Berkshire Theatre Group Announces The Garage In Colonial Theater Lobby

Berkshire Theatre Group has announced a new performance space, dubbed "The Garage," in the lobby of The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield.

The Garage will feature music weekly on Wednesdays or Thursdays from 9pm until Midnight. The first six performances will be free and open to the public, and will feature local as well as regional acts in many genres including Americana, Rock, Funk, Blues, and Reggae. The first six shows are Chris Merenda & The Wheel, Otis Grove, The Citizens, Tory Hanna, Tony Lee Thomas Band and Sparkplug. While all ages are encouraged to attend, the venue features a full service bar for those of legal drinking age.

Located in the lobby of The Colonial Theatre, The Garage pays homage in its name to the old Berkshire Auto Co. Garage. The building, originally built in 1921, still features the original façade, while the interior is fully restored, having been included in the Colonial Theatre restoration in 2006. With an audience capacity of upwards of 100, The Garage's focus is to provide a dedicated music venue for local and regional acts as well as to host touring acts. Musicians from near and far will take the stage on Wednesdays or Thursdays throughout the year, except during Colonial Theatre Main Stage productions. The venue will provide a space for local musicians to thrive as well as draw up and coming musicians to downtown Pittsfield.

The Garage will officially launch on November 3rdwith local favorites, Chris Merenda & The Wheel and their soulful brand of Americana and Rock. On November 10th, Boston-based organ trio, Otis Grove will bring their original mix of rock and funk, dubbed ‘Runk' that has been taking the New England scene by storm. Local newcomers, The Citizens, featuring seasoned veterans of the Berkshire county music scene will play Funk, Blues and Rock on November 16th. Tory Hanna returns to Pittsfield on Thanksgiving Eve, November 23rd for a hard-hitting night of Singer/Songwriter Rock. December 1st will feature local staple, Tony Lee Thomas and his band, who are known for their expert execution of original Rock and Blues. Finally, up and coming funk phenomenon, Sparkplug, will take the stage on December 8th to close out the year before A Christmas Carol comes to The Colonial.

About Chris Merenda
Chris Merenda & The Wheel have been playing throughout Berkshire County and beyond for years. Says The Berkshire Advocate, "Merenda has made his presence felt on the musical scene in various guises, lately leading his ?ve or six-member band The Wheel, and earlier as drummer for The Mammals. Merenda is a musical polymath, leading his band while alternating between electric guitar, acoustic guitar and banjo. Merenda has had a knack for songwriting since childhood days."

www.chrismerenda.net

About Otis Grove
Otis Grove began as a collective experiment in crossing the traditional organ jazz sound with funk, hip-hop, and rock tones. It was the beginning of a sonic realization based in groove and free in improvisation, yet rooted in songwriting and melodic structure. In early 2004, on the heels of their self-titled debut album, the band began spreading their sound to clubs around the New England area. The music, which has since evolved into a unique blend of aggressive rock n' roll and high-intensity organ funk (some fans have dubbed their genre 'Runk'-a mixture of rock and funk), pays tribute to the masters while consistently pushing itself in new directions. It's as if jazz organ legend Jimmy Smith had been the fifth member of Led Zeppelin, or if the Meters had joined forces with Black Sabbath. Performer Magazine writer Sam Merrick described it best as "a monstrous funk groove that probably would have sent Godzilla running had he been in the neighborhood."

www.otisgrove.net

About The Citizens
The Citizens are a group of friends and musicians that play Funk, Folk, Rock, Blues, Jazz & Reggae. They have played in some of the most prestigious venues around the world and have recorded in some of the finest studios. The Citizens can adapt to nearly any situation such as backing up a variety of singers and musicians or performing as the pit band for a Rock-Opera. As seasoned veterans, with years of international touring & recording experience, they boast a broad range of musical expertise.

www.facebook.com/TheCitizensBerkshire

About Tory Hanna
A former resident of Pittsfield, MA, Tory Hanna performs homegrown music, blending electro-rock, reggae, and roots-rock, he creates music that is dreamy, energetic and true to his roots. His style is unique to Western Massachusetts and speaks to those who enjoy a variety of musical styles. A guitarist and a soulful singer/songwriter, Tory performs original material that is both thoughtful and playful, refined by years of experience. Though he hails from New York City, he has strong ties to the Berkshires and its musical acts, such as Billy Keane and the Misdemeanor Outlaws and Barefoot Truth.

About Tony Lee Thomas
A student of voice from age four, Tony Lee Thomas' vocal endeavors have included classical technique, various choral ensembles, even barbershop and doo-wop quartets. He has sung in, directed and arranged for many such projects and has gained a deep understanding of vocal harmony. Tony began guitar at seven years old, double bass at age ten, furthering his understanding of instrumentation and song composition. Thomas' wealth of performance experience lends him the ability to connect with audiences spanning a multi-faceted scope: from intimate and poignant solo performances to momentous full-blown commanding vamps with his rock band, the Tony Lee Thomas Band. Cornerstone members are seasoned veterans Jason Maley (bass guitar, vox), and Sean Larrabee (drums, percussion). Each of these players bring two decades (each) of touring and recording to Thomas' venture. 20 years of experience setting a new vocal standard, along with his ever evolving guitar work, lends Thomas a comfortable versatility that allows the freedom of tailoring his arrangement to any audience.

www.tonyleethomas.com

About Sparkplug
Organist Beau Sasser and drummer Bill Carbone spent several years as members of the late, legendary soul-jazz guitarist Melvin Sparks' trio. Sparks was always planning for the future. He frequently played the trio demos of songs that he wanted to record or tracks that he thought would be fun live - everything from Jimmy Smith to Zapp and Roger. Sparkplug is Bill and Beau's way of paying tribute to their friend and mentor. They perform the songs that Sparks wrote and those which he performed during his 45-year career as well as what else he might play if he was still here.

www.sparkplugband.com

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