Willy Porter with special guest Rachel Brashear
Some folks are lucky to find what they love to do at an early age and quietly settle in for the long haul expanding and developing their work over the arc of a lifetime. Willy Porter is one of those artists. He has followed his own path to explore the sacred language that music truly is. 30 years after his solo recording debut, he continues to reach further into his guitar & pen while stretching the form of what his own music can be. He’s currently working on his 13th album for release in 2022.Willy Porter continues on a musical and personal odyssey spanning over two decades, 11 albums, and multiple continents. His journey has been defined by an inquisitive love for humanity and the language that describes what we all hold to be true. Porter’s songs weave a universal perspective about the questions, struggles, and triumphs of human existence. His live shows are guitar-driven grit, soul, silence and muscle– at times electrifying, dynamic, and unique in the way that Porter’s voice blends and fuses with his fret work.A largely self-taught musician, Porter began treating audiences to his brand of guitar playing and wry storytelling in the late ‘80’s while living in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1990, he released his first full-length independent album, The Trees Have Soul, and the touring life has flowed steadily ever since. Porter has literally logged millions of miles across America, Canada, the UK, and Europe, touring solo, as well as with various incarnations of the Willy Porter Band and in support of artists like Tori Amos, Paul Simon, Jethro Tull, Sting, and Jeff Beck.Local singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rachel Brashear opens the show. Tickets:$25 Advance$30 At the Door Minors ok with parent/guardianReview our Health & Safety Policies HERE
Elton Dan & The Rocket Band – A Tribute To Elton John
An Elton Dan & The Rocket Band show pays tribute to one of the all-time greatest artists ever: ELTON JOHN. Elton Dan’s rapport and stage presence is second to none and his magical piano playing has a way of engaging you in the full ELTON experience. Before you know it, you’re captivated by his incredible band including backup singers, and thrilled with the over the top costumes and high energy performances just like ELTON in days past. Elton Dan has performed for gatherings of 8,000 plus but gives each listener the feeling that they are sharing the intimate emotions of the much loved music with just them. For more information, check out Elton Dan on Facebook. Tickets:$32.50 GA Advance $32.50 Buy-One-GA-Get-One-GA-Free (Limited number available)$35 GA At the Door $72.50 VIP Experience Ticket includes: • Early Entry (1 hour before doors) • Pre-Show Mini Performance with Show Insights and Q&A • Exclusive VIP Laminate and Elton Dan Glasses • Personal Photograph with Elton Dan before the showMinors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianREVIEW OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES HERE
Elton Dan & The Rocket Band – A Tribute To Elton John
An Elton Dan & The Rocket Band show pays tribute to one of the all-time greatest artists ever: ELTON JOHN. Elton Dan’s rapport and stage presence is second to none and his magical piano playing has a way of engaging you in the full ELTON experience. Before you know it, you’re captivated by his incredible band including backup singers, and thrilled with the over the top costumes and high energy performances just like ELTON in days past. Elton Dan has performed for gatherings of 8,000 plus but gives each listener the feeling that they are sharing the intimate emotions of the much loved music with just them. For more information, check out Elton Dan on Facebook. Tickets:$33.00 GA Advance $37 GA At the Door $72.50 VIP Experience Ticket includes: • Admission and Early Entry (1 hour before doors) • Pre-Show Mini Performance with Show Insights and Q&A • Exclusive VIP Laminate and Elton Dan Glasses • Personal Photograph with Elton Dan before the showMinors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardianREVIEW OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES HERE
Deb Talan (of The Weepies) with special guest Sarah King
Deb Talan has been writing songs since she was 14 years old. Granted, her style has changed a bit since writing the forever-unknown smash-hit “Through the Window” about feeling numb, like life was going on somewhere out there but not accessible to her (at 14. so jaded.) She played clarinet, wrote songs on piano, later taught herself to play guitar in college, got obsessed with Shawn Colvin, was a vegetarian for 4 years, ended that with a hotdog and a swim in lake Michigan, started a band in Portland, OR with her friend Mark, named it Hummingfish, wrote a lot of fun songs that people danced to ‘til they were all sweaty in that hipster/grungy/geeky Northwest kind of way, moved back to the east coast 6 years and a divorce later and began playing solo in Boston coffee houses (read: 4 different Starbucks that she also poured espresso at) opened shows for Catie Curtis (a songwriter hero of hers) met up with Steve Tannen and formed The Weepies, played shows all over the country and the world, toured in a real tour bus! moved to LA, got married to Steve, made 5 records and 3 amazing boy-children together with him, had songs placed in loads of movies and tv shows, moved to Iowa, got breast cancer, got chemotherapy and relied heavily on marijuana for pain and nausea relief (Legalize, for gods’ sakes, can we grow up as a country, please?) recovered from breast cancer, made a solo album, struggled with mental health issues (Childhood Incest Survivor, lucky to be alive, music has helped, and so have many blessed healers) and relationship issues for 6 years, got divorced from Steve. She has a lot she could say these days. She prefers to listen. But playing songs for people is a close second. Music heals. Songs can be prayers. Deb Talan is some lovely damn proof of that.Sarah King, fabulous singer and songwriter from The Nowhere Band and Love Gigantic opens the show. Tickets:$28 Advance$32 At the Door Minors ok with parent/guardianReview our Health & Safety Policies HERE
Nellie McKay with special guest Dan Haley
Nellie McKay! She has won a Theatre World Award for her portrayal of Polly Peachum on Broadway in The Threepenny Opera, performed onscreen in the films PS I Love You and Downtown Express, and her music was used in Rumor Has It, Monster-in-Law, PS I Love You, Gasland, Last Holiday and Private Life. McKay co-created and starred in the award-winning off-Broadway hit Old Hats and has written three acclaimed musical biographies – I Want to Live!, the story of Barbara Graham, third woman executed in the gas chamber at San Quentin, Silent Spring: It’s Not Nice to Fool Mother Nature, an exploration of environmental pioneer Rachel Carson, and A GIRL NAMED BILL – The Life and Times of Billy Tipton, named one of the Best Concerts of 2014 by The New York Times. Her latest lady bio is The Big Molinsky – Considering Joan Rivers (“unpredictable, thrilling…sardonic wit..” – The New York Times).Sister Orchid is Nellie’s seventh album, starting with Get Away From Me (“a tour de force” – The New York Times), including Normal As Blueberry Pie: A Tribute to Doris Day (“among the killer overhauls of American standards” – The New York Times) and My Weekly Reader, music of the ‘60s (“..kicks serious butt. The results are beautiful.” – PopMatters), her second collaboration with famed Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick. On Obligatory Villagers (“a brisk nine-song set that plays like the breathless first act of a stage musical decrying American fascism” – SPIN), local Poconos hometown jazz greats Bob Dorough, Phil Woods, and David Liebman contributed their exceptional talents. Nellie’s music has been heard on Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, Weeds, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, Nurse Jackie, and SMILF, and she has appeared on TV shows including The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan, Ferguson, and The View. Nellie has made numerous radio appearances on NPR’s Mountain Stage, A Prairie Home Companion, eTown, and Marion McPartland’s Piano Jazz. The Chase Brock Experience produced a ballet of her third album, Obligatory Villagers, and she contributed the forward to the 20th anniversary edition of The Sexual Politics of Meat. Her writing has also appeared in The Onion, Interview and The New York Times Book Review.Local legend Dan Haley opens the show with a solo set. Tickets:$28 Advance$32 At the Door Minors ok with parent/guardianReview our Health & Safety Policies HERE
The Stinkfoot Orchestra featuring Napoleon Murphy Brock
For those who were not able to catch The Stinkfoot Orchestra’s maiden voyage to the Pacific Northwest this last summer, you missed quite a show. Not only does the 14-piece band present the music of Frank Zappa with integrity and authenticity, but their tour (which featured Zappa alum Ike Willis) received rave reviews every place they planted their flag – leaving audiences up and down the left coast pining for more. Well, pine no more, good people. This December, SFO will be making a return trip to the Pacific Northwest with stops in Seattle, Portland, Eugene and Arcata – this time with one of Frank’s most beloved vocalists of all time – Napoleon Murphy Brock. As the iconic front man for Frank Zappa’s most infamous 1970’s ensemble, Napoleon Murphy Brock helped breathe life into many of Frank’s most enduring compositions over the course of 4 albums including what many consider Zappa’s greatest live release, Roxy and Elsewhere. Decades later, the Grammy Award-winning San Jose native’s voice and performance is as strong as ever – still boasting a 4-octave range – and his magnetic personality continues to dominate the stage. If you were able to catch their performance at the Alberta Rose this last summer with Ike Willis, you know what an amazing show to expect. If you missed them last time, don’t make the same mistake twice. “The Stinkfoot Orchestra with Napoleon Murphy Brock admirably delivered all the musical virtuosity, compositional non-conformity, and satire of American culture that Frank Zappa distilled within his extensive oeuvre. The impression left upon driving home from this experience was one of deep appreciation mixed with laughter and amazement.” – Ted Silverman, Jambase Tickets:$25 Advance$30 At the Door Minors ok with parent/guardianReview our Health & Safety Policies HERE
Kerosene Dream Anniversary Show
This is a partially-seated show. There will be dancing down front. 26 years ago this month Dave Coey from The Renegade Saints joined forces with Bart Ferguson from The Strangers and played their first gig as Kerosene Dream. They combined intelligent song writing and heady harmonies with the virtuosity and spontaneity of an improvisational “jam” band. Join Dave, Bart, Al Toribio, Bevan Hurd, and Chris Chard for a reunion concert for the ages. $20 Advance $24 At the Door 21 & Over Only Review our Health & Safety Policies HERE
David Jacobs-Strain & Bob Beach: The Belfry CD Release Show with Glitterfox
This is an album release show for amazing folk/blues slide guitar and harmonica duo David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach. Also on the bill is our favorite local band, Glitterfox. $20 Advance $24 At the Door Minors OK when accompanied by a parent or guardian Review our Health & Safety Policies HERE
Magical Strings
Celtic Yuletide is coming back to the Alberta Rose Theatre, bringing generations together for a joyful celebration as the Boulding family and special guests weave their magic with lively and soulful music, storytelling and stellar Irish step-dancing. Philip and Pam’s Celtic harps, dulcimers, concertina, accordion and more are accompanied by their grown children on violin, cello, whistles, harmonium and harp. Grandson Haydn brings down the house with his dancing, percussion and sidekick act to his father’s juggling. Become part of the Yuletide family for this 44th annual gala to experience joy and warmth in the dark of winter. Feel the magic and kindle the light of Yuletide! TICKETS:$27 GA Advance$32 GA At the Door$40 VIP with Preferred Seating (first 7 rows of the center section – available in advance only)Minors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardian Review our Health & Safety Policies HERE
SOUVENIRS – The Songs & Stories of John Prine
Alberta Rose Theatre presents the second annual Souvenirs: The Songs & Stories of John Prine. Backed by an all-star house band, The Not-Ready-for-Prine-Time Players, featured vocalists from the region will perform their favorite John Prine songs. To his fans, the stories that Prine told about the origins of his songs are every bit as interesting as the songs themselves. Each song will be accompanied by a story that relates to the song and perhaps to the artist’s personal experience with the musings of John Prine.Led by Jeff Haigerty, (emcee, acoustic guitar & harmonica) The Not-Ready-For-Prine-Time Players are an eight-piece band of working musicians in the Portland scene. It includes Jesse Withers (bass), Fred Stephenson (lead guitar), Colin Hogan (piano & organ), David Owen (drums), Mike Moore (mandolin), Kate O’Brien (violin), and Paul Brainard (pedal steel guitar).Featured artists include Amanda Richards, Kris Deelane, Stephanie Anne Johnson, and Colin Hogan [subject to change] Tickets: $22 Advance$27 At the DoorMinors ok when accompanied by a parent or guardian Review our Health & Safety Policies HERE
