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The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, with special guests, will perform “You’ve Got a Friend: Music of the Brill Building,” on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 2, at 3 p.m., at Memorial Hall, 83 Court St.

Conductor Steven Karidoyanes will lead the orchestra on a dive into classic rock and pop songs from New York’s legendary Brill Building, which was essentially a factory for hit songs. The orchestra will be enhanced guest Broadway vocalists, including multi-award-winning Scott Coulter, and John Boswell and Jessica Hendy from Coulter’s Spot On Entertainment company.  

“Music of the Brill” will celebrate the output of the 165 independent music companies that were housed in the 11-story Brill Building at 1619 Broadway during the building’s heyday, particularly in the early 60s. Brill songwriters included Carole King, Neil Sedaka, Neil Diamond, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weill, and Leiber & Stoller. They – along with arrangers, musicians, producers, publishers, printers, and promoters – turned those tunes into the soundtrack of a generation. Some of the most memorable pop and rock hits from the ‘50s and ‘60s came from the Brill, including “Stand By Me,” “Where the Boys Are,” “River Deep-Mountain High,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” and “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do.” (Just reading the list of those titles evokes nostalgia for some – and even if you didn’t grow up with this music, it will probably be familiar.) The proximity of so much talent and the desire to create a hit seemed to make the artists all the more prolific at the time when rock and roll was taking off.   

Scott Coulter will be among the guest singers at the Plymouth Philharmonic’s concerts paying homage to the Brill Building era this coming weekend.

The Plymouth Philharmonic has collaborated with Coulter’s company before, in 2019. Karidoyanes said the pairing has many benefits.

“They provide professionally written sheet music from which the orchestra plays and it’s all fully licensed,” he, uh, noted.

Karidoyanes said the vocalists are “true collaborators who are eager to make things easy for us during our limited rehearsal time together….Their music makes our orchestra musicians sound great.” It kind of goes with the orchestra’s theme for this season of “better together.” That could also be applied to the tenants of the Brill.

Tickets are $30, $55, $65, and $100 and you can buy them here. The event will also include an optional pre-concert cocktail party with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar in the Blue Room of Plymouth Memorial Hall on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 6 p.m. Tickets for the cocktail party are $25, and you can get them here.

Monday, January 27

Pamela Anderson in “The Last Showgirl,” showing at Plimoth Cinema.

“The Last Showgirl,” starring Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Dave Bautista, is showing at Plimoth Cinema at Plimoth Patuxet Museums, 137 Warren Ave., until Thursday, Jan. 30. The film explores how a veteran showgirl faces her future when her show abruptly closes after 30 years. “The Room Next Door,” director Pedro Almodovar’s first English-speaking film – and starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore – continues until Thursday, Jan. 30. The story follows the drama between former friends who reconnect, and the request by one that tests their relationship. Film times are 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.50, $11 with a club card, $10 for seniors or members, and $8.50 for seniors with a club card.

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. 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. The “This New House” tour will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. You’ll get to see the construction of two houses for the 17th village Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for museum members. 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. Materials will be provided, and no experience is necessary. Isabel Stearns will teach you the art of crafting and designing with felt. Tickets are $55. You can sign up here.

Friday, January 31

If you’re in the mood for Tea and Spirits, check out an Evening of Mediumship at Shelley’s Tea Rooms, 51 Court St., from 5 to 7 p.m. The event includes Shelley’s cream tea presentation, which consists of two freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and strawberry preserves along with a pot of tea of your choice. Space is limited and the “resident medium” will connect with as many people as possible. Tickets are $48.95. Call 508-927-4402 to reserve your spot.

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. The performance starts 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 to contribute her jazzy/funky sound.

Saturday, February 1

Steps leading to the top of Burial Hill. Pilgrim Hall’s first walking tour of the historic graveyard for 2025  is set for Feb. 1

Put on your walking shows and dress warmly for the first Burial Hill Walking Tour of 2025, led by Donna Curtin, executive director of Pilgrim Hall Museum, from 1 to 2 p.m. The theme is “A Revolutionary Love Story” – just in time for Valentine’s Day. This year, in honor of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution, the tours will focus on the history of that era. Meet at the top of Burial Hill. You don’t have to register, but severe weather may force a cancellation, so check for weather updates on the Plymouth Antiquarian Society’s Facebook page.

The League of Women Voters of the Plymouth Area will present a free screening of the documentary “Majority Rules” at 2 p.m. in the Fehlow Room at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St. The documentary covers Alaska’s change in its voting system and some of the results of that change. There will be a discussion following the film, and a mock election (voting for best cookie). Ed Shoemaker, executive director of Voter Choice Massachusetts and Ranked Choice Boston will speak and take questions after the film. Celia Nolan, a League of Women Voters supporter of ranked choice voting will be there, along Rahsaan Hall, CEO of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts and co-chair of Ranked Choice Boston.

The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra and Broadway vocalists will perform “You’ve Got a Friend: Music from the Brill,” at 7:30 p.m., and repeat the performance on Sunday, Feb. 2, at 3 p.m. See the lead item in this column for more details.

Sunday, February 2

Enjoy some laughs and drinks from 6 to 8 p.m. at a Roast of Jordan Chabot, hosted by Inebri-art and New World Tavern, 56 Main St. Chabot, the owner of Speedwell Tavern and self-proclaimed “King of Wings,” will be the object of “lovingly brutal jokes about his life, his work, and his questionable choices in friends.” The roasters are local hospitality industry friends who will take the stage at New World to take shots at Chabot. A portion of ticket sales will support local school performing arts programs. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door. You can get them here.   

Monday, February 3

Uva Wine Bar, 46 Main St., welcomes “gals” celebrating Galantine’s Day During the Sip & Pour Candle Making Class from 7 to 8:30 p.m. you’ll pour your own non-toxic candle while sipping wines from around the world.  And if all that candle-making makes you hungry, you can build your own charcuterie board. Tickets are $50. You can get them here. Food and wine are not included.

Tuesday, February 4

Hone your strategic skills at the Chess Club in the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 6 to 8 p.m. Experienced chess instructor Bill Petrillo will be available to provide guidance, along with Jim Pritchard. The club will meet in the Nook Road Room, Everyone, no matter their skill level, is welcome to join. The library will provide chess sets, but you can also bring your own.

Thursday, February 6

The Wolff Sisters will perform at the Spire on Feb. 6

The Wolff Sisters will perform their gritty folk-rock music in the laid-back atmosphere of the Lobby Series at the Spire at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The sisters broke into the Boston music scene as an acoustic trio. They grew up on Dylan and Springsteen blended with the loose and loud Rolling Stones. Tickets are $15 and you can get them here

Friday, February 7

Lisa Polizzi’s Janis Joplin Experience comes to the Spire at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Polizzi recently performed twice at the Apollo Theater in New York City. Her tribute to Janis has gained recognition for tribute artist of the year in Nashville. Tickets are $36 and $40. You can get them here.

Saturday, February 8

A community workshop on the Downtown Resiliency Project will meet in the Fehlow Meeting Room at Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 10 to 10:45 a.m. As a part of Plymouth’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, climate-ready solutions are being built into a redesign of downtown Plymouth. The project will span from Main Street Extension to Samoset Street. The town is seeking input from the public.

Guitarist Mike Dawes will be at the Spire on Feb. 8.

British guitarist Mike Dawes will perform at the Spire at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Dawes is known for composing, arranging, and performing multiple parts simultaneously on a single guitar, and is regarded as one of the world’s most creative modern fingerstyle guitarists. His repertoire includes original viral videos and popular arrangements. He’s also performed with Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues. Tickets are $31.50 and $35. You can get them here.

The 1620 Winery, 55 Cordage Park Circle, invites the public to “The Vintner’s Experience,” at 4 p.m., a winery tour and tasting hosted by1620 Winery’s Robert Mullaney. Guests will sample several varieties of wine throughout the tour (including  straight from the barrels in the winery’s private aging room). The tour will be followed by a sit-down tasting of six wines paired with hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $95. You can buy them here.

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