The Ripton Community Coffee House, a nonprofit community concert series, welcomes acoustic band Low Lily on Saturday, June 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the Ripton Community House in Ripton.
The string and vocal trio Low Lily (formerly Annalivia) explores the roots and branches of American Folk music with traditional influences and modern inspiration that weaves together a unique brand of acoustic music.
Liz Simmons (vocals and guitar), Flynn Cohen (vocals, guitar, and mandolin) and Lissa Schneckenburger (vocals and fiddle) are masterful players with deep relationships to traditional music styles ranging from Bluegrass to Irish, Scottish, New England and Old Time Appalachian sounds. When you combine this with stellar composition skills and inventive arrangements, you get music that is rooted yet contemporary. Renowned double bassist Corey DiMario (of Crooked Still) will be joining them for this show.
A honey-voiced singer, Simmons sings with winsome ease and genuine feeling. A graduate of Goddard College (2005), where she studied American vernacular music of the 1920s and 30s, Simmons has developed a unique vocal and guitar style that draws from her musical history in folk and ballad traditions as well as the sounds of contemporary Folk music. She has also become a respected songwriter.
A versatile string virtuoso, acoustic guitarist and mandolinist and vocalist Cohen has performed all over the world with many notable acts in traditional and contemporary acoustic music.
This is the second time fiddler, singer and composer Schneckenburger has performed at the coffee house. She is one of the most well-respected and versatile fiddlers in the Northeast today. She has played all over the world, including appearances in Russia, Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Canada and the United States. In addition to her own solo show, she has performed with Solas and Childsplay.
As always, the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with an open mike set, followed by the featured performers. Open mike performers are encouraged to call in advance and reserve one of the four open-mike slots.
Admission to the coffeehouse is $3 kids (12 and under), $10 general admission, and $15 generous admission. The economically challenged may pay what they can afford. Refreshments will benefit the coffeehouse. The coffeehouse is held on the first Saturday of each month, except August. For more information, contact Richard Ruane or Andrea Chesman at 388-9782.
DEB BRISSON AND THE HAY BURNERS AT BRANDON MUSIC
Deb Brisson and the Hay Burners are a group of veteran Addison County performers, led by Brisson’s powerful, expressive vocals. They make their Brandon Music debut on Saturday, June 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Their songs are real and heartfelt, ranging from soulful and bluesy to rocking alt-country. With an album of original music, “Heart-Shaped Stone,” to its credit, the band plays a mix of its own work and favorite covers by artists such as Natalie Merchant, Alabama Shakes, Coldplay, the Talking Heads and more.
Brisson brought the band together several years ago, to work on songs that she, original bassist Pete Ryan, and guitarist Mark Pelletier were writing. “Pete and I started playing around with a few tunes,” she recalls, “and then we met Mark, who was extremely prolific in songwriting, and we decided to see what kind of sound and interest we could create. Our drummer John Wallace, who’s also very creative, had access to Lion Tone Recording Studio in Middlebury, and from there came the “Heart-Shaped Stone” album and our first gigs.”
Backing Brisson’s guitar and vocals are Pelletier on guitar and vocals, Wallace on drums, Carl Boss on bass and vocals and Doug Wilhelm oncongas,percussion and harmonica.
“I think if I had to pick a genre for our music, it would be Americana,” Brisson says, “but it really is a little bit of everything. I think the sound is becoming distinctive. Mark’s Telecaster style brings that Country “chicken picken” sound on top of the driving bass and percussion. I think my vocal style changes a bit from song to song, but I’ve always gravitated to a soulful, passionate feel. I love music, I feel it deeply and I want the crowd to feel it as well. I think that comes through with this group.”
Their original compositions are only half of what this powerhouse group is known for. Many of their cover songs have been kicking around in different forms and arrangements in other bands, but have come to fruition with the spark of Brisson and the Burners’ arrangements. Come see an extraordinary Vermont band on the rise.
Concert tickets are $20. A pre-concert dinner is available for $25. Reservations are required for dinner and recommended for the show.Venue is BYOB. Call 247-4295 or e-mail [email protected] for reservations or for more information. Brandon Music is located at 62 Country Club Road in Brandon.
BEATLES FOR SALE IN BRANDON
For Beatles fans old and new, Brandon Town hall will host tribute band Beatles for Sale on Saturday, June 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Beatles For Sale is an award-winning, New England-based Beatles tribute band committed to recreating the sounds of the Beatles live in concert. This band of talented musicians was drawn together by their love of Beatles music and the desire to keep the music alive, bringing it to a whole new generation of Beatles fans.
But don’t expect to see Beatle wigs or Sgt. Pepper suits. They feel that the most important thing about the show is the music. What you will see is a fun and energetic performance complete with original instrumentation and vocal harmonies that are as close as possible to the original Beatles recordings. There is no “sampling” or pre-recorded tracks — everything you hear is performed completely live.
Beatles For Sale has been entertaining audiences since 2007 with a repertoire that consists of over 150 sings from the Beatles catalog, as well as a select handful of solo material. They are currently on their 10th anniversary tour. The band includes Dan Kirouac on vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar, and percussion; Mike Christian on vocals, and drums; Steve Caisse on vocals, lead and rhythm guitars; and Joe Budroe on vocals and bass
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors, students, and military and can be purchased in advance or at the door. For more info contact Brandon Town Hall 802-247-5420 or BeatlesForSale.net.
LIVE MUSIC AT TWO BROTHERS TAVERN
There will be one live musical performance this week at Two Brothers Tavern located at 86 Main Street in Middlebury. Join Two Brothers every Wednesday at 9 p.m. for The Open Mic, an evening of music, comedy or anything else. Two Brothers Lounge is a laid back atmosphere where collaborations and libations fuel creativity. Alternately hosted by Mark Sikora and Kai Stanley, come cheer on your friends or let loose on the stage. It’s free to enter and there is no cover charge. For additional information, call 388-0002.