By Danny Coleman
originally published: 11/23/2017
"My favorite part," laughed "The Wizards of Winter" founder Scott Kelly, "That's a good question. For me this is a full time job. Between writing music, tour logistics and a thousand hours to produce 20 shows; I'd say being on stage is the pure enjoyment. There's also nothing like hearing your own music on the radio or on a United Airlines flight, it's very rewarding."
"The Wizards of Winter" came about through the necessity of others and to his credit Kelly saw a need and fulfilled it. "I founded it in the winter of 2009 but we really didn't get going until 2010. I left my band at the time (Contrarian) and around that same time I heard that our local food pantry was in bad shape and I really wanted to do something to help. So I decided to organize a group of musicians and a holiday concert which I thought may be a one off or perhaps an annual event and I decided that I didn't want to just do Christmas carols or standards. I knew that people were really into the Trans-Siberian Orchestra so we went with their music and the people loved it. Once the show was done, we were getting asked where they could get the album so I started writing our own music. Then in 2013 I had several original TSO members join the band and the next thing I know we've got our own Pandora channel and we're playing small arenas and concert venues; from serendipity it took on a life of its own."
Be it the food pantry, "Habitat For Humanity" or the "Wounded Warrior Foundation," to name several of the many charities the group has aided, Kelly sees that as the group's primary focus; giving back. November 24 sees them at it once again as they are performing the first of two area shows at the Landis Theater in Vineland and then again on November 25 at The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ. "We try and give back as much as possible," he stated with conviction. "We support quite a few charities and this show at the Landis is along those lines. We are trying to help the venue out a bit as they've been having trouble selling tickets. We're hoping to stem that trend and get a good crowd which would help their cause and ours too. Even if we get a few hundred people more excited about the place it helps. Who knows how many will come but that's the business. We know that the Red Bank show will do well as we've performed there and done well in the past. This Landis show is new for us and we're hoping we do well enough where we can keep being asked back."
When going to a Wizards production, one should keep in mind that it is exactly that, a production. Kelly and his crew do their own story line and choreography and with everyone getting involved it is a team effort. "Actually, for my wife and I, choreography is in our background as well as our vocalist and new violinist Ellie Krasner. We need to coordinate things carefully because people are running around with flutes and stringed instruments in their hands. The great thing about our show is that although it may be the same theme; this year we're going to take you on a journey inside a snow globe on Christmas Eve and our story," and with that he hesitated as he did not want to give too much away. "Let's put it this way; I'm a big science fiction fan, a big Dr. Who fan and like that show I want to be able to take the audience and the show anywhere. I didn't want to get caught where we fell into the same old plot. So we created the "Arctic Flyer" which is the mode of transportation and it will take us anywhere we want to go. So even though the premise is the same we have a different story each time we tell it and no two shows are the same."
After two warm up performances in Florida they arrive back home in New Jersey for the aforementioned two shows before heading out to the Pacific Northwest for multiple dates. Kelly wants all to know that even though we get caught up in holiday pressures and events that there's a deeper meaning to the season; one which we tend to sometimes overlook. "We search for the meaning of Christmas beyond Santa and religion. We are trying to show that family, friends and being with loved ones is the most important at this time of the year. Bringing people together is what matters most."
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To discover more about The Wizards of Winter, please go to www.thewizardsofwinter.com.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Bill's Olde Tavern2694 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-0192
Thurs. 9 p.m. Trivia
Wed. 9 p.m. Karaoke Contest (Cash prizes)
Ages 21+
Blend Bar & Bistro911 Highway 33 Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Jam
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Bowman's Tavern1600 River Road New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2972
Fri. 8 p.m. Bob Egan
Sat. 7 p.m. David Dales Trio
Sun. (12 p.m.) Brunch With Ottmar (6 p.m.) Lorenzo
Mon. 6 p.m. Andy Prescott
Tues. 6 p.m. Lovey Williams
Wed. 6 p.m. Lorenzo
Brickwall Tavern & Dining Room19 E. Union Street Burlington
(609) 733-3562
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Sara M
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Tues. 6 p.m. "Tuesday Jazz Jam" Open Session feat. James Stewart / Tom Littwin Trios. $5 (Lite appetizers
Chickie's & Pete's183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night
Wed. 9 p.m. Quizzo Trivia
City Streets 510 Highway 130 South East Windsor
(609) 426-9400
Mon. 9 p.m. "Malibu Mondays" w/ DJ Brett Gash
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia w/ Jessie & Chelsea
Wed. 6:30 p.m. "Wine Down Wednesdays" w/ Rich Genoval
COARadio.com Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. The Successful Failures
Dadz Bar & Grill744 Main Street Lumberton
(609) 267-4344
Thurs. 9 p.m. DJ Jason Byrd / "Beer Pong Tournament"
Fri. 10 p.m. Rough Cut
Sat. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Dubbs
Sun. 4 p.m. Billy Walton
Tues. 8 p.m. "Game Night"
Dog & Bull Brew House810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Thurs. Opening at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day
Fri. (9 a.m.) Brunch (4 p.m.) "Funky Friday Happy Hour" (9 p.m.) Jeff Zambino
Sat. (11 a.m.) "Saturday Brunch" feat. Michael Leggerie (9 p.m.) Soul Custody
Sun. (11 a.m.) "Sunday Brunch" feat. Keli Vale (4 p.m.)Brian Elliot
Wed. 8 p.m. John Rodden
Freddies Tavern12 Railroad Avenue Ewing
(609) 882-0978
Fri. 8 p.m. Rich Scanella Group
Sat. 8 p.m. Paul Plumeri Blues Band
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Joe Vadala
Wed. 8 p.m.
Grover's Mill Coffee HousePrinceton-Hightstown Road Princeton Junction
(609) 716-8771
Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Anker
Havana New Hope105 S. Main Street New Hope, PA.
(215) 862-9897
Fri. (8:30 p.m.) Jumper (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (8:30 p.m.) Se7en Band (12 a.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 3 p.m. Ladies 2000
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Wed. 8 p.m. "Local & Original Music" Hosted by Pat Foran
Hopewell Valley Bistro & Inn15 East Broad Street Hopewell
(609) 466-9889
Fri. 8 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Hopewell Valley Vineyards46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Fri. 6 p.m. Hopewell Valley Vineyards Jazz Ensemble
Sat. 6 p.m. Just Us
Sun. 2 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. 1/2 Past Jazz
Hurricane Jacks Bar and Grill7759 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(267) 914-4517
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paul Kircher
Fri. 7 p.m. Billy The Kid
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Blind Janis
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke w/ Paula & Sam
Iron Plow Vineyards26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 6 p.m. Gregg Parker
Sat. 2 p.m. Spoondrift
Sun. 1 p.m. Grouser Girls
Ivy Tavern 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 9 p.m. Zero 8619
Sat. 9 p.m. Spellbound
All shows 21+
Jake's Eatery 869 Bustleton Pike Richboro, PA
(215) 322-6787
Sat. 9 p.m. Matt Sevier
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Mic Hosted by Bob Tomlinson
Wed. 8 p.m. Trivia Night
John & Peter's 96 S. Main Street New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Fri. 9 p.m. The Billy Hector Band
Sat. (3 p.m.) King Of Nowhere (9 p.m.) Wig Party
Sun. (3 p.m.) Drag Show (9:30 p.m.) Jonah Loyd & Friends
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic.
Tues. 9 p.m. Something Is Happening
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
Killarney's Publick House1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Thurs. Opening at 8 p.m.
Sat. 10 p.m. The Polish Nannies
Wed. 8 p.m. "Paint Your Own Ceramic Christmas Tree"
Kovacs Corner 46 Evergreen Road New Egypt
(609) 901-4146
Sat. 9 p.m. Slippery Kool
Laurita Winery85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Sat. 1 p.m. Gregg Parker
Sun. 1 p.m. Rave On
Wed. 6 p.m. Girls Night Out
Mamma Rosa's 572 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 588-5454
Thurs. 6 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Richard Schneider
McGuinn's Place1781 Brunswick Avenue Lawrence
(609) 392-0599
Tues. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Ages 21+
McStews Irish Sports Pub5316 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 949-9570
Thurs. 10:30 p.m."Beer Pong" w/ DJ RV & MC Slim
Fri. 10 p.m. "Frisky Fridays" w/ DJ Favs. & MC Fredo Ages 21+
Sat. 9 p.m. "JamsGiving! A Benefit for Tara" feat. Clashing Plaid, Primadonnaz, Starskream, Mach 22
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo hosted by Mike
Millhill Basement300 S. Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-1600
Fri. 10 p.m. "Fundraiser to Help Puerto Rico and the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen" feat. Night Raids, Sick Shit, worldsucks, DopeRider, Over Everything. Ages 21+, Doors at 9 p.m.
Sun. 7 p.m. Hashgrinder, Augrah, Thuggernaut, Fucksake. $5
Tues. 10 p.m. "Local Artist" Hip Hop, Experimental EDM and Bass Music Showcase
New Hope Winery6123 Lower York Road New Hope, PA
(215) 794-2331
Fri. 8 p.m. "The Music of Neil Young" w/ Broken Arrow. Doors at 7 p.m., $25
Nook's PourHouse2043 Route 130 South Florence
(609) 447-0927
Sat. 9 p.m. Radio Fiction
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia Tuesday w/ Quizoholics
Nottingham Tavern9 Mercer Street Hamilton Square
(609) 587-6623
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Thanksgiving" Karaoke w/ DJ Super Dave
Sat. 9 p.m. Asylum Choir
Wed. 5 p.m. "Weekend Warm-up" w/ DJ Chris Barlow
Ages 21+
Palermo's Of Hamilton310 Klockner Road Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21 +
Pete's Steak House523 Whitehorse Avenue Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. The Suspects
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Smoked Ice
Randy Now's Man Cave134 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 424-3766
Check web site for upcoming events
Salt Creek Grille1 Rockingham Row Princeton
(609) 419-4200
Fri. 8 p.m. Party Of 3
Sat. 8 p.m. Michel Bernabe
Small World Coffee14 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-4377 x2
Sat. 8:30 p.m. Rainbow Fresh
1867 Sanctuary 101 Scotch Road Ewing
(609) 392-6409
Fri. 7 p.m. Fourth Friday Open Mic
Sun. 3 p.m. Doris Spears w/ Peter Lauffer, Peter Inverso, Jerry D'Anna. $20
Tara's Tavern 1 Cookstown-New Egypt Road, Wrightstown
(609) 286-2300
Fri. 10 p.m. Mike & Karly
Sat. 10 p.m. Slip Mickey
Tavern On The Lake101 Main Street Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong
Sat. 9 p.m. After The Flood
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
Temperance House5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7 p.m. Blues Open Mic Hosted by Steve Guyger
Fri. 7 p.m. Anders Hyatt
Sat. 7 p.m. Sweet Willie Davis Hangover Cure
Tues. 7 p.m. Quizzo w/ Righteous Jolly
The Cool Cricket216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 9 p.m. Unleashed
The HOB Tavern146 Second Street Bordentown
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. "Left Over Jams" w/ Sir Xerri
Sat. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night
Wed. 8 p.m. (TBA)
The Ivy Inn248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Jon Gosselin
Sat. 10 p.m. El Ka Bong
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. "Wednesday Wheel Night Spin To Win Karaoke" w/ DJ Rockn Ron
The Pines Tavern6217 North Radcliffe Street Bristol, PA
(215) 788-1659
Sat. 9 p.m. Barefoot Bobby & the Breakers
Sun. 3 p.m. Open Mic. Hosted by Bill Monach Jr.
The Raven 385 West Bridge Street New Hope, PA
(215) 862-2081
Thurs. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (8 p.m.) Will & Grace Viewing Party (10 p.m.) All Male Revue
Fri. (7:30 p.m.) Fox Cats. $15 (9 p.m.) Michael Ferreri (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sat. (5 p.m.) Russell Eiffert (10 p.m.) DJ Dance Party
Sun. 7 p.m. Karaoke
Mon. 9:30 p.m. "Lipstick Monday" Drag Show
Tues. 8 p.m. "Bearlesque In The Oak Room"
Wed. 7 p.m. Dena Underwood
The Record Collector358 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat. 8 p.m. Joe Zook & Blues Deluxe. All ages, Doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (Advance)
The Roost 181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-0050
Fri. 9 p.m. Ernie White & Lisa Bouchelle
The Sticky Wicket 2465 South Broad Street Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Thurs. 9 p.m. "Throwback Thursday" w/ DJ Chillio
Fri. 9 p.m. Jim Delre Band
Sat. 9 p.m. Branded Ink Society
Tues. 7 p.m. Karaoke
The Sun National Bank Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
Third State Brewing352 High Street Burlington
(609) 387-1620
Sat. 7 p.m. Bill Holland
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. 9 p.m. Kevin Mcloskey
Sat. 9 p.m. The Williamsboy
Tues. 9 p.m. Trivia
All shows 21+
Trenton Buzz702 Pine Street Trenton
(609) 392-6000
Fri. 8 p.m. Live Band & Open Mic.
Trenton Social449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. "Audio History of Funk and Soul" w/ Professor DJ Tangency
Sat. 7 p.m. "Zen That Beat" Yoga w/ Cheryl Young scored to live music
Mon. 9 p.m. Monday Night Karaoke w/ Benny P
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night w/ Benny
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Mo Lowda & The Humble. $5 (cover charge)
Sat. 10 p.m. Manifested. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage Night (Sign ups at 6:30 p.m.)
All shows 21+
Triumph Brewing Company138 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 924-7855
Fri. 9 p.m. Bob Denson's Blues
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn2572 Pennington Road Pennington
(609) 773-2392
Thurs. 8:30 p.m. Ernie White
Sat. 9 p.m. Acoustic Rock Night
Mon. 9 p.m. "Moonshine Mondays" Trivia
Tues. 9 p.m. Ed Wilson
Ages 21+
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled “Rock On Radio” airing Sunday evenings at 7:000pm EST on multiple internet radio outlets where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
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