*SIDESHOW returns to Shenanigan’s in South Norwalk this weekend. Grady, Fred, Chris, Jay and John will be playing on Saturday, December 20.

Plenty of shows are already in the works for early 2004 including January 3 at Tuxedo Junction in Danbury, January 10 at The Thirsty Turtle in Stamford, January 17 at Stash’s in New London, January 23 at Black Rock & Blue in Bridgeport, and January 30 at Shenanigan’s again.

In February the guys will head to Sports Bar in North Windham on February 6, Murphy & Scarletti’s in Farmington on February 7, Stash’s on February 20, and Sports Rock USA in Bristol on February 28.

*A reminder that SOL DOG will be at The Georgetown Saloon tonight. After they recover from that show Ron, Rev, Mark and Curtiss will be in New Haven on Sunday to join GREG SHERROD and others for the Holiday Funkfest at Toad’s Place. The evening’s entertainment starts at 8:30.

*STYX will be returning to Connecticut on February 27. Tickets will be going on sale early next month, at $38.50 and $49.50. On-sale is Thursday, January 8, beginning at 8 pm.

*BARENAKED LADIES return February 20 to at Mohegan Sun Arena. Tickets are $45 and $30. The band was at The Bushnell in Hartford just last month, celebrating the release of Everything To Everyone, their first studio release in three years. The earlier show was part of a smaller venue tour for the band, but the guys must be ready for bigger shows at this point. Call the arena’s box office, 800-477-6849, or visit tickets.com online or in-store outlets to purchase tickets.

*Area bands will be performing at The Webster Theatre in Hartford on January 9 as part of show called Rock For Human Rights. EARLY FLIGHT HOME, ALKATRAZ, EVE OF DESTRUCTION, THE MARTY ISENBURG TRIO, CURRENT FLOW and ANOTHER DAY WASTED are on the bill so far. Tickets are $10.

SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY & THE ASBURY JUKES will be at the same location a week later. Tickets are just $18 for the January 16 show, which is open to all ages.

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 club locations are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

 

UPCOMING CONCERTS

DECEMBER 19 — Dave Matthews & Friends at Hartford Civic Center; Sol Dog at The Georgetown Saloon, Georgetown; John Valby at Toad’s Place, New Haven; The Mercy Brothers at Black-Eyed Sally’s BBQ & Blues Café, Hartford; Marly’s Angels at The Colorado Brewery, Danbury; Theatre of Pain and Appetite For Destruction at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury; AM/PM, One Track Mind, Northshot, et al at The Empress Ballroom, Danbury (all ages);

December 20 — SideShow at Shenanigan’s, South Norwalk; Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice at Black-Eyed Sally’s; Darik & The Funbags at Tuxedo Junction; The Knockout Kinds, Left To Prove, et al at The Empress Ballroom (all ages); The Machine at Toad’s Place, Four Sticks, Orakle and Evolve opening (all ages);

December 26 — The Colbys with special guest Jeff Pevar at Black-Eyed Sally’s; Close To Fate featuring Mike and Eddie at The Colorado Brewery; Dr Mudd at Tuxedo Junction; Strike The Colors, Parasprinter, Noisette, Dead As Dreams, et al, at The Empress Ballroom (all ages); Darik & The Funbags at Toad’s Place, Green Inside, Liplok and Sector 7G opening;

December 27 — Debbie Davies Band at Black-Eyed Sally’s; Jigsaw at The Colorado Brewery; The Zoo at Tuxedo Junction; Last Dying Wish, Redefined, et al at The Empress Ballroom (all ages); Mighty Purple at Toad’s Place, Rigby (formerly Starside), Pencil Grass, Tuesday Night Jam Sessions, Renata and Lisgallhorn opening;

December 28 — Boys Night Out, For Dire Life Sake, et al at The Empress Ballroom (all ages);

December 29 — Locals Night at Toad’s Place featuring Doozer, Kennesaw, Treephort, Elvis McMan and The Halo Jump (all ages); Catch 22, Bigwig, Fallout Boy, Punchline, et al at The Webster Theatre, Hartford (all ages, doors open at 3);

December 31 — Hat City Blues Band at Ives Manor, Danbury (part of First Night Danbury celebrations); Psychedelic Breakfast at Toad’s Place (all ages); The Johnny Rawls Revue with The Nutmeg Horns at Black-Eyed Sally’s; Draught at The Colorado Brewery; The Zoo at Tuxedo Junction; Red Chester, Treephort, I Voted For Kodos, et al at The Empress Ballroom (all ages).