Jazz, Nashville and music for a cause: 7 concerts worth a listen on Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard
There's a lot of music to listen to around the Cape and islands this week, from jazz to Afro Cuban to Nashville sounds to Texas blues.
Plus there are concerts for a cause. In Hyannis, musicians will join together to raise money to help the people of Ukraine. On Martha's Vineyard, the female-fueled Ladyfest raises money for a local organization that aims to help end violence. Here are some choices for a musical time out:
Bongogenesis and Mozelle in Cotuit
Cotuit Center for the Arts (4404 Falmouth Road, Route 28) moves its concerts back inside to the Main Stage this weekend with performances by Cape-based Afro-Cuban band Bongogenesis at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7 and Eastham jazz vocalist Mozelle Adrulot at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.
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The singer performs regularly at local jazz venues, and has also sung in New York City and London. Bongogenesis’ repertoire is described as “Son Montuno, Guajira, Mambo, Son-Pregón, Bolero, Cha Cha Chá, Changüí, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Salsa, Calypso, Cape Verde, Reggae and Afro-Cuban Rock,” with the group performing music from various Caribbean countries and some songs, they say “that are just fun to play and great for dancing.” The band is Sam Holmstock on percussion, Glenway Fripp on bass, Greg 'Mr B' Polanik on guitar and tres Cubano, and Olivia Yingling as vocalist.
Tickets: $35, with discounts available. Reservations and information: 508-428-0669, ext 0 or https://artsonthecape.org/
Ladyfest benefit in Oak Bluffs
Ladyfest, the annual female-fueled arts and music festival that raises awareness and funds for CONNECT to End Violence, will return once again to downtown Oak Bluffs on Saturday, Oct. 8. The event, which runs from 2-9 p.m., will feature musical artists from multiple genres, including rock, soul, electronic and pop on three stages along Circuit Avenue: the main stage outside of Dos Mas, a secondary stage outside of The Ritz, and a smaller stage at Post Office Square.
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The event, entered with a suggested donation, benefits CONNECT, the local nonprofit which aims to reduce domestic and sexual violence and assist victims in need. Ladyfest is being presented in partnership with co-founders Kelly Feirtag and Rose Guerin, The Ritz Cafe, TPS Audio, and MVY Radio.
Participating artists will include Prune, Shawan Rice, The Space Invaders, Rose Guerin, Workman Song featuring Siren Mayhew, Lydia Fischer, Johnny Hoy & the Bluefish, Serendipity, the Dock Dance Band, Maryse Smith, JodieTreloar-Sampson, Wolftrap featuring Bailey Mae Gardener, Jemima James, Barbara Dacey, DJ Pretty Ninja, Casey Hayward, Barbararama featuring Barbara Hoy-Puciul, Missis Biskis and more to be announced.
Information: kelly@ladyfestmv.com, 917-287-5454, or https://www.ladyfestmv.com
Ruthie Foster in North Truro
Singer-songwriter Ruthie Foster, a four-time Grammy Award nominee, will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 at Payomet Performing Arts Center (29 Old Dewline Road, North Truro). For 25 years, Foster’s music has earned acclaim for the Austin native, including seven Blues Music Awards and three Austin Music Awards, and the chance to share a stage with Bonnie Raitt, the Allman Brothers, Susan Tedeschi and more. Foster’s latest album is "Live at the Paramount." Payomet tickets: $33-45 ($30-42 for members); https://payomet.org/.
Les Sampou & The Dirty Martini Trio in South Yarmouth
New England singer-songwriter Les Sampou will return to the Cultural Center of Cape Cod (307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth) for an evening of popular music with The Dirty Martini Trio at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. Sampou's latest project showcases work by composers who include George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, with songs made famous by such greats as Peggy Lee, Billie Holiday and Diana Krall. The trio features Sampou on vocals and percussion, Ed Grenga on vocals and keys, and Justin Meyer on stand-up bass. Tickets: $25; www.cultural-center.org or 508-394-7100.
A concert for Ukraine in West Barnstable
A group of musicians from Cape Cod and beyond will join together for a “Giving With Your Hearts” concert at 3 p.m. Sunday for a program “honoring and supporting our friends in Ukraine.” The show, at the 1717 Meeting House of West Barnstable (2049 Meetinghouse Way) is free, but donations are encouraged to help the people whose country has been invaded by Russian forces. Information: 508-237-0135. There will be a post-show reception of light snacks and beverages.
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'Songs from Nashville' in West Harwich
Musician Michael Paul Brennan, who’s from Cape Cod and has played in Nashville, says they had “so much fun last time,” they’re bringing back the “Songs from Nashville” show at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11 to Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre (105 Division St., West Harwich). He and Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jason Erie will perform again, this time on a program that includes new faces Jon Latham and Tyler-James Kelly, a longtime singer-songwriter from Providence who loves American Roots music. The idea is for them to perform together in a “Nashville in the round” style that gives the performers the opportunity to share the stage together at the same time while taking turns telling stories.
Tickets and information: $20; https://capecodtheatrecompany.org/.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Music concerts on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard: jazz, blues, Nashville
