Million Dollar Bash Celebrating the music of MAVIS STAPLES + BOB DYLAN

***TICKETS ARE SOLD PER VEHICLE, NOT PER PERSON***

Benefiting the Vermont Arts Council + Burlington City Arts

Nicole Nelson, Bob Wagner and Higher Ground present MILLION DOLLAR BASH, celebrating the music of Bob Dylan & Mavis Staples, benefitting the Vermont Arts Council (VAC) and Burlington City Arts (BCA). The event also includes speakers from the Vermont arts community as well as two short films focusing on Vermont artists in these times, one from the VAC and one from BCA in association with In Tandem Arts.

Bob Dylan and Mavis Staples wrote and recorded music that was and is an indelible, essential part of the soundtrack of the Civil Rights Movement. As individuals, perhaps their tale is made somewhat bittersweet in that they had a little known but palpable romance that never had the chance to fully take root. Nevertheless, their incredible song work lives on as does its historic relevance in our world today.

For this benefit near and dear to both of their hearts, Nelson and Wagner have forged a triple band supergroup featuring players from three of Vermont's most active groups - Dwight & Nicole, Kat Wright's trio and Soule Monde (Ray & Russ). With social distancing protocols and everyone's health and safety a primary concern among band members and staff, this benefit concert is unique in that it can't feature 20+ musicians all on the same stage, an understandably popular formula for benefit shows during normal times. Instead, it melds three different smaller groups who have, as groups, been able to remain in each other's "pods" these past few months.

A note from the performers:

When Covid-19 hit, the calendars (ie. primary touring income) of nearly all artists and musicians were erased overnight, with many remaining that way. In that very uncertain time, before the government was able to devise a plan for businesses and individuals, two Vermont arts organizations, the Vermont Arts Council (VAC) and Burlington City Arts (BCA) were immediately prepared to provide direct and substantial relief to VT artists by way of grant money. As artists, we thank both of these organizations with our whole hearts for their preparedness and their generosity and we're grateful for the opportunity to help replenish some of those coffers. Whether you can make the show or not, we encourage anyone and everyone to consider a direct donation to these amazing groups and to continue to support the arts in Vermont.

Featuring:

Dwight & Nicole's gorgeous 2018 EP "Electric Lights" was recorded live to analog tape with Joel Hamilton at Studio G in Brooklyn. Showcasing their powerful vocals and a timeless blend of gritty soul and shimmering rock, the band was in top form - a tight-knit power trio with Nicole Nelson on bass, Dwight Ritcher on guitar and Ezra Oklan on drums. Their debut single "Wait" was a timely, socially conscious cry for a revolution. It landed them on many 'best of the year' lists. It also grabbed the attention of Melissa Etheridge and Mavis Staples, who invited the band tour with and open for them. The regional success of the EP also landed them their first publishing deal with Sony/Orchard.

Their follow up to "Electric Lights" was recorded back at Studio G in two sessions before the 2020 pandemic hit. They finished 14 songs, and in July, released the first single "The Next Go Round" to critical praise:

"The Next Go-Round" works nicely as a calling card for Dwight & Nicole's sound. It resembles a gospel tune written a century ago and would also fit nicely on Brittany Howard's 2019 experimental pop album."

-Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald

The Kat Wright Trio, composed of Kat Wright, guitarist Bob Wagner and bassist Josh Weinstein, is a leaner, more folk oriented approach to the roaring 8 piece ensemble so many have come to know from Kat's regular touring band. This newer trio developed to meet the incredible opportunity of supporting their long time heroes, The Wood Brothers, on their US album release tour this winter. Finishing that tour and performing at the legendary Ryman Auditorium this past Valentine's Day would be one of their last gigs until Kat and co. opened the Higher Ground Drive In Experience at the beginning of this summer.

Soule Monde is avant funk erupting from the syncopated minds of power drummer Russ Lawton + keyboard wizard Ray Paczkowski, with both players known throughout the US as crucial elements in the Trey Anastasio Band as well as regional favorites, the Dave Grippo Funk Band. An ideal union of swagger and raw talent, the duo is cemented into an indestructible pocket, where bold improvisational leaps by either player are met by a near-telepathic response from the other. A musical brotherhood like no other.

All ages, rain or shine.

Please visit Higher Ground's website for tickets and more information: https://bit.ly/MillionDollarBash-HGVT