All good things must come to an end.

This weekend will mark one of the last times independent music fans will be able to see the indie rock band Abel. The group, which hails from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., has embarked upon its farewell tour, which stops at Danbury's Heirloom Arts Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 7 p.m. Opening for Abel will be Take One Car, Kid Jerusalem and Josh Pavel.

Abel was formed about four years ago by good friends Kevin Kneifel, Dan Bishop, Alex David and John Rell III. The band has an intense punk-rock sound that features blistering guitar riffs and grandiose vocals. Though the group never achieved mainstream super-stardom, it did garner a loyal underground following and thousands of fans on Facebook.

There's a strong Christian rock element to the group's lyrics, but Abel has a hardened dark edge not normally associated with the genre of Christian rock. The lead singer, Kneifel, has a voice quite similar to that of Fall Out Boy's lead singer, Patrick Stump. However, unlike Stump, Kneifel's vocals have a dark side and the singer is capable of moving from a melodic line to an angry, guttural howl that's reminiscent of Dropkick Murphys' Al Barr.

Though disbanding, the members of Abel remain friends.

The Heirloom Arts Theatre is at 155 Main St., Suite 103. $10. 917-593-3508,

Lauf in concerts

Connecticut singer-songwriter and guitarist Bill Lauf Jr. will perform two concerts at the historic Milton Hall in Litchfield on Friday, Nov. 22, and Saturday, Nov. 23. Each show begins at 8 p.m.

Lauf has performed autumn shows at the hall since the late '70s, both as a solo artist and with accompaniment. This weekend's shows will feature material from his four recordings, plus songs written in the past year. Lauf learned the tenor guitar from his dad when he was about 10 and has been performing ever since. His songwriting, which often centers around weather, is influenced by such artists as Don and Phil Everly, The Beatles, Harry Nilsson, Laura Nyro, Bruce Cockburn and Randy Newman. His material and style are eclectic; he plays everything from ballads and 12-bar blues to reggae, rock and soft country.

Milton Hall is at the corner of Milton Road and Shear Shop Road. Tickets are $18 in advance, or $20 at the door. 860-868-9254,

Truck on over to Bethel

My Dad's Truck will perform its popular monthly show of free-range Americana roots music at Molten Java Coffeehouse in Bethel on Saturday, Nov. 23, from 8 to 10 p.m.


Wisnowski will be back at Molten Java the next day, Sunday, Nov. 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. for his monthly afternoon show. Smith is host of a weekly Pickers Night Out Wednesdays from 8:30 p.m. until closing at the Redding Roadhouse, Route 53 in Redding.

Molten Java is at 213 Greenwood Ave. (Dolan Plaza), Bethel. Free. 203-739-0313,

Rimes at playhouse

The Ridgefield Playhouse will celebrate its 13th anniversary with a gala fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 22. The event will feature a performance by country pop star LeAnn Rimes at 8 p.m. Rimes is on tour for her new album "Spitfire." Her single "Blue" launched her career when she was 13. She went on to record hits such as "How Do I Live?," "Can't Fight the Moonlight" and "Life Goes On."

The Ridgefield Playhouse is at 80 E. Ridge. Tickets are $175 and $110. 203-438-5795,

Ed Xiques in Bethel

The Ed Xiques quartet will perform at Pizzeria Lauretano in Bethel on Sunday, Nov. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. Xiques is a saxophonist/woodwind player and composer. He has performed and recorded extensively with such artists as Woody Herman, Aerosmith, The Jackson Five, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Hudson Valley Philharmonic and the New York Pops.

A graduate of Boston University and an adjunct artist at Vassar College, Xiques has studied with the great trombonist Bob Brookmeyer. He is a member of Diane Moser's Jazz Composer's Orchestra, The New York Fusion Ensemble, the New York Jazz Repertory Orchestra and Westchester Jazz Orchestra.

Pizzeria Lauretano is at 291 Greenwood Ave. $10. 203-792-1500,

Music of Milton

Folksinger Milton, the singer-songwriter once known as Marc Rosenthal, will perform at the Redding Roadhouse on Friday, Nov. 22, from 9 p.m. until midnight.

Milton writes smart, memorable lyrics and has received praise in the pages of The New York Times and The Daily News. "Serving up a soulful blend of literate, street-smart NYC folk and free-wheelin' Texas troubadour-styled alt-country, Milton hits all the right notes," said Blurt Magazine.


Want your show to be considered for Backstage Pass? Are you a local artist who wants to be profiled? Send an email with all pertinent information about the band and the gig to Erik Of gang at least two weeks before the show. Send it to for consideration.