*Any band that bills itself as a group that performs “cow jazz” deserves a mention in this space just on the level of its eccentricity! Next Stop Café in Bethel has consistently had some of the best blues music in the area for months now, and one of November’s earlier shows sounds like something that only continues that reputation.

On Saturday, November 10, FIFTY PERCENT BLUES BAND will be at the downtown Bethel location. These four guys and two gals perform an eclectic collection of 12-bar blues, country blues, rock n’ blues, cow jazz, railroad blues, hula blues, and other stuff, on guitar, slide, fiddle, piano, harmonica, mandolin, and harmony.

Performances at the café, at 102 Greenwood Avenue in Bethel (parking is tough, but find some… it’s worth the few minutes of looking for a space — park in the FREE commuter lot down by the railroad tracks, between Greenwoods and One Front Street restaurants and walk back up the block and a half to the café), begin at 7 pm. Admission varies; for Fifty Percent Blues Band, it’s $6. Reservations are strongly suggested, too — I’ve seen for myself how quickly this place fills up, so save yourself some grief and call 730-9940 the afternoon of the show if you’re definitely going to go.

This weekend’s highlights at the Bethel venue include HANS THEESINK, who is recognized around the world for his heartfelt interpretation of acoustic blues and someone who has been called “one helluva guitar player” by no less than BO DIDDLEY, on Friday night, and then a special Halloween party on Saturday with music by DAN BONIS & FRIENDS. The Halloween event will be emceed by David “Wolfman” Gray, and costumes are encouraged because there will be prizes for Best Costumes. The cover charge for Friday is 12, and for Saturday it’s $6.

*BURN THE FLOOR, an event that was scheduled for November 24-25 at ctnow.com Oakdale Theater in Wallingford, has been cancelled. Refunds are available at the point of purchase.

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

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

OCTOBER 26 — Misfits at Toad’s Place, New Haven, 25th anniversary show featuring Marky Ramone, Robo & Dez (from Black Flag); Hans Theessink at Next Stop Café, Bethel; Angelique Kido at Mohegan Sun Casino’s Wolf Den, Uncasville; The B-52’s at Foxwoods Casino, Ledyard; The Zoo at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury; Family Values Tour  at Hartford Civic Center, with Stone Temple Pilots, Staind, Linkin Park, Static X, and Deadsy; “The History of Rock: Eight Days A Week” at Acoustic Café, Bridgeport, Von Em opening; Joe Proc at Carl Anthony’s, Monroe; NRBQ at Seven Angels Theatre, Waterbury;

October 27 — Dan Bonis & Friends at Next Stop Café (Halloween costume party); Cold at The Webster Theater; The Benjamins at Tuxedo Junction; Maxwell at the ctnow.com Oakdale Theater; WKSS “Boo Bash” at CT Expo Center, Hartford, featuring Blu Cantrell, Christina Milian, Young MC and DJ Fashen; Joe Proc and Abu at 707 On Main, Monroe;

October 28 — The Wiggins Sisters, Too Human and Liz Queler at Acoustic Café;

October 29 — They Might Be Giants at Toad’s Place (all ages); Aztec Two Step at Acoustic Café; Lucinda at Borders Books*Music*Café, Danbury;

October 30 — Alice Cooper at Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard.

NOVEMBER 1 —The Wayne Keenan Quartet at Carl Anthony’s, Monroe; Man… or Astroman? At UConn’s Student Union, Storrs;

November 2 —Popa Chubby at Black-Eyed Sally’s BBQ & Blues Café, Hartford; Screaming Broccoli at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury; Type O Negative at Toad’s Place, New Haven, Nova Moturba opening; Rane at The Webster Theater, Hartford, Aaron Katz and Feed opening (all ages);

November 3 —Tower of Power at Mohegan Sun, Uncasville; The Wallbangers at Tuxedo Junction;

November 4 — Leo Boogie at Next Stop Café, Bethel; DJ Logic & Project Logic (featuring Vernon Reid) at Toad’s Place, Bullfrog featuring Kid Koala opening;

November 6 — Tower of Power at Toad’s Place;

November 8 — The Wayne Keenan Quartet at Carl Anthony’s; Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers at Black-Eyed Sally’s BBQ & Blues Café;

November 9 — Paul Geremia at Next Stop Café;

November 10 — Fifty Percent Blues Band at Next Stop Café;

November 14 — The Cult at The Webster Theater (all ages);

November 15 — The Wayne Keenan Quartet at Carl Anthony’s; Stealin’ Back at Next Stop Café;

November 16 — The Gonzalo Rubalcaba Trio at Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield (two shows, 7 and 9:30 pm); Wayne Keenan and Dave Dana at 707 On Main, Monroe; Rocky Lawrence at Next Stop Café;

November 18 — Erik Bagger at Next Stop Café, Bethel; Derek Trucks Band at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

November 19 — Aerosmith at Mohegan Sun Arena, The Cult opening;

November 20 — Phil Lesh & Friends at ctnow.com Oakdale Theater; Bob Dylan at Mohegan Sun Arena; The Barenaked Ladies at The Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, opening act TBA;

November 21 — CSA Songwriters’ Showcase at Acoustic Café, Bridgeport; Gargantua Soul at The Webster Theater, Throne, Grey cell Green and Pleasurecrush all opening (all ages);

November 23 — WDRC’s Legends II featuring Blood, Sweat & Tears with David Clayton Thomas, The Association, Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, Lou Christie, and The Tymes at ctnow.com Oakdale Theater; Max Creek at The Webster Theater (all ages); Walter & David at Next Stop Café;

November 24 — Gilberto Santa Rosa at The Webster Theater; Roy Bookbinder at Next Stop Café;

November 25 — Too Old To Care at Next Stop Café;

November 27 — Cold at The Webster Theater, Dope and Lifer opening (all ages).

November 30 — Shrdlu Ashe at Next Stop Café.