September 17 (Saturday)
April Verch Band    Poster

The April Verch Band, with April at the helm on the fiddle, delivers richly textured phrasing on traditional roots tunes, bluegrass and newgrass melodies, jazz-influenced compositions, and country music. When April trades her fiddling for the rhythmic art of stepdancing, the band takes on the sound of the old lumber camp halls where those without instruments created rhythms with their feet. The metal taps on April’s shoes generate exhilarating cadences that enhance her traditional Ottawa Valley arrangements. It’s even more impressive when April continues playing intricate riffs on her fiddle while dancing the rhythmic pulse that drives the tune. The overall effect on her audiences is electrifying.

This concert is an Essex Heritage Trails and Sails event.

Opening Act: Kaytee Amaro

Oct 15 (Saturday)
Jack Williams    Poster

Jack Williams is considered a "musician's musician", an uncommonly unique guitarist, a writer of vivid songs with a strong sense of place, and a storyteller in an old Southern tradition who further illustrates each tale with his guitar. Rich Warren of WFMT Chicago's The Midnight Special said, "His artistry is nothing short of amazing". Vic Heyman, in SING OUT!, wrote, “He is one of the strongest guitar players in contemporary folk.” Williams’ musicianship, songs, stories and commanding presence have established him as an uncommonly inspiring and influential performer.

The wonderful songstress Carolann Solobello, former member of Red Molly, opens the evening.

Opening Act: Carolann Solobello

Showtime:    8:00 PM
$20 Admission at the door, 18 and under half price at door.

Reserve Your Tickets Now

Nov 19 (Saturday)
Buskin & Batteau Trio   

Singer-songwriter-soloists David Buskin & Robin Batteau offer their audiences, in the words of The Washington Post, "an irresistible amalgam of melodic, sensual pop, folkie grit and killer wit.” They evoke a wide range of emotions in their audiences, ranging from light-hearted amusement at "ESPN", or the pun-filled "Death in Venice", to a gentle sense of loss expressed by their beautiful ballad for the late Kate Wolf, "Never Cry Wolf". As professional jingle writers, Buskin & Batteau's voices and tunes have been heard in almost every American household. The popular duo brings their unique style and sound to the stage and the audience has come to expect the unexpected. Buskin & Batteau combine talent, humor and showmanship with the element of surprise to produce a crowd-pleasing performance.

Chelsea Berry opens the evening. Livingston Taylor has called her vocals "world class."

Opening Act: Chelsea Berry

Showtime:    8:00 PM
$20 Admission at the door, 18 and under half price at door.

Reserve Your Tickets Now

Dec 4 (Sunday afternoon)
Holiday Show
Kim & Reggie Harris
and Magpie   

A fabulous family outing for the holidays. Celebrate all the winter holidays with songs from Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the winter solstice. And leave feeling part of the world community; one filled with peace, love and justice for all. Consummate musicians and storytellers, Kim and Reggie Harris combine a strong folk and gospel legacy with a solid background in classical, rock, jazz and pop music. Creative curiosity, years of road and stage experience and interactions with performers such as Pete Seeger, Jay Leno, Tom Paxton, Harry Belafonte and others, has led them to produce music that entertains and inspires.

Terry Leonino and Greg Artzner--Magpie--have been performing together for more than 35 years, and they also inspire. They frequently raise their voices in support of the ongoing struggles for civil rights, freedom, justice, and peace. And what voices too. Terry's powerful versatile voice plus Greg's high baritone perfectly harmonize. Add to that their superb instrumentation and this is an afternoon to remember.

Showtime:    2:00 PM
$20 Admission at the door, 18 and under half price at door.

Reserve Your Tickets Now

Jan 21 (Saturday)
Paul Rishell and Annie Raines    Poster

Award-winning duo Paul Rishell and Annie Raines perform an eclectic, high-energy set of acoustic and electric originals and classic blues songs. Country blues guitar wizard Paul Rishell and ace harmonica player Annie Raines have been wowing the world with the exceptional blues for the past 2 decades. Despite the 20 year difference in their ages, Paul and Annie are equally passionate about their craft and devoted to the study and performance of a wide range of blues styles. In addition to his exceptional guitar work, Paul's resonant bluesy voice shakes the soul. Annie compliments her incredible blues harmonica playing with vocals, mandolin, and piano.

Bluesman Paul Prue opens the evening. He'll keep your foot stompin', hands clappin', and ears open as he talks and sings about the good old blues days.

Opening Act: Paul Prue

Showtime:    8:00 PM
$20 Admission at the door, 18 and under half price at door.

Reserve Your Tickets Now

Feb 18 (Saturday)
James Keelaghan   

Juno award winner (Canada's Grammy) James Keelaghan is a masterful storyteller, poet laureate of folk and roots music, and deep rich singer. Keelaghan forges his pieces with brilliant craftsmanship and monogrammed artistic vision, making him one of the most distinctive and readily identifiable voices on both the Canadian and international singer-songwriter scenes. His songbook has enlightened, enthralled, and been embraced, by audiences around the world. He always finds a balance between examining the lighter and heavier sides of life during his concerts. He ties it all together with a powerful vocal delivery and a commanding stage presence. Berklee grad Lindsay Straw is a guitarist, Irish bouzouki player, singer and composer. Expect an enlightening, charming opening set from her.

Opening Act: Lindsay Straw

Showtime:    8:00 PM
$20 Admission at the door, 18 and under half price at door.

Reserve Your Tickets Now

Mar 17 (Saturday)
Amy Black    Poster

For singer/songwriter Amy Black, storytelling – and true Southern tradition – is in her blood, arriving with an undeniable sense of history, an irrepressible passion for performing, and a whole lot of authentic soul. She has a clear, clean, powerful and distinctive voice. During an Amy Black concert she offers a rich mix of folk, blues, classic country and gritty soul. But it’s her gift for conjuring flesh and blood characters and emotions that leaves an indelible mark. “Real American Roots music is born from adversity,” she says with a laugh. “Loving, lying, drinking, dying and going to heaven – not necessarily in that order. Sounds kind of sad, but that level of honesty can be refreshing.”

Local singer-songwriter Stephanie Corby returns to the New Moon to open the evening.

Opening Act: Stephanie Corby

Showtime:    8:00 PM
$20 Admission at the door, 18 and under half price at door.

Reserve Your Tickets Now

April 21 (Saturday)
David Wilcox    Poster

Brilliant guitar work, beautiful lyrics, honest soulful voice. David's got it all. And his concerts take you on an emotional cleansing roller-coaster ride. Come take this journey. David writes and sings songs that heal the heart and mind. Whatever ails you-lovesick or heartbroken, conflicted or blissful, broke or depressed--David's got a song to help move you forward. "I love music that moves me, but only if it moves me forward," David says. "Through songs, I get to know who I might become, because I experience a joy and peace and gratitude that I know are possible; all I have to do is go the distance."

Opening Act: Lori Diamond & Fred Abatelli

Showtime:    8:00 PM
$20 Admission at the door, 18 and under half price at door.

Reserve Your Tickets Now

May 19 (Saturday) Double Bill:
Danielle Miraglia   
Liz Frame & the Kickers    Poster

A strong steady thumb on an old Gibson guitar is the driving force behind Danielle Miraglia's acoustic blues guitar style. Add a raw, powerful, whiskey tinged voice and one might be tempted to label her a blues artist. But while Miraglia's style pays homage to these blues traditions, her classic rock verve, catchy melodies and eclectic array of song subjects that range from deeply personal to socially relevant give it an original twist that is all her own. A fresh sound along with a sharp wit and a captivating stage presence is gaining her fans all over the map.

Ms. Frame delivers her songs with strong, distinctive vocals that fall somewhere between Dwight Yoakum’s twang and k.d lang’s soul. She is backed live by her band, the Kickers, a group of talented friends whose raw, acoustic sound and sweet harmonies help to deliver Ms. Frame’s material with distinction.

Showtime:    8:00 PM
$20 Admission at the door, 18 and under half price at door.

Reserve Your Tickets Now