The Avalon Theatre and Stoltz Listening Room continue to bring wonderful entertainment options to the Shore and surrounding areas.  This month features country music legend Clint Black, the world’s most popular touring big band and a Beatles tribute among many other acts.  In addition,their is more programming for children than ever before.  The Avalon hopes to see you and your family at any one of these fine shows.  First hand experiences are more rewarding than ever.  Have a wonderful Spring and we hope to see you in the theatre.

Diana Chittester

Friday, April 5 • 8 p.m.

Diana Chittester is known for her signature percussive “guitar acrobatics” (Buffalo ArtVoice), bold vocals, and “intelligent and articulate lyrics” (Music Connection Magazine).  Percussive thumping, popping bass lines and melodic picking patterns became a signature sound that elevated Chittester from bars and coffee shops to folk clubs and Performing Arts Centers.  Diana has opened for artists Lisa Loeb, Chris Trapper, Joan Osborne, LP, Kim Richey, Colin Hay, Melissa Ferrick, and Royal Wood.

Jesse Brock and Mainline Express

Saturday, April 6 • 8 p.m.

Brock, International Bluegrass Music Awads (IBMA) Mandolin Performer of the Year 2009 and 2015, and Mainline Express, like a streamliner locomotive, have unified their talents into a driving style of American music with original and traditional material, building a quality final product.  When they get grooving like a well-oiled machine, you’re going to want to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride through the musical landscape of a genuine American art form.

Madeline and the Bad Hat, A Musical for Ages 4 and Up

Friday, April 12 • 7 p.m.

Todd Performing Arts Center, Chesapeake College

ArtsPower’s colorful musical captures the touching spirit of Ludwig Bemelmans’ much loved Madeline series.  This amusing tale traces the adventures of a young Parisian girl who – despite starting off on the wrong foot with a mischievous new neighbor – eventually learns that first impressions aren’t everything. Told with gentle humor, and featuring a beautiful musical score, this amusing tale of enemies-become-friends will charm and entertain children and adults alike.

Brooks Williams

Friday, April 12 • 8 p.m.

At the crossroads of blues and American roots music you’ll find Brooks Williams.  “Setting new standards and a fresh direction for the blues,” says Blues In Britain, and creating a “beautiful fusion” (Keys And Chords). Just when you think he can’t sing a blues-ier note, he sings it. Just when you think he can’t strum a deeper groove, he strums it.  Ranked in the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists, he’s a mean finger-picker and a stunning slide guitarist. He’s no slouch as a songwriter and has an impeccable ear for a good cover.

Clint Black

Sunday, April 14 • 7 p.m.

The Avalon at Chesapeake College, Wye Mills

Join country music legend Clint Black in celebrating the 30th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut album “Killin’ Time”! The multi-million selling country icon is on tour commemorating the release of the triple-platinum album that all but altered the landscape of country music.  Black surged to superstardom as part of the fabled Class of ‘89, reaching #1 with five consecutive singles from “Killin’ Time”. He followed that with the triple-platinum “Put Yourself in My Shoes”, and then a string of platinum and gold albums throughout the ‘90s.   Perhaps most impressively, the Grammy-winner wrote or co-wrote every one of his more than three dozen chart hits, including “A Better Man,” “Where Are You Now,” “When My Ship Comes In,” “A Good Run of Bad Luck,” “Summer’s Comin’,” “Like the Rain,” and “Nothin’ But the Taillights,” part of a catalog that produced 22 #1 singles and made Black one of the most successful singer/songwriters of the modern era.

The Dirty Grass Players

Friday, April 19 • 8 p.m.

Hailing from Baltimore, The Dirty Grass Players have established themselves with one toe-tappin’ foot in traditional bluegrass and blazing musicianship that pushes boundaries.  Throw in some Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd or a dash of southern rock and you’ll quickly understand what they mean by Dirty Grass.

Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen NEW ARTIST

Saturday, April 20 • 7 p.m.

“Frank Solivan, Mike Munford, Chris Luquette and Jeremy Middleton are the best instrumental unit in bluegrass these days.” David Morris, Bluegrass Today. With chops so hot, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen were named IBMA’s 2016 Instrumental Group of the Year for the second time, with a third nomination in 2017. Their critically acclaimed album “Cold Spell” earned a 2015 Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album of the Year.

Jenn Grinels

Saturday, April 20 • 8 p.m.

“Grinels began to play and sing and the whole room stopped breathing. She has a dazzling voice, Chrissie Hynde’s mojo, Rickie Lee Jones’ feel for the jazz in the spaces between notes and an unfailing sense of the dynamics called for in each moment…words fell from her mouth like gems.”Fans of Eva Cassidy, Van Morrison, Brandi Carlile and just plain good singing will want to see Jenn when she returns to the Avalon stage to perform music from her upcoming studio album.  She is a rock-and-roll temptress, quietly purring into the microphone or seriously belting out a tune.  Grinels has the rare gift of being a well-rounded performer who engages the audience fully and openly, sharing the performer as much as the performance. And her performance is nothing short of amazing.

Count Basie Orchestra

Friday, April 26 • 8 p.m.

2019 Grammy Nominee for Best Large Jazz Ensemble for the recording “All About That Basie”! Founded in 1935 by pianist and bandleader William James “Count” Basie, The Count Basie Orchestra has won every respected jazz poll in the world at least once, won 18 Grammy Awards, performed with legendary vocalists like Billie Holiday, appeared in several movies, television shows, and at every major jazz festival and major concert hall in the world.  This great, 18-member orchestra, today directed by trumpeter Scotty Barnhart, is committed to continuing the excellent history started by Basie of stomping and shouting the blues, as well as refining those musical particulars that allow for the deepest and most moving of swing.

For tickets and more information call Kimberly in The Avalon Box Office at 410-822-7299 or visit online at avalonfoundation.org.