{"id":34496,"date":"2023-11-02T09:56:26","date_gmt":"2023-11-02T13:56:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=34496"},"modified":"2023-11-02T09:56:27","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T13:56:27","slug":"on-stage-wicked-returns-for-shows-at-academy-of-music","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=34496","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: ‘Wicked’ returns for shows at Academy of Music"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"

Wicked<\/p><\/div>\n

Did you ever wonder what the witches of Oz were doing before the time they encountered Dorothy and her entourage?<\/p>\n

Many questions that were left unanswered in \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d were answered at a later date — questions such as what the witches of Oz were doing before they encountered Dorothy and how they got to be the way they were.<\/p>\n

They were answered in \u201cWicked,\u201d the hit musical based on the best-selling novel by Gregory Maguire. \u201cWicked,\u201d the fourth-longest running Broadway production,\u201d is a winner of 15 major awards — including a Grammy Award and three Tony Awards. The show features the music and lyrics of Stephen Schwartz.<\/p>\n

The musical, which has already had several sold-out runs in Philadelphia dating back to the early 2000s, is back for another hot-selling visit. \u201cWicked\u201d is running now through November 26 at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, www.kimmelculturalcampus.org<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

\u201cWicked\u201d\u00a0is the winner of over 100 international awards, including Grammy\u00ae\u00a0and Tony Awards\u00ae. Since opening in 2003,\u00a0\u201cWicked\u201d\u00a0has been performed in over 100 cities in 16 countries around the world (U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan,\u00a0Germany, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, The Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland, and China) and has thus far been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean, and Portuguese.\u00a0\u201cWicked\u201d\u00a0has been seen by over 60 million people\u00a0worldwide and has amassed over $5 billion\u00a0in global sales.<\/p>\n

The production is directed by Tony Award\u00ae\u00a0winner Joe Mantello with musical staging by Tony Award\u00ae\u00a0winner Wayne Cilento.\u00a0Wicked\u00a0is produced by Marc Platt, Universal Stage Productions, The Araca Group, Jon B. Platt, and David Stone.<\/p>\n

The ultra-popular show depicts what the witches of Oz were doing before they encountered Dorothy and how they got to be the way they were.<\/p>\n

\u201cWicked\u201d, which carries the subtitle \u201cthe untold story of the witches of Oz\u201d, tells the story of two girls who meet in the Land of Oz. The one born with emerald green skin is smart, fiery and misunderstood. The other is beautiful, ambitious and very popular.<\/p>\n

The show tells the tale of how these two unlikely friends end up as Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, the Good Witch. their Their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships\u2026until the world decides to call one \u201cgood,\u201d and the other one \u201cwicked.\u201d<\/p>\n

Madame Morrible is the headmistress of Shiz University\u2019s Crage Hall, which Elphaba and Glinda attend. Elphaba and her friends suspect Morrible to be responsible for the murder of Doctor Dillamond.<\/p>\n

At one point, Madame Morrible proposes that Elphaba, Galinda, and Nessarose become future behind-the-scenes rulers in Oz, a proposal that they never willingly accept.<\/p>\n

Elphaba suspects that Madame Morrible has at least some magical powers and may have indeed controlled the fates of the three women. It remains unknown whether Elphaba murdered her or if she died of natural causes minutes before Elphaba\u2019s attempt.<\/p>\n

The cast features Celia Hottenstein as Glenda, Olivia Valli as Elphaba and Kathy Fitzgerald as Madame Morrible. The cast also includes an actor with local roots \u2013 Brett Stoelker.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe last time I did a show in Philly was \u201cLes Mis\u00e9rables,\u2019\u201d said Stoelker, a Washington Township High School grad who studied musical theater at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. \u201cThen COVID hit.<\/p>\n

\u201cI joined the \u2018Wicked\u2019 tour in June this year and my first performance was in July in Atlanta at the Fox Theater. I had six auditions over the course of many years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel that \u2018Wicked\u2019 is my biggest personal accomplishment. I chased it for a long time. After all those \u2018no\u2019s,\u2019 I finally got it. After getting close so many times, it feels extra great.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m the understudy for FIyero but mostly I do my ensemble track \u2013 which is fun. It\u2019s a pleasure to be on stage with this show.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a thrilling score that includes the hits \u201cDefying Gravity,\u201d \u201cPopular\u201d and \u201cFor Good,\u201d\u00a0Wicked\u00a0has been hailed by\u00a0The New York Times\u00a0as \u201cthe defining musical of the decade\u201d and by\u00a0Time Magazine\u00a0as \u201ca magical Broadway musical with brains, heart, and courage.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0NBC Nightly News\u00a0called the hit musical \u201cthe most successful Broadway show ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a thrilling score that includes the hits \u201cDefying Gravity,\u201d \u201cPopular\u201d and \u201cFor Good,\u201d\u00a0Wicked\u00a0has been hailed by\u00a0The New York Times\u00a0as \u201cthe defining musical of the decade\u201d and by\u00a0Time Magazine\u00a0as \u201ca magical Broadway musical with brains, heart, and courage.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0NBC Nightly News\u00a0called the hit musical \u201cthe most successful Broadway show ever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an amazing family show,\u201d said Stoelker, whose dance background includes ballet and jazz. \u201cThe show is the prequel to \u2018The Wizard of Oz.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great Broadway production. The songs are incredible. The dancing is amazing. It\u2019s funny.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the story of an outcast. And there\u2019s a love story. is<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s relatable. Everyone knows the story of the Wizard of Oz. \u00a0Even people who don\u2019t like theater find that they love \u2018Wicked.\u2019 People keep coming back to see this show again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cWicked\u201d \u2013\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/WNIuOrz0Gt8<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWicked\u201d is running now through November 26 at the Academy of Music. Ticket prices start at $30.<\/p>\n

There is also an \u201cOz-related\u201d show this weekend for one night only at The Candlelight Theatre (2208 Millers Road, Arden, Delaware,\u00a0302- 475-2313, www.candlelighttheatredelaware.org<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"\"On November 4, the theater will present \u201cONE NIGHT ONLY CONCERT\u201d featuring\u00a0songs from the Broadway-bound musical,\u00a0\u201cAtlantis,\u201d<\/p>\n

performed by co-writers, Matthew Lee Robinson and Scott Anderson Morris (The Boys from Oz).<\/p>\n

The show, which is being held as a benefit for education classes at Candlelight, will start at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

Patrons can immerse themselves in the charm of New York City\u2019s own Australians, Matthew Lee Robinson and Scott Anderson Morris, as this dynamic married duo delivers a one-night-only, one-act concert experience filled with beloved musical theatre melodies from their illustrious careers spanning the United States and Australia, including\u00a0\u201cHairspray,\u201d \u201cMy Fair Lady,\u201d \u201cA Chorus Line\u201d\u00a0and more.<\/p>\n

These classic show tunes will appear alongside Robinson\u2019s own original songs that have been performed on stages ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. To add to the occasion, featured guest performers from the vibrant Delaware performing arts community will make special appearances.<\/p>\n

Robinson\u00a0is a New York City-based Australian composer\/lyricist, performer, vocal coach, and Co-Founder of performing arts training company, EQ Endeavours.\u00a0On stage, he has performed three roles for Opera Australia at the Sydney Opera House: Freddy Eynsford-Hill in\u00a0\u201cMy Fair Lady,\u201d Henrik in\u00a0\u201cA Little Night Music\u201d\u00a0and Frederic in\u00a0\u201cThe Pirates of Penzance.\u201d\u00a0He also appeared as the title role in\u00a0\u201cPippin,\u201d\u00a0and in the original Australian cast of\u00a0\u201cMAMMA MIA!\u201d<\/p>\n

As a composer\/lyricist, he has written\u00a0\u201cAtlantis\u201d\u00a0(Virginia Repertory Theatre),\u00a0\u201cThe Magic School Bus\u201d\u00a0(TheaterWorksUSA national tour), the five-time Helpmann-nominated\u00a0\u201cMetro Street,\u201d and the Emmy-nominated television series\u00a0\u201cDance Academy.\u201d He most recently sold an original\u00a0animated musical feature film to DreamWorks Animation.<\/p>\n

Morris is a New York City-based Australian performer and director\/choreographer who began his career performing in Australian theatre as Ernst in\u00a0\u201cSpring Awakening\u201d\u00a0(Sydney Theatre Company), Mark in\u00a0\u201cA Chorus Line\u201d\u00a0(TML Enterprises), Frank Lippencott in\u00a0\u201cWonderful Town\u201d\u00a0(Sydney Opera House), and the ensembles of\u00a0\u201cHairspray\u201d\u00a0(David Atkins) and\u00a0\u201cMy Fair Lady\u201d\u00a0(Opera Australia, directed by Julie Andrews).<\/p>\n

Across Australia and the United States, Morris moved into leadership positions as Assistant Dance Captain of Andrew Lloyd Webber\u2019s\u00a0\u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u00a0Australian Tour,\u201d Dance Captain of\u00a0\u201cAtlantis\u201d (Virginia Repertory Theatre), Dance Captain of\u00a0\u201cBliss\u201d (5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle) and Director of the New York reading of\u00a0\u201cBlack Box\u201d\u00a0(Broadway Dreams). He is an active musical theatre educator and Co-Founder of New York City-based performing arts training company EQ Endeavours.<\/p>\n

The show at the Candlelight Theatre on November 4 will start at 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

Jamey\u2019s House of Music (32 South Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne, 215-477-9985, www.jameyshouseofmusic.com<\/a>) will be rocking\u2019 this weekend.<\/p>\n

The main attractions over the next few days at Jamey\u2019s are Meghan Cary and Marc Douglas Berardo on November 3 and Stevie and the Bluescasters on November 4.<\/p>\n

Meghan\u00a0Cary\u2019s music has been\u00a0hailed as healing, inspiring and infectiously joyful.\u00a0Named\u00a0Billboard\u2019s\u00a0\u201cCritic\u2019s Choice\u201d for her debut EP,\u00a0the stage actress turned folk rocker\u00a0engages listeners with masterful storytelling and anthemic songs.\u00a0Cary\u00a0found solace in words and music after her fianc\u00e9 unexpectedly passed away — and turned that passion into a platform to empower others to speak their truth by bravely sharing her own.<\/p>\n

A frequent performer at such venerable festivals as Philadelphia Folk Festival, Spring Gulch, Huntington, DelMarVa Folk Festival, and music venues around the country,\u00a0Cary’s message of unity and the power of raising our voices together infuses every show, and her song, \u201cSing Louder\u201d, has become an anthem for the music-loving community.<\/p>\n

Many people have favorite mantras.\u00a0Cary\u2019s favorite \u2013 and very own \u2013 mantra is \u201cSing Louder\u201d \u2013 and for good reason.<\/p>\n

\u201cSing Louder\u201d is one of her most popular songs. It was the title track on an EP \u2013 \u201cSing Louder \u2013 the Festival EP\u201d in 2015. It is also the title of her latest album.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe \u2018Sing Louder\u2019 album came out in November 2017, but I think of it as a 2018 album,\u201d said\u00a0Cary. \u201cMy book \u2013 \u2018Sing Louder — Stories Behind the Songs\u2019 \u2013 is all about the songs that inspired the \u2018Sing Louder\u2019 album \u2013 10 first-person stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cary\u00a0explained the inspiration for the book.<\/p>\n

\u201cI share a lot of my stories on stage,\u201d said the veteran singer-songwriter. \u201cI do a lot of storytelling in my shows \u2013 but it\u2019s also a concert. My band would go crazy if I talked too much between songs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter shows, people ask me to tell them more about the songs. I\u2019m a firm believer in sharing my stories \u2013 not only for the stories but also to help other people. People come up to me after shows all the time and say things like \u2013 I just lost my mom and didn\u2019t realize that it was still affecting me.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was making the record, I said I was going to write a book and let people pre-buy it. That way, I wouldn\u2019t let other things get in the way. I knew I had to write the book and get it finished.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere I one story for each song on \u2018Sing Louder.\u2019 It\u2019s pretty straightforward. I think it\u2019s a good read. The book I\u2019m working on now is a companion to my first album \u2018New Shoes\u2019 from 1998. It\u2019s about how I began my music career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cary\u00a0and her band Analog Gypsies produce a sound that is a blend of folk, rock, gypsy jazz and jam band. At the core of the band are\u00a0Cary\u00a0and Farrell. The keyboard and guitar duo produces a big musical footprint with cool grooves and tight vocal harmonies.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe song \u2018Sing Louder\u2019 is a fan favorite \u2013 and very uplifting,\u201d said\u00a0Cary. \u201cThe key line is \u2013 \u2018if you don\u2019t know the words, sing louder\u2026sing stronger\u2026sing louder, sing stronger for all of the world to hear.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recorded the album at Morning Star Studio with producer Glenn Barratt. Glenn\u2019s input on production is amazing. \u00a0We even brought 48 people \u2013 fans and friends \u2013 into the studio to sing on the title track.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cary\u00a0is also a veteran actress who performed in the musical \u201cPump Boys and Dinettes\u201d and, more recently, performed a one-woman play she wrote called \u201cOn the Way to the Waterfall!\u201d<\/p>\n

This autobiographical play with music\u00a0was originally created as a short piece for E.A.T.\u2019s One-Woman Standing play festival in NYC in 2013 and was developed into a\u00a0full-length play this past summer by Hypothetical Theatre Company. Two years ago,\u00a0Cary\u00a0performed it in the Boulder International Fringe Festival\u00a0and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both the audience and the critics.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I lived in New York, I used to help this playwright Tina Howe,\u201d said\u00a0Cary. \u201cShe heard me playing my music and told me \u2014 you have to write a play. I didn\u2019t know how to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The play she was about to write was based on a personal tragedy.<\/p>\n

While performing in the musical \u201cPump Boys and Dinettes\u201d years ago,\u00a0Cary\u00a0met and fell in love with Matthew Black, one of the show\u2019s musicians.\u00a0Cary\u00a0performed with Black as his backup singer with occasional solos. The pair became engaged, and things were going great. But Black died suddenly in 1995 and\u00a0Cary\u2019s life path took another unexpected twist.<\/p>\n

\u201cMusic carried me through that time period,\u201d said\u00a0Cary. \u201cMatthew and I made music together. When he died, I lost everything I had for the future. Music was something that I could keep. I wanted to keep making music. But I was writing songs with no intention of ever playing them for anyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I thought about the play, I knew had already written the story in songs. I had written music as a way to heal through this traumatic experience. The play is about going through the same thing \u2014 getting knocked off-course and ending up somewhere else.\u201d<\/p>\n

When\u00a0Cary\u00a0graduated from Hershey High a few years back, she headed off to Duke University to major in biomedical engineering. But, the path of life goes through many twists and turns and that\u2019s why\u00a0Cary\u00a0now wears a guitar instead of a lab coat. She switched majors at Duke and finished with a bachelor\u2019s degree in drama.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I wanted to be a biomedical engineer,\u201d said\u00a0Cary. \u201cI looked at Cornell, but it was freezing up there, so I chose Duke instead. I was on a pre-med track and then got interested in theater. I finished Duke with a degree in drama with a minor in chemistry. Then, I got my MFA (master\u2019s in fine arts) in acting from Florida State University.<\/p>\n

\u201cI realized back then that I wanted to perform. When I started, I wanted to do regional theater. I also did Off-Broadway shows and I’m a charter member of New York’s Actor’s Shakespeare Company. I love Shakespeare\u2019s work. I love the way he used words.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now,\u00a0Cary\u00a0has established herself as a singer, actress, songwriter, and playwright. She is also the mother of two musical kids who have already participated in making music with their family.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing a mom of two kids in school means I inhabit two entirely different worlds in a given week\u2026or day,\u201d said\u00a0Cary. \u201cAnd I was thinking how important it is for me to have both.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s no surprise that sometimes trying to figure out the business of music can be pretty anxiety provoking — you know, how to afford to make records, if and how to sell records, and (most important for me) how to get the music out there so people fall in love and want to connect to and be a part of the music.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, for me, even the creative part of music-making can be less than peaceful at times. I sometimes suffer from writer\u2019s block, lack of inspiration, over self-editing or just plain self-doubt.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019ve been blessed \u2013 and challenged — with this other side of life that balances it all out. When I\u2019m with the kids and just being and doing whatever it is we\u2019re doing together, the drama that can be a part of the DYI musician\u2019s world seems really inconsequential.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, the fact that both of our kids are musical and inspired to make music is really a gift. It means I don\u2019t have to keep the two parts of my life so compartmentalized. Both of them sang on the album.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regarding this weekend\u2019s show, Cary posted, \u201cBob Beach and Peter Farrell will be joining me for this special evening of music at one of my favorite venues. Hope you can be there too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Singer-songwriter, performer, and keen observer,\u00a0Marc Douglas Berardo\u00a0composes songs that mine the deep feelings and lessons gleaned from real-life characters and situations along with an onstage presence that uses humor and deft storytelling to rally an audience.<\/p>\n

In May 2014, Berardo won the 2014 Wildflower Art and Music Festival Song Contest in Texas. The following week he performed as a finalist in the legendary Kerrville New Folk Contest at the Kerrville Folk Festival. In early 2015, Berardo’s interview and live performance feature on Sirius\/ XM Satellite Radio show, The Village was voted one of the best of the year by listeners.<\/p>\n

Berardo was nominated as Best Americana Vocalist by readers of Motif Magazine in early 2017. In 2023 the Rhode Island Music Awards nominated him as Best Singer-Songwriter. He has been nationally recognized for his music and performances (Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Song contest, Telluride Troubadour Contest, Sisters Folk Festival, 2013 Rams Head Onstage Rammie for Best Show of the Year.)<\/p>\n

Video link for\u00a0Meghan\u00a0Cary\u00a0— https:\/\/youtu.be\/7p56MwK_j3k<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Jamey\u2019s on November 3 will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.<\/p>\n

Stevie and the Bluescasters is a three-piece acoustic blues band from Philadelphia featuring vocals, acoustic guitars, mandolin, National Steel and wood body Resonator, harmonica and percussion. The trio plays unique arrangements of all kinds of blues: Old Country blues including Piedmont, Delta, Texas, Chicago blues, some old gospel, old country, and a smattering of International “Blues.\u201d<\/p>\n

The show at Jamey\u2019s House of Music on November 4 will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.<\/p>\n

Every Sunday, Jamey\u2019s presents \u201cSUNDAY BLUES BRUNCH & JAM\u201d featuring the Philly Blues Kings. Another weekly event at the venue is the \u201cTHURSDAY NIGHT JAZZ JAM\u201d\u00a0featuring the Dave Reiter Trio.<\/p>\n

Tickets, which are $45, include the performance, Hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, free parking and a post-show meet-and-greet with the artists.<\/p>\n

Usually, when people hear the word \u201csamba,\u201d they think of Brazil. Usually, when people hear the word \u201csamba,\u201d they do not think of New Hampshire \u2013 but they soon might.<\/p>\n

In Brazil, samba\u00a0is a lively dance of Afro-Brazilian origin danced to\u00a0samba music. It originally referred to any of several Latin duet dances with origins from the Congo and Angola. Today, Samba is the most prevalent dance form in Brazil, and reaches the height of its importance during Carnaval \u2013 especially in Rio.<\/p>\n

In New Hampshire, the samba is Joe Samba, a rising singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has quietly emerged as a phenomenon racking up more than eight million total streams.<\/p>\n

Samba just embarked on his maiden U.S. headlining tour this fall. The tour, which has Joy Harkum as the opening act, will make a local stop on November 8 at 118 North (118 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, www.118northwayne.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is my second time to play Philly,\u201d said Samba, during a phone interview last week from his home in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. \u201cI played down there with Pepper last winter.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to Samba, \u201cEmbarking on my first-ever headlining tour is exciting to think about. Early on, I was performing at local pizza shops and bars envisioning the day I\u2019d get to headline a national tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot only is that vision becoming reality, I also get to take some of the most amazing musicians and people along for the ride. I\u2019m very excited to bring this show on the road. It will be a memorable one for all who attend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samba, who generates smoked-out Caribbean bliss and sweat-soaked punkified energy, has spent years honing his skills and building up his acclaimed energetic live show. So far this year, the Massachusetts-born and now\u00a0New Hampshire-based\u00a0artist has toured extensively from coast to coast supporting\u00a0Pepper, Badfish: A Tribute To Sublime,\u00a0and\u00a0Shwayze.<\/p>\n

Samba has also performed at a variety of festivals including\u00a0Summer Camp Music Festival, Cali Roots Festival, Reggae Rise Up Florida and Maryland, Cali Vibes 2023,\u00a0and\u00a0Summer Camp Music Festival. In addition to headlining his own shows, Samba opened for\u00a0Sublime With Rome, Andy Frasco & The U.N,\u00a0and\u00a0Ziggy Marley.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy music is a good mixture of reggae and other influences including punk and heavy elements,\u201d said Samba. \u201cI\u2019m leaning more to being a singer\/songwriter with an island vibe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Samba was exposed to a lot of different music styles when he was young.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m from a musical family,\u201d said Samba. \u201cMy dad played bass in a funk band, so I heard a lot of Tower of Power, R&B and soul.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of my favorite bands when I was young was Hanson. I was also into Metallica and Goth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started playing piano when I was seven and then took drum lessons when I was 12. I taught myself guitar when I was in high school.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2019, Samba released his independent debut,\u00a0\u201cThe Wrong Impression.\u201d The album made its debut at\u00a0 #1 on the\u00a0Billboard\u00a0Reggae Albums Chart\u00a0and has since clocked over\u00a02 million streams — thanks in part to the breakout hit \u201cHow We Do<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2021,\u00a0Samba\u00a0signed with\u00a0LAW Records\u00a0and, after a run of successful single releases, he put out his sophomore album, \u201cFar From Forever<\/a>,\u201d in June 2022.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve had two albums and a bunch of singles,\u201d said Samba. \u201cI\u2019ll have a new album coming out in 2024 \u2013 hopefully by March.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just recently got back from L.A. I was working on the album with Anthony Resta. He\u2019s an old friend of mine from Massachusetts. I met him for the first time when I was 17.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got interested in producing several years ago. I produced my first two albums myself. For the new album, I\u2019m using Anthony as producer. This is my first time to record with him since I was in high school. It\u2019s come full circle.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe stayed in touch over the years. I\u2019m a reggae-rock artist. If he was working on something and needed a reggae flavor, he\u2019d send me the track to work on.\u201d<\/p>\n

This time around, they got to work together in the same room.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a \u2018real deal\u2019 producer,\u201d said Samba. \u201cHe had a great studio in Massachusetts — Bopnique Musique \u2013 and he now has a great studio in Laurel Canyon.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was in L.A. for two weeks and worked with two different producers. I cut three songs with Anthony and four tracks with Eric Krasno from Soulive. I was a huge fan of his so getting to work with him was a great experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to record eight more songs for the album at Revelry Studio in New Hampshire \u2013 get 15 done and then narrow it to 12.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before they know it, Samba\u2019s fans will be skanking to a dozen new songs by their fave. In the meantime, they should plan on being at 118 North on November 8.<\/p>\n

Video link for Joe Samba — https:\/\/youtu.be\/RCj6W6Z07s0<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at 118 North on November 8, which has Joy Harkum as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $15.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows are Hot\u2019lanta on November 4 and Vinnie Paolizzi on November 5.<\/p>\n

The Trouble Notes are a progressive world folk trio based in Europe. Currently on the road supporting their new album, \u201cLiberty Awaits,\u201d they will make a stop here on November 8 for a show at MilkBoy Philly (1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 215- 925-6455, www.milkboyphilly.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Known for its explosive energy and worldly melodies, the band was formed in 2013 by violinist Bennet Cerven and has since established itself in the international world folk scene.<\/p>\n

The band\u2019s core hails from three different continents: American violinist Bennet Cerven, German guitarist Florian Eisenschmidt and Australian drummer Julian Lardis.<\/p>\n

The Trouble Notes story begins when Cerven moved from Indiana to New York City and focused on his prodigious musical gifts.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started studying music \u2013 classical violin — when I was three,\u201d said Cerven, during a phone interview last week.<\/p>\n

At the age of three, he began playing violin. By the time he was 15, he was classically trained and performing with orchestras.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in the Midwest and then went back east to study at Seton Hall University in New Jersey. I majored in diplomacy and international relations. Then, I moved to Manhattan and met musicians playing folk style violin.<\/p>\n

\u201cClassical music has a lot of rules. Once I discovered folk music and realized I could write more, I knew what I had to do. I was working for a Hedge Fund on Wall Street. I quit in May 2013. In June 2013, I bought a one-way plane ticket for London.\u201d<\/p>\n

By the time Cerven decided to cut ties and move to London, he had already paid his dues on the streets of New York.<\/p>\n

According to Cerven, \u201cIf you can work on the streets of New York, you can work anywhere. There, you\u2019re lucky to get five seconds of anyone\u2019s time. That\u2019s where I learned about showmanship, dynamics, energetic performance, and how to speak to audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n

Armed with nothing but a piece of luggage and his violin, Cerven boarded a plane for a Trans-Atlantic flight. Upon his arrival in London, he began busking in the streets of the metropolis to connect with the city and its inhabitants.<\/p>\n

After a transcendent jam in Hyde Park, Cerven found a creative and ideological soulmate in percussionist Oliver Maguire. His command of hip-hop and beats and traditional rhythms and his ability to ramp up the energy of the crowd has been crucial to shaping the group\u2019s panoramic artistry.<\/p>\n

Born in west London, Maguire grew up in a rock-and-roll family. His father had been a tour manager for Mot\u00f6rhead. That led to Maguire learning his kit skills from legendary rock drum legend, Phil \u201cPhilthy Animal\u201d Taylor (drummer for Mot\u00f6rhead as well as Waysted and The Deviants).<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter I got to London, I started bouncing around for a while,\u201d said Cerven. \u201cAfter four months, I moved to Berlin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Within months of their arrival, the traveling musicians met guitarist Florian Eisenschmidt. Having graduated from SAE, the German had spent his young adult life working in recording studios in Berlin. When he first saw Bennet and Oliver playing, he was impressed by their infectious energy and skills on their instruments.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe plan was always to bounce around \u2013 to not stay too long in one place,\u201d said Cerven. \u201cWhen the Wall went down, artists flocked to Berlin and that led to techno parties. The 90s was the best for underground culture. Then, it came above ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur group prides itself on being very international. Now, we have members from four continents. This year, we added a fourth member \u2013 Carol Zerega from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Our new drummer Julian Lardis joined at the start of the year. He was in an Aussie band that split, so he joined us.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have two studio albums. The first album was \u2018Lose Your Ties\u2019 in 2018. Our second album, \u201cLiberty Awaits,\u201d was just released in June. In our shows on this tour, we play a healthy mix of songs from both albums \u2013 and a couple new things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Their new show, \u201cMore Violins, Less Violence,\u201d is packed with songs from their second studio album \u201cLiberty Awaits.\u201d Their repertoire brings the traditions of Europe and the Americas together and carries a message of \u201cUnity in Diversity.\u201d<\/p>\n

The band has a campaign to support children affected by violence. One dollar of every ticket and one dollar of every \u201cMore Violins, Less Violence\u201d shirt will be donated to \u201cStop War on Children\u201d — Save the Children\u2019s initiative helping children affected by violence and war crimes.<\/p>\n

Video link for The Trouble Notes — https:\/\/youtu.be\/2JivT56LhOA<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at Milkboy Philadelphia on November 8 will start at 8:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $12.<\/p>\n

Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center (226 North High Street, West Chester, www.uptownwestchester.org<\/a>) is presenting The Dave Matthews Tribute Band on November 3, The Brit Pack on November 4 and a \u201cBohemian Rhapsody Singalong\u201d on November 6.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Did you ever wonder what the witches of Oz were doing before the time they encountered Dorothy and her entourage? Many questions that were left unanswered in \u201cThe Wizard of Oz\u201d were answered at a later date — questions such as what the witches of Oz were doing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34494,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5166],"tags":[3912,12251,12252,6867],"class_list":["post-34496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-featured","tag-matthew-lee-robinson","tag-scott-anderson-morris","tag-wicked"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34496","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=34496"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34496\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34497,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34496\/revisions\/34497"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/34494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34496"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34496"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34496"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}