Music

Stage Fright 8 to Be the First Show at the Metro

Emily Kinzel |

Stage Fright 7
Stage Fright 7

The Rhythm Posse presents the eighth year running of Stage Fright 8: a tribute to The Last Waltz. The Waltz was a remarkable concert in musical history, marking The Band’s farewell show on Thanksgiving Day. This performance spurred our Western Wisconsin tradition and now we can’t stop waltzing. Stage Fright 8 will be the first show ever to be held at The Metro, a new event venue in downtown Eau Claire owned by Benny Haas of The Plus. What a way to christen the new venue than with a huge blowout featuring tons of local musicians covering the greats over two shows. The earlier show, starting at 5pm, will host a time-honored ritual of dinner and a show, with a homey buffet style, featuring pizza, pasta, and more. The second show kicks off at 9:30pm with a cheaper ticket cost. Local musicians will assume 1970s musical greats such as Neil Young, Ronnie Hawkins, Muddy Waters, and Eric Clapton to name a few. For the second year in a row, acoustic openers Nici Peper and Greg Gilbertson are kicking off the festivities with two half hour sets. Then, let the tribute begin! Leading the pack is Billy Angell with his band The Rhythm Posse starring as The Band. 25 other musicians are also contributing. It’s a bananza! This musical celebration also doubles as a charity even as all proceeds go to supporting The Community Table.

Stage Fright 8: A Tribute to The Last Waltz • The Metro, 210 E. Lake St. • Wed., Nov. 22 • Early show: 5pm with dinner at 5:30pm • Early show tickets: $22 in advance, $25 at the door • Late show: 9:30pm • Late show tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the door • www.volumeonetickets.org