*Singer-songwriter KEVIN BRIODY is going to be opening for ART GARFUNKEL on Friday, July 26, at Ives Concert Park in Danbury. Briody’s a good show. Briody is a very talented, humorous, extremely enjoyable showman who lives right in Ridgefield with his still-expanding family (the Briodys welcomed a new son just a few weeks ago).

Tickets for the July 26 show, which begins at 7:30, are $26 for the lawn ($11 for kids on the lawn), and $41 and $56 for reserved seats. Visit www.IvesConcertPark.com, call 837-9226 (the park’s box office) or 744-8100 (TicketMaster in Danbury), or visit the TicketMaster outlet at Filene’s for ticket purchases. Gates open at 5:30 that afternoon and coolers are welcome on the lawn.

In August Briody returns to take part in the 5th Annual Summer Cabaret along with GEORGE WURZBACH. Shows are Friday and Saturday, August 16 and 17, 8 pm both nights, at Ridgefield Theatre Barn. I don’t have ticket price details, but will be forwarded as soon as I receive them.

*Good news this week for Newtown-based THE MacVITTIES. Fred and Chris have been confirmed for an appearance on one of EMERIL LAGASSE’s Food Network programs. Filming will be in early August, during the master chef’s program to celebrate Boston. The MacVitties, while Newtown based, have been combing New England for a few years now and play a ton of shows at Faneuil Hall each summer. The MacVitties will be seen during ten 30-second segments and a 60- to 90-second show-closing segment.

Chris MacVittie isn’t sure what the appearance on the program will mean for his duo. He admitted as much when he stopped in the Bee office to drop off a copy of The MacVitties’ new CD, Love Letters, this week. But with a CD promotion on top of the live appearance on one of the top-rated shows on The Food Network, it certainly can’t hurt!

Until next week, I’ll be seeing you… on the road, continuing to celebrate National Hot Dog Month.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks, c/o Bee Publishing Co., 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call The Bee office at 426-3141.

Shows listed on the calendar at club locations are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

JULY 12 — Peter Obre and Alan Johnson at Proud Mary’s, Newtown; Lynyrd Skynyrd with Dickey Betts at Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford; The Machine at Toad’s Place (all ages), Fountain Project opening; The Monster at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury;

July 13 — Alicia Keys at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville; OzzFest at The Meadows, Hartford, featuring Ozzy Osbourne, System Of A Down, P.O.D., Drowning Pool, Adema, Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society, Rob Zombie, et al; Peter Obre and Alan Johnson at 707 On Main, Monroe; Willy Porter at Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport, Jeff Lang opening (ZooFolk Series concert); Reid (of Strangefolk) at The Webster Theatre, Hartford, Blind Ambition, Stepanion and feeds opening; Bill Morrissey at Towne Crier Café, Pawling, N.Y.; Prezident Brown, Raisin Hill and 28 & Waiting at Woodbury Ski Area (first day of Reggae Fest); Them Bones at Tuxedo Junction;

July 14 — Concrete Blonde at The Webster Theatre, echo janes opening; The Derek Trucks Band at Towne Crier Café; Deep Banana Blackout, The Pete Schieps Band, Uncle Sammy and Electric Hill at Woodbury Ski Area (final day Reggae Fest); Ja Rule at Hartford Civic Center, Ashanti opening;

July 16 — Chicago at Foxwoods Casino;

July 17 — John Mellencamp at Mohegan Sun Arena;

July 18 — Phil Lesh & Friends at The Meadows; Fredie McGregor at Toad’s Place;

July 19 — Anger Management 2002 at The Meadows featuring Eminem, Pap Roach, Ludacris, Xzibit, X-Ecutioners, et al; Leon Redbone at Towne Crier Café; Band Camp at Tuxedo Junction.

July 20 — Weezer at Meadows Music Centre, Dashboard Confessional and Sparta opening; The Zoo at Tuxedo Junction;

July 21 — Lake Trout at Toad’s Place (all ages).