Coughlin tribute show

The Press Room in Portsmouth will host a tribute show on Saturday, July 5, for former Hotrod Fury bassist Geoff Coughlin, who died of a drug overdose in May. The show will feature Coughlin’s Hotrod band mates, drummer Trish Muchemore and guitarist Jim Farquhar. Among the evening’s other performers are Nate Laban of The Frosting, Jerry Brookman of Storm the Ohio, Adam Hall of The Water Section and others.

Hotrod Fury was a staple of the Seacoast punk scene until Coughlin’s death, and the band had been scheduled to play at The Press Room on Saturday. Instead of canceling the gig, Coughlin’s friends decided to turn the evening into a tribute in his memory.

A skilled bassist and beloved figure in Portsmouth, Coughlin was known for both his music and his outgoing personality, working at Belle Peppers on Congress Street. Performers at the tribute show will play songs that Coughlin wrote and loved. The $5 show begins at 9 p.m. at The Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 603-431-5186. 

The Stone Church is treading water

Chris Hislop had to think hard before listing some of his favorite shows at The Stone Church over the last few years. The managing partner at the Newmarket venue has seen enough memorable performances to make picking a favorite seem daunting.

“Oh, baby,” Hislop said as he thought. The first show that came to his mind was Richie Havens’ sold-out performance on June 13. “He was just a super cool guy. I had fun just hanging out with him and listening to some of his stories,” he said.

Hislop also fondly remembered a recent show by legendary mandolin player David Grisman, as well as performances by jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter, folk-rock band The Avett Brothers and the drum-keyboard combo of The Benevento-Russo Duo. But perhaps his favorite gigs of all took place when musicians from various bands came together for impromptu jams, like when Mike Dillon, Marco Benevento and Reed Mathis shared the stage, or when local guitarist Dave Tronzo joined acts from around the country.

“Those are the shows that really, to me, make The Stone Church stand out,” Hislop said. “All these internationally known musicians just come by and put together some group or sit in together and collaborate, and it just makes for some mind-blowing stuff.”

With any luck, The Stone Church will continue offering stellar musical acts in years to come. But a tight economy and financial burdens have put the Granite Street venue in danger of closing down. A number of local musicians donated their time on June 21 for a fundraising concert, and Hislop said the event raised enough money to keep The Church operating—at least for a little while.

As of now, the Church has announced shows through July, beginning with folk cowboy Ramblin’ Jack Elliott on Saturday, July 5, and ending with psychedelic punk band the Butthole Surfers on Monday, July 28. Hislop has also booked three shows in August. He hopes to come back in the fall with a strong lineup of acts that will help the venue rebound.

The Stone Church reopened in 2004 after closing for several years in the 1990s. The new owners quickly renovated the building and managed to increase income over previous levels, but those renovations left the venue in serious debt. On top of that, patrons have been coming out in fewer numbers lately and spending less at the bar and restaurant.

“It’s definitely a combination of the economy and gas prices,” Hislop said, adding that the building still owes high payments on its mortgage. “Our overhead is quite, quite strenuous.”

Management at The Church is talking to investors and considering options to remain in business. One potential option is to switch to a nonprofit organization, although making that transition is tricky. Nonprofits must establish a strict mission statement, and any money generated must work toward that mission. Any profits over the operating costs and salaries must go to another nonprofit or benefit.

Although nothing is set in stone, Hislop said the venue will probably hold another fundraising concert in the late summer or fall. People can also contribute donations at www.thestonechurch.com by going to the music schedule and clicking on the link at the bottom of the page. 

Calling himself an optimist, Hislop said he is cautiously hopeful that The Stone Church will survive and continue its impressive run on the Seacoast. “I don’t know if confident is the right word, (but) I’m definitely optimistic,” he said.

mixing it up at Dos Amigos

In the I-Pod age, new generations of music fans are largely oblivious to the fine art of making a mix tape. It’s a delicate craft, balancing songs by different artists to create a cohesive whole that is sweet to the ear throughout. If you think you can handle it, now’s your change to put your mixing skills to the test.

Dos Amigos Burritos in Portsmouth is hosting its first ever “mix tape-off,” offering customers a chance to hear their favorite songs played in the Mexican restaurant. Contestants must submit their CD or cassette tape to an employee at the 107 State St. establishment by 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 26. It will then go to a panel of Dos judges, who will pick their favorite. The winner will receive a $20 gift card and a Dos Amigos T-shirt, and the winning mix will be played at the restaurant.

The rules are few but crucial. All entries must include a list of the song titles and artists. The contestant’s name, phone number and e-mail (if applicable) must be provided. And all songs must be appropriate for a family restaurant setting—that means no swears or lewd or offensive content. Cover art is optional. 

jazz in the park

The 13th annual Tommy Gallant Jazz Festival will bring four acts to Portsmouth’s Prescott Park on Sunday, July 6. This year’s event, part of the Prescott Park Arts Festival, will feature performances by the Don Doane Sextet, David Thorne Scott and the Mark Shilansky Quartet, The Press Room Trio and the Seacoast Big Band.

Don Doane is a trombone player and long-time associate of the late Tommy Gallant, as were his band mates, saxophonist Ralph Norris, bassist Al Doane, drummer Phil McCowan and pianists Muriel Havenstein and Gerry Wright. Following Doane’s band, vocalist David Thorne Scott teams up with pianist Mark Shilansky and his quartet, featuring saxophonist Jared Sims, bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa, drummer Steve Langone and guest trombonist Jay Ashby.

Next comes the Press Room Trio, now led by pianist Ryan Parker, along with drummer Les Harris Jr. and bassist Marty Ballou, who takes over for the late Jim Howe. Jay Ashby will again sit in on trombone. Capping off the event is the Seacoast Big Band, led by director Dave Seiler and featuring Charlie Jennison and Marc LaForce on saxophones, Chris Oberholtzer on trombone, Craig Skeffington on trumpet, Jim Butka on piano, John Hunter on bass and Ken Clark on drums.

The festival is named for pianist and jazz educator Tommy Gallant, who died in 1998 after many years of helping define the Seacoast’s jazz scene. This will also be the first festival held since the Howe’s death last fall, and the memory of his skillful and exuberant playing will suffuse each performance. 

The show will run from noon to 6 p.m., with a suggested donation of $8.