Spire Center for Performing Arts Launches Summer Season

The Spire Center for Performing Arts, the entertainment mecca of Plymouth, presents a eclectic season of summer entertainment at The Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 ½ Court Street, Plymouth.

Summer kicks off with the second annual Plymouth Rock Assurance Jazz Fest throughout Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24. Jazz Fest 2015 is produced by Johnny Souza, through the generous sponsorship of Plymouth Rock Assurance Company and Eastern Bank. Special guest jazz radio host Eric Jackson serves as emcee for Friday and Saturday's events. Tickets for Jazz Fest are $30 per evening for Saturday and Sunday's performances, or $50 for a Friday/Saturday combination ticket. Tickets for the All Star Open Jazz Jam Session are $10 for audience members or performers.

On Friday, May 22, 7 pm, the Festival kicks off with The Johnny Souza Quintet, The Marshall Wood Quartet featuring Donna Byrne, and The Harry Allen Quartet. On Saturday, May 23, 7 pm, Yoron Israel & High Standards, Cassandre McKinley and the Paul Broadnax Trio, and The Joey Calderazzo Trio take the stage. On Sunday, May 24, from 2 to 5 pm, the All-Star Open Jazz Jam Session welcomes musicians to take the stage with the house band during, comprised of some of the area's finest jazz musicians.

On Friday, May 29, 8 pm, one of America's true original troubadours singer/songwriter David Mallett performs. With a career spanning four decades, Mallett has recorded 14 albums, with hundreds of covers of his songs being performed across the US, Canada and Europe. Known for his carefully written, poetic offerings, his body of work has provided material for an eclectic list of artists that includes Alison Krauss, Pete Seeger, Hal Ketchum, Emmylou Harris, John Denver and The Muppets. Singer/songwriter Maurice Dickson opens. Tickets are $25.

On Saturday, June 6, 8 pm, The Doo-Wopp Hall Of Fame Of America by Harvey Robbins presents their best in concert, including The Tune Weavers ("Happy, Happy Birthday Baby"), featuring two original members from 1957 and Doo-Wopp Hall Of Fame Of America Lifetime Achievement Award inductees, Tony Funches, long-time lead singer of Herb Reed's The Platters, singing their everlasting hits ("Only You", "The Great Pretender", "Harbor Lights", My Prayer", "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes", "Twilight Time"), The Elvis Presley Review with Dana Z, and the Royalty of Rock 'n Roll All Star Band. Tickets are $37.50.

On Thursday, June 25, 8 pm, The Greg Hopkins Jazz Orchestra appears with special guest vocalist Renese King, sponsored by Rockland Trust. A teacher at Berklee College of Music since 1974, Hopkins was dubbed "a real find" for the Buddy Rich Orchestra by The London Times. Whether he is leading his own band or performing as a sideman, he is stablished as one of the genre's most respected performers, composers and arrangers. Hopkins has performed with legendary artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, Joe Williams, Tony Bennett, the Supremes, Burt Bacharach, Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls. Tickets are $25.

On Saturday, June 27, 8 pm, powerhouse vocal trio Red Molly delivers gorgeous harmonies, crisp musicianship and infectious songwriting. Laurie MacAllister (bass), Abbie Gardner (Dobro), and Molly Venter (guitar) weave together the threads of American music, from folk roots to bluegrass to barn-burning honky tonk, through crystalline three-part harmonies. Folk/pop singer-songwriter and fiddler Eva Walsh opens. Tickets are $20.

Also appearing are The Dark Side of Grassroot: A Tribute to Pink Floyd on May 30, and Steve Smith & The Nakeds, Zack Tyler opens on June 5.

Tickets for all performances are now available, advance purchases are recommended, seating is limited to capacity. The Spire is handicap accessible, public parking is available streetside, and in public lots in close proximity. For more information, to order tickets online, or to learn more about The Spire, please visit www.spirecenter.org.

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