Next Stage

Les Poules a Colin and Pipers Den at Next Stage on Friday, May 17

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening of traditional and contemporary Scottish, Quebecois and world music from New England and Canada by Les Poules à Colin and Pipers Den at Next Stage on Friday, May 17 at 7:30 pm.

Les Poules à Colin is a Montreal-based quintet that, despite the young ages of its member (22 to 27), has been touring Canada, the US, Europe, the UK, Australia and Africa for over eight years.  Their sound seamlessly blends music drawn from some of Quebec’s finest trad musicians with North American influences that range from old-time to jazz.

Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas at Next Stage on Thursday, April 11

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening of cutting edge fiddle and cello explorations of Scottish, Celtic and global music by Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas at Next Stage on Thursday, April 11 at 7:30 pm.  With a shared passion for improvising on the melody and the groove of traditional tunes, Alasdair and Natalie feature dazzling teamwork, swapping melodic and harmonic lines and trading driving rhythmic riffs.   “…soaring sustains, windswept refrains, and sudden, jazzy explosions. Their sound is as urbane as a Manhattan midnight, and as wild as a Clackmannan winter.” — Boston Globe

Next Stage On-line Auction “Bucket List Adventures” !

by rweisel | Entertainment

Next Stage is excited to present our annual online auction fundraiser for 2019! The theme this year is Bucket List Adventures and 100% the funds raised through your generous participation in the auction will be deployed to offset direct costs of Next Stage programming.

Each of the items in this year’s auction are experiential in nature, and include incredible travel opportunities, a private airplane flight through the West River valley, murder-mystery overnight for 8 at Naulakha, a private catered gourmet meal, a brand new mountain bike with guided tour, and much more!

Annual Gala Dance Party with Soulsha at Next Stage

by rweisel | Arts

Next Stage Arts Project will host its annual Gala Benefit Dance Party, to benefit Next Stage programming, featuring the Afro-Celtic Funk band Soulsha on Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 pm. The party will include an online auction, great food and a beer and wine cash bar. Ticket price includes dinner by Smokin’ Bowls.

Soulsha is a party, a revolution, and an adventure through different traditions. It brings together some of Boston’s top musicians in Scottish, West African and Funk music to create a sound you won’t find anywhere else on the planet Soulful call and response singing, masterful improvisation, traditional Sengalese and Scottish dancing and incredible energy make every Soulsha show and unforgettable live experience.

Socks in the Frying Pan and Zoe Darrow at Next Stage

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening of traditional Celtic and folk music from Ireland and New England by County Clare-based trio Socks in the Frying Pan and fiddler/singer Zoe Darrow at Next Stage on Sunday, March 24 at 7:30 pm.

Socks in the Frying Pan is a multi-award winning trio from the west coast of Ireland, the universal hub of Irish traditional music.  Their dynamic vocal harmonies, virtuosic musical ability and onstage wit have captivated audiences the world around and earned the band critical acclaim and accolades including the Irish Music Association “New Band the Year” award.  With their personal flair, contemporary style and energetic approach to music, Aodán Coyne on guitar and vocals and brothers Shane and Fiachra Hayes on accordion, fiddle and banjo make traditional Irish melodies their own.

The Stockwell Brothers at Next Stage

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present contemporary bluegrass and folk quartet The Stockwell Brothers at the Next Stage Cafe on Saturday, March 16 at 7:00 pm.  To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, JD McCliments Pub will offer an Irish dinner starting at 6:00 pm, while the Stockwells will explore the connections between folk/bluegrass music and the music of Ireland.   

Bruce, Barry, Alan and Kelly Stockwell’s music spans traditional and progressive styles, but their trademark acoustic sound features new singer/songwriter material recast with banjo, alternative rhythms and three-part harmonies.

The Sweet Remains at Next Stage on Sunday, February 24

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present folk/rock quartet The Sweet Remains, featuring singer/songwriters Rich Price, Greg Naughton and Brian Chartrand, at Next Stage on Sunday, February 24 at 7:30 pm.  Based in Burlington, VT, NYC and Phoenix, AZ, the trio has formed a unique musical kinship around three-part harmonies and shared songwriting that transcends geography and three solo careers.

Celebrating 10 years together and over 30 million Spotify plays in 2018, Rich, Greg and Brian each bring strong lyrical and melodic writing and lush harmonies to The Sweet Remains.  Rich and Greg first started collaborating for Rich’s 2004 Geffen Records debut – a CD that spawned his single “I’m On My Way,” featured on the multi-platinum “Shrek 2” soundtrack. 

The Lonely Heartstring Band and The Stockwell Brothers at Next Stage on Saturday, November 24

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening of contemporary bluegrass and folk music with The Lonely Heartstring Band and The Stockwell Brothers at Next Stage on Saturday, November 24 at 7:30 pm.

The Lonely Heartstring Band is Boston-based, Berklee College of Music graduates George Clements (guitar, vocals) Patrick M’Gonigle (fiddle, vocals) Charles Clements (bass, vocals) Matt Witler (mandolin) and Gabe Hirshfeld (banjo).  Their music is a combination of old and new styles, melding the sounds of traditional bluegrass with modern songwriting and arranging.

Ellis Paul and Garrin Benfield at Next Stage on Friday, October 19

by Not Signed In | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present contemporary folk singer/songwriters Ellis Paul and Garrin Benfield at Next Stage on Friday, October 19 at 7:30 pm.

One of the leading voices in American songwriting, Ellis Paul was at the forefront of singer/songwriters that emerged from the Boston folk scene in the 1990s, creating a movement that revitalized the national acoustic music circuit with an urban, literate, folk pop style.  Though he remains among the most pop-friendly of today’s singer/songwriters – his songs regularly appear in hit movie and TV soundtracks – he has bridged the gulf between the modern folk sound and the populist traditions of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger more successfully than perhaps any of his songwriting peers.

Black Umfolosi at Next Stage on Friday, August 24

by NextStageArts | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening of traditional song and dance from southern Africa by Black Umfolosi at Next Stage on Friday, August 24 at 7:30 pm.

Black Umfolosi is a self taught A cappella (Imbube) singing and traditional dance group that was formed in 1982 by school friends in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe who wanted to develop themselves and contribute to their community. 

Seth Glier and Matt Nakoa at Next Stage on Friday, June 8

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present contemporary folk and pop singer/songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Seth Glier and Matt Nakoa at Next Stage on Friday, June 8 at 7:30 pm.

Singer, songwriter, pianist, guitarist, producer and Grammy nominee Seth Glier is renowned for his fearless vocal delivery, musical exuberance and seasoned songwriting beyond his years.  A troubadour in every sense of the word who averages over 150 live performances annually, 29 year-old Glier has gone from opening act to headlining his own shows and playing major festivals.  He’s shared the stage with artists as diverse as James Taylor, Ani DiFranco, Edwin McCain, Martin Sexton, Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams, and has quickly become known for his passionate live sets and powerful command of both piano and guitar.

John Gorka at Next Stage on Sunday, May 20

by stobro | Music

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present contemporary folk singer/songwriter John Gorka at Next Stage on Sunday, May 20 at 7:30 pm.  The concert celebrates the release of John’s brand new CD “True in Time.”

John Gorka is perhaps the quintessential iconic singer/songwriter of the 1980’s folk scene.  Hailing from New Jersey, he honed his craft and persona as a shy, wry and insightful singer/songwriter in the Greenwich Village “Fast Folk”  and Boston music scenes.  Gorka got his start at Godfrey Daniels, a neighborhood coffeehouse in eastern Pennsylvania, which is one of the oldest and most venerable music institutions in the country.

Cantrip and Lindsay Straw at Next Stage on Saturday, April 21

by Not Signed In | Music

PUTNEY –  Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present an evening of traditional and contemporary Celtic music featuring high energy bagpipes/fiddle/guitar trio Cantrip and folksinger/multi-instrumentalist Lindsay Straw at Next Stage on Saturday, April 21 at 7:30 pm.  The concert celebrates Cantrip’s 20th anniversary, with the band performing a mix of brand new music, as well as their entire 2001 album “Silver.”

From the strong base of its Celtic roots, Cantrip branches out into the music of other European cultures.  Weaving together songs and tunes, Dan Houghton, Jon Bews and Eric McDonald take an audience on a cultural journey, putting their own spin on each style.  Known for their innovative arrangements, un-produced sound and dry wit, Cantrip has toured throughout Scotland and the US, expanding the boundaries of Celtic music along the way.