ED DUFRESNE - Published: February 3, 2011
I have a hunch that many of this column's faithful readers have never had the pleasure of visiting what is perhaps the premier venue in central Vermont. Perhaps it's a matter of location, or maybe just that the programming there does not often offer what you are all looking for. That being said, every once in a while there is a gem of a show at the Barre Opera House, and this weekend is one of those times.
Saturday night, the Carolina Chocolate Drops will play the majestic BOH. The Drops are one of the premier string bands in the country, and one of the first things folks will notice about them is that they are African-American. When people think of string-band music, they usually picture slack-jawed yokels of the Caucasian persuasion pickin' on banjos and blowin' on jugs and whatnot, but this act is actually reviving a long-forgotten tradition of African-American music from earlier in this century, one that came out of the same vernacular that produced the blues, jazz and other more well-known forms.
The Drops have managed to update that tradition while staying true to its roots and have been a huge success story, recently being the first African-American string band to play The Grand Ole Opry. Catch their “dirt-floor dance electricity” in a much more elegant environment starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10-$29, and more info is available at www.barreoperahouse.org. If the ushers try to keep you in your seats, just tell 'em you're there for the dancin'!
If you are looking to get your dance on to a decidedly different groove after that Chocolate Drops show, head back down Route 302 to the Capital City to catch local sensation Bossman at Positive Pie II on State Street. The reggae-inspired trio led by charismatic longtime Montpelier-area musician Brandon Klarich always brings out a good crowd, so expect it to be hoppin' on the dance floor at the Pie starting at 10:30 p.m. This one is 21 and older (sorry, kids) and a mere $3 at the door — party down!
And, if you're looking for even more booty-shakin' inspiration on Friday night, look no further than Langdon Street Café at the corner of Elm and Langdon in the city of the golden dome. That's where Rurally-Urban Records will throw down a hip-hop showcase with a wide variety of artists representing the 802. Join Aleck Woog, Face One, Anthem, DJ Bay 6 and more starting at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to attend the event in their best amalgamation of casual and formal clothing, as the most innovative outfits will win prizes from Rurally-Urban Records. Get gussied up to get down for the mere price of a donation — holla! Tonight at LSC, the rock-country amalgamation of Maarten Swaan and Charlie Christos will take the stage at the corner of Elm and Langdon starting at 8:30 p.m. And Saturday night, rising Americana twang-rockers The Molenes, who've been collecting a slew of accolades for their latest release from the likes of esteemed publications such as No Depression, will rock the corner coffeehouse starting at 10 p.m. Father-daughter old-time trio The Speckers will open the show with their brand of high-energy, barn burnin' fiddle tunes starting at 7. If you're lookin' to get rootsy on Saturday night, LSC is the place to be.
Back around the corner at Charlie-O's on Main Street in ol' Montpeculiar, Friday night brings a rock band called WhanderLust. I don't know if the spelling is correct; my Google search brought up only a yoga retreat, so you'll have to show up to see if they are worthy of the back of the classic old barroom.
Saturday night, the pride of Worcester takes the floor beyond the pool tables when local rockers Lava Moss return to the ol' World Famous. These guys have woodshedded it for a few years now and are finally busting out their brand of Green Mountain rock 'n' roll for your listening pleasure. I've heard a prominent local artist say that she became a musician because there was no way to make a living these days being a poet. Such is the case with Lava Moss lead singer Walt Ward, who is a poet of the highest order — I know because I've been acquainted with Walt for many years. The band is the vehicle for Walt's poetry, and if the musicianship can measure up to half of what Walter is capable of as a wordsmith, we'll have a winner here. Check 'em out starting at 10 p.m., fo' free!
Finally, I'm gonna let you all in on a somewhat well-kept secret. There's a new spot to go out in the area on Thursday nights, and the evening is beginning to draw a solid following from far and wide. I'm talking about Nutty Steph's chocolate shop and bar in Middlesex at the former Camp Meade on Route 2 that also now houses Red Hen Bakery.
I attended last week and can vouch for the uniqueness and cool vibe of the place, which features a great bottle selection and some real nice wines. In addition to being probably the only place around where you can get your nice red in a chocolate-dipped rimmed glass, they also have an array of chocolates from around the world to sample with your beverages, with Jacqueline “Nutty Steph” Reike herself behind the bar educating you on flavor notes, etc. There is also entertainment with a pianist and a late-night house band in duo Noble Savage playing an interesting brand of indie/electronica/rock. If you are looking for something completely different, show up there after 9 p.m. tonight or any Thursday in the foreseeable future — you won't be disappointed.
Until next week, dig yourself out of the snow and go see live music. Cheers!
Ed DuFresne is the former talent coordinator at Langdon Street Café, occasionally produces concerts, and books at various venues in the area on a freelance basis. He lives in Montpelier with the owners of a local vintage clothing franchise and an annoying bird named Lucy.