Bluegrass, rockabilly and an Irish twist at Bodles

Chester — Bodles Opera House, at 39 Main St. in Chester, has a number of events planned. On Friday, June 23, Steve Lutke will offer a mix of innovative and high-energy banjo pickin’ at 8:30 p.m. with music from his CD, “Appalachian Uprising.” He composed all 15 instrumentals, ranging from jazz to classical nuances to “new acoustic” or progressive bluegrass. In “Appalachian Uprising,” he is joined by former Kentucky Roots bandmates, Travis Wetzel on fiddle and Bob Harris on guitar. Lutke pushes the limits of banjo to create a “newgrass” blend of jazz, traditional and classic music - banjo beyond bluegrass borders. On Saturday, June 24, Nyack’s Finn & the Sharks will appear onstage at 9 p.m. The group will rock the house with a rollicking mix of swing, blues and soul. The rockabilly band delighted ‘80s audiences and played the New York-area club circuit with Sam and Dave, Kinky Friedman, Wilson Pickett, Commander Cody, and others. On Friday, June 30, The McKrells will add an Irish twist to bluegrass with red-hot banjo and percussion at 8:30 p.m. The group includes Kevin McKrell, lead vocalist and guitarist; Doug Moody, fiddle and trumpet; Brian Melick, percussion; Craig Vance, guitar and vocals; and Chris Leske, mandolin, banjo and dobro. They punctuate their Celtic bluegrass with traditional moving melodies, and a touch of experimental, blistering newgrass. The group came out of folk clubs in Saratoga Springs, and has played everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Lincoln Center, sharing the stage with Allison Krause, Travis Tritt, Cherish the Ladies, Bela Fleck, and more. The latest recording is “Cosmic Highway.” Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for the Lutke concert, $20 for The Sharks, and $17.50 for The McKrells. For tickets, call 469-4595 or visit www.bodles.com. Regular events at Bodles include a Blues Jam with Bill Perry at 9 p.m. on Wednesdays, and an Open Mike with Mike Baglione and Terry Michie at 8 p.m. on Thursdays. For the Blues Jam, a drum kit, bass amp and keyboard will be available on stage, and doors will open at 8 p.m. with a cover charge of $5. The Open Mike will be primarily acoustic, with sign-up at 7 p.m. and a cover charge of $3. n Sunday in The Alley with Maggie Learn about the art of wine and food preparation at Maggies In The Alley. The cozy restaurant below Bodles will hold its first of a series of wine dinners at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 25. Chef James Devaney and his staff will create a menu especially for “Sunday in The Alley with Maggie,” and pair the items with a particular wine. A representative from the Martin-Scott Wine Co. will be on hand to provide information on each of the wines chosen for the dinner, and the wineries. Reservations are suggested, at $59 per person, as space is limited. To reserve, call 469-4595.