C A L E N D A R

Wednesdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT ~ The Towne Crier Cafe's Open Mics attract aspiring musicians from all over the Hudson Valley & beyond, having been referred to by many as the finest open mic in the northeast with its comfortable, respectful atmosphere and good sound. It attracts a range of musicians from budding 5-year-old beginners to musicians whose careers are starting to bloom!
all seats $4 | more

Thur, 9/2, 7:00pm THE CIRCLE - Songwriters In The Round
As the name implies, this is an open acoustic evening ...an "open mic" without a microphone, sound system or stage between the performers and listeners – and nothing to get in the way of interactions, improvisations and the growth of the music! Every 1st Thursday of the month.
all seats $4 | more

Fri, 9/3, 8:30pm RHETT TYLER; guest Ruby Hogg
Rhett Tyler …guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and producer… is best known for his explosive style of scorching modern blues guitar and high-octane, house-rocking live performances. His music is certainly rooted in the tradition of blues, but Rhett also incorporates jazz, rock and gospel influences to create an innovative modern musical blend with his signature guitar style. Rhett has shared billing with many distinguished blues artists, including Johnny Winter, Delbert McClinton and John Hammond. John Swenson of Rolling Stone calls Tyler "a powerful front man, in the tradition of Johnny Winter [and] Jimi Hendrix. Rhett Tyler is the certain face of future blues."
$20 advance/ $25 door | buy tickets

Sat, 9/4, 8:30pm MAURA O'CONNELL
Captivating stylist, introspective chanteuse, musical explorer, songwriter's singer... Labels have never fully defined the voice and talent of Maura O'Connell. Maura's multi decade singing career has brought her international acclaim and 2 Grammy nominations - including a 2010 nomination for her album, Naked. Maura O'Connell began her professional musical journey as vocalist for the traditionally-based Celtic group DeDanann. While in Dublin and on later trips to Nashville O'Connell met Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Tim O'Brien, Jerry Douglas and other top-flight acoustic players whose music resonated with her and influenced her then ground breaking musical penchant for blending Celtic traditions with a wide variety of other genres. O'Connell has lent her incredible voice to the projects of such artists as Van Morrison, James Taylor, Nanci Griffith, Dolly Parton, Bonnie Raitt, The Chieftains and Roseanne Cash.
$30 advance/ $35 door | buy tickets

Sun, 9/5, 7:30pm GANDALF MURPHY & THE SLAMBOVIAN CIRCUS OF DREAMS
Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams has been variously described as "alt-country/ roots-rock," "folk-pop," "hillbilly-Floyd," and "surreal Americana" – a clear indicator of its singularly indescribable uniqueness. At the same time, their sound and even their songs feel so familiar, so classic, it's as if you've been listening to these characters all your life. The "Circus Of Dreams" has won critical acclaim as well as a fiercely loyal following. They've been Hudson Valley Magazine's "Band of the Year" for 3 years. The Circus' shows are notoriously un-staged, which is part of the fun and keeps their shows refreshingly real. However, while they don't take themselves too seriously, it's evident that they do take their jobs as music-makers very seriously: Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus Of Dreams brings you a show of precision, high-flying magic sure to delight one and all!
$25 advance/ $30 door | buy tickets

Wednesdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT
Thursdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT ~ The Towne Crier Cafe's Open Mics attract aspiring musicians from all over the Hudson Valley & beyond, having been referred to by many as the finest open mic in the northeast with its comfortable, respectful atmosphere and good sound. It attracts a range of musicians from budding 5-year-old beginners to musicians whose careers are starting to bloom!
all seats $4 | more

Fri, 9/10, 8:30pm STEVE WEXLER & The TOP SHELF; guest Bob Malone
Motown, funk, latin and swing... This one-of-a-kind band is fluent in four musical languages. What makes Steve Wexler & The Top Shelf unique? For starters, the band is powered by original arrangements for a four-piece horn section whose members have performed with The Temptations, The Fifth Dimension and The Tonight Show Orchestra. These people have chops and groove. And, the horns are backed by a virtuoso rhythm section whose members have performed with Al Green, Audra McDonald, Jackson Browne, Larry Harlow and Bruce Springsteen. These people will get you rocking, guaranteed. And, the singers...? They are Broadway, B.B. King's and Apollo Theater veterans. Combine the band members with material and arrangements that you can't hear anyplace else and you have a result that is truly top shelf.
$20 advance/ $25 door | buy tickets

Sat, 9/11, 8:30pm JOHN STEWART BAND, featuring Chuck McDermott, John Hoke, Dave Crossland, Bob Hawkins, Dennis Kenmore and Dave Batti :|: Those of you who were here for the John Stewart Memorial Tribute Concert two years ago will undoubtedly never forget it. It was a meaningful evening of John Stewart's enduring music, performed by those who knew and loved John & his music best. This concert offers a second chance, both to those who know what a great show these musicians offer, and to those who unfortunately missed the April 2008 concert after John's passing, originally scheduled for John Stewart himself. The John Stewart Band is comprised of the sidemen (all with careers of their own) who played with Stewart for over two decades. Consisting of Chuck McDermott, John Hoke, Dave Crossland and Bob Hawkins on guitars, as well as drummer Dennis Kenmore and bassist Dave Batti, they have performed numerous shows featuring the music of John Stewart across the country. Look for other "special guests" to appear.
$25 advance/ $30 door | buy tickets

Sun, 9/12, 7:30pm McPEAKE; guest Garrin Benfield
For generations of folk music enthusiasts, the name of the McPeake Family of Belfast has stood for one of the most distinctive sounds in Irish music. Francis McPeake IV, the fourth generation of this world-famous musical dynasty, and one of the few authentic uilleann pipers in the world today, has put together a revived band, McPeake, which is unique in the world of music with its fusion of original Celtic compositions and contemporary rhythms and styles.
$17.50 advance/ $22.50 door | buy tickets

Wednesdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT
Thursdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT
all seats $4 | more

Fri, 9/17, 8:30pm SAM & RUBY
Sam & Ruby gently blend R&B, folk and pop into a sound that is immediately warm and welcoming. Ruby Amanfu boasts a sophisticated, soulful voice with gospel-like conviction that compliments Sam Brooker's relaxed, confident approach. Sam & Ruby's album, The Here And The Now, was the #1 ranked album of 2009 by the Associated Press and contains a song featured in the movie The Secret Life of Bees, starring Queen Latifah. Sirius/XM radio named them "Coffee House Singer-Songwriter Discovery of the Year 2009." They have also been featured on NPR's Tell Me More, Woodsongs Radio Hour and PBS's Lyrics and Legends.
$17.50 advance/ $22.50 door | buy tickets

Sat, 9/18, 8:30pm Acoustic STRAWBS
Unique among early '70s Progressive Rock bands, this pioneering outfit actually came from a '60s English Folk background and successfully merged the two genres. The Strawbs enjoyed commercial success in the US and UK with songs like Lay Down, Part Of The Union, and Down By The Sea, and has showcased a fine array of British musicians over the years, including Sandy Denny and keyboardist Rick Wakeman (prior to joining Yes). The Strawbs continue to be led by founder/singer/songwriter Dave Cousins, hailed by the All Music Guide as possibly "...the most talented Dylan-influenced songwriter to come out of England."
$30 advance/ $35 door | buy tickets

Sun, 9/19, 7:30pm SOLAS
Solas has emerged as the most exciting band in traditional Irish music today, and a look at the resumes of each extraordinarily talented member of the band explains the power of their chemistry. The Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine says "Seamus Egan and Solas make mind-blowing Irish folk music, maybe the world's best," while the Los Angeles Times says "Solas offers a compellingly original, strikingly contemporary view of traditional Celtic sounds." Although Solas can play undiluted traditional Irish music as well as anyone alive or departed, they are always varying the mix of fire tested tradition and contemporary sensibility with an ease and naturalness that is as astonishing as their overwhelming musicianship. They transcend musical genres into the realm of pure musical expression that only a relative handful of musicians attain.
$30 advance/ $35 door | buy tickets

Wednesdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT
Thursdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT
all seats $4 | more

Fri, 9/24, 8:30pm TANNAHILL WEAVERS From Scotland
The legendary Tannahill Weavers, one of Scotland's premier traditional bands, play a diverse repertoire that spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, original ballads and lullabies. Their music demonstrates to old and young alike the rich and varied musical heritage of the Celtic people. These versatile musicians consistently garner worldwide accolades for their exuberant performances and outstanding recording efforts that seemingly can't get better ...yet continue to do just that. ~|~ "An especially eloquent mixture of the old and the new." -New York Times; "Scotland's Tannahill Weavers play acoustic instruments, but the atmosphere at their shows is electric! The quintet is as tight and as versatile as any band in the Celtic music revival. They can summon rock 'n' roll intensity or haunting introspection." -The Boston Globe; "...as close to perfect as it gets in an imperfect world." -Sing Out!
$30 advance/ $35 door | buy tickets

Sat, 9/25, 8:30pm JOANNA MOSCA Band; also LENI STERN & The African Project
After starring in three acclaimed one-woman shows in NYC, multi-faceted singer songwriter Joanna Mosca has captured fans of adult contemporary music in 2007-2008 with two Top Ten FMBQ AC40 hits, Not Enough and a dynamic re-imagining of The Spinners' I'll Be Around. Joanna Mosca's full-length debut features collaborations with Jay Levine and Grammy-winning producers Tyrone Corbett and Robert Donzella, as well as top Nashville songwriters. ~:|:~ With Leni Stern's latest upcoming release, "Sa Belle Belle Ba," she continues to define herself as a genre-defying master guitarist and timely songwriter. Ms. Stern established her vocal and guitar abilities in jazz, rock and folk, while more recently drawing upon studies and collaborations from her international travels to such places as Kenya, India, Mali, Madagascar and Senegal. Having been awarded Gibson Guitar's Female Jazz Guitarist Of The Year for five consecutive years, Leni has also been acknowledged for her songwriting talents by the International Songwriting Competition with 2009's Honorable Mention in the world music category.
$25 advance/ $30 door | buy tickets

Sun, 9/26, 7:30pm BEREZNAK BROTHERS; also HAILEY KNOX with SAMANTHA KNOX :|: The Bereznak Brothers are a dynamic, genre-bridging group: twin brother singer-songwriter-guitarists Michael & David Bereznak, who have literally been living for music since they were six. Seamlessly fusing together elements of '80s & '90s rock, heartland rock and current pop/rock, they use their signature brand of vocal harmonies, tasteful guitar, and pop song writing sensibility to create a musical tour de force with timeless songs that gracefully touch upon the issues of growing up in a small town, family strength, friendship, love, and loneliness. ~:|:~ Hailey Knox, a 2010 Towne Crier Cafe Open Mic Winner, is an eleven year old singer/guitarist who has been playing all around the Hudson Valley since the age of 9, and has helped raise money for Cancer, MS, Autism and for the homeless. She has also been in the Youth Showcase at the 4H Fair for the past three years. Hailey got her first paying job at the age of ten, and she did her first talk show on "Time Out With Kevin Gallagher" this summer, where she had the opportunity to perform four of her best songs.
all seats $15 | buy tickets

Wednesdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT
Thursdays, 7pm, signup 5-7pm OPEN MIC NIGHT
all seats $4 | more

Fri, 10/1, 8:30pm CHRIS TRAPPER with special guest Kristin Cifelli; also T.Jay $20 advance/ $25 door
Sat, 10/2, 8:30pm MARIA MULDAUR $30 advance/ $35 door
Sun, 10/3, 7:30pm JACK GRACE BAND; guest Chris Cassone $17.50 advance/ $20 door
Thur, 10/7, 7:30pm Grammy Lifetime Achievement winner HONEYBOY EDWARDS with Michael Franks and Michael Packer $25 advance/ $30 door
Fri, 10/8, 8:30pm THE REFUGEES; guest Ken Whitely $20 advance/ $25 door
Sat, 10/9, 8:30pm An evening with LEO KOTTKE $55 advance/ $60 door
Sun, 10/10, 7:30pm TONY TRISCHKA & Territory $20 advance/ $25 door
Fri, 10/15, 8:00pm TROUT FISHING IN AMERICA $25 advance/ $30 door/ under 12 yrs $12.50
Sat, 10/16, 8:30pm MARY FAHL; guest Seth Glier $25 advance/ $30 door
Sun, 10/17, 7:30pm SAM LARDNER & BARCELONA; also ROB MORSBERGER $20 advance/ $25 door
Fri, 10/22, 8:30pm ELIZA GILKYSON; guest Ray Bonneville $25 advance/ $30 door
Sat, 10/23, 8:30pm ARLEN ROTH Band $25 advance/ $30 door
Sat, 10/30, 8:30pm MacTALLA MOR ~ our annual "Celtic Halloween" $20 advance/ $25 door
Sun, 10/31, 7:30pm ANTHONY K. BAND Halloween Show $15 advance/ $20 door
Fri, 11/5, 8:30pm ANGEL BAND $17.50 advance/ $22.50 door
Sun, 11/7, 7:30pm BATTLEFIELD BAND from Scotland · vocalist-keyboardist ALAN REID's FAREWELL TOUR $35 advance/ $40 door
Fri, 11/19, 8:30pm DENNIS GRUENLING & JUMP TIME $20 advance/ $25 door
Sat, 11/20, 8:30pm LIVINGSTON TAYLOR; guest Matt Turk $40 advance/ $45 door
Fri, 11/26, 8:30pm LEON REDBONE $35 advance/ $40 door
Sat, 11/27, 8:30pm SLOAN WAINWRIGHT $25 advance/ $30 door
Fri, 12/3, 8:30pm GREG BROWN; guest Montgomery Delaney $40 advance/ $45 door
Sat, 12/11, 8:30pm GRAHAM PARKER $30 advance/ $35 door
Fri, 12/17, 8:30pm SEASON OF LIGHT with MAGPIE and KIM & REGGIE HARRIS $15 advance/ $20 door
Sat, 1/15, 8:30pm COMMANDER CODY Band; also PROFESSOR LOUIS & THE CROWMATIX $30 advance/ $35 door
Fri, 2/4, 8:30pm CHRIS SMITHER $25 advance/ $30 door
Sat, 3/12, 8:30pm STEVE FORBERT $30 advance/ $35 door
Sun, 3/27, 7:30pm TRET FURE $20 advance/ $25 door

Not responsible for typographical errors.