MARBLEHEAD — The winter season of the me&thee coffeehouse offers a wide variety of acts that will surely capture the musical imagination of concert fans of all ages. The much-esteemed listening room, which has offered the best in national and international acoustic music since 1970, begins its winter season on Feb. 2. The me&thee is located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead at 28 Mugford St.
This first show of the winter season features The Boxcar Lilies. Their three-part harmonies, tight songwriting and on-stage camaraderie make for a delightful evening. Jenny Goodspeed and Stephanie Marshall will be bidding third member Susan Cattaneo adieu at this show. Cattaneo is leaving the trio to pursue her solo career.
Feb. 9 marks the return of Chelsea Berry to the me&thee stage. It’s been a long time since her last visit; her latest recording, Wanderbird, has received rave reviews. Berry’s mentor, Livingston Taylor, has this to say about her talent: “A voice of remarkable power and control with a joyous soul. Brave and bright, Chelsea Berry is the real thing.”
A tribute to the amazing songwriter, John Prine, is in store on Feb. 16. Amy Fairchild, The Meadows Brothers, Jenee Halstead and Patrick Coman will combine musical forces to sing some of Prine’s most-loved songs. They will also perform some of their own songs that have been influenced by two-time Grammy Award-winning Prine.
Me&thee favorites Guy van Duser and Billy Novick will round out the month on Feb. 23. This dynamic duo dazzles with fingerpicking guitar and jazzy clarinet chops.
March 2 will be a most memorable evening when Dom Flemons makes his me&thee debut. A former member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Flemons draws from a wide range of styles including ragtime, Piedmont blues, spirituals, southern traditional music, string band music, fife and drum music and jug band music.
Tracy Grammer returns to the me&thee on March 9. She is celebrating her newest album, Low Tide. Grammer came to the public’s attention when she and the late Dave Carter released three popular albums (1998-2001).
The Hanneke Cassel Band plays on March 16. Cassel and her band create a cutting-edge acoustic sound that retains the integrity and spirit of the Scottish tradition.
The final show of the winter season is on March 23 with Seth Glier. His music is riveting, inspirational and full of rhythm, blues and soul.
Tickets for all shows are available at www.meandthee.org. Tickets are also available in Marblehead at both the Spirit of ’76 Bookstore and Arnould Gallery and at the door. Student tickets are always $10. As at all me&thee coffeehouse events, refreshments are available, including homemade pastries, coffee and teas. The me&thee has a handicapped-accessible entrance and a handicap-accessible restroom, is a smoke-free environment and is easily reached by MBTA bus.
The me&thee coffeehouse is one of the oldest continually running acoustic music coffeehouse in New England.. It has been and will always be a volunteer, nonprofit organization sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. For information and directions, call 781-631-8987.