New England's "state fair," the Eastern States Exposition (aka, The Big E) kicks off in Springfield, MA soon, and I'll be one of the two dozen local singer-songwriters featured at the Rhode Island building. I'll be playing two 45-minute sets of original tunes, at 2 and 5pm on Friday, September 22, and at 1, 3, and 5pm on Saturday, September 23.

The RI Songwriters Association (RISA) stage will be set up right inside the door of the Rhode Island building on the Avenue of States. You'll want to come early and make a day of it (you'll also want to come early to avoid the traffic, which I've been told can back up as the day goes on.)

The Big E is an enormous, 17-day fair combining the best of 6 New England states, full of everything you expect: sheep shearing, butter sculpture, horse show, giant pumpkin contest, a midway, rides, agricultural demos, and main stages with top musical attractions in the evening. Of course, there's classic "fair" food — everything from burgers, waffles, vegetarian and gluten-free options to a "deep fried piña colada martini."

I'm delighted to have this opportunity to play alongside some of the best local musicians. A big thank you to RISA and RI Commerce, for this chance to entertain the thousands of folks who visit the Big E every year.

Here's the full schedule of local performers:

I'll be doing the feature performance at the Sandywoods Center for the Arts in Tiverton, RI, on Tuesday, April 25 at the open mic hosted by Gary Fish. My 40-minute set starts at 8pm (doors open at 7). No cover, BYOB/BYOF (pass the hat). And here's a new song I'll be doing that I wrote for the Rhode Island Songwriters Association (RISA) Songwriters in the Round. It's called (Time to) Face Facts, And it doesn't even invoke Kellyanne Conway (until the fourth verse...) Enjoy!

Here's the details on my upcoming gigs in Warren, Tiverton, and Providence. I'll be playing a set of original folk tunes (and at AS220, a brand new song written for the occasion!) There's a venue for every part of the state and schedule — both weekinights and weekends. Hope to see you there!

Thanks to Don Tassone of Mediator Stage for the photo!

Friday, January 27
Church Street Coffeehouse Open Mic
Doors open at 7pm with open mic for about an hour with the 40-min feature starting ~8pm
First United Methodist Church
25 Church Street, Warren RI
$2 cover, pass the hat for feature
Coffee, water, snacks available
venue | map

Tuesday, January 31
Sandywoods Open Mic
Doors open at 7pm with open mic for about an hour with the 45-min feature starting ~8pm
Sandywoods
43 Muse Way Tiverton RI
No cover, pass the hat for feature
BYOB, BYOF
venue | map | directions

Saturday, February 4
RI Songwriters Sessions
RI Songwriters Association (RISA). Doors open at 8:30, 3 singer-songwriters each have a 30-min set
Brooklyn Coffee & Tea House
209 Douglas Ave Providence, RI
Suggested $5 cover
Coffee, tea, snacks available
venue | map | event info

Wednesday, Feb 8
RISA Songwriters in the Round
RI Songwriters Association. Doors open at 7pm and four singer-songwriters each perform three songs, with the second one written in the last month on the theme "Time to face facts"
AS220
115 Empire St Providence, RI
$5 admission
Bar and food available
venue | map | event info

Want to check out and maybe download some tunes? Right this way...

Click to embiggen. Image courtesy of Newport BridgeFest

Monday night from 6-8pm I'll be busking on Bowen's Wharf as part of the Newport BridgeFest, the week-long celebration of local musicians that "bridges" the Folk and Jazz Festivals. More than 50 local musicians will be playing at nine venues around Newport next week — you can get the schedule and full details at NewportBridgeFest.com. Hope you can drop on by!

According to an e-mail sent out on the PHS listserv, an alternative rock band, "Scarlet," featuring four PHS seniors — Christopher Cooney, Donald Larson, Jacob Telford and Zack Rego — has made it to the regional semifinals of the National Association for Music Education "SchoolJam" battle of the bands, and they need everyone in Portsmouth to vote them up. From the e-mail:

They are currently one of twelve semifinalists in the Northeast region and to make it to the finals they need to receive the top two highest votes in the region. Becoming finalists would send them to Anaheim, California in January to compete for prizes and gain valuable exposure.

Here's what's at stake for them and for Portsmouth High if they make it:

• For 1st Place: A trip to Europe to perform at SchoolJam Germany in the Spring of 2011, $5,000 for PHS's music program and $1,000 towards the purchase musical gear for Scarlet
• For 2nd Place: $3,000 for PHS's music program and $750 towards the purchase musical gear
• For 3rd Place: $1,500 for PHS's music program and $500 towards the purchase of musical gear
• For 4th-10th Place: $1,000 for PHS's school music programs and $250 towards the purchase of musical gear

All you have to do to vote is:

1. Visit http://namm.promo.eprize.com/schooljamusa2010/gallery and register with your email
2. Once you register and receive a confirmation email go to the northeast category and cast your vote for Scarlet (SchoolJam will not send you any spam so don't worry about providing your email)
3. Vote once per day now through November 30, 2010 so once you get registered don't forget to keep up with it, Scarlet needs all of your support
4. Additionally you will automatically be entered to win $1000 each time you vote.

Tell everyone you know to sign up and vote every day, as the finalists are determined solely on number of votes. The finalists will be announced on Dec 1, 2010 and we would be so proud to see Portsmouth's own Scarlet on the list!

If you haven't already checked out Scarlet, you can download their 5-track EP for FREE at http://scarlet.bandcamp.com/ and keep up with them on www.myspace.com/scarletri.

Hey all you Patriots, vote early, vote often!

Disclaimer: Written substantially from a listserv message.

American Songbook at Trinity Church.

This weekend, enjoy the music of Frank Sinatra, performed by the talented muscians of Newport's Trinity Church Ministry of the Arts (including one of Portsmouth's most musical families, Diane, Chris, and Jonathan Myers) From the press release:

Trinity Church's Ministry of the Arts presents their 4th annual event in the "American Songbook" series, this time, saluting "The Chairman of the Board", a.k.a. "Old Blue Eyes" - Frank Sinatra. This all-Sinatra review, under the direction of Paul Allard, and musical direction by Al Deston, III, spans the artist's 60+ year career, during which he recorded over 2,000 songs. Enjoy a trip down memory lane with the Trinity Church Ministry of the Arts cast, and sing along, tap your toes, or just watch, listen, and enjoy the show.

The show features Portsmouth musicians Diane, Chris, and Jonathan Myers, as well as Paul Allard, Lynne Ceglie (so sorry about Tuesday, Lynne!), Paul Koumrian, Pro Lyon, Carol Parfet, Steve Parfet, Nancy Roy, Bob Smith, and Cathy Taitz.

Each installment of "American Songbook" has been presented to raise money for a particular charity, and this time is no different: Proceeds from this year's show will benefit "Grace's Children Orphanage" in Northern Kenya.

Tickets are $20. For reservations, please email trinity.newport.arts@gmail.com, or call 401-324-9492.

Show times: November 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 @ 7:30 pm
November 7, 14 matinee @ 2 pm

Disclaimer: Written substantially from a press release.