Beyond Riverdance
Irish fiddler Eileen Ivers has performed with the Pops and Patti Smith, the Chieftains and Riverdance; she’s stretched the Celtic fiddle repertoire to embrace everything from Latin and African rhythms to the bombast of rock and electronica. In support of her latest album, which is credited to Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, she brings her group to the Somerville Theatre on May 16, with the young, manic Cape Breton fiddler Ashley MacIsaac opening. That’s at 55 Davis Square in Somerville; it’s an 8 p.m. show, and tickets are $25.50 and $28.50. Call (617) 628-3390.
More Muses
Not for nothing was the seventh and seemingly final Throwing Muses album titled Limbo — it summed up the state of a band whose fate seemed up in the air after founding member Tanya Donelly went on to form the Breeders and Belly while her half-sister and the head Muse, Kristin Hersh, focused increasingly on a solo-acoustic career. But what with reissues, rarities collections, and reunions, the group have not been long out of the public eye, and their mid-’80s catalogue sounds fresher every year. And though it seemed only a matter of time before a new Muses disc appeared, there are still a couple of surprises on Throwing Muses (their second by that title, though Hersh now says their ’86 debut was actually " untitled " ). For one, it features backing vocals by Donelly on five tracks; this marks her first recorded Muses appearance since 1991’s The Real Ramona. For another, Throwing Muses appeared simultaneously with a new Hersh solo disc, The Grotto (both on 4AD). Even better, the Muses have announced a full-fledged reunion tour, with Donelly scheduled to guest at the local kickoff on April 25 at the Middle East, 480 Mass Ave in Central Square. Call (617) 864-EAST.
Verona bound
Boston Ballet goes all out for its annual spring gala, and this year’s Romeo and Juliet Ball, on April 26, will be a Renaissance-themed masquerade, with the Park Plaza done up to resemble a 16th-century Italian marketplace. What’s more, the auction goodies will include a walk-on role in next year’s Nutcracker. Tickets are a weighty $500 per head, but if you can’t make the rent, there’s still the Ballet’s new production of Romeo and Juliet, which you can see at the Wang Theatre May 8 through 18 for a measly $26 to $82. Call (800) 447-7400 for R&J, (617) 456-6223 for gala tickets.
Tight bros from way back when
Nicky and Dave Kuland were Allston Rock City’s premier brother act — a pair of tall, glammed-out look-alikes seen raging around town in about a zillion bands, most notably Honeyglazed and, more recently, the David James Motorcycle. Shortly after the two moved to New York City last winter, Nicky was diagnosed with leukemia; after several months of chemotherapy, he appears to be winning the battle. Later this month, a bunch of the brothers’ Rock City pals, former bandmates, and well wishers are throwing a two-night benefit for ’em at the Middle East: April 18 with Roadsaw, Lamont, Officer May, and Elgin James and the Suicide Gang; April 19 with the Gentlemen, Cracktorch, Drive, the Ray Corvair Trio, and Katie Diamond. The Middle East is at 480 Massachusetts Avenue in Central Square, and both shows are 18-plus and $10; call (617) 864-EAST.
