*WIPED OUT, the newest project by Newtown musician and instructor Joe Proc (“think high school meets hippie,” he says), will return to Proud Mary’s for the first show of the new year this weekend.

Joe will again be joined by vocalist and rapper MC, guitarist and vocalist McD, guitarist and bongo player CJ, jazz guitarist MaxOut, vocalist and guitarist D. Dittie and guitarist and vocalist BMG on Friday, January 1, from 8 to 10 pm, in the lounge at The Inn at Newtown, 19 Main Street. At 10, Joe will take over the stage and perform solo for the remainder of the night, offering background drumming and DJ work.

*Also this week, it looks like Newtown has another venue for live music.

Rumor has it My Place Restaurant, now that the Tambascio family has given the Queen Street restaurant a nice new renovation, started having live music in there after dinner hours last week. And according to a note I received from Carlos Diaz this week, a band with local roots had the honor of being one of the first bands to play the new room.

My apologies to THE SKANKTONES — who that has been playing roots reggae for a few years in the area —  because they were featured at My Place this week. I had planned on getting something into last week’s Bee about the new music venue with a highlight of The Skanktones, but was laid out all last week by the flu. I’m sorry I didn’t let you guys know about this – you’ll notice there wasn’t an “On The Road” column in last week’s paper. My bad.

*A reminder that CARRIE UNDERWOOD will being bringing her Play On Tour road trip back to the Northeast in the spring, including a March 20 stop at The MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort & Casino. Craig Morgan and Sons of Sylvia will each have opening sets.

Tickets are $95 to $125 and are available through the MGM box office, online at MGMatFoxdwoods.com, by calling 866-646-0609, and through any TicketMaster vendor.

That’s about it this week. Another round of early deadlines and planning for the final holiday of the year to take care of. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Until next week, I’ll be seeing you… on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call the office at 426-3141. Shows listed at clubs are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

 

UPCOMING SHOWS

JANUARY 1 — Wiped Out at Proud Mary’s, Newtown (8-10 pm), followed by Joe Proc (solo, 10 pm-midnight); The Doug Wahlberg Band at The Georgetown Saloon, Redding; New Riders of The Purple Sage at Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk;

January 2 — Johnny Boots at The Georgetown Saloon;

January 8 — Brooks William at Redding Community Center (Lyrics Coffeehouse series), Redding; Pink Baby at The Georgetown Saloon;

January 9 — Soul Circus at The Georgetown Saloon; Johnny Winter at Toad’s Place, New Haven (CD release party);

January 12 — Gregg Allman at The Ridgefield Playhouse (also January 13);

January 13 — Gregg Allman at The Ridgefield Playhouse;

January 15 — Rascal Flatts at Mohegan Sun Arena, Darius Rucker opening; The Walter Lewis Trio at The Georgetown Saloon;

January 16 — Bo Bice at Infinity Music Hall; Rascal Flatts at Mohegan Sun Arena, Darius Rucker opening; Sister Funk at The Georgetown Saloon;

January 17 — Rakim at Toad’s Place, Rhymefest, They Walk on Water and Phenomeno opening (tickets from original November date will be honored);

January 18 — Lady Gaga at Mohegan Sun Arena, Kid Cudi and Jason Derulo opening;

January 22 — The Bernadettes at The Georgetown Saloon;

January 23 — The Marshall Tucker Band at The Ridgefield Playhouse; Old School Revue at The Georgetown Saloon;

January 29 — Blues Patrol at The Georgetown Saloon;

January 30 — Smokehouse at The Georgetown Saloon.

FEBRUARY 4 — Marc Cohn at Quick Center/Fairfield University; David Sanborn at The Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield;

February 5 — Aaron Lewis at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville; Bob Franke at Redding Community Center (Lyrics Coffeehouse series), Redding;

February 9 — Slayer and Megadeth at the Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, Testament opening;

February 11 — Buckwheat Zydeco at Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk;

February 12 — Phil Vassar at The Ridgefield Playhouse; Greg Brown at Infinity Music Hall;

February 13 — Kid Rock at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville; River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs at Infinity Music Hall;

February 14 — The Neville Brothers at The Ridgefield Playhouse with Dr John and Lower 911;

February 18 — George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic at Toad’s Place, New Haven;

February 19 — Lucy Kaplansky and Richard Shindell at Quick Center/Fairfield University; John Mayer at Mohegan Sun Arena, Michael Franti and Spearhead opening;

February 20 — Hot 8 Brass Band at The Ridgefield Playhouse;

February 24 — New Found Glory at The Webster, Hartford,

February 25 — Flogging Molly at The Webster, Saves The Day and Hello Goodbye opening;

February 26 — Phil Lesh and Bob Weir at Mohegan Sun Arena; Bobby McFerrin at The Ridgefield Playhouse;

February 27 — The Black Eyed Peas at Mohegan Sun Arena.