Free Thursday Concerts

Leonard Vaz, the Musicians’ Performance Fund coordinator of Local #281 (A.F. of M. Plymouth), has announced that L. Knife and Son will co-sponsor the summer concert series for the 2015 season with the Town of Plymouth Promotions Fund, the Plymouth Cultural Council, the Music Performance Funds, Ernie’s Restaurant and L.E. Cook Monument Company.

These free, public concerts begin at 7 p.m. each Thursday, starting June 4, in Pilgrim Memorial State Park on the Plymouth waterfront. Postponed concerts will be held the following Tuesday.

Legion Bud Band: June 4 and 18, July 4, 23 and 30, Aug. 13 and 27
Local #281 Big Band: June 11 and 25, July 9, Aug. 6 and 20, Sept. 3
Lenny Vaz German Band: July 2
Johnny Souza Quintet: July 16

The American Plate

The American Plate: A Culinary History in 100 Bites and its author Dr. Libby O’Connell are the inspiration behind a time-traveling dinner program at Plimoth Plantation on Thursday, June 4, 2015. Enjoy a four-course dinner that spans recipes from pre-Colonial period through the mid-20th century. Dinner will be enlivened by a cast of historical characters who will take you on an edible journey through four hundred years of history. 

The dinner will also celebrate the connection between Dr. O’Connell and Plimoth Plantation. A former Colonial Interpreter, Dr. O’Connell is currently Senior Vice President of Corporate Outreach and Chief Historian for the History Channel. She is the author of several books, including Save Our History, The White House- 200th Anniversary and History of Halloween.

“I remember how every visitor could relate to food,” said O’Connell. My goal in The American Plate is to tell the story of American history through food. Each food has a story of its own.” Join us on June 4th, and experience a piece of that delicious story for yourself!

Learn more at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-american-plate-a-historic-dinner-with-libby-oconnell-tickets-16787776692

For questions, or to order tickets over the phone, please contact Sarah Dery at (508)746-1622, ext. 8359.

6/5 Spire Center for Performing Arts Presents Steve Smith & the Nakeds

 

 The Spire Center for Performing Arts, the entertainment mecca of Plymouth, presents rhythm and blues band Steve Smith and the 
Nakeds, Friday, June 5, 8 pm, at The Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth. Singer/songwriter Zack Tyler opens. The concert is presented in collaboration with the Project Arts Summer Concert Fundraising Series.

The world’s premier “R & B” band since 1973, Steve Smith and the Nakeds are celebrating thirty-five esteemed years touring throughout the US and Canada. This powerhouse group has taken their distinct infectious blend of rhythm, brass, and fun to the touring stage with Bruce Springsteen's saxophonist Clarence Clemons for a series of critically acclaimed performances. They have been featured on television, appearing on MTV's video countdown program "The Basement Tapes", and more recently, on the Fox TV season 6 Family Guy DVD box set. In 2013, Steve Smith (along with all 67 other official members of Naked Truth and The Nakeds) was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall Of Fame.

 
Folk inspired singer/songwriter Zack Tyler is native to the region. A percussionist in his youth, Tyler took up the acoustic guitar in 2011. He recently released his first album “Two Separate Ways”, performing nearly every instrument featured in the recording. His album features original tunes that touch on his experience with relationships, juggling work, kids and a music career.

Tickets for Steve Smith and the Nakeds are $15. Tickets are now available, advance purchase is recommended, seating is limited to capacity. The Spire is handicap accessible, public parking is available street side, and in public lots in close proximity. For more information, to order tickets online, or to learn more about The Spire, please visit www.spirecenter.org, or follow Spire Center for Performing Arts on Facebook.

Plymouth Boy is Good to Mow. Lawn Tractor raffle raises Green for South Shore Community Action Council Local Heroes

Mowing his grandparents’ expansive Plymouth lawn just got a lot easier for Plymouth North High Schooler Ryan Gillette. Gillette is the lucky winner of a riding lawn mower raffle helped raise nearly $3,000 for South Shore Community Action Council, an organization that provides a range of critical services to low-income individuals and families on the South Shore of Massachusetts.

The Dixon 46” 22 horse power riding lawn mower with bagger attachment was donated by Shaughnessy Rentals & Party Rentals, a community supporter, located at 111 Camelot Dr, Plymouth, MA.

“We are delighted that a great, family oriented kid won the mower and that we were able to help the South Shore Community Action Council raise significant funds to continue their outreach to the region’s neediest residents,” noted Lynn Shaughnessy, owner of Shaughnessy Rentals & Party Rentals. She added, “As a family business it feels good to be able partner with an agency like South Shore Community Action Council”.

Ironically, Gillette bought his $20 raffle ticket when attending South Shore Community Action Council’s recent “Local Heroes” awards program. He was among the honorees who played 100 rounds in the Plymouth Lion’s Marathon Golf Tournament to raise funds for SSCAC's Food Resources Program.

About South Shore Community Action Council, Inc. in Plymouth

Since 1965, South Shore Community Action Council, a private not-for-profit organization, has provided a range of critical services to low-income individuals and families on the South Shore of Massachusetts. SSCAC works to eliminate poverty along the South Shore by providing low-income people with opportunities and support for education, training, and work.

SSCAC runs many programs in the areas of Youth and Family Development, Income Maintenance, Nutrition, Emergency Assistance, Self-Sufficiency, Energy Assistance, Employment, and Transportation Assistance. 95 cents of every dollar is utilized directly for programs and services.

For more information about South Shore Community Action Council, visit their offices at 71 Obery Street, Plymouth, call (508) 747-7575, of visit their website at www.SSCAC.org.

3-Day Jazz Festival Returns to Spire Center Memorial Day Weekend

Plymouth’s Spire Center for Performing Arts proudly presents their second annual Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Fest throughout Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24, at 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth. Jazz Fest 2015 is produced by Johnny Souza, through the generous sponsorship of Plymouth Rock Assurance Company and Eastern Bank. Special guest jazz radio host Eric Jackson serves as emcee for Friday and Saturday’s events.

Jazz Fest Weekend Schedule of Events:

Friday, May 22, 7:00 pm

The Johnny Souza Quintet

New England’s own Trumpeter/Vocalist Johnny Souza leads his popular quintet through a program of Souza’s original music along with unique arrangements of favorite jazz standards. Johnny has three CD’s in circulation which have received airplay on jazz radio stations nationwide. The Johnny Souza Quintet features Jeff Galindo/Trombone, Michael Shea/Piano, Bruce Gertz/Bass and John DiSanto/Drums.

The Marshall Wood Quartet featuring Donna Byrne

Bassist and leader Marshall Wood along with piano giant Tim Ray, extraordinary drummer Dave Brophy, and superb jazz vocalist Donna Byrne present a set of jazz standards, ballads and blues. Each experienced musician has traveled the world honing their craft for years, resulting in straight-ahead jazz that is unforgettable!

The Harry Allen Quartet

Swing Bros. recording artist Harry Allen has over thirty recordings to his name, hitting the top ten list for favorite new releases in Swing Journal Magazine's reader's poll and Jazz Journal International's critic's poll. Allen has performed at jazz festivals and clubs worldwide, frequently touring the United States, Europe and Asia, with greats including Rosemary Clooney, Ray Brown, Hank Jones, Scott Hamilton, Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Kenny Burrell, Herb Ellis, John Pizzarelli, Bucky Pizzarelli, Terry Gibbs, Warren Vache, and has recorded with Tony Bennett, Johnny Mandel, Ray Brown, Tommy Flanagan, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Kenny Barron and Dave McKenna, among others.
Allen is featured on many of John Pizzarelli's recordings including the soundtrack and an on-screen cameo in the feature film The Out of Towners starring Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn, and is featured in a series of commercials for ESPN starring Robert Goulet.

Saturday, May 23, 7:00 pm

Yoron Israel & High Standards

Bandleader and percussion master Yoron Isreal heads up musicians Laszlo Gardony on piano, Lance Bryant on saxophone, Henry Lugo on bass and special guest Hendrik Meurkens on harmonica. Israel’s brilliant musicality, intensity and versatility are appreciated worldwide, with international reconition for performance and 100 major recordings as accompanist. Israel also serves as a percussion education author and the esteemed Assistant Chair and Professor of Percussion at Berklee College of Music.

Cassandre McKinley and the Paul Broadnax Trio

Cassandre McKinley is renowned for her powerhouse voice, stylistic versatility and spirited, emotional performances. Her release "Til Tomorrow - Remembering Marvin Gaye" was hailed by Jazz Times magazine as “a rich, sensual salute” and the album’s steady national and international success in straight-ahead and crossover markets has legitimized her career as a prominent jazz and soul artist.
Paul Broadnax has appeared with Clark Terry, Joe Williams and Lionel Hampton among many others. Known for his "King Thing" (Nat Cole's singing and playing) and the powerful influence of Joe Williams, he performs around New England and beyond. He's been twice nominated for the Boston Music Awards Jazz Singer of the Year and chosen in 2003 as Musician of the Year by the Boston Musicians' Union.

The Joey Calderazzo Trio

A natural artist of jazz improvisation from a very young age, Joey Calderazzo is inspire by artist greats McCoy Tyner and John Coltrane, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. Calderazzo visited friends at Berklee College of Music, growing close with then students Branford Marsalis, Wallace Roney, Donald Harrison, and Jeff “Tain” Watts. Calderazzo’s big break came after meeting and jamming with legendary saxophonist Michael Brecker at a clinic. Brecker was deeply impressed by the young pianist and offered him the piano chair in his touring quintet after Kenny Kirkland left the group in 1987. Just over ten years later, Calderazzo joined the Branford Marsalis Quartet, replacing Kirkland a second time after the pianist’s untimely passing.
Calderazzo’s work has been just as notable in the studio as on stages around the world. A two time Grammy winner, he has released several CDs and has toured extensively worldwide. His new cd titled “Going Home” on Sunnyside Records features his current trio with Orlando le Fleming-bass and Adam Cruz-drums.

Sunday, May 24, 2 to 5 pm

All Star Open Jazz Jam Session

Musicians are welcome to take the stage with the house band during an All Star Jazz Jam Session. Trumpeter/Vocalist Johnny Souza will host the event and also lead the house band which will be comprised of some of the area’s finest jazz musicians, including Michael Shea on piano and Gary Johnson on drums. Attendees are welcome to perform or listen in from the audience. Use of a drum set, piano, bass amp and vocal microphones are available to all performers.
Tickets for Jazz Fest are $30 per evening for Saturday and Sunday’s performances, or $50 for a Friday/Saturday combination ticket. Tickets for the All Star Open Jazz Jam Session are $10 for audience members or performers. Advance ticket purchases are recommended, seating is limited due to capacity. The Spire is handicap accessible, public parking is available street side, and in public lots in close proximity. For more information, to order tickets online, or to learn more about The Spire, please visit our website at www.spirecenter.org, or follow Spire Center for Performing Arts on Facebook.