The Beatles once sang “All You Need is Love,” a fitting anthem for the upcoming Valentine’s Day weekend. But when the Dung Beatles take the stage at Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls this Saturday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m., expect a musical experience that goes far beyond love songs.
This talented group, featuring Dan Grip, Chris Trevethan, AJ Del Negro, Tom Del Negro, and a few surprise guests, will explore the Beatles’ legendary songbook and play favorites from every era of the band.
Floodwater Brewing is presenting the show, marking the first time the Shelburne Falls brewery has hosted music outside its location at 40 State St.
“Live music has been a focal point of Floodwater Brewing Company since it opened in 2018,” said Zack Livingston, owner and operator of the brewery. “We have live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and the recent renovations to Memorial Hall have made it a viable spot with much greater capacity to host other live music events as well.”
The four members of the Dung Beatles are all seasoned, well-known musicians who have been playing on the local music scene for years in various bands, and they regularly perform at Floodwater Brewing Company.
For instance, bassist/guitarist Dan Grip plays with Briezyjane and the Hurricane and has worked with the Hilltown Ham Hocks. Drummer Chris Trevethan is a member of Ch ‘Chunk and has also appeared with Morgan the Cat Mom and Briezyjane and the Hurricane. Bassist A.J. DelNegro and guitarist Tom DelNegro currently play with Sunny D and the Tangy Originals and previously played as the Weege & The Wondertwins. These are just some of the projects you might know these musicians from.
According to Livingston, the idea for the Dung Beatles came to the band members over a beer after a night of live music. At first, they played as a casual ensemble, but the resoundingly positive feedback they received was encouraging and they are currently exploring the possibility of bringing the act on the road.
“This show might prove to be a good litmus test!” he said.
They are a great choice for this show as not only are they a talented band, but this is also their first time playing outside of Floodwater, which is fitting considering it is also the brewery’s first offsite show.
“The logistics of producing a show in a new space for the first time are considerable, and I wanted to work with people who I was familiar with and who seemed enthusiastic to do it,” Livingston explained about his decision in booking the Dung Beatles.
If this show goes well Livingston is open to hosting more events at Memorial Hall.
“Ideally, the goal would be to have more shows out of Memorial Hall, but the frequency is dependent on adding an alcohol sales component,” Livingston said. “I mean, we’re a brewery.”
But the idea of selling alcohol at shows goes beyond that; it is also a way to offset the high costs of producing a show.
While Livingston’s request to serve alcohol on the property was denied by the selectboard 2 to 1, despite no bylaw strictly forbidding it, he said that people can celebrate the milestone with a beer at the brewery before and after the show. But Floodwater is looking to revisit the possibility of selling beer at the venue sometime again in the future.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Floodwaterbrewing.com or in person at the brewery. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Other Valentine’s Day musical events
If you plan on celebrating Valentine’s Day, there are a number of special events for you. E. Horace Winston III will serenade diners at the Rendezvous in Turners Falls, offering a night of “blazing love and daring romance.” He will sing original songs and selections from a list of 50 great love songs. These songs are drawn 1920-30s Tin Pan Alley classics, American rhythm & blues, Jazz Standards, folk traditions and musicals. Guests are welcome to make dedications chosen from that list. The music starts at 7 p.m. and there is no cover charge.
Lady Pop’s (Betsy Scofield) dance party is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The party will be held on Friday, Feb. 13 at Deja Brew Cafe and Pub at 57 Lockes Village Road in Wendell. Bar opens at 6 p.m., music runs from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. There is no cover charge.
Early shows announced for the Summer Stage at Tree House
Last week, DSP Shows announced the first two concerts of the 2026 summer stage series at Tree House Brewing Company in South Deerfield. The first show is on Tuesday, June 2 and features Little Feat, the classic American rock group formed in that formed in 1969 and has remained popular ever since. Even after founding member Lowell George passed away in 1979, the band has continued to draw crowds. They have announced that this will be their final tour, calling it the “Last Farewell Tour.”
“My hope is ‘The Last Farewell Tour’ resembles a long passionate kiss, a prolonged warm hug, giving us all time to embrace this special moment to remember our collective past with those here and others departed, but still in our hearts,” said keyboardist/vocalist Bill Payne, who is the only remaining original member of the band in an interview in Relix. “This is a celebration that acknowledges gratitude to all for an unforgettable journey, mingled with joy, sadness, but no regrets.”
The next night, Wednesday, June 3, pop rocker Jason Mraz will bring his “Still Yours” tour to the summer stage with opening act Gregory Page. Mraz is known for hits like “I’m Yours” and “The Remedy (I Won’t Worry)” and has won two Grammy Awards, two Teen Choice Awards, a People’s Choice Award, and is a member of the Hal David Songwriters Hall of Fame Award.
Tickets available at Tixr.com.
Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.