On Thursday, the third such installment of this residency will take place, pairing the Mary Jane Jones with Rusty Belle.
Mary Jane Jones
The idea of musical residencies at clubs has always been an intriguing one.
A typical musical residency is when a venue allows a band to more or less set up shop in its space and step back from its usual schedule or environment in order to explore new horizons, and meet new people and even collaborate. While there is no set model for how residencies work, the one occurring now at The Sierra Grille is probably the most workable one in our modern age, at least for a club and not an art space.
The Mary Jane Jones, a jazz and blues band featuring vocalist Mandy Pachios, is currently the band-in-residence there. Pachios is backed by Dan Thomas (guitar), Joe Fitzpatrick (drums), and Dave Hassell (stand-up bass). The model the venue is using brings the band to its stage on the third Thursday of each month.
On Jan. 17, the third such installment of this residency will take place, pairing the Mary Jane Jones with Rusty Belle, a rustic folky band that employs most acoustic instruments and lush harmonies.
The show begins at 10 p.m. and the cover is $4. Next months residency, on Feb. 21, will bring Alex Lee-Clark and The Big Lebowski Suite to share the stage with the Mary Jane Jones. The Sierra Grille is at 41 Strong Ave.
SCOUTING REPORT
Trailer Trash will play downstairs at Maximum Capacity in Chicopee on Jan. 19. Maximum Capacity is at 116 School St.
The Elevens in Northampton will once again host a caberet-style play series produced by A Shot of Theater. The last one, in November was a huge success so the club is bringing the concept back in April. (In the interest of full disclosure: I wrote a play for that series and will most likely have one in the next one.) I mention it now because I want to alert any actors interested in the series that auditions will be held Jan. 22 from 7-9 p.m. At The Elevens. The Club is at 140 Pleasant St.
Longtime local favorites Orange Crush makes its return to the City Sports Grille stage on Jan. 19. The venue is located in the Spare Time bowling alley in Northampton at 525 Pleasant St.
Finally—and I'll be writing more about this event as it gets closer—but in April, there will be a benefit show for "Dancing" Larry Howes. Larry has been a fixture at many music shows over the past few decades, particularly those in the punk genre, and is known for his uninhibited, unbridled dancing, which he does whether on a dull dance floor or alone. Larry suffered some serious medical issues late last year and this benefit is being held to help defray his medical expenses. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.