Where’s Aubrey will perform all original music from their brand new ninth record, Hole, at a benefit concert November 11th at the Barns of Rose Hill in Berryville. All proceeds from the concert benefit the Shenandoah Riverkeepers.
Here is a rough mix of track six on Where’s Aubrey’s new record Holes. The record is currently in final production.
About: Local violinist Gary McGraw (The Bitter Liberals) and New Hampshire songwriter Rhine Singleton are Where’s Aubrey. Where’s Aubrey will be joined at this show by Richmond multi-instrumentalist Charles Arthur (featured at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts) and Winchester jazz drummer Nick Shrenk. Where’s Aubrey is releasing a new record at the show called Holes. Where’s Aubrey has performed since 1985, releasing nine records and raising $17,000 for charity. Singleton’s original songs, cloaked and hooded by McGraw’s improvisation on the fiddle and mandolin, range from old-timey folk music to modern jazz.
Gary McGraw has played the violin since he was just three years old (54 years for those of you counting), and has performed at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Barns of Rose Hill. McGraw met Singleton at the University of Virginia and Where’s Aubrey gradually coalesced into existence in the mid-90s and began recording all original music in 2001. Gary is also a member of The Bitter Liberals.
Rhine Singleton played piano and violin as a teen, before switching to the acoustic guitar. In his time at the University of Virginia with McGraw, Singleton started singing and was inspired to write his own music. Soon after compiling a strong repertoire of original tunes, the duo began recording under the name Where’s Aubrey.
Although McGraw and Singleton regularly write and record music, it’s rare to see a live performance by Where’s Aubrey.
Date & Time: Saturday, November 11, 2023. Doors open at 6:00 PM and the concert starts at 7:00 PM.
Ticket Price: All tickets are general admission. $20 in advance until 3:00 PM on the day of the event. $25 at the door. Children 12 years and below are free when accompanied by an adult.
Ticket Information:
or by calling the Barns of Rose Hill Box Office at 540-955-2004 (Noon to 3:00 PM – Tuesday through Saturday). When our Box Office is closed, please leave a message. All ticket sales are final; no exceptions and no exchanges.
Program Sponsors:We extend our special thanks to Michael Hobert and Mary Jane Lee for sponsoring this program!
Program Benefits: Proceeds from this show will benefit Shenandoah Riverkeeper, part of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network. A representative will be in attendance.
All work and no music makes gem a dull boy. So we fixed that. Music refactoring at the Stick followed by recording in Wilmington. Here are some highlights.
Where’s Aubrey was joined by the incredible Charles Arthur in the studio.
And yes, we started at the Stick (on Ocean Isle Beach) where we practiced. Our schedule was tight, and sleep is for the weak. But first things first. Since Rhine flew into ILM, we set up an impromptu rendezvous with Adrian and Julie. Dinner was excellent, and Moonshine made a fast friend of Ralph.
We ended up at the Symphony with those fine people come Saturday.
Practice on the porch.
Industry sour with the last bottle of Green Chartreuse in NC.
Moonshine got in some fine music time.
The Wilmington Symphony played Shostakovich 5.
Moonshine, meanwhile, destroyed the screen door.
Turns out I found a musical sibling (same teacher, Linda Case, as Suzuki kids).
The bassist from NY. Hella talent.
NC sippy cups for the concert. LOL.
The after party was a blast. But then it was time for even more work.
Each night before a recording session we crammed on the music.
There was also some beach time. Moonshine was a hit at doggie day care.
Studio day one.
Hope in time for sunset and breakfast for dinner.
More cramming. And more studio time.
Followed by more beach and more cramming. We were very efficient, but the work was intense.
Studio day three (the last).
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And then it was time to get into the Liberals.
All in all a great experience. We bonded as musicians and friends.
Somehow COVID put a mega-hurt on the Bitter Liberals. We stopped playing shows for all of the obvious reasons, and eventually we also stopped practicing together. For whatever reason, we haven’t managed to restart yet.
We played a gig at the Blue Wing Frog, a restaurant in Front Royal that has been hosting a songwriters series of small shows. Clark agreed to play a show, and Allen Kitselman and I sat it as side men. It was magical playing this music again.
We brought our own sound system and lit the place up with crystal clear sound. The venue was sold to capacity (around 50 people came on a very rainy evening). The crowd listened intently.
Clark opened the first set with 6 or 7 songs performed solo.
Eventually Allen and I joined in.
It was a rewarding and magical evening. Thanks to all who came.
What happens when you convene an eclectic group of artists with a vague plan to “make something” involving music, dance, drawing, and possibly opera? Well who knows. We haven’t been able to find out yet as one of the dancers came to Italy with COVID (everyone tested on arrival) and spread it to two others in our group before proper quarantine set in. The biggest impact involved our fearless leader and chief convener Shooka taking to her bed.
The upshot on Sunday about three hours after landing in Italy was a hastily constructed spettacolo involving Bach, improvisational movement art to unplanned spontaneous music, and Where’s Aubrey in Miagliano, Italy. Amazingly, the people who came to see us actually enjoyed themselves.
We fittingly call ourselves, Into the Unknown.
Instruments fly from Germany
Giant guitar case travels well
Sogol plays Bach to open the show
The audience mostly avoided the actual amphitheater seats, instead opting for the shade
We shifted the “stage” to face the shade loving audience.
“Backstage” with a dobro
By far the most interesting part of the show was when the musicians played whatever occurred to them (us?) as the dancers moved to the improvisational music and the artist drew what she heard and saw. We divided that piece into eight parts defined by the artist. We also asked the audience to participate by drawing as well.
Movement art
Sogol and Dani and April
Where’s Aubrey performs with a kluged up sound system
Paparazzi
Sure
Ultimately, we all had a good time at our first performance (one of three planned so far). Benvenuto in Italia.
What a place to see one of my all time favorite contemporary music groups. Eighth Blackbird played the National Gallery 2.16.20, and the show was free. As always, the group featured brand new music from living composers, including: Nina Shekhar, Fjóla Evans, Andy Akiho, Holly Harrison, David Lang, Viet Cuong, Jonathan Bailey Holland, and Julius Eastman. This show included some ringers in for violin, flute, and clarinet.
Lisa Kaplan, fearless leader and director of eighth blackbird
My favorite set was the second, and my favorite piece was Viet Cuoug’s Electric Aroma (2017),
The most precious thing in the museum was Cora, of course.
Cora does contemporary
The setting (no pictures or recording during the show)
After the concert, there were a few minutes for art.
Then it was out and on the metro for cocktails and dinner at Baba.
There were three of them. The setting was intimate at Club Cafe. Negronis were available. Seating was not.
Ye olde van carpool crew
Krisin opened up with an interesting guitar song that involved intentionally bending chords on an acoustic. After that song, all bets were off WRT tuning. Who needs tuning for an intimate acoustic set? EVERYONE. EVERYONE MUST TUNE.
(please tune)
Grant-lee joined in and tuning became mandatory. This also allowed for some breathing. Grant-lee is charismatic and fun to watch but about as deep as a puddle.
Duo to go
Picture picture for Em
John Doe was fantastic. Thank the stars for a poet singer like him.
John Doe
Hells yes on a great Pittsburgh Sunday night. So good to see Alisa and Greg!!
Here are some pictures taken by Tessa Killen during a magical evening performance in the house concert series known as Parlor and Patio held in greater Cincinnati. The location and sound are ideal for an intimate evening—impressive attention to detail, warm and inviting hosts, and post show music (not to mention bourbon).
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