Center Stage at the Cedarburg Cultural Center kicks off its “Rebels & Renegades” series on November 11th with Chicago Farmer and Joseph Huber.

Center Stage at the Cedarburg Cultural Center kicks off its “Rebels & Renegades” series on November 11th with Chicago Farmer and Joseph Huber.

The WhiskeyBelles and WheelHouse will play the Center Stage "Rebels & Renegades" Concert Series at the Cedarburg Cultural Center on Saturday, January 20th.

By Kathy Lanser

Center Stage at the Cedarburg Cultural Center kicks off its “Rebels & Renegades” series on November 11th with Chicago Farmer and Joseph Huber.  The CCC has curated the  series to convey the lyrical honesty of Americana music through a variety of rollicking musical styles:  bluegrass, blues, folk-revival, indie, and roots country. You can expect a fun vibe, full bar, free parking and reasonably priced tickets, without the usual added ticket fees.  

“Our goal is to share a reliably-solid music experience with our audience,” stated Kathy Lanser, CCC Talent Booker.  “The CCC showcases accomplished musicians from around the world, but never forgets the progressive local artists that have broadened our musical awareness.”

The CCC Center Stage 2017/2018 presents the “Rebels & Renegades,” featuring:
Saturday, November 11th Chicago Farmer / Joseph Huber
Saturday, November 25th Len Voy / The Blisters
Saturday, January 20th          The Whiskey Belles / WheelHouse
Saturday, February 24th       Altered Five Blues Band
Saturday, April 14th      Zach Pietrini / Buffalo Gospel
Thursday, April 26th          Mia Dyson
Saturday May 5th            Aaron Williams And The Hoodoo
Saturday May 19th           Davina And The Vagabonds

All shows start at 7:30 pm

The CCC is currently offering a Season Ticket promotion for the entire “Rebels & Renegades” series priced at $137.00, which also includes a complimentary Individual Membership ($35 value); or, purchase 2 Season Tickets and receive a complimentary Household Membership ($60 value).  Existing CCC Members receive 30% off the series for a Season Ticket price of $100.  Individual & Household Member Benefits include free First Fridays concerts, Free Yoga, 20% Discount on all art classes, and more.

ABOUT THE SHOWS:
Saturday, November 11th - 7:30 pm:  Chicago Farmer / Joseph Huber  $16 / $13

Lyrically driven, Chicago Farmer delves into the social and political issues of today’s world, taking it all in and putting it back through music as a commentary on modern times in the Midwest. With his unfeigned and relatable approach, Chicago Farmer has earned a place in the heart of his generation’s rise of protest songs. He composes music written and sung, by and for, the working class, recalling modern day folk tales.

Singer/Songwriter/Multi-Instrumentalist Joseph Huber was a founding member of the .357 String Band -- a group that, despite its break-up, continues to gain popularity, and is known as one of the most influential groups in the recent insurgent, underground country and bluegrass movement. Whether it's irresistible, fiddle-driven, dancing tunes or honest, heart-wrenching "songwriter" songs, Huber spans the spectrum of 'Roots' music while preferring not to stay within the boundaries of any strict genre classification. Maintaining a solid touring schedule, playing all throughout both the U.S. and around Europe, Huber continues to gain positive press, including being listed on L.A. Weekly's '10 More Country Artists To Listen To.' 

Saturday, November 25th - 7:30 pm: Len Voy / The Blisters  $12 / $10

Len Voy is a return to the intimacy of isolation. Conjuring up memories through plucked strings and song, it is the sound of the cathartic, self-discovery process for Nick Lanser.

The Blisters are Henry Mosher, Spencer Tweedy, Hayden Holbert and Tory P-Lopez.  The Blisters will be performing their folk-inflected interpretation of indie rock with material from their 2016 release, Cured, as well as from their 2013 debut, Finally Bored. Lead singer Henry Mosher's songs find their roots in Laurel Canyon songwriters, filtered through midwestern experience and adapted with 90s rockisms along the way.


Saturday, January 20th - 7:30 pm: WhiskeyBelles / WheelHouse  $16 / $13

The WhiskeyBelles are an all-female traditional country and Americana trio based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Belles are widely known for captivating shows featuring their own take on classic and obscure vintage-country, Americana, folk-revival and roots-country tunes, with their witty originals sprinkled in. They’ve been compared with the Pistol Annie’s, Dixie Chicks and The Trio (Dolly Parton, Emmy Lou Harris & Linda Ronstadt). The WhiskeyBelles have personalities as big as the Texan skyline - they have a great time on stage, and love to share the fun with their audience.

WheelHouse is a nationally touring Americana and bluegrass band whose high and lonesome harmonies come with a little bit of grit. As a full-time band, they perform over 220 shows per year and have garnered attention from national labels. Featuring three and four-part harmonies, fiddle and guitar leads, and driving rhythm of the upright bass, WheelHouse brings an energy and attitude unique to themselves. WheelHouse also owns their own brand of whiskey appropriately named WheelHouse Whiskey.

Saturday, February 24th - 7:30 pm:  Altered Five Blues Band  $16 / $13

For 15 years, Altered Five Blues Band has been winning audiences with a swaggering stomp of bruising, barrelhouse grit. According to Downbeat magazine, front man Jeff Taylor “sings powerfully” and “Jeff Schroedl’s live-wire guitar reaches the high bar of mixed invention and fluidity.” Blues Bytes magazine declares the group features “the funkiest rhythm section outside of Memphis.”  Charmed & Dangerous is the eagerly awaited follow-up to the group’s 2014 album Cryin’ Mercy, which reached #3 in the iTunes blues store, hit #1 on the Roots Music Report blues chart, and won “Best Self-Released CD” at the 2015 International Blues Challenge.

Saturday, April 14th - 7:30 pm:  Zach Pietrini / Buffalo Gospel  $15 / $12

Voted Best Live Act in Milwaukee (Milwaukee Magazine, 2017), it’s been four years since Zach Pietrini showed up on the Milwaukee music scene. Despite being a Chicago transplant, The Zach Pietrini Band has become a recognized name around town, playing featured spots at Summerfest and Bastille Days. At the forefront of the Americana resurgence in the north country, Pietrini quickly distinguished himself with his fearless vulnerability, prolific writing, and dynamic live show. “Pietrini’s skill is crafting the kind of Americana that gets right into you with a beguiling friendliness.” -88Nine Radio Milwaukee

Buffalo Gospel delivers heartfelt and heartbreaking timeless Country/Western and Americana arrangements. Bleary emotion shines through in the raw lyrical honesty set against a tapestry of powerful minimalism. In a genre plagued by carbon copy insincerity, Buffalo Gospel’s breathtaking honesty and wildcat live performances take listeners to a dusty but strangely familiar place that simply gets sweeter with time. Buffalo Gospel’s music has been praised as “minimalist and masterful,” “musically arresting,” and “Milwaukee’s Best Kept Secret.” “Americana may continually blow in and out of fashion, but the expertly realized and deeply felt Americana of Buffalo Gospel defies any weather-bound tastes.” – Milwaukee Record

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Zach Pietrini and Buffalo Gospel will play the Center Stage "Rebels & Renegades" Concert Series at the Cedarburg Cultural Center on Saturday, April 14th.

Davina Sowers will play the "Rebels & Renegades" Center Stage Concert Series at the Cedarburg Cultural Center on Saturday, May 19th.

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​Thursday, April 26th - 7:30 pm: Mia Dyson  $20 / $16

Mia Dyson is a four-time ARIA nominated and award winning Australian singer songwriter and guitarist. She's toured with the likes of Stevie Nicks, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Chris Isaak and Joe Cocker. She has released her second American made album “Idyllwild,” a “Brilliant” (Daytrotter) and "bold new venture" (TheMusic.au) that finds her continuing to explore the boundaries of what one woman can do with a rock and roll band, a guitar built by her father, and “a sublime grit & gravel voice that lands her squarely between Lucinda Williams & Bob Dylan” (Boston Globe).  Her forthcoming album, If I Said Only So Far, I Take It Back, was recorded in Muscle Shoals, AL, with producer Ben Tanner (Alabama Shakes, St. Paul & the Broken Bones) and famed original "Swamper" David Hood on bass and John Paul White (The Civil Wars) on backing vocals.

Saturday, May 5th -7:30 pm: Aaron Williams And The Hoodoo  $15 / $12

Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo’s music is unwavering, filtering blues, soul, roots, and rock through a prism of emotional authenticity. What emerges isn’t a reinvention of the wheel, rather something undeniable, and the very definition of a force of nature. It’s real American music at its core and at its best. Noticing his kid’s prowess for the blues, Aaron’s father, the famous Hammond organist Bluesman Cadillac Joe, signed Aaron to his blues band at a young age and hit the road, performing in the top blues venues and festivals with a long list of Blues legends. Aaron formed a stripped-down trio who continue to deliver their fused blues, roots and rock music to a wide audience.  Original award-winning music including five WAMI’s, Six MAMA awards, including the coveted Best Vocalist Award, Best Blues/Rock Album, and a Grammy nod for their new live album, Live Loud Harmony, is critically acclaimed as one of the best live albums ever.  

Saturday May 19th  - 7:30 pm:  Davina And The Vagabonds  $25 / $20

“Davina Sowers is a one-of-a-kind performer whose singing… has a sassiness bearing some comparison to that of heart-thumping blues queens Ma Rainey and Ida Cox.” – Downbeat.  Since exploding onto the scene in 2005, Davina and the Vagabonds have grown from a down-and-dirty blues band into one of the most exciting acoustic ensembles on the international stage. This high-energy quintet has established itself with a stellar live show, a professional look, and good old-fashioned hard work.  With influences ranging from Fats Domino and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band to Aretha Franklin and Tom Waits, the band draws from the last 100 years of American music, and is converting audiences one show at a time. So much more than just a blues act, DATV’s shows are filled with New Orleans charm, Memphis soul swagger, dark theatrical moments that evoke Kurt Weill, and tender gospel passages. Davina’s voice and stage presence defy category in a different way. Davina has been compared to Etta James, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday and Betty Boop, but comparisons don’t suffice. Sowers is a true original. “Two things remain consistent at all her shows though: her throaty but cushiony voice, which has a sort of hard-mattress comfort to it that’s part Bonnie Raitt, part Etta James and a little Amy Winehouse; and her band’s rollicking New Orleans flavor, driven home by dueling horn players and a bayou-thick standup bass.” -Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune

The Center Stage series is presented by Port Washington State Bank; Hotel Sponsor, The Washington House Inn; and, Media Sponsor, Milwaukee Record.  Concerts take place at the Cedarburg Cultural Center, located at W62 N546 Washington Ave in Cedarburg.  Tickets can be purchased online at http://cedarburgculturalcenter.org/centerstage.html​ or by calling the Box Office at 262-375-3676, ext. 101.

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