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July 15, 2025

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

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6 Arts Notes

An Evening of Gospel with Sombarkin

November 17, 2021 by Spy Desk

The Mainstay in Rock Hall MD hosts acclaimed gospel trio Sombarkin on Saturday December 4 at 8 PM. Tickets are $20 online and $25 by phone/at the door. Information and ticket sales are available on The Mainstay’s website at www.facebook.com/mainstayrockhall and www.mainstayrockhall.org. The Mainstay is dedicated to the safety of its patrons, performers, volunteers, and employees. As such The Mainstay requires proof of full vaccination at the door with corresponding ID. Unvaccinated patrons may be admitted if they have documentation of a negative COVID test no greater than 72 hours before the show. Masks required for all patrons at indoor performances when not specifically eating or drinking. If you do not have one, The Mainstay will provide one at the door.

Saturday December 4 8 pm $20 online advance $25 phone/door

Chills and goose bumps, power, and grace- they all come with the awesome sound of Sombarkin’ featuring Karen Somerville, Lester Barrett, Jr. and Jerome McKinney. Presented with the coveted Kenny Award for their starring roles in the2016 NYC Fringe Festival performance of  “Red Devil Moon” original musical theatre production; in full band accompaniment or  A cappella,  Sombarkin’ is a trio of vocalists whose sound is so coheseive it is amazing to discover just who is singing which part.

The group uses the skill of vocal instrumentation and harmony to deliver an explosive performance of Negro spirituals, map (code) songs, folk, gospel, and contemporary selections.  Their polyphonic technique is reminiscent to the ‘ole time religion’ and ‘campground’ style. They bring a soulful sound with surprising jazz licks and blues bends; crafted to impress the ear with the quality of an ensemble greater in number than the trio that stands before you.

Sombarkin’ comes to The Mainstay stage to present original and cover pieces from “Up and Over” their new 2022 album sponsored by the Hedgelawn Foundation.  With the incomparable piano of Gerry Werner and the shore’s timekeeper Ray Anthony on drums, the trio will deliver a full gospel repertoire featuring the best of their ole’ and new compositions.

The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region and is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website www.mainstayrockhall.org and information for supporting The Mainstay can be found at www.mainstayrockhall.org/sponsors.

Upcoming Mainstay performances include:

December 12 Harp and Soul Holiday Show
December 13 Mainstay Monday Finale Joe Holt with Sharon and Shawn
December 31 Mainstay New Year’s Eve Potluck with Joe Holt

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 6 Arts Notes Tagged With: Arts, local news, The Mainstay

Jeff Antoniuk and The Jazz Update Live at The Mainstay

October 7, 2021 by Spy Desk

The Mainstay in Rock Hall MD welcomes renowned saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk and The Jazz Update Saturday October 16 at 8 pm.  Tickets are $20 online/advance and $25 at the door or by phone. Information and ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website at www.facebook.com/mainstayrockhall and www.mainstayrockhall.org. The Mainstay is dedicated to the safety of its patrons, performers, volunteers, and employees. As such The Mainstay requires proof of full vaccination at the door with corresponding ID. Unvaccinated patrons may be admitted if they have documentation of a negative COVID test no greater than 72 hours before the show. Masks required for all patrons at indoor performances when not specifically eating or drinking. If you do not have one, The Mainstay will provide one at the door.

Jeff Antoniuk and The Jazz Update

Saturday October 16 at 8 pm.  $20 online/advance and $25 the door/ by phone.

Join us for a modern look at some of the most classic music from the past 80 years. Known for his probing interpretations of the jazz cannon, saxophonist Jeff Antoniuk and his band of like-minded players from across the Mid-Atlantic will leave you searching for more of their work. Armed with a program that ranges from Duke Ellington and Cannonball Adderley favorites to cutting-edge originals, Antoniuk and the band are poised for a memorable night in a rare Rock Hall appearance.

Among the evening’s highlights will be “Prelude To A Kiss, showcasing the special interaction between Antoniuk and his bassist, Tom Baldwin. This arrangement, which appears on Antoniuk’s highly acclaimed second album, Brotherhood, was praised recently by Ron Netsky of the Rochester City Paper.

Jeff Antoniuk, saxophone
Wade Beach, piano
Tom Baldwin, bass
Tony Martucci, drums 

The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region and is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website www.mainstayrockhall.org and information for supporting The Mainstay can be found at www.mainstayrockhall.org/sponsors.

Upcoming Mainstay performances include:

October 23 Alynn Johnson and Robert Redd Two Piano Show
October 24 Hedgelawn Classical Concert with Teodora Adzharova
November 6 Karen Somerville
November 8 Joe Holt and Dick Durham
November 13 Frank Vignola and Vinnie Raniolo
November 20 Sue Matthews
November 22 Joe Holt with Barbara Parker and Bob Taylor
December 12 Harp and Soul Holiday Show
December 13 Mainstay Monday Finale Joe Holt with Sharon and Shawn

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 6 Arts Notes Tagged With: Arts, local news, The Mainstay

The Mainstay to Reopen for Live In Person Concerts

July 7, 2021 by Spy Desk

Joe Holt

The Mainstay in Rock Hall MD is excited to announce that it will be opening for live in person concerts beginning July 12 with Mainstay favorite Joe Holt joined by guitarist Steve Herberman. Tickets are $12.Information and ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website at www.facebook.com/mainstayrockhall and www.mainstayrockhall.org.

After a year of lockdown and keeping the music alive through livestreaming concerts, The Mainstay is returning to LIVE in person concerts! The Mainstay family can’t wait to welcome audiences back to the cozy 125 seat listening room, known far and wide as one of the best places to listen to music in the Mid-Atlantic.  The season will start with two Mainstay Mondays and two mainstage concerts in July and August before returning to a full slate of concerts for the rest of 2021.

Steve Herberman

The Mainstay kicks off the season with Mainstay Monday featuring Joe Holt and 7-string guitarist Steve Herberman on July 12.  Soon after audiences will be treated to hard swinging piano jazz from the 3D Jazz Trio on July 23 and another Mainstay Monday on July 26 featuring the Washington College Jazz Combo. July will wrap up with a show featuring “apostles of hillbilly boogie” the High and Wides on July 31.

Mainstay Monday returns as Joe Holt welcomes guest artist Steve Herberman!

Steve Herberman is one of the most respected names in the world of jazz guitar. Steve has toured across the US and Europe playing and teaching and is featured in the book “The Great Jazz Guitarists” by Scott Yanow. Based in the DC area, Steve is a fixture throughout the region in jazz venues, and no stranger to the Mainstay. Steve Joins joe for a 7 string-guitar piano duo featuring favorite standards and jazz classics.

3D Jazz Trio

These eclectic evenings are returning on Monday nights and are hosted by our own Joe Holt at the piano, partnering with a special guest. Each week is a unique, one of a kind show. Seating is casual and tables are available (bring your own dinner, if you like), along with a cash bar. Doors open at 6:30 pm with the show starting at 7:00.

The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region and is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website www.mainstayrockhall.org and information for supporting The Mainstay through the COVID-19 crisis can be found at www.mainstayrockhall.org/sponsors.

The High and Wides

Upcoming Mainstay performances include:

July 12 Mainstay Monday featuring Joe Holt with guest Steve Herberman
July 23 The 3d Jazz Trio featuring Amy Shook, Sherrie Maricle, and Jackie Warren
July 26 Mainstay Monday featuring Joe Holt with the WAC Jazz Combo
July 31 The High and Wides
August 28 Ultrafaux
September 3 Stephen Phillip Harvey Jazz Orchestra
September 9 Charlie Byrd Tribute with Chuck Redd
September 18 Ellen Cherry
September 25 Danny Paisley and Southern Grass
October 2 Happy Traum
October 9 Rock Hall Fall Fest
October 16 Jeff Antoniuk
October 23 Alynn Johnson and Robert Redd
November 6 Karen Somverville
November 13 Frank Vignola
November 20 Sue Matthews
December 12 Harp and Soul Holiday Show

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 6 Arts Notes Tagged With: Arts, local news, The Mainstay

The Mainstay Livestream Concerts Continue: Pianist Daryl Davis

October 14, 2020 by Spy Desk

The Mainstay streaming concerts live from Rock Hall continue on Friday October 23at 7 pm with pianist, vocalist, actor and author Daryl Davis. All concerts are streamed live from Kent County’s favorite live music venue via a private uplink available through The Mainstay’s website.  Tickets are $5 online/advance. Information and ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website at www.mainstayrockhall.org.

Daryl Davis

Friday October 23 tune into the live feed from The Mainstay at 7 pm for an exciting evening of boogie-woogie piano with the fabulous Daryl Davis and company.

Daryl Davis is an international recording artist, published author, actor and leader of THE DARYL DAVIS BAND.

Born in the Electric Blues Capital of the world, Chicago Illinois, DARYL absorbed the influences of the South from musicians who traveled North from the Mississippi Delta, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Missouri to this Blues Mecca. Today, he resides in Maryland, just a few minutes from Washington, DC.

DARYL DAVIS earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from Howard University in Washington, DC where he was a member of their world famous and renowned Jazz Vocal Ensemble. In addition to being a vocalist, guitarist, and composer, DARYL is a keyboardist extraordinaire. Upon graduation, DARYL went on to work with such artists as Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley’s Jordanaires, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Platters, The Drifters, The Coasters, Bo Diddley, Percy Sledge, and Sam Moore (of Sam & Dave), to name a few.

Both Pinetop Perkins and Johnnie Johnson, considered to be the greatest Blues & Boogie Woogie and Blues and Rock’n’Roll pianists respectively, both have claimed DARYL as their godson. They have both praised his ability to master with authenticity, a style that was popular 20 years before he was born, progressing through the styles of many pioneers including Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino and beyond. It was this ability that landed DARYL in the piano slot for The Legendary Blues Band (which was the Muddy Waters band) and the piano slot for Chuck Berry. Both positions were once held by Perkins and Johnson.

As a recording artist, DARYL DAVIS was the featured pianist on the Cephas & Wiggins Grammy-nominated album Flip, Flop & Fly. As a composer, in addition to his own hits, I’m a Boogie Man and Broadminded and many other originals, DARYL scored the music to the children’s story, Abigail. His own CDs are titled, American Roots, Alternate Routes and Greatest Hits.

After having been with so many others, helping them to do their thing in nightclubs, concert halls, festivals, recordings, films, radio & television, from the United States to Europe, don’t miss seeing DARYL DAVIS with his own group doing his own thing!

The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region and is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website www.mainstayrockhall.org and information for supporting The Mainstay through the COVID-19 crisis can be found at www.mainstayrockhall.org/sponsors.

Upcoming Mainstay performances include:

November 6 Ellen Cherry
November 20 Eastport Oyster Boys

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 6 Arts Notes Tagged With: Arts, local news, The Mainstay

The Mainstay Livestream Concerts Continue: Tom Lagana Trio

October 1, 2020 by Spy Desk

The Mainstay streaming concerts live from Rock Hall continue on Friday October 9 at 7 pm with the Tom Lagana Trio. All concerts are streamed live from Kent County’s favorite live music venue via a private uplink available through The Mainstay’s website.  Tickets are $5 online/advance. Information and ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website at www.mainstayrockhall.org.

Friday October 9 tune into the live feed from The Mainstay at 7 pm for an evening of swinging jazz with the Tom Lagana Trio. Guitarist Lagana is joined by Dominic Smith on drums and Tom Baldwin on bass.

Guitarist Tom Lagana has been steadily building a strong reputation as a multi-faceted artist in the mid-Atlantic region. As a jazz guitarist and bandleader in clubs, festivals, and recordings, as a classical guitarist in master classes and with orchestras, as an educator, and as a composer, Lagana has garnered respect for his creativity, musical integrity, and devotion to his craft.

After graduating from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Lagana went to work as the guitarist for the Walt Disney Jazz Band in Orlando, Florida. Upon his return to his home state of Maryland, he was recognized by jazz legend Charlie Byrd as “one of the most promising jazz guitarists in the area.” Byrd invited Lagana to sit in with him on several occasions, paving the way for the Tom Lagana Trio to become the house band at Byrd’s venue of choice, The King of France Tavern in Annapolis, three nights a week for over a year.

Lagana took his professional education to a new level by obtaining a Masters in Music at Towson University with a dual focus on both jazz and classical guitar performance. While at Towson, Lagana was awarded second prize in the prestigious Sidney Lieberman Competition. Normally won by pianists, Lagana was the first guitarist to be recognized in the history of that competition. Lagana’s work in higher education has not been limited to musical performance: His in-depth analysis of the work of Pat Metheny was published by Just Jazz Guitar magazine in two issues in 2005 and was endorsed by Metheny himself. Following up on his academic successes, Lagana has served on the faculty at Towson University as well as in his current position at University of Maryland, Baltimore County.

The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region and is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website www.mainstayrockhall.org and information for supporting The Mainstay through the COVID-19 crisis can be found at www.mainstayrockhall.org/sponsors.

Upcoming Mainstay performances include:

October 23 Daryl Davis
November 13 Ellen Cherry
November 20 Eastport Oyster Boys

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 6 Arts Notes Tagged With: Arts, local news, The Mainstay

The Mainstay Livestream: A Tribute to Duke Pearson with The Todd Simon Trio

August 12, 2020 by Spy Desk

The Mainstay streaming concerts live from Rock Hall continue on Friday August 21 at 7 pm with the Todd Simon Trio presenting a tribute to legendary Blue Note artist Duke Pearson. All concerts are streamed live from Kent County’s favorite live music venue via a private uplink available through The Mainstay’s website.  Tickets are $5 online/advance. Information and ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website at www.mainstayrockhall.org.

Featuring pianist Todd Simon, bassist Amy Shook, and drummer Jesse Moody, this show pays tribute to one of the unsung heroes of Blue Note Record’s Golden Age.

Pianist, composer, arranger and producer Columbus Calvin ‘Duke’ Pearson was born on August 17th, 1932. Duke started on piano when he was five but switched to trumpet at 12. He attended Clark College, then served in the Army from 1953-1954 with pianist Phineas Newborn, Jr. and trumpeter Louis Smith, and wrote arrangements for the Army Band. After returning to Atlanta, he reverted to the piano, joining the house band at the Waluhaje Ballroom and performing with Louis Smith in 1957-1958. At the urging of fellow musicians, Duke moved to New York City in January 1959. Trumpeter Donald Byrd heard Pearson, who soon found himself working with some of the finest jazz players of the day and recording for Blue Note Records, which would play a major role in his life.

Duke worked with the Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet in 1960 before joining the quintet co-led by Byrd and baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams. He toured with  Nancy Wilson in 1961 and traveled with her to Brazil, which inspired the creation of one of his best-known pieces, ‘Cristo Redentor’. The tune appeared on Byrd’s Blue Note album A New Perspective (1/12/63), an ambitious recording which featured an 8-piece choir in addition to Byrd’s septet. After the death of saxophonist Ike Quebec on January 16th, 1963, Duke took his place as A & R man for Blue Note and continued in that capacity when Liberty records purchased the label from founder Alfred Lion in 1966 (Lion retired in 1967). Duke’s arranging skills were used by many Blue Note artists and he later served as producer for a number of sessions. He also recorded for Atlantic records during this time, although one session was lost in a warehouse fire.

Pearson and Byrd formed a big band which made its debut at Carnegie Hall in 1966 and subbed for the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis band at the Village Vanguard in February 1967. The two bands shared personnel, notably Pepper Adams, Jerry Dodgion (alto sax) and Garnett Brown (trombone). The big band (with Pearson as sole leader) made two recordings for Blue Note, Introducing Duke Pearson’s Big Band (12/15/67) and Now Hear This (12/3/68). They performed four times for Baltimore’s Left Bank Jazz Society, and selections from their concert on 4/27/69 were released by Uptown records. In the late 1960s, Duke began incorporating Brazilian music into his repertoire, and introduced several Brazilian artists to U.S. audiences, notably vocalist Flora Purim, percussionist Airto Moreira and multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal.

Although Duke’s last session for the Blue Note was in 1970, he continued his production work for them until the mid-1970s. He reformed his big band in 1972 and started a new residency at the Half Note in 1973. Duke Pearson died on August 4th, 1980 at Atlanta Veterans’ Hospital from multiple sclerosis.

The Todd Simon Trio will take us on a tour of Duke’s music, and may even offer a few never before recorded masterworks!  Don’t miss this amazing concert.

The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region and is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website www.mainstayrockhall.org and information for supporting The Mainstay through the COVID-19 crisis can be found at www.mainstayrockhall.org/sponsors.

Upcoming Mainstay performances include:

September 11 Jeff Antoniuk and Helluva Band
September 14 Monday Night LIVE with Joe Holt
September 18 Ken and Brad Kolodner

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 6 Arts Notes Tagged With: Arts, local news, The Mainstay, The Talbot Spy

Chesapeake Arts: Courtney Adams Heads Off to UM as Mainstay Scholar

May 23, 2020 by The Spy

According to Queen Anne’s County High School senior Courtney Adams, the third recipient of The Mainstay’s annual musical scholarship grant, her $3,000 award has made an enormous difference in her life goal to become a member of a major symphony orchestra someday. In fact, the Mainstay grant made it possible for her to take her first major step in becoming a professional musician since it allowed her to enter the University of Maryland’s highly competitive music program starting this fall.

Nothing could please The Mainstay more than to hear that since that was the intent of creating the scholarship fund in the first place.

In the Spy’s ongoing efforts to celebrate regional arts and put the spotlight on the Mid-Shore’s most promising musicians, we talked to both Courtney and the Mainstay’s programming director, John Thomas, to understand how important this award can be to young people starting their careers.

This video is approximately two minutes in length. For more information about the Mainstay’s scholarship award, please go here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 1A Arts Lead, Archives, Arts Portal Lead Tagged With: The Mainstay

The High and Wides at The Mainstay March 14

March 4, 2020 by Spy Desk

The Hedgelawn Bluegrass Series kicks off its inaugural season with a rollicking performance by local boys made good, The High and Wides Sunday Saturday March 14 at 8pm.  Tickets are $20 online/advance or $25 by phone reservation and at the door.Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website at www.mainstayrockhall.org.

The Hedgelawn Bluegrass Series, funded by a generous grant from the Hedgelawn Foundation, aims to present the best in bluegrass and old-time music being performed today.  From traditional sounds to the freshest Newgrass, from folk to high-energy fusion, the best of this music will be on display at The Mainstay.  The six concert series debuts with a not-to-be-missed performance by local heroes turned chart-topping pros The High and Wides.

The High & Wides project a big, driving sound—mountain musical traditions re-imagined for a new century. Formed on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in 2015, they write music about arson and hourly motels, dystopian love songs, and ballads of violent history.

The High & Wides draw from their members’ extensive backgrounds in bluegrass and take the music to a place all their own, recalling an era when old-time, rockabilly, and proto-rock’n’roll coexisted in a murky soup of hillbilly string band music.

Following the Billboard bluegrass top-ten debut success of their 2018 recording, Lifted, in December 2019 the band released their follow-up album, Seven True Stories, which debuted at #6 on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart.

Members include Marc Dykeman (guitar, vocals), Sam Guthridge (banjo, mandolin, vocals), Nate Grower (fiddle), and Mike Buccino (bass).

The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region and is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.

Upcoming Mainstay performances include:

March 14 Hedgelawn Bluegrass Series Kickoff with the High and Wides
March 16 Joe Holt welcomes Jen Friedman
March 20 Celtic Celebration Featuring the Waverly Trio and Irish Dancers
March 23 Joe Holt welcomes Meredith Davies Hadaway
March 27 The Zach Lambert Quartet
March 28 Memorial Concert for Neil Tilghman with Vince Lewis, Tommy Cecil, and Steve Abshire
March 30 Joe Holt welcomes Elisabeth Engle and Barbara Ferris
April 5 The Hedgelawn Classical Series presents Sacred Monsters
April 6 Joe Holt welcomes Eddie Sherman and Peggy Raley
April 11 The Hedgelawn Bluegrass Series presents Dirty Grass Players
April 13 Joe Holt welcomes Steve Herbeman
April 19 University of Delaware Big Band
April 20 Joe Holt welcomes Tom Palmer and James Fowler
April 27 Joe Holt welcomes Dave Schiff

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 6 Arts Notes Tagged With: Arts, local news, The Mainstay, The Talbot Spy

Sparky and Rhonda Folk Music at The Mainstay February 8

January 29, 2020 by Spy Desk

The Mainstay presents renowned folk and storytelling duo Sparky and Rhonda Rucker Saturday February 8 at 8pm. Tickets are $20 by phone reservation and$25 at the door and by phone reservation.Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website at www.mainstayrockhall.org.

Sparky and Rhonda Rucker

SPARKY AND RHONDA RUCKER perform throughout the U.S. as well as overseas, singing songs and telling stories from the American folk tradition. They are internationally recognized as leading musicians, authors, and storytellers. They accompany themselves with fingerstyle picking and bottleneck blues guitar, blues harmonica, old-time banjo, piano, spoons, and bones. Sparky and Rhonda will deliver an uplifting presentation of toe-tapping music spiced with humor, history, and tall tales. They take their audience on an educational and emotional journey that ranges from poignant stories of slavery and war to an amusing rendition of a Brer Rabbit tale or their witty commentaries on current events.

Their music includes a variety of old-time blues, Appalachian music, slave songs, Civil War music, spirituals, work songs, ballads, civil rights music, and their own original compositions. You will hear soulful blues licks, heart-rending gospel, knee-slapping good rhythms, and bottleneck guitar slide. Over fifty years of performing, Sparky and Rhonda have performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival as well as NPR’s All Things Considered, Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, and Morning Edition. Their recording, Treasures & Tears, was nominated for a W.C. Handy Award, and their music is also included on the Grammy-nominated anthology, Singing Through the Hard Times.

The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region and is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.

Upcoming Mainstay performances include:

January 27 Joe Holt welcomes The WAC Jazz Combo
February 3 Joe Holt welcomes Van Albert
February 8 Sparky and Rhonda
February 16 Hamiltunes Community Singalong
February 10 Joe Holt welcomes Pres Harding
February 17 Joe Holt welcomes Scott Silbert, Amy Shook, Steve Abshire
February 22 The Great Guitars with Gene Bertoncini, Steve Herberman, & Steve Abshire
February 23 The Hedgelawn Classical Series presents the Ann Street Trio
February 24 Joe Holt welcomes Dave Robinson
March 8 The Hedgelawn Classical Series presents L’Abri Trio
March 14 Hedgelawn Bluegrass Series Kickoff with the High and Wides
March 20 Celtic Celebration Featuring the Waverly Trio and Irish Dancers
March 27 The Zach Lambert Quartet
March 28 Memorial Concert for Neil Tilghman with Vince Lewis, Tommy Cecil, and Steve Abshire

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 6 Arts Notes Tagged With: Arts, local news, The Mainstay, The Talbot Spy

25th Anniversary Concert with Deanna Bogart at The Mainstay

December 18, 2019 by Spy Desk

Help The Mainstay kick off its 25th anniversary season with a rockin’ concert featuring Deanna Bogart and her band on Wednesday, January 1, at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $25 online/advance and $30 by phone reservation and at the door. Advance tickets for concert plus Sparkling Start Reception featuring a meet and greet with the evening’s artist, Deanna Bogart are $50.). Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website at www.mainstayrockhall.org.

Deanna Bogart

Mainstay favorite Deanna Bogart returns with her spectacular combination of boogie-woogie, rocking contemporary blues, country and jazz into a splendid blend she calls “blusion.” In defining it, she says, “…it all grows out of the blues… it just doesn’t always end there…” Her keyboards dazzle, her saxophone soulfully wails, and her smoky vocals bring out the best in her original cut-above songwriting and her covers. Her fusion of blusion — spontaneous, sophisticated, fearless and fun — has garnered her three consecutive Blues Music Awards for Horn Instrumentalist of the Year and an endorsement contract with Rico Reeds. She has won, at last count, more than 20 Wammies, the music awards for the hotly contested Washington, D.C. region. This is a rare trip to the area as she is now based on the West coast. The rest of the band is Mike Aubin on drums, Chuck Underwood on guitar and Scott Ambush on bass.

The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region and is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Information and advance ticket sales are available on the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.

Upcoming Mainstay performances include:

January 6 Joe Holt welcomes John Thomas
January 13 Joe Holt welcomes Gerry Werner
January 20 Joe Holt welcomes Yvette Hynson
January 26 The Hedgelawn Series presents Teodora Adzharova and Orest Smovzh
January 27 Joe Holt Welcomes the WAC Jazz Combo

Don’t miss the latest! You can subscribe to The Talbot Spy‘s free Daily Intelligence Report here.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: 6 Arts Notes Tagged With: local news, The Mainstay, The Talbot Spy

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