Singing Through the Holidaze with Big Wide Grin

Come celebrate the holidays with Big Wide Grin! This event will bring you good holiday cheer. There is a $15 donation collected at the door; please bring a dish and/or a favorite beverage to share for this special holiday gathering! Also, remember to dig out your most hideous Christmas sweater and wear it, if you dare! We will have a special contest to vote on the ugliest holiday sweater--prizes will be awarded!

Please make your reservations early; this band packs them in and they are fun, fun, fun!!!

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Now, here's a little bit of info on the band, whom I absolutely adore! --

This bi-coastal trio of Elaine Dempsey, Lawrence Lambert & Karl Werne, from California and Virginia, bring diverse backgrounds of experience, music and theater together to form a rich,

soulful blend of character and deep harmony. It will move you to an understanding of their name: BIG WIDE GRIN.


They are constantly on the move- whether at festivals, concert series, shows, or select house concerts and have shared the stage, collectively, with such artists as Janis Ian, Harriett Schock,

Lowen & Navarro, Richie Havens, Bruce Hornsby and toured with legendary blues man Keb' Mo'.


Their recent seasonal CD, “Holiday” features a wide variety of world class arrangers and studio musicians from both coasts, proving to be the most diverse self-produced musical endeavor from this group so far.

Musical guest artists include ODU Jazz Professor John Toomey, former Kool and the Gang bassist, Dana Silvercloud and Dan Martier from Tim Reynolds’ TR3.


BWG's "Live" release is a collection of original and cover material that have become trademark favorites of their live performances from the likes of Steve Earle and Tracy Chapman to Sly & The Family Stone.

Their debut CD, "Live Simple, Breathe Deep" (released under previous group name: "E.L.K.") was produced by Clayton Gibb (Keb' Mo' band) and features Mark Andes (Spirit, Canned Heat),

Rob Hooper (Jimmie Dale Gilmore), Cha Cha Friedken (Keb' Mo' band) and Eddie Williams.

http://www.reverbnation.com/bigwidegrin


“Big Wide Grin ... Good singing. Great songs and the hardest working band in folk music.” Keb’ Mo’

"Take three supremely talented performers, throw in a generous portion of intelligent and heartfelt songwriting, add a dash of wit and charm, then sit yourself down to a spellbinding evening of top-notch entertainment with Big Wide Grin ... guaranteed to put one on every face." BJ Leiderman, theme composer, National Public Radio


PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO RSVP AS THIS IS AN EVENT HELD IN A PRIVATE HOME; your RSVP will bring directions! Thank You!

Please visit the House About Tonight Productions' Facebook page and "like" us!


https://www.facebook.com/pages/House-About-Tonight-Productions/118334431556717

Beaucoup Blue is BACK!

House About Tonight Productions is thrilled to be bringing back to the 'burg the immensely talented duo of Beaucoup Blue. Beaucoup Blue is the Americana Philadelphia-based duo of David and Adrian Mowry.

Father and son have been performing their roots-based music nationally and internationally as a duo, quartet and on occasion quintet. Bridging many gaps in American music, their soulful traditional and contemporary styles mesh into an innovative and authentic sound. Although blues is a staple in their repertoire, they base their love in music from Folk, Soul, R&B, Jazz, Country and Bluegrass. All these interests and influences come out in their original songwriting in a unique way. A handsome range of instruments like six- and twelve-string guitars, slide guitar, and round-neck resonator guitar, combined with two soulful voices, encompasses a rich and honest feel, noticeably influenced by familial ties.

Beaucoup Blue had previously released two albums: Out Of The Woodwork, 2003, and Hearts At Home, 2005. The long awaited third album, Free To Fall, is produced by Grammy nominated Jim Salamone. The project features a world class rhythm section including Jeff Sheard on drums, Bill Zinno on acoustic upright bass as well as the extraordinary talents of a few friends. A guest appearance by Universal recording artist Melody Gardot, and the Americana Angels of Red Molly contributed their voices to this important work in classic proportion.

This very popular duo is back for yet annother appearance in Fredericksburg; please make sure to RSVP early for the eagerly awaited return of these amazing musicians and songwriters.

NEW VENUE: The Scott Residence in Stafford, VA (directions will be sent before the concert when you RSVP)

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Doors at 7pm

Music at 8pm

$15 donation per person taken at the door; all donation monies go directly to the musicians so that they can continue to travel and spread their gospel of music

Please also bring a dish for the buffet table; House About Tonight will provide some beverages and desserts

First-come, first-served, so RSVP today--VERY IMPORTANT TO RSVP, as space is limited!!! I will send directions next week to those who RSVP; thanks for your continued support of live music that you can listen to in an intimate environment! Hope to see you soon!

You may email your RSVP to me at RAGwoman1@aol.com

White Collar Job to Singing with a Guitar

Singer/songwriter and guitarist Andrew McKnight's five CDs and captivating performances showcase his engaging collection of songs and stories celebrating the lives and landscapes of rural American people with warmth and humor.

Since permanently leaving his corporate environmental engineering career in 1996, the award-winning folk and Americana artist has traced half a million miles of blue highways and backwater towns, and earned critical acclaim and enthusiastic fan response. His music and messages are always compelling, infused with his literate prose, eye for intriguing detail, and soundscapes that span haunting blues, feisty anthems, rustic folk, and a bit of swing.

He usually tours solo, but also performs frequently with founding Nitty Gritty Dirt Band member Les Thompson fronting their genre-bending quartet Beyond Borders. In addition to his music, he is an insightful essayist and poet, a gifted workshop leader, and a warm and thoughtful interview.

Join us for music that not only is beautiful sounding, but presents a thoughtful message. Andrew's music will leave you energized and hopeful. I know you'll like him a lot.

Doors at 7pm
Music at 8pm

A donation of $15 per person will be collected at the door; all donations go to the musician to help in their work as independent musicians

Please bring a dish to share; some beverages and desserts will be provided by House About Tonight Productions.

Please take the time to RSVP to this special event as space is limited. Thank you.

Bryan Bowers Returns

House About Tonight Productions proudly welcomes back to Fredericksburg a real favorite: Master Autoharpist/Singer/Songwriter/Storyteller/Performance Artist Bryan Bowers. A simple description of Bryan's work would be songs, stories, and strings.

The show is on Friday, October 14 at the Athenaeum (formerly known as The Wounded Bookstore) at 109 Amelia Street in downtown Fredericksburg. Doors are at 7pm and the concert starts at 8pm.

Donation: $15 per person (taken at the door)

Beverages and light snacks will be served at intermission.


Now, about Bryan:

From his rather unglamorous beginning as a street singer, Bryan has become a major artist on the traditional music circuit. He has redefined the autoharp and is also well known as a singer-songwriter. Bryan has a dynamic outgoing personality and an uncanny ability to enchant a crowd in practically any situation. His towering six-foot-four-inch frame can be wild and zany on stage while playing a song like "Dixie," and five minutes later later, he can have the same audience singing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" in quiet reverence and delight. We guarantee that you will come away from his performance absolutely mesmerized with his talent and message.

“To call Bryan Bowers’ performance simply a ‘concert’ would be inadequate if not inaccurate … (it) could better be described as an experience!”
-Deseret News

“Bowers is widely regarded as the leading virtuoso on the autoharp… Bowers also has distinct gifts as a singer and songwriter.”
-People Magazine

“…This man makes more music from an Autoharp than you can imagine from a 12-string guitar and a harpsichord combined. He has more stage presence and charisma than any stage performer in recent memory.”
-The Washington Times

My own personal experience with Bryan is that he seems to call when I need to hear from him most; earlier in the spring when we were talking about this show, he asked if he could "bend my ear" a while. He did, and I ended up in tears; sweet tears that were so needed for many reasons. The story was wonderful and I hope he will present it to you, too. So bring a handkerchief along with you to this event; you really don't want to miss it!


Reservations are not required, but there is limited seating (about 50), so please arrive on time so that you don't have to stand or miss the show!

September and Beyond!!!

On Saturday, September 24, House About Tonight Productions and Raven Hi-Fi are proud to present in concert Ange Boxall. Tasmania-born Ange is a singer/songwriter who takes her work very seriously, kind of. She's a dreamer, a spiritual walker on this earth, who writes about love, relationships, traveling, and longing.



Please help me welcome her to Fredericksburg by joining us in an intimate setting for this show.

Saturday, September 24, 2011
at Raven Hi-Fi
214 William Street
Fredericksburg, VA

Suggested Donation: $15 per person, plus a dish to share for the potluck supper and/or a bottle of your favorite beverage

Social Hour: 7-8pm
Music: 8-10pm

Please visit her website to get a taste of what you will hear at the show! http://www.angeboxall.com/

"Fool for Now" is my personal favorite!


This venue has limited space, so please RSVP as soon as possible to hold your seat!!



COMING IN OCTOBER:

Bryan Bowers on October 14
Andrew McKnight on October 22

NOVEMBER:

Beaucoup Blue on November 5

DECEMBER brings a special holiday show with Big Wide Grin; dig out your ugliest holiday sweater for our contest!!!

See You in September

Two fabulous shows this month!!

First off, The Taters join us for fun and music at our September 17 picnic in Spotsylvania.



Come out and help us celebrate the end of summer with an outdoor picnic and show you will never forget. The Taters will be out in fine form, having survived the dog days of August, singing their way into your hearts. Their music harkens back to the late 50s and early 60s, but with their own Tater twist.

For more info and to listen to some of their sweet sounds: http://www.thetaters.com/

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE: this concert was originally scheduled for September 24; it is now going to be held on September 17.

The suggested donation for this event is $15 per person. Bring your partner, your sibling(s), your friends, or someone new--we love meeting new people!

We are starting the event a little later in the evening in the hopes that the sun will be setting behind the trees and providing a bit of coolness.

Concert will be held at:

96 Longview Lane, Spotsylvania, VA 22553

Social Hour: 7-8 pm
Music: 8-10pm

Since this is a potluck event, please also bring a dish and/or a bottle of your favorite beverage to share.

Bring your lawn chair and/or blanket to sit on while you soak up the wonderful tunes of the Taters. There will be plenty of room for dancing if you are so inclined. Pop-up canopies are allowed just in case you want shade, but they must be lined up at the top of the hill. The sun should be down by then anyway.

After the longest break I've ever had in providing great music via house concerts, I am really looking forward to seeing you all again! Let me know if you're attending, okay?

PARKING will be in a field adjacent to the property; look for signs and helpers showing you the way!!!!

And THEN!!!!!

On Saturday, September 24, House About Tonight Productions and Raven Hi-Fi are proud to present in concert Ange Boxall. Tasmania-born Ange is a singer/songwriter who takes her work very seriously, kind of. She's a dreamer, a spiritual walker on this earth, who writes about love, relationships, traveling, and longing.



Please help me welcome her to Fredericksburg by joining us in an intimate setting for this show.

Saturday, September 24, 2011
at Raven Hi-Fi
214 William Street
Fredericksburg, VA

Suggested Donation: $15 per person, plus a dish to share for the potluck supper and/or a bottle of your favorite beverage

Social Hour: 7-8pm
Music: 8-10pm

Please visit her website to get a taste of what you will hear at the show! http://www.angeboxall.com/

"Fool for Now" is my personal favorite!


This venue has limited space, so please RSVP as soon as possible to hold your seat!!



COMING IN OCTOBER:

Bryan Bowers on October 14
Andrew McKnight on October 22

NOVEMBER is dark for now.

DECEMBER brings a special holiday show with Big Wide Grin; dig out your ugliest holiday sweater for our contest!!!

Late Summer/Fall 2011 House Concert Schedule

The House About Tonight Productions house concert schedule for later this year has changed somewhat. To our deep sadness, Kaci Bolls had to cancel her show that was originally scheduled for early September, but it's all good. She got a great opportunity to work at a new music venue in Florida through the end of the summer -- here's the Facebook link to that new place, so if you're in that area, please go check out Kaci and the venue!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Note-Music-Hall/158685240867153

The Taters' show on September 24 has been moved to September 17 due to a travel schedule change on their end. It is also at a new location in Spotsylvania. If you would like info on this show, please contact me by responding to this blog post.

October 2011 brings two great musicians to our area: On the 14th, fresh from a date in Washington, D.C., Bryan Bowers will enthrall you with his musicianship and put you under a spell with his storytelling. Very excited to be bringing him back to the area! (location tba)

On the 22nd, Andrew McKnight will be joining us in Spotsylvania for his unique brand of music that is both soothing and demands attention. Details to follow soon.

December 17 brings back the wonderfully talented bi-coastal trio of Big Wide Grin (Karl Werne, Elaine Dempsey, and Lawrence Lambert) as they help us to ring in the Holiday season--we may even have an ugly holiday sweater contest!!

2012 will bring back some favorites and some new folks, so please stay tuned to find out which of your favorite musicians are coming back to town. Hope to see you at one of the shows!!!