Uncle Monk
Marc Black Band
October 5. In a show subtitled “Dance Till You Find The New World,” Marc and the band celebrate the turning of the season with rhythm, melody, and harmonies for your ecstatic dancing pleasure at the Bearsville Theater. He may well be the hardest-working man in Woodstock, and half the job must be lining up his phenomenal band: keyboardist Warren Bernhardt, bassist Mike Esposito, violinist Betty MacDonald, and who else but Eric Parker on drums. Believe Marc when he promises other fantastic players from the area will sit in and add to the celebration. 9pm. $20. Woodstock.
(845) 679-4406; www.bearsvilletheater.com.
Anna Cheek
October 6. We love Anna for her unique voice, piano talents, fearless repertoire, and new-venue radar. Here, she tips into the Mountain Cow Cafe on Route 199, where, we hear, the great vibes match the food and owner Charlie lets you BYOB if so inclined. Anna and Kyle Esposito will perform her captivating originals plus some covers in an acoustic setting. 8pm. No cover. Pine Plains. (518) 398-0500; www.annacheek.com.
Uncle Monk
October 13. Phoenicia’s Uncle Monk is an old-time/bluegrass duo comprised of original Ramones drummer and Replacements/Talking Heads producer Tommy Ramone on mandolin, banjo, guitar, and vocals and Claudia Tienan on guitar, bass, and vocals. For this date, the twosome and their rootsy style make their Kingston debut at Muddy Cup in midtown. Tommy cites “a similarity between punk and old-time music; both are home-brewed, as opposed to schooled.” Grab the band’s recent debut CD and hear more at UncleMonk.com. And on October 20, Muddy Cup in New Paltz presents jazz/improv combo Wet Paint, featuring percussionist/vocalist Dug Elliot, saxophonist
Daniel Carter, bassist Don Pate, and drummer Mark E. Johnson. Both shows 8pm. $10.
Kingston: (845) 338-3881. New Paltz: (845) 255-5805; www.muddycup.com.
Jay Ungar and Molly Mason
October 14. The Lycian Centre for the Performing Arts presents a benefit concert for Museum Village and a meet-and-greet with Jay and Molly on a fine fall Catskills weekend. Feast your eyes on their silent auction prizes and visit the Museum Village crafters with your vino in hand and nosh on local foods along the museum green. Garrison Keillor called Jay and Molly “an apotheosis of American music” and director Ken Burns used their “Ashokan Farewell” for his public television series “The Civil War.” Tune into Northeast Public Radio at wamc.org anytime to hear their “Dancing on the Air” music program. 2pm. Reception tickets: $40-$125. Concert only: $37-$47. Sugar Loaf.
(845) 782-8247; www.museumvillage.org.
The Battlefield Band
October 19. Ye know by now that pipers led Celtic warriors into ancient battles, and this trad-Scot band has won over fans like Van Morrison. The Battlefield Band has hit the Towne Crier almost every year for two decades, blending traditional ballads and dance tunes with original compositions using ancient and modern instruments. In addition to founder member and lead vocalist/keyboardist Alan Reid, the group includes Alsdair White (an award-winning fiddler since the age of 13), Mike Katz (a piper since he was 10), and Sean O’Donnell on guitar and vocals. 9pm. $30, $35. Pawling. (845) 855-1300; www.townecrier.com.
