Composer-singer-mandolin player Chris Thile fronts
a quintet of the most conceptually daring act of an already impressive
career. The line-up of Punch Brothers (whose name is taken from
the Mark Twain short story Punch, Brothers, Punch!) is formidable
as Chris's prodigiously gifted band-mates are among the most in-demand
performers in the worlds of bluegrass, folk & traditional music.
Thile's Grammy Award-winning band Nickel Creek attracted fans of
both country & alternative-rock as he continues his genre expanding
sounds.
"May well be the most virtuosic American
ever to play the mandolin." - Washington Post
Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter
Ben Arnold finds himself exactly where he's meant to be in
his career: a self-sustaining artist composing his finest
songs to date, playing to a loyal, ever-expanding audience
with a new album - Nevermind My Blues - that is yet another
benchmark in his steadily growing discography.
One of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of
her generation, Dar Williams has been engaging audiences with her
musical artistry since the 1990's when she rose from the Northeast
coffeehouse circuit to the national spotlight. Since then she has
steadily built a fervent fan base with her compelling live shows
and popular favorites like "When I Was A Boy", "The
Babysitter's Here", "As Cool As I Am" and "Are
You Out There".
"Dar Williams may be the best female singer/songwriter
in America today." - Stereo-type
"A new generation of pop-folk enthusiasts
lauds her as one of the genre's central figures." - Paste
Magazine
Hailing from Boston, Johnny A is
widely regarded as one of America's finest contemporary guitarists;
he gained notoriety with his instrumental debut Sometime Tuesday
Morning with its XPN hit "Oh Yeah" and followed it
up with his second tour de force Get Inside, another critically
acclaimed album that traveled even deeper into the richness of guitar
texture & melody. As a sideman, Johnny played with a diverse
range of artists including Bobby Whitlock (of Derek & the Dominos)
and J. Geils front-man Peter Wolf.
THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT EVENT
PRESENTED BY THE ARTIST
"Reflections of
Frank & Dean"
A Tribute to Frank Sinatra
& Dean Martin
Sunday, May 18, 2008
2:00pm - $22.50*
Tony Sands' portrayal of Frank Sinatra captivates
audiences wherever he appears whether it's at a resort, The Tropicana
or Trump Plaza. Tony is a must see for anyone who hungers for the
singing of old blue eyes. Dave Michaels has been doing Dean Martin
for over thirty years and his impression is so on the mark it's
astounding. Dave's background in comedy allows him to capture the
very essence of the lovable mellow Dean Martin and he has done so
everywhere from Atlantic City to Las Vegas. Take a wonderful ride
back to a time that all of us miss so very much. Tony and Dave will
be performing to the original tracks of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
7:30pm - $19.50*
THEATER MEMBERS - $10.00
David Wilcox draws on influences that include James
Taylor, Motown, Nick Drake & Joni Mitchell (who inspired his
finger-style open-tunings) while creating a unique sound that is
both highly personal and emotionally forthright. David is considered
among the best of the brilliant crop of singer-songwriters to emerge
in the late '80s. Some of his concert favorites include "Eye
of the Hurricane", "Rusty Old American Dream", "How
Did You Find Me Here", "Covert War" & "Strong
Chemistry".
"Combines the best of both pop and modern
folk aesthetics" - The Boston Globe
"[Giving] sensitive singer-songwriters
back their good name." - New York Daily News
Catherine MacLellan has a voice
that's pure & haunting with songs that are deeply confessional
& powerfully poetic. Her father was Gene MacLellan who
wrote the classic hits "Snowbird" & "Put
Your Hand In The Hand".
Performing acoustic solo, Bruce Cockburn has won numerous international
awards including Junos [Canadian Grammies] and has 20 Canadian gold
& platinum records. His collected work is a journey around the
world with vivid imagery & unflinching observations of human
cruelty, greed, courage & survival through faith. Amongst his
most familiar favorites: "Wondering Where The Lions Are",
"If I Had A Rocket Launcher", "If A Tree Falls",
"A Dream Like Mine" & "Last Night Of The World".
Many of Bruce's songs have been cut by other artists including Barenaked
Ladies ("Lovers in a Dangerous Time"), Jimmy Buffett ("Pacing
the Cage") & his personal favorite cover: Jerry Garcia
"Waiting For A Miracle".
Although Craig Bickhardt
hit the country charts with "Givers and Takers"
& "This Old House", he wrote songs for Ray Charles,
B. B. King, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Art Garfunkel, Trisha
Yearwood, Martina McBride, Vince Gill, Allison Krauss, Poco
plus #1's "In Between Dances" (Pam Tillis), "Turn
It Loose" & "I Know Where I'm Going" (The
Judds). Craig has been featured on TV & film including
the Academy Award winning Tender Mercies.
Fred Eaglesmith
and His Band
Americana Music Hero
Thursday, May 22, 2008
8:00pm - $19.50*
THEATER MEMBERS - $10.00
Fred Eaglesmith is a singer/songwriter/storyteller/comedian
that has audiences laughing until their sides ache at the hilarious
personal tales he weaves into his show; his songs - and stories
- are carved from keen observations of the modern world and how
it affects Everyman as his rabid coterie of fans - known as "Fredheads"
- often travel hundreds of miles to catch his vibrant live performances.
A Juno award-winner, many recording artists have cut Fred's songs,
including Toby Keith, Cowboy Junkies, Dar Williams, Kasey Chambers
& Todd Snider and Martin Scorsese used his songs in his movies.
"Eaglesmith delivers passion like few singers
since Woody Guthrie" - New York Press
With stunning authenticity, they recreate Dylan's
greatest music & stage show, featuring startling renditions
of his most loved songs such as "Like A Rollin' Stone",
"Knockin' On Heaven's Door", "Blowin' In The Wind",
"Tangled Up In Blue", "Just Like A Woman", "Mr.
Tambourine Man", "All Along the Watchtower" and so
many more -- all the classics that made Bob Dylan a cultural icon
and musical legend. Highway 61 is fronted by Dylan historian &
documentary producer Joel Gilbert.
Highway 61 Revisited features original Bob Dylan
band members Scarlet Rivera (Violin, Desire album,
Rolling Thunder tour), Rob Stoner (Bass, Desire
album, Rolling Thunder tour, 1978 tour), and Winston Watson
(Drums, Never Ending Tour 1990-1995, Time out Of Mind,
MTV Unplugged).
Join
us at the Washington House before the show (from 5PM) for
a special Beer Tasting featuring “Summer Seasonals”
presented by Hatboro
Beverages.
A representative will be on hand
to enlighten us about these delicious summer brews.
The “Summer Seasonals”
will also be available at the theater bar.
Philadelphia Funk Authority
Summer Kick-off Dance Party
Saturday, May 24, 2008
8:00pm - $15.00*
The Philadelphia Funk Authority calls themselves,
"Quite simply the world's best dance and party band".
And we agree! This talent-packed band specializes in getting the
crowd out on the dance floor with the best soul, R&B, funk,
dance and party music from the past 40 years. Groove to the sounds
of James Brown, The Commodores, Sly & the Family Stone, Kool
& the Gang, AWB, EWF, KC & the Sunshine Band, Aretha, Otis
& Wicked Wilson Picket. Come kick off a great summer with a
great party band!
Still fronted by founder Dave Wakeling, The
English Beat are one of the pioneering British two-tone
bands who launched the late 70's ska explosion. Expect many EB &
General Public hits including "I Confess", "Tenderness",
"Mirror in the Bathroom", "Tears of a Clown",
"I'll Take You There", "Can't Get Used to Losing
You" & "Save It for Later". They sold-out the
last two years, so get your seats early... although you'll probably
be dancing in the cabaret or the aisles!
Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow
Quartet featuring Bela Fleck,
Ben Sollee & Casey Driessen
World class Roots-based Banjo
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
8:00pm - $29.50*
Abigail Washburn fronts an all-star quartet that
features Bela Fleck on national steel guitar & banjo, Ben Sollee
on cello & fiddler Casey Driessen. Their arrangements are built
around Washburn’s evocative vocals & clawhammer banjo
style as she sings timeless tales. Her latest album Song of the
Traveling Daughter is an old fashioned recording with a simple,
textured beauty. Abigail also spends time performing with her old-time
string band Uncle Earl.
Capturing the look, the sound and the personality
that defines one of the most successful and adored acts in musical
history. They have played to capacity houses around the world, cementing
their reputation as the world's leading Bee Gee's show. This multi-media
presentation is the definitive live celebration of four decades
of wonderful music written by the Brothers Gibb.
"One of the country's most
formidable roots-rock bands."
Old School
Freight Train
Unique Americana
Musical Experience
Friday, May 30, 2008
8:00pm - $15.00*
THEATER MEMBERS - $10.00
Old School Freight Train serenely combines thought-provoking
lyrics with captivating melodies, soulful vocals, virtuosic instrumentals
and imaginative arrangements. Blending bluegrass, jazz, Latin, and
Celtic, OSFT offers a unique musical experience the Boston Globe
claims is "the Next Big Thing" and the Chicago Tribune
claims is "accessible but uncompromising in creativity."
Their latest album Run - produced by Mandolin Master David Grisman
- spans a broad spectrum of contemporary styles.
"After forty years of recording acoustic
music, it's not very often that a new band catches (and keeps) my
attention. Old School Freight Train has done that and more."
- David Grisman
Saturday, May 31, 2008
8:00pm - $15.00*
THEATER MEMBERS - $10.00
Splintered Sunlight formed in '92 & has become
the most popular Grateful Dead Tribute band in the Philadelphia
area gaining praise from Dead Heads and casual fans alike. Their
repertoire is well over two hundred songs, spanning the Dead's thirty
year career including the classics "Touch of Grey", "Shakedown
Street", "Uncle John's Band", "Ripple",
"Terrapin Station" & "Truckin". Splintered
Sunlight and its members have performed with Bob Weir, Donna Jean,
Tom Constanten, Merle Saunders, Kingfish and Jorma.