Abbie Gardner & Finals of Performing Songwriter Competition

DOBRO MASTER RETURNS TO THE ROSE GARDEN COFFEEHOUSE&nbsp;FOR SEASON FINALE &amp; CONTEST &nbsp;&nbsp; MANSFIELD, Mass. –&nbsp;Dobro player&nbsp;and singer-songwriter&nbsp;Abbie Gardner&nbsp;returns to the Rose Garden on Saturday,&nbsp;May,&nbsp;17, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.&nbsp; &nbsp; Gardner is a fiery dobro player with an infectious smile. Whether performing solo or with Americana harmony trio Red Molly, her acclaimed tales of love and loss, both gritty and sweet, are propelled by her impeccable lap style slide guitar playing.&nbsp;Her&nbsp;performances feature the dobro as a solo instrument, bouncing between a solid rhythmic backbone and ripping lead lines, all in support of her voice and songs. &nbsp; Gardner, who has opened for&nbsp;Lori McKenna and Martina McBride,&nbsp;has&nbsp;also&nbsp;performed three times at the Rose Garden, the last time in 2018,&nbsp;and previously with Red Molly. &nbsp; Her latest CD,&nbsp;“DobroSinger,”&nbsp;made it to #11 on the Billboard Blues Charts and #2 on the Folk DJ Charts, receiving rave reviews in Bluegrass Unlimited, Acoustic Guitar Magazine and American Songwriter. It’s a raw,&nbsp;intimate recording full of blues, ballads and the ache of the unknown. It’s quite a contrast to her previous CD, which featured a co-write with Chris Stapleton and leaned on full band production.&nbsp; &nbsp; Her background is as varied as the songs she writes. Her father, Herb Gardner, is a stride pianist and&nbsp;Dixieland trombonist. Abbie didn’t get into music school on her original instrument (flute), but graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Occupational Therapy. She gradually found her way back to music in Boston's folk music scene. &nbsp; PERFORMING SONGWRITER COMPETITION:&nbsp;Also, this night will&nbsp;include&nbsp;the&nbsp;finals of our 33rd Performing Songwriting&nbsp;Competition, which&nbsp;will&nbsp;feature&nbsp;Dan Cloutier,&nbsp;Thomas Charles Clukey and Charlotte Morris.&nbsp; &nbsp; Dan Cloutier, an Upton, Massachusetts, is set to release his album “The Iceberg,” which explores themes of hope during dark times, drawing inspiration from his adventures in Greenland and Newfoundland.&nbsp;Thomas Charles Clukey, hailing from Saco, Maine, crafts intimate songs that reflect the landscapes and stories of New England, blending country, roots, and Americana influences while exploring life's challenges through his lyrics.&nbsp;Charlotte Morris, a Philadelphia-based musician, weaves autobiographical narratives into her music, creating a unique blend of Americana, folk and jazz that resonates with listeners, often evoking deep emotions and a sense of familiarity.&nbsp;These musicians will perform one song each, and the winner will be back next season. &nbsp; The Rose Garden shows will be start at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 7. For tickets and more information:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/rg25abbie">https://tinyurl.com/rg25abbie</a> &nbsp; The Rose Garden Coffeehouse,&nbsp;is a&nbsp;501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that&nbsp;is in its&nbsp;36th season. The Rose Garden is supported, in part, by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mass-culture.org/Mansfield">Mansfield chapter of the Massachusetts Cultural Council</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rose Garden Coffeehouse

The Joni Cat Show: Tribute to Joni Mitchell & Cat Stephens

ABOUT THE SHOW <img src="https://massartscenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Joni-Logo-copy-600px.png"> OF HEART AND MIND – A Tribute to the Music of Joni Mitchell Performed by NICOLE GAUTHIER Nicole Gauthier’s voice will melt your heart. For almost a decade, her captivating performances have delighted audiences throughout New England and beyond. She writes and performs solo, as well as with her award-winning, powerhouse, all-female vocal quartet, <a href="http://www.howsaboutcharliemusic.com/">How’s About Charlie</a>, based in Providence. Nicole was introduced to Joni Mitchell’s music in her early 20s, at a time when she felt in need of guidance and found inspiration in Mitchell’s works. After listening to the album “Clouds,” she decided to learn every song on the recording, sparking a new love for playing guitar — an instrument she had already been playing for years. The strange, dissonant chords that Mitchell uses influenced Gauthier’s own writing style. Now, she accompanies herself on guitar, ukulele, or dulcimer to perform these classic songs live in a tribute that brings audiences to their feet and gets them singing along. And Gauthier’s powerful voice naturally and effortlessly evokes the spirit of early Joni Mitchell. <img src="https://massartscenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Catmoonshadow-logo-no-background-600px.png"> CATMOONSHADOW – A Tribute to the Music of Cat Stevens Performed by JOHN FUZEK Back in the mid-1970s, when John Fuzek was learning to play guitar, one of the first songs he was taught was Cat Stevens’ version of “Morning Has Broken.” Cat Stevens was extremely popular in the 1970s and was an early influence on Fuzek’s music. Now, Fuzek has been performing solo, as part of a duo, or in a band for over 35 years. As a solo performer, he has released many recordings, won awards, and shared the bill with artists such as Judy Collins, Paula Cole, Kevin Bacon, and Steve Forbert. His duo, Fuzek-Rossoni, has also released recordings, won awards, and shared the stage with performers such as Noel Paul Stookey, Richie Havens, Tom Rush, and River Phoenix. In 2006, John formed the Neil Young tribute band Forever Young, which has performed at prestigious venues across the Northeast for the past 18 years. The band has won multiple awards and sold out many shows. Music runs deep in Fuzek’s life, and he brings decades of experience to every performance. Whether performing solo, in a duo, or with a band — playing his own music or covering others — Fuzek pours his heart and soul into every song. Many have compared Fuzek’s voice to that of Cat Stevens, which inspired him to create this project. His love for Stevens’ music solidified this choice.

Mass Arts Center

Bright Star

Inspired by a true story and featuring a Tony-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell,&nbsp;Bright Star&nbsp;is a story of love and redemption that takes place in the 1920s and 40s American South. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful bluegrass melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion.

Les Sampou at the Rose Garden

Les Sampou&nbsp;(pronounced “Less Sampoo”) is an Americana singer-songwriter, who got her start in the Boston folk scene and moved on to national prominence and acclaim. Sampou has performed at Montreal Jazz Festival, SXSW, Toronto Blues Festival, Kerrville Folk Festival (where she won the&nbsp;New Folk Songwriting Award), Philadelphia Folk Festival, Winnipeg, and Falcon Ridge to name a few. Sampou has conducted workshops at Berklee School of Music and appeared on top syndicated radio programs such as Acoustic Cafe, World Cafe, and NPR. Sampou has released seven albums, five on her own label and two on Rounder Records. Her album,&nbsp;“Fall from Grace”, topped the&nbsp;Gavin Americana Charts&nbsp;nationwide. Her release&nbsp;“Lonesomeville”&nbsp;charted number 2 on the&nbsp;US/European Americana F.A.R. Charts&nbsp;and led to her performance at the SXSW Conference in Austin, TX. To date, Sampou has released seven albums of original material (See Sales on Menu).&nbsp;In 2021, Les won the 26th Annual International Songwriters Award for lyric writing for her song “LIES FROM TRUTH.” Sampou, who lives on the South Shore of Boston, began playing in the streets in what she terms as “relatively late in life.” At twenty five, when all her friends were getting married, buying houses and planning for kids, Sampou started playing guitar and writing, hitting the pavement to Harvard Square, the tunnels of the MBTA subway, and anywhere she could open her case for coin and applause. It was there she found her voice and polished her guitar playing and wrote the first of her prolific collection of songs, many of which you will find on this site organized by genre. After cutting her teeth in the streets, Les began playing area clubs, doing the 9 pm – 1 am shifts for little or no cash that she sums up as “paying her dues.” After a couple years of the club scene, Sampou found the coffeehouse scene. She describes this period by saying, “Being in front of a listening audience was nerve wracking; my hands would shake and my voice would seize up. But I was hooked.” Les worked her stage fright and didn’t stop writing. Her first album&nbsp;“SWEET PERFUME”&nbsp;caught the attention of&nbsp;legendary DJ Dick Pleasants&nbsp;and it soon was on the doorstep of&nbsp;Rounder Records&nbsp;where she was immediately signed. Rounder released “Fall From Grace” and it hit the top of the charts of Gavin Americana Radio. Sampou’s third disc, the eponymously-titled album&nbsp;“LES SAMPOU,”&nbsp;was a departure from her folk and blues sound and her penchant for rock began to color her voice and her writing. The CD was well received in the music industry despite&nbsp;Rounder’s reluctance&nbsp;to support the album as it veered too much from Sampou’s earlier album. John Black, writing in&nbsp;Digital City&nbsp;said about the disc, “Les Sampou’ is a remarkable CD full of the kind of songs you play over and over again. Listening to songs like ‘I Want You’ — and believe me I’ve listened to it enough to wear a groove in my CD — you can only wonder why Sampou isn’t in regular rotation on radio stations across the country. Sampou’s mature voice and intelligent heartfelt lyrics make the current flavors of the month on the radio sound like the lightweights they are.” Sampou and Rounder parted ways and Les released her first all-acoustic, country-blues album,&nbsp;‘BORROWED &amp; BLUE’”&nbsp;on her own label,&nbsp;MoNando Music. Always side-stepping categorization, this time Sampou put out a collection of the guitar-based country-blues—original and classics—tunes that were a staple in Les’s live shows.&nbsp;Jay Miller, Music Critic for The Patriot Ledger&nbsp;reviewed the album, writing, “Sampou’s guitar work is breathtaking–her six-string mentor Paul Rishell must be proud. Most notably her vocal work is thrilling, adding layers of emotional depth to this eclectic mix of four Sampou originals, old classics by the likes of Mississippi Fred McDowell and Blind Willie McTell and some surprises, like Bob Dylan’s Meet Me in the Morning. An understated triumph.” But, it wasn’t until her album&nbsp;‘LONESOMEVILLE,’ that Sampou feels like she “hit her stride.” Pairing up with recording engineer Chris Rival, Sampou and her all-star band of Boston’s cream of the crop session players (Kevin Barry/Guitars, Mike Dinallo/Guitars, Paul Kochanski/Bass, Andy Plaisted/drums, Jim Gambino/Keys, Jimmy Ryan/Mandolin, David Ogden and Mark Cunningham, Vocals) recorded Lonesomeville live in two days.&nbsp;Ducky Carlisle,&nbsp;mix engineer, added his acclaimed rock edge to the Americana set of blues and soul-tinged country tunes. Lyrically, Lonesomeville sums up what Sampou writes about best—love gone wrong, hard goodbyes, and honky tonk heartbreak.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

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.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

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

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

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.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

Where

steveide

Experiences

Abbie Gardner & Finals of Performing Songwriter Competition

The Joni Cat Show: Tribute to Joni Mitchell & Cat Stephens

Bright Star

Bright Star

Bright Star

Bright Star

Les Sampou at the Rose Garden