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Brothers who originally came from Plymouth, and a drummer who is from Kingston but now lives in Plymouth, make up O’Neal Armstrong, a trio set to perform as part of the Spire’s Lobby Series on Thursday, Jan. 23. Rick O’Neal on five-string bass, Charlie O’Neal on guitar, and Jeff Armstrong on drums will be joined by three other musicians to fill the lobby with sounds that are upbeat and improvisational. John Cooke will play organ, James Calandrella will handle tenor sax, and Jesse Joseph will contribute vocals and guitar.
O’Neal Armstrong’s music can be hard to define, but includes blues, jazz, funk, and rock. It’s “whatever anyone’s feeling that night,” Rick said.
The O’Neal Armstrong performance on the 23rd will be a “one-time show,” Rick said, “Although we do a lot of improvisation, still there are a lot of songs people will recognize.” He said there will be an upbeat vibe, inspiring people to dance, or even sing if they recognize a familiar song.
That vibe was evident when they first jammed with Armstrong. All three had been teaching at Music Unlimited in Kingston in 2004 when they met, and a mentor of theirs was having a blues jam at a local tavern. Armstrong was drumming when the brothers arrived, and the joined in. Rick said the manager wanted them to headline at the tavern, so they had to come up with a name Jeff Armstrong suggested “O’Neal Armstrong and the Moonwalkers,” but they decided to simplify it. The manager gave them a weekly gig, and the band was born.
Rick and Charlie said they grew up “obsessed” with guitar. Rick played in a bluegrass group with some friends and their parents. But when his aunt lent him an electric guitar in his early teens, he leaned into rock. As he got older, he discovered “this new thing called jazz.” Rick said he eventually “fell in love with the bass guitar.”
Charlie credited his brother as his guitar-playing inspiration, Even as a teen, Rick “was well-known in the area,” he said. Charlie started playing at around age 11. By sixth grade he was “obsessed.”
O’Neal Armstrong has been around for 20 years now, but some people may be more familiar with them as part of the band Delta Generators, which has also played at the Spire.
The show will something of a homecoming – the brothers’ parents, who also play guitar, will be in the audience.
Tickets for the show are $15 and you can get them here.
Monday, January 20
The Bourbon & Books Club, for those who love books and bourbon, will meet at Book Love, 7 Village Green South in the Pinehills, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. to discuss this month’s selection, “Educated” by Tara Westover. The club’s host Phil Fragasso will be “Zoom-ing” in until after the April meeting. Each meeting takes place the third Monday of the month, and each time attendees discuss a different book and sample a new bourbon. Tickets are $5 and you can register for the event here.

“The Room Next Door,” starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, and directed by Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, will be showing at Plimoth Cinema, 137 Warren Ave. This is Almodovar’s first English language movie. It won the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival. The much-discussed Bob Dylan film “A Complete Unknown” will continue with showtimes at 4:30 and 7 p.m. (Try to leave without singing at least one Dylan song repeatedly.) Tickets are $12.50, $11 with a club card, $10 for seniors or members, $8.50 for seniors with a club card.
Tuesday, January 21
If you’re yearning to learn more about the Plimoth Grist Mill, and don’t live nearby or dread going out in the cold weather, Plimoth Patuxet Museums is offering a virtual education experience on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Ticket holders will receive a link via email on the 28th, but ticket sales end today (Jan. 21). For questions, contact Christina Coleman, director of education and group programs, at 508-746-1622 ext. 8107, or by emailing ccoleman@plimoth.org. The cost is $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers. You can register here.

It turns out Young Adult books aren’t just for young adults – or teens. The Forever Young Book Club at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., welcomes adults who enjoy reading YA books, and will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. The club, led by Youth Services Librarian Madde Mahony, will discuss a different book each month. This month the book is a historical rom com, “Gwen & Art are Not in Love” by Lex Croucher. Space is limited, and registration is required. If you have questions, contact Mahony at 508-830-4250, ext. 225, or at mmahony@ocln.org. You can register here.
Wednesday, January 22
Get out your pens and pads (or laptops), for the Wednesday Night Writing Group’s meeting at 6 p.m. at Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 6 to 8 p.m. This recurring event aims to help you hone your writing skills, with writing prompts to spark your creativity. You’ll be able to share your writing with peers and to learn from others. The meeting takes place every other Wednesday. For more information, contact Maureen Coleman at mcoleman@ocln.org or call 508-830-4250, ext. 230.
Make a eucalyptus and floral wall hanging at Uva Wine Bar which has partnered with MIY Studios offering “Mocktails with MIY” for dry January. The workshop starts at 7 p.m., and doors open at 6 p.m. During the workshop you can sip mocktails as you create your piece. The hangings are made up of preserved eucalyptus and fresh flowers, and over time the blooms will naturally dry within the piece. By registering for this workshop you’ll receive a ticket for your first mocktail. If you’re not observing dry January, feel free to use the ticket toward a wine or beer drink instead. Tickets are $60 and you can get them here.
Thursday, January 23
O’Neal Armstrong performs at the Spire at 7:30 p.m. See the lead item in this column for more information.
Make an “emotional support chicken” in three weekly sessions from 2 to 4 p.m. at Plymouth Harbor Knits, 170 Water St., in the Shoppes at Village Landing. Classes are held on the second floor of the shop. Contact the shop for more information at 774-283-4704.

Dubbed by some the “American Led Zeppelin,” Get the Led Out will perform at Memorial Hall, 83 Court St., at 8 p.m. The tribute band aims to capture the mystical essence of the iconic Led Zeppelin without wigs or fake English accents. The six Philadelphia-based musicians will focus on songs from the early years. Tickets are $29, $39, $59, and $69, and you can get them here.
Saturday, January 25
IndeFerm Brewing (Independent Fermentation), 127 Camelot Drive, will host a kimchi making class from 1 to 2:30 p.m., with Og, who previously taught the class at the last Plymouth Pickle & Fermentation Festival. Tickets are $40, and you can get them here.
Vapors of Morphine will perform at the Spire at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. The trio features electric baritone sax, drums, and two-string slide bass (often guitar). They perform much of the late great Morphine’s repertoire, as well as new material and selective covers. Tickets are $31.50 and $35, and you can get them here.
Sunday, January 26
The Shady Roosters are back in the Spire’s lobby from 2 to 5 p.m., for “Sunday Funday,” with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. Enjoy a laid-back afternoon of rootsy rockabilly, blues, and country tunes. Local brewery IndieFerm sponsors the event, and will feature its craft beers on tap, kombucha by the bottle, and a selection of wine and other beverages. Tickets are $5, cash only, and sold at the door.
Tuesday, January 28
The monthly British Mystery Book Club will meet at Plymouth Public Library from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to discuss “Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death” by M.C. Beaton. This month the discussion will focus on a common character type in British mysteries – the busybody (can you say Miss Marple?). It’s the one person who cannot leave well enough alone and despite warnings and danger, ends up solving the mystery. Copies of the book are available to check out at the circulation desk four weeks prior to the meeting. Space is limited, and you can register here.
Thursday, January 30
Find out how replications of the Pilgrims’ houses are built at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave., by taking a “This New House” tour from 10 to 11:30 a.m. You’ll get to see the construction of two new houses for the 17th Century English Village during this up-close tour. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for museum members, and you can get them here.
Get crafty in time for Valentine’s Day at a Heart Garland Felting Workshop at Book Love, 7 Village Green South, in the Pinehills, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. All materials will be provided, and no experience is necessary. Isabel Stearns will teach you the art of crafting and designing with felt. The tickets are $55 and you can sign up here.
Friday, January 31

International singer Amanda Carr will return to the Spire along with the Ken Clark Organ trio and saxophonist Myanna. presenting another dynamic show of jazz, blues and soul starting at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Carr, a two-time Boston Music Awards nominee, has received critical acclaim for her interpretations of the Great American Songbook, and is not limited by any genre. Ken Clark is internationally known as one of the world’s greatest jazz organists. Saxophonist Myanna will join the concert and add her jazz and funky sounds.