Bethlehem Archives - Page 3 of 9

The Colonial Theatre Presents: The Capitol Steps

“An oasis of good-natured ribbing in a fiercely partisan world” —The Washington Post

The Capitol Steps are a troupe of Congressional staffers-turned-comedians who travel the States satirizing the very people and places that once employed them. The Steps perform over 500 shows a year all over the country.

The Capitol Steps were born December, 1981 when three staffers for Senator Charles Percy were planning entertainment for a Christmas party. Their first idea was to stage a nativity play, but in the whole Congress they couldn’t find three wise men or a virgin! So, they decided to dig into the headlines of the day, and created song parodies & skits which conveyed a special brand of satirical humor that was as popular in Peoria as it was on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Ronald Reagan was President when the Steps began, so co-founders Elaina Newport, Bill Strauss and Jim Aidala figured that if entertainers could become politicians, then politicians could become entertainers! Most cast members have worked on Capitol Hill, some for Democrats, some for Republicans, and others for politicians who firmly straddle the fence. No matter who holds office, there’s never a shortage of material. Says Elaina Newport, “Typically, the Republicans goof up, and the Democrats party. Then the Democrats goof up and the Republicans party. That’s what we call a two-party system.”

Although the Capitol Steps are based in Washington, DC most of their shows are out-of-town or for out-of-town audiences. Whether it’s the National Welding Supply Association, a University audience, high schoolers, or State Legislators, people love to laugh at the foibles of Jerry Falwell (“Loonies of the Right”) or even Bill Clinton’s new office (“In the Ghetto”). In fact, the Capitol Steps have performed for the last five presidents (six if you include Hillary). The only complaints the Steps seem to get are from the politicians and personalities who are NOT included in the program!

The Colonial Theatre Presents: Bombino

For centuries, the desert town of Agadez has served as a converging point for the great camel caravans driven by the Tuareg that link West Africa with North Africa and the Mediterranean. Born in 1980 at a nomadic camp near this dusty outpost, the young guitarist and songwriter Omara “Bombino” Moctar was raised during an era of armed struggles for Tuareg independence and violent suppression by government forces. Bombino’s electrifying jams capture the spirit of resistance and rebellion while echoing with guitar riffs reminiscent of fellow Africans Tinariwen and Ali Farka Touré not to mention rock and blues icons such as Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker and Jimmy Page.

Ghost of Paul Revere & Jason Spooner Band at The Colonial Theatre

“We grew up listening to Radiohead and the Beatles and Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd,” says Griffin Sherry, guitarist/singer in The Ghost Of Paul Revere. “Everyone assumed we were a bluegrass band because we were playing these traditional instruments, but we weren’t writing traditional music. We were just writing songs with the instruments we had.”

The result is a sound that the Portland, Maine-based band describes as “holler folk,” not because it involves a lot of hollering, per se, but because it invokes the rich communal tradition of field hollers, with their call-and-response melodies, sing-along hooks, and densely layered harmonies. That sense of musical camaraderie is essential to everything The Ghost of Paul Revere does.

“The Monday before Newport we got a message saying to pack our bags and come on down,” remembers Sherry. “We hadn’t played much outside of Maine or started opening for any big acts yet at that point, and it was a hugely inspiring moment.”

Word began to spread about the rowdy pickers from the north. The Boston Globe raved that they “create the type of music for which festivals are made,” while No Depression said they “prove that superior roots music can come from anywhere,” and Dispatch Magazine wrote that they possess not only “the chops, but the heart to reach their audience and leave an undeniable impression.” Hitting listeners straight in the feelings has been the band’s M.O. since its inception in 2011, and they’ve used their powerful stage show to convert the masses at every stop along their long and winding journey, which has included shared stages with artists like The Avett Brothers, The Travelin’ McCourys, Brown Bird, The Revivalists, the Infamous Stringdusters, and more.

The Jason Spooner Band: The ingredients behind northern New England’s Jason Spooner Trio read like a bizarre musical science experiment. Start with a prolific, singer/songwriter (Jason Spooner) with heavy roots, folk & blues influences. Then mix in a classically trained bassist (Adam Frederick) with foundations in jazz and a knack for serious pocket grooves. Lastly, shake things up with a rock-solid drummer (Reed Chambers) with deep-seeded roots in funk, soul & reggae and you’ve begun to scratch the surface of this unique, energetic band.

Pat Metheny Solo at the Colonial Theatre

Winner of 20 Grammy Awards, 36 Grammy Nominations, 3 Gold Records, DownBeat Hall of Fame.

PAT METHENY was born in Kansas City into a musical family. Starting on trumpet at the age of 8, Metheny switched to guitar at age 12. By the age of 15, he was working regularly with the best jazz musicians in Kansas City, receiving valuable on-the-bandstand experience at an unusually young age. Metheny first burst onto the international jazz scene in 1974. Over the course of his three-year stint with vibraphone great Gary Burton, the young Missouri native already displayed his soon-to-become trademarked playing style, which blended the loose and flexible articulation customarily reserved for horn players with an advanced rhythmic and harmonic sensibility – a way of playing and improvising that was modern in conception but grounded deeply in the jazz tradition of melody, swing, and the blues. With the release of his first album, Bright Size Life (1975), he reinvented the traditional “jazz guitar” sound for a new generation of players. Throughout his career, Pat Metheny has continued to re-define the genre by utilizing new technology and constantly working to evolve the improvisational and sonic potential of his instrument. METHENY’S versatility is almost nearly without peer on any instrument. Over the years, he has performed with artists as diverse as Steve Reich to Ornette Coleman to Herbie Hancock to Jim Hall to Milton Nascimento to David Bowie. Metheny’s body of work includes compositions for solo guitar, small ensembles, electric and acoustic instruments, large orchestras, and ballet pieces, with settings ranging from modern jazz to rock to classical.

It is one thing to attain popularity as a musician, but it is another to receive the kind of acclaim Metheny has garnered from critics and peers. Over the years, Metheny has won countless polls as “Best Jazz Guitarist” and awards, including three gold records for Still Life (Talking), Letter from Home, and Secret Story. He has also won 20 Grammy Awards in 12 different categories including Best Rock Instrumental, Best Contemporary Jazz Recording, Best Jazz Instrumental Solo, Best Instrumental Composition. The Pat Metheny Group won an unprecedented seven consecutive Grammies for seven consecutive albums.

Maple Dinner to Benefit The Rocks Estate

Celebrate the transition from a long winter to a welcome spring with The Rocks’ annual Maple Dinner. This year’s dinner will be held at The Maplewood in Bethlehem, following the loss to fire of the program center at The Rocks. Proceeds from the dinner will benefit The Rocks Fire Fund, which will be used for operating and capital costs in support of the post -fire transition to restore operations at The Rocks.

Returning to wow diners is Chef Joe Peterson of Sugar Hill. Highlights of the evening’s buffet dinner include: Ginger butternut squash bisque, grilled vegetable salad, macaroni and cheese with baby spinach and fire-roasted tomatoes, wood-roasted barbecue chicken, Bali barbecue ribs, and wood-roasted beef brisket.

Dennis Cote of Sugar Hill will provide musical entertainment during the evening.

Cost: $50 per person (cash bar). Pre-registration required. RSVP online or call Maria Stewart at 603-224-9945 x 346. Deadline is March 28th.

(Note: Unfortunately, the Maplewood is not wheelchair accessible.)

RSVP: forestsociety.org/mapledinner

The Rocks Maple Experience

Join us for guided tours of our sugaring operation including horse drawn and tractor drawn rides, tap a maple tree with the group, tree ID, the history of mapling, the NH Maple Museum and sample maple syrup, pickles and donuts. Cost, including both rides, horse drawn and tractor drawn, is $15 for adults and $12 for children.

The Rocks Maple Experience

Cut Your Own Christmas Tree at The Rocks

There is no better place to choose a Christmas tree than at The Rocks Estate, where you can strike out over the fields in search of your ideal holiday evergreen or choose from already cut trees.

Take a tour of the estate on a horse-drawn wagon, browse two shops for gifts and decorations, and choose the perfect handmade wreath and garland for your front door.

Begin your visit with a leisurely walk through the rolling fields of Christmas trees to choose and cut one for your home or select a freshly cut tree from the retail lot at the farm, where willing helpers will load your tree onto your vehicle for you. The Rocks’ beautifully decorated handmade wreaths, garlands, ornaments, and Christmas tree accessories will add festive touches to your holiday décor.

The Rocks opens Nov. 7 and will be open 10 am – 4 pm daily through Christmas Eve. Christmas tree shoppers may select a tree from the farm’s retail lot or wander the fields to Cut-Your-Own Christmas tree beginning Nov. 19. The Rocks will be closed Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22), but otherwise open daily through Dec. 24.