ROCKLAND — In February, the winter seems to stretch on. But photographer and film artist Jason Elon Goodman is not one to hibernate. “I know for a lot of people this time of the year is kind of isolating, but I can’t sit still,” he said.

Currently traveling on assignment in Mexico, he said by telephone, “I travel a lot for work and when you look at all of these ancient ruins and the hieroglyphics, it’s all pictures of people eating, drinking, dancing and playing music and that’s how I like to set up my events.”

Goodman hosts periodic artistic/musical events called Salt Stage Live, which are akin to vérité or modern Vaudeville. On Feb. 2, Goodman is bringing a good friend and Grammy winner Stephane Wremble and his band up from their tour to play one night at FOG Bar and Café with contortionist/acrobat Jessica Jones as a side act.

Wremble plays in the style of Django Reinhardt, who was one of the best Gypsy jazz musicians in the 20th century. Wrembel, who learned his craft among the Gypsies at campsites in the French countryside, plays what Goodman calls, “That 1930s Paris hot club sound.” 

“Stephane and I are old friends,” said Goodman.” I was in his band doing video and photography as we toured different parts of the world. I asked him to come play in Rockland. Normally, he probably wouldn’t come up any farther than Portland as we’re really not a thoroughfare up here, so this is going to be a special night. I consider him among a handful of the greatest Django Reinhardt-infused musicians in the world.” 

Wremble will be performing new original songs from his just-released album The Django Experiment III, which marks the 108th anniversary of the birth of Reinhardt. Rolling Stone Magazine has called him “a revelation.”

Salt Stage Live is known for incorporating circus arts in between acts. “Jessica Jones is from Circus Maine out of Portland and is new to the roster,” he said. “I really like her portfolio as she has trained with some serious European circus masters. There are so many people doing great music events here, but I try to do something a little different with each show. I want to create two nights this February to remember with the entertainment, the food and the drink.”

FOG Bar and Café will be crafting a special menus and specialty cocktails around the evening’s theme.

The following Friday, Feb. 9, Salt Stage Live and FOG will team up once again to host Roots musician and songwriter Joe K. Walsh and Grammy-nominated performer and songwriter Celia Woodsmith, along with Jessica Jones, once again.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit: Salt Stage Live