In the spirit of the performers they honor and emulate, the Berkshire-based Gypsy Lane burlesque troupe takes the show on the road this weekend. The campy cast of cabaret characters makes its debut at Norfolk, Conn.’s storied Infinity Music Hall & Bistro Jan. 22, and the Vermont Burlesque Festival Jan. 24.
“My original objective was to educate audiences about the history of burlesque,” the show’s artistic director, Nicole Rizzo, says. “As we’ve grown creatively these past four years, we’ve explored various themes, staged more ambitious numbers, and gained a dedicated following along the way.”
In addition to cheeky comedic elements and plenty of sensual dance sequences, the 90-minute show pairs original musical compositions with playful nods to artists as diverse as Pearl Bailey, Frank Zappa, and Lady Gaga.
Among those lending voice to these musical flights of fancy you’ll find the Valley’s John Losito, best known for fronting former cover band heavyweights Primitive Ink and playing the lead role in a local production of Jesus Christ Superstar in 2010. He is joined by castmate/wife Teresa Lorenco in Gypsy Lane.
“It can sure make for a crazy schedule, but that’s the nature of the biz,” Losito says of working with one’s spouse. “But our 3-year-old comes to practices with us and dances around, which is also pretty cool, too.”
Another John, Wilbraham fretboard favorite John Cantalini, checked in to report that he and his wife Christina will waste no time “making tracks” in 2015.
“Christina is just finishing up her latest CD with only some mixing to do,” he reported. “As soon as she is done, I’ll be going in to get my next release started too.”
Prior to that, Cantalini performs with scene stalwart Livio as a duo opening for national recording artist House of Lords at Bleacher’s Sports Bar in Bristol, Conn. on Jan. 24; plays solo at Camile’s in Wilbraham Jan. 30; and hits the stage Saturday, Jan. 31 with his John Cantalini Band trio at the Skybox in Southwick.
And perhaps the Crawler should have saved this column for his Valentine’s Day edition: Yet another sonic labor of love from Eric Brandoli?
“My wife, Jenny Katz-Brandoli, came up with the name The Love,” he explains. “She searched far and wide and found out that, amazingly, the name isn’t taken. Even more amazing is how awesome her songwriting skills are, though. She will win a Grammy some day.”
Helping to fully realize The Love is one bassist Josh Katz, the brother of Jenny, who joins his guitar playing sis while Eric assumes the drum throne.
“We did play a couple of open mics, but we won’t officially be performing around the area until this spring,” Eric adds.
Last, but not least: “What Is and What Should Never Be” becomes “The Concert That Never Was” when master Led Zep-licators American Zeppelin team up with The Who tribute Who Are You at Fairways at the A in Pittsfield Jan. 31.
Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day of show and available at eventbrite.com or by emailing glechowski@verizon.net. Doors open at 8 p.m.
It’s actually a little-known fact that Zeppelin and The Who actually did share a bill back in May of 1969. The venue was the Merriweather Post Pavillion in Maryland and the opening act’s moniker was misspelled on the ticket as “Lead Zeppelin.”•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
