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This is not the typical “show” you might expect to see at The Spire. On the last Thursday of every month, Cara Brindisi presents her “Life and Lyrics Concert and Podcast” series at the performance venue in downtown Plymouth. She performs with musician friends and interviews them about their music and lives. Her goal, she says, is to deepen the audience’s experience of music, and to explore what it means.
Brindisi was on “The Voice” two years ago and has been part of the New England music scene for more than 10 years. She built a loyal local following around the Worcester area, but recently moved to Plymouth. Throughout her career, Brindisi has written, performed, and recorded original music.
Brindisi’s day job is as a musical therapist in hospice care. She says she sees how important music can be to people at that stage in life, and it’s has helped her dive into the deeper meaning of songs. The unusual format of her concert/podcast series was influenced by her experiences as a therapist and musician.
“Maybe [that’s] where my music therapy background comes into play with who I am as a performer,” she says. “I love when people can find meaning in a performance, a voice, the sound of an instrument, a conversation, or the gathering of people. Life is just not very easy for anyone, and I know that at the deepest level. And I really believe that my job as a performer is to bring just an hour of solace for someone, or an opportunity to expand their mind or their heart.”
During her performance at the Spire, Brindisi wants her friends to talk about their music and lives through conversations, not interviews. It’s all unscripted, and she even encourages audience participation. Those conversations, in many ways, end up being performances on their own.
“They’re getting kind of a music therapy experience in a way, like talking about why music is so meaningful to us and diving into specifically how life fuels the writing of lyrics, but also even the cover songs that we choose as artists,” she says. “We all have our favorite songs that we sing that other people wrote and there’s usually a reason why. Music is one of the safest parts of our human experience.”
The next performance in Brindisi’s monthly series is scheduled for June 27. Her guest is musician Dave Alves. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.
June 18
The Plymouth Public Library’s YA book club meets. Led by Youth Services librarian Madde Mahoney, the club each month picks a book to discuss from a range of genres. Copies of the book are available at the library at 132 South St. This event takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. and is free. For more information, email here.
June 19
Plymouth Memorial Hall presents The Wood Brothers in concert. Playing from their new acoustic-driven album “Heart is the Hero,” their diverse music and their acclaimed live show are sure to get to the heart of the matter. The show is at 7:30 p.m. and ticket prices vary. You can get them here.
Pilgrim Hall Museum presents a Juneteenth lecture by Rev. Dr. Robert Gomes. He will share stories of his involvement in a community’s rediscovery of the African American Parting Ways site, established following the Revolutionary War. It starts at 7 p.m. at 75 Court St. Tickets are $10 and you can get them here.
June 20
L. Knife & Son hosts the free Thursday concert series this year at the Pilgrim Memorial Park Amphitheater on Plymouth’s waterfront. From 7 to 9 p.m. at 79 Water St.
The Spire presents an acoustic performance by Grain Thief. The band, featuring Patrick Mulroy (guitar, vocals), Zach Meyer (mandolin, vocals), Michael Harmon (bass, vocals), Tom Farrell (resonator guitar), and Alex Barstow (fiddle), doesn’t plug into amps. Its members just use microphones to amplify their unique sound. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and you can get them here.
June 21
The Spire presents multiple daytime Emmy Awards winner Ben Bailey for a night of comedy. Ben starred in two Comedy Central specials and is widely known as the CashCab Guy. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 and you can get them here.
June 22
The Pilgrim Festival Singers presents Summer Songs: Tunes from Broadway and American Traditions, at the Church of the Pilgrimage. Led by William B. Richter, conductor, and Elizabeth Chapman Reilly, piano accompanist, the show begins at 7:30 p.m. at 8 Town Square. Tickets are $15 and you can get them here. Children under 14 are admitted for free.
June 23
The Pilgrim Festival Singers presents Summer Songs: Tunes from Broadway and American Traditions, at St. Bonaventure Parish. Led by William B. Richter, conductor, and Elizabeth Chapman Reilly, piano accompanist, the show is at 4 p.m. at 803 State Road. Tickets are $15 and you can get them here. Children under 14 are admitted free.
Plymouth Pride Kite Day takes place at Nelson Park at 235 Water St. starting at 10 a.m. This event for kite lovers of all ages.
The Spire presents Ken Block and Drew Cohen. They are best known as two of the five members of the platinum-selling southern rock band Sister Hazel. The show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 and you can get them here.
RaceWire hosts the Run Your Buns Off 5K. Starting and finishing at Mayflower Brewing at 12 Resnik Road, runners will receive prizes, including Marathon Sports gift cards for the top 3 male and female finishers. Most important, all runners will get a free beer at Mayflower Brewing afterward. The race starts at 9:30 a.m. For more information and to register, go here.
June 26
Wednesday Walks at Mass Audubon Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary. At this weekly hour-and-a-half event, you can find out about the sanctuary’s successful wetlands restoration during a two-mile hike. You will get to see the sanctuary’s native plant and animal species. No registration required. Meet at 60 Beaver Dam Road at 10 a.m.
The Summer Concert Series on the Plymouth waterfront begins this year with Grammy nominated Munk Duane, along with opening act Louise Adams. Duane’s R&B influenced music relies on the influence of ‘60s and ‘70s soul music. This free event, presented by Project Arts of Plymouth, takes place between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Come get your groove on, sample the food trucks, and enjoy the view and summer weather. For more information, go here.
June 27
Plymouth Memorial Hall presents Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers as they celebrate 25 years of Spirit Trail. The 13-time Grammy nominee has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry. And that’s just the way it is. The show is at 8 p.m. and ticket prices vary. You can get them here.
The Spire presents Cara Brindisi, in an unusual format of interviews and performances with some of her favorite musicians, talking with them about their music and their lives. For more, see the lead item in this column. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and you can get them here.
June 28
Local hip hop artist CM Young, along with Yung Delirious and Elquan, perform at New World Tavern, 56 Main St., as part of their Now or Never Tour. The show starts at 9 p.m. Ticket are $10 and you can get them here.