Nic Gareiss & Simon Chrisman

Nic Gareiss (percussive dance, bouzouki, vocals) and Simon Chrisman (hammer dulcimer) met in 2007 at a fiddle festival in the Californian redwoods and have been exploring sound and movement together ever since. Both innovators on their instruments, Nic and Simon bring their unique approaches together for traditional song, percussive dance, instrumental tunes, improvisation and new compositions, engaging interlocking rhythms and dynamic textures. Well-known for his work with the groundbreaking new acoustic string band The Bee Eaters, Simon's music combines "chamber music’s finely calibrated arrangements with bluegrass’s playful virtuosity and pop music’s melodic resourcefulness." (Boston Herald)

Noted for his "dexterous melding of Irish and Appalachian dance" (New York Times) and described as "the most inventive and expressive step dancer on the scene" (Boston Herald), Nic has performed with many of the luminaries of contemporary traditional music and dance, including The Chieftains, The Gloaming, Phil Wiggins, Liz Carroll, Bruce Molsky, Bill Frisell, Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas. Together, Nic and Simon adventure into the world of time and timbre to create a breathtaking evening-length performance of song, instrumental music, and percussive dance. 

Links:

www.facebook.com/simonchrismanandnicgareiss

@NicGareissLFI www.nicgareiss.com

$15 advance | $20 day-of

*all tickets are subject to a surcharge (both online + box office)

A Night on the Bayou:

Known at The Dance Hall for producing tribute nights to honor your favorite artists, Seth Warner and Marc McElroy are back at at it. This time they will lead an all-star band in a celebration of Creedence Clearwater Revival. 

Past tribute shows include: Neil Young, Bob Dylan, The Cure, The Last Waltz,

Joining them will be: 

Dan Beller-McKenna - pedal steel + dobro, 

Bruce Coulliard - saxophone 

Zac Francis - bass 

Andrew Hodgkins - drums

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included ($2 facility fee per ticket + cc processing fees)

Celia Woodsmith and Jason Anick Trio

Singer-songwriter Celia Woodsmith and violin virtuoso Jason Anick front this newly minted supergroup with bassist Charles Clements. They will perform an array of roots-inspired originals, country classics, western swing, and bluegrass music. These globe-trotting musicians have crossed paths at festivals all over the world with their respective projects (Della Mae, Lonely Heartstring Band, Rhythm Future Quartet) and are excited to share the stage for this special collaboration. 

Celia Woodsmith is a GRAMMY-nominated performer, vocalist, and songwriter. The daughter of the Vermont-based poet Sybil Smith, she is influenced by artists such as John Prine, Janis Joplin, and Mahalia Jackson. Woodsmith’s performances can be described as “one of a kind: gritty, muscular, folksy and intimate sometimes all at once” (Bluegrass Situation). Not confined by genre she is as comfortable playing Bill Monroe as she is singing an old jazz standard or a Led Zeppelin rocker. Woodsmith recently

spoke about her experiences with travel and music at TEDx Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, NH.

Berklee College of Music Professor Jason Anick, has earned a reputation among string players as an imaginative improviser, versatile composer, and insightful educator. As a band-leader, Anick has launched a variety of musical projects over the years, including the Gypsy Jazz group Rhythm Future Quartet, an Americana-inspired Acoustic Trio, and a contemporary jazz ensemble with pianist Jason Yeager. A versatile musician and sought after side-man, Anick has also shared the stage with an array of artists like Stevie Wonder, Tommy Emmanuel, Hamilton de Holanda, The Jim Kweskin Jug Band, John Sebastian, Delta Rae, and Ward Hayden and the Outliers. With performances all over the world and renowned venues like TD Garden, NPR, and The Late Night Show, Jason has proven himself to be a leader in the ever-growing contemporary string world.

$20 advance | $25 day-of

*fees not included

The indie jazz duo of Taylor O'Donnell and Mike Effenberger feeds on the joyful apposition of the 'legit' musical worlds of the 20th century (the Great American Songbook and post-classical music) against that unhallowed ground of the popular music of its odd-numbered decades, all viewed from the lens of what jazz means in the 2020s. They are through with the bending of genres and instead seek to shake them to death. Listeners are as likely to encounter surrealist reimaginings of Elliot Smith's wise angst as they are the Pixies' punk rage. Vincent Persichetti's sonic riddles are presented equally with Paul Simon's unlikely transcendence of the mundane into the sublime. The result is a completely singular musical perspective focused on melody, gesture, and aural storytelling.

Known for her exploratory use of vocal color and texture, and sincere delivery in her musical stylings, Taylor O’Donnell is a contemporary vocalist, educator, and conductor who uses her roots in R&B, folk, jazz, rock, and classical music to communicate her musical dialogue. Growing up in Colorado and living all over the country from Florida to Maine, her performing experience has taken her from playing with her own jazz trio on cruise ships and throughout New England to performing as a guest artist with symphony orchestras. Her musical diversity informs her deep love for vocal improvisation and for exploring a plethora of sounds and colors to connect more deeply to her audience.

Mike Effenberger has been living in the NH Seacoast since 2007. He received the Young Beacon in Jazz award from New School University in New York City, from which he graduated in 2005. While there, he studied with diverse artists including Jane Ira Bloom, Kenny Werner, John Hollenbeck, Reggie Workman, Fred Hersch, and Joanne Brackeen. Mike has curated an unmistakably individual voice that draws equally on gospel, minimalism, jazz, and 20th century music. Playing throughout New England with a variety of bands including Soggy Po Boys, fiveighthirteen, Jazzputin and the Jug Skunks, the secular roots and gospel choir Rock My Soul, and Sad Bastards / Loose Standards, Effenberger also leads Weird Turn Pro, which plays his original music. When not in the northeast, Mike performs internationally with the minimalist cult favorite Bing and Ruth. Mike appears on countless recordings from independent releases to larger labels, including 4AD and RVNG Intl, and is also active as a producer. His work has been written about in international publications including the Paris Review, The Guardian, and Pitchfork, as well as appearing on nationally syndicated media including NPR's All Things Considered and PRX's Echoes.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Liz Frame & the Kickers

"This woman writes great songs and has the pipes to deliver them." 

— Elmore Magazine

Liz Frame wrote her first song at age nine and has been performing her own brand of Americana music since her early teens. Her efforts have paid off in exciting ways — nights in prestigious rooms and strong praise from respected sources — as she wins the hearts and minds of audiences and the industry alike. Giants like Patsy Cline and Linda Ronstadt have been evoked while describing her voice, and her writing has been compared to veterans like Dolly Parton and Lucinda Williams, among others. When not performing solo, she is backed live by her band, the Kickers — John Webb on lead guitar, Marjorie Senet on guitar and vocals, Jake Davis on bass, Max Chase on keys, and Jarrett Osborn on drums — talented friends whose musicianship help to deliver her material with distinction. 

Ms. Frame released her first full-length recording, Sooner, in 2011 that drew strong praise, followed by the ep, Justine, which continued to highlight her skills as a singer and writer. Her 2018 full-length release, Sparrow in a Shoebox, won her still more fans and acclaim, charting on the AMA Top 200, and her 2021 release, Firefly, has continued her trajectory.

www.lizframeandthekickers.com

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*all ticket sales subject to surcharge (both online + box office)

440 expands the gypsy jazz tradition of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli with danceable swing standards from the era of Cole Porter, George Gershwin & Benny Goodman as well as originals by the band. Their toe-tapping, snappy, hot jazz, swinging style is a delight to experience. 

Tomoko Iwamoto, a leader of 440, has been in Boston jazz scene for more than 30 years. Being a "jazzy" violinist with a strong classical background, she expanded her repertoire in jazz, rock, pop to world music, toured with Hypnotic Clambake, while studying Jazz Composition and Arranging at Berklee College of Music. 

Mark Chenevert has been playing clarinet and tenor sax in the Boston area for some forty years now, working with various projects including Limbo Race ( 1982 WBCN Rumble winners ) , Willie Alexander , and Hypnotic Clambake. Currently , besides 440 , he works with the Hot Tamale Brass Band , David Champagne , Bertrand Laurence and others.

Jack Soref, graduate of Berklee College of Music, became captivated by the music of Django Reinhardt after attending the International Django Reinhardt festival in Samois-sur-Seine France in 2002. Jack is a mainstay of Django Festivals Django in June, where he has taught since 2009, and the Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest, where he has performed as recently as 2023.

Jim Guttmann’s career spans 40 years and many musical idioms. As a founding member of the Klezmer Conservatory Band, he has toured the world and has performed & recorded with Itzhak Perlman and Joel Grey, worked with Richard Stolzman and Dan Stepner he was part of the Grammy Award winning ensemble on Yehudi Wyner’s “The Mirror.”

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

amiright? is a Portland Maine based 3 piece cousin-rock band from Noah, Quinn, and Simi, currently off the trails of recording their 3rd studio record. Their love for lo-fi, math-rock, hardcore, doom, freak-folk, and guitar pedals translates to eclectic, and often heavy, post-punk instrumentation over lyrical content that ranges from overtly sincere to harrowing stories of frogs.

Ratland is a 2 piece queer folk group from Dover, New Hampshire.  Their sound is influenced by classic country, indie rock, and folk punk.

Ezra Cohen & The Big City Band is a rock band from Dover NH that channels the influences of bands like The Replacements, The Lemonheads and The Gin Blossoms.

Inspired by the traditional drum rhythms of Ghana, Kotoko Brass has created a unique, joyful, and improvisational style of West African dance music described by the BostonGlobe as “propulsive, infectious party music”. The drums provide the heart and soul of Kotoko Brass — merging syncopated African percussion polyrhythms with hard-hitting dance grooves on the drum set. The horns blend traditional sounds of New Orleans with the famous West African brass band sound heard from Ghana to Nigeria, and the guitar, keys, and bass evoke classic African and Caribbean styles of highlife, afro beat, and reggae.

A celebratory and energetic synthesis of music, people, and cultures fromaround the world, Kotoko Brass features musicians from Ghana, Antigua, Japan, and the United States playing together in unity. Kotoko Brass has shared the stage with An-gelique Kidjo, Red Baraat, Femi Kuti, the California Honeydrops, Vieux Farka Toure, In-nov Gnawa, Take 6, the Boston Pops, Rubblebucket, and more.

Attah Poku (percussion) was born and raised in Ghana inside the walls of the Asante King’s palace, and grew up to be a lead drummer in the king’s drum ensemble.

Michael Ofori (percussion) is a multifaceted performing artist from Ghana — his creative interests lie in African performing arts traditions including drumming, acting, and directing.

Ben Paulding (drum set) is an American percussionist who extensively lived and trained in Kumasi, Ghana, and now directs the Fafali Ghanaian drum and dance ensemble at Brandeis University.

Brian Paulding (trombone) has traveled the world playing pop, soul, reggae, and calypso music in Turkey, Tunisia, Georgia, Germany, Trinidad, Canada, and across the United States.

Dillon Zahner (guitar) specializes in African guitar styles from across the continent, playing music from Mozambique, Senegal, and Mali in bands such as Kina Zore, M’Bolo, and Samba Lolo.

Yusaku Yoshimura (keys) is an internationally touring pianist who has performed and recorded with Earl Chinna Smith and shared stages with Patti LaBelle, Ledisi, and Lalah Hathaway.

M’Talewa Thomas (bass) came to the U.S. in the 90s from his home country of Antigua after touring the Caribbean for many years with leading calypso act Short Shirt.

Andy Bergman (sax) is a versatile andeclectic global musician who has toured the world performing with bands such as Iyeo-ka Okoawo, Guy Mendilow, and the Macrotones.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included (all tickets incur a surcharge)

Funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.

Workshop with Kotoko Brass

Saturday, March 30th from 4:00 - 5:00pm

Kotoko Brass will offer a master class in traditional Asante drumming, dancing, singing, melodies, and culture. Through learning Asante rhythms from Ghanaian master drummers Attah Poku and Kwame Ofori, participants will connect not only with the traditional rhythms of Ghana, but also the country’s deep history and culture. 

FREE, ALL-AGES, ALL-ABILITY LEVELS

PowerMoneyCake plays stripped down yet faithful versions of the entire Steely Dan catalog. This time around they will be playing the labrum Pretzel Logic in its entirety, plus a smattering of hits and deep cuts spanning their career. We'll also have special guest Josh DiJoseph joining us on electric guitar.

If you love Steely Dan, you’ll love PowerMoneyCake. It’s that simple.

The band:

Rick Habib: drums and vocals (Dreadnaught, Diaspora Radio, Wheel of Awesome, Kate Redgate Band)

Bob Lord: bass guitar (Dreadnaught)

Sky Rubins: electric guitar (Trade)

Chris Sink: keyboards (Trade, Queen City Soul, Amorphous Band)

People often ask us why we named a Steely Dan tribute Power Money Cake. The truth is that the band name has nothing to do with Steely Dan. We started as a band doing mostly odd covers that we didn't have an outlet for in other bands (Bob Lord came up with the tagline "Music for very few occasions"). By this date in 2012 we had crossed the threshold into a "mostly Steely Dan" cover band. I kept suggesting more Steely Dan tunes and the guys - god bless them - were receptive. By the end of the year it's all we did.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Sad Bastards / Loose Standards

Performance / Q&A (workshop)

Area men Chris Klaxton and Mike Effenberger join forces to plumb the depths of the great American songbook of jazz standards, the lesser American songbook, spirituals, new standards, and the good and bad news of this post-tonal musical world.*

SBLS aims to provide audiences with a proper blend of "Saturday Night" and "Sunday Morning", bridging the gap from The Club to The Church, thereby extending an invitation to share sacred moments, whether through traditional jazz standards, the music of today, spirituals and hymns, or the avant garde.

*“To plumb the depths” comes from the concept of lowering a lead weight into the ocean on a long rope to establish the water’s distance downward. To do so one would be required to drop the weight to the very bottom, extending the line entirely until the answer is found. May it be so.

The evening's performance will culminate in a Q+A session, through which Effenberger and Klaxton would be happy to speak on their particular take on the intersection of secular and sacred, as well as provide insights into their arranging process for jazz standards, modern radio favorites, and liturgical music.

$15 advance | $20 day-of

*fees not included

The NYC-based, Christine Correa Ensemble will highlight Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite and Percussion Bitter Sweet in order to celebrate the creative and activist legacy of Max Roach, a high profile artist who was an outspoken civil rights advocate and used the arts as a catalyst for change.

For Correa and her ensemble, honoring Roach’s work means approaching his innovative music and powerful performances with deep reverence and sympathy. As such, the ensemble's goal is to stay as true to the spirit of the music as possible by returning to the powerful emotional and creative content with sincerity and artfulness.

After the performance, there will be an opportunity for the audience to converse with the musicians, which aims to not only shed light on the historical and social context that informed Roach’s work, but will also provide an opportunity for audiences to reflect on their experiences of this work and its relevance in the present moment.

Christine Correa - vocals

Sam Newsome - soprano saxophone

Andrew Boudreau - piano

Kim Cass - bass

Michael Sarin - drums

More on Max Roach :

Max Roach is a musician whose far-reaching ambitions were inspired and challenged by the inequities of the society around him. His stunningly diverse seven-decade career marked him as one of the great musical artists of the 20th century and a pioneering cultural activist at times when the nation was steeped in racism. His career was an epic musical journey – from the revolutionary Jazz of the 1940s to the Civil Rights years, through experiments in hip hop, multi-media works, and beyond.

$10 general admission | Students FREE

*fees not included

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!

Soulcolour is a Portsmouth, NH-based duo that carries on the time-tested tradition of writing and performing pop acoustic music. Nieshira's powerful, multi-genre vocals combined with Will's smooth acoustic stylings create original compositions infused with a distinct, soulful vibe. The Soulcolour sound.

Foreside Funk is a dynamic and groove-driven musical ensemble that seamlessly blends classic funk, jazz and fusion influences into a fresh and contemporary sound. Drawing inspiration from iconic artists like Maceo Parker, Herbie Hancock, Tower of Power, Average White Band and the Godfather of Soul himself, James Brown. Foreside Funk is all about paying homage to the rich traditions of funk music. Their performances are characterized by irresistibly infectious rhythms, tight horn arrangements, and soulful vocals that transport audiences to the golden era of funk while infusing their music with a modern twist.

In addition to celebrating the classics, Foreside Funk also showcases their versatility and innovation by incorporating elements of new music trends, inspired by contemporary acts like Lettuce and Dumpsta Phunk. This fusion of styles results in a sound that is both nostalgic and cutting-edge, appealing to fans of all generations. Attending a Foreside Funk live performance will assure that you experience a high energy, dance-inducing experience that leaves the audience captivated and grooving to the infectious beats of their music. The seasoned lineup of musicians along with a commitment to musical excellence from Foreside Funk offers a dynamic, unforgettable journey through the evolution of funk, jazz and fusion music.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT

Get ready for a collaboration you will not want to miss. The Soggy Po Boys are back at it, returning to The Dance Hall Jan 26th with powerhouse vocalist Celia Woodsmith.

Celia Woodsmith is a GRAMMY Nominated performer, vocalist, percussionist, and songwriter. With a style that can be described as "one of a kind: gritty, muscular, folksy and intimate sometimes all at once" (Bluegrass Situation), she has been a fixture of the New England Roots Music scene since 2005. When not on the road with Americana string band, Della Mae, Woodsmith performs with New England roots-rock band Say Darling and has released two albums of original music with them.

Get your tickets early, folks! This is one for the books.

Celia Woodsmith - Vocals / Guitar

Eric Klaxton- Clarinet/Sop. Sax

Josh Gagnon - Trombone

Nick Mainella- Tenor Sax

Mike Effenberger- Piano

Brian Waterhouse- Drums

Scott Kiefner- Bass

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not inlcuded

This will be a limited seating event. Seats will be and can be made available. Dancing is encouraged.

The relationship of jazz music and tap dance is a tradition that has been interconnected and passed down through generations since their origins. Enjoy an evening of Jazz and Tap Dance through the American songbook and Bebop era compositions.

Ayan Imai-Hall is a tap dancer from New Hampshire. In 2012 Ayan was awarded an NHSCA Traditional Arts Grant with Blues musician, TJ Wheeler. Since then, Ayan has strived to bring the dance to the music throughout the New England Seacoast.

The Band:

Jett Tachibana - Sax

Asa Meyer-Waldo - Bass

Zak King - Drums

Ayan Imai-Hall - Tap Dance

Jett Tachibana is a gifted saxophonist out of Maine with roots in bebop. Since graduating from the USM school of music Jett has strived to continue playing both within and out of the jazz tradition.

Asa Meyer-Waldo is a double bassist from West Bath, Maine. Fascinated with sounds old and

new, he has been a student of jazz and classical music since picking up his first instrument. He has performed with musicians such as Bill McHenry, RJ Miller, Brad Terry, Tim Sessions, Les Harris Jr., and Mike McGinnis. Currently, Asa is completing his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance with a Jazz Studies concentration at the University of Southern Maine Osher School of Music.

Zak King is a Boston and New York City based drummer. He has performed and developed his craft in many off-broadway performances, jazz nights and festivals, metal concerts and more. Since then he has gone on to work with a number of groups and artists, such as Dave Newsam, Matt Savage, Nihco Gallo, Michael Beling, Kenny Cha, and Shane Dylan.

Media Links:

YouTube: @ayanimai-hall

Instagram: @ayan_imai_hall

ayantapdance.wixsite.com/ayantapdance

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Suite Sundays (a classical series curated by Dorothy Braker)

Aliento Chamber Players will perform a lush program with lyrical works of Schubert, Shumann and Rachmaninoff, along with the rousing duo for violin and cello by Erwin Schulhoff. Pianist Nicholas Roy is joined by violinist Matthew Liebendorfer and cellist Dorothy Braker in an afternoon of virtuosic and emotional chamber music in the exquisite and intimate setting offered by The Dance Hall.

Dorothy Braker, primarily a soloist and chamber musician, performed extensively across the United States before settling in New Hampshire. As the founder and Artistic Director of Aliento Chamber Players, she has been performing with them since 2008. Dorothy is a gifted video editor and music arranger, performs regularly with Orchestra on the Hill, Lowell Chamber Orchestra, New Hampshire Philharmonic, Portsmouth Pro Musica, and many other orchestras, chorus groups and chamber groups.

Dorothy's studies in cello were with Lois Yopp, Phil Blum, Karl Fruh, culminating at the Juilliard School where she earned master's and bachelor's degrees in music performance, studying with Harvey Shapiro.

Nicholas Roy, pianist, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Piano Interpretation from McGill University and l’universite de Montreal, and a bachelor of music education from the University of Ottawa. In Montreal, he received coaching from many internationally recognized pianists, including Marc Durand, Jean Saulnier, Louis-Phillippe Pelletier, Marina Mdivani, and Michael McMahon. He is a recipient of the William Chatfield Piano Senior Prize at Bay Chamber Music Festival in Rockport, Maine. In his early years, Nicholas began his musical studies in Edmundston, N.B. with Maureen Pelletier and later at the University of Moncton with Daniel Boulanger. During his formative years, he has won top honours in various music festivals in New Brunswick including the Restigouche Festival in Campbelton, N.B., and the CMC music competitions in St. John and Moncton. Currently, Nicholas organizes and executes a 4-concert chamber music series at the Musee Historique et Culturelle du Madawaska in Edmundston, New Brunswick. His primary aim is to feature local, talented, and seasoned artists.

Matthew Liebendorfer is a Boston-area violinist and violist with a special love for chamber music. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, he's appeared on many stages throughout New England as a string quartet- and piano trio-violinist. Matthew plays numerous concerts per year in several of Massachusetts' professional choral and orchestral ensembles, as well. Each summer for the past dozen years in the Finger Lakes region of New York (and now southern New Hampshire), Matthew has directed the highly regarded summer chamber music-reading festival, "Heaven", a week-long foray into playing all possible things related to string and piano chamber music.

$20 advance | $25 day-of

*fees not included

Old Hat Stringband is based out of Eliot, Maine. Fusing tight vocal harmonies with a propulsive acoustic rhythm section, Old Hat creates a sound that draws from bluegrass, old time, folk, and country traditions. The band is comprised of Whitney Roy (Guitar, Vocals), Steve Roy (Mandolin, Fiddle, Vocals), Amanda Kowalski (Bass), and Carolyn Kendrick (Fiddle, Vocals).

Old Hat Stringband’s debut album Powerlines was released in 2022

Whitney Roy’s lilting vocals provide the backbone of OldHat’s vocal blend, while her solid rhythm guitar anchors the bands rhythm section.

Steve Roy is one of New England’s premier multi-instrumentalists, and has performed and toured with many of the acoustic world’s top acts.

Amanda Kowalski is one of the more sought after bass players in the worlds of bluegrass and old time music, and her rhythmic drive and energy on stage are second to none.  

Carolyn Kendrick is an amazing musician, songwriter & producer from Stockton CA.  We’re extremely excited to have her out on the East Coast for this show!

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Biribá Union

Biribá Union features Mike Block (Cello, Vocals), Christylez Bacon (Beatbox, Guitar, Rhymes), and Patricia Ligia (Electric Bass, Pandeiro, Vocals), forming a dynamic trio that blends original music with global influences, creating a fresh and accessible sound. Each member draws from their diverse backgrounds, such as Brazilian, Bluegrass, Jazz, Classical, Hip-Hop, Funk, and Pop styles, synthesizing them through original compositions and songs that highlight their improvisational spontaneity and high energy stage presentation.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

North Village was born from the embers of the Seacoast Last Waltz Project, as singer/songwriter Martin England discussed starting a new band with Last Waltz bassist Greg Glasson and guitarist/singer Tristan Omand after one of their rehearsals. The trio was joined by drummer Rick Habib and keyboardist Jay Cohen in the spring of 2022, and the quintet set out to arrange, rehearse and record many of England’s compositions he’d penned. Lyrically, the songs are steeped in the fires of love and loss but reek of resilience and joy. Musically, these arrangements range from inspired, frenetic jams to super-focused melodic tapestries, pulling in various influences by The Band, the Allman Brothers, Uncle Tupelo, John Prine, and the Grateful Dead. North Village will record its debut album in the winter 2022-23, and release it sometime in the early summer of 2023.

Modern Fools

Despite their name, there's nothing particularly modern or foolish about the songs of this New Hampshire foursome. Unless you count devising their name by trying to fit letters into the Waffle House logo. Since that fateful, syrup-soaked morning, they've been refining a sound best described as "seriously retro, cosmic Americana", with songs that meld together the country rock of Gram Parsons with the song-craft and harmonies of Dr. Dog.

Their 2020 debut album SEER was a search for meaning; after suffering a serious car accident and the end of a long-term relationship, lead singer and songwriter Josh Blair transformed his personal upheaval into nine songs that fused cosmic Americana influences with his own unique voice. The band's sophomore release, Strange Offering (May 2023), covers familiar sonic territory with a newfound optimism; like SEER, it was recorded in Blair’s New Hampshire studio and mixed by Seattle-based engineer Kevin Suggs (KEXP). While the albums have a kindred style, the substance has evolved to reflect the band’s growth together. Strange Offering presents melancholic themes of loss and existential dread in an oddly upbeat and comforting manner.

It's clear that their listening tastes look backward with reverence, but there's a new confidence in Modern Fools that is ready for what tomorrow may bring.

Josh Blair - Guitar/Vocals

Justin Gregory - Drums/Vocals

Jonathan Braught - Guitar/Vocals

Ian Galipeau - Bass/Vocals

Nick Hayes - Keys

Tickets $20

*fees not included

Acoustic Nomads

At the crossroads between South American folk music and Northern Americana you will find Acoustic Nomads

Acoustic Nomads is a band of rising stars in the New England acoustic music scene, interweaving jazz and newgrass with folkloric traditions from North and South America. The group’s influences span Latin American, Appalachian, Jazz and Celtic music. Their innovative approach to composition expresses all the colors and flavors of the Pan-American experience, and their unique sound is a result of the players harnessing their varied musical interests and joyously exploring uncharted musical territory together.

Chief among their goals is to show audiences the diversity within and commonality between many different musical traditions, creating curious, compassionate and open-minded music fans the world over. Their performances maintain the truest spirit of folkloric music while delving into modern improvisation and sophisticated chamber music arrangements, truly showing how different cultures can come together and join in the celebration of art and humanity.

The Dance Hall regulars may recognize the name of Ethan Setiawan, mandolinist with Cornerhouse and Louise Bichan’s projects, who holds the mandolin chair in Acoustic Nomads. Also playing with the group are: Clara Rose, 2021 Freshgrass Fiddle Competition Champion and fiddler with The Ruta Beggars Band and Kol Kahol; Maurizio Fiore Salas, prolific composer, virtuosic guitarist and player of the Venezuelan Cuatro, and Latin Grammy Scholarship winner; and Noah Harrington, award-winning jazz performer, composer, educator, and sometime bassist with Mari Black, The Ruta Beggars, and Alisa Amador of Tiny Desk Fame.

Acoustic Nomads’ mission in presenting “Around The World” at The Dance Hall is to bring attention not only to the diversity within American music, but the common threads that bind us all together as people. We hope you’ll join us for a night of unforgettable music!

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Soggy Po Boys: Honoring a Tradition

The Life & Music of Jelly Roll Morton

"Although New Hampshire isn’t the most obvious home for a group so devoted to the culture of The Big Easy, the Soggy Po’ Boys seem genuine in their ambition to spread the word about jazz New Orleans style, and they’re creating an accessible and fun way into this world."
-London Jazz News                                 

The Soggy Po Boys, native to New England, have quickly become an institution. They are spreading the good news of New Orleans music across the northeast and beyond, playing at concert halls and street corners; music festivals and burlesque festivals; bars and libraries; wherever the party requires. Part of the beauty of New Orleans music is that it's celebrated and appreciated wherever it goes, from the street to the theater.

This iteration of their "Honoring A Tradition" series focuses on Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton. By the time Jelly Roll was in his early twenties, he was an in-demand musician, playing the entire Gulf Coast. From 1917 to 1922, he created some of the most innovative and creative music that ever emerged – tunes like “King Porter Stomp,” “New Orleans Blues,” “Kansas City Stomp,” “Shreveport Stomp” and the “Original Jelly Roll Blues.” In his typical humble way, Jelly once said, “Everyone today is playing my stuff and I don't even get credit. Kansas City style, Chicago style, New Orleans style hell, they're all Jelly Roll style.”

In 1938, Jelly capped a brilliant musical career with a grand recording session for the Library of Congress. Fifty-two records with more than one hundred individual compositions resulted. Jelly would be the first to tell you, “They were the greatest.” He died in 1941.

The Soggy Po Boys are:

Stu Dias- Vocals / Guitar

Eric Klaxton- Clarinet/Sop. Sax

Josh Gagnon - Trombone

Nick Mainella- Tenor Sax

Mike Effenberger- Piano

Brian Waterhouse- Drums

Scott Kiefner- Bass

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Taylor O'Donnell + Mike Effenberger

Acclaimed jazz vocalist Taylor O'Donnell uses her origins in R&B, jazz, rock, and roots to sing with raw passion and dexterity. Her extensive repertoire includes music derived from jazz, rock, and roots styles to arrangements of beloved jazz standards and pop hits. Known for her exploratory use of vocal timbre and texture, her shows take listeners on a deep dive through the world of Joni Mitchell, free improvisation, rock & roll, lullabies, and original song.

Mike Effenberger plays throughout New England with a variety of bands including fiveighthirteen, Jazzputin and the Jug Skunks, the secular roots and gospel choir Rock My Soul, OURBIGBAND, Sad Bastards / Loose Standards, Showmen's Rest, Dan Blakeslee. He leads Weird Turn Pro, which plays his original music. When not in the northeast, Mike performs internationally with Bing and Ruth, and plays throughout the east coast with Soggy Po’ Boys. Mike appears on countless recordings from independent releases to larger labels, including 4AD and RVNG Intl, and is also active as a producer.

This performance features explorations and interpretations of: The Pixies, Persichetti's Net of Fireflies, Benjamin Britten, Thelonious Monk, Madison Cunningham, standards, hymns, and originals.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Fiddling Around the World

Multistyle violinist & champion fiddler Mari Black’s virtuosic fiddling, sparkling stage presence, and commitment to bringing people together through music have made her a favorite with audiences across the country and around the world. A master of diverse musical styles and winner of several major international competitions, Mari sweeps her audiences away on a spirited musical adventure featuring dance music from around the globe: Celtic, American, and Canadian fiddling, jazz, tango, klezmer, folk, original works, and more. She and her dynamic band will treat you to an unforgettable experience that will have you tapping your toes and dancing in the aisles!

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

"Sketching with sound in a way that is truly cinematic...stately chamber music, evoking travel and turmoil with savage beauty." ★★★★★ Northern Sky

Louise Bichan is a USA-based Scottish musician and photographer who uses both mediums to tell stories old and new. Growing up in the culturally rich Orkney islands gave Louise a solid grounding in music: she started playing fiddle at the age of 7. Since then she has honed her craft at Glasgow’s renowned session scene while studying at the city’s Art School, before winning a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, Boston.

Masterfully blending traditional and classical arrangements, her work is thoughtful, and complex, curious and playful. She composes in response to her roots and the world around her; weaving through stories of connection, to people, nature, the past and the possibility of the future.

The ensemble:

Louise Bichan, Fiddle
Ethan Setiawan, Mandolins
Conor Hearn, Guitar
Brendan Hearn, Cello

"Bichan’s vividly expressive and evocative chamber-folk score underpinned a wonderfully engaging, absorbing illumination of past lives and family ties."

-Sue Wilson, The Scotsman

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

Joe Fonda: Eastern Boundary Quartet

The Eastern Boundary Quartet is a collaborative quartet featuring the Hungarian master musicians drummer Balazs Bagyi and saxophonist Mihaly Borbely, and the long-standing bass/piano partnership of New York City bassist Joe Fonda and pianist Michael Jefry Stevens (co-leaders of the Fonda/Stevens Group and Conference Call). Since 2007 the quartet has toured Europe and the United States numerous times.

The Eastern Boundary Quartet performs original music by all members of the group and uses Hungarian folk rhythms and melodies in combination with Jazz harmonies and rhythms to form an original “hybrid” improvised music. The band was formed with the imagination of connecting two worlds of the jazz scene today. This unique collaboration is a mixture of avant-garde jazz and ethno music from Hungary, like a cultural bridge between the USA and Eastern Europe. This bridge is made of talent, respect, brotherhood and friendship, built by the common language of jazz and improvised music.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

*fees not included

A Celebration of The Cure: A Strange Day
Seth Warner + Friends

A Strange Day: A Celebration of The Cure

A Maine based 8pc band - including a horn section - shares the love and the music of this decidedly British and definitely iconic band and covers a wide range of their music - from the brightest pop flourishes to the darkest of dirges + everything "Inbetween" ...

Pete Dugas - keys

Matt Kennedy - saxophone/synth

Andrew Hodgkins- drums

Kevin O'Reilly - guitar

Dave Thibodeau - bass

Casey Urich - trumpet

Corey Urich - saxophone/guitar

Seth Warner - voice/guitar

Seth’s performances have been described as “ethereal” by the Portland Press Herald and has appeared on stages as diverse as The Boston Early Music Festival, WGBH radio, KD Rhein River cruises in Germany and at Joe’s Pub in New York City. Highlights from his performances include collaborations and tours with the Grammy award winning Parker String Quartet and the extraordinary gospel and blues singer, Francine Reed. Also enjoying a varied and successful career in arts administration, Seth was named as an Emerging Arts Leader by the Association of Performing Arts Presenters in 2008.

$15 advance | $20 day-of

*fees not included

Playing fiddle, folk and country tunes through the lens of classic improvised jazz, the Brooklyn based New Old Timers features Petr Cancura (saxophone/mandolin), Jeremy Udden (saxophone/pump organ), Aryeh Kobrinsky (bass), and Vinnie Sperrazza (drums). 

Like Udden's Plainville project, the Timers fold "...folk, country, and rock into the jazz tradition” (BOSTON GLOBE). This collective of busy band leaders and sidemen will be touring in celebration of their second self-released EP.

LISTEN here.

$17 advance | $22 day-of

$10 with student ID

*fees not included

Jazz Casual is a new summer concert series showcasing an eclectic array of local and national talent. The series finale concert features the Billy Mintz Quartet ft. Tony Malaby, Roberta Piket, & Don Falzone. Listen to Billy Mintz (and learn some new dance moves): HERE and enjoy a full set HERE

“The leader walks alone and, like Paul Motian, he’s got a great way of drifting through the waves while steering the ship.” -Village Voice

 “If you are a fan of modern jazz drumming but have not heard Billy Mintz, you have not heard it all.” – Tom Conrad, JazzTimes

A veteran of both the LA and New York jazz scenes, sought-after drummer Billy Mintz is that rare breed of jazz musician who is as comfortable playing standards in a piano trio as he is performing in the creative music scene.

Mintz's engaging compositions, ranging from stunningly melodic to rhythmically playful, reflect a mature and deeply gifted artist who has quietly been working on his craft.

He is joined by three of New York’s most respected musicians, his long-time colleagues Tony Malaby (tenor sax), Roberta Piket (piano) and Don Falzone (bass).

The quartet makes a rare New England appearance at the Dance Hall. 

Jazz Casual: From its beginnings in the 1950s to the influx of amazing talent in the new millennium, the Seacoast has been home to an amazing community of composers, improvisers, and performers dedicated to preserving the Jazz tradition as well as innovating new and personal expressions of the music. The presence of jazz and other improvised musics has enriched the community and inspired generations of artists and audiences. As an advocate of the arts, The Dance Hall is proud to support practitioners of jazz and improvised music. Join us in supporting the arts in our community!

7/9- Scott Kiefner Trio ft. Chet Doxas
7/16- Maddoc Johnson Group
7/23- Social Animals Big Band ft. Josh Gagnon and Hunter McKay
7/30- Sharon Jones
8/6- Jamie Saft Trio
8/13- Billy Mintz ft. Tony Malaby

Jazz Casual is a new summer concert series showcasing an eclectic array of local and national talent. This week, the series features the Jamie Saft Trio. Pianist and keyboard virtuoso Jamie Saft will be joined by John Mettam on drums and Stu Mahan on Bass. Check out Jamie Saft Trio: HERE

Jamie Saft is a virtuoso pianist, keyboardist, producer, and composer originally from New York now living in Maine. His stylistic versatility, multi-instrumentalist capabilities, and production skills have been featured with Iggy Pop, Beastie Boys, Bad Brains, The B-52’s, Mike Patton, John Zorn, John Adams, Laurie Anderson, Donovan, Elysian Fields, and Anohni. Saft leads a number of ensembles including New Zion Trio, Jamie Saft Trio, and Jamie Saft Quartet. Saft has collaborated with legends of music including Wadada Leo Smith, Roswell Rudd, Marshall Allen, Danny Ray Thompson, Dave Liebman, Joe Morris, Hamid Drake, Bobby Previte, Steve Swallow, Darryl Jenifer, Cyro Baptista, Joe McPhee, Jerry Granelli, Merzbow, Mike Patton, HR Human Rights, Chuck Hammer, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Adam Yauch, Lard Dog and the Band of Shy, Tony Garnier, Mike Clark, Marshall Crenshaw, Mats Gustafsson, Youn Sun-Nah, and many more."

A versatile and energetic musician, John Mettam has toured extensively in the US, Canada, Europe, and Japan, and appears on over 50 recordings. He has worked with jazz greats Marc Ribot, Ran Blake, and Herb Robertson, legendary New Music mavericks Bobby Previte, Mark Feldman, David Tronzo, Matt Darriau & Paradox Trio. In Boston, he founded the third stream improv group Third Ear, and upon moving to New York he was quickly snatched up by downtown legends EZ Pour Spout and Goats in Trees.

Stu Mahan hails from the quiet solitude of Pemaquid, Maine. He draws inspiration from the low-end of Berry Oakley, Wilton Felder, John Paul Jones, Paul Jackson, Family Man, and many others. His adventures eventually led him to of Brooklyn, New York, where he cut his teeth with some of the strongest musicians on the scene. Upon moving down he toured extensively with New York based rock band The London Souls and Eric Krasno Band. 

Tickets $15

*fees not included

Jazz Casual: From its beginnings in the 1950s to the influx of amazing talent in the new millennium, the Seacoast has been home to an amazing community of composers, improvisers, and performers dedicated to preserving the Jazz tradition as well as innovating new and personal expressions of the music. The presence of jazz and other improvised musics has enriched the community and inspired generations of artists and audiences. As an advocate of the arts, The Dance Hall is proud to support practitioners of jazz and improvised music. Join us in supporting the arts in our community!

7/9- Scott Kiefner Trio ft. Chet Doxas
7/16- Maddoc Johnson Group
7/23- Social Animals Big Band ft. Josh Gagnon and Hunter McKay
7/30- Sharon Jones
8/6- Jamie Saft Trio
8/13- Billy Mintz ft. Tony Malaby

Jazz Casual is a new summer concert series showcasing an eclectic array of local and national talent. This week features Sharon Jones. Sharon is a legendary performer and native of Portsmouth, NH, where she shines as an original stand-out of the Seacoast music scene, with engagements throughout New England, in Boston and in New York.

An entertainer in the classical sense of the word, Sharon's versatility allows her to communicate with audiences in any setting. Her two- and three-piece ensembles will complement the dining experience with jazzy background music. With her band, Sharon gives a riff-driven high-energy R&B and Blues performance that gets the crowds dancing. Her passion for performance radiates, and her expressiveness embraces her audiences. Ending Sharon's concerts is a challenge as the audience begs for more!

"We love backing up Sharon. She's a star. She's a treasure. It's amazing to me that someone with her talent is still on the Seacoast," says Ken Ormes of The Downtown Express - the band that often accompanies Sharon. There is mutual delight for Sharon and her longtime followers when she performs for NH Seacoast audiences.

$15 advance | $18 day-of

*fees not included

Jazz Casual: From its beginnings in the 1950s to the influx of amazing talent in the new millennium, the Seacoast has been home to an amazing community of composers, improvisers, and performers dedicated to preserving the Jazz tradition as well as innovating new and personal expressions of the music. The presence of jazz and other improvised musics has enriched the community and inspired generations of artists and audiences. As an advocate of the arts, The Dance Hall is proud to support practitioners of jazz and improvised music. Join us in supporting the arts in our community!

7/9- Scott Kiefner Trio ft. Chet Doxas
7/16- Maddoc Johnson Group
7/23- Social Animals Big Band ft. Josh Gagnon and Hunter McKay
7/30- Sharon Jones
8/6- Jamie Saft Trio
8/13- Billy Mintz ft. Tony Malaby

Jazz Casual is a new summer concert series showcasing an eclectic array of local and national talent. This week features Social Animals Big Band. Social Animals (ˈsəʊʃəl ánəməlz) are a band of primates originating in the northeastern United States. They thrive in a diverse ecosystem and travel in groups of 17-19 individuals. Each animal comes from a different habitat; but all are adapted to a variety of contemporary musical environments.  

The animals have been known to use tools –including wind, string, and percussion instruments– to entertain themselves as well as their audiences. The group has developed an individualized rhythmic and harmonic vocabulary which they use to communicate. They have been observed teaching their musical language in ritualistic pre-concert clinics and have also been known to collaborate with other animals with whom they share musical DNA. 

Social Animals are known to perform their music in both natural environments and in captivity. From the dive bar to the concert hall, their performances are characterized by labyrinthian incantations of their sonic dialect, interspersed by unpredictable and jocular musical episodes.

$15 advance | $18 day-of

*fees not included

Jazz Casual: Beginning in the 1950s and continuing in the new millennium with the influx of amazing talent, the Seacoast has been home to an amazing community of composers, improvisers, and performers dedicated to preserving the Jazz tradition as well as innovating new and personal expressions of the music. The presence of jazz and other improvised musics has enriched the community and inspired generations of artists and audiences. As an advocate of the arts, The Dance Hall is proud to support practitioners of jazz and improvised music. Join us in supporting the arts in our community!

Jazz Casual 2023 Summer Schedule (all shows at 5pm on Sundays)

7/9- Scott Kiefner Trio ft. Chet Doxas
7/16- Maddoc Johnson Group
7/23- Social Animals Big Band ft. Josh Gagnon and Hunter McKay
7/30- Sharon Jones
8/6- Jamie Saft Trio
8/13- Billy Mintz ft. Tony Malaby

Season tickets (6 shows):

-General Admission $72
-Table for 2-4 $180

*fees not included