5 Live Music Musts - November 21, 2014
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - November 21, 2014
This week, we offer thanks to several top notch area venues that keep the music honest here in southern New England. Read on for some of the best in local music on “5 Live Music Musts."
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Over the past two years, the Columbus Theatre in Providence has distinguished itself by presenting shows from a variety of talented local and national artists. They bring “top-shelf Indie” concerts to town; that is, independent artists with major national appeal, the kind you hear about on NPR and read about in the New York Times (and occasionally here on GoLocalProv). Tonight is no different, as award winning producer/singer/songwriter Daniel Lanois pays a visit. Lonnie Holley opens the show at 8PM, tickets are $30 at the door. Look for a complete review of the show next week on GoLocalProv.
Narrows Center Anniversary Weekend
The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River is celebrating its 13th anniversary with a slew of shows this month. The mill space has become the premiere area venue for Roots, Rock and Blues and this weekend hosts two great shows. Tonight it’s a very special Johnny Winter remembrance concert with area Blues hero’s Johnny A, James Montgomery and Ronnie Baker Brooks. Tomorrow, share some “Sunshine” with the great Jonathan Edwards. Tickets are still available for both shows – details here.
The Duke at Chans
Perhaps the longest running Jazz and Blues venue around is Chan's in Woonsocket. Local and national performers know that a tour is not complete without a stop off for “Egg Rolls and Jazz.” And tonight, they welcome Rhode Island’s greatest living guitarist, Duke Robillard. He’s just released a new album, Calling All Blues, and will be joined by singer Sunny Crownover and the Roomful of Blues horns. Tickets are $22 and $18 for the 8PM and 10PM shows.
Busy Weekend at Sandywoods
Sandywoods rural location adds to the holiday warmth this time of year. If you haven’t been to the venue in Tiverton, it’s a great intimate room to catch a show, BYO food and drink. Mark Berger, who’s been described as “one part Springsteen and one part Dylan,” performs tonight at 8PM. Tomorrow, Rhode Island’s award winning cover band, Forever Young, interprets songs by the legendary Neil Young. Click here for ticket information for both shows.
Horn of Plenty at Common Fence
The Horn of Plenty concert tomorrow night at Common Fence Music has become an annual tradition for the Portsmouth venue. This year, it’s a harvest of great local music with Bob Kendall, Haunt the House, and The Rusty Pickup String Band. The kitchen will be open with seasonal specialties and there’s an afternoon family dance workshop. Tickets are $20 in advance and $23 at the door. Music starts at 6:30PM.
25 Reasons Why New England is the Best Part of the Country
Sports
New England sports teams are among the best in the nation:
The New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady has been described as one of the "Greatest Quarterback of All Time".
Not to mention the stars that have come out of the Boston Celtics like Larry Bird, and David Ortiz from the Boston Red Sox.
Lingo
New Englanders have a very unique vocabulary.
For example, a water fountain is known as a "bubbler", and sandwiches piled high with toppings and meats are strictly "grinders".
There's a "wicked" lot of slang that New Englanders use that most people outside the region will not understand.
Social Tolerance
New England is known for being socially liberal and the individual states within it paved the way for the LGBT community to gain civil rights.
All states in the region were among the first 15 states to overturn the ban on gay marriage.
Seafood
New England loves seafood.
It has its own type of creamy clam chowder, is an authority on clambakes, and exports lobsters from Maine to the whole country.
Native Rhode Islanders are even allowed to clam dig without a license in the state.
Mills
New England was one of the first regions in the US to be affected by the Industrial Revolution.
The Revolution benefited the textile manufacturing industry the area was known for in the 18th century.
Mills are now common in many New England towns and are often repurposed or preserved as historic landmarks.
Ocean Views
New England states have many beaches, lighthouses, and sprawling ocean views unlike any other place in the US.
Point Judith Lighthouse in Rhode Island and Port Head Lighthouse in Maine are among the most beautiful lighthouses.
Stonewalls
The stonewalls in New England towns have been immortalized in poems like Robert Frost's "Mending Wall".
Most are still standing reminders of the colonists that first inhabited the region.
Boston Commons
There are always great events to be found occuring at Boston Commons.
The Walk for Hunger, and Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Lighting are among the many annual - and often free - events that occur in the park.
There is even a beautiful public garden within the park.
Basketball
It's a little-known fact that basketball was invented in New England.
James Naismith invented the game inside a gymnasium at what was once known as the YMCA Training School in Springfield, MA.
He was a graduate student studying psychology at Springfield College.
Dunkin' Donuts
New England is the birthplace of the famed coffee chain Dunkin' Donuts.
The business was founded in 1950 by William Rosenberg in Quincy, Massachusetts.
The company is now an internationally recognized brand and recently opened up franchises on the West Coast.
Salem, MA
Salem, Massachusetts is best known for its infamous "witch trials" which occurred in 1692.
The trials lead to the deaths of about 19 men and women with hundreds more accused of witchcraft.
The events of the trials have been the focus of literature - such as Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" - and a historical reminder of the danger of hearsay poses to the justice system.
The Arts
New England has much to contribute to the world of art.
Rhode Island houses RISD one of the top design schools in the country and the New England Art Institute is in Massachusetts
Not to mention the amount of art museums each state houses like the Bennington Museum and New Britain Museum of American Art.
Photo: RISD
Revolutionary War
The American Revolution began in - you guessed it - New England.
The battle of Lexington and Concord was fought April 19, 1775 and was the first battle of the war which the Americans won against the British.
This is the famous battle that sparked the tale of Paul Revere running through the streets shouting "The British are coming!" which is historically inaccurate.
Breweries
New England has seen a growth of breweries in the past few years - Maine alone has seen 50 new breweries spring up in the past 28 years.
Massachusetts and Rhode Island recently re-acquired "America's Oldest Brewery"- Yuengling - this past year.
Craft beer and home-brewing are highly popular here as well.
The First Hamburger
The very first hamburger was created in New Haven, Connecticut in 1895.
The Library of Congress verifies that Louis' Lunch created the first hamburgers by owner Louis Lassen.
The restaurant is currently owned and operated by Lassen's family.
Higher Learning
New England is home to the oldest college in the country: Harvard University which was established in 1636.
Harvard is one of the three Ivy League colleges that are based in the region.
Dartmouth College located in New Hampshire, Yale University located in Connecticut, and Brown located in Rhode Island were both established in the 1700's.
Waterfalls
New England has over 400 waterfalls and cascades.
Here's the breakdown: Connecticut's waterfalls are known for being pristine and well-protected.
Some waterfalls in Maine require entrance fees.
Most of Massachusetts' waterfalls are in the Berkshires.
New Hampshire's are usually located near White Mountain National Forest.
Vermont's are good for swimming as well as admiration.
And, Rhode Island has only one natural waterfall in existence.
Photo: Spirit Falls, Royalston, MA
Accents
Bostonians and Mainers are often chided for their one-of-a-kind accents.
New Englanders have a tendency to not pronounce their "r"s which gives you phrases like:
"Use yah blinkah" and makes it difficult to know when someone is talking about their pants ("khakis") or keys ("cah keys").
Four Seasons
New England is lucky enough to be able to experience four distinct seasons.
Natives get to enjoy the waterfront in the summer, the snow in the winter, and the flowers in the spring.
People will even travel to New England just to leaf-peep in the fall.
Rotaries
Besides Europe, New England has a lot of "rotaries".
These strange roads also known as "roundabouts" and "traffic circles" and can cause confusion for those visiting.
Skiing
If you enjoy winter sports, New England is the place to be.
The mountain ranges in the region offer many different places to go skiing or snowboarding in the winter.
Stowe Mountain and Loon Mountain offer lodging for the whole family after a long day in the snow.
School Systems
New England has some of the best school systems in the country.
Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire are all ranked in the top ten.
Ratings were based on factors such as student-teacher ratios, and dropout rates in each state.
Sailing
New England has some of the best locations to sail to and from, including:
Newport, RI which hosts the international Newport to Ensada Yatch Race every year, and the New England Science and Sailing Community Center in Stonington, Connecticut.
Photo: Newport to Ensada
US Navy
The New England town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island is the birthplace of the US Navy.
The US Navy was assembled on June 12 1775 and Governor Nicholas Cooke signed orders for the government to employ armed vessels.
Fun fact: East Greenwich was named for Greenwich, England.
Tanglewood
Tanglewood is one of the most beautiful places to hear live music in New England.
It features public grounds where you may picnic and has hosted international acts like Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.
Founded by music lovers in 1934, Tanglewood has been the summer home of The Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Photo: Tanglewood
