G. Love and Special Sauce, Cherish the Ladies, and Joanne Shaw Taylor headline the Concerts at Beston Hall spring 2026 series

The Nazareth Arts Center welcomes a trio of prominent musical shows for the spring 2026 Concerts at Beston Hall — a collaboration between Point of the Bluff Vineyards and Nazareth University. The series kicks off on Jan. 21 with G. Love and Special Sauce’s Lemonade 20th Anniversary Tour with special guest Makua. March 17, Cherish the Ladies brings the luck of the Irish for St. Patrick’s Day, and An Evening with Joanne Shaw Taylor is on March 21. Tickets are available at bestonhall.com. 

The Concerts at Beston Hall collaboration began in fall 2024, bringing premier concerts to the Nazareth campus at the Glazer Music Performance Center’s Beston Hall. Select shows in the series also provide Nazareth students with unique experiential learning opportunities behind the scenes of the music industry, including production, marketing, tour management, and performance.

G. Love & Special Sauce — Lemonade 20th Anniversary tour with special guest MAKUA
Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m.
Beston Hall in Glazer Music Performance Center, Nazareth University

G. Love & Special Sauce is an American hip-hop blues band known for its unique fusion of hip-hop, blues, funk, and soul. Formed in Philadelphia in 1993, the band originally featured Garrett Dutton, aka G. Love, as the lead vocalist and guitarist, Jeffrey Clemens on drums, and Jim Prescott on bass. The trio gained attention for their laid-back, groovy style and G. Love’s unique vocal delivery, blending rap-like spoken word with bluesy singing.

Their debut self-titled album, “G. Love & Special Sauce,” was released in 1994 on Epic Records and included the hit single “Cold Beverage,” which solidified the band’s presence on the alternative music scene. The band’s style has been described as a mix of “slacker blues” and “alternative hip-hop,” as they frequently incorporate elements of 90s hip-hop beats with classic blues rhythms.

G. Love & Special Sauce albums include “Coast to Coast Motel” (1995), “Yeah, It’s That Easy” (1997), “Electric Mile” (2001), and the Grammy-nominated “The Juice” (2020). Their sound evolved to include more soul, R&B, and rock influences, while maintaining their laid-back vibe and clever lyrical play. The band’s original lineup reunited for the 2014 album “Sugar,” and they continue to tour and produce music with a loyal following.

Known for their energetic live performances, G. Love & Special Sauce has played at festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza. Dutton frequently collaborates with other artists, including Jack Johnson, with whom he shares a similar vibe, and has released solo projects that dive deeper into his blues influences. G. Love & Special Sauce remains a beloved name in the music scene, blending genres in a way that feels fresh and authentic.

Cherish the Ladies
Tuesday, March 17, at 7 p.m.
Beston Hall in Glazer Music Performance Center, Nazareth University

Back for a second year, this is a special St. Patrick’s Day show. Celebrating the incredible milestone of 40 years as one of the planet’s most heralded Irish ensembles, Cherish the Ladies have won the hearts of audiences worldwide for their rousing blend of traditional music, captivating vocal interpretations, and propulsive step dancing. 

Bandleader Joanie Madden has earned much-deserved recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts as one of this country’s most important tradition bearers; in presenting her National Heritage Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor for folk and traditional artists, the NEA hailed her as “one of the great flute and whistle players of her generation and a leading presence in the advancement of traditional Irish music, from its community grassroots to its modern presentation in the international concert hall.”

Cherish the Ladies' storied career includes 18 albums, a Grammy nomination, and over 3,000 performances worldwide, including 300 guest appearances with leading symphony orchestras. Madden and her band have a long list of awards at home and in Ireland. They are one of the best-loved Irish groups, with their blend of virtuosic instrumentals, beautiful vocals, traditional and original arrangements, and stunning step dancing — presented with extraordinary talent, creativity, and humor. 

Joanne Shaw Taylor
Saturday, March 21, at 7 p.m.
Beston Hall in Glazer Music Performance Center, Nazareth University

British blues-rock star Joanne Shaw Taylor has announced a run of United States  headline dates for spring 2026, including Nazareth’s Beston Hall. The tour announcement comes on the heels of Taylor’s “Black & Gold (Deluxe Edition),” which added three new acoustic recordings to her most critically acclaimed album to date – including the title track “Black & Gold (Acoustic),” released in September. A stripped-down, soul-baring version of her blues-gospel interpretation of Sam Sparro’s pop hit, the acoustic single showcases Taylor’s gift for emotional reinterpretation and raw storytelling.

The Deluxe Edition also features newly recorded acoustic versions of fan favorites “Grayer Shade Of Blue” and “Hold Of My Heart,” continuing a run of singles that peel back the layers of Taylor’s songwriting and offer fans an intimate look at the album’s emotional core. Produced by Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Journey, Aerosmith), the original Black & Gold album blends blues, soul, Americana, and cinematic pop – and was widely praised as a career-defining moment.

“Black & Gold” was already a standout moment on the original album, praised for its emotional depth and musical transformation. The acoustic version peels away the layers, spotlighting Joanne’s expressive voice and delicate guitar work. With lyrics like “If you’re not really here, then I don’t want to be either,” the track becomes a raw meditation on presence, purpose, and cosmic longing.

Classic Rock hailed Black & Gold as “a 9/10,” while Powerplay Magazine praised its “pop appeal and smoothness.” Guitarist magazine noted it “reinforces Joanne’s place in the firmament of today’s brightest stars,” and American Blues Scene called it “a deeply personal experience, showcasing the depth of Joanne’s artistry.”

The 2026 spring U.S. tour follows Taylor’s busiest touring year yet, including a U.S. spring 2025 run, summer festival appearances, and her ongoing tours across the U.S. and Europe. Known for her fierce guitar work, smoky vocals, and emotionally charged performances, Taylor continues to captivate audiences worldwide with a live show that blends new material, fan favorites, and timeless blues.

Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.

Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.

• published: 2025 December
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