BANDING TOGETHER As Liz Simmons, vocalist and guitarist for the Vermont-based folk group Low Lily, sees it, the double bill appearing at the Bull Run in Shirley on Saturday, May 28, represents a mingling of musical generations. Simmons and her fellow bandmates have been touring on the New England music scene for two decades; the other group to appear that night, Lula Wiles, comprises three musicians newly graduated from Berklee College of Music.
“They’re the next generation,’’ Simmons said of Lula Wiles. “We’re the musicians that preceded their generation.’’
Simmons and her bandmates look with pride upon the younger women — some of whom they have known since childhood. Lissa Schneckenburger of Low Lily was an instructor at Maine Fiddle Camp back when Isa Burke and Ellie Buckland of Lula Wiles were young students there, and the members of the two bands have crossed paths on and off ever since. Both bands were recently nominated for a New England Music Award.
But ultimately, it is the common threads in their artistic styles and not in their personal histories that will make for a compelling night of music, Simmons said.
“This show will appeal to audiences interested in vocal and instrumental folk and roots music,’’ Simmons said. “We cover a lot of ground between the two bands. People who like folk music and all its offshoots will enjoy the night.’’
The double bill by Lula Wiles and Low Lily begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 28. The Bull Run is at 215 Great Road, Shirley. Tickets are $10 advance, $15 the day of show. For advance tickets and more information call 978-425-4311 or go to www.bullrunrestaurant.com.
ROCKING AGAIN Two rocking chairs that are more than 80 years old returned to their birthplace with this month’s exhibition, “The New Show,’’ at West Concord’s Bradford Mill. The chairs were manufactured by the Allen Chair Co., last headquartered in the Bradford Mill in the 1930s, and recently reappropriated and restored by Martha Livingston, owner of Heirloom Up, a restoration business within the mill. Along with the chairs, “The New Show,’’ which runs through June 1, features work by a dozen resident artists with studios at Bradford Mill. The gallery is at 43 Bradford St., West Concord. For further information, e-mail artscapeshow@gmail.com or call 978-790-7776.
ART AND SCIENCE Westborough artist Tracy Spadafora and Boylston artist Carrie Crane present their artistic responses to contemporary science in an exhibition titled “Systematic Ambiguity,’’ at Fountain Street Fine Art through June 19. An artist talk is scheduled for June 12 at 2 p.m.The gallery is at 59 Fountain St., Framingham. For hours and more information, call 508-879-4200 or go to www.fsfaboston.com.
WIRED Room 83 Spring presents “Line/Place/Time/Trace,’’ an exhibition comprising paintings by Katherine Porter and wirework by Ellen Wieske, through June 25. Gallery hours are Thursdays 3 to 7 p.m., Saturdays 1 to 4 p.m., and by appointment. The gallery is at 83 Spring St., Watertown. For more information, go to www.room83spring.com.
LOCAL TUNES The Framingham-based RPS Band will perform on Friday, May 27, at 8:30 p.m. at O’Connell’s Pub, 700 Worcester Road., Framingham. Featuring two vocalists accompanied by guitar, bass, sax, and percussion, the RPS Band, which formed just two years ago, is rapidly gaining local attention for its unusual mix of funk, R&B, jazz, and gospel. No cover charge.
The acclaimed Lakatos Family Hungarian Gypsy Band performs at First Parish in Bedford on Tuesday, May 24, at 7 p.m. Suggested donation is $20 per person. First Parish is at 75 The Great Road in Bedford. For more information, call 781-275-7994 or go to www.uubedford.org.
LET IT GROW On Friday, May 27, through Sunday, May 29, the Gore Place farm will hold its spring plant sale, offering vegetable garden transplants that include more than 30 varieties of hybrid and heirloom tomatoes, culinary herbs, select annual flower varieties, and hanging baskets. Gore Place gardener Scott Clarke will be on hand to answer questions. Hours all three days are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gore Place is at 52 Gore St., Waltham. For more information, call 781-894-2798 or go to www.goreplace.org.
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