Coming up, Peter Schickele, Klezmer-Folk-Punk, Even Zydeco

The Oscars may be over, but their melodies linger on. The Torrington Symphony Orchestra will hold its annual Cabaret Pops Concert on Saturday, March 14th at 8 p.m. at the Cornucopia Banqueting Hall in Torrington, 371 Pinewoods Road.  The theme this year will be “Hooray for Hollywood.† Tickets $15. 860-489-9183.

   Among the growing list of casualties in the current financial crisis is the 67-year old Connecticut Opera. If you had already purchased tickets to its spring productions, the Warner Theatre will exchange tickets to an opening night performance of any of its 2008-2009 musicals, including “Smokey Joe’s Café,†“42nd Street,†“AIDA†or “The Wizard of Oz.†call 860-489-7180 or go to www.warnertheatre.org.

   Missed Mardi Gras? This chamber music concert at the Warner by the Avery Ensemble on Feb. 28, at 7:30 p.m. sounds like fun. It’s a fast-paced evening of John Coolidge Adams, Peter Schickele, with some Mahler and Rameau to boot, in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre. Tickets are $25 for general public, $20 for members/subscribers and $5 for students under 18 with ID. Call 860-489-7180.

   Club Helsinki in Great Barrington will host Golem, a 6-piece Eastern European klezmer folk-punk band on Feb.27 at 9 p.m. With vocals, accordion, violin, bass, trombone and percussion, Golem’s sound evokes wisps of Old- and New-World dreams. Tickets are $20. And on Mar. 7 at 9 p.m., it’s Ollabelle, a songwriting collective known for its communal reimagining of American root traditions. Call 413-528 -3394 or go to  www.clubhelsinki.com.

   Tickets are on sale for multi-Grammy winner k.d. Lang for her show at UPAC in Kingston, NY, Sat. April 25 at 8 p.m. Golden circle, $86; All other seats, $56. Members, $51. Call 845-473-2072 or 845-339-6088 or 800-745-000.

   Fans of Buckwheat Zydeco, “the world’s greatest party band,†can catch them at Infinity Hall in Norfolk, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $30 to $45. Call 866-666-6306 or go to www.infinityhall.com. They’ll also be at the Towne Crier in Pawling March 1 at 4 p.m. $30 advance/ $35 door). Go to  www.townecrier.com or call 845-855-1300

   A quick heads-up on some big, big names: Paul McCartney, Donovan, Sheryl Crow, Moby, Paul Horn and other surprise guests will headline a benefit concert April 4 at Radio City Music Hall. The purpose of the event is to raise funds to train one million students to meditate and create world peace. Advance ticket info at www.davidlynchfoundation.org. Public tickets not yet on sale at press time.

    You might still be able to grab some seats to hear James Taylor at Tanglewood, Aug. 26-30, leading a unique series of concerts, workshops and master classes for young musicians, and a roundtable discussion on the popular music of our time. With Yo-Yo Ma, Sheryl Crow and others. Go to www.tanglewood.org. or call  617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200.

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