Mike Agranoff comes to The Mainstay on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM, promising an evening of unforgettable folk artistry. A well-known figure in the folk world, Agranoff is known for a repertoire that spans traditional and contemporary material, skillful fingerstyle guitar, expressive concertina work and a storytelling style that keeps audiences fully engaged. His performances blend humor and musical craftsmanship delivered with a warmth that makes listeners feel personally invited into the music. With deep roots in folk-music circles and storytelling communities, he has long been praised for holding audiences “spellbound” through his songs, tunes, spoken-word pieces, and original compositions.

The evening at The Mainstay will feature two full sets, creating a rich  concert experience that suits both long-time folk enthusiasts and those simply looking for a great night out. Tickets are just 25 dollars, an exceptional value for a performer of his caliber. With its welcoming atmosphere and reputation for presenting top-tier live music, The Mainstay provides the perfect setting for Mike Agranoff’s blend of folk music mastery, storytelling, and heart. Join us on March 14 for an evening that promises a truly memorable musical journey.

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The Mainstay is thrilled to present the Ken and Brad Kolodner Quartet on Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 PM. The dynamic father and son team of Ken and Brad Kolodner is widely known for crafting a sound that bridges generations as Ken’s masterful hammered dulcimer and fiddle playing meets Brad’s expressive clawhammer banjo and inventive arrangements. Their deeply rooted musical chemistry brings new life to timeless traditions, blending old time, bluegrass, and American roots music in a way that feels both authentic and fresh.

They will be joined by bassist Alex Lacquement and multi instrumentalist Rachel Eddy, whose warm vocals, fiddle, and guitar add depth, richness, and lively energy to every performance. Together, the quartet offers spirited interplay, rhythmic drive, and heartfelt musical storytelling that connects with audiences on a personal level.

Ken and Brad Kolodner are also listed on the Maryland State Arts Council touring roster, an acknowledgment that highlights their professional standing and their meaningful contribution to the arts community in Maryland and beyond.

This concert promises an evening of warmth, tradition, and joyful musical communion, inviting audiences to celebrate community, roots, and the enduring power of live music

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Join us at The Mainstay for a Sunday afternoon special engagement with jazz piano virtuoso Dick Durham on March 29 at 4:00 PM. This matinee concert is scheduled especially for guests who love live music but find it hard to make our evening shows, and it brings one of our most in demand Mainstay favorites back to Rock Hall for a relaxed late afternoon of straight ahead swing and sparkling improvisation.

Dick Durham has been captivating listeners for decades with a style shaped by the greats, including influences such as Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, and Teddy Wilson. Early in his career, he performed in an Army band alongside future legends Grover Washington Jr. and Billy Cobham, and after his service he returned to the club circuit, including opening for the Count Basie Orchestra. His work as a composer and performer has earned Maryland Governor’s Citations for excellence in the performing arts, and his Mainstay appearances are known for leaving the audience in awe and wanting more. 

Dick will be joined by an ensemble of renowned jazz performers. On bass is Max Murray, a deeply respected player in the region whose career includes top of class honors from the Armed Forces School of Music and many years with the US Naval Academy Band in Annapolis. He is also a studio veteran and a sought after collaborator across styles, with performance credits spanning jazz legends and major touring artists. 

On drums is Greg Burrows, a seasoned jazz drummer known for years of work in clubs, theater jobs, and a wide range of New York area projects, along with a strong return to acoustic straight ahead jazz as a leader and recording artist. His playing combines drive, finesse, and a deep feel that lifts the whole group.

Tickets are on sale now through Instant Seats. We look forward to welcoming you for an afternoon of world class jazz at The Mainstay.

Tracy Grammer makes her highly anticipated Mainstay debut on Saturday, April 4, bringing her luminous voice, masterful storytelling, and beautifully crafted songs to Rock Hall for the first time. Long celebrated as one of modern folk’s most expressive and emotionally resonant performers, Grammer has earned praise from audiences and artists alike. 
With a repertoire that spans original songs, beloved material from her years performing with the late Dave Carter, and thoughtfully chosen contemporary folk gems, Tracy Grammer creates concerts that feel both intimate and deeply moving. Tickets are available now! 
Reserve yours early for this special debut at The Mainstay.

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The Mainstay is delighted to welcome back vocalist Daniela Soledade and guitarist Nate Najar for their internationally acclaimed “Love and Bossa Nova” concert on Saturday, April 11, a perennial Mainstay favorite and consistent fast sellout. Soledade, born in Rio de Janeiro and descended from one of Brazil’s notable musical families, carries the legacy of bossa nova in her blood; her grandfather Paulo Soledade worked alongside many of the genre’s early architects. Daniela and Nate continue that lineage with a style often compared to the timeless elegance of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, and other great Brazilian composers and performers. She and Najar tour internationally, bringing their intimate, expressive approach to audiences throughout the United States, Europe, and South America. Najar’s warm, classical influenced guitar style, deeply inspired by Jobim’s collaborator Charlie Byrd, provides a rich and natural foundation for Soledade’s luminous and understated vocals. Together, the duo creates an atmosphere of refined Brazilian charm, blending bossa nova, samba, and acoustic jazz into a performance that feels both authentically Brazilian and uniquely their own. Their Love and Bossa Nova show is known for its romantic energy, world class musicianship, and a remarkable ability to transport listeners to the beaches and nightclubs of Rio, making it one of The Mainstay’s most requested returning concerts.

Joe Holt’s Special Friday Series Continues with “Welcome to My World” Friday, April 17th

After the huge success of Joe Holt’s premier series opener, Clash of the Countertenors with Lester Barrett and Gus Mercante, we’re riding that high note straight into the second installment of his special Friday series, “Welcome to My World”. This next musical collaboration promises to be another unforgettable night of great voices and an equally engaging crowd pleaser.

Welcome to My World brings together two outstanding working vocalists, each thriving in a very different musical landscape. Kiara Vos travels a more structured theatrical path, performing with fixed or pre-recorded accompaniments and drawing from opera and Broadway traditions. Rhonda Apple lives in the ever-changing world of the lounge singer, backed by jazz pianists and shaped by the unpredictable energy of piano bar audiences. Two distinct worlds, one shared stage.

Over the course of the evening, Kiara and Rhonda will take each other, and all of us, on a tour of their musical lives, trading perspectives and styles in a show filled with beautiful music, humor, and inspiration. It’s a rare opportunity to see how different artistic paths intersect and complement one another in real time.

Kiara Vos, originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, began singing professionally at just six years old with the Walt Disney Company. Trained by alumni of the Metropolitan Opera and Juilliard, her early foundation in opera eventually expanded into Broadway and contemporary performance. She has performed the Star-Spangled Banner for major sporting events on NBCSN and international television networks, earned 3.5 Centreville Idol wins, and was named the 2025 Judges’ Choice winner of Kent’s Got Talent.

Rhonda Apple, based on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore, found her love of singing early through family influences, her mother’s record collection, and the pop radio that filled her home. Her professional career has taken her to casinos in Atlantic City, cruise ships, Florida, and venues throughout Delmarva, including twelve years full-time with Dale Britt at the Phillips Beach Plaza Hotel in Ocean City. Today, she continues to perform part-time with Joe Holt and other Delmarva musicians, while also leading worship weekly at her church.

If you loved the energy, creativity, and sheer vocal talent of Joe Holt’s first Friday night offering, or if you missed it, “Welcome to My World” is not to be missed. This series is quickly becoming something special, and we’re thrilled to share the journey with you.

The Mainstay is proud to present Byrd Is the Word, a special Charlie Byrd Trio Tribute Concert, at 7:30 PM on Saturday, April 25, 2026. The concert honors the enduring legacy of legendary jazz guitarist Charlie Byrd and celebrates the sound, spirit, and elegance that defined his music.

The evening brings together an exceptional lineup led by Chuck Redd, long time drummer and vibraphonist with the Charlie Byrd Trio, joined by guitarist Nate Najar and bassist Herman Burney. Together, the trio will revisit music closely associated with Byrd’s career, drawing from the classic trio repertoire that made albums such as Byrd’s Word, Blue Byrd, and Hollywood Byrd enduring favorites among jazz listeners.

Chuck Redd joined the Charlie Byrd Trio at just 22 years old and toured internationally with Byrd for many years. Known for his impeccable time, musical sensitivity, and versatility, Redd helped shape the trio’s signature sound and remains one of the jazz world’s most admired rhythm players.

Guitarist Nate Najar brings a refined, lyrical style that reflects Byrd’s influence while standing firmly on its own. His melodic approach and deep respect for the jazz tradition make him a natural voice for this tribute, capturing the clarity and swing that defined recordings such as Byrd’s Word and Byrd’s many acclaimed trio sessions.

Bassist Herman Burney completes the ensemble with a rich tone and deep groove shaped by decades of performing with leading jazz and popular artists. His expressive playing provides a strong foundation for both classic interpretations and fresh musical moments.

The concert is generously sponsored by Becky Byrd, whose longtime support of The Mainstay has been essential to its nearly three decades of existence. Beyond her generosity, Becky Byrd has played an invaluable role in preserving and sharing Charlie Byrd’s musical legacy, ensuring that his recordings, and his connection to The Mainstay and the world, continue to inspire audiences and musicians alike. Her commitment has helped make the annual Charlie Byrd tributes at The Mainstay a cherished tradition.

The concert is open to the public and will be preceded by a special reception at 6:00 PM for members of The Mainstay’s exclusive Charlie Byrd Society. The society recognizes donors who contribute one thousand dollars or more annually in support of The Mainstay’s mission and programming.

The Charlie Byrd Trio Tribute will coincide with Rock Hall’s newest town event, Wings of Spring, a celebration of the return of the osprey to the Chesapeake region. As part of the festivities, The Mainstay will host a birding symposium in the early afternoon, open to the public, offering a unique blend of music, nature, and community throughout the day.

Featuring jazz standards, trio favorites, and selections drawn from Charlie Byrd’s extensive body of work, Byrd Is the Word promises an evening of world class musicianship and heartfelt tribute, and stands as a highlight of The Mainstay’s 2026 season.

Cheers!

Mark

Due to a significant weather event, the February 22nd Classical Music Series concert with The Brasswood Trio has been rescheduled for Sunday, April 26th at 4:00 PM.  All previously purchased tickets will be transferred to the new date and will be honored upon arrival.

Come join us at The Mainstay for a Delightful Springtime Musical Salon with The Brasswood Trio on Sunday, April 26th at 4 PM. Dana Newcomb (Oboe), Anne Nye (French Horn), and Kendra Bigley (Piano) are a trio of talented musicians who are dedicated to the art of Chamber Music. Their love of Chamber Music and of the beauty of their three instruments playing together is very evident in the program they will present at The Mainstay. Sure to delight the audience is Romantic-Era Composer Carl Reinecke’s “Trio for Oboe, Horn, and Piano in A Minor, Opus 188”, written in 1886. This piece is a master class in how three instruments can take the stage arm-in-arm with constant dialogue – from witty to dramatic – among and between them.

Dana Newcomb is Principal Oboe of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Principal Oboe of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, Principal Oboe of the New Jersey Chamber Orchestra, and Second Oboe and English Horn with the Brandywine Valley Symphony. She performed Oboe and English Horn with the Endless Mountain Music Festival Orchestra for ten years. Dana performs frequently with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and in the oboe sections of orchestras such as the Delaware Symphony and Richmond Symphony. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Performance and Master’s Degrees from the Peabody Institute of Music in Baltimore.

Anne Nye is an orchestral and chamber musician based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She currently performs with the Allegro Orchestra of Lancaster, Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra, and Pennsylvania Philharmonic; and she regularly performs with the York, Lancaster, Reading, and Brandywine Symphony Orchestras and with the Lancaster Brass Quintet. Anne’s passion for chamber music inspired her to co-found Manor Winds (a Wind Quintet Group) and Trilogy Brass. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the Wheaton Conservatory of Music in Illinois.

Pianist Kendra Bigley is a versatile musician who has performed frequently at the Trust Performing Arts Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She has collaborated with artists at Penn Square Opera, the Pennsylvania Philharmonic, the Lancaster Art Song Society, and Temple Opera. A respected music educator with degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Temple University, Ms. Bigley is on the faculty at Lancaster Bible College and at Franklin and Marshall College.

Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo

GET READY for an unforgettable night of world-class guitar music at The Mainstay on Saturday, May 9 at 7:30 PM. Guitar virtuosos Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo will take the stage for a special duo performance that showcases their remarkable technical skill, seamless musical rapport, and wide-ranging repertoire. Known for their vibrant interplay and effortless command of swing, gypsy-jazz, and contemporary styles, the two longtime collaborators create an experience that is both thrilling for devoted jazz listeners and welcoming for anyone who simply loves exceptional live music.

Frank Vignola has built an international reputation as one of the leading guitarists in jazz and swing, performing with legends from Bucky Pizzarelli to Wynton Marsalis. Vinny Raniolo, his longtime musical partner, brings a warm, inventive energy that perfectly complements Vignola’s electrifying virtuosity. Together, their performances blend dazzling technique with musical storytelling, creating a sense of intimacy and excitement that thrives in The Mainstay’s close-up setting.

Join us on May 9 at 7:30 PM for a full evening of inspired guitar duets, inventive arrangements, and the kind of spontaneous musical conversation that happens only when two master musicians share a stage. Tickets are $25 in advance, and early purchase is recommended due to limited seating. This concert promises to be one of the highlights of the season, offering a rare opportunity to experience two of today’s finest guitarists in an intimate venue where every note can be heard, felt, and appreciated.

Save the date, spread the word, and plan to be part of a remarkable night of music at The Mainstay.

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Mad Agnes returns to The Mainstay on Friday, May 15 at 7:30 PM for an evening of rich harmonies, inventive songwriting, and warm, engaging performances. This acclaimed acoustic trio featuring Margo Hennebach, Adrienne Jones, and Mark Saunders is known for blending folk, jazz, and pop influences into music that is both thoughtful and fun. Their songs move effortlessly from heartfelt to humorous, paired with tight vocal arrangements and a genuine connection with the audience. Whether you are a longtime fan or discovering them for the first time, Mad Agnes delivers a memorable night of music that lingers long after the final note.

“FEAST YOUR EARS: THE STORY OF WHFS 102.3”

AN EMMY AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY FILM

Sat May 16th 7:00PM

A Panel including Director

Jay Schlossberg, with ‘HFS DJ’s Jonathan “Weasel” Gilbert & Adele Abrams 

with special guest Phil Proctor from The Firesign Theatre!

Did you ever wonder why our generation learned to love music the way we do? The feature documentary film Feast Your Ears: The Story of WHFS Radio explores that very question by telling the remarkable story of progressive free-form FM radio and its profound influence on music, culture, and community. At a time when commercial playlists were rigid and predictable, stations like WHFS 102.3 FM broke all the rules, giving DJs the freedom to introduce listeners to emerging artists, new genres, and bold ideas. This era of radio helped shape pivotal moments in music history, from the rise of underground rock and folk movements to the countercultural explosion surrounding events like Woodstock, Watergate, Viet Nam and more when music became a vehicle for social change, identity, and shared experience. It was a period when radio didn’t just reflect culture, it helped create it, in ways that are unlikely to ever be repeated.

On Saturday, May 16th, The Mainstay is honored to present a special screening of this Emmy Award–winning documentary, which is the number one most streamed doc film on DC's WETA. Ever! This screening is a true privilege for our community and will be followed by an exclusive panel discussion featuring legendary WHFS radio personalities including celebrity DJ Jonathan Gilbert AKA “Weasel”, participating artists, and the film’s Director and Executive Producer, Jay Schlossberg. Together, they will share firsthand stories and insights into a groundbreaking chapter of radio and music history that continues to shape how we listen, discover, and connect through music today. Save the date for an unforgettable evening celebrating the sounds, stories, and spirit of a generation. TICKETS JUST $15.00 With Portion of proceeds going to Women in Film non-profit. 

ANNOUNCEMENT!

We are thrilled to welcome Hilary Gardner and The Lonesome Pines to The Mainstay on Saturday, May 30. Hilary and The Pines will be performing songs from their multi award winning album On the Trail, which has just been named the 2025 Album of the Year by the International Western Music Association. We will be celebrating the enormous success of this musical masterpiece as it continues to earn recognition and admiration across the country.

This acclaimed recording has received praise for its rich storytelling, its connection to the musical traditions of the American West, and its blend of warmth, authenticity, and exceptional musicianship. When Hilary Gardner brings these songs to our stage, audiences can expect an evening filled with vivid imagery, heartfelt vocals, and the timeless beauty that defines her work.

Hilary will be joined by the musicians who make up The Lonesome Pines. Sasha Papernik on accordion and backup vocals, Justin Poindexter brings his distinctive guitar work and harmony vocals. Noah Garabedian provides the bass. Aaron Thurston completes the ensemble with tasteful percussion.

We invite you to join us for this special performance as Hilary Gardner returns to The Mainstay and shares the music that is capturing the attention of listeners everywhere. Tickets are now available, and we look forward to welcoming you for a memorable night of music.

The record, “On the Trail” won the 2025 Western Heritage Award for Outstanding Traditional Western Album as well as the International Western Music Association's award for 2025 Western Album of the Year. On the Trail was in the top 10 of The Times of London's 20 Best Jazz Albums of 2024.

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The Mainstay is honored to present - all the way from Nashville, The Larry Stephenson Band on Saturday, June 13th under the stars on our outdoor stage. Join us for an evening of outstanding bluegrass from one of the genre’s most respected and enduring artists. With more than 20 album releases to his credit, Larry Stephenson has spent over four decades shaping the sound of modern bluegrass through his signature high tenor voice, expressive mandolin playing, and a repertoire that blends tradition with fresh, contemporary energy.

Larry is a multi-IBMA and SPBGMA award-winner, renowned for his warm stage presence, crystal-clear phrasing, and timeless repertoire that blends classic bluegrass with new, original material. Audiences can expect an evening filled with driving instrumentation, close harmonies, heartfelt ballads, and the polished craftsmanship that has earned the band a loyal following across the country.

The Mainstay’s intimate setting offers a rare opportunity to experience this music up close, creating an atmosphere that highlights every note and nuance. Whether you are a dedicated bluegrass fan or simply someone who enjoys finely crafted live music, this concert promises a memorable night of artistry and authentic musical expression.

Join us on Saturday, June 13, 2026, as The Larry Stephenson Band brings world-class bluegrass to Rock Hall.

This program is made possible by The Hedgelawn Foundation.