Music

The Next Stage Bandwagon Summer Series presents Afrobeat ensemble Armo, on Friday, August 18 at 6:00 pm at the Retreat Farm, 45 Farmhouse Square, in Brattleboro, VT.

Armo’s intimate and energetic sound focuses on classic and contemporary Afrobeat.

Founded by longtime Antibalas bandmates vocalist/keyboardist Amayo, trumpeter/percussionist Jordan McLean, percussionist/vocalist Marcus Farrar, guitarist/keyboardist Nikhil P. Yerawadekar, drummer Kevin Raczka, and bassist Justin Kimmel, Armo creates spontaneous arrangements of the music of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, The Daktaris, Ebo Taylor, William Onyeabor, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, and original rhythm-based music.

This 5-8 piece band features a revolving cast from the Daptone Records family and NY Afrobeat Scene. Members of the band now include Dave “Smoota” Smith on trombone/keyboards, bassists/guitarists Binky Griptite and Timothy James, saxophonist/keyboardist Tony Jarvis, and drummer Dylan Fusillo.

Next Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music present a Celtic Music Festival featuring Cantrip, House of Hamill, and Hildaland, as part of the 2023 Next Stage “Bandwagon Summer Series,” on Sunday, August 13 at 4:00 pm at Scott Farm in Dummerston, VT. The triple bill features multi-instrumentalists and singers from both sides of the Atlantic who expand the boundaries of traditional Celtic music with original songs and tunes, innovative arrangements, and lush three-part harmonies.

From the strong base of its Celtic roots, Cantrip branches out into the music of other European cultures. With swirling border pipes, raging fiddles, thunderous guitar, and four rich voices, Dan Houghton, Jon Bews, Eric McDonald, and Alasdair White take audiences on a cultural journey, putting their own spin on each musical style. The band name is an Old Scots word meaning a charm, magic spell, or piece of mischief, and it aptly describes the unexpected twists and turns in the quartet’s musical arrangements as well as the compelling potency of their musicianship. Sprung from a local music session in Edinburgh, Scotland nearly 20 years ago, Cantrip has toured throughout Scotland and the US and released six CDs.

Next Stage Arts is proud to announce that Kiran Ahluwalia will perform at The Putney Inn on June 2, 2023, as part of the Bandwagon Summer Series. The event will start at 6:00 pm, and tickets are available for $20 in advance or $25 at the gate. Children under 12 can attend for free. The show is also included in the Bandwagon Series Pass.

“Indian vocalist Kiran Ahluwalia is doing something revolutionary inside the medium of Indian music – giving it a modern take while presenting the power and vibrancy of thousands. of years of tradition, ” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “Kiran’s band is a who’s who of jazz and world music luminaries. The audience that sees this show won’t soon forget it. The virtuosity and depth of musical knowledge will be impressive.”

PUTNEY, VT— 3/28/2023 — Palaver Strings, the innovative and dynamic ensemble known for their genre-bending performances, is set to take the stage at Next Stage Arts on April 27th for an unforgettable concert with special guests clarinetist Kinan Azmeh and percussionist Brian Shankar Adler.

Azmeh, a member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble, and Adler, who has collaborated with a diverse range of musicians including Vijay Iyer and Esperanza Spalding, bring their unique talents and musical styles to the table for what promises to be a truly special performance.