With Love...Krisanthi Pappas sings love songs of Burt Bacharach and The Beatles

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Mass Arts Center, 888 South Main St., Mansfield, Mass., on February 14th at 8:00 PM with award-winning singer-songwriter Krisanthi Pappas. Accompanied by her band—Steve Forrest, Steve Skop, and John DiSanto—Pappas performs timeless love songs from Burt Bacharach and The Beatles, including "The Look of Love" and "In My Life." Beyond the music, enjoy fascinating stories behind these classics. Tickets are $35–$40; doors open at 7:00 PM for a night of "Valentines and Galentines" romance.

Mass Arts Center

New Year's Eve Comedy: Paul Nardizzi

Paul Nardizzi&nbsp;is one of the country’s top comedians, with multiple standup appearances on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central, and Fox Sports’ Best Damn Sports Show Period, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and regional appearances on NESN. A former winner of the Boston Comedy Festival, Nardizzi is in demand for theater shows, corporate functions, colleges, golf tournament, and fundraisers. In 2023 he wrote and starred in the short film called Stand Up Guy and in 2024 will launch a stage show he created called The Ranting Parents Comedy Tour. In addition to all of that, he’s a prolific author of humor books, including the hilarious Things That Might Annoy … series, which pokes fun at Yankee fans, Jets fans, Republicans, and Democrats. He also wrote the hilarious 602 Reasons to be Ticked Off and The Sarcastic Sports Trivia Book. Norton’s&nbsp;Andrea Henry&nbsp;doesn’t fit the mold of the class clown who grew up to become a comedian, but her dead-on observations and absurd view of the world have helped her become one of the best in Boston. Currently working on a project for Lifetime, and writing jokes for Reader’s Digest, her other credits include Nickelodeon’s Search for America’s Funniest Mom, Comedy Central’s Open Mic Fight, Comcast’s Backstage with Barry Nolan, and Yuk Yuk’s Great Canadian Laugh Off. Affable, animated&nbsp;Jack Lombardo&nbsp;wins audiences over with his friendly, exuberant stage presence and funny observational style. Jack started in the Midwest and has made a good impression on the Boston scene. Among the headliners he’s shared the stage with are Juston McKinney, Mike McDonald, Dave Rattigan and Steve Donovan.

The Mass Arts Center

Paul Nardizzi is one of the country’s top comedians, with multiple standup appearances on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central, and Fox Sports’ Best Damn Sports Show Period, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and regional appearances on NESN. A former winner of the Boston Comedy Festival, Nardizzi is in demand for theater shows, corporate functions, colleges, golf tournament, and fundraisers. In 2023 he wrote and starred in the short film called Stand Up Guy and in 2024 will launch a stage show he created called The Ranting Parents Comedy Tour. In addition to all of that, he’s a prolific author of humor books, including the hilarious Things That Might Annoy … series, which pokes fun at Yankee fans, Jets fans, Republicans, and Democrats. He also wrote the hilarious 602 Reasons to be Ticked Off and The Sarcastic Sports Trivia Book. Norton’s Andrea Henry doesn’t fit the mold of the class clown who grew up to become a comedian, but her dead-on observations and absurd view of the world have helped her become one of the best in Boston. Currently working on a project for Lifetime, and writing jokes for Reader’s Digest, her other credits include Nickelodeon’s Search for America’s Funniest Mom, Comedy Central’s Open Mic Fight, Comcast’s Backstage with Barry Nolan, and Yuk Yuk’s Great Canadian Laugh Off. Affable, animated Jack Lombardo wins audiences over with his friendly, exuberant stage presence and funny observational style. Jack started in the Midwest and has made a good impression on the Boston scene. Among the headliners he’s shared the stage with are Juston McKinney, Mike McDonald, Dave Rattigan and Steve Donovan.

One for the Road: Tribute to Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin

Frankie &amp; Dean… “One For The Road” A Unique Frank Sinatra &amp; Dean Martin Comedy Tribute Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were best of friends, some would even say brothers. The fact that they were two of the biggest stars of the 20th century was beside the point. One For the Road pays homage to these “brothers” and to a bygone era of swagger and living life to excess. Patrick Tobin and Jimmy Mazz come together to bring you the ultra cool personalities of “The Chairman Of The Board”, and “The King Of Cool.” Patrick’s look and sound of Sinatra is amplified as he belts out hit after hit while his dry wit is sure to strike your funny bone. Jimmy portrays Dean’s signature look, swagger and smooth vocal style as he sings the hits while delivering the one-liners and jokes that made Dean a phenomena. Together these two bring back old Vegas, with a new twist or two as they’re sure to wow you with their wit and classic style entertainment. Ring a ding ding baby!

A Christmas Carol

This traditional retelling of the timeless Dickens tale explores the redemption of a miserly, isolated old man, Ebenezer Scrooge. Through visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, Scrooge learns the terrible price of living solely for his own personal gain, ultimately embracing the spirit of the holiday season. This classic underscores the importance of kindness, empathy, and generosity in a world that desperately needs more of all three.

October Fest

JD, Billy &amp; Ken return! Back by popular demand, Cape Cod favorites JD, Billy &amp; Ken are back to entertain you with all genres of your favorite music. They played last at our summer block party and at last year’s October Fest, and folks wanted them back. Tickets for this outdoor show are $35 per person. Cap’n Mike’s Food Truck will be available on site. Beer and wine available for purchase on site, but not included in price. <img src="https://massartscenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/MAC24-SPRING-ART-FEST-si-060124-0841-sm-1024x693.jpg">Cap’n Mike’s in action. <a href="https://www.samueladams.com/"><img src="https://massartscenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/OCTOBER-FEST-Sam-Adams-sponsor.gif"></a> About JD, Billy &amp; Ken Jon (JD) Aldrich came from Johnstown, NY, to Boston in 1970 to enroll in Berklee College of Music. A self- taught guitarist with an incredible ear for music, a flair for commercial writing, and a talent for singing in a wide variety of popular styles, JD was immediately a standout at Berklee. JD performed on hundreds of commercials for local businesses like Filene’s, Jordan Marsh, Grossman’s and Friendly’s Ice Cream and even some national brands like Sears, Keds sneakers, and McDonald’s. In 1972 JD met fellow guitarist, Ken Spagnuolo from Framingham, who had graduated from Berklee in 1970 with a degree in music education. They performed briefly as a duo with Ken on bass at a place called Molly’s in Brighton. A short time later, while playing at the Days End in Revere, they were joined by a former bandmate of Ken’s, Billy Morris, on drums and “JD, Billy &amp; Ken” was born. They quickly became known as the premier “oldies” band with tight harmonies and an uncanny ability to play nearly any song requested. They immediately started to click with clubs in and around Boston and by the mid-70s were playing regularly at the Scotch &amp; Sirloin, the Pier, the Winery, and the Arc and soon they were playing steadily 6 nights a week! In the summer of ’75, JD, Billy &amp; Ken ventured onto Cape Cod to play at the Pub in Wellfleet three nights a week and at one of the now infamous “Happy Hours” at Brandy’s in Hyannis. They were an instant hit, so during the summer months they began alternating between the Boston clubs during the week and Cape venues like the Swampfox, the Improper Bostonian and Players on the weekends. The lines to get in were LEGENDARY. Their crowds may just have shaped a bit of musical history regarding the now familiar “So good, So good, So good!” refrain in “Sweet Caroline,” as many people credit JD Billy and Ken for fueling the fire in that well-known response (although there are other origin stories). Starting in 1985 there was a need for a fill in on the drum kit, so the call to the bullpen went to Russ Brough, another Berklee guy who met JD by taking his jingle-writing class. A Summit, N.J. native, Russ would get the gig full time in 1999 when long time bandmate Billy Morris retired from playing. Most recently (until COVID) the band had a regular summer Sunday afternoon slot for 13 years on the outdoor patio at the East Bay Grille in Plymouth – STILL playing the same old songs on the same old equipment.

Greg Abate Jazz Quartet

International jazz artist Greg Abate and his Jazz Quartet will perform at the Mass Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. and will be preceded by a cocktail hour at 7. A celebrated New England saxophonist, flutist, and composer, Abate has had an impressively diverse international career. From 1972-’74, he played lead alto for the iconic Ray Charles Orchestra, followed by playing tenor sax for the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under the direction of Dick Johnson. With more than 24 recordings as a band leader featuring notable greats such as Phil Woods, Kenny Barron, and Red Rodney, Abate has established himself as a significant force in the jazz world. Abate’s insatiable drive keeps him on the move, touring 275 days a year. In addition to his hectic schedule, he works as an adjunct professor of jazz at Rhode Island College and serves as an artist representative for instrument maker Conn-Selmer, often teaching master classes. A Fall River native, Abate recently returned from a month-long tour of the United Kingdom and is looking forward to performing at local venues. Abate’s quartet for this show includes Chris Taylor on piano, Todd Baker on bass, and Gary Johnson on drums. Taylor, a distinguished jazz pianist and composer, has an extensive background performing in Philadelphia and Boston. Baker, a Berklee College of Music graduate, has played with renowned ensembles, including the Artie Shaw Orchestra. Johnson, a seasoned drummer, has worked with notable jazz figures like Scott Hamilton, Keely Smith, and Dizzy Gillespie, and is the son of New England jazz great Dick Johnson. The Mass Arts Center show will feature selections from the American songbook, jazz standards, popular tunes, and some of Abate’s original compositions. “It will be swinging,” Abate said. In 2016, Abate was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame. More recently, he clinched the 2nd and 3rd spots in the 2021-22 Downbeat Readers Poll, underscoring his influence in the jazz arena. Fellow saxophonist Phil Woods once remarked, “I sleep a lot better knowing there are alto players like Greg Abate.” Mike Joyce of The Washington Post writes: “Greg Abate is considered by jazz writers and aficionados to be one of the most exciting saxophone players out there today.” For more information about Abate, visit his <a href="https://www.gregabate.com/">website</a>.

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Thursday-Saturday,&nbsp;Sept. 20-Oct. 6, 7:30 pm Sundays, 2:00 pm Book by&nbsp;Douglas McGrath Words and Music by: Gerry Goffin &amp; Carole King&nbsp;and&nbsp;Barry Mann &amp; Cynthia Weil Directed by&nbsp;Adam Joy Music Directed by&nbsp;Esther Zabinski Music by Arrangement with Sony Music Publishing Orchestrations, Vocal and Incidental Music Arrangements Steve Sidwell Additional Music Arrangements by Jason Howland Our 2024-2025 season opener is this captivating Broadway masterpiece, which chronicles the inspiring journey of Carole King from her early days as a songwriter to becoming a legendary solo artist. Featuring timeless hits, like “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “It’s Too Late,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” and “Some Kind of Wonderful,” the musical showcases her struggles and triumphs, making it a heartfelt tribute to her incredible legacy.

Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 20-Oct. 6, 7:30 pm Sundays, 2:00 pm Book by Douglas McGrath Words and Music by: Gerry Goffin &amp; Carole King and Barry Mann &amp; Cynthia Weil Directed by Adam Joy Music Directed by Esther Zabinski Music by Arrangement with Sony Music Publishing Orchestrations, Vocal and Incidental Music Arrangements Steve Sidwell Additional Music Arrangements by Jason Howland Our 2024-2025 season opener is this captivating Broadway masterpiece, which chronicles the inspiring journey of Carole King from her early days as a songwriter to becoming a legendary solo artist. Featuring timeless hits, like “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “It’s Too Late,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday,” and “Some Kind of Wonderful,” the musical showcases her struggles and triumphs, making it a heartfelt tribute to her incredible legacy.

Rockin' With Rod: The Ultimate Rod Stewart Tribute Show

Martin Andrew recreates the Rod Stewart experience from his early days with the Faces, through the glamour of the ’80s, to the more sophisticated Rod of the ’90s and beyond. Join us for cocktails before the show! It is a dynamic display of a world-class performer showcasing all the hits that made Rod Stewart a living legend of our time. The show is an exploration of Rod’s career, with live music cleverly integrated with documented visual displays via projection cameras. The show captures the essence of the man and his music, featuring all the hits from “Maggie May” to “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?” as well as a trip down memory lane with a selection of timeless classics from the Great American Songbook. This show is a crowd-pleaser on any level, bringing the timeless and legendary hit songs of Rod Stewart to life both visually and audibly. Rod’s brightly colored jackets, loud shirts, tartan ties, and blond spiky hair are all replicated, along with his trademark sleek moves. This rock ‘n’ roll show relentlessly pumps out hit after hit as Andrew Martin pays tribute and gives the ultimate salute to a living legend. Martin has performed in Las Vegas at corporate events in most of the Strip casinos. He has also traveled all over the world with this dynamic and highly entertaining show.

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The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

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Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

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Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

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Experiences

With Love...Krisanthi Pappas sings love songs of Burt Bacharach and The Beatles

New Year's Eve Comedy: Paul Nardizzi

New Year's Eve Comedy: Paul Nardizzi

One for the Road: Tribute to Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

October Fest

Greg Abate Jazz Quartet

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Rockin' With Rod: The Ultimate Rod Stewart Tribute Show