Unplugged View
By Aaron Rowan
Hot Club Time Machine
My friend Marie Maxfield is as devoted to her art as any musician I’ve ever met. She can play most every instrument in the orchestra. She plays with symphonies all over the county and in the Bay Area. She played onstage the day after bringing a bundle of joy into the world. And if she were aboard the Titanic, I am sure she’d go right on playing her instrument as the ship went down, just like in that movie. God himself could not sink Marie’s spirits when she’s immersed in making melody.
This month, Marie is in the pit at Playhouse Merced, for their staging of ‘Titanic: The Musical.’ This show, which debuted on Broadway the same year the blockbuster film came out, captured 5 Tony Awards and is one of the most captivating pieces ever to hit the Playhouse stage. 7:30pm Fri/Sat and 2pm Sundays through 9/16 – tickets available at www.playhousemerced.com.
After a long summer slumber at Moon & Sixpence Music and Art House, we’re ready to start back up our intimate listening concerts with a new run of Sunday matinees. And to help rekindle the fire, we’ve invited The Fire, a flaming hot Scottish music trio featuring multiple-time Scottish fiddle champion Rebecca Lomnicky, to be our opening act. Rebecca is joined by multi-instrumentalist David Brewer and guitarist Adam Hendey. Between their entertaining and informative stage banter, vast array of instrument combinations and extensive repertoire, including everything from soaring slow airs to intricately arranged dance tunes, these charismatic performers will leave you on your feet with your hands together. Sunday 9/16 at 3 PM, $20 admission – call 209-543-5306 for more info.
Two weeks later, we’re going to be magically transported back in time, just like Owen Wilson in ‘Midnight In Paris,’ to the glory days of French gypsy jazz & swing. Modesto favorites Hot Club Faux Gitane will be our matinee feature on Sunday 9/30. The band adds mandolin, bassoon, clarinet, melodica and saxophone to the standard gypsy jazz instrumentation; and augments the usual repertoire with original compositions, jazz standards, and even Latin tunes. 2 PM, $15.
My Gallo Center show pick for the month is on Saturday 9/15, with Modesto native Aaron Durr and his band headlining. Aaron was last seen on the Gallo stage opening for Ben Folds. This fresh piano singer-songwriter has been likened to Gavin Degraw, John Legend, and Sara Bareilles. Special guests Stop Motion Poetry, also native Modestans, have distinguished themselves from a choked pop scene with classy and intelligent music. 7:30pm, tickets from $15-$25. Grab yours at www.galloarts.org!
