The Skaneateles Area Arts Council is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers, musician, composer, author, and editor, will Emcee "A Tribute to Joni Mitchell: A Concert by Maria De Angelis and Friends" on Saturday, April 28 at 8 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Skaneateles.

"Joni is a creative giant," said Rodgers, whose book Rock Troubadours features an in-depth conversation with Mitchell on her craft as a guitarist, composer, and lyricist. "Interviewing her and exploring her creative process was one of the high points of my life as a music journalist. Her songs resonate through so much of contemporary music. I am delighted to participate as Emcee for this tribute concert to her in Skaneateles." Rodgers was the founding editor of the international monthly magazine Acoustic Guitar and still serves the magazine as a contributing editor. He also reports on the music scene for NPR's All Things Considered, and is the author, most recently, of The Complete Singer-Songwriter.

As a guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, Rodgers has scored a rock musical, performed at San Francisco clubs with the band Heavy Wood, and released a solo CD called Traveling Songs. He will also be performing his Skaneateles debut on April 21st at Creekside Books and Coffee at 7:30 pm. To learn more about Rodgers, please visit his website. To purchase concert tickets, please visit skaneateles.com.

Heads up to Joni fans in the DC area! The Institute of Musical Traditions has announced a Joni Tribute show coming up on Monday, March 19 at the Saint Mark Presbyterian Church in Rockville, MD. With a long list of confirmed and established musicians performing Joni's music it promises to be quite a show!

Those in the vicinity of Amherst, New York are in for a treat from January 11 through February 11, 2007. A poignant journey of life told through dance and the remarkable songs of Joni Mitchell, "Familiar Strangers" is a World Premiere theatrical presentation to be staged at the MusicalFare Theatre on the campus of Daemen College. You can find more information on the theater's website.

For Joni fans in the Pittsburgh, PA area - On Saturday, December 2nd, a great line-up of local and out-of-town artists will gather at the area's newest home for live music, the Make Your Mark Artspace & Coffeehouse in Point Breeze, to pay tribute to a music icon who has had a major influence on their songwriting, Joni Mitchell. The show's title, "It's Comin' on Christmas..." ~ A Joni Mitchell Tribute Concert is a reference to Mitchell's song "River" from her classic "Blue" album. Featured will be local artists Brad Yoder, Heather Kropf and Clark Slater, and making their Pittsburgh debut will be Baltimore's Joanne Juskus and a duo from New Jersey called Folk By Association.

"This show is not the typical tribute show," reports producer Maree Gallagher of TR Creative Services, "It will not be a marathon of Joni covers, but rather a showcase of each artist's originals while incorporating a few of their favorite Joni songs.Each of these artists cite Joni as a major influence on their music, and the best way to demonstrate that influence is by sharing their own works."

The Make your Mark Artspace & Coffeehouse, a cozy, non-smoking, vegetarian cafe, has been hosting live acoustic music once per month since May. Owners Hemi Braunstein and Amy Siebert, both Joni-philes themselves, are excited to host this special all ages show. "Admission is free, but tips are encouraged and go directly to the artists." remarked Braunstein. "We'll have our delicious food available by advance reservation and those over 21 are welcome to BYOB."

The concert runs from 5pm to 10pm and seating and space is limited, so Joni fans are encouraged to get there early. Starting things off will be emerging local artist Hayley, whose sound is a mix of Sarah McLachlan and Natalie Merchant, but whose writing is strongly influenced by Joni.

For more info, please contact the Make Your Mark Artspace & Coffeehouse, 412-365-2117.

Dave Blackburn and Robin Adler have a few dates planned for "The Songs of Joni Mitchell", their musical tribute to Joni. Be sure to catch them if you are in the California area!

April 1: Skye at Night, Idyllwild, CA
April 20: Hot Monkey Love Cafe, San Diego, CA 619.582.5908
June 3: House concert, Encinitas, CA 760.723.1056
November 4: Dizzys, San Diego, CA

If you're in the Encinitas, CA area - mark your calendar for 7:30 this Saturday, June 3 for "The Songs Of Joni Mitchell" - A House Concert by Dave Blackburn and Robin Adler.
Tickets $20; reservations required.

A House concert at the Encinitas home of sculptors T.J Dixon and Jim Nelson. A lovely salon setting surrounded by fine art and sculpture.

Only seating for 50 people.

Robin Adler-vocals; Dave Blackburn-guitars/percussion; Evan Stumpges-bass; Barnaby Finch-keyboards;Roger Friend-drums/percussion

Call 760-723-1056 or email robin@robinadler.com for ticket info

The Storefront has announced the song list for its second production of 2006. Tales of Joni: The Storefront Sings Mitchell will be presented on Sundays, April 23rd and 30th at 7pm at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre (61 Christopher St., in the heart of New York’s West Village).

A stellar array of theatre and cabaret performers will present Mitchell’s work over the course of the two evenings.

The song list is as follows:

Ensemble – "The Circle Game"
Michael Holland – "A Strange Boy"
Sarajean Devenport – "All I Want"
Jeff Blumenkrantz – "My Old Man"
Suzanne Fiore – "A Case of You"
Baby Jane Dexter – "Be Cool"
Tim DiPasqua – "Woodstock"
Kate Pazakis – "River"
Rachel Ulanet – "California"
Nick Cearley – "Big Yellow Taxi"
Gabrielle Stravelli – "Woman of Heart & Mind"
Brandon Cutrell – "The Priest Song"
Liz McCartney – "Night Ride Home"
Jarrod Cafaro – "He Played Real Good For Free"
Ensemble – "Both Sides Now"

There is a $12 cover charge ($10 for members of MAC and Cabaret Hotline Online), as well as a two-drink minimum. Credit cards are accepted, and no one under 21 will be permitted. For reservations, please call 212.255.5438.

The Storefront announced a second song list for its second production of 2006. Tales of Joni: The Storefront Sings Mitchell was presented on Sunday, April 30th at 7pm at The Duplex Cabaret Theatre (61 Christopher St., in the heart of New York’s West Village).

The lineup of performers and songs for this performance:
Ensemble – "The Circle Game"
Michael Holland – "Conversation"
Baby Jane Dexter – "Two Grey Rooms"
Lisa Asher – "Raised on Robbery"
Tim DiPasqua – "Night in the City"
Ricky Ritzel – "Twisted"
Todd Almond & Pamela Bob – "You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio"
Karen Mack – "The Hissing of Summer Lawns"
Bobby Belfry – "California"
Brandon Cutrell – "The Priest"
Kate Pazakis – "River"
Brian Nash – "Last Time I Saw Richard"
Ensemble – "Both Sides Now"

San Francisco Joni fans have a chance to enjoy a new interpretation of her music this month when American Conservatory Theater's Young Conservatory (YC) presents Ladies of the Canyon: The Music of Joni Mitchell. In an A.C.T. press release, Creator/Director Craig Slaight says "I was drawn to Joni Mitchell by her immense skills as a musician and poet ... her music is universal, ageless, and the perfect source for dramatic interpretation." The entire program is sung, solo and in ensemble, with each of the 24 songs in the show presented as a dramatic scene.

Ladies of the Canyon: The Music of Joni Mitchell is the latest production in YC's New Plays Program, which focuses on "creating theatrical explorations of the works of contemporary composers, with the goal of creating pieces that look at the world through youthful eyes." Earlier productions have been conceived around the music of Simon and Garfunkel, as well as around the music of Bob Dylan (the Bob Dylan show was also staged at the National Theatre in London).

With musical direction by Krista Wigle and music adaptation by Naomi Sanchez, the show opens June 5 and runs through June 19 at Zeum Theater, at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. Tickets are available by calling 415.749.2228, online at the A.C.T. website, or at the door.

Coffee House, the new cabaret series presented at New York City's Daryl Roth Theatre Complex's D-Lounge, will continue Sept. 26 with an evening celebrating the music of Joni Mitchell.

Among those scheduled to interpret the tunes of the famed singer-songwriter are Lisa Asher, Brandon Cutrell, Sarajean Devenport, Baby Jane Dexter, Tim DiPasqua, Michael Holland, Karen Mack, Liz McCartney and Rachel Ulanet. Show time is 7 PM.

Phil Geoffrey Bond will direct the concert, which will feature musical direction by Ray Fellman.

Joni Mitchell's numerous songs include "Both Sides Now," "Eastern Rain," "A Case of You," "The Circle Game," "Big Yellow Taxi," "All I Want," "River" and "Chelsea Morning."

Liz McCartney starred on Broadway in Mamma Mia!, Taboo, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and the short-lived musical Dance of the Vampires. She also spent nearly two years in the Boston production of Nunsense, and her regional credits include Paint Your Wagon, The Rocky Horror Show and Fifty Million Frenchmen. McCartney was recently seen Off-Broadway in the musical Bingo.

The Daryl Roth Theatre is located at 101 E. 15th Street. There is a $10 cover charge and a two-drink minimum for each evening. Call (212) 375-1110, ext. 3 for reservations or e-mail dloungeroth@aol.com.

The Prairie Theatre Exchange in Winnipeg unveils Joni Mitchell: River this weekend, a new production that PTE artistic director Allen MacInnis describes as a "theatrical concert." Using 28 of Joni's songs, the imaginitively conceived segments making up the production touch a variety of subjects Joni addresses in her deft descriptions of what she's called "the arc of human relationships." MacInnis's Joni-inspired creations include "Falling in Love," "Psych Ward" and "Wisdom," in addition to other segments devoted to Joni's world view on war, big business and morality. Instead of dialogue, the actors use lyrics in solo and group performances to tell their stories. Musical arrangments for the show's songs, which include Big Yellow Taxi, Carey, A Case of You, Shadows and Light, Help Me and Woodstock, are by guitarist Greg Lowe. Joni Mitchell: River runs through February 10.

Originally founded in 1973 as the Manitoba Theatre Workshop, The Prairie Theatre Exchange teaches theatre for adults and children, and began to produce adult works in 1981; notable past productions include a production of George Ryga's The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, with aboriginal actors playing the aboriginal roles.

Stumped: Joni was the subject of one of the clues (in the Grammy Award category) last night on Jeopardy! (All right, I know it's not exactly a major news flash, but things have been kind of slow lately.) The clue: "She won a Grammy in 2000 for her Both Sides Now -- we loved her in the 60s." The clueless: Contestant number one buzzed in with the question "Who is Barbra Streisand?" There's a couple hundred bucks up in smoke.

Tonight, there'll be a concert in NYC's Central Park called "Joni's Jazz." Well, it's more than a concert, it's a cultural event. Singers and musicians will be performing songs written by Joni, including a complete performance of the album Hejira! This should be quite special! The official JM.COM reporter for the show will be Patrick Leader, who will be sending in his review the morning after.

Here's what you need to know:

Thursday, July 1st (raindate, Friday, July 2nd), at Summerstage - tickets $10. - $30.

It's the Hissing of Summerstage - a Canada Day celebration of Joni Mitchell's most adventurous period as a recording artist - from Court And Spark to Mingus. Vernon Reid leads a stellar band (including percussionist Don Alias, who's worked with Joni) with a lineup of incredible guest vocalists in a one-time live performance, including the album Hejira in its entirety.

Central Park Summerstage - a special fundraiser event:

"JONI'S JAZZ"
(line-up a/o 6/28/99)-

The final lineup of guest singers (not counting the unexpected) is Toshi Reagon, Dean Bowman (ex-Screaming Headless Torsos), Carl Hancock Rux, Jane Siberry, Christina Wheeler (David Byrne band), PM Dawn, Chaka Khan, Eric Andersen, Joy Askew (ex-Peter Gabriel band), Joe Jackson, Erin Hamilton (Carol Burnett's daughter / dance music star), Duncan Sheik, Holly Cole, John Kelly, and Jon Hendricks with Annie Ross.

The band is Vernon Reid - guitars, Jerome Harris - guitars (Sonny Rollins band), Matthew Garrison - bass (son of Jimmie Garrison - legendary bassist with Coltrane and Ornette Coleman), Ben Perowsky - drums, Don Alias - drums, Minu Cinelu - percussion (Pat Metheny band), Joy Askew - piano/lead& backing vocals, Brian Charette - keyboards, Leon Gruenbaum - keyboards, Ravi Coltrane - soprano sax, Don Byron - clarinet, Doug Weiselman - woodwinds (Lounge Lizards/Laurie Anderson band), Graham Haynes - cornet, Jane Scarpantoni - cello (Indigo Girls/Duncan Sheik), Christina Wheeler - lead / backing vocals, and Sheryl Marshall - backing vocals (Buster Poindexter band/Al Kooper band).