Saturday, October 8, 2005 - 7:30

Donna Martin

Farmington Valley’s favorite songwriter-guitarist returns with a new set of songs plus selections from her fine recordings, Farewell Scenes, Ghost, Pioneers and Call It Home. Years of experience as a soloist and as a lead singer in blues and country bands are evident in her polished, yet audience friendly performances. While many popular singers rely upon lyrics written by staff writers or by covering the work of other artists, Donna Martin has created several songs that will stand the test of time including “Heroes,” “I’m a Northern Girl,” “Famous Face,” “Sound of Good-Bye,” “The Open Canvas,” “Lost in September” and “You Can Call It Home.” Accolades from Guy Clark, Patty Larkin and Chris Smither plus inclusion in festivals at Falcon Ridge, Hartland and Lillith Fair attest to her great talent.

Mad Agnes

“If you’ve been struggling to find a link back to that addictive sound of progressive/alternative folk groups like Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention and Renaissance, listen up. On their CD Magic Hour, Mad Agnes, recreates with authenticity many musical qualities of those groups.”—Singer Magazine. Although this is the RBNC debut of Mad Agnes the trio’s members have played here in other configurations and have a combined output of 10 CDs between them. Margo Hennebach, Mark Saunders and Adrienne Jones go from full instrumentation on guitars, bass, mandolin and keyboards to spare, breathtaking a capella songs and back again during their program. Their style draws from many genres, including folk, pop, classical and Celtic music.

They are storytelling writers of memorable songs that they perform with superb musicianship, intricate harmonies and complex counterpoint. Enjoy songs from their recordings Live at UH and Magic Hour including Richard Thompson’s “Dimming of The Day” and their “Dancing Man,” “One Wild Dove,” “Guardians,” “Manic Depressive Madrigal” and “Let This Be My Prayer.” --- Admission: $15.00

Wednesday Open Mike Series
7:00PM - $5.00 Sign Up at 6:45PM
With Featured Performers:

Steve & Jon Rodgers

These high energy harmonizing brother songwriter-guitarists are the core of the contemporary band Mighty Purple. They host the open mikes at The Space in Hamden and will perform original songs from Mighty Purple’s CD titled Prefables.

Open Mike Performers in order of Appearance

Saturday, October 22, 2005 - 7:30

Nerissa & Katryna Nields

ZOË recording artists Nerissa & Katryna Nields were in top form pleasing large audiences at New Bedford's Summerfest last July as they have at Lillith Fair, The Folk Next Door and The Newport Folk Festival. These singing sisters launched their careers on Hartford, Boston & NOHO stages with clever songwriting, positive energy, colorful harmonies and superb stagecraft. These days, their writing and performing offers a fresh blend of New Folk, Alt Country and Folk Rock styles. Guitarist-songwriter Nerissa Nields recently had her young-adult novel, Plastic Angel published by Scholastic Books. Katryna Nields continues to lead the vocals with her trademark volcanic, mercurial soprano over her sister's rich, tawny harmonies. Listen for songs from their CDs Love and China and This Town Is Wrong. Their set list may include “The Day I Let Glory Steer,” “Kiss Me On The Moon,” “Ticket To My House,” “Yesterday's Girl” and “This Happens Again and Again.”

Admission: $15.00 Adv/$17.00 Door

Mustard's Retreat

Michigan folk duo Mustard's Retreat have made music for more that 30 years at venues ranging from "carrot cake circuit" coffeehouses to Wolf Trap, Lincoln Center, The Bottom Line, The Kennedy Center and at the Hartland, Falcon Ridge, Kerrville, Kate Wolf, Boston and Philadelphia Folk Festivals. They are Michael Hough on vocals, guitar and bass and David Tamulevich on Vocals, 6 & 12-string guitars, harmonica and dulcimer.

They are fine songwriters, great interpreters of classic songs and superb song finders of other artist’s works. Folk artists Garnet Rogers, Tom Paxton and Greg Brown praise the duo for their solid musicianship, great harmonies and unpretentious way of pulling an audience together to share a sense of community while being enlightened and entertained. Their recordings include Home By Morning, 5 miles or 50,000 Years, The Wind & The Crickets and A Resolution of Something. Program Highlights include: “The Road Back Home To You,” “Papa's On The Housetop,” “16 Tons,” “The Water is Wide” and “Part of Me Remembers.” Expect some hilarious parody songs, a couple of humorous tall stories and fine sing-alongs.

Admission: $15.00

River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs have a new CD titled Rockin’ The Zydeco World with 15 more great songs to choose from along with material from their previous discs High On The Hog and Big Fun On The Hog Farm. Zydeco is the rollicking dance music of Southern Louisiana’s Creoles. Melding influences of Rhythm & Blues, the Caribbean, Africa and neighboring Cajuns, accordion-driven Zydeco music is one of the most joyful sounds on Earth. WWUH-FM 91.3 Radio Host River City Slim returns on vocals and drums, joined by Robin Bean on rubboard and vocals, Toad Eckert on guitar & vocals, Jon Mack on bass & vocals and Mark Thompson on accordion & vocals. Enjoy rousing renditions of traditional tunes and of their roots influences Clifton Chenier, Canray Fontenot, Alvin Cormier, Boisec Ardoin and Terrence Simien.

Admission: $12.00 Adv/$15.00 Door