*I haven’t heard from AMORTAR (American Mortar Original Rock Band) for a while, but finally received an email a few weeks back alerting me to a show they’ll be doing right in their own neighborhood in a few weeks.

The band will be playing its rock songs and covers at 100 Church Hill in Sandy Hook on Saturday, August 11.

Danny Jovanelly composed the music and plays lead guitar, Susan Washburn is the lead singer and lyricist, Paul Kelly plays bass, and Scott Deicas plays the drums.

“Come and dance on August 11 or just sit back and enjoy the festivities,” Susan said in an email.  “Celebrate American Artist Appreciation Month at 100 Church Hill on Saturday night because there will be an unusual art exhibition alongside the band performance,” her note continued. There will be a special showing of some of the lead singer and lyricist’s paintings.

“You can also have an excuse to celebrate Smile Week – the second week of August– Sons and Daughters Day, Peach Month, Catfish Month, and the band’s personal favorite, Romance Awareness Month on that day,” she added. Music will start around 10 or so.

*Country music super legend MERLE HAGGARD is bringing some southern comfort to downtown Waterbury, when the legendary troubadour performs live with special guest Johnny Lee at the Palace Theater on Thursday, August 30, at 8 pm.

This isn’t new news, but last week’s column ran very long so I had to hold some of the newsy reminders – sorry everyone. The good news is tickets are still available (and even better, there doesn’t seem to be a bad seat in the house at The Palace so you can still get a great seat this week).

Tickets are priced at $55 and $45 and go on sale this Friday, July 13, at 10:00am. Tickets can be purchased at the Palace Theater Box Office, 100 East Main Street in Waterbury, by phone at 203-755-4770, or online at palacetheaterct.org.

*Still speaking of country and superstars of the genre, tickets for TOBY KEITH’s Hartford concert are going on sale this weekend. I believe some tickets to this show were already made available earlier this year through a Country MegaTicket that also included access to KENNY CHESNEY and a few other shows at The Dodge Music Center, but good seats are still available and a great deal will be offered this weekend for lawn seating.

So Keith will be bringing his Big Dog Daddy Tour 2007 to Hartford on Sunday, September 23, with opening sets by MIRANDA LAMBERT and FLYNNVILLE TRAIN. Pavilion seats are priced at $39.77 and $65 apiece, while lawn seats are $29… but this weekend lawn seating will be available for $20 a ticket.

Tickets will be going on sale Saturday morning at 10 am through LiveNation.com and all TicketMaster vendors.

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

JULY 27 — Meat Loaf at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville; Hippiefest: A Concert for Peace & Love at The Chevrolet Theatre, Wallingford, featuring The Turtles (Featuring Flo & Eddy), Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, The Zombies (featuring Colin Blundstone and Rod Argent), Mountain (featuring Leslie West and Corkey Laing), Mitch Ryder, Badfinger (featuring Joey Molland) and Country Joe McDonald; Uncle Mustache at Georgetown Saloon, Redding; Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks at Fairfield Theatre Company, Fairfield, Amy Loftus opening;

July 28 — Soul Circus and Reggae Culture at Fairfield Theatre Company (1 pm show, part of free Chill Out Music Festival); Volunteer Jam 2007 at The Chevrolet Theatre, Wallingford, featuring The Charlie Daniels Band, The Marshall Tucker Band and The Outlaws; paul cortes and friends at Georgetown Saloon;

July 29 — Family Values 2007 at Dodge Music Center, Hartford, featuring Korn, Evanescence, Atreyu, Flyleaf, Hellyeah, Trivium, Neurosonice and Droid; Willie Nininger at Georgetown Saloon;

July 31 — The Police at Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Fiction Plane opening.

AUGUST 1 — Beyoncé at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, with special guest Robin Thicke;

August 2 — Foreigner at Ives Concert Park, Danbury; Deep Purple at The Chevrolet Theatre, with Blue Oyster Cult and The Edgar Winter Band;

August 3 — Brad Paisley at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, with special guests Taylor Swift, Jack Ingram and Kellie Pickler; Chris Isaac at Ives Concert Park;

August 4 — Fuel Theory and Rambunction at Fairfield Theatre Company (1 pm show, part of free Chill Out Music Festival); Dave Matthews Band at Dodge Music Center, Hartford, with special guest Xavier Rudd (also August 5); The Moody Blues at the Chevrolet Theatre; Sol Dog at The Black Duck, Westport;

August 5 — Dave Matthews Band at Dodge Music Center with special guest Xavier Rudd;

August 9 — Artie Traum and Professor Louie & the Crowmatix at Fairfield Theatre Company;

August 10 — Taylor Hicks at The Warner Theatre, Torrington; Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood at Fairfield Theatre Company.

August 11 — AMORTAR at 100 Church Hill, Sandy Hook; Justin Timberlake at Mohegan Sun Arena, Good Charlotte opening; Kenny Rogers at The Chevrolet Theatre, Diamond Rio opening; Sol Dog at The Georgetown Saloon, Redding.