At the West Whately Chapel near the intersection of Conway and Williamsburg Roads
(Click HERE for directions. All shows begin at 7.30 pm. All tickets are $15)
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Watermelon Wednesdays 2012 At the West Whately Chapel near the intersection of Conway and Williamsburg Roads (Click HERE for directions. All shows begin at 7.30 pm. All tickets are $15) |
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Louise Taylor and Ray Bonneville: Vermont born, singer-songwriter, blues guitarist, Louise Taylor will be joining her considerable musical power with Ray Bonneville, Canadian born, Austin based singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player, who is known for his “loose, darkly funky vibe.” A passionate singer with a rich, sensuous and warm voice, Taylor brings a spirited silence into the room in three seconds flat, captivating her audience with an undiluted rhythmic force.Noted for having one of “the sexiest guitar styles around” (Acoustic Guitar), Bonneville is a unique player and has performed with such blues luminaries as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Robert Cray. He has quickly become a fixture in the Americana scene since moving to Texas, becoming one of the go-to session players for artists like Ray Wylie Hubbard, Mary Gauthier and Eliza Gilkyson. | June 6 |
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Tim Kliphuis and Gonzalo Bergara:Take the music of Vivaldi, Beethoven and Paganini. Blend it with Stephane Grappelli's gypsy jazz, then add Celtic folk and world music techniques. Dutch Violinist Tim Kliphuis's style is totally new, yet steeped in tradition: a unique sound with popular appeal. He's back for another Watermelon session because he's one of the best fiddlers I've ever heard, and a wonderful performer. As if that wasn't enough, he's joined by Argentinian guitar master, Gonzalo Bergara who has Gonzalo has performed all over the world. If you know Gypsy or Django Jazz, you already know these guys. If you don't, you couldn't have a better way to find out! | Juune 13 |
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Deadstring Ensemble: Guitarist/composer Flynn Cohen leads his own band of string geniuses performing original multi-genre acoustic music. Primarily instrumental, they combine influences ranging from Irish traditional music, old-time appalachian, bluegrass, folk-rock, and early music. The band consists of some of the finest and most experienced acoustic plucked-string players in America. Band members include Liz Simmons (vocals), Danny Noveck (guitar, fiddle), Matt Heaton (guitar, bouzouki). | June 20 |
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Karrin Allyson: Four-time Grammy nominated jazz singer and pianist, Karrin Allyson has 13 albums to her name. Her latest, Round Midnight, has been receiving universal critical acclaim. She is a musician's musician, truly. Karrin is a musical treasure of the American Songbook. She's back again this year; a perennial favorite! | June 27 |
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Chiara String Quartet: To hear a Beethoven or Brahams quartet played in the chapel is what psychologist Maslow would call a peak experience. To hear Chiara play Beethoven, or anyone else for that matter, amounts to four simultaneous peak experiences. Yes, I like this group. You will, too. And many of you, will be returning to hear them play for a third time in West Whately. What a world! | July 11 |
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Bearfoot: This Nashville based quintet has been making headlines with their blend of Bluegrass and Country flavors, served up in rich, compelling vocal and instrumental harmonies, complemented by a strong rhythmic foundation. Bearfoot has been at the top of the Billboard Bluegrass chart, and with their new release, American Stroy, they'll be there again in no time. | July 18 |
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Deadly Gentlemen: To quote the band, " We started out a couple years ago as an experimental spoken word bluegrass band, but we’ve changed the game plan this time around. Now we mostly play epic folk and grasscore." An eclectic bunch indeed. Band leader, Greg Liszt, molecular bio PhD and banjo player toured with Bruce Springsteen and Crooked Still. Stacy Wyslouch, polyglot, guitarist and singer. Dominick Leslie, mandolin child prodigy (now a slightly older prodigy). Mike Barnett fiddler and Longmeadow native, as a youth toured with Jesse McReynolds; now tours with the David Grisman Quintet and Tony Trischka's band. Speaking of Grisman, Sam Grisman, Dave's son, has been playing bass since he could support one. |
July 25 |
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Sierra Hull and Highway 111: Sierra Hull is a rising star in the Bluegrass world (ok, she's already pretty far up there); think Alison Kraus (twenty years ago), with whom she has toured and who co-produced Sierra's last two records for the Rounder label. Sierra and her band blow the Bluegrass doors wide open and welcome you in; an invitation you should not refuse! | August 1 |
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Matt Haimovitz: Renowned as a musical pioneer, cellist Matt Haimovitz has inspired classical music lovers and countless new listeners by bringing his artistry to concert halls and clubs, outdoor festivals and intimate coffee houses, any place where passionate music can be heard including a third visit to the West Whately chapel and Watermelon Wednesdays. Always a sellout act. Buy your tix early! | August 15 |
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Heather Maloney: A typical reaction when first hearing Heather Maloney is, "How come I've never heard her before?!" It won't be long before such a reaction is history. Heather's future as a renown singer and songwriter is quickly being established. Come hear her here before she's grabbed up by the music industry and the big time. I predict this local talent will not be playing our little, local venues for long. | August 22 |
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Quebe Sisters Band: When Grace, Sophia and Hulda Quebe (pronounced Kway-bee) raise their fiddles and play, audiences marvel. Add the extraordinary rhythm guitar of Joey McKenzie and the swinging upright bass of Drew Phelps and the Quebe Sisters Band becomes a force of nature. They perform a refreshing blend of western swing, vintage country, bluegrass, jazz & swing standards, and Texas style fiddling. Don't take my word for it: Jimmy Buffett says,
"The Quebe Sisters Band simply stopped me in my tracks when I heard them." Marty Stuart:
"It's an honor to live on the same planet as the Quebe Sisters Band. They represent everything that I love about pure American music and I'm probably their biggest fan."And, Ricky Skaggs: "
The Quebe Sisters are some of the most talented people I've ever met." And they sing as well as they fiddle! |
August 29 | |
Annie Patterson and Friends No pun intended (Annie records on Quakersongs) and I'm sure her friends are as peaceloving as they are musical, which bodes well for the planet, not to mention the show. Annie is an unabashed folksinger and co-author of the iconic folk songbook, Rise Up Singing. This is music I grew up on and still play myself. Though I dabble in other genres, I always come back home to this music. Come to the chapel for a home-coming night of your own. | September 5 |
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Boxcar Lilies: Since 2009, Americana trio The Boxcar Lilies have been wowing audiences with their standout marriage of superb songwriting and spine-tingling, innovative harmonies. Accompanying themselves on guitar, clawhammer banjo, concert ukulele, and washboard, The Lilies are quickly making a name for themselves as they bring their uniquely warm sound and energetic stage presence to venues across the Northeast. | September 12 |
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Bee Eaters with Tony Trischka: Now this is what I call a finale; a bang not a whimper! Neotrad Americana bluechambergrazz or what you will. Whatever you call it's irrepressible, virtuostic, fun. | September 19 |
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Advanced tickets will be available online soon. Some tickets will also be available at the door the night of the show. For more information call Paul Newlin at 413-665-3741. Note: the facility is fan-ventilated. |
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| This series is made possible in part by a grant from the Whately and Masschusetts Cultural Councils | |
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