulators, with Jonathan Lichtig on drums, Roger Cannavaro on bass and vocals, and Marty Carlson and Mark Miller, both on guitar and vocals. 

Shows at the Fireplace are always free, but it's traditional to leave a generous cash tip in "the bucket," 100 percent of which always goes to the evening's musicians.

Happy Birthday, Duke!

Dish 'n Dat 

Tonight's entertainment at is provided by local acoustic duo Prado and Rootes. Each Friday night from 8 to 11 p.m., diners are treated to live music in the bar area. This week Dan Prado and Kevin Rootes, two-thirds of the full band DDK and both singers and guitarists, will be treating music fans with their unique mix of classic and modern rock covers along with jazz and original music. This is their first gig at Dish 'n Dat.

On Wednesday at the modern American diner with a full bar, Brian Macdonald returns to perform from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Bar manager Myles Walsh guarantees multiple Steely Dan covers along with other rock music crowd-pleasers.

The Flatbread Company

Local band Sophia Cannavo and Bad New Peace perform Thursday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. as part of the 's free weekly entertainment at the dinner hour. 

Free Concert at the Collinsville Congregational Church

New York City-based classical pianist David Kaplan performs Sunday at 4 p.m. during a free concert at the Collinsville Congregational Church. The program includes works by Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann and is part of the free Shepherd Music Series presented by the Maxwell Shepherd Memorial Arts Fund.

The fund is a Collinsville-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to the fine and performing arts. For further information, contact MSMAF, Inc., at awkendra@yahoo.com.

The Crown & Hammer Restaurant & Pub

Tonight, Friday, 's  regular performer Shawn Taylor returns for a night of original roots-rock songwriting featuring his emotional vocals and guitar playing. 

On Saturday night, albinoTree return for their monthly gig, promising a night of consistently strong musicianship and "live music for lovers of wine and song."

Performances at the Crown are free and generally begin around 9:30 p.m.

Bridge Street Live 

As Collinsville's gears up for the new season, advance tickets for several concerts are already selling briskly, including the J. Geils, Jeff Pitchell, Gerry Beaudoin and Texas Flood show on March 24 and the Walter Trout show on May 9. 

Bridge Street Live is also seeking volunteers who are willing to help usher guests at shows in exchange for free tickets. The volunteer position requires a time commitment but could be appropriate for music lovers who are perhaps retired or otherwise available on a regular basis. Email info@41bridgestreet.com for more information. 

Check out upcoming shows and reserve your tickets at the venue's website. 

Canton Historical Museum Lecture Series

The next installment in the 's lecture series, held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the , is entitled "Charcoal Before the Briquet" and presented by Shirley Sutton. 

The lecture, which the public is encouraged to attend, is $3 for museum members and $5 for non-members. 

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. In the event's new tradition of holiday-inspired event titles, this week celebrates National Frozen Food Day, which is in the unenviable position of topping last week's National Tooth Fairy Day-themed Open Mic Night.  

Collinsville's busy  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.