The Shea Theater and River Valley Co-op present a Mardi Gras concert with Samirah Evans and Trailer Park on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 8 p.m.
Evans has headlined numerous Fat Tuesday celebrations since emigrating from the Big Easy to New England following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. But this year's show marks her debut performance in the venerable 330-seat Shea Theater in Turners Falls, which has recently undergone renovations that include upgraded sound and lighting systems as well as a bar in the lobby.
The Shea's stadium seating enables audience members to enjoy the concert with an unobstructed view of the stage, while revelers have ample room in front of the bandstand for dancing. Evans says she thinks the musical collaboration with Trailer Park will provide an opportunity to do both.
“When I first heard Trailer Park, the dance bug bit me in a way it hadn't since moving to the area. Their style is reminiscent of one of my favorite bands from New Orleans: The Iguanas. They made me feel right at home,” says Evans, who is learning to sing some of the band's material while teaching them the jazz, blues, and classic Mardi Gras tunes in her repertoire.
Joining Trailer Park's regular quintet of Tom Mahnken (bass, vocals), James Robinson (guitar, vocals), Joe Fitzpatrick (drums), Greg Lauzon (saxophones) and Rick Page (saxophones) for this show is special guest pianist Peter Jones. The group has been together for more than 20 years, releasing six CDs and sharing stages with the likes of Los Lobos, NRBQ, Little Feat, Bo Diddley, WAR, and Rat Dog.
Audience members are encouraged to dress in costume or Mardi Gras apparel. Prizes for best costumes have been contributed by the Shea Theater and event sponsor, the River Valley Co-op, as well as other area restaurants and performance venues, including Great Falls Harvest, Hope and Olive, Magpie, Elmer's, Iron Horse Music Hall, Gateway City Arts, and the Vermont Jazz Center.
Advance tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the River Valley Co-op (330 King St., Northampton, Mass.), Turn it Up! Records (85 Main St., Brattleboro), or online at www.SheaTheater.org. Tickets will be available the night of the concert for $20. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. The Shea Theater is located at 71 Avenue A in Turners Falls.
The evening will also offer an opportunity for people to make a monetary donation to musician Charles Neville and his family. The Grammy-winning saxophonist for The Neville Brothers and longtime resident of western Massachusetts is currently battling pancreatic cancer.