“It’s like the guitar has been given free reign to play it’s self!”
French-Algerian acoustic guitar virtuoso, vocalist and composer Pierre Bensusan, surnamed “Mister DADGAD”, has taken his unique sound to all corners of the globe.
Winner of the Independent Music Award for his triple live album "Encore", voted Best World Music Guitarist by Guitar Player Magazine reader’s Poll, winner of the Rose d’Or at the Montreux Festival for his debut album, Pierre is recognized as one of the greatest guitar players of the 21st century.
When Michael Hedges titles one of his compositions “Bensusan”, you know that the inspiration behind it must be special and Pierre Bensusan certainly is. Guitarists from Leo Kottke to Larry Corryel, to Tuck Andress, Tommy Emmanuel, Mark Knopfler, Andrew York, Andy Timmons, to Steve Lukather… have sung his praises, and Steve Vai released three Bensusan albums on his label Favored Nations. And it's not just guitarists who are so inspired by Pierre's music, as a recent studio collaboration with him on Donny Osmond’s latest album “Start Again” goes to show.
If World Music means the fusion of traditional, contemporary, jazz, classical and pop music, then Bensusan is one of the most eloquent World Music musicians of our time. A pianist in his beginnings then self-taught on the guitar, the originality of his style makes him one of today’s greatest guitarists and composers for the instrument. Also called “The Prince of DADGAD”, his story is far from trivial and it is on stage that this artist has earned his stripes: among others, the Rose d'Or of the Montreux Festival, and being elected Best Guitarist of World Music by the readers of Guitar Player Magazine! His triple album "Encore" won the Grand Prix of the Independent Music Awards in the category Best Live Album... Since his first performances in 1974 in France, the guitarist has sold half a million albums and given thousands of concerts around the globe, both solo and through numerous collaborations.
When Christian singer-songwriter Jennifer Knapp came out as gay in 2010, she was confronted by a pastor on national television for her “sin.” The terrifying prospect of coming out in a faith-based environment made it seem nearly impossible for her to carry on with her music career. Yet, after realizing real faith knows no boundaries, she let go of the mold she so desperately once tried to fit into.
At The Bull, a Gainesville bar and music venue, on March 27, Knapp performed a short set list with a lasting impact. With the feeling of a listening room, Knapp connected to fans who have been listening to her music for over 20 years and strangers who never knew her name until that night.
At the start of her career, Knapp wrote music about her upbringing. She was surrounded by people who repeatedly told her who she should be, rather than her finding that out for herself. She processed her own development under the influence of her church community and, because of that, she didn’t know who she really wanted to be in light of those ideas, she said.
This “soul-searching” train of thought is what ultimately drove now 50-year-old Knapp to pick up the guitar in the first place. In those early days, she thought of music as a way of healing herself, but later, she found it’s an invitation for others to experience growth as well.
Transylvanian Lip Treatment present Rocky Horror Picture Show US 1975 | digital | Dir: Jim Sharman | 100min | R
Midnight / doors 11:00p
$8 (advance) / $10 (at the door)
17+ unless accompanying parent or adult guardian
This campy cult classic is the most popular midnight movie of all time. A corn-fed all-American couple
stumbles onto a creepy castle one night when their car breaks down, entering a world they never dreamed existed. The castle turns out to be inhabited by a collection of kinky Transylvanian freaks led by a mad bisexual transvestite. The film gained notoriety as the most successful midnight movie ever, in which hundreds of cult fans show up in costume and act out scenes from the movie.
You are not allowed to bring your own props. Prop kits are available at the show. Prop kits include rice (during the wedding scene at the very beginning, throw yours in celebration), a newspaper (during the rain scene, keep dry), noise maker (during the creation speech, celebrate and MAKE SOME NOISE), toilet paper (when the doctor breaks through the lab wall, hurl your "scotts" tissue), and toast (make your toast during the birthday dinner...toss it), will be available at the show for $4. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME IN COSTUME.
Doors open at 11:00pm. Virgin sacrifice before the show. The movie begins at Midnight.
Mythology evokes images of gods, titans, demons, and beasts of every kind. Yet, it's the spark of humanity that keeps us telling and retelling myths. It's these stories of seduction, inheritance, and hubris that Nashville- based folk duo Haunted Like Human rekindle in the 14 songs on their third album American Mythology. Since the release of 2021's Tall Tales & Fables, Dale Chapman and Cody Clark have been refining their sound rather than departing from it. The result is a shapely set of songs that borrow from universal lore in order to reveal intimate truths. Led by Chapman’s warmly capacious voice and Clark's classical techniques on a steel-string guitar, the pair prove they write songs like novelists write their books, using careful detail and well-shaped characters to tell even the heaviest of stories. Whatever the topic, the songs shine with restrained arrangements and entwined harmonies. This duo tells stories so well that there's no need to cloak them with heavy-handed production or vocal processing. Instead, Haunted Like Human lets the humanity shine through.
Secondhand Shows present Anthony Gomes High Voltage Blues
8:00p / doors 7:00p
$30 (advance) / $35 (day of show)
all ages
"Gomes is a power player who is at his best when his
gear is in the scorched earth between blues and rock. After all, it's the electric guitar; sometimes tickling
it is not enough." - Guitar World
With a guitar slung over his shoulder and the amps turned up full tilt,
Anthony Gomes electrifies blues and rock at a 21st century
crossroads of his own. The Canadian vocalist, guitarist, songwriter and producer wails with all the force of a
hurricane in the Mississippi Delta and enough fret-burning fireworks to leave his strings in flames.
Over the years, he's toppled the Billboard Blues Chart at #1, earned the endorsement of legends such as B.B. King, tallied tens of millions of streams, and packed shows on multiple continents. In 2022, he makes his Rat Pak Records debut with High Voltage Blues, amplifying his soul and spirit like never before.
Looking for an actual 21st Century guitar hero? Here he is.
Nat Lefkoff is a musician dedicated to distilling the human condition and disarming listeners. His music displays the honesty, vulnerability and intensity of his lyrics and performance. Nat’s music is more than a collection of chords and sincere words. It is the experience of life, pain, and hunger masterfully articulated into song. He has gained popularity throughout the West Coast and beyond through persistent touring and has earned many hundreds of thousands of online streams in the process.
D U R I N G T H E
Irving Theater welcomes and Melchior Marionettes present Slightly Haunted Puppet Show featuringThe Melchior Marionettes
6:30p / doors 6:00p
FREE
all ages
Representing three generations of puppeteers, The Melchior Marionettes have been a favorite for over 50 years. For the eighteenth year these magical puppets will be entertaining both young and old Irvingtonians during Halloween. The Halloween program features beautiful hand- crafted and costumed marionettes performing in full view of the audience. The cast includes dancing ghosts and skeletons, a juggling scarecrow, and Esmerelda the witch, while Dracula welcomes visitors from a second story ghost house.
Since 1952, they have been performing throughout the US Midwest, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Most recently, they performed in Shanghai, China, at Century Park for their National Day Celebration. Beautiful hand crafted and costumed marionettes are performed in full view of the audience. This show has been an extremely popular event for children and we expect a large crowd.
D U R I N G T H E
the Irving Theater welcomes and Melchior Marionettes present Slightly Haunted Puppet Show featuring theMelchior Marionettes
6:30p / doors 6:00p
FREE
all ages
Representing three generations of puppeteers, The Melchior Marionettes have been a favorite for over 50 years. For the eighteenth year these magical puppets will be entertaining both young and old Irvingtonians during Halloween. The Halloween program features beautiful hand- crafted and costumed marionettes performing in full view of the audience. The cast includes dancing ghosts and skeletons, a juggling scarecrow, and Esmerelda the witch, while Dracula welcomes visitors from a second story ghost house.
Since 1952, they have been performing throughout the US Midwest, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Most recently, they performed in Shanghai, China, at Century Park for their National Day Celebration. Beautiful hand crafted and costumed marionettes are performed in full view of the audience. This show has been an extremely popular event for children and we expect a large crowd.
D U R I N G T H E
Transylvanian Lip Treatment present Rocky Horror Picture Show US 1975 | digital | Dir: Jim Sharman | 100min | R
HALLOWEEN SHOW
Midnight / doors 10:30p
$15 (advance) / $20 (at the door)
17+ unless accompanying parent or adult guardian
This campy cult classic is the most popular midnight movie of all time. A corn-fed all-American couple
stumbles onto a creepy castle one night when their car breaks down, entering a world they never dreamed existed. The castle turns out to be inhabited by a collection of kinky Transylvanian freaks led by a mad bisexual transvestite. The film gained notoriety as the most successful midnight movie ever, in which hundreds of cult fans show up in costume and act out scenes from the movie.
You are not allowed to bring your own props. Prop kits are available at the show. Prop kits include rice (during the wedding scene at the very beginning, throw yours in celebration), a newspaper (during the rain scene, keep dry), noise maker (during the creation speech, celebrate and MAKE SOME NOISE), toilet paper (when the doctor breaks through the lab wall, hurl your "scotts" tissue), and toast (make your toast during the birthday dinner...toss it), will be available at the show for $4. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME IN COSTUME.
Doors open at 11:00pm. Virgin sacrifice before the show. The movie begins at Midnight.
Next Midnight Picture Show: Saturday, November 22.
7:30p / doors 7:00p
$20 (day of show)
all ages
