DAGMAR: CALENDAR

STREET BUSK BOSTON

With the summer approaching and warmer weather moving in, we'll be moving out again onto the streets of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville, seeing what kind of additional trouble we can stir up, how many new friends we can make in Harvard Square, Davis Square, Newbury Street, Copley Square, the Garden/Common. We are also now part of the Fanueill Hall/Quincy Market street performer program, and will be there from time to time over the summer.  Hope to cross your path sometime soon . . .  JB & MM

OPEN MIC EXTRAVAGANZA

When the 2009 winter settled in, Dagmar un-busked and moved indoors, leaving street corners for the cozier corner coffeehouses and the like, in an effort to visit every known open mic event in New England, hoping along the way to make some new friends, sell a few CD's, live the dream, and see what kind of feathers we might ruffle. Starting in Boston, we fanned out in an ever-widening circle of open-mic-dom.

By February, we'd been to over forty different, all very different, events, and can report that open mics are a great way to get around.  As the weather warms and we head back to busking on the streets, we'll be doing less of the open-mic thing, but will check in with some of our favorite spots and will be booking club dates here and where, now and then, and will post those dates here in advance when they come up.

AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER

DECEMBER 2010:  THE BLUE FLOWER, a musical play by Dagmar's Jim Bauer (music, lyrics, script, videography) and his lovely and talented wife RUTH (art, story, videography), with Dagmar's Meghan McGeary reprising one of the leading roles as Hannah, will be part of A.R.T.-American Repertory Theater's 2010-2011 season.

Jim and Meghan met in 2001 when she joined the cast of "The Blue Flower" in one of its early workshop presentations in New York City.

The show is being produced by Stephen Schwartz ("Wicked"), Andrew Levine and Steve Tate.  It will be directed by Will Pomerantz.

Click on The Blue Flower or A.R.T. links above to find out more about the show.  There will be 8 performances a week in the Loeb Drama Center starting December 2 and running through January 8th.

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

MUNY Subway busking

Dagmar will entertain outdoors on the street level at Richard Tucker Park (the island at the intersection of B'way and 68th, in front of Lincoln Center.   We're being hosted by the Lincoln Square BID together with the MTA's Music Under New York Program in a summertime lunchtime concert series they organize together.

We'll perform a set of 45 minutes sometime between 12 & 2 pm.

Friday, September 10th, 2010

THE BARLEY PUB

DAGMAR holds court once again from 8-11 at this awesome, friendly venue in this awesome, friendly town

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

THE BARLEY PUB

DAGMAR holds court yet again from 8-11 pm at this still awesome, friendly venue in this still awesome, friendly town

Monday, November 1st, 2010

THE MEWS

DAGMAR will be the featured act at this long-running and deeply-rooted open mic.  We'll help kick off its celebratory 20th anniversary season.   P-town is a great, moody, haunting place to be in the off-season, after all the seasonal tourists depart, when this open mic is the biggest game in town for the year-rounders. 

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

GULU-GULU CAFE

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.  In the middle of February, on what turned out to be a stupendously stormy night with hurricane-force winds that left trees and power lines strewn across most every road we tried navigating in a foolish attempt to get home at the end of the night, host DAVE OGDEN put DAGMAR and the immensely talented song-meisters and entertainers WHEN GEEKS UNITE and SHANE WATKINS (joined by his NSI bandmate SCOTT LAMPHEAR on guitar) together on a "Songwriter Showcase" bill at THE STONE CHURCH in New Market NH.  The power and the PA went down shortly after we arrived, so we gathered in the middle of the candle-lit room with winds howling and a couple dozen hearty, weather-be-damned audience members , and traded songs round-robin style.  It was such a great blend and contrast of music from the three groups, and so much fun for everyone -- audience , musicians and bar staff -- that we decided to schedule more "smackdowns-in-the-round", as we ended up calling it.

It's always good to keep things moving along, especially for anyone, which is most everyone, with a restless heart.  It's always good to keep guessing, especially for anyone, which is most everyone, who hasn't a clue what's going to happen from one moment to the next.

So we hope you'll put this one on your calendar.  It'll be lively and fun, sure as the summer days are long, and you'll be treated to some terrific music and terrific performers.  All for the price of whatever anyone decides to toss in the hat.

Gulu-Gulu is also a great place to gather -- in the heart of Salem, spectacular selection of beers, excellent food, and wonderful, friendly staff.

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

THE BARLEY PUB

DAGMAR holds court from 8-11 at this awesome, friendly venue in this awesome, friendly town.

Saturday, July 10th, 2010

THE BLUE MERMAID

In the middle of February, on what turned out to be a stupendously stormy night with hurricane-force winds that left trees and power lines strewn across most every road we tried navigating in a foolish attempt to get home at the end of the night, host DAVE OGDEN put DAGMAR and the immensely talented song-meisters and entertainers WHEN GEEKS UNITE and SHANE WATKINS (joined by his NSI bandmate SCOTT LAMPHEAR on guitar) together on a "Songwriter Showcase" bill at THE STONE CHURCH in New Market NH.  The power and the PA went down shortly after we arrived, so we gathered in the middle of the candle-lit room with winds howling and a couple dozen hearty, weather-be-damned audience members , and traded songs round-robin style.  It was such a great blend and contrast of music from the three groups, and so much fun for everyone -- audience , musicians and bar staff -- that we decided to schedule more "smackdowns-in-the-round", as we ended up calling it.

DAGMAR is looking forward to slapping these guys around again in round 2.  Hope you can join us.

Monday, July 5th, 2010

THE CANTAB LOUNGE

DAGMAR has been invited by wonderful host and gifted musician GEOFF BARTLEY to be the featured performer at this venerable, long-running open mic.  Event starts at 8, DAGMAR will go on for a 40-minute set at 9:30.

Friday, June 18th, 2010

BOSTON BUSK

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

BOSTON BUSK

Monday, June 7th, 2010

THE RED DOOR

DAGMAR is honored by the invitation to make its first appearance at HUSH HUSH SWEET HARLOT, a long-running serious music series for serious listening audiences in a serious listening room with an atmosphere described as "mysterious, historic and dreamy - making it the perfect room to absorb the quieter side of indie-rock, alternative, jazz, and americana."  Portsmouth is a beautiful and charming seaside town, too, hoppin' in the summer and worth a visit all on its own.  

Sunday, June 6th, 2010

BOSTON BUSK

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

BOSTON BUSK

Friday, June 4th, 2010

BOSTON BUSK

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

TUPELO MUSIC HALL

DAGMAR has been invited by superb host ROBERT HAIGH to be the featured performer at this elegant, superb open mic held on the first Thursday of each month in the fabulous Tupelo Music Hall, one of the best music rooms in New England.  Doors open at 6 for sign-up, event starts at 7.  DAGMAR goes on for a 30-minute set at about 8:30.  CLICK HERE to get the full scoop on the open mic night at Tupelo.

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

BOSTON BUSK

DAGMAR will again be outside the North Market Building somewhere or other.  Shouldn't be hard to find us.

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

BOSTON BUSK

DAGMAR will be outside the North Market building somewhere or other.

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

IN A PIG'S EYE

Dagmar duo Jim & Meghan will be joined by Dagmar uber-utility man STEVE LATT in a return visit to this friendly and music-friendly pub on the harbor.  We'll play several long sets starting at 9 pm.

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

THE BURREN

DAGMAR will be one of two featured acts at this long-running "Singer-Songwriter" night  hosted by the fabulous DANIELLE MIRAGLIA and TOM BIANCHI..  We'll do a 45-minute set at either 8pm or 9pm.  We're not sure which.  And we're not sure who the other featured act is.  Afterwards, Danielle and Tom have special guests take the stage for a song or two, running to all hours.

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

NYC STREET BUSK

We'll be in the island park at the intersection of B'way & 64th, in front of Lincoln Center, there by invitation of the Lincoln Square BID and the Greenmarket 

Friday, May 14th, 2010

MUNY Subway busking

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

MUNY Subway busking

We'll be in the main rotunda area, near the LIRR ticket counter

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

MUNY Subway busking

We'll be on the mezzanine level of the Union Square/14th St. station above the N/R, south end of Union Square park

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

SQUAWK COFFEEHOUSE

After a long absence, DAGMAR is looking forward to returning to and being in the company of our extremely good and generous friends who have run the SQUAWK for 20 years plus, and counting.  "Thursday nights for eternity," they say.

Doors open at 9, with an hour or so of what is typically a jaw-dropping variety of people sharing what jaw-dropping talents they have.  DAGMAR will play a half-hour "feature" set starting at around 10pm, followed by more jaw-dropping.  It wraps up when it's over, when everyone who has come has done what they want and need to do.

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

GULU-GULU CAFE

DAGMAR will be sharing a bill with Kenn Ballou's BALLOU BAND, which includes DAGMAR friend John B. on accordion.  Dagmar plays from 8-9pm.  Ballou Band goes on around 9:30.

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

CAPE ANN COMMUNITY CINEMA

DAGMAR will do an hour-long feature set at this completely fabulous open-stage music event held on odd Tuesdays (1st & 3rd) every month.  BYO whatever you'd like to imbibe.  CACA provides a large and gracious room, an art-charged living room vibe, many comfortable couches to sink into, many good and interesting people to get to know, and gourmet movie popcorn.  The evening is hosted by the completely lovable JIM BUHRENDORF.

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

THE BARLEY PUB

DAGMAR has been invited to join our supremely talented friends and local Dover, NH favorites WHEN GEEKS UNITE at this local haunt.  If you haven't heard the Geeks, you should at your first opportunity.  Maybe this'll be the night. DAGMAR goes on at 8, the Geeks follow at 9.

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

THE BLUE MERMAID

This will be our first gig at this charming place run by great people in the beautiful seaside city of Portsmouth, NH.  After we visited the open mic there a couple of weeks back, they decided they wanted us back.  New frontiers.  We're looking forward to it. 

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

MAIN STREETS MARKET

We'll be playing from 7:30 to 9:30 in this cozy establishment with wonderful food and great, friendly atmosphere in the center of the historic town of Concord, MA.  We'll be firing out some songs that just might be heard 'round the world, just a stone's throw from the Lexington/Concord Bridge.

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

TUPELO MUSIC HALL

DAGMAR is pleased to open for LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III at the fabulous TUPELO MUSIC HALL.  Hope to see you there!

CLICK HERE to buy tickets.

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

THE RUSTY HAMMER

Got wind of this new-ish open mic when we were at The Press Room the night before, and decided to take another jaunt to Portsmouth to check it out.  It's just getting started, and has a distance to travel.  We got to play for awhile to an audience scattered around a sprawling sports television bar & restaurant.  Kind and gentle host Dave was extremely kind to us.  Not an easy thing to do, starting and running an open mic, and we wish him good luck and good fortune.

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

THE PRESS ROOM

DAGMAR's second visit to this Portsmouth institution.  After a week of gorgeous spring awakening weather in New England, it was back to cold harsh winds, downpours and floods.  They had a fire going in the pot-belly stove, and the place was full and festive.  Bumped into our new open mic fellow-traveler and friend MORGAN, who had traveled a good distance to get there.  Gregarious and smiling bartender TRISTAN remembered us from a visit we paid to The Press Room back in the fall.  Told us he books the "Hush Hush Sweet Harlot" series at "mysterious, historic and dreamy" RED DOOR, a serious listening room around the corner, and said he'd send us an invitation.  We'll be looking forward to that.

Friday, March 12th, 2010

SUNNYSIDE CLUB

DAGMAR's first foray into the open mic frontiers of Rhode Island.  The Sunnyside Recreation Club is a depression era men's club built in 1935 that used to have a couple of bowling lanes, a couple of pool tables, a few poker tables, and, one imagines, coloring the Sunnyside name with several shades of irony, a bruised and battered sad-eyed collection men huddled over their whiskeys grousing about women and all the greedy bankers that ruined their lives.  The bowling lanes and poker tables are gone, but the place still feels like a trip back in time, or a trip forward in time with the new depression era getting underway.  It's a local haunt now, full of fun-loving and friendly people (. . . including women) who welcomed DAGMAR with smiles and open arms.  If there's grousing about the new depression going on, we didn't hear any.  RICK NELSON, former child music prodigy, CBGB rock star, tennis pro, psychotherapist and current full-time band leader of the band CADILLAC MARTINI hosts a free-wheeling, loosely-structured night with the affable and talented members of his band backing up whoever wants to play.  We had a great time, and Rick has invited us back to do a feature there.  We'll certainly be back for more, and are looking forward to it.  Thank you Rick, and the good people of Sunnyside, for being so welcoming . . .

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

THE GUTHRIE CENTER

It was 2 1/2 hours out and 2 1/2 hours back to get to this fabled hootenany in the Berkshires at the site of Arlo Guthrie's Thanksgiving Day Massacree and his timeless Viet Nam protest song "Alice's Restaurant". Each hour there was worth many more than the hours spent on the "Stockbridge to Boston" road made famous in James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James". It felt, as one might predict, like a trip down memory lane and into the annals of truly great modern American "folk" music history. There was no red VW microbus, half ton of garbage, shovels, rakes or other implements of destruction, but there was a roomful of gentle and earnest people in a gorgeous building trading songs with friendly ghosts all around for an audience. Our host George Laye, who runs the center, was weary and drained after a trying day, but welcoming, kind and gracious. It's one of those things that make you grateful to be doing what you're doing, to have the the world at arms length and glad to be alive.

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

TUPELO MUSIC HALL

This was DAGMAR's first visit to Tupelo in Londonderry, where we were delighted to bump into a number of the new friends we've made in southern NH.  What an excellent night this was.  What a great room, and what a great crowd of people it is that gathers there to both play and listen at this popular and much-admired monthly open mic.  The place is a favorite stop along the way for national touring acts, and it's easy to why.  The room is spacious and homey, the sound system is gorgeous, and the people turning the dials and working the faders know exactly what they're doing.  We tip our hats to host ROBERT HAIGH and his trusted lieutenant DALE REYNOLDS for putting on a great show every month.  Calling it an open mic is sort of misleading; it's something much more than "that".  Click here to get the details on the open mic night particulars.

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

THE BLUE MERMAID

You win some, you lose some, and some are rained out.  Only three other people showed up to play on this "miss" night of our first visit to this "hit-or-miss" open mic.  We made two nice new friends, however, in Jeff and Dan, who happened to be sitting at the bar, and we had a good time in any case.

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

SALLY O'BRIEN'S

DAGMAR will be one of four invited guests of the JULIE DOUGHERTY BAND, who hosts a Sunday night song fest at this venerable Union Square music hang in Somerville.  We'll be doing a short set of 4 songs.  Don't yet know who the other bands are, but we'll let you know when we find out. 

Guest of the Julie Dougherty Band.

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

IN A PIG'S EYE

DAGMAR will be joined by new band member STEVE LATT (fiddle, banjo, mandolin, slide guitars) for several full sets in a full evening of good times at this cozy and musician-friendly place just a block from the Hawthorne's House of Seven Gables in this historic seaside town with a checkered past in the beginning of a new decade with an uncertain future.

Trio gig with Steve Latt.  Three long sets from 9 to closing.  Great crowd and great fun in this cozy, music-friendly place.  Many thanks to Eric Reardon and The Pig for having us!

Friday, February 26th, 2010

STUDIO 99

At the invitation of our lovely, charming and very generous and very talented new friend GARY ST. LAURENT, who we met on the open mic circuit this past fall, and ELISE MACDONALD, the lovely and charming, incredibly hard-working weekly host & Queen of Studio 99, DAGMAR did the "open mic feature" thing at this venerable institution, playing a half-hour set in the middle of the evening.  The people were wonderful and generous, and we had a great time.  Elise posts videos of open mic performances on the STUDIO 99 YOUTUBE CHANNEL.  Thanks, Gary and Elise, for having us!  

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

THE STONE CHURCH

DAGMAR has been invited to share the stage with WHEN GEEKS UNITE and a third as-yet unnamed act for the inaugural "Singer-Songwriter Night" at this cozy, moody, very cool venue in a weird old converted church in this hip and hippie-refuge colonial village nestled in the picturesque hills of southern New Hampshire.

The evening starts with each of the three acts in the round, trading a song apiece for a couple of rounds, followed by rounds of 20-minute sets by each act.  We're looking forward to being back at the Stone Church.

This was one of the most inspiring nights of music-making (and listening) we've had in a long time.  Host DAVE OGDEN put together a fabulous, well-matched selection of three bands for his inaugural "Songwriter Showcase" evening at The Stone Church and we all had a blast.  A bizarre, powerful storm that night had its own blast with flooding and hurricane-force winds that tore trees out of the ground from the roots and knocked out power for much of southern New Hampshire, including -- after we got there -- The Church,.  But instead of cancelling, we gathered in the middle of the room and traded songs in the round with lots of candles and no PA in a jolly, to-hell-with-the-storm "songwriter smackdown".  A dozen or so hearty audience members, unmoved by the storm, stuck around to hoot and holler.  Joining DAGMAR were the spectacularly unique, talented and entertaining trio WHEN GEEKS UNITE, and equally unique and talented SHANE WATKINS, joined by SCOTT LANPHEAR, the keyboard player/multi-intstrument utility man from Shane's band N.S.I..  Scott played guitar on this occasion, and played beautifully.

At the end of the night, the three bands decided to try to do it again together at different places.  It was just too much fun, and there was just too much good, original, distinctive, genuine music and entertaining performances to do it only once.

Thanks, Dave, for putting it together, making us a part of it, and for keeping it going with the end-of-the-world storm blowing outside.

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

THE BEEBE ESTATE

DAGMAR's first visit to this charming, completely acoustic open mic in the library of an old estate.  An excellent blend of music and spoken word by a lovely collection of people who know well how to play, speak, and read.

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

THE MEWS

DAGMAR's first visit to this spectacularly good open mic, which has been hosted for 20 years now by the seriously talented  PETER DONNELLY and MEWS owner RON ROBIN.  Our first trip to Provincetown -- in the nearly silent, huddled,  mysterious winter off-season in this alt-life resort beach town -- and god willin', the creek don't rise, not our last.  Met charismatic SHAWN NIGHTINGALE, the owner of THE PILGRIM HOUSE HOTEL and VIXEN CABARET, who seemed to think there may be a Vixen appearance for DAGMAR sometime in the not-too-distant future.

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

OUT OF THE BLUE

DAGMAR's first visit to this spoken word open mic that also welcomes the occasional errant musician.  It's supposed to start at 8, but when we arrived on the button, it was explained to us that no one really shows up before 9, because no one wants to be there when nobody else is there.  Makes perfect sense.  So we went out for a cup of coffee with dread-locked Out Of The Blue regular YVES, the only other person there, inviting himself along.  He asked if we would buy him a cup of coffee.  We of course said yes.  So we bought Yves a cup of coffee and heard his tale, returning to the gallery about an hour later, when no longer was nobody there.  It's an eccentric assembly of off-beat poets hosted by DEBORAH PRIESTLY in a tiny community art gallery that has every inch of wall space covered with various paintings, drawings and photographs.  We were pleased when Squawk professor MICK CUSIMANO stopped by for a poem or two at about the mid-way point.  We hadn't seen him in awhile.  BILLY BARNUM, Squawk regular and 87-year-old Cambridge performance poet and local institution also made a late evening appearance.

Onward through the fog . . .

Friday, February 19th, 2010

DOG BAR

The DAGMAR trio of Bauer & McGeary + STEVE LATT on fiddle, banjo, mandolin and pedal steel guitar will do three forty-five minute sets at this cozy and exceedingly friendly spot in the heart of Gloucester on colorful Cape Ann at the port of the perfect storm.  Only fits 40, so come early to get a seat and enjoy an excellent menu of food and drink.

A fun and successful 3-set night, our second gig with new Dagmarbander STEVE LATT, who with his many talents continues to latch on nicely to the music.  Thanks to Dog Bar owner ANDY MULHOLLAND, thanks to old friends we haven't seen in many moons, and many thanks to a number of new friends who came from both near and far.

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

THE GROG

DAGMAR's first visit to this open mic that has a different host every Wednesday.  This time, there was a very nice substitute host and only three people showed up to play, including ANDY PRATT, veteran Boston-area songwriter and rocker from the past.  He played a fabulous cover of the James Bond theme from "Goldfinger".  The open mic area was set up to the side of the bar area, with a PA speaker pointed toward the bar, pleading for people to pay attention.  But it wouldn't matter how big the speaker was; they had other fish to fry.  So we played two songs, thanked our host, and made our escape.  Maybe it's better on other nights.  Onward through the fog . . .

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

KING HOOPER CAFE

Valentines Day, 2010:  You know when you're in love and when you're not, when you belong and when you don't.  We will never cease to be amazed by the odd pockets and weird corners of the world we find.  DAGMAR made its first, last and only visit to the final installment of this 10-year old open mic hosted by the wife/husband team of songwriter/music healer Angela Masciali and sculptor/poet Dan Zampino that has taken place in the third-floor ballroom of a colonial mansion built in 1728 that now houses the Marblehead Art Association.  Dan and Angela are kind and generous people to their friends, and we wish them all the best in whatever comes next.  It was odd, as total strangers, to be two of the few people remaining at the end of the night to help turn out the lights on a long history in a very personal and intimate moment for everyone around us.  It felt like we shouldn't be there.  But we were, and we wish Angela and Dan the best in whatever the next chapter might be . . .

Friday, February 12th, 2010

CATBIRD CAFE

DAGMAR joined talented songwriter and delightfully manic FREDDY K in a fundraising concert night hosted by the delightfully delightful "SAFARI" STEVE MARTIN and his equally delightful if laconic good buddy SNAKE, to benefit the not-for-profit NEW ENGLAND WILDLIFE CENTER, which takes care of wild (undomesticated) animals to whom mother nature has not been so kind.  DAGMAR and Freddy will each do hour-long sets inside the Wildlife Center, where the Catbird Cafe finds its nest.  For a place where the wild things are, everything about it is refined and civilized, highly evolved, a place where human beings can learn a thing or two.  If you haven't been there, you should go sometime.    

DAGMAR joined talented songwriter and delightfully manic FREDDY K in a fundraising concert night hosted by the delightfully delightful "SAFARI" STEVE MARTIN and his equally delightful if laconic good buddy SNAKE, to benefit the not-for-profit NEW ENGLAND WILDLIFE CENTER, which takes care of wild (undomesticated) animals to whom mother nature has not been so kind.  DAGMAR and Freddy will each do hour-long sets inside the Wildlife Center, where the Catbird Cafe finds its nest.  For a place where the wild things are, everything about it is refined and civilized, highly evolved, a place where human beings can learn a thing or two.  If you haven't been there, you should go sometime. 

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

IN A PIG'S EYE

DAGMAR will be joined by new band member STEVE LATT (fiddle, banjo, mandolin, pedal steel) for several full sets in a full evening of good times at this cozy and musician-friendly place just a block from the Hawthorne's House of Seven Gables in this historic seaside town with a checkered past in the beginning of a new decade with an uncertain future.

CANCELLED DUE TO PREDICTIONS OF SNOW AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS . . . which never arrived.  The gig has been RESCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, FEB. 27TH.

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

NARROWS CENTER FOR THE ARTS

DAGMAR's first visit to this open mic hosted by Louie Leeman, in a gorgeous airy space on the top floor of an old textile mill with a wonderful sound system, great acoustics, artist loft spaces, an art gallery, and beautiful views of the water through large windows spanning an enormous wall.  If it sounds nice, it is.

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

MAIN STREET MARKET

DAGMAR's third visit to one of our absolute favorite New England open mikes, populated by a room full of talented and cheerful people, and hosted by one of our absolute favorite open mike hosts, the steady, serious, affable, extraordinarily talented Steve Martin look-alike, BRUCE MARSHALL.

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

STUDIO 99

DAGMAR's second visit to this open mic frequented by a regular assortment of very talented musicians.  This time, it was hosted by a new, great friend of DAGMAR, GARY ST. LAURENT, who plays and sings like an angel.

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

AMAZING THINGS ARTS CENTER

Dagmar will do a 30-minute feature set at this open mic in an old firehouse-turned-community-arts-center-performance-auditorium.

DAGMAR was what is known as "the feature"at this lovely open mic hosted by gifted songwriter and musician DAN CLOUTIER.  We played a half hour set a night or two after a Republican took Edward Kennedy's Senate seat in Massachusetts, changing the political landscape in a disturbing way.  It's been a depressing week in politics. 

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

GULU-GULU CAFE

DAGMAR will be returning to the site of its Halloween night boo-ha in Salem, MA, to do two long sets at this wonderful European-style cafe/bar in the heart of "The Witch City".  Gulu is a fabulous place with a fabulous staff run by the fabulous STEVE and MARIE FELDMAN.  We really don't have enough good things to say about it.

Played three full sets to a packed and buoyant Gulu crowd.  Meghan's new GONG made it's DAGMAR debut to the delight of many, including two birthday girls who got to bang it as a special treat on their special day.  One has to appreciate the little things.  Otherwise, who knows what well we might find ourselves at the bottom of.

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

ST. LAWRENCE ARTS & COMMUNITY CENTER

DAGMAR is thrilled to open up the evening for our long-time, immensely talented and entertaining friends THE WIYOS on a couple of their tour dates in New England.

We can't say enough good things about the talent, craft and excitement you'll be treated to in a WIYOS show.  It's really something you shouldn't miss.  Click on their link above to find out more.

We'll open things up with a short set, and turn the stage over to the WIYO magic for what we guarantee will be a fantastic evening of music and entertainment.

Hope to see you there!

For the second night in a row opened for THE WIYOS, and had an equally amazing time.  Portland is COLD in January.

Friday, January 8th, 2010

TCAN Center for Arts, Natick

DAGMAR is thrilled to open up the evening for our long-time, immensely talented and entertaining friends THE WIYOS on a couple of their tour dates in New England.

We can't say enough good things about the talent, craft and excitement you'll be treated to in a WIYOS show.  It's really something you shouldn't miss.  Click on their link above to find out more.

We'll open things up with a short set, and turn the stage over to the WIYO magic for what we guarantee will be a fantastic evening of music and entertainment.

Hope to see you there!

Had an amazing time playing a half-hour set to open for our good friends THE WIYOS, who rocked the joint as expected.  Don't miss The Wiyos when they come to your town.  The band is something special.

Wednesday, January 6th, 2010

HENNESSY'S HOOLEY HOUSE

At the last minute, DAGMAR has been substituted for a missing band in a four-band night.  Mystery performers numbers 1 & 2 start things off at 8 pm.  BRITT SAWDON goes on at 9:30, and DAGMAR will close the night starting at 10:30.

New open mike friend/supporter BOB ELSASSER put us on the bill with BRITT SAWDON, another of his open mike discoveries, on what turned out to be a bitterly cold night in downtown Beantown.   A number of other new open mike friends showed up to light a flame.

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

DOG BAR

Another great spot in Gloucester, just a couple doors down from the Community Cinema, so after finishing up at CC we strolled down to the Dog Bar and found another excellent open mike, hosted by the friendly and talented STEVE CARAWAY.  Everyone seems to know everyone in Gloucester.  We like it there very much.  

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

CAPE ANN COMMUNITY CINEMA

DAGMAR's first visit to this fabulous spot hosted by the talented and charming James Buhrendorf.  A huge, living-room atmosphere, a large room used other times for film showings, full of couches, an amazing sound system, and a concession stand with gourmet popcorn and movie candy.  Anyone wanting something other than coffee and gourmet soda can bring your own whatever.  Great people, eclectic.  Anyone touring open mikes has to check this one out.  It's in the special category.

Monday, January 4th, 2010

TCAN Center for Arts, Natick

DAGMAR's second visit to this open mic, to promote upcoming show at TCAN with the WIYOS

Monday, December 21st, 2009

IN A PIG'S EYE

DAGMAR's second visit to this open mike, this time hosted by talented guitarist ERIC REARDON.  Saw local friend Judy and met her drummer friend Rory; saw local friends Tom and Linda, Bill and Greg from Toronto, and Eric's music partner Brian.   A low-key but fun bitter cold night on winter solstice, two days after a big snowstorm and a few days before Christmas.

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

SQUAWK COFFEEHOUSE

DAGMAR is heading to the SQUAWK COFFEEHOUSE for its annual Winter Solstice Celebration.  Come one, come all for Squawk's season-ending open-mike.  Special guests will be the uproarious SECOND LINE AID & PLEASURE SOCIETY MARCHING BAND, marching down Mass Ave., as they have in the infamous HONK FESTIVAL celebrations, for their feature set at 10 pm.  DAGMAR is going for the fun of it, to hang out and play a  couple of songs.  Doors open at 9 for the open mike, SECOND LINE takes the stage at 10 for a set followed by more open mike honking and squawking to light up the fast-approaching shortest, darkest day of the year.  Hope to see you there.  

DAGMAR went to the SQUAWK COFFEEHOUSE for its annual Winter Solstice Celebration, the last Squawk of the decade.   Special guests were the  SECOND LINE AID & PLEASURE SOCIETY MARCHING BAND from Somerville.  A large number of extremely talented people rolled through the heavy wooden doors to jubie up instead of hunker down, Squawk Shaman Lee Kidd was at the peak of his powers of agitation, and it turned into one of the finest Squawks we've been to.

Friday, December 11th, 2009

ROSARIO'S 1859 HOUSE

Dagmar's first visit to this "Open mic", which is more like an evening with the house band, "Maggie's Gang", along with whoever shows up to play.  Friendly folks, nice restaurant, charming New England town-from-another-era.

Monday, December 7th, 2009

IN A PIG'S EYE

DAGMAR's first visit to this excellent open mic hosted by the very talented JULIE DOUGHERTY.  A bunch of lively, music-loving, fun-loving and talented people gather here on what appears to be a regular basis.  Safe to say everyone knew everybody, but strangers quickly become friends.  Huge plus:  no TV.  We'll be going back.

Monday, December 7th, 2009

SALEM ACCESS TELEVISION

DAGMAR was invited to appear on "The Derby Variety Show", a sort of other-worldly open mic-on-video at this charming local public access television station.  It was one of those "what planet have we landed on" moments.  Life is funny.  Sometimes.

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

MAIN STREET MARKET

Dagmar's second visit to this entirely excellent open mic hosted by the consummate open mic host BRUCE MARSHALL.  This is easily one of the very best open mics we've found in our travels, with pretty much great everything:  great food, great beers, and best of all, great people who know how to be lively and fun, play and listen to music all at the same time.  There's a great feeling in the room all night long.

Monday, November 30th, 2009

ORCHARD ST. CHOP SHOP

Dagmar's first visit to this quiet open mic with a grand piano in what used to be a grand old 19th century firehouse in what used to be an old New England mill town.  The host again was DAVE OGDEN, who we had met the previous night at The Stone Church.

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

THE STONE CHURCH

Dagmar's first visit to this very cool open mic hosted by the charming and laconic DAVE OGDEN in a gorgeous old 19th century church-turned-music-venue-on-a-hill in the "Haight-Ashbury" of New England.

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

STUDIO 99

Dagmar's first visit to this very acoustic open mic hosted by Elise MacDonald.  Happened to be on the annual christmas-tree lighting-slash-"Holiday Stroll" night, during which the streets of downtown Nashua are closed and tens of thousands of people stroll around eating Italian sausage and fried dough while contemplating some holiday shopping ideas in stores that stay open for the occasion.

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

TOAD

Getting the Thanksgiving holiday week off to a festive start, we'll be opening for good friend and gifted singer/songwriter BRENDAN HOGAN in his November residency at Toad.  DAGMAR will do an hour-long set starting at 7:30-ish, followed by Brendan for the late show at 10-ish.

Joining us will be the sensational STEVE LATT on fiddle, mandolin, banjo, lap and pedal steel.  We'll be focusing on new "Door 3" songs which we started recording a few weeks ago.   Steve is joining us in the making of Door 3, which we hope to have ready for sale just a few months from now.

TOAD never charges a cover, always pays the bands, and as a result, always has good music and a cheerful crowd of music enthusiasts filling the place every night.  It's a great place to listen to some great music -- always a pleasure.

DAGMAR did the early set to a full house of new DAGMAR friends garnered from street performances in Boston and Cambridge over the summer and fall.  We were here through the kind invitation of good friend BRENDAN HOGAN, who has a residency here in November.

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

LIZARD LOUNGE

DAGMAR was declared the winner of this night's LIZARD LOUNGE OPEN MIC CHALLENGE, and walked away with the prize:  cold hard cash in the "envelope of love".  Hearty thanks to celebrity judge MATT "PIE" BEAULIEU (drummer for local soul-funk hero JESSE DEE), to the tirelessly entertaining host TOM BIANCHI (aka 24 HouR ToM), and to the many fabulous losers out there who make such winning possible. 

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

BULL RUN RESTAURANT

DAGMAR's first visit to this new (?) and lovely tables-and-table-cloth once-a-month open mic an hour west of Boston in a rambling, charmingly creaky old colonial farmhouse with its own covered bridge reaching over a babbling brook to some remote overflow parking.  Our host, the fun and sassy GAYLE PICARD, invited us back to perform in the Bull Run concert series, sharing a bill with the talented MR. BILL KASPER, who we had met the previous week in NH at the Round Room open mic.  The Bull Run had been recommended to us by angelic-voiced and new friend GARY ST. LAURENT, who we also met at the Round Room.  More info on the Bull Run open mic is available at MYSPACE.COM/bullrunthursdaysounstage.  More info on the Thursday night Soundstage concert series can be found at www.bullrunrestaurant.com

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

ROUND ROOM COFFEEHOUSE

Dagmar continues stretching the open mic radius south, west and in this case north of Boston, heading into the woods of New Hampshire.  This was a jewel.  No amplification, totally acoustic in a round room with beautiful natural acoustics, lined by stained glass in a classic New England wood church.  Great people, high level of musicianship and . . . humor.  These people know how to both listen and laugh.  A highlight on our scorched-earth New England open mic tour.

They also videotape the open mic sessions and post them on YouTube.

Friday, November 13th, 2009

ACOUSTIC CAFE

Dagmar's first visit to this friendly open mic hosted by Peter McHugh and Rhiannon Trajlinek in a strip-mall coffee shop filled with couches occupied by 20-somethings.  Thanks, Peter & Rhia, for being such good and welcoming hosts. 

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

ROSSI'S

Dagmar's first visit to this rambling Victorian home-turned restaurant/night spot in the middle of the woods west of Boston.  The once-a-month open mic is hosted expertly by Bruce Marshall, who hosts two other open mics in "metro west" Dagmar visited in the past week.  

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

STREET BUSK BOSTON

Took advantage of an unusually warm November day to spend a few very pleasant and profitable hours busking in Harvard Square, by the kiosk. 

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

THE BURREN

Another ear-splitting trip across the stage of perhaps the loudest, rudest, booziest chatter box of an open mic in the region.

Monday, November 9th, 2009

TCAN Center for Arts, Natick

Dagmar's first visit to this well-established "metro-west" open mic hosted by MARK STEPAKOFF and TRISHA and PHIL KNUDSEN at THE CENTER FOR ARTS IN NATICK.  Met superb musician and songwriter JON McAULIFFE, who has subsequently been extremely kind and  generous in guiding us to other performance opportunities in the region.

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

UPTON ROADHOUSE

First trip to this remote open mic in the middle of axe-murderer-type woods, at the end of some dark and winding roads.  The glow of neon beer signs in the window was like a tiny beacon in the blackness of space.  The bar downstairs was packed with drinkers, and the restaurant upstairs was half-full of people looking at us like we just got off a spaceship.  Never really went up from there.  Made it out without any untidy incidents, and felt good about that.

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

FIREFLY'S

Dagmar's first visit to this warm and inviting open mic in a surprising location, hosted by gifted musician/singer/songwriter Bruce Marshall.  Good people, and just as at his other open mic at the Main St. Market in Concord, MA, Bruce does a wonderful job of hosting.

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

MAIN STREET MARKET

Dagmar's first visit to this warm, focused and exceedingly friendly open mic in the heart of American colonial history run carefully and caringly by gifted musician BRUCE MARSHALL.  

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

THE CANTAB LOUNGE

Dagmar's first visit to this venerable open mic in a classic beer-and-shots bar that has held its own in Central Square for decades.  Host Geoff Bartley, guitar god and all around good guy, has been running the open mic for 18 years and counting.  We had a great time there, and heard some excellent musicians.

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

AMAZING THINGS ARTS CENTER

1st visit to this open mic west of the city in a community arts center, hosted by talented singer-songwriter Dan Cloutier

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

GULU-GULU CAFE

After over a year, a return to this great venue, now packed-to-the-gills every Wednesday night for a lively and loud open mic hosted by Brian Donnelly and Jeff Savlon

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

WERS RADIO BOSTON

As a result of our guerilla radio marketing campaign -- busking on the street in front of WERS radio in Boston to get their attention -- "Door No. 2" was reviewed as a "top pick" by the station, and we have been invited to participate in the annual WERS "Live Music Week" program which runs from Oct 24th to Nov 1st.  We'll be interviewed and will perform three songs, starting at 5pm on Tuesday, October 27th.

If you're in Boston, you can tune the radio to 88.9 FM, or from anywhere else in the world you can listen online at WERS.ORG.

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

MUNY Subway busking

Whitehall Terminal, Staten Island Ferry

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

MUNY Subway busking

Penn Station, LIRR

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

MUNY Subway busking

Union Square, mezzanine above the N/R

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

MUNY Subway busking

Times Square, 42nd Street upper mezzanine

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

OFF-BEAT CAFE

First visit to this very friendly and off-beat open mic in Rick's Music World, south of Boston

Wednesday, October 14th, 2009

BOSTON BUSK

Radio busk, WERS; a brief "thank you"

Boston radio busk, WERS; Tremont & Boylston; a brief "thank-you" to WERS. Might be the last street busk of the season, with the temperatures in the low 40's

Monday, October 12th, 2009

ROSLINDALE OPEN MIC

First visit to this friendly open mic in the Roslindale Congregational Church.

Monday, October 12th, 2009

BOSTON BUSK

Columbus Day busk in Harvard Square, at the "point". Good day. Met Tom O'Donnell of the Mos Eisley studio, who booked us for his private loft party Friday night. Temperatures are dropping.

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

BOSTON BUSK

Newbury Street @ Fairfield, in gusting fall breezes. The temperature is dropping.

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

CLUB PASSIM

2nd visit to the open mic at this fabled folk joint. 1st time was back in 2007.

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

BOSTON BUSK

Cambridge, MA; Harvard Square, in "the pit"

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

BOSTON BUSK

Sunday afternoon on Newbury Street, at the corner of Dartmouth. Nice fall day, people in a good mood, an excellent day.

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

CATBIRD CAFE

1st visit to this completely unique and friendly open mic in the New England Wildlife Center, with warm, elegant and charming host Steve Martin, who invited us back for a concert performance there in November.