Author: firstfridayconcerts_5z36p3

Fiddle Hill in Concert May 3rd

 Quick question- what’s the next best thing to Cinquo de Mayo?

Answer:

Fiddle Hill

on May 3rd featuring a trio of versatile and virtuoso musical talents: Chris Devin… Brian Bender… Steve Benson…

From the top-
Chris Devine (aka Ian Anderson in the terrific Jethro Tull tribute band Minstrels in the Gallery) is a flat out masterful musician- equally extraordinary on electric and acoustic violin/guitar, mandolin, concert flute, soprano saxophone, keyboards and vocals (in his other life he’s a skilled actor and comic who has appeared on Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, and PBS) At last count Chris has topped the century mark,as a session musician appearing on over a hundred CD’s ranging from jazz to classical to country.
Brian Bender is also a multi-instrumentalist: piano, trombone, melodica, accordion, percussion- who plays in and/or leads more ensembles than I can count on both hands; including the Klezmer-African-Latin-Caribbean fusion band… wait for it… LITTLE SHOP OF HORAS. Credits include Carnegie Hall & The Presidential Inauguration of Bill Clinton (In his spare time he operates Face The Music Recording Studio in Shutesbury and works as a freelance sound engineer)
Grounding out the trio is Steve Benson on vocals, guitar, and mandolin. Steve is a skilled string player who sings Irish Pub songs with such charisma and style it’s like “bottling a Nor Easter and uncorking it on St. Pats!” (He’s also toured with several bands, and opened for Little Feat, and The Spin Doctors among others)
Bottom line- an amazing line up sure to delight your ears and warm your heart.
But wait… there’s more.  Bouncing back from an illness that caused him to cancel treating us at April’s Cindy Kallet & Grey Larson Coho Concert  to a sneak peak of his Let It Rain band at Hawks & Reed, Eric Phelps is all set to open for Fiddle Hill (two-thirds of which he’s performed and recorded with- and could jump up and join him… just sayin’)
PLEASE help us pass the word and forward this far and wide.
Grazzi,
Rob
THE FULL FUN FACTS:
Date: Friday April 5
Time: 7pm
Venue: Cherry Hill Cohousing 120 Pulpit Hill Rd N. Amherst
Tix: $15-25 Sliding Scale
Note:
No advance reservations. Seating strictly first come, first served. Doors open 6:30
This is a smoke and fragrance-free venue.
Facility is wheelchair accessible
Vision Statement:
First Friday Coho Concerts provides a creative forum for talented and visionary musicians to share their gifts and be supported by attendee contributions in a way that values their artistry and encourages their dedication to building a brighter world. Performances take place in the Common House “Great Room”: a space intimate enough to feel like a house concert but large enough to draw in the broader community. The series is a purely volunteer effort, organized by Co-Housing members who enjoy live music and want to share their delight with other music lovers in the Valley.

Cindy Kallet and Grey Larsen in Concert Friday, April 5th

You may already know that Cindy Kallet and Grey Larsen are two of the most beloved and bedazzling musicians in New England, sharing songs and tunes full of depth and joy. Cindy is a superb singer, scintillating guitarist, and soulful songwriter. Grey is also a fine vocalist, and a phenomenally versatile instrumentalist (concertina, fiddle, piano, harmonium…) and one of America’s finest players of the Irish flute and tin whistle.
As composers, Cindy Kallet and Grey Larson weave vibrant colors and subtle textures into a unique tapestry of contemporary folk and world music. In concert, the pair perform with an agility and alacrity that’s earned rave reviews from The Boston Globe” provocative, heartwise, and original” to The New Mexico Daily “positively spellbinding!”
So help us welcome this delightful duo back to First Friday Coho Concerts- and treat yourself (and 40 of your closest friends) to an enlivening evening of aural artistry.
THE FULL FUN FACTS:
Date: Friday April 5
Time: 7pm
Venue: Cherry Hill Cohousing 120 Pulpit Hill Rd N. Amherst
Tix: $15-25 Sliding Scale
Note:
No advance reservations. Seating strictly first come, first served. Doors open 6:30
This is a smoke and fragrance-free venue.
Facility is wheelchair accessible
Vision Statement:
First Friday Coho Concerts provides a creative forum for talented and visionary musicians to share their gifts and be supported by attendee contributions in a way that values their artistry and encourages their dedication to building a brighter world. Performances take place in the Common House “Great Room”: a space intimate enough to feel like a house concert but large enough to draw in the broader community. The series is a purely volunteer effort, organized by Co-Housing members who enjoy live music and want to share their delight with other music lovers in the Valley.
PLEASE help us pass the word and forward this far and wide.
Grazzi,
Rob
PS  Need an extra nudge?
  • Matthew Murphy, The Enterprise (Falmouth, MA)
    This was not so much a concert as two gentle and feeling souls sharing their lives through music with the audience … It was simply a wonderful and moving evening.
  • Grady Poe
    Cindy and Grey’s  warmth and respect for one another overflowed and touched us all. The music-  full of nuance and grace, touched the essential humaness in all who were present as evidenced by all the great beaming smiles and buckets of enthusiastic applause.
  • Nan Collie
    Cindy Kallet and Grey Larsen shared an exquisite evening of music. The gifts of their writing, arranging, and exceptional instrumental talents, combine with a genuine warmth and charm that leaves an audience walking away smiling, uplifted, and humming a tune!
If You Say Yes (Live)
Southshore (studio)
Courage  (music video- flat out brilliant!)
First Friday Coho Concerts provides a creative forum for talented and visionary musicians to share their gifts and be supported by attendee contributions in a way that values their artistry and encourages their dedication to building a brighter world. Performances take place in the Common House “Great Room”: a space intimate enough to feel like a house concert but large enough to draw in the broader community. The series is a purely volunteer effort, organized by Co-Housing members who enjoy live music and want to share their delight with other music lovers in the Valley.

Swing into Spring with the O-Tones this Friday, March 1

Swing into Spring with a Night of Dance & Music!
Join us for an unforgettable evening at Cherry Hill Cohousing, where the rhythm of swing dance will kickstart the night, followed by the soulful tunes of the O-Tones in concert. Whether you’re a seasoned swing dancer or new to the beat, a dance lesson from 7-8 will get you in the groove!
Let’s fill the room with energy, music, and community spirit. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this invitation far and wide. Bring your friends, your dance shoes, and your love for music – it’s going to be a night to remember!
Date: Friday, March 1st
Schedule:
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM: Swing Dance Lesson
8:00 PM to 10:00 PM: O-Tones in Concert
at Cherry Hill Cohousing
120 Pulpit Hill Rd, North Amherst
Tickets:
$15-25 Sliding Scale
Note:
No advance reservations required.
Seating is strictly on a first-come, first-served basis.
Doors open at 6:30 PM.
Refreshments available.
This is a smoke and fragrance-free venue.
Facility is wheelchair accessible
Vision Statement
First Friday Coho Concerts provides a creative forum for talented and visionary musicians to share their gifts and be supported by attendee contributions in a way that values their artistry and encourages their dedication to building a brighter world. Performances take place in the Common House “Great Room”: a space intimate enough to feel like a house concert but large enough to draw in the broader community. The series is a purely volunteer effort, organized by Co-Housing members who enjoy live music and want to share their delight with other music lovers in the Valley.