The iconic Christian Rock/Free Jazz band “Shakers n’ Bakers” will be spending the most sacred day on the Shaker calendar in the Brattleboro/Putney area Aug 6. “Mother Ann’s Day” is the date which recognizes the arrival of Mother Ann Lee, founder of the Shaker community, to the United States in 1774. The Shakers were a utopian community with progressive social and artistic values that thrived during the mid-1800’s. This celibate Christian group lifted up the values of humility, simplicity and an ecstatic sense of spirituality through their music, visual arts, architecture, and vision of “Heaven on Earth” in many Shaker communities throughout New England and the Midwest.
“Ecstatic Shaker music infused with jazz, soul, and funk doesn’t happen every day. Shakers-N-Bakers is something truly original and unique,” says Keith Marks, Executive Director of Next Stage Arts. “The lineup of the group is jaw dropping, pulling from masters in numerous genres. The show is going to be something memorable.”
The band Shakers n’ Bakers was formed in 2003 by jazz saxophonist Jeff Lederer to perform the “Vision Songs” of the Shaker community, many of which were received in states of trance by young women of the Shaker community during the years 1837-50, and were expressed in the languages of inspiration. The Shakers n’ Bakers includes many leading lights of NYC’s improvised music scene including vocalists Mary LaRose and Miles Griffith, Jeff Lederer on saxophone, Jamie Saft on keyboards, Jennifer Vincent on bass and Allison Miller on drums. The group has released 3 albums on the Little (i) Music label.
On August 6 the band will perform at 4pm at the Bandwagon Festival Stage in Putney, Vermont in a special family performance that includes a visual arts educational workshop on the “Gift drawings” which were created in the same period as some of the music the band performs. Everyone will be encouraged to create their own “gift art” as part of the event. Tickets available at www.nextstagearts.org.
At 9pm on the same day, the group will perform at the Stone Church on Main St. in Brattleboro, tickets at www.stonechurchvt.com.
The Bandwagon Summer Series is a family-friendly outdoor cultural performance series running from early May through mid-October. More than 20 performances ranging from a diverse group of musical styles, circus arts, dance, and theater will take place at ballfields, farms, and parks throughout Windham County. Kids under 12 always get in for free, and a dedicated play area will be available at all shows. Refreshments are sold onsite, including the return of last summer’s hugely popular Barr Hill cocktails, and the new addition of some selections from Mad River Distillers.
Support for the Bandwagon Summer Series is provided by VTDigger, Brattleboro Reformer, Oak Meadow, Whetstone Craft Beers, Barr Hill, Mad River Distillers, The Porch Café and Catering, and Halyard Brewing Company.
Next Stage serves southeastern Vermont as a regional cultural hub, arts producer, and instigator of meaningful cultural experiences. Founded in 2010 as a nonprofit organization, Next Stage Arts is a transformative, community-centered project dedicated to revitalizing Putney’s cultural and economic village center through excellence in arts programming valuing diversity as a springboard for nurturing community.
For more information and updates please go to: nextstagearts.org
