Casino Ballroom announces opening weekend

Spring may still seem a long way off, but the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom is already gearing up for its 2009 season. The Ballroom recently announced three acts for its opening weekend of shows, beginning with Philadelphia-based trio G. Love & Special Sauce on Thursday, April 2. Soul legends Tower of Power will follow on Friday, April 3, and Florida-based rock band Shinedown will wrap up the weekend on Saturday, April 4. Tickets are on sale for all three concerts.  

Composed of G. Love on guitar, vocals and harmonica; Jeff Clemens on drums; and Jim Prescott on upright bass, G. Love & Special Sauce released their first album in 1994 and quickly won a following with the hit song “Cold Beverages.” The group’s blend of laid-back blues, R&B and rap helped pave the way for acts like Jack Johnson and Ben Harper. Tickets are $20.50 to $33.50.

Since forming in Oakland, Calif., in the late 1960s, Tower of Power has released more than 20 recordings and has toured or performed with the likes of Sly Stone, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Elton John, Smokey Robinson and Rod Stewart. The 10-piece band, complete with a full brass section, combines jazz, funk, rock and soul for a big sound. Tickets are $20.50 to $33.50.
Shinedown released its third album, “The Sound of Madness,” on Atlantic Records last year.

Composed of Brent Smith on lead vocals, Eric Bass on bass and piano, Zach Myers on guitar and Barry Kerch on drums, the hard rock quartet formed in Jacksonville, Fla., in 2001. The show on April 4 will include opening sets from 10 Years and Halestorm. Tickets are $22.50.

All three shows begin at 8 p.m. The Casino Ballroom is at 169 Ocean Boulevard at Hampton Beach. For tickets, call 603-929-4100 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. For more information about the shows, call the concert hotline at 603-929-4201 or visit www.casinoballroom.com.

Jumbo Circus Peanuts play annual Mardi Gras Ball

The Jumbo Circus Peanuts like to party and play music, and they’ll do both at the Portsmouth VFW during their annual Seacoast Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Much like the aforementioned Tower of Power, Jumbo Circus Peanuts is a 10-piece band with a full horn section including trombones, saxophones and clarinet. The New Orleans-style band often appears in outlandish costumes just to spice things up. The group invites guests to don their own whacky outfits at the ball, which the Peanuts’ have hosted on the Seacoast for 14 years.

The assorted members of the Circus Peanuts have performed in a variety of Seacoast bands over the years, but their talents combine for a live act that refuses to take itself too seriously. The band members enjoy poking fun at life and musical pretension, which has helped earn them a reputation as a group of “professional drinkers with a music problem.” The group’s influences include Tom Jones, Sly Stone, Hank Williams, Count Basie, the Neville Brothers and Alvin and the Chipmunks.

The dance party begins at 8 p.m. at the Portsmouth VFW Ballroom, 238 Deer St., Portsmouth. Admission is $7 at the door.