The Cantab Grand Opening – Dec 16 Thursday FREE ADMISSION

The Chicken Slacks return for their residency on Thursdays at the all-new Cantab Lounge and it is going to be fun. The public that has experienced Chicken Slacks know what to expect, and they can’t wait. For those of you who who have not had the pleasure to hear and see this powerful rhythm and blues ensemble, it will be a great way to introduce yourself to the renewal and resurrection of this venue established in 1938. Chicken Slacks new releases include a cover of Arthur Conley “Sweet Soul Music,” aired on WMWM Salem Saturday Dec 4 2021, and Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.”
The quotes from those who attended the community’s private party on Saturday, December 11, 2021, are pouring in and they are fantastic. Kelly Erwin-Chevalier states “Great time.. Thank you Tim for reopening and remodeling ..Looks great.”
And from the Master of Ceremonies, WMEX radio DJ Lawrence : “Great vibe! Loved the place!”

Lawrence got the crowd amped up and clapping as he introduced all the acts starting with Miilo in Club Bohemia downstairs and introducing the owners, Tim and Maureen Dibble to the stage upstairs at the Cantab prior to Richie Rich and his 24 Karat Funk.
Paul Norman, boardmember WCAT Wakefield, Director, Music Alive North Shore enjoyed the evening noting: “New ownership has brought this historic, newly renovated, club back to life. Great performances both upstairs at the Cantab and downstairs at Club Bohemia were enjoyed by all.”

Cambridge Day magazine’s Marc Levy posted on his news site: “”…how well new owners Tim and Maureen Dibble have done refreshing decades-old bar close since March 2020: Perfectly” One of the two partners of ticketing/media company Backline.space, Vincent Fieg, was quote

“The place looks great and it was a lot of fun being back!” while Richie Rich, the star of the show, brought up his mentor and everyone at the Cantab’s friend, Little Joe Cook “When I put this band together 30 years ago, it was because of Little Joe Cook.” quote. Richard “Richie Rich” McCreary and 24 Karat Funk
– the first act upstairs to perform at renovated Cantab’s Saturday private party, Dec. 11, 2021. Tony Watt, a key individual in the Massachusetts bluegrass community, kindly gave us his impressions:

In 2017, the Cantab Lounge was named one of America’s 15 Best Dive Bars. Located in multi-ethnic, multi-generation Central Square in Cambridge, MA, it was also named one of the 50 Best Small Music Venues In America. Bluegrass Tuesdays at the Cantab Lounge began in September of 1993 and have grown to host regional and national artists on stage, and serve as a weekly gathering place for the local bluegrass community. For 27 years, Tuesday Night Bluegrass at the Cantab Lounge was hosted by folk icon Geoff Bartley, who was honored on February 13, 2004 when the City of Cambridge proclaimed it to be “Geoff Bartley Day”.

Geoff welcomed nationally-known bluegrass artists to the Cantab stage such as Dale Ann Bradley, Tony Trischka, Darol Anger, Jim Hurst & Missy Raines, David Grier, Chris Jones, Molly Tuttle, and the late James King. Bluegrass Tuesdays have also been a place where many bluegrass musicians have “cut their teeth”, including members of The Infamous Stringdusters, Crooked Still, Della Mae, The Gibson Brothers, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Mile Twelve, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, and Alan Bibey & Grasstowne. The Cantab Lounge has now been reinvigorated under new owner Tim Dibble, manager Mike Cronin, and Bluegrass Tuesdays host Tony Watt.

Musician & Educator | TonyWattBluegrass.com & Grasstowne.com
JamVember, Boston’s Non-Festival | JamVember.com
Ashokan Bluegrass Camp & Flatpicking Camp | Ashokan.org
BBU Education Co-Director & Vice President | BBU.org

Your chance to experience the room when admission is absolutely free is on Thursday, December 16, 2021. And this writer’s famous last words: All artists and times are subject to change!