Stay Tuned

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 11/6/11

2011-11-06T12:30:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone,

Happy fall! Or did we go straight to winter?

This notice is not exactly about music, but still about an exploit. Please join Emily and me at a panel discussion this Thursday night, Nov 10th, 7 PM, at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center Auditorium. The Center is in downtown Pawtucket, across from Slater Mill.

I will be moderating a discussion among four multi-disciplinary artists about life as a working artist in different media.
The panel comprises:

Bill Calhoun: Moderator. Teacher, musician
Emily Lisker: Painter, illustrator, writer, musician
Keith Munslow: Storyteller, writer, singer, band leader, musician and illustrator
Pam Murray: Photographer, musician and singer
Richard Goulis: Actor, film maker, video and performance artist

This forum is sponsored by the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative, and is part of their Insights Lecture Series. It will take place immediately following the gallery opening for the PAC's annual holiday 10x10x10 Show, which will start at 5:30 PM. Come early and enjoy the show and refreshments!
http://www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org/pac-gallery/10x10x10-show
http://www.TourBlackstone.com/visitorcenter.htm

By the way, check out Emily's latest paintings:
http://EmilyLiskerPaintings.blogspot.com/

Hope to see you in Pawtucket!
Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com/

Thursday, Nov 10th, 7:00 PM
Insights: Art & Music
A Panel Discussion sponsored by the
Pawtucket Arts Collaborative
The Blackstone Valley Visitors Center Auditorium
175 Main St
Pawtucket RI 02860
401 724 2200
http://www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org
http://www.TourBlackstone.com

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 10/6/11

2011-10-06T20:27:00.001-04:00

Hello everybody!

First, I want to tell you that Emily has been completing a batch of new paintings. Check them out at her blog:
http://emilyliskerpaintings.blogspot.com/
There will be more to come - stay tuned!

Second, Columbus Day weekend is coming, and that means . . . Parades!! The Munroe Dairy Marching Band will be playing in two parades this weekend. Our first appearance will be at the 64th Westerly/Pawcatuck Columbus Day Parade on Sunday, Oct 9th, at 1 PM.
http://www.ColumbusDayParade.net/home.html

Our second appearance will be at the big 33rd Autumnfest Parade in Woonsocket on Monday, Oct 10th, stepping off at 9:30 AM.
http://www.Autumnfest.org/

Both of these are big, colorful, three-hour parades. It will be a beautiful weekend - come on out and cheer us on!

Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com/

Sunday, Oct 9th, 1:00 PM
Westerly/Pawcatuck Columbus Day Parade
Westerly RI 02895
Pawcatuck CT 06379
http://www.ColumbusDayParade.net/home.html

Monday, Oct 10th, 9:30 AM
Autumnfest Parade
Diamond Hill Rd and Social St
Woonsocket RI 02895
http://www.Autumnfest.org/

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 9/5/11

2011-09-05T20:36:00.001-04:00

Hello everybody,

Emily and I will be playing as the Stay Tuned Duo this coming Thursday night, Sep 8th, at the Blackstone Valley Visitors Center in downtown Pawtucket. We're providing music for the opening of the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative annual open juried show. The reception runs from 5:30 to 7 PM.
http://www.TourBlackstone.com/

Hope to see you!

Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com

Thursday, Sep 8th, 5:30 PM
The Annual Open Juried Exhibition
The Pawtucket Arts Collaborative Gallery at
The Blackstone Valley Visitors Center
175 Main St
Pawtucket RI 02860
401 724 2200
http://www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org
http://www.TourBlackstone.com

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 7/1/11

2011-07-01T13:03:00.005-04:00

Hi everyone!

The Munroe Dairy Marching Band will once again make its appearance at the Fourth of July parade in Bristol this long weekend, on Monday, July 4th! The parade runs from 10:30 AM to about 2:30 PM, and we're usually towards the end. This will be our 8th year in the parade, and we have grown - bass and snare drums, trumpet, bari sax, 3 trombones, cymbals, and a sousaphone! Come cheer us on!
www.July4thBristolRI.com

Some of you may recall that the Associated Press did a story last summer about my piano tuning work at the Newport Jazz Festival. A version of that story, complete with pictures, just got published in my alma mater's alumni magazine. The online version can be found here:
Dartmouth Alumni Magazine

Happy July!
We hope to see you on the 4th!
Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com

Monday, July 4th, 10:30AM
The 226th Bristol Fourth of July Celebration
Bristol RI 02809
http://www.July4thBristolRI.com

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 6/17/11

2011-06-17T20:13:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone!

A last minute gig! Please join the Munroe Dairy Marching Band this Saturday (tomorrow), June 18th, in Central Falls RI for the Parade of Good News, sponsored by the Central Falls School District and their TALL University program. We will step off at noon at CF High School for a short parade, and will then escort the audience into the auditorium for an afternoon show. We'll be marching with Big Nazo and Extraordinary Rendition among others - it'll be crazy, come on down!

Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com/

Saturday, June 18th, 12 noon
Central Falls Parade of Good News
Central Falls High School
24 Summer Street
Central Falls RI 02863

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 6/10/11

2011-06-10T05:31:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone!

This Saturday, June 11th, Emily and I will march with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band in the Gaspee Days Parade in Pawtuxet (Warwick/Cranston) RI. The parade steps off at 10 AM. We are usually toward the end of the parade, finishing up around 1:30 PM. It's a very cool parade, featuring groups in authentic historic costumes (and milkmen in their whites). Come out and give us a cheer!
http://www.gaspee.com/GaspeeDaysParade.html

It's parade season!
Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com/

Saturday, June 12th, 10 AM
The 45th Annual Gaspee Days Parade
Pawtuxet Village RI
http://www.gaspee.com/GaspeeDaysParade.html

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 11/9/10

2010-11-09T20:19:00.002-05:00

Hello everybody,

Emily and I will be playing as the Stay Tuned duo this coming Thursday night, Nov 11th, at the Blackstone Valley Visitors Center in downtown Pawtucket. We're providing music for the opening of the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative annual holiday show. The reception runs from 5:30 to 7 PM.
http://www.TourBlackstone.com/

This holiday show is called the 10x10x10 Exhibition, and it is a fund-raiser for the PAC. It features work by the members of the Collaborative that is a) no bigger than 10x10x10 inches in size, and b) is priced at $150. The show will be up from now to January 7th, and the work will be for sale starting Thursday night.
http://www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org/

Emily has two pieces in the show, one called Ham, and the other Eggs. You can view these paintings on her painting blog:
http://EmilyLiskerPaintings.blogspot.com/

So come to Pawtucket Thursday night - listen to music, look at and buy art, eat cheese and grapes, drink wine. What's not to like?

Hope to see you!
Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com

Thursday, Nov 11th, 5:30 PM
The Annual 10x10x10 Exhibition
The Pawtucket Arts Collaborative Gallery at
The Blackstone Valley Visitors Center
175 Main St
Pawtucket RI 02860
401 724 2200
http://www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org
http://www.TourBlackstone.com

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 10/6/10

2010-10-06T23:01:00.003-04:00

Hello everybody!

Columbus Day weekend is coming, and that means . . . Parades!!

The Munroe Dairy Marching Band will be playing in two parades this weekend. Our first appearance will be at the 63rd Westerly/Pawcatuck Columbus Day Parade on Sunday, Oct 10th, at 1 PM.
http://www.ColumbusDayParade.net/home.html

Our second appearance will be at the big 32nd Autumnfest Parade in Woonsocket on Monday, Oct 11th, stepping off at 9:30 AM.
http://www.Autumnfest.org/

Both of these are big, colorful, three-hour parades. Come on out and cheer us on!

Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com/

Sunday, Oct 10th, 1:00 PM
Westerly/Pawcatuck Columbus Day Parade
Westerly RI 02895
Pawcatuck CT 06379
http://www.ColumbusDayParade.net/home.html

Monday, Oct 11th, 9:30 AM
Autumnfest Parade
Diamond Hill Rd and Social St
Woonsocket RI 02895
http://www.Autumnfest.org/

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 9/21/10

2010-09-21T22:39:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone!

Emily and I will be playing with the house band of the Small Town Concert Series this Friday night, starting at 8 PM. It's the fourth annual Leonard Cohen show, and it will take place at the Katharine Hepburn Center for the Arts (The Kate) in Old Saybrook, just off I-95. Tickets are selling fast, and we expect the show to sell out, so call 877-503-1286 now.

And if we don't catch you at The Kate, we'll see you at a parade in October! Happy first day of Autumn!

Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com

Friday, September 24th, 8 PM
The fourth annual Tribute to Leonard Cohen
The Kate
300 Main St
Old Saybrook CT 06475
877 503 1286
http://www.myspace.com/SmallTownConcertSeries
http://www.KatharineHepburnTheater.org/

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 9/8/10

2010-09-08T22:40:00.001-04:00

Hello everybody!

A quick reminder - the reception for the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative annual open juried show is tomorrow, Thursday the 9th, 5:30-7 PM. Emily has two paintings in the show, which is in the PAC gallery at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in downtown Pawtucket.
www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org/
www.TourBlackstone.com/

Our first September musical performance will be the next day, Friday the 10th, at the Newport Art Museum. Emily and I are playing for the members reception from 5 until 7 PM. This reception is open to the public, but if you are not a member, there is a $10 entrance fee.
http://www.NewportArtMuseum.org/

Two more gigs coming up:

Gallery Night in Pawtucket, at the PAC gallery, Thursday the 16th, starting at 5:30.

The fourth annual Leonard Cohen show, part of the Small Town Concert Series, Friday the 24th at the Kate Arts Center in Old Saybrook. Tickets are selling! Call now! 877-503-1286.

More details later.
We hope to see you!
Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com

Thursday, Sep 9th, 5:30 PM
Open Juried Exhibition
The Pawtucket Arts Collaborative Gallery at
The Blackstone Valley Visitors Center
175 Main St
Pawtucket RI 02860
401 724 2200
http://www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org
http://www.TourBlackstone.com

Friday, Sep 10th, 5 PM
Members Reception
The Newport Art Museum
76 Bellevue Ave
Newport RI 02840
401 848 8200
http://www.NewportArtMuseum.org/

Bill & Emily's Media Exploits - 8/21/10

2010-08-21T20:33:00.002-04:00

Hello everybody!

Emily has two paintings that were accepted into the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative annual open juried show: the recently-finished Prop Master, and Trio. The exhibit is up now, and will run through September 17th. You can view the paintings either live at the PAC Gallery in the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in Pawtucket, or on her blog. There will also be a reception on Thursday, September 9th, at 5:30 PM.
Blog: http://EmilyLiskerPaintings.blogspot.com/
Statement: http://emilylisker.110mb.com/statement.html#PAC2010
www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org/
www.TourBlackstone.com/

Festival season is now over for me, and I hope you had a chance to see the article by the Associated Press about my 25th year at Newport. Here's one of many links - click on the picture in the article to see a slideshow of 4 photos:
http://www.optimum.net/Entertainment/AP/Article?fmId=7720888

And quick reminders:
Postcards and stamps of Emily's paintings:
www.Zazzle.com/whcalhoun

My Aha Moment video:
www.AhaMoment.com/pg/moments/view/15016

We have a bunch of gigs coming up in September - stay tuned!
Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 7/19/10

2010-07-19T09:38:00.002-04:00

Happy summer everybody!

Some quick notes:

Emily has finished another painting, called Everyone is Left-handed. Check it out on her blog!
http://EmilyLiskerPaintings.blogspot.com/

We now have postcards of Emily's paintings up on the same site as the stamps - see them here:
www.Zazzle.com/whcalhoun*

And a reminder - two of Emily's paintings can be seen live at the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative group show right now. The gallery is at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in downtown Pawtucket.
www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org/
www.TourBlackstone.com/

Check out my Aha Moment video! I was interviewed as part of a national promotion sponsored by Mutual of Omaha (no Wild Kingdom jokes please) about the moment I decided to become a piano technician. See the video here:
www.AhaMoment.com/pg/moments/view/15016

Finally, it is festival season for me. I'll be tuning for the Kingston Chamber Music Festival at URI during the next two weeks, then at the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals in August. If you see me running around, say hello!
www.KingstonChamberMusic.org/
www.NewportFolkFest.net/
www.NewportJazzFest.net/

Enjoy the summer weather!
Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 6/30/10

2010-06-30T12:14:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone!

The Munroe Dairy Marching Band will once again make its appearance at the Fourth of July parade in Bristol this weekend. Please note that the parade will take place on Monday, July 5th! The parade runs from 10:30 AM to about 2:30 PM, and we're usually towards the end. This will be our 7th year in the parade, and we have grown - bass and snare drums, trumpet, bari sax, 3 trombones, and a sousaphone! Come cheer us on!
www.July4thBristolRI.com

Emily's paintings have become stamps! A friend of ours made the request, and we discovered that it's possible to make custom USPS-approved postage. There are six images, and they come in 3 sizes and several denominations. If you would like to order them, here's the website. Postcards are next!
www.Zazzle.com/whcalhoun

Emily has two paintings in the current Pawtucket Arts Collaborative annual members show, which will be up through July and most of August. The theme is "Self - an inner journey," and the show is at the gallery in the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center in downtown Pawtucket. A reception will be held on Thursday, July 8th, at 5:30. Wine and cheese and art! But don't wait until the reception - the gallery is open every day, with ample parking - come visit!
www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org
www.TourBlackstone.com

Happy July!
We hope to see you!
Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com

Monday, July 5th, 10:30AM
The 225th Bristol Fourth of July Celebration
Bristol RI 02809
www.July4thBristolRI.com

June 27 to August 20
Reception Thursday July 8, 5:30 – 7 PM
Annual Members Exhibit: "Self"
Pawtucket Arts Collaborative Gallery
Open M-Sat 10-4 and Sun 1-4 at the
Blackstone Valley Visitor Center
175 Main Street
Pawtucket RI 02860
800 454 2882
www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org
www.TourBlackstone.com

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 6/9/10

2010-06-09T21:20:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone!

This Saturday, June 12th, Emily and I will march with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band in the Gaspee Days Parade in Pawtuxet (Warwick/Cranston) RI. The parade steps off at 10 AM. We are usually toward the end of the parade, finishing up around 1:30 PM. It's a very cool parade, featuring groups in authentic historic costumes (and milkmen in their whites). Come out and give us a cheer!
http://www.gaspee.com/GaspeeDaysParade.html

It's parade season!
Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com/

Saturday, June 12th, 10 AM
The 45th Annual Gaspee Days Parade
Pawtuxet Village RI
http://www.gaspee.com/GaspeeDaysParade.html

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 5/16/10

2010-05-16T15:24:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone!

Parade season is approaching! The Gaspee Days Parade in Pawtuxet will be on Saturday, June 12th. I'll provide more details as the time approaches.

In the meantime, Emily and I have been updating our blogs and websites.

Emily's painting website has been updated to include all the most recent paintings:
www.EmilyLiskerPortfolio.com/

Bill's piano blog has new postings:
http://BillCalhounPiano.blogspot.com/

and Emily's writing continues apace in her blogs:
http://TheUrbanMermaid.blogspot.com/
http://TheInsomniacsKitchen.blogspot.com/

Enjoy the spring weather!
Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com/

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 3/23/10

2010-03-22T21:37:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone!

Emily and I will be performing in Connecticut again this Friday night, the 26th, at 7 PM. This will be a smaller, more intimate show featuring the country folk music of the Carter Family. The show will take place at the Ivoryton Congregational Church as part of a Friday evening series of concerts, and we will be playing with a small contingent from the Small Town Concert Series. I'll play banjo, Emily will play her little red accordion, and we will be singing as a duo for the first time! Ice cream is included in the price of admission!

http://www.myspace.com/SmallTownConcertSeries

There is no website for the church - address, phone, and quick directions are at the bottom of this email.

Thanks to those of you who came and filled the theater to capacity three weeks ago at our Grand Ole Opry show - it was a huge success, and a lot of fun! A video was recorded of the show and it's up on Youtube. Go to this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upBsHzJ4EWw

to watch me lead an Uncle Dave Macon song on the banjo. Other songs can be viewed as well, just click on d57e62 over to the upper left of the video, and other video links will become available on a new page. Anything that says The Kate Mar 2010 is from this show.

Come celebrate Spring with us Friday night!

Bill

http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com

Friday, March 26th, 7 PM
A Tribute to the Carter Family

A Concert of Classic Country Folk Music
The Ivoryton Congregational Church

57 Main St
Ivoryton CT 06442

Tickets at the door

Concert Info: 860 526 4777

Church: 860 767-1004
http://www.myspace.com/SmallTownConcertSeries

- Rte 95 in CT to Rte 9 (at Old Lyme/Old Saybrook/CT River)

or Rte 91 from Hartford to Rte 9 (Middletown)

- Rte 9 to exit 3 (Rte 154/Centerbrook/Essex)

- Head toward Centerbrook (away from Essex)

- In Centerbrook, where Rte 154 turns off, continue straight on Main St to Ivoryton

- Look for church on right after a mile

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 2/27/10

2010-02-27T15:34:00.001-05:00

Hello everybody,

Emily's most recent painting, Black Stockings, was accepted into the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative's juried show entitled Water. The exhibition will be at the Blackstone Valley Visitors Center in downtown Pawtucket, and it runs from this Sunday the 28th to April 23rd. There will be a reception on Thursday, March 4th, from 5:30 to 7 PM. Come have wine and cheese and see Emily's painting!
http://www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org/
http://www.TourBlackstone.com/
View the painting:
http://EmilyLiskerPaintings.blogspot.com/2010/02/black-stockings.html
Read the statement:
http://TheUrbanMermaid.blogspot.com/2010/02/black-stockings.html

Emily and I will be playing in the Big House Band for the Small Town Concert Series on Friday, March 5th, at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, affectionately known as the Kate, in Old Saybrook CT. The Kate is a newly refurbished state-of-the-art performance center. This show will be a tribute to The Grand Ole Opry, featuring the music of Hank Williams and Patsy Cline, among others. Showtime is 8 - 10:30 PM, tickets are $20. Old Saybrook is just off 95, only an hour and change from Providence! Emily will be playing sax and accordion, and I'll be playing keys and lots of banjo, doing my best Uncle Dave Macon impersonation. Both of us will be singing, too. Don't miss this show!
http://www.myspace.com/SmallTownConcertSeries
http://www.KatharineHepburnTheater.org/

On March 9th I'll be presenting my Physics of Music Making workshop for the third-graders at Hugh Cole Elementary School in Warren RI. This is part of the RI Philharmonic's community outreach, and I'll be at Hugh Cole all day (4 classes!)

Hope to see you!

Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com
PS I've been working to get the pictures and videos to work with different browsers, so if you've had trouble with our site in the past, check it out again.

Thursday, Mar 4th, 5:30 PM
Water
A Members Juried Exhibition
The Pawtucket Arts Collaborative Gallery at
The Blackstone Valley Visitors Center
175 Main St
Pawtucket RI 02860
401 724 2200
http://www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org
http://www.TourBlackstone.com

Friday, March 5th, 8 PM
A Tribute to the Grand Ole Opry
A Concert of Classic Country Music
The Kate
300 Main St
Old Saybrook CT 06475
877 503 1286
http://www.myspace.com/SmallTownConcertSeries
http://www.KatharineHepburnTheater.org/

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 2/03/10

2010-02-03T20:55:00.002-05:00

Hi everybody!

Assorted quickies:

I am giving a lecture and demonstration at Boston University next Tuesday, the 9th, at 7:45 PM. The lecture is sponsored by the graduate students in painting and sculpture (!), and is free and open to the public. I'll be speaking as a piano technician about the relationship between the musician and the piano. The lecture will be held at 855 Commonwealth Ave, Rm 410. There will be a reception beforehand, across the street at the third floor graduate art studios (808 Comm. Ave).

Emily has published two new paintings in her painting blog. That's five in the last month - check them out!
http://EmilyLiskerPaintings.blogspot.com/

I've got video links up on the Stay Tuned Duo website. One is a video based on our recent January Big House Band performance in Connecticut, the Dylan tribute in Ivoryton The other, for those of you who haven't
seen it yet, is the Munroe Dairy Band video that Richard Goulis created in 2008 and has up on YouTube.
http://staytunedduo.blogspot.com/2009/11/photos.html

Stay warm!
Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com/

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 1/19/10

2010-01-18T19:32:00.002-05:00

Hi everybody!

Emily has published three new paintings in her painting blog - check them out!
http://EmilyLiskerPaintings.blogspot.com/

And a quick reminder: our Dylan tribute show at the Ivoryton Playhouse is this Saturday night, 7-10 PM. Call 860 767-7318 for tickets.
http://www.myspace.com/SmallTownConcertSeries
http://www.IvorytonPlayhouse.org/

Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com/

Saturday, Jan 23rd, 7PM
Shoreline Women Diggin' Dylan
A Tribute to the Songs of Bob Dylan
The Ivoryton Playhouse
103 Main St
Ivoryton CT 06442
860 767 7318
http://www.myspace.com/SmallTownConcertSeries
http://www.IvorytonPlayhouse.org/

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 1/12/10

2010-01-12T08:50:00.007-05:00

Hello everybody,

Happy New Year! The Stay Tuned duo will start the year this coming Thursday night, Jan 14th, at the Blackstone Valley Visitors Center in downtown Pawtucket. We're providing music for the opening of the Pawtucket Arts Collaborative show featuring the work of Morris Nathanson. The reception runs from 5:30 to 7 PM.
http://www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org/
http://www.TourBlackstone.com/

Emily and I will be playing in the Big House Band for the Small Town Concert Series on Saturday, Jan 23rd, at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton CT. This will be the first STCS production at the Ivoryton, once a long-time summer theater for New York productions, now a beautiful state-of-the-art performance center. This show will be a tribute to Bob Dylan, featuring female singers from Connecticut (and Emily!) Showtime is 7-10 PM, tickets are $20. Ivoryton is just north of Old Saybrook, off 95 (before you get to Chester).
http://www.myspace.com/SmallTownConcertSeries
http://www.IvorytonPlayhouse.org/

Hope to see you!

Bill
http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com

Thursday, Jan 14th, 5:30 PM
The Art of Morris Nathanson
The Pawtucket Arts Collaborative Gallery at
The Blackstone Valley Visitors Center
175 Main St
Pawtucket RI 02860
401 724 2200
http://www.PawtucketArtsCollaborative.org
http://www.TourBlackstone.com

Saturday, Jan 23rd, 7PM
Shoreline Women Diggin' Dylan
A Tribute to the Songs of Bob Dylan
The Ivoryton Playhouse
103 Main St
Ivoryton CT 06442
860 767 7318
http://www.myspace.com/SmallTownConcertSeries
http://www.IvorytonPlayhouse.org/

Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits - 11/21/09

2009-11-21T20:37:00.004-05:00

Hi Everyone!

Just a reminder that this is the last week to see Emily's paintings at AS220! Call 401-831-9327 for hours or to make an appointment.
http://AS220.org/galleries/

Our instrumental duo, which we have dubbed Stay Tuned, now has a website! Or maybe it's a blog masquerading as a website - you decide. We'll get photos and mp3's up at some point.
Visit http://StayTunedDuo.blogspot.com/

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bill
http://TheUrbanMermaid.blogspot.com/
http://BillCalhounPiano.blogspot.com/
http://EmilyLiskerPaintings.blogspot.com/

Three's a Crowd
Recent Paintings by Emily Lisker
AS220 Main Gallery
115 Empire St
Providence RI 02903
401 831 9327
http://AS220.org/

The Settings We Play In

2009-11-21T08:56:00.009-05:00

Because we are an instrumental duo, our music is perfect for small venues, as background music for events, and as incidental music for productions. A vocalist demands and deserves a certain amount of attention, and thus is not as effective for background music. A band playing in a particular genre can alienate people who would rather not listen to that genre, or can overwhelm an event with their volume. We pose no such difficulties.

You would not, however, want us as your wedding reception dance band. And if you wanted a particular genre, like blues or jazz, you might be disappointed. But we would be perfect for playing background music as the wedding guests arrive and are seated, or during certain parts of the ceremony, or for the presentation of the newlyweds, or as guests arrive at the reception.

These are the kinds of venues we have played:

A bakery's pizza night, with customers lined up to pick up their orders (we played outdoors)
A holiday party at an assisted living facility
Art openings in a gallery
A private birthday party
Background and ceremony music for a wedding
The grand opening of a community health center
An opening act on stage
A flu clinic!

We are also very flexible in how we present our music. If you wanted music that was quiet and sedate, or loud and energetic, we could do that. If you wanted us to fill our set with more blues, or more folk, that could be done. We can add musicians for a larger band. We are able and willing to sing, so if you wanted us to do so, say, at the beginning of a set, to get an event rolling, that's possible.

We had our most challenging opportunity recently playing for a Halloween wedding. Not only did we play in costume, but we altered our music to make it appropriately spooky. There are many ways in which we can enhance your event!

For more on what we play, go here.
For a sample setlist, go here.

The Music We Play

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The most striking feature of the music we play as a duo is that it is instrumental. So which of us plays the melody? Well, often neither of us; we tend to imply the melody instead. Emily, with her lyrical approach to the accordion, finds harmonies and counter-melodies and weaves them through the song. Bill, with his rhythmic approach to the piano, provides the bass and the beat, and sneaks hints of the melody into his chord patterns. On the bari sax, Emily loves the low notes, and often provides a pedal point with her long tones.

So, without a singer, or a lead melody instrument, or solos, it is important for our songs to be interesting rhythmically, harmonically, and structurally. There are plenty of great songs that are very simple, and need to be carried by a vocalist, but we work with songs that cover a lot of emotional territory through their harmonies. The songs seem distantly familiar, like a dream you almost remember. This approach gives us a lot of room for interpretation.

Our music also tends to be upbeat, even when the songs are melancholy. There is often a bit of humor, and a lot of energy beneath the surface. The interplay between our two distinct personalities is also an important part of the music. Our music has a way of putting a smile on your face and a spring to your step.

For more on where we play, go here.
For a sample setlist, go here.

What's Americana?

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By Americana we mean music based on American folk music traditions. These traditions include ragtime and blues (in its various incarnations); hymns, spirituals, gospel, soul, and funk; and old-timey music, from Appalachia through its evolution to various country styles. Americana means all this and more: the various derivatives that led to Dixieland jazz, jug band music, marching band music, rock-and-roll, and beyond. Americana means all the ethnic music carried here by immigrants and transformed by the melting pot. Americana means contemporary music that can't hide its roots.

Though we don't specialize in any one of these traditions, we find them infiltrating everything we play, whether it's a traditional barrelhouse blues or a folk song one of our friends wrote yesterday. We think an important part of these traditions is creative and heartfelt interpretation, and to that end we try to let our music be shaped by our imagination, and by our affection for these traditions.

For more on what we play, go here.
For more on where we play, go here.
For a sample setlist, go here.

Sign Up for our Newsletter

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Our occasional email newsletter, Bill & Emily's Musical Exploits, is sent to almost 300 subscribers. It provides information on our musical performances, as well as on some non-musical events like gallery openings for Emily's paintings.

If you'd like to be put on the mailing list, please use the form below. Thanks!

Setlist

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Here's an excerpt from our setlist:

On a Night Like This
A Cajun-style tune by Bob Dylan which we play in a New Orleans fashion.

Will the Circle Be Unbroken
A classic old-time folk tune, done with a gospel touch.

I Can't Live Without You
A country-style tune written by a friend of ours, Rodney Maxwell.

Tonight Will Be Fine
A Leonard Cohen tune that was covered as a country waltz by Teddy Thompson.

Things Have Changed
Another Dylan tune, which we play as a harmonic-minor quick two-step.

St James Infirmary
The classic New Orleans folk ballad.

Henryville Stomp
A ragtime boggie-woogie written by Bill Calhoun.

Willie Fugal's Blues
A New Orleans piano blues from Professor Longhair, which we play in 12 bars.

Stormy Monday
The classic T-Bone Walker song, played in a boogaloo style.

I Live In a House
A straight-tempo blues written by Bill Calhoun.

Blow Wind Blow
Another classic New Orleans song, based on Dr John's version.

Dance Me to the End of Love
A beautiful Leonard Cohen tune with a touch of klezmer.

Un Canadien Errant
A poignant folk waltz written by a French-Canadian, Antoine Guerin-Lajoie.

J'ai Faim, Toujours
A Parisian-style love song written by Lauren Agnelli, which she recorded with Brave Combo.

Shreveport Farewell
A ragtime blues by Little Brother Montgomery.

Amazing Grace
The classic hymn, which we play in an upbeat soul/R&B style.

Who We Are

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Bill Calhoun and Emily Lisker are musicians living in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Bill plays piano and keyboard, and Emily plays accordion and baritone sax. Bill is also a piano tuner/technician, and Emily is a painter, illustrator, and writer. She's pretty good with a camera, too.

In addition to playing as a duo, we are also members of The Big House Band, which serves as a house band for The Small Town Concert Series. The STCS produces three or four shows a year at the Chester Meeting House in Chester, Connecticut. STCS also produces shows in other venues in the region, and a smaller contingent of the House Band sometimes performs as Lauren Agnelli & Friends.

Bill and Emily are also founding members of the Munroe Dairy Marching Band, now in its th year. The Band, led by Gerry Heroux, plays mostly original marching tunes in four Rhode Island parades each year. (Bill plays the bass drum and Emily the bari sax.)

For more on what we play, go here.
For more on where we play, go here.
For a sample setlist, go here.

For more on The Small Town Concert Series, go here.
For a video of The Munroe Dairy Marching Band, go here.

For more on Bill's piano tuning, go here.
For more on Emily's painting, go here.
For more on Emily's writing, go here.

Contact Us

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The best way to contact us is by email.

You can click here, and your emailing application will be launched, all set to send an email to billcalhounpiano at yahoo.com.

But if you don't use an email application, then the easiest thing to do is fill out and send this form, which will send the email for you:

You can also call 401 762-2503 and leave voice mail (press star + one [*1] if prompted).

You can also send us mail at:

Bill Calhoun
139 Rathbun St
Woonsocket RI 02895

2011 Calendar

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Saturday, June 11 2011
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Gaspee Days Parade
Pawtuxet RI
10 AM - 1 PM

Saturday, June 18 2011
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Parade of Good News
Central Falls RI
12 noon - 2 PM

Monday, July 4 2011
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Bristol Fourth of July Parade
Bristol RI
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Thursday, Sep 8 2011
Pawtucket Arts Collaborative
Pawtucket RI
5:30 PM - 7 PM

Sunday, Oct 9 2011
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Westerly/Pawcatuck Columbus Day Parade
Westerly RI, Pawcatuck CT
1 PM - 3:30 PM

Monday, Oct 10 2011
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Autumnfest Parade
Woonsocket RI
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Thursday, Nov 10 2010
as part of a panel discussion
Insights: Art and Music
Pawtucket Arts Collaborative
Pawtucket RI
7 PM

2010 Calendar

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Thursday, Jan 14 2010
Pawtucket Arts Collaborative
Pawtucket RI
5:30 PM - 7 PM

Saturday, Jan 23 2010
with The Big House Band
The Small Town Concert Series
Ivoryton CT
7 PM - 10 PM

Friday, Mar 5 2010
with The Big House Band
The Small Town Concert Series
Old Saybrook CT
8 PM - 11 PM

Friday, Mar 26 2010
with Amalgamated Muck
Ivoryton CT
7 PM - 10 PM

Saturday, June 12 2010
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Gaspee Days Parade
Pawtuxet RI
10 AM - 1 PM

Monday, July 5 2010
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Bristol Fourth of July Parade
Bristol RI
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Friday, Sep 10 2010
Newport Art Museum
Newport RI
5 PM - 8 PM

Thursday, Sep 16 2010
Pawtucket Arts Collaborative
for the annual Pawtucket Gallery Night
Pawtucket RI
5:30 PM

Friday, Sep 17 2010
Temple Torat Yisrael
sponsored by Jewish Family Services of RI
Cranston RI
11 AM - 12 noon

Friday, Sep 24 2010
Saturday, Sep 25 2010
with The Big House Band
The Small Town Concert Series
Chester CT
7 PM - 10 PM

Sunday, Oct 10 2010
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Westerly/Pawcatuck Columbus Day Parade
Westerly RI, Pawcatuck CT
1 PM - 3:30 PM

Monday, Oct 11 2010
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Autumnfest Parade
Woonsocket RI
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Thursday, Nov 11 2010
Pawtucket Arts Collaborative
Pawtucket RI
5:30 PM - 7 PM

2009 Calendar

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Thursday, Jan 8 2009
Pawtucket Arts Collaborative
Pawtucket RI
5:30 PM - 7 PM

Friday, Feb 20 2009
Saturday, Feb 21 2009
with The Big House Band
The Small Town Concert Series
Chester CT
7 PM - 10 PM

Thursday, Mar 12 2009
Pawtucket Arts Collaborative
Pawtucket RI
5:30 PM - 7 PM

Saturday, June 13 2009
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Gaspee Days Parade
Pawtuxet RI
10 AM - 12 noon

Saturday, July 4 2009
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Bristol Fourth of July Parade
Bristol RI
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Saturday, July 11 2009
as Stay Tuned,
and with The Big House Band
The Chester Music Festival
Chester CT
11 AM - 10 PM

Friday, Sep 25 2009
Saturday, Sep 26 2009
with The Big House Band
The Small Town Concert Series
Chester CT
7 PM - 10 PM
Sunday, Sep 27 2009
3 PM - 7 PM

Sunday, Oct 11 2009
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Westerly/Pawcatuck Columbus Day Parade
Westerly RI, Pawcatuck CT
1 PM - 3:30 PM

Monday, Oct 12 2009
with the Munroe Dairy Marching Band
Autumnfest Parade
Woonsocket RI
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Saturday, Oct 31 2009
Private Event
Halloween Wedding
Boston MA

Sunday, Nov 1 2009
with Lauren Agnelli & Friends
The Empire Revue
Providence RI
8 PM - 9:30 PM

Thursday, Nov 12 2009
Pawtucket Arts Collaborative
Pawtucket RI
5:30 PM - 7 PM

Photos & Videos

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Click for    Stay Tuned Duo ►
Click for    Big House Band ►
Click for    Munroe Dairy Band ►

2008 Press Photo Photo: Emily Lisker	Ivoryton 2010 Video: Jess Smith for Shore Publishing (No video? Click here)
Old Saybrook 2010 Photo: John Stack Click here for video (No video? Click here)	Old Saybrook 2010 Photo: John Stack Click here for video (No video? Click here)

Pawtuxet 2008 Photo: Steve Genuario	Pawtuxet 2009 Photo: Steve Genuario	Woonsocket 2006 Photo: Laura Lacasse
Woonsocket 2008 Photo: Emily Lisker	Providence 2008 Video: Richard Goulis (No video? Click here)