May News 2022
*** Touring Act Feature: Jamie and the Guarded Heart at Porter Belly's Open Mic
Monday, May 16th. 8:00pm
A special treat for PB's OM, all the way from Philly, we'll see the return of "Jamie and the Guarded Heart" play a feature set to kick off the open mic. Those who were regulars at Devlin's OM will remember them. This will be their 3rd appearance for us, and the first time we've seen them since the pandemic. They're celebrating the release of their latest record, "Funeral Song".
Listen here:
https://jamieandtheguardedheart.bandcamp.com/album/funeral-song
Follow here:
Local tour:
5/14 - Midway Cafe, Boston, MA
5/15 - Video Filming, Framingham, MA
5/16 - Porter Belly’s, Brighton, MA
5/17 - Portside Tavern, Bristol, RI
http://www.jamieandtheguardedheart.com/
*** Somerville Porchfest
Congrats to the organizers, porch hosts, and musicians, for putting on yet another great event!
*** Acoustic Open Mics, Hosted by TIMKO...
MONDAYS
at Porter Belly's Pub
338 Washington St., Brighton, MA 02135
Sign-up starts: 8:00pm
Open Mic starts: 8:30pm
Ends at 12:00am
Music Only!
Hosted by TIMKO
Details: 2 song sets. Gear: 2 mics, 3 guitar cables, keyboard upon request. Percussion welcome.
WEDNESDAYS
at Ward 4
277 Auburn St, Newton, MA 02466
Sign up starts at 7pm
Open Mic starts: 7:30pm
Ends at 10pm
Music Only!
Hosted by TIMKO
Details: 2 song sets. Gear: 2 mics, 3 guitar cables, keyboard upon request. Percussion welcome.
THURSDAYS
at Knights of Columbus
23 W. Foster St., Melrose
Second Floor
Sign up starts at 7pm
Open Mic starts: 7:30pm
Ends at 10:30pm
Music Only!
Hosted by TIMKO & Friends
Details: 3 song sets. Gear: 2 mics, 3 guitar cables, keyboard upon request. Percussion welcome.
April News 2022
*** Announcing a NEW OPEN MIC on Thursdays in Melrose, 7:30-10:30pm.
- I have been asked to host their first one, THURS. APRIL 7th, to kick off the weekly event. The club will handle hosting duties beyond that. I am personally excited about this because, my hometown of Melrose is a sleepy town with no late nights nor regular live music, but the club has the go-ahead to make this happen. Yee-haw. I'll be a staple. Plus, they've got great beer prices. Starting off with 3 song sets, house PA w/ 4 channels, 2 mics and guitar cables provided.
Check it out!
Thursdays Acoustic Open Mic
7:30 -10:30pm
at Knights of Columbus
23 W. Foster St., Melrose
Second Floor
Details:
House PA System w/ 4 Channels, 2 mics, guitar cables.
3 Song Sets
Sign up: first come, first serve
Lively bar room atmosphere.
(Under 21 needs to be accompanied by parent/guardian and exit by 9pm)
*** New England Songwriting Competition 2022 (we are not affiliated, just reposting)
Accepting submissions through May 15th.
Submit here:
www.newenglandsongwritingcompetition.com
Judges are local Boston area musicians....
Jess Phaneuf - Martha's Vineyard Radion, https://www.mvyradio.org/ , Club Passim, Narrows Center for the Arts
Mark Erelli - Paula Cole, Marc Cohn, and Josh Ritter, or producing albums for Lori McKenna
Jon Evans - Linda Perry, Tori Amos, Paula Cole, Chris Cornell, Sarah McLachlan, Brick Hill Studios.
Monica Rizzio - Established Americana Singer/Songwriter
*** Acoustic Open Mics, Hosted by TIMKO...
Porter Belly's Pub
338 Washington St., Brighton, MA 02135
Sign-up starts: 8:00pm
Open Mic starts: 8:30pm
Ends at 12:00am
Music Only!
Hosted by TIMKO
Details: 2 song sets. Gear: 2 mics, 3 guitar cables, keyboard upon request. Percussion welcome.
Ward 4
277 Auburn St, Newton, MA 02466
Sign up starts at 7pm
Open Mic starts: 7:30pm
Ends at 10pm
Music Only!
Hosted by TIMKO
Details: 2 song sets. Gear: 2 mics, 3 guitar cables, keyboard upon request. Percussion welcome.
March News 2022
March News
Greetings All,
***This week, March 23rd, Andrew Geano will be the guest host for the Wednesday open mic at Ward 4 in Newton (7:30-10pm). As many of you know, Andrew was the co-host of the infamous Terry O'Reilly's open mic in Newton Center along with Terrance Reeves. It was a legendary, happening scene for many years!
***Hinging off that note, Terrance Reeves (the other Terry O'Reilly's OM host), mixed and engineered the latest EP release by our friend, Chris Steele! Check it out. The album is called, "Alone in a Crowded Place".
Chris Steele:
https://chrissteele1.bandcamp.com/album/alone-in-a-crowded-place
***Another twist this month, I will be the guest host for the open mic at Hugh O'Neil's in Malden, MA on Wednesday, March 23rd. 8:30-12am.
Hugh O'Neil's
45 Pleasant St., Malden, MA
***Here's a great facebook feed for local music, courtesy of our harp playing friend, Ethan Miller.
Riffs Grooves and Solos:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/177304319101228
***Check out this new release by local artist, Jen Kearney. It's chock full of soulful melodies and intricate musicianship.
Jen Kearney
https://jenkearney.bandcamp.com/album/atlantic
***Here's an opportunity to play the Brighton Farmer's Market:
https://edportal.harvard.edu/concerts-in-the-common
***Here's a link to our friend, Marilyn Kirby's latest album. If you ever hung at the open mics at Mick Morgan's or Tommy Doyle's, you'd be sure to recognize a song or two off this album. It is well produced with great musicianship and of course, Kirby's sassy touch.
Marilyn Kirby:
https://marilynkirby.bandcamp.com/
***Announcing a new blues jam happening on Sundays....
Porch Medford
Sunday Blues jam
1-4pm
hosted by Colin Dwyer
175 Rivers Edge Dr, Medford, MA 02155
https://www.theporchsouthern.com/
More details:
Fun, Friendly and Fair Blues Jam - Open to Players of All Levels - Supportive Community
About this event
When Johnny D's Uptown closed, there was a big hole that needed to be filled. For decades, blues musicians jammed on that stage on Sundays. Some big names grew up on that stage and everyone supported everyone else. That is the spirit that the Porch fosters with this jam.
Drums, Bass amp and 2 guitar amps provided. DIs, Vocal mics, Horn mics provided. We currently do not have a keyboard rig, but we are accepting donations.
Just come on in, add your name to the signup sheet. Each group of jammers plays 3 songs and no one repeats until all the players have had a turn.
Admission is free, food is amazing, the beer is cold and the cocktails are nourishing!
News February 2022
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Announcing a new, weekly Acoustic Open Mic beginning Wednesday, Feb. 23rd in the Auburndale section of Newton.
Wednesdays Acoustic Open Mic
at:
Ward 4
277 Auburn St, Newton, MA 02466
Music: 7:30 - 10pm
Sign Ups start at 7pm
Hosted by TIMKO
BEGINS FEBRUARY 23rd
Hope to see you!
Also, still going strong....
Mondays Acoustic Open Mic
Porter Belly's Pub
338 Washington St., Brighton, MA 02135
Sign-up starts: 8:00pm
Open Mic starts: 8:30pm
Ends at Midnight
Hosted by TIMKO.
Social Sites:
https://www.facebook.com/BostonLovesMusic
News January 2022
*** Happy New Year! We hope you and your circle are truly doing well. Our hearts go out to those who are effected by this new Covid surge.
*** Here's a thought for 2020 regarding live music... after almost 2 years of 'waiting' for things to get back to 'normal', perhaps this line from Amanda Gorman's new poem is a better approach?
"So let us not return to what was normal,
But reach toward what is next."
...from "New Day's Lyric" by Amanda Gorman
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYEpCgxBTAf/
*** The Open Mic at Porter Belly's has been going really well. It's great to see new and familiar faces and hear live music again. Mondays staring at 8:30pm. Sometimes we have a feature set open up before the open mic. Porter Belly's has been under new ownership since just before Covid hit. Their food is fresh, creative, and delicious, plus the atmosphere is warm and inviting.
338 Washington St, Brighton, MA 02135
*** Hats off to Andrew Geano and Lady Malory for putting on a great show at the BeBop this past Saturday, Jan. 8th. Great venue! We're all bummed that Chris Steele couldn't make it due to Covid reasons and wish him the best.
*** Check out Andrew Geano's new single, released on 1/9/22
*** Announcing a new weekly open mic, hosted by Lady Malory,
Wednesdays, 9pm at the Gaff on Moody St. in Waltham.
*** FYI, Boston will have a Vaccination mandate for restaurants, venues, and more beginning Saturday, Jan. 15th.
Here's more info taken from this article on "Eater Boston"
Starting January 15, 2022, anyone looking to dine indoors at Boston restaurants and bars will be required to show proof of vaccination, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced on Monday, December 20, responding to a current surge in COVID-19 cases.
The Boston mandate, which will be in effect indefinitely, applies to people 12 and over to start — customers as well as employees — who will be required to show proof that they have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Starting February 15, proof of two doses will be required. On March 1, children five to 11 will have to have proof of the first dose; two doses will be required starting on May 1. As of the end of November, 67 percent of Boston residents have been fully vaccinated.
In addition to restaurants, many other indoor venues are included in the mandate, such as gyms, music venues, sports venues, movie theaters, and more. Proof can be the actual vaccination card from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a photo or copy of the card; pharmacy or healthcare provider records; or a vaccine verification app (Boston is creating one.)