Art by The Chalk Guys

With a dedication to accurately reproducing the music of The Beatles, The Apple Scruffs perform shows that allow audiences to re-discover the fab four’s repertoire all over again.  As a quintet, they are able to reproduce songs from The Beatles’ later “Studio Years” such as “Strawberry Fields” “I Am the Walrus” and the entire Abbey Road album to name a few.  No costumes, no wigs, just the music that changed the world.

They perform at the close of the Little Italy Madonnari Arts Festival from the roof of Germano’s PIATTINI in an ode to the 1969 Beatles rooftop concert above their Apple Corp. headquarters–the last concert they would play together.

Sunday, September 10 5pm

Germano’s PIATTINI and the Associated Italian American Charities proudly present international jazz artist Simona De Rosa.

Simona De Rosa is an award-winning singer, composer, educator. Having released two albums as a leader and appearing on numerous albums, she has established herself in the NY jazz scene and continues touring internationally.

Born in Napoli, Italy, Simona De Rosa started to play piano at the age of 10. As a teenager she discovered her voice and started singing different types of music from classical to pop and soon become fascinated by jazz and the thrilling possibilities of spontaneous improvisation.

While studying geology in Napoli, Simona already had the chance to work with many bands ranging from a duo to big bands. After graduating from Federico II in 2008, Simona moved to New York, and has been living there and in Italy since then. During the time in New York, she was also enrolled at Queens College where she developed her skills in arranging and performance. She was offered to travel with her projects gracing several stages in USA and Europe also as opening act such as Louis Prima jr. Simona joined the Duke Ellington Sacred Concerts conducted by Randal Keith Horton and was invited to sing many times at the prestigious Friars Club in Manhattan by the actor/singer Dominic Chianese. Simona is also very close to her roots in the USA, organizing events for the italian-American community with the traditional Neapolitan music. She was awarded by Ed. Mangano for her spirit of leadership and dedication to the Italian-American community. Now she is working on her third album with the finest musicians on the New York jazz scene. Watch the RAI ITALIA interview in NYC

Tonight’s event is the official Little Italy Madonnari Arts Festival Kickoff Cabaret. The purchase of your ticket is a tax deductible donation to Columbus Celebrations, Inc. and supports the Little Italy Madonnari Arts Festival.

Thursday, September 7  6pm $35 Germano’s PIATTINI

Andrea Carlson burst onto the Delaware Valley music scene in 2009, with her first award winning composition, “Cryin'”. She followed with her first completely original CD, featuring another prize winner, “Mysterious Moon”, and most recently by this year’s CD “Love Can Be So Nice”, showcasing standards and originals in English and French. For the past three summers, Andrea has toured Europe, playing a dozen countries and headlining at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Her voice is sultry, sweet, and playful, infusing the music with elements of earthy blues, retro jazz, and romantic swing. Her guitar is classical, adding elegance and intimacy. Andrea’s repertoire is a mix of standards and originals in the vein of the Great American Songbook and Parisian Chanson; audiences and critics rave about her performances around the USA and in Europe.

Andrea was born in Tennessee, then her family moved to California and Texas, before settling in Illinois. Still in high school, she began singing jazz professionally in small groups and with a big band. Performances then included opening for the great James Brown! She earned her degree in Classical Guitar at the Columbia Conservatory, before she left Chicago – first for Memphis and then the east coast. Today, she can often be heard with her Love Police, in the greater Philadelphia and mid-Atlantic region.

Friday, September 8  6pm $20 Germano’s PIATTINI

Annapolis-based act Kings of Crownsville are a roots Rock band with a New Orleans flavor. The brainchild of New Orleans-raised guitarist/singer/songwriter Steve Johnson, the Kings play a rollicking, entertaining set that stirs Americana, Blues, and Jazz into the mix.

Their signature horn section transports listeners to the streets of the Big Easy, while they also add precise three- and four-part harmonies to their musical gumbo. Think Louis Armstrong meets Steely Dan.

The Kings of Crownsville features Johnson backed by Ed Justice on trumpet, flugelhorn and vocals; Jim Tavener on trombone, percussion, and vocals; Mike McCormick on keyboards and vocals; David Vermette on bass and vocals; and Rob Creath behind the drums. Johnson’s songs are destined to become classics.

“Homegrown Americana boogie blues and big band rockin’ swing jazz is a chunky description of the Kings.  The 6-piece band lends guitar, bass, drums, piano, trumpet, trombone, and vocal harmony.  The result is a robust, polished sound that makes for easy toe-tapping and dancing.”

Saturday, September 9 7pm  $15 Germano’s PIATTINI

The bond they have outside of music is Mt. St. Joseph High School in Baltimore. It was during their high school years that they first performed together. Now, more than forty years later, their sound is unique, exciting, and smooth. Their take on classic pop music is often unpredictable. Their secret weapon is the mandolin!

While they each went into different careers, a doctor, an attorney and a broadcaster, they have always found time to regroup to create musical memories for their faithful following.

Alan Reisinger has mastered the mandolin and takes the lead on 7 decades of familiar favorites.

Jeff Pecore picks a steady rhythm on guitar and creates recognizable introductions to favorites from Sinatra to, The Beatles, The Eagles, and Santana.

John Patti backs them both with the beat of a cajon and congas.

Sunday, September 10 2-5pm Amicci’s of Little Italy

A rarity in North America, the Baltimore Mandolin Quartet is a “Quartetto Romantico” in the Italian tradition, combining bowlback mandolins and mandola with classical guitar. Their repertoire includes many pieces composed for this combination by mandolin giants Raffaele Calace and Carlo Munier, as well as original compositions and transcriptions of classics from the symphonic and operatic literature. Their arrangement of “Stormy Weather” has been heard many times on the public radio program “Marketplace,” signalling a downturn in the stock market.

Since 2000 they have appeared at a variety of concert venues in the Baltimore / Washington D.C. area, and performed at the CMSA conventions of 2003 and 2004.

David Evans, 1st mandolin
Laura Norris, 2nd mandolin
Jonathan Jensen, mandola
Tony Norris, guitar

Saturday, September 9 2pm Madonnari Information Center (KOHLER)

The youth program of the Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra was originated by Laura Norris, Joyce Adams, Kitty and Lorin Brown and established in the Spring of 2010.

Mando for Kids is supported by grants from The Classical Mandolin Society of America and The Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra. Thank you!

Mando for Kids is a no cost program run by volunteers. The target is elementary schools.with hands-on workshops and and  comprehensive curriculum suitable for group or individual instruction.

Saturday, September 9 12-2pm Madonnari Information Center (KOHLER)

Hailed by The Washington Post as a singer with “uninhibited movement and shining vocal abilities that stood out from the rest”, soprano, Kimberly Christie, is a dynamic and versatile singer, equally skilled in opera, oratorio, recital and musical theater. In the 2013 – 2014 season, Kimberly debuted with Opera Delaware and The Baltimore Concert Opera as Gianetta in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. Other recent opera roles include Musetta in Puccini’s La Boheme with Carroll Community College, the title role in Gilbert & Sullivan’s Patience with Camp Hill Light Opera Experience and Nella in Gianni Schicchi with Wendy Taucher Opera, Dance, Theater. No stranger to new music, Kimberly premiered the full version of a new operetta by Libby Moyer entitled Not A Tenor, playing the lead role of Julene and was also recently featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” when she performed excerpts from a new opera, Scalia Vs. Ginsburg, for the Justices themselves in the Supreme Court Building. Last season also saw Kimberly return to some of her favorite stages. She served as the Artist-In-Residence for Long Island Choral Society for the 2012-2013 season, singing the soprano soloist in Vivaldi’s Gloria, Handel’s Messiah and the Mozart Requiem. She returned this season to sing soprano soloist in Carl Orff’s masterpiece, Carmina Burana. She also returned to the Annapolis Chorale stage shining as Winnifred in Once Upon A Mattress. Other roles with Annapolis Chorale include Bonnie in Anything Goes!, Victoria in A Grand Night for Singing and Adelaide in Guys and Dolls, the latter of which was praised by the Baltimore Sun: “Adelaide was made irresistible by Kimberly Christie, who proved triply skilled as a singer, dancer and comedienne shining in “Adelaide’s Lament”. This fall, Kimberly will return to Bel Cantanti Opera in DC to sing La Fée in Massenet’s Cendrillon. She will also be singing the complete songbook of Henri Duparc in October as part of the Baltimore Lieder weekend at An die Musik in Baltimore city. You can also hear Kimberly as part of the ensemble for performances with Lyric Opera Baltimore and Baltimore Concert Opera. Other concert credits include soprano soloist in JS Bach Magnificat and Christ lag in Todes Banden as well as the Schubert’s Mass in G Major all with The Advent Project of VA. Opera credits include Clorinda (La Cenerentola) and Ernestine (M. Choufleuri restera lui le) with Bel Cantanti Opera, Serpina (La Serva Padrona) with Baltimore Vocal Arts Foundation, Mary Warren (The Crucible) with Peabody Opera, and Blondchen (Die Entführung aus dem Serail) with ConcertOPERA Philadelphia. Kimberly won first place in the 2012 Kennett Square Symphony Competition and in the 2013 Douglaston Tuesday Morning Music Club Competition. She holds a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from Peabody Conservatory as well as a Bachelor of Music degree from Rutgers University and is currently based out of Baltimore, Maryland.

Friday, September 8  6:30-8:30pm  in and outside of participating Little Italy restaurants

Bill Dennison, a member of the Annapolis Shakespeare Company, under the direction of Artistic Director Sally Boyett, will perform the role of Thomas Paine, the American revolutionary, to remind us that:

“THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated”

Sunday, September 10  6pm – 7pm  S. High Street.

Duo Dolce is a quirky, eclectic collaboration between mandolinist Joel Michael-Schwartz and guitarist Christie Macdonald. Equally at home with swing, bebop, Italian romanticism, modern classical, and Latin American music, their performances are intimate, witty, and unpredictable. Both are virtuosic performers in their own right, and the mark of their duets are original, zesty arrangements, broken up by fiery improvisation.

Christie Macdonald is a performer, teacher and composer living in the Baltimore area. She has been playing guitar for 10 years and is fluent in many different styles of playing, including rock, jazz, classical, blues, and folk. She frequently plays in pit orchestras for theatrical/operatic productions all around the Maryland area. She also teaches private lessons to any aged students.

Friday, September 8 5-7pm S. High Street

Saturday, September 9 2-3pm S. High Street and 3-6pm Madonnari Information Center (KOHLER)

Joel will also perform on Saturday, September 9 12-2pm  S. High Street.

American baritone, Jason Buckwalter is known for his “super-sized characters” (The Sybaritic Singer) and “theatrical fire.” (Baltimore City Paper) A native of Landenberg, Pennsylvania, Jason now lives in Baltimore and performs throughout Maryland, Virginia, DC, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. Equally comfortable in opera, musical theater, oratorio, and song repertoire, he has performed with a wide variety of companies including the Washington National Opera, Baltimore Concert Opera, Annapolis Chorale, Young Victorian Theatre Company, and The Figaro Project.

Operatic roles include Papageno in Die Zauberflöte at the Peabody Conservatory and Carroll Community College, Belcore in L’elisir d’amore at the University of Maryland Baltimore County as well as the Loudoun Lyric Opera; Count Almaviva in The Figaro Project’s inaugural production of Le Nozze di Figaro; Schaunard in La Bohème with Capital Opera Richmond; Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus at Carroll Community College; and Brühlmann in Werther with the Washington National Opera. His portrayals of Benoit and Alcindoro in their April 2010 production of La Bohème was praised by Tim Smith of the Baltimore Sun as “dynamic.”

No stranger to the musical theater stage, Jason has also performed the roles of Mr. Lindquist in A Little Night Music at the Peabody Conservatory, Captain von Trapp in theThe Sound of Music with the Bethesda Summer Music Festival, and several roles with the Annapolis Chorale. Favorites there include Sky Masterson in Guys & Dolls and Will inOklahoma! Mary Johnson of the Baltimore Sun called his portrayal of Will “stellar” saying “he not only sang impressively and displayed his flair for comedy, but he also held his own in dance.”

A seasoned concert performer as well, Jason has performed solos with choirs in Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. He is a regular soloist with the Northern Delaware Oratorio Society where he sang both Brahms’ and Mozart’s Requiems and Gounod’s Messe Solennelle. With the Annapolis Chorale, Jason sang solos in Monteverdi’s Vespers, Bach’sSt. Matthew Passion, and Haydn’s Creation. At Peabody, Jason performed the role of Pilatus in Bach’s St. John Passion.

Jason was proud to sing solos in René Clausen’s Memorial for “Wilmington Remembers,” a concert commemorating the 10th anniversary of September 11th, 2001. The choir was made up of members of many Wilmington area groups including the Northern Delaware Oratorio Society.

A lover of contemporary music, Jason has premiered many new works, including John Belkot’s Plays at Georgetown University’s Friday Music Series and a song cycle by New York-based composer, Kevin Clark. Jason also maintains a relationship with the Baltimore Composers Forum and has performed works by members Garth Baxter, John Belkot, and Ljiljana Jovanovic. In April 2011, Jason gave world premiere performances as part of The Figaro Project’s Contemporary Opera Trio, creating the role of Max in Paul Mathews’Piecing it Apart as well as Bright Star, Snake with Two Names, and Wolf of the Shadows in Douglas Buchanan’s Lux et Tenebrae.

Jason graduated magna cum laude from Susquehanna University and earned his Master of Music degree and Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory. He was awarded the George Woodhead Prize in Voice and the George Castelle Memorial Award in Voice for his work at Peabody. He is also a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and the Pi Kappa Lambda honor society.

Friday, September 8  6:30-8:30pm  in and outside of participating Little Italy restaurants

A consummate journeyman/artist, Ellis Woodward has historically been all over the board … musically and geographically. From Baltimore to Boulder, to LA and Boise, and back to Baltimore, Ellis has performed in 30 states and seven countries, playing thousands of times over the years for audiences of all ages and from all walks of life, including – but not limited to – kids, adults, seniors, the bedridden, the moonstruck, and the misbegotten… To each of those groups, Ellis brings the same energy, attention, good humor, skill, and generosity that have been the hallmarks of his performing life – whether in a club, at a corporate event, school assembly, hospital or nursing home, concert hall, backyard party, wedding, graduation, or dock bar… As a tip of the hat to that extensive list of venue types, Ellis was named the “Best All-Purpose Troubador” by the City Paper in the 2001 Best of Baltimore issue… In the last 12 months, Ellis played more than 250 dates in Maryland,Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado, and Idaho…

As a songwriter, Ellis has written, recorded, and released four independent album/CD projects, written a theme song for a PBS children’s TV show pilot, been awarded a grant to write and record public service announcements about water conservation and recycling, and been commissioned to write a song detailing the dangers of food allergies in children. In January of 2015, Ellis was invited to be a judge in the children’s category of the MASC (Mid-Atlantic Song Contest), sponsored by SAW, (Songwriters Association of Washington). Three times, Ellis has been a showcase-featured songwriter/member of the Baltimore Songwriters’ Association (BSA), and is currently a Coordinator for the Baltimore chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), incrementally adding “mentor” to his list of musical roles and hats… Along the way, Ellis has co-written a musical celebrating the centennial of the Wright Bros first self-powered flight(Right Place, Right Time, Wright Brothers), and has an IMDB listing for a cameo role in the critically acclaimed indie film I Used To Be Darker, a Sundance selection, 2013. In December of 2016, Ellis was inducted into the Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame.”…and the road goes on forever…”

Sunday, September 10  2-5pm  S. High Street

Join Gary Rubin, a local favorite, accompanied by Brent Hardesty at the piano, as they weave their magic, singing the classic songs of Sinatra, Bennett, Darin and Buble. A delightful evening of nostalgic and contemporary classics that will compel you to hum and sing along with them and will make everyday a special occasion. You will walk out smiling!

Friday, September 8 5-7pm Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop

Saturday, September 9 3-6pm S. High Street

Jefferson Street Strutters  play New Orleans style Dixieland, traditional jazz and swing , emphasizing  popular songs of the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s.   A potpourri of danceable, hummable melodies both instrumental and with vocals.  We like to say “we play happy music.” Our audiences join in the fun with handclapping, toe-tapping, smiling and feeling happy. While the band was hatched on a real Jefferson Street in Northern Virginia, most of its players have played and marched where jazz began – the streets of New Orleans.

Sunday, September 10 11am-2pm S. High Street

The EP, “Strange The Way We Love”, marks the emergence of Solar Hearts: an original blend of indie folk; flavored with americana, vintage soul, and classic rock unplugged. Organic Soul Pop. It is music with a universal appeal that brings its listeners together. Lately seen playing solo, duo, and full band shows across Virginia; Solar Hearts has recently opened for Tim Reynolds (Dave Matthews Band), and appeared at numerous festivals, breweries, bars, restaurants, and coffee houses. https://solarhearts.net

Friday, September 8 5-7pm

Saturday, September 9 12- 2pm Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop and 2-3pm S. High Street

The Little Italy community is proud to welcome back the Park School of Baltimore  a cappella ensembles, the Eightnotes and the Vocal Chords, who warm our hearts during the winter holidays as they go caroling among the Little Italy Restaurants.  The Eightnotes, the auditioned female a cappella ensemble and the Vocal Chords, the auditioned male a cappella ensemble perform traditional and contemporary songs.   Singers  create original arrangements tailored to the group, and often participate in competitions and festivals. The a cappella vocalists will be performing along S. High Street during the Festival.

Saturday, September 8 3-5pm

Dale Coleman  plays Acoustic and Electric guitars  and lead vocals and  currently performs with: The Dale Coleman Acoustic Solo/ Duo/Trio, The Klassix, and the Steve Ports Trio.

Saturday, September 10 3-6pm  Amicci’s of Little Italy

Roses n Rust a Baltimore based band, blends classic and contemporary rock, pop and country covers with a soul and sensibility that makes Roses n Rust feel like you’ve been listening to them right next door your whole life. And in a sense, many have through their headlining role at the annual Hoodstock Music Festival, MammoJam Music Festival at the famous 8×10, South Baltimore’s jamming Chili Cook-Off at Little Havana’s and their regular gig’s at many bars, restaurants and café venues in and around Maryland.

Anna Barthelme, vocals and harmonica
Russ Causey, vocals, acoustic and electric guitar

Friday, September 8 7-10pm Amicci’s of Little Italy

Songwriter and guitarist Paul Margolis and accordionist John Shock have been playing music together for almost 30 years. Starting with Shock’s band Two Legs, then The Polkats, and now with The Stone Hill All-Stars, they have been at the helm of some of the best roots-rock bands in Baltimore.  Their blend of cajun-flavored polka lies somewhere between Ry Cooder, Los Lobos, and The Pogues—plus polka. They swashbuckled through a dozen different kinds of traditional music all while retaining a distinct Baltimore flavor. The Stone Hill All-Stars, Margolis’ and Shock’s most recent band, is the quintessential Baltimore band and Margolis is one of the city’s smartest songwriters.

This free concert is sponsored by Germano’s in celebration of Free Fall Baltimore and the Little Italy Madonnari Arts Festival. Seats in the Cabaret at Germano’s are available for dining patrons.

“This is what it’s all about: great songs, inventive arrangements, and timeless kick-ass roots-rock by guys who can really play. I loved it. I’ll bet Les Paul would have loved to sit in with the Stone Hill All-Stars. Tasty licks up the wazoo! Find out what these guys are smokin’ and get some!” –Greg Kihn KUFX-FM, San Jose, California

Saturday, September 9 12-2pm