The World Music Collider isn’t a complex study of particle physics like the famous Collider over in Switzerland — it’s a fun shindig that brings together diverse rhythm-minded bands and eager dancers to whip up some energetic reactions.
The crowd-funded local project’s first “collision” (aka concert) features Slavic Soul Party (from Brooklyn) and Air Congo (from Boston) at the Grange Hall in Williamsburg on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Slavic Soul Party is a 10-piece ensemble that’s part New Orleans second line funk, part gypsy music, part klezmer, and all positive energy. They have a big brass section, a passionate accordion player, and bandleader Matt Moran is the theatrical pulse of the group, hoisting around a bulky bass drum and cymbal combo, bopping around to the beat, kinking his body at an anchoring angle, swinging the mallet around his head for extra flair.
Air Congo is the new ensemble from Nathaniel Braddock (best known as the leader of the African soukous group Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int’l). They’ll provide upbeat dance sounds inspired by the Kinshasa and Brazzaville scenes in the ‘60s and ‘70s.
The WMC powers that be are calling it a “pilot event,” hoping that the turnout is strong enough to allow the project to continue for further concerts. The plan is that each Collision will donate all proceeds to a local Valley nonprofit. This first event will support Florence-based REPRESENT.US, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization with a mission to “end the legalized corruption that has come to define modern politics.”
Event space is limited and tickets are on sale here: wmcollider.eventbrite.com
Fans of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” your dream event is here: it’s a “Singalong Screening” of the 1973 rock opera smash, with star Ted Neeley appearing in person, at the Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. (On Friday, Neely will also be joined by fellow stars Bob Bingham and Kurt Yaghjian.) They’ll screen the 2013 digitally remastered print, with subtitles appearing on screen to assist in the lyric department, and there will also be a costume contest, with the stars as the judges. Says the venue, “Dress as your favorite Holy Land character or in ’70s hippie apostle garb.” A meet and greet will follow the screenings.
Cordelia’s Dad celebrates 30 years since its debut concert by playing a free show at the site of their first show, Marsh Arts House at Amherst College, on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Sharing the bill are Boycott (the “lady brass band” from Somerville) and Monument Thief (a rock duo from Providence).
Eric Lee has long been known as the Valley’s virtuoso violin player, adding grace and fire to every kind of music, whether made by folk legends, punk collectives, pop purists or anyone else. In recent years Lee began writing/singing/performing original songs on guitar. He shares a bill with Grammy-nominated Americana band Yarn (from Brooklyn but now based in North Carolina) at a show at the Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield on Friday at 8 p.m.
Local singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Marcia Gomes performs her original jazz/R&B songs at Gateway City Arts in Holyoke on Friday at 8 p.m. She’ll be joined by special guest vocalists Samirah Evans and Evelyn Harris, along with pianist Miro Sprague, bassist Dave Picchi and drummer Jon Fisher.
Acclaimed jazz composer and saxophonist Kamasi Washington captured the hearts of music fans of all ages with his powerful 2015 triple-LP set, “The Epic.” He’s also collaborated with Thundercat, Kendrick Lamar and Flying Lotus. Washington brings his ensemble to the Calvin on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Ganglion (a duo of guitarist Ben Miller (ex-Destroy All Monsters) and percussionist/electronics man Matt Weston, making their first performance in three years), the Jenifer Gelineau/John Moloney/Rob Thomas trio and Bonnie Kane (saxophone and electronics) make up the triple-bill at Flywheel in Easthampton on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Longtime local bluesman Mark Nomad celebrates the release of his new album “Live from Somewhere” with a solo acoustic set at Luthier’s Co-op on Saturday at 8 p.m.
Singer/songwriters Allysen Callery, Karen Zanes and Kelly Spyglass team up for a triple-bill in store show at Mystery Train Records in Amherst on Sunday at 2 p.m. Free, but donations for the traveling musicians are accepted.
Pussyvision, RUUNE and Jennifer Vanilla (aka Becca Kauffman from Ava Luna) appear at The Basement in Northampton on Wednesday at 8 p.m.