It seems that this summer there are more “tribute” shows than ever in the Tristate region. Maybe it has something to do with the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing uncertainty about when/where/how we can all gather in public venues.
Or maybe we all just really love to hear old tunes played live in the style that sounds familiar to our ears. One of the joys of music subscription services such as Spotify and YouTube is that you can do a search for “covers” of songs you love; the fun there is that you can often hear wildly different versions of great songs (vintage as well as recent).
Tribute shows, on the other hand, are meant to recreate your favorite songs in the way they were originally performed by your favorite bands.
Take the Swedish pop super group ABBA as an example. The band’s biggest hits are covered extensively, in part because they’ve been performed onstage and onscreen in the films and plays of “Mamma Mia” — and of course, “Mamma Mia 2,” in which the band’s most famous songs are covered by the immortal Cher (who released her own album of ABBA covers when “Mamma Mia 2” came out; it’s great).
I certainly have an appreciation for higher-quality music of the classical, pop, rock and jazz varieties, but I do love me some ABBA. Somehow, my annual birthday ritual has come to include watching “Mamma Mia” at home with my friend Divya every year.
This year, however, I will most certainly be attending the Sharon Playhouse ABBA tribute show that, curiously, is scheduled for the actual night of my birthday, which is Saturday, July 10.
Sharon Playhouse in Sharon, Conn., has a pretty packed roster of summer entertainment with performers from the region and from New York City.
However, there are also several tribute shows on the schedule. In addition to ABBA, look for shows featuring Electric Light Orchestra (yes, I like them too; so sue me); the music of the Rat Pack; the music of Motown; tunes in the style of the Andrews Sisters, tunes in the style of Buddy Holly and the Crickets and more. Get all the details at www.sharonplayhouse.org/drive-in-stage.
Infinity Hall, the lovely and historic gem of a theater in the center of Norfolk, Conn., relies particularly heavily on tribute shows. There’s been quite a bit of schedule shuffling caused by COVID-19, but this summer look for shows that bring back the magic of Fleetwood Mac and the epic album, “Tusk;” Jim Morrison and the Doors; the Beatles in “Beatlemania;” and Kashmir: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Tribute Band (yes, the ultimate!).
The band love continues all the way into autumn, with plans for tributes to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; and Chicago. Look for schedules and ticket information at www.infinityhall.com/Events.
For those who deeply love Led Zeppelin and aren’t satisfied with just Kashmir (the Ultimate Led Zep tribute band), the Towne Crier Cafe in Beacon, N.Y., has The PreZence which is an “authentic Led Zeppelin tribute experience,” on July 3.
Other tribute acts there this summer include Gratefully Yours (Grateful Dead) and a YES tribute show. In autumn, look for The American Pink Floyd Show.
For details, and for information on performances by non-tribute awesome acts including Steve Forbert, Iris Dement and Sloane Wainwright, go to www.townecrier.com.
And to all the tribute bands that recreate our favorite song experiences: We salute you!
WOODBURY — Nonnewaug High School claimed twin titles in the Berkshire League soccer tournament finals.
The school's girls and boys teams were named league champions after finishing the regular season with the best win/loss records. Winning the tournaments earned each team a plaque and added to the program's success in 2025.
Both of Nonnewaug's varsity teams faced off against their counterparts from Housatonic Valley Regional High School in the tournament finals in Woodbury Tuesday, Oct. 28.
The boys game was played first. Housatonic took a quick 2-0 lead with goals from Gustavo Portillo and Jackson McAvoy. Nonnewaug responded in the second half with three consecutive goals: first from Cash Medonis then two from Vincenzo Rose. The Nonnewaug boys won 3-2.
The Nonnewaug girls team celebrates as victors in the Berkshire League tournament final Oct. 28.Photo by Riley Klein
The girls game followed. Nonnewaug and Housatonic traded goals early on and the score was tied 2-2 at halftime. Nonnewaug scored twice more in the second half to win 4-2. Housatonic's goals were scored by Ava Segalla. Rosie Makarewicz scored twice for Nonnewaug and Hailey Goldman and Aubrey Doran scored once.
Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference soccer tournaments begin Oct. 31. Both Housatonic teams qualified for the Class S tournament and both Nonnewaug teams qualified for the Class M tournament.
TORRINGTON — Joan Jardine, 90, of Mill Lane, passed away at home on Oct. 23, 2025. She was the loving wife of David Jardine.
Joan was born Aug. 9, 1935, in Throop, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Joseph and Vera (Ezepchick) Zigmont.
Joan graduated from Harding High School.
She was a working artist for much of her adult life, starting her career studying plein air impressionist oil painting at the Cape Cod School of Art. Her work evolved to include a more representational style, and eventually a large body of abstract pieces. Her award-winning work has been shown in galleries and juried art shows throughout southern New England.
She is survived by her daughter Leslie and her husband George, brothers Joseph, Victor, and their families, nephews Gregory, Christopher, and their families, daughter-in- law Huong, and the extended Jardine family. She was predeceased by her son Douglas, and brother Michael.
A memorial service will be held at All Saints of America Orthodox Church, 313 Twin Lakes Road, Salisbury, Connecticut on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the All Saints of America Orthodox Church, PO Box 45, Salisbury, CT 06068.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
The ofrenda at Race Brook Lodge.
On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield will celebrate the Mexican Day of the Dead: El Día de los Muertos.
Mexican Day of the Dead takes place the first weekend of November and honors los difuntos (the deceased) with ofrendas (offerings) on an altar featuring photos of loved ones who have passed on. Elements of earth, wind, fire and water are represented with food, papel picada (colorful decorative paper), candles and tequila left for the beloved deceased. The departed are believed to travel from the spirit world and briefly join the living for a night of remembrance and revelry.
Music and events programmer Alex Harvey has been producing Día de los Muertos at Race Brook for the past three years, and with the closing of the venue looming, the festival takes on a deep and personal meaning.
“The anchoring gesture of Race Brook, long before I arrived on the scene, has always been to cultivate a space that thins the veil between the worlds. Something otherworldly is hiding in the mountain’s towering shadow: the whispering spring-fed stream, the dense lineage that founder Dave Rothstein brings, the woodsmoke that rises every night of the year from the firepits. This space communes with the spirits,” said Harvey.
“And so we cradle a special ache in our hearts as the leaves turn and the beautiful dance of Race Brook’s project of cultural pollination draws to a close. Fitting, then, to return for one last activation — Día de Los Muertos — a celebration of the end of things. A remembrance of those who’ve made the transition we are all destined for, but also a time when we honor many types of loss. And while we will all mourn those who aren’t there in the flesh, we will also, with humility, come as mourners for the space itself,” Harvey continued.
The event will be a night to remember, to celebrate and to release with ritual, music, and communal remembrance. Participants are invited to bring photos, talismans and offerings for the ofrenda (offering), as well as songs, poems or toasts to share in tribute to loved ones who have passed.
Mexican American musicians Maria Puente Flores, Mateo Cano, Víctor Lizabeth, Oviedo Horta Jr. and Andrea from Pulso de Barro, an ensemble rooted in the Veracruz tradition of son jarocho, will be performing.
Translating to “Pulse of the Clay,” their name reflects a deep connection to the earth and to the living heartbeat of culture itself. Through a synthesis of Mexican, Cuban, Venezuelan and Puerto Rican traditions, Pulso de Barro merges poetry, rhythm and communal song as pathways to coexistence with nature. Their performances feature the jarana and leona (stringed instruments), quijada, cajón, maracas, and marimba (percussion), the tarima (percussive dance platform) and a call-and-response of folk and original versadas.
The evening begins at 6 p.m. in the Barn Space with a Fandango de los Muertos featuring Pulso de Barro, a Race Brook favorite. At 8 p.m., the Open Mic for the Dead invites guests to speak directly into the spirit world — through word, music or memory. The night culminates at 10:30 p.m. with a Fandango for the Dead, a participatory music and dance celebration. Bring your instruments, your voices and your dancing shoes.
Race Brook Lodge is a unique rustic getaway destination for relaxation, hiking, live music, workshops, weddings and more. Sadly, it will be closing for good later in 2026, ending a storied chapter of Berkshire music, art, culture and well-being.
Come experience an evening that honors lost loved ones and the end of a Berkshire institution. The cycle of life endures. Surely, resurrection is in the cards for Race Brook Lodge.
For Tickets and info, visit: rblodge.com
