Comin’ Soon…

There are quite a batch of new shows on tap at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, ranging from the sublime (soul singer Bettye LaVette) to the ridiculous (Bon Journey, a tribute that pays homage to two bands, Bon Jovi and, oh you figure it out). Highlights include the Dark Star Orchestra at 7:30pm on Tuesday, May 22 ($25, $35); Bettye LaVette at 8pm on Saturday, May 26 ($20, $35, $50, $55); Wu-Tang hip-hopster Raekwon at 7:30pm on Wednesday, June 13 ($20, $35, $55); the Chris Robinson Brotherhood at 7:30pm on Tuesday, June 26 ($25, $35, $50, $60); blue collar comedian Bill Engvall at 7:30 & 9:30pm on Saturday, August 4 ($25, $50, $75); and classical crossover pianist Christopher O’Riley at 8pm on Friday, August 17.

Gary Sinise & the Lt. Dan Band will be rockin’ the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany at 7pm on Saturday, April 28. The concert is a benefit for the Tech Sgt. Joseph Wilkinson Fund to help build an accessible home for the wounded Iraqi war veteran. Tix are currently on sale for $30 & $50.

Sarah McLachlan will join the Vermont Symphony Orchestra at 7pm on Sunday, June 24, as part of Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green series at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont. Tix are $55 in advance; $59 at the gate; children 12 and under are free.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Collective Soul is returning to The Egg in Albany, performing their platinum 1999 album “Doseage” in its entirety.

Although there’s been no official word just yet, it looks as though veteran Canadian troubadour Gordon Lightfoot will be headed into the Palace Theatre in Albany for a concert on Saturday, May 19. Stay tuned for further details.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, PART II: Matthew Sweet does “Girlfriend” at The Egg in Albany?!? How sweet is that?

Valentine’s Music Hall in Albany has added a big ole handful of new shows to their calendar, including Pierced Arrows on Thursday, May 3; the Jim Keller Band (of Tommy Tutone fame) on Friday, May 4; Future Islands on Saturday, May 5; the Supersuckers on Wednesday, May 9; and the Dirt Daubers (featuring members of the Legendary Shack Shakers) on Monday, May 14.

Let’s twist again like we did last summer… Chubby Checker will be dancin’ his way into Vapor in Saratoga Springs at 8pm on Thursday, April 12. Tix are $30.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, PART III: Dennis DeYoung and his six-piece band return to the Palace Theatre in Albany, playing “The Music of Styx.”

Keyboard kingpin Marco Benevento returns to Red Square in Albany on Saturday, April 14. Tauk opens the show. Tix are $13 in advance; $16 at the door.

SOLD OUT: Guster’s acoustic tourstop at The Egg in Albany on Wednesday, March 28 is now officially sold out.

New shows recently added to the calendar for the Mahaiwe Perfoming Arts Center in Great Barrington include comedian Bobby Collins at 8pm on Saturday, May 5 ($37, $42, $55); Freddie Roman’s Friars Club Comedy Festival at 7pm on Sunday, July 15 ($35, $57, $67); Tony Award-winning Broadway star Faith Prince at 8pm on Saturday, July 21 ($40, $55); and Barbara Cook & John Pizzarelli at 8pm on Saturday, August 4 ($75, $102).

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, PART IV: Yes, that’s right. Nickelback and Bush are teaming up for a double-bill at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs this summer. My Darkest Days have also been added to the bill. Insert Nickelback joke here…

Keep the St. Patrick’s Day spirit keeps flowing next month when Black 47 returns to the Hibernian Hall in Albany on Saturday, April 14. Showtime and ticket prices TBA.

The Wood Brothers return once again to Club Helsinki in Hudson at 9pm on Saturday, May 26. Tix are $20 in advance; $25 at the door.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, PART V: Sugarland sweetens up the summer concert season for country music fans when they bring their tour to the Times Union Center in Albany, with opening acts Lauren Alaina and Canaan Smith.

Buckcherry kicks out the jams at Northern Lights in Clifton Park on Monday, May 21. James Durbin opens the show at 8pm. Tix are $25 in advance; $28 at the door.

Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds have a pair of back-to-back Nippertown gigs on tap next month: 9pm on Thursday, April 12 at the Garage at the Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield ($10 in advance; $12 at the door); and 9pm on Friday, April 13 at Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs ($10; students $7).

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, PART VI: Country music superstar Brad Paisley brings his Virtual Reality tour to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center this summer with special guests the Band Perry and American Idol Scotty McCreery.

The Commander Cody Band is slated to rip it up at Pauly’s Hotel in Albany on Friday, April 27. Details TBA.

Vonda Shepard – now there’s a name that we haven’t heard in a long time – will take the stage at the Bearsville Theatre in Woodstock at 9pm on Saturday, May 19, in support of her new album, “Solo.” Ticket prices TBA. Also new on the Bearsville schedule is the return of Mahavishnu Orchestra/Jeff Beck tribute band the Mahavishnu Project at 9pm on Saturday, May 12. Tix are $20.

SOLD OUT, PART II: Jesse Winchester’s concert at Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs on Sunday, April 1 is now officially sold out.

Classic rock tribute band the Woodstock Era Experience takes the stage at the Glens Falls High School Auditorium in Glens Falls at 7pm on Saturday, March 31. Tix are $20 & $30.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, PART VII: Veteran singer-songwriter Don McLean has been announced as one of the headliners for the SaratogaArtsFest in Saratoga Springs this summer.