StoneBeatlemania Comin’ to the Kate

Does every tribute to the Beatles need to be Beatlemania?

Nope.

What do you call a musical tribute that features songs by both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, the two great classic rock bands who are polar opposites?

How about StoneBeat? Or BeatStones? How about we just say it’s another theme night of great poprock music by the area’s most successful purveyors of great songwriting concerts. Small Town Concert Series, which happens on Thursday, July 28, at 8 p.m. at The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center in Old Saybrook.

So far, the Small Town Concert Series has played to eight packed houses at the Kate with tributes to Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and the Grand Ole Opry. Now they’ll pack the “Stonebeat” show, with a little help from their friends. For this show, three guest performers are slated: Rachael Aikens (vocals), Ryan Newman (on guitar, from Say What?) and Dave Rave.

Dave Rave, or “the Raver,” is possibly the only member of the “StoneBeat” Tribute who could actually pass for a player in either a Beatles or a Stones tribute band, with his shaggy mop of dark hair and versatile talents on vocals and guitar. Rave also brings true showmanship to the proceedings. To excite the crowds and cause a frenzy, he’s been known to walk into the audience, singing with a microphone; he’s succeeded in getting people to sing along to “Eleanor Rigby,” and known to spontaneously burst into “Satisfaction” during an otherwise all-original show.

Dave Rave not only knows the music of the Beatles and the Stones, he’s stood in the footprints of his giants. Dave “the Raver” is coming fresh from two European tours, including appearances in Liverpool at the legendary Cavern Club, home of the Beatles. A rocking songwriter from Canada, his latest single, “Anne-Marie,” is climbing the U.S. charts.

The Grammy-nominated guitarist/vocalist is glad to be performing again with Small Town Concert Series: “When I first heard the Beatles do ‘She Loves You,’ I knew this music was the soundtrack of my days. When I heard the Rolling Stones, I knew I had something to listen to at midnight. The Stones may ‘Paint It, Black’ but without that, how else could you appreciate ‘Here Comes the Sun’?”

Dave Rave looks forward to delivering some of his favorite “StoneBeat” songs at the STCS tribute, being an audience favorite as well as a seasoned player (this is his 22^nd with STCS and maybe the 4,444th show of his career).

“Small Town Concert Series Meets the Beatles and the Stones” features 30 + classic hit songs by the Fab Four (the Beatles) and the Glimmer Twins (Mick and Keef of the Stones), including “Hey Jude,” “Satisfaction,” “I Saw Her Standing There” and “Ruby Tuesday.”

The STCS “Big House Band” is readying to rock, with special guests Rachael Aikens (vocals) and Ryan Newman (guitar), Hillyn Natter on drums, Rodney Maxwell & Brian Wolfe on guitars, Rose Bengtson on vocals, Dana Takaki on violin, Matthew Male and Timu Collotton on percussion. Musical Director, Grammy-nominated Lauren Agnelli, leads the band on bass, guitar, vocals.  

Come out to the Kate on Thursday, July 28^th to roar for the Beatles AND the Rolling Stones. Come out and sing along with us: “I know it’s only rock & roll but I like it.”

Additional info: “Small Town Concert Series Meets the Beatles and the Stones,” Thursday, July 28^th, 8 p.m., at the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (The Kate), tickets $25 available at the box office (877.503.1286) or online (thekate.org).