Common Fence Music kicks off new season

Posted 9/17/15

PORTSMOUTH — When Eliza Gilkyson steps onto the “Gold Lamé Stage” Saturday night she’ll be kicking off Common Fence Music’s 23rd concert series, which will be heavy on vocalists doing their own material.

“We’re featuring a …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Common Fence Music kicks off new season

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — When Eliza Gilkyson steps onto the “Gold Lamé Stage” Saturday night she’ll be kicking off Common Fence Music’s 23rd concert series, which will be heavy on vocalists doing their own material.

“We’re featuring a lot of singer-songwriters this year — a lot of talent that’s highly regarded for their work,” said Tom Perrotti, the nonprofit organization’s music director. “I’m really pleased with the lineup.”

Among the veterans to return are Geoff Muldaur, Mary Gauthier, Malcolm Holcombe, Àine Minogue and John Gorka.

But, Mr. Perrotti was quick to point out, the lineup also has its fair share of as-yet unrecognized musicians waiting to be discovered by a wider audience.

“We’re also featuring the amazing unknowns; it’s part of our mission,” he said.

One of those “amazing unknowns” may not be much longer, which is why they’ve been removed from the lineup. The young Canadian quartet The Bombadills, which went over big at the Rhythm and Roots Festival in Charlestown Labor Day weekend, were originally scheduled to play on April 2, 2016.

However, Common Fence Music has released the band from its contract “in order to facilitate a better opportunity for that group,” according to the website. Mr. Perrotti said a replacement artist will be booked soon for that date.

Also not yet scheduled is the lineup for the popular “Horn of Plenty” show, an annual showcase of local talent set for Nov. 21.

Most performances are held at the Common Fence Point Community Hall, where music-lovers gather with picnic baskets and drinks and munch on apps and sip wine while they enjoy the show.

Volunteers also sell homemade soup, freshly basked desserts and soft drinks in the kitchen.

“The kitchen crew does its share. We do bring in the contiguous bake sale. It helps, as does the 50-50 raffle,” said Mr. Perrotti.

Other programs

In addition to its concert series which runs through May 2016, Common Fence Music’s Connecting the Beats program, which brings African and Afro-Caribbean percussion music to Newport County children, is entering its sixth year.

The educational program involves a series of interactive concerts featuring area musicians and dancers from various ethnic cultures living in Rhode Island and the surrounding Southern New England region. It works in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County to present a drumming workshop at the York Street Clubhouse in Newport.

Also, Common Fence Music will once again collaborate with The Newport String Project to present  "Roll Up the Rug,” a free multi-generational family-oriented barn dance workshop which features live music by The Rusty Pick Up String Band.

Attendance down

Filling the hall remains a financial challenge for the nonprofit. Attendance has declined since 2008, “slowly and steadily,” he said, due to the economy and increased competition.

“The small venues are under pressure; I won’t deny that,” he said. “There’s a lot going on between here, Boston and Providence. Some people have money, others don’t.”

While the organization has heard from “the working class guys” that ticket prices are a little too expensive for them, other patrons says hearing live music in such a unique setting makes for an excellent value, he said.

“But unless you get in there at least one time, you don’t experience that kind of thing,” said Mr. Perrotti.

Volunteer mourned

Volunteers will start the new season with a heavy heart, with the loss of a key player creating a void going forward. Tom Nary, who managed the ticket desk for well over a decade, died suddenly on Aug. 28.

“He quite literally never missed a show,” said Mr. Perrotti. “He was an original board member and he set the hall up and helped on the breakdown team. He loved the music and he will be missed.”

Mr. Perrotti added: “We have a great volunteer team. If anyone’s interested in joining us, let me know.”

Complete schedule

Eliza Gilkyson, who plays at 8 p.m. Saturday Sept. 19, is a two-time Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and activist who is one of the most respected musicians in folk, roots and Americana circles. Her songs have been covered by Joan Baez, Bob Geldof, Tom Rush and Rosanne Cash and have appeared in films, PBS specials and on prime-time TV.  A member of the Austin Music Hall of Fame, she has won countless Folk Alliance and Austin Music awards, including 2014’s Songwriter of the Year.

The performance will take place at the Common Fence Point Community Hall, 933 Anthony Road. Tickets are $22 in advance and $25 at the door and are available through Brown Paper Tickets anytime, and at the door until sold out. Call Brown Paper Tickets toll-free at 800/838-3006 or via www.commonfencemusic.org.

Become a member for $25 and you’ll get $2 off the advance price of one ticket for any concert. For $40 you can sign up for the Common Fence Music Member and Guest program, which entitles you to $2 off two tickets to each concert. Only members will qualify for involvement in the Roots Regulars Raffle to be held at all concerts. Call 401/683-5085 or visit the website for general information including news about the revised membership program, and to leave a message.

Here’s a complete list of the performers following Saturday’s show. All performances are on Saturdays and, unless otherwise noted, they’ll be held at the Portsmouth location (the “Picnic Series”) and start at 8 p.m., with the doors opening at 7 p.m. The Common Fence Music at Channing Church will host several shows at 135 Pelham St., Newport.

• Sept. 26: Geoff Muldaur, $22 advance/$25 door

• Oct. 3: The Gothard Sisters, $20 advance/$23 door

• Oct. 17: Mary Gauthier, $22 advance/$25 door

• Oct. 24: Malcolm Holcombe, $20 advance/$23 door

• Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) at Channing: Parsonsfield with Ian Fitzgerald opening, $20 advance/$23 door

• Nov. 14: The Kropp Dusters, $15 advance/$18 door

• Nov. 21 (doors and music at 6:30 p.m.): The Horn of Plenty Music No. 5: A Cornucopia of the Finest Area Talent, $20 advance/$23 door

• Dec. 5: Gretchen Peters, $20 advance/$23 door

• Dec. 19: Aine Minogue's 21st Annual Winter Solstice Celebration, $20 advance/$23 door

• Jan. 16, 2016: Qristina and Quinn Bachand, $18 advance/$21 door

• Jan. 23 (doors and music at 6:30 p.m.): A Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen No. 17 with emcee Ilana Katz, $15 advance and at the door

• Feb. 6: Wild Ponies, $20 advance/$23 door

• Feb. 13 at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) at Channing: The Slambovian Circus of Dreams, $25 advance/$28 door

• Feb. 27: Greg Piccolo and Heavy Juice, $20 advance/$23 door

• March 5 at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) at Channing: David Wilcox, $30 advance/$33 door

• March 19: Mo Kenney, $18 advance/$21 door

• April 2: TBA

• April 16: John Gorka, $25 advance/$28 door

• April 23: Ana Egge, $20 advance/$23 door

• May 14: Brenda Bennett & Blue Bamboo, $18 advance/$21 door

Common Fence Music, Common Fence Point Improvement Association

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.