American Mural Project presents The New Mosaic, an evening of neo-soul, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop
Winsted, Conn.— On Saturday, February 1st at 8 p.m., American Mural Project, as part of it’s LIVE @AMP series, presents The New Mosaic, an evening of neo-soul music that blends elements of soul, jazz, and R&B with hip-hop-inspired rhythms.
Led by dynamic vocalist Erica Tracy of West End Blend, a singer-songwriter with roots in jazz and soul, The New Mosaic blends the talents of bassist Tom Sullivan (West End Blend,) jazz-trained keyboardist Mike Carabello (The Lost Tribe, Mixed Company,) and drummer Dwayne Keith (Nikita and the Dwayne Keith Project.)
“The New Mosaic provides us with the opportunity to bring back lead singer Erica Tracy, who appeared at AMP with West End Blend in 2023. She and The New Mosaic are incredible musicians with a large following. Their music is just what everyone will need in the depths of winter this February,” said Amy Wynn, Executive Director of AMP.
The concert is on Saturday, February 1st at 8 p.m. at American Mural Project, located at 90 Whiting Street in Winsted, Conn. The doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets include access to AMP’s five-story mural gallery exhibit. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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MASS MoCA presents early ‘90s shoegaze legends slowdive
North Adams— On Friday, January 31st at 8 p.m., MASS MoCA presents slowdive.
Early ‘90s shoegaze legends slowdive re-emerged after the success of “Pygmalion” (1995) 29 years ago with their self-titled record in 2017 and an earth-shaking reunion set at Barcelona’s Primavera Sound Festival, and they’ve been selling out shows and releasing new music ever since. slowdive performs at MASS MoCA as part of their 2024-2025 U.S. Tour.
Their fifth album “Everything Is Alive” is transportive, searching, and aglow, the work of a classic band continuing to pitch its unmistakable voice to the future, locating evermore contours of its immersive, elemental sound. For a genre that is often thought of as divisive, and often warrants introspection, here slowdive show their craft as the masters of it by pushing it outwards, beyond the singular; the end result being a record which feels as emotional and cathartic as it is optimistic.
The concert is on Friday, January 31st at 8 p.m. at MASS MoCA, located at 1040 MASS MoCA Way in North Adams. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Sandy McKnight Songwriters Fund presents Jordan Franklin and Christine Bilé this month at Appetito
Lee— On Friday, January 3rd and Friday, January 17th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Sandy McKnight Songwriters Fund, as part of its Songwriter Series honoring the legacy of renowned local singer-songwriter Sandy McKnight, presents Jordan Franklin and Christine Bilé this month at Appetito.
The showcase will feature Jordan Franklin on January 3rd and Christine Bilé on January 17th. The evenings will feature special guests and an open mic.
Jordan Franklin is known for his finger-style acoustic guitar playing, which he learned at age 13 from his dad, whom he credits as “the best guitar player I know.” Inspired by his dad’s open tuning and artists like Nick Drake, the singer/songwriter draws from personal experience to create songs which are soothing and ethereal, almost other-worldly.
Christine Bilé is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist blending acoustic pop and folk influences. Playing instruments like guitar and ukulele, she writes, composes, and arranges songs that explore themes of relationships, self-love, and empowerment. Influenced by artists such as Michael Jackson, John Mayer, and Beyoncé, Bilé plays music across Massachusetts and beyond, with notable performances including a set at the Ladybug Music Festival in Delaware.
The performances are on Friday, January 3rd and Friday, January 17th from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Appetito, located at 54 Main Street in Lee. More information can be found online.
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Gospel concert to support Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church’s Feed Thy Neighbor program
Pittsfield— On Saturday, January 11th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Warren Dews, Jr. is hosting a gospel concert featuring hip hop gospel artist Zion and singer Isaiah Smallwood (who was featured on American Idol) to benefit Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church’s Feed Thy Neighbor program.
Since its start six years ago, Pittsfield-based Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church’s Feed Thy Neighbor food program continues to package and deliver over 400 meals each Saturday to those in need.
Dews, a minister at the church who’s turning 55 on the day of the concert, said he was moved to do this because of the program’s tremendous impact in the community. “The Feed thy Neighbor program is a cause that is really close to my heart because of all the good work that it does for so many people. Our church began this initiative just before the pandemic, going from making 50 meals each Saturday to now over 400. My goal is to raise $10,000 from this event, which would help sustain our efforts for half the year,” he said.
The concert is on Saturday, January 11th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church’s official new home, located at 27 East Street in Pittsfield. Tickets and more information can be found online.
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Scoville Memorial Library presents a pet portrait drawing workshop with artist Hilary Cooper
Salisbury, Conn.— On Sunday, January 12th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Scoville Memorial Library presents a pet portrait drawing workshop with artist Hilary Cooper.
Beneath all that cuteness, your pet’s lovely face has structure. In this workshop, we’ll discuss how to recognize and keep structural and anatomical points in mind as you draw, and you’ll learn how to work from a photograph to develop a fully rendered likeness of your pet using conté crayon.
Hilary Cooper’s portraits are grounded in traditional classical training but with a more modernist and vibrant handling of color, line, and brushstroke. Her influences range from Goya to Alice Neel, and it has been widely exhibited.
The workshop is on Sunday, January 12th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Scoville Memorial Library, located at 38 Main Street in Salisbury, Conn. Bring a few photos of your chosen subject to give yourself a range to choose from. Drawing paper and conte crayons will be provided. Registration is required. Registration and more information can be found online.
