upcoming SHOWS
Max has a variety of gigs with different outfits (both in what he will wear and who he will play with) this fall. Coming right up in early October, Max is doing a Bluegrass and Comedy show with Curtis Raye, which features a stacked lineup of bluegrass musicians (Maddie Witler on mandolin, Jordan Tice on guitar, Kathleen Parks on fiddle, and Max on banjo).
And Max is thrilled to be back with the incredible Westbound Situation for a few Michigan shows.
Max played about a dozen shows this summer with the progressive bluegrass band Full Cord, and he’s got a handful of dates left with them this fall if any of those are near you.
And to round it all out, there are intermittent duo shows with Otto, and another show with the fantastic cellist Chris Tate. See below for the dates and information for all of the places you can catch Max this fall.
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Max and Otto Allard
Unplugged Brewing Co.
201 E Bridge St, Elyria, OH
October 3
6 pm CDTThe Allard Brothers are returning to the brewery for another night of incredible bluegrass pickin...banjo & guitar, you don't wanna miss this local brotherly duo. Unfortunately there is no food truck this evening, please feel free to bring your favorite takeout - or order delivery right to your table.
See event details here.
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A Night of Comedy & Bluegrass About Public Records
Goodman Theatre Lab
170 North Dearborn Street
Chicago
Thursday, October 9
7:00 pm
$20-23 (Venmo or CC option)
A comedy show about unusual American public records, featuring an award-winning bluegrass band for a night of hilarious entertainment.Part of the Comedy & Bluegrass - October 2025 collection
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This is unlike any comedy show you've seen. All the humor is inspired by actual, strange public documents, such as: FCC complaints about Big Bang Theory being too violent, FBI profiles of sports stars, and creative immigration applications.
Curtis Raye is the fearless leader and host of the evening, and he has assembled the band, which includes Maddie Witler (Della Mae, Lonely Heartstring Band), Kathleen Parks (Twisted Pine), Jordan Tice (Hawktail) and Max Allard (EZRA).
Come for the bluegrass, stay for the laughs. Or come for the laughs, and be pleasantly surprised by the music.
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Curtis Raye has spent time in Washington DC, New York City, and working on a presidential campaign in Iowa. He's observed the inherent comedy in public records. School board meetings, court testimony, and even White House menus are treasure troves of human folly. And he has assembled the most absurd ones in a tightly packed 90 minute live evening of comedy and bluegrass.
Questions? Contact Curtis Raye: foiacomedy@gmail.com
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Mint Creek Farm Dinner + Tour
Saturday, October 11
1693 East 3800N Road
Cabery, ILThe farm tour starts at 2:30 pm and dinner will begin around 5 pm, after the farm tour returns back. This event includes a 5 course meal by Chef Aaron Cuschieri with cocktails created by Bryan Rojas, pairings curated by Sarah E Clark, live music from Max & Otto Allard, libations sponsored by Letherbee Distillers and Middle Brow Beer Co, and a full farm tour. Plan to meet all our animals up close and personal, and get to know our farming philosophy firsthand! We're excited to host this farm dinner & we hope to see you there! Interested in accommodations for the farm dinner evening? Contact Greenhouse B&B, our cohosts, to book rooms or camping.
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A Night of Comedy & Bluegrass About Public Records
Ace Sign Co
2540 South 1st Street
Springfield, IL
Sunday, October 12
6:30 pm
$20-23 (Venmo or CC option)A comedy show about unusual American public records, featuring an award-winning bluegrass band for a night of hilarious entertainment.
Part of the Comedy & Bluegrass - October 2025 collection
——
This is unlike any comedy show you've seen. All the humor is inspired by actual, strange public documents, such as: FCC complaints about Big Bang Theory being too violent, FBI profiles of sports stars, and creative immigration applications.
Curtis Raye is the fearless leader and host of the evening, and he has assembled the band, which includes Maddie Witler (Della Mae, Lonely Heartstring Band), Kathleen Parks (Twisted Pine), Jordan Tice (Hawktail) and Max Allard (EZRA).
Come for the bluegrass, stay for the laughs. Or come for the laughs, and be pleasantly surprised by the music.
—-
Curtis Raye has spent time in Washington DC, New York City, and working on a presidential campaign in Iowa. He's observed the inherent comedy in public records. School board meetings, court testimony, and even White House menus are treasure troves of human folly. And he has assembled the most absurd ones in a tightly packed 90 minute live evening of comedy and bluegrass.
Questions? Contact Curtis Raye: foiacomedy@gmail.com
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A Night of Comedy & Bluegrass About Public Records
Theatre Wit
1229 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago
Monday, October 13
7:00 pm
$20-23 (Venmo or CC option)A comedy show about unusual American public records, featuring an award-winning bluegrass band for a night of hilarious entertainment.
Part of the Comedy & Bluegrass - October 2025 collection
——
This is unlike any comedy show you've seen. All the humor is inspired by actual, strange public documents, such as: FCC complaints about Big Bang Theory being too violent, FBI profiles of sports stars, and creative immigration applications.
Curtis Raye is the fearless leader and host of the evening, and he has assembled the band, which includes Maddie Witler (Della Mae, Lonely Heartstring Band), Kathleen Parks (Twisted Pine), Jordan Tice (Hawktail) and Max Allard (EZRA).
Come for the bluegrass, stay for the laughs. Or come for the laughs, and be pleasantly surprised by the music.
—-
Curtis Raye has spent time in Washington DC, New York City, and working on a presidential campaign in Iowa. He's observed the inherent comedy in public records. School board meetings, court testimony, and even White House menus are treasure troves of human folly. And he has assembled the most absurd ones in a tightly packed 90 minute live evening of comedy and bluegrass.
Questions? Contact Curtis Raye: foiacomedy@gmail.com
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A Night of Comedy & Bluegrass About Public Records
The Eagle Performing Arts & Conference Center
319 North Plum Street
Pontiac, IL
Tuesday, October 14
7:00 pm
$20-23 (Venmo or CC option)
A comedy show about unusual American public records, featuring an award-winning bluegrass band for a night of hilarious entertainment.Part of the Comedy & Bluegrass - October 2025 collection
——
This is unlike any comedy show you've seen. All the humor is inspired by actual, strange public documents, such as: FCC complaints about Big Bang Theory being too violent, FBI profiles of sports stars, and creative immigration applications.
Curtis Raye is the fearless leader and host of the evening, and he has assembled the band, which includes Maddie Witler (Della Mae, Lonely Heartstring Band), Kathleen Parks (Twisted Pine), Jordan Tice (Hawktail) and Max Allard (EZRA).
Come for the bluegrass, stay for the laughs. Or come for the laughs, and be pleasantly surprised by the music.
—-
Curtis Raye has spent time in Washington DC, New York City, and working on a presidential campaign in Iowa. He's observed the inherent comedy in public records. School board meetings, court testimony, and even White House menus are treasure troves of human folly. And he has assembled the most absurd ones in a tightly packed 90 minute live evening of comedy and bluegrass.
Questions? Contact Curtis Raye: foiacomedy@gmail.com
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Westbound Situation
Kerrytown Concert House
Ann Arbor MI
Thursday, October 16
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
tickets: $20-30 hereWestbound Situation will present a concert featuring original works from their two albums, Pilot and Accord. The concert will feature Grant Flick on violin and nyckelharpa, Jacob Warren on double bass, Zachary Brown on cello, and Max Allard on banjo. You won’t want to miss what is sure to be a captivating and inspiring performance by these immensely talented musicians in KCH’s intimate setting!
Westbound Situation blends the precision of classical chamber music, the rhythmic drive of bluegrass, and the colorful expression of jazz into a new style of chamber music—chambergrass. The quartet mixes composition and improvisation seamlessly into their entirely memorized arrangements. The group formed out of the 2016 Acoustic Music Seminar (AMS), a program run by multi-instrumentalist Mike Marshall. The program accepts 16 talented string players under the age of 22 from around the world to participate in a week of intense improvisation, composition, and performance training. All four were two-time participants, an honor that not everyone is able to receive. Some notable AMS alumni include Paul Kowert of the Punch Brothers, Alex Hargreaves of Turtle Island String Quartet, and Xavier Foley, winner of the 2014 Sphinx Competition. Westbound Situation has a strong commitment to music education. The group’s combined experience in classical, bluegrass, jazz, and original/improvised music is something not typically offered in the standard curriculum found at most schools and colleges (at least not all at the same time). These styles, among others, give each student the chance to make their own music, and through this process valuable lessons in creativity, listening, and leadership are achieved. Each member of the group maintains a private studio, and all have been invited to provide workshops and masterclasses at schools and festivals across the country. Westbound Situation’s exciting and diverse concerts feature a set of unique original repertoire colored with recognizable standards from many genres. With bluegrass, classical chamber music, and jazz all coming together in the group’s concept of chambergrass, a Westbound Situation concert is a dazzling musical journey not soon forgotten.
Grant Flick, violin, nyckelharpa
Zach Brown, cello
Max Allard, banjo
Jacob Warren, bassTicket Pricing:
Tier 1: $40 (*Student/Youth $30)
Tier 2: $35 (*Student/Youth $25)
Tier 3: $30 (*Student/Youth $20) -
Westbound Situation
at Northfield MandolinsFriday, October 17
7:00 - 10:30 PM
Northfield Mandolins
130 West Michigan Avenue
Marshall, MIA beautiful evening of music—Westbound Situation will present a concert featuring original works from their two albums, Pilot and Accord.
Westbound Situation will present a concert featuring original works from their two albums, Pilot and Accord. The concert will feature Grant Flick on violin and nyckelharpa, Jacob Warren on double bass, Zachary Brown on cello, and Max Allard on banjo. You won’t want to miss what is sure to be a captivating and inspiring performance by these immensely talented musicians in Northfield Showroom's intimate setting!
Westbound Situation blends the precision of classical chamber music, the rhythmic drive of bluegrass, and the colorful expression of jazz into a new style of chamber music—chambergrass. Westbound Situation’s exciting and diverse concerts feature a set of unique original repertoire colored with recognizable standards from many genres. With bluegrass, classical chamber music, and jazz all coming together in the group’s concept of chambergrass, a Westbound Situation concert is a dazzling musical journey not soon forgotten.
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Westbound Situation
The Bay Community Theatre
Saturday, October 18
7 PM EDT (6 PM doors)
214 N Saint Joseph St.
Suttons Bay, MIWestbound Situation formed out of the Acoustic Music Seminar (AMS), a program run by multi-instrumentalist Mike Marshall. The program accepts 16 talented string players under the age of 22 from around the world to participate in a week of intense improvisation, composition and performance training. All four were two time participants, an honor that not everyone is able to receive. Some notable AMS alumni include Paul Kowert of the Punch Brothers, Alex Hargreaves of Turtle Island String Quartet, and Xavier Foley, winner of the 2014 Sphinx Competition.
Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm.
We expect a sold-out show! Get your tickets here.Thank you sponsors!
French Valley Vineyard, Hendryx House, and Groundwork Center For Resilient Communities -
Hey Day Happy Hour
Hey Nonny
10 South Vail Avenue
Arlington Heights, ILCellist Chris Tate is in town for the weekend, and Chris and Max will meet up to play some tunes together. They first met at the Global Musicians Workshop in Boston in 2024, and then again at the Fallingwater Music Retreat in June 2025. It’s rare for them to be in the same town at the same time, so don’t miss it.
Come from 4pm-6pm for free live music in the Bistro and enjoy the delicious food and drink specials. -
Max and Otto Allard
Unplugged Brewing Co.
201 E Bridge St, Elyria, OH
November 7
6 pm CDTThe Allard Brothers are returning to the brewery for another night of incredible bluegrass pickin...banjo & guitar, you don't wanna miss this local brotherly duo.
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Full Cord at the Purple Fiddle
Thu, November 13
8:00PM
96 State Hwy 32
Thomas, WV$15
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Full Cord
at The Mountaineer Opry
Fri, Nov 14
7:00PM14 Ance Curry Dr
Delbarton, WV 25670
$15 at the door -
Full Cord
B Chord Live
47 Duke Street
Granite Falls, NC
Sat, Nov 15
8:00PM$19.05 tix all in!
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Full Cord
Testa Rossa Italian Ristorante
Sunday, Nov 23
6:00PMTesta Rossa Italian Ristorante, Grand Rapids, MI
Reservations must be made in advance with Testa Rossa 616-278-3174