The Fighting McKenzies
May 2. Helmed by singer-songwriter Wayne Montecalvo and featuring Dog on Fleas bassist John Hughes and multi-instrumentalist Dean Jones (see our review of Jones’s new album, Rock Paper Scissors, on page 55), roots unit the Fighting McKenzies were beloved mainstays of the local scene some years back. To help offset mounting medical costs incurred by founding member John Wirtz, the band is reuniting for this rare show at the Rosendale Cafe. (Irish folkie John Doyle visits May 1; bluesman Roy Bookbinder rambles in May 14.) 7pm. $20. Rosendale. (845) 658-9048; www.rosendalecafe.com.
Gabriele Tranchina
May 14. Multilingual jazz singer Gabriele Tranchina has been described as “a German-born, Parisian chanteuse with Brazilian stylings; a cross between Ute Lemper, Mireille Mathieu, and Tania Maria.” Tranchina’s new full-length, A Song of Love’s Color (Jazzheads Records), which is being feted with this release party at Coquito, features her husband, pianist Joe Vincent Tranchina, and Latin percussion legend Bobby Sanabria. Hopefully the bistro ordered an extra supply of drink umbrellas to fit the tropical vibe of this diva’s breezy tunes. (All-female Latin outfit CoCoMaMa spices it up May 15.) Call for time and ticket price. Warwick. (845) 544-2790; www.coquitony.com.
Adam Arcuragi
May 15. One of today’s fastest-rising indie-folk/alt-country troubadours, Adam Arcuragi has lately been reeling in addicted fans on both sides of the Atlantic. Now on the road plugging I Am Become Joy (High Two Records, 2010), his winningly ramshackle sophomore disc, Arcuragi hits the congenial, New York Times-approved Falcon to hold court for the plaid-shirted faithful. Lovers of Nick Drake, Johnny Cash, Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan, and Andrew Bird should make reservations now. Frozen Decree opens. (Drummer Winard Harper performs May 7; pianist Frank Kimbrough plays May 28.) 6pm. $10 donation requested. Marlboro. (845) 236-7970; www.liveatthefalcon.com.
Woodstock Day School Benefit
May 28. We don’t have space for everything, but of course we do like to feature concerts with a cause in Nightlife Highlights when possible. And for sheer star power the lineup for this gala to aid Woodstock Day School at the Bearsville Theater begs a mention: Deborah Harry, Chris Stein, and Matt Katz-Bohen of Blondie, Tracy Bonham, David Van Tieghem, Jerry Marotta, Happy Traum, the Woodstock Day School Rock Ensemble, and others. Those lucky kids. (Tony Levin’s Stick Men strike May 9; the New Pornographers play May 6.) 7pm. $40, $50, $100. Bearsville. (845) 679-4406; www.bearsvilletheater.com.
NEXUS
May 29. Since its 1971 debut all-percussion ensemble NEXUS has beat a singular path through the contemporary musical landscape, collaborating with Steve Reich, the Kronos Quartet, the Canadian Brass, and others while also utilizing improvisation and referencing 1920s ragtime. For this evening at the Kleinert/James Arts Center, the band delivers a set of the latter and accompanies Teinosuke Kinugasa’s 1926 silent film A Page of Madness. (Happy Traum hosts the Bob Dylan Birthday Celebration May 22; jazz singer Betty McDonald swings May 1.) Call for time. $20, 15. Woodstock. (845) 679-2079; www.woodstockguild.org.
