Event

Sojoy with Special Guest Dan Beaulieu

Jonny Peiffer and his band Sojoy launched an intermittent Special Guest Series at Kittery's Dance Hall, first thing in 2016. Its third presentation, up May 27, will feature Dan Beaulieu, actor, director and Seven Stages Shakespeare Co.'s artistic director, Peiffer's friend since early college years.
The event marks the return of "Oliver Z. Wanderkook: Moves Through New Worlds," composed by Peiffer. It was originally composed for ballet and featured some spoken word, Peiffer says.
"For this, Dan has created his own one-man show based on the story and the music," Peiffer says. "Dan has embellished and really created his own thing." Beaulieu will be "the the intrepid Wanderkook as well as all the fantastic creatures the explorer meets along his journey."
The two have collaborated a number of times over the years. Beaulieu was involved in the early workshop period of "Wanderkook," while Peiffer (also of Desert Island Live and formerly Shango Afrobeat Orchestra now on hiatus) wrote original music for Beaulieu's two-production project at the Players' Ring some years ago ("Hamlet" and "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.")
The Special Guest Series' first two features were musician Mark Shilansky and choreographer Julie Hebb. After Beaulieu, it skips to September when it will present Taylor O'Donnell, "a very talented jazz vocalist."
"For me, this series is just about fun collaborating with my friends and peers," Peiffer says. "I feel like Sojoy is a unique thing in itself, so it's a combo with folks like Mark and Dan that makes it all the more special."
The band includes Zach Lange, Josh Gagnon, Matt Langley, Eric Klaxton, Nick Mainella and Scott Kiefner.
"Members perform regularly with Soggy Po Boys, Mother Superior and the Sliding Royales, among many other celebrated bands."
"Its uniqueness is derived from its makeup," Peiffer says. "It's a little big band ... five horns - no keys or guitar - bass and drums. We perform a lot of my original work and I write all the arrangements."

$12 in advance and $15 at the door