Comin’ Soon…

In addition to last week’s announcement of the “Hearts 4 Haiti” benefit concert on Thursday, February 11, the Palace Theatre in Albany also added several other performances to its calendar. Apparently, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is not just for Christmas anymore. TSO rumbles into the Palace on Saturday, April 10, performing their album, “Beethoven’s Last Night,” in its entirity. On the comedy front, Kevin Hart & Friends will step into the spotlight at 8pm or Friday, March 5, led by the hot young comic who has appeared in such films as “The 40 Year Old Virgin,” “Soul Plane” and “Scary Movie 3 & 4.” Tickets are $55.50, $40.50 & $35.50. Also on a funny note, Bobby “The Pit Bull” Slayton heads up “The Comedy Battle of the Sexes” – which also features Thea Vidale, Steve Caouette and Tina Giorgi – on Saturday, February 13. Tix are $25 in advance; $35 on the day of the show. The Palace is also hosting the City of Albany’s Gospel Gala, “A New Decade: The Best Is Yet To Come,” at 7pm on Friday, February 5. The free concert will feature performances by the Gospel Gala 2010 Capital District Voices in Praise, the Washington Park Drum Circle, Arthur Danzy, St. John’s COGIC Mimes for Christ, J. Newry, Divacello, the Abrookin Vocational-Technical Center Liturgical Dancers, Antoinette Brown, Geri Howard, Lionel Hamilton & Company and LaKeisha Watson.

As we announced late last week, the annual Mountain Jam festival takes over Hunter Mountain from Friday, June 4-Sunday, June 6. Gov’t Mule, of course, headlines. Details and current line-up here.

And as was announced earlier this week, lo and behold, look who’s coming on that very same weekend. The Dave Matthews Band returns to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center for their annual two-night stand on Friday and Saturday, June 4-5. The Felice Brothers will be the opening act for both nights. Tix go on sale to the general public on Friday, February 26.

Finally. A new booking at Revolution Hall in Troy. And it’s a good one, too, as Phish bassist Mike Gordon leads his side-project band into Nippertown to kick off a short eight-date east coast tour on Friday, March 5.

London-based alt-rock buzz band One eskimO lands at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock at 9pm on Friday, February 5. Elmwood opens the show. Tix are $15.

Coming to The Egg: Celtic band Solas showcases their upcoming album, “The Turning Tide,” in concert on Sunday, February 28, and the fabulous blues ‘n’ gospel veterans the Holmes Brothers team up with Scrapomatic (featuring Derek Trucks Band vocalist Mike Mattison) on Friday, March 5. For the young – and young-at-heart – Justin Roberts and the Not Ready For Naptime Players spotlight the songs from their latest album, “Pop Fly,” in concert at 1pm on Sunday, April 11. Tix for all three new shows go on sale to the general public on Thursday (January 28).

In case you missed the announcement earlier this week, the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, Mass. is hosting a Haitian relief benefit concert on Sunday, February 14, featuring Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion, Vetiver, Tift Merritt, Bobby Sweet, the Mammals, Meg Hutchinson, Kris Delmhorst, the Guthrie Family and more.

Northern Lights in Clifton Park welcomes dynamic hip-hopsters Method Man and Redman on Sunday, February 28; the all-girl headbangers Kittie with God Forbid and Periphery on Friday, March 5; and Sublime tribute band Badfish (and their alter-egos Scotty Don’t) on Saturday, April 17.

Phil Alvin leads the Blasters into Valentine’s Music Hall in Albany on Friday, March 5.

Chip Taylor – who has penned such classic songs as “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning” – heads into The Linda in Albany in support of his latest album, “Yonkers NY,” on Friday, March 5. Tix are $17.

Tony Award-winning singer-actress Melba Moore will grace the Proctors stage in Schenectady at 8pm on Friday, May 14 for a fundraising concert for the Hamilton Hill Arts Center. Tix are $25.

Bad news for country music fans: Gloriana – who was slated to play the final show of this spring’s Rising Star Concert Series at Proctors on Thursday, March 25 – has cancelled their appearance. Fortunately, all is not lost, and filling in on that same date will be the Band Perry, a hot, new, young trio of siblings.

And while the folks at Proctors haven’t made an official announcement yet, one-time superstar singer Michael Bolton is scheduled to make a tour stop at Proctors on Friday, March 26, according to his website.