The World Music Collider celebrates its second year of concert programming with a dance-minded night that includes the U.S. debut performance from South African group BCUC and a set from Brooklyn-based Underground System (with grooves inspired by Fela, Italo-Disco, afrobeat, house and more). At the Union Station Ballroom in Northampton on Friday, January 4, at 8 p.m. Children under 12 get in for free. Net proceeds go to Girls On the Run Western Massachusetts.
BCUC, which stands for Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness, comes from Soweto, and their hard-pulsing sound consists of bass guitar (hooky and grounding, played by the great Mosebetsi Jan Nzimande), a symphony of percussion, and full-hearted vocals, with a collective spirit so elevated and raw that they’ve been described as a punk band. Their original songs can last as long as 20 or 30 minutes, and within those stretches, the energy roars and recedes and repeats like slow-motion ocean waves, with exciting and dramatic storytelling whether you understand all the languages or not.
The band says it “draws inspiration from Indigenous music that is not exposed in the mainstream,” and their songs are of the moment. During an ominous calm spell in the middle of “Asazani,” backing vocalist and cowbell player Letlhogonolo Atlarelang Maphunye starts asking, “Wanna Facebook? Check the Instagram?” Lead vocalist Zithulele ‘Jovi’ Zabani Nkosi responds with force, “Check yourself before you wreck yourself!”
BCUC is a live band that shouldn’t be missed — so be there!
And arrive early to see Underground System, who put on their own kind of energetic show, with groovy, poppy, playful and quirky songs that share some energy with Talking Heads (in their expanded lineup phase), Rubblebucket, Tune-Yards, and other dance-minded alternative bands from the ‘80s and beyond.
The John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band appears at The Parlor Room in Northampton on Friday, January 4, at 7 p.m.
Folk singer and storyteller Cheryl Wheeler returns to the Iron Horse in Northampton for a two-night stand on Friday, January 4, and Saturday, January 5, at 7 p.m. Kenny White is her special guest.
Local trio Kalliope Jones (pictured below)celebrates the release of their new record with a show at the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield on Friday at 8 p.m.
The Duke Ellington Tribute Trio (featuring Wayne Roberts, Miro Sprague and Michael Zsoldos) plays Gateway City Arts in Holyoke on Friday, January 4, at 8 p.m.
The O-Tones, the Valley’s long-running swing and Motown band, play the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center on Saturday, January 5, at 7 p.m.
Patsy Clone, Sister Jawbone, Ona Canoa, and Marlene Lavelle perform at The Root Cellar in Greenfield on Saturday, January 5, at 8 p.m.
Valley country outfit The Salvation Alley String Band (at left) makes a rare appearance at the Luthier’s Co-Op in Easthampton on Saturday, January 5, at 8 p.m.
The Joe Belmont Experience welcomes special guest keyboardist/accordionist Christopher Haynes at the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center on Sunday, January 6, at 6 p.m.
The Argiro Quintet, led by pianist James Argiro, shares the bill with Juke Joint Jazz at the Iron Horse on Sunday, January 6, at 7 p.m.
Singer/songwriters Marc Cohn (“Walking In Memphis”) and Mark Erelli play Gateway City Arts on Thursday, January 10, at 8 p.m.