The Olde Church Acoustic Series moves outdoors for the summer months, starting with International Make Music Day in June in downtown Meriden. Then we’re heading back to the Hubbard Park Band Shell for two rocking shows in July and August.
As we wrap our third indoor season in Meriden, we thank everyone who has supported our efforts to bring excellent, yet affordable, entertainment to all.
The Olde Church is excited to host a powerhouse triple bill of female singer/songwriters on May 5 (Bluegrass on Cinco de Mayo – Why not?!) The famous church ladies will be serving taco dinners beginning at 6pm and showtime is 7pm, any donation will secure your admission and the optional meals are very reasonable. And remember – FREE covered parking in the garage adjacent to the church!
The powerhouse duo of Amy Gallatin and renowned resophonic guitarist Roger Williams joined forces a few years ago to explore their mutual love of country standards, served up with an acoustic treatment in the bluegrass vein. The result is a toe-tapping blend of heartfelt vocals, soaring harmonies and red-hot picking, traditional yet modern and distinct.
Americana radio host Ed McKeon says: “Amy’s vocals, with the power and tone of her voice, are tempered by Roger’s baritone which has been sanded smooth by cigarettes and, shall we say, maturity. The song selections are perfect, the harmonies glorious, the sentiments wonderfully maudlin (like any good old country song).”
The two are enhanced by mandolin and vocals from Roger’s son, Berklee College of Music student JD, who–in the time-honored tradition of musical consanguinity–complements his father’s style perfectly, and by veteran bassist Eric Levenson, formerly with Joe Val & the New England Bluegrass Boys and later with Boston City Limits.
Kate Callahan was named Connecticut’s 16th State Troubadour, and one of the most recognized singer-songwriters in her home state. She gives a concert of soulful, optimistic and uplifting original music plus occasional songs by Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. Callahan has shared stages with songwriter legends Judy Collins, Noel Paul Stookey (Peter Paul & Mary), the late Bill Morrissey, Aztec Two Step, and Regina Spektor. She is unapologetically optimistic in concert singing original songs about the Earth, gratitude, marriage, love and spirit. Paul Stookey called her performances “Zen-like”
Milford resident Elana Zabari has long been a friend of the Olde Church series. She originally hails from Queens NY and plays originals filled with sincerity and emotion throughout the tri-state area and beyond. A late bloomer, Elana started her singing career at karaoke bars and became the lead singer for a band called “Da Scrubz” which was later renamed “Big Sis & the Boom Bahs”. Since that time she has freelanced with a number of bands most notably with Tyrone Shoelaces with whom she sings backup on a couple of their recordings.
Join us on Friday, April 14th, at 7pm at the Olde Church for an evening of compelling stories and songs from guitarist Steve Katz, founder of iconic 1960’s bands The Blues Project and Blood Sweat & Tears. Doors open at 6pm and as usual, admission is simply a free-will donation.
There will be a limited number of home-style dinners available for sale and FREE parking is available in the large, covered garage adjacent to the church.
ABOUT STEVE KATZ
Born in Brooklyn, Katz was active in the Greenwich Village folk scene where he took guitar lessons from Reverend Gary Davis and Dave Von Ronk. He played in the Even Dozen Jug Band with David Grisman and later formed The Blues Project with Danny Kalb and Al Kooper. Katz and other Blues Project bandmates brought jazz influences and more sophisticated horns to the rock & roll world forming Blood Sweat & Tears who quickly rocketed to the top of the charts. Katz and his bands headlined bills with seemingly everyone from the era including The Who, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Allman Brothers, Jethro Tull, the Mothers of Invention just to name a few. He played at Monterey Pop AND Woodstock; he’s seen it all.
Following his BS&T years, Katz helped revive Lou Reed’s career producing his albums Sally Can’t Dance and his amazing live Rock & Roll Animal. Steve continues to produce, play music and share his knowledge to this day. Suffice it to say, Steve has lots of stories, songs and slides(!) to share with us all. He will also be offering copies of his book, “Blood, Sweat, and My Rock ‘n’ Roll Years: Is Steve Katz a Rock Star?” You can read Steve’s more comprehensive bio here (yes there’s more): https://stevekatzmusic.wordpress.com/about/
As always, Frank Critelli will host – and for the first time in Series’ history, we will have no opener so Steve can sing and share as many stories as he can squeeze in. We hope you will join us! Please follow us on Facebook and visit our webpage for any updates! Thank you.
The Olde Church looks forward to welcoming Pamela Means, a passionate singer/songwriter who has been advocating for social justice for over 30 years. “Within the music industry, I’ve been compared to both Tracy Chapman and Ani DiFranco. I’ve also been described as a cross between Suzanne Vega and Jimi Hendrix and an heir to the legacy of Nina Simone. But, really, I’m just me.” She pulls no punches and will be a powerful force in the Olde Church. [Your homework, should you choose to accept it is to check out her recent interview: https://player.fm/series/series-3310548/pamela-means-protests-and-love-songs ]
Opening the evening at 7pm will be Connecticut’s Charlie Diamond. A firefighter and folk singer/songwriter, Charlie said recently, “I’ve got to do something that makes me happy. Music makes me happy. It makes me feel good to play for people who appreciate art.” Visit Charlie’s website https://www.charliediamondmusic.net/ for more information.
Free will donation for admission, whatever you can afford. A limited number of home-style dinners will be available for sale beginning at 6pm. FREE COVERED parking in the large, safe garage adjacent to the church. Please stay tuned to our series Facebook page for updates. Follow us!
Olde Church Acoustic Series 