Live Music: Cold Nights, Cool Tunes

As hot cocoa silently steams, snow flurries drift softly down and the winter wind moans, let’s get indoors for some soul-warming live music in the mountains. Check out this toasty lineup of world-class artists braving the cold just to perform for you. What could be better?

Towne Crier Cafe in Beacon calls for Celtic stalwarts The McKrells on December 20, The Slamblovian Circus of Dreams on December 21, reggae roots act The Big Takeover on December 28, Sharkey & The Sparks on January 11, Québécois trad trio Genticorum on February 2 and Irish ensemble Cherish the Ladies on March 6.

City Winery Hudson Valley in Montgomery sips on “Christmas With Absolute Adele” featuring Jennifer Cella on December 19. The Falcon in Marlboro flies high with Collazo Christmas on December 20, The Ed Palermo Big Band on December 21, Orrin Evans Quintet on December 22 and Toombs Dixon on December 28.

Daryl’s House in Pawling lets in Damn The Torpedoes on December 30 and 31, Ms. Lisa Fischer and Grand Baton on January 3, Keller Williams on January 17, Misfit Toys with Libricide on January 22, The Nerds on January 30, Marty Friedman of Megadeth on February 8, Vinny Pastore’s “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” on February 14, Eddie 9V on February 19 and Ana Popovic on March 13.

In Woodstock, Levon Helm Studios hosts jam prodigies Eggy on December 29, The Helm Family Midnight Ramble with Roche Collins on December 31, local folkie Dar Williams on January 11, alt-country crooner Chuck Prophet on January 31 and East Texas journeyman James McMurtry on March 9.

Colony assembles soulful acoustician Jeffrey Gaines on December 27, Professor Louie & The Crowmatix with The Woodstock Horns on December 28, neo-country crooner Kelli Baker alongside Noé Socha on January 1, English guitarist Albert Lee on January 16, Martin Sexton on February 7, female bluegrassers Big Richard with Appalachian alt-folkies The Shoats on February 9, rockabilly singer Robbie Fulks on March 8 and D.C. rockers Ted Leo and The Pharmacists on March 22.

Don’t hibernate on Bearsville Theater’s lineup of indie-pop duo Rubblebucket with Hannah Mohan on December 15, soul singer Lee Fields on December 31, jazz rockers Medeski, Russo and Cline on January 11, PNW folkies Blind Pilot on February 1, indie darlings Real Estate on February 15, NYC paradigm God Street Wine on March 15 and Jersey DIY legends The Feelies on March 21. 

Tubby’s in Kingston welcomes cumbia guitarist Yeison Landero on January 8, Alabama songwriter Early James on February 5 and British saxophonist Alabaster DePlume on March 15. Nearby Avalon Lounge in Catskill looks west for Arizona indie artist Stephen Steinbrink on December 15 and Oregon songwriter Chris Pureka on December 19.

Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington invites Vivace Chamber Orchestra on December 15, Sandra Boynton on December 19, John Pizzarelli Big Band on December 21, Bach at New Year’s on December 31 and ZZ Top frontman Billy F Gibbons on February 15. 

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) offers VOCES8’s “Winter Tales” on December 15, Bayou Kitchen with Melissa Martin on January 25 and Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana on March 8 and 9. 

Caffè Lena features Stephen Kellogg on December 27, Los Sugar Kings on December 31, Jenna Nicholls on January 18, Ryan Montbleau on February 1 and 2, Goodnight Moonshine on February 7, Yasmin Williams on February 12, Tom Chapin on February 15, Aztec Two Step on March 7 and The Chatham Rabbits on March 9.

In Albany, country icon Blake Shelton performs at MVP Arena on March 8. The Egg opens for jazz singer Samara Joy on December 16, Yonder Mountain String Band on January 24, Los Lobos on March 5 and Preservation Hall Jazz Band on March 8. 

Last but not least, Infinity Hall in Norfolk, CT gets funky on my birthday with G. Love & Special Sauce on January 21. See you at the shows.