Butte-Tehama Counties News
5/4/2013
Butte-Tehama Counties


Hello Bluegrass Friends,

I'd like to start with a special thanks to all the participants in last Saturday's Bluegrass jam at Cafe Flo in Chico, and to Mark, our generous host & Flo owner. It's so great to get together with such talented musicians & nice people, with a wide variety of bluegrass tunes & songs!!

And first on my list of bluegrass/old time events is tomorrow night, Thursday May 2. Two very talented & influential old time musicians, Dan Levenson & Bob Carlin, will be performing at Sid Lewis' Chico School of Rock. Information as follows:

THURSDAY, MAY 2: AN EVENING WITH DAN & BOB will be held at Chico School of Rock (also known as Sid Lewis' Acoustic College) at 932 W. 8th Avenue, Chico CA from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, doors open at 7:15pm.

Dan Levenson and Bob Carlin are both masters of the clawhammer banjo, and Dan also is a master old time fiddler. Bob has performed both solo and with the John Hartford String Band at countless festivals, clubs, schools, and museums, and has over 75 albums. Dan is one of the undisputed influences on today's old time music. Dan describes the concert like this: "Banjos, fiddles, guitars, songs and stories (yes TRUE ones too) combine to create this wonderful insight into Old Time Music."

The cost is $15, and all tickets are sold at the door. The venue is cozy and intimate, a wonderful setting for this exciting traditional music. However, there are only 20 seats left. If you are planning to come & have not yet reserved your seat, please email me at lucyinchico@hotmail.com, so we can do just that! Hope to see you there!!


BLUEGRASS JAMS

SATURDAY, MAY 4: ACOUSTIC MUSIC JAM. The Butte Folk Music Society is sponsoring a folk jam, led by Steve Johnson, at Upper Crust Bakery at 130 Main St. from 2:00 to 5:00pm. For more information, call Steve Johnson at 530-345-4128.

SUNDAY, MAY 4: CONCERT, JAM, & OPEN MIC. The California State Old Time Fiddlers Association, District 6, will be hosting a Free Old Time Fiddle Concert, Jam and Open Mic held in the meeting room at St. James Lutheran Church, 2500 Shasta View Blvd., Redding California on the first Sunday of each month from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM. Dessert provided by “For the Love of Pie.”
If you have a group that would like to do a 25 - 30 minute performance or would like to perform during the “Open Mic” at one of our three monthly events, let us know and we can make arrangements. All acoustic music appropriate for our events is welcomed.
Contact: RootsMusic@csotfa.org or (530) 604-8706

THURSDAYS AT CAFE FLO, MAY 9, 16, 23, & 30: "IMPROV JAM" at Cafe Flo, 365 E. 6th Street, Chico, from 5:00- 7:00pm. This is not a bluegrass jam, as I understand it, but allow participants to jam with others to basic chord progressions. For more information, see liveatflo.weebly.com

SATURDAY, MAY 11 : ACOUSTIC MUSIC JAM at CAFE FLO, 365 E. 6th Street, Chico, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, led by Robert Catalano All styles of music welcome, so bring a song or tune you'd like to share with other musicians, bring an instrument or just plan to sing along. Always on the 2nd Saturday of the month. For more information, call Robert at 343-9379.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15: BLUEGRASS & OLD-TIME SLOW JAM at Sid Lewis' Acoustic College, 932 W. 8th Ave in Chico, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Bring your bluegrass instruments and song/tune suggestions, and take advantage of this opportunity to both meet and play with other bluegrass players. Led by Jim Myers. Email:myersjj@gmail.com Ongoing, 3rd Wednesdays.

SATURDAY, MAY 25: BLUEGRASS JAM at CAFE FLO, 365 E. 6th Street, Chico, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. All bluegrass pickers (and listeners) welcome! Plan to get some good food, coffee or tea, or a beer to support owner & music lover Mark Watts and his employees, who will be allowing us to gather there for our bluegrass jams. Ongoing, every 4th Saturday. Hope to see you there! Please note: This will be the last jam until September. (Summer is for bluegrass festivals!) Led by Lucy Smith. For more information, call 530-894-1449, or email lucyinchico@hotmail.com

And in Oroville....

MONDAYS, MAY 6 & 20: FIDDLE GROUP WORKSHOP will be held at the Bolt Tool Museum for musicians of any age. Instruction and shared music time aim to encourage musicians to perform in groups. The workshops are 7-9pm, and are held the first and third Mondays. It's $2.50 per person, and is located at 1650 Broderick St. in Oroville. For more information, call 533-141 or 282-3205.

SUNDAY, MAY 26: OLDTIME FIDDLERS ASSOCIATION: Open-mic jam from 1pm to 3:30pm at the Oroville Municipal Auditorium. Every fourth Sunday. For more information, call 589-5841.

SUNDAY, MAY 19: FIDDLE AND BLUEGRASS JAM will be held from 2:00 to 5:30pm at Unity of Oroville, 1321 Robinson, Oroville. This jam features old time fiddle, bluegrass, country western and gospel music. Free admission, but a donation jar is available to help offset expenses. Ongoing, every third Sunday. For more information, call Bob Hedrick at 389-4844 or Dennis Ashley at 533-8696.
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OPEN MICS

THURSDAY, MAY 2 & 16, JUNE 6 & 20: OPEN MIKEFUL with host Susan Dobra, presented by 490 Grange in Paradise, at 5704 Chapel Drive from 7:30 to 9:30pm. Chapel is off Pearson Rd., across from the Gold Nugget Museum. Sign ups are at 7pm, and admission is $1.00. Dinner is also served, for a minimal cost. This event is held every 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month. Information at https://www.facebook.com/pgrangeevents?ref=ts&fref=ts

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CONCERTS

THURSDAY, MAY 2: AN EVENING WITH DAN & BOB will be held at Chico School of Rock (also known as Sid Lewis' Acoustic College) at 932 W. 8th Avenue, Chico CA from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, doors open at 7:15pm. INFORMATION ABOVE.

SUNDAY, MAY 5 & FRIDAY, MAY 24: Concerts at the Fifth String Music Store in Sacramento. I don't usually advertise Sacramento events, but this information from John Hettinger's CBA newsletter just might pique your interest!

In addition to an outstanding selection of fine instruments & accessories, proprietor John Green produces some great concerts at The Fifth String Music Store, 3184 N St, Sacramento, 916-442-8282, www.thefifthstring.com.

On May 5, 2:00 PM, there will be a Trio of Duos with Jim Nunally & Judy Forrest, Dix Bruce & Julie Cline, and Dix Bruce & Jim Nunally. Dix & Jim are well-known for their fine guitar picking & vocal harmonies. This should be a great show; tickets are $18

Then on May 24, 8:00 PM, John Reischman & the Jaybirds will perform. They are a great band & regularly perform at major bluegrass festivals. Another great show; tickets are $20.

ALSO FROM JOHN HETTINGER, AT THE GRASS VALLEY CENTER FOR THE ARTS:

The Center for the Arts, 314 Main St, Grass Valley, 530-272-5333, www.thecenterforthearts.org, produces a number of shows that may be of interest to bluegrassers:

FRIDAY, MAY 3: Riders in the Sky, 800 PM, $34. Western swing & comedy.
FRIDAY, MAY 10: Junior Brown: 800 PM, $28. Country lap steel guitar.
SATURDAY, MAY 11: Sara Watkins: 800 PM, $22. Singer from Nickel Creek.
FRIDAY, MAY 24: Marcia Ball: 800 PM. $28. Texas & Louisiana rock-stomp, swamp-blues piano & singing.

UPCOMING AT THE SIERRA NEVADA BIG ROOM:
Tickets for all Sierra Nevada Big Room events can be purchased in person at the Sierra Nevada Brewery Gift Shop at 1075 E. 20th Street in Chico,
by telephone at 530-896-2198,
or on-line at www.sierranevada.com/brewery/california/big-room#/events
Concerts start at 7:30pm, doors open at 6:00pm, with dinner available at $12.50.
Please check the website for individual concert information.

MONDAY, MAY 6: Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers 2013

Great friends of the brewery, Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers are coming back to the Big Room for two special nights. (Check out our blog post about them.) Nicki charged onto the San Francisco music scene, performing with her band, The Gramblers, and mixing it up with a host of other Bay Area artists. Nicki's debut album, “Toby's Song,” appeared in Jam Base's top 10 albums of the year (2008). Her sophomore album, “Driftwood,” conjures the magic of Linda Ronstadt, the duets of Johnny Cash and June Carter, and the smoky Memphis soul of Dusty Springfield.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15: Eilen Jewell with special guest Melody Walker

Eilen Jewell blends Americana, country, folk, and other styles acquired while traveling the U.S. Since her 2006 debut album, “Boundary County,” Jewell’s subsequent recordings have given fans variety, including a homage to Loretta Lynn as well as 2009’s “Sea of Tears,” which bristled with the electricity of 60s UK garage rock and Chicago blues. Her latest, “Queen of the Minor Key,” draws on everything from classic country to early R&B.

Melody Walker, quickly becoming a Chico favorite, will open the show. Picker extraordinaire Jacob Groopman (a personal friend of mine) complements Walker and they’ve melded their influences into a style they like to call “Americali”—Americana with a California twist. Drawing from bluegrass, rock, jazz, classical, Afrobeat and more, the duo creates literate music that honors tradition yet sounds completely of the moment.

TUESDAY, MAY 21: The Brothers Comatose

Don’t read too far into the name; this band is anything but comatose. The Brothers Comatose captures the sing-along, stomp-along, inclusive environment that gave birth to string band music. They toss (inflatable) alligators into the crowd, hand out chopsticks for audience percussion, and are known to jump down from the stage to play acoustic encores among fans. It's just one big, extended music party.

TUESDAY, MAY 28: Birds of Chicago with The Black Lillies

Days after the Spring Strawberry Music Festival, both The Black Lillies and Birds of Chicago will visit the Big Room for a stellar twin bill. The Black Lillies have quickly moved to the forefront of the Americana scene. Led by multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter Cruz Contreras, co-founder of Robinella and the CCstringband, The Black Lillies' rollicking and award-winning blend of country, alt-rock, neo-folk and mountain music has earned them critical acclaim and deep devotion from fans nation.


TUESDAY, JUNE 18: Della MaeDella Mae pushes the tried-and-true marriage of fiddle, fretboard, and voice to the height of versatility. The band’s lineup is a who’s who of promising young pickers: lead singer Celia Woodsmith, guitarist Courtney Hartman, bassist Shelby Means, mandolin player Jenni Lyn Gardner, and two-time National Fiddle Champion Kimber Ludiker. Each is a seasoned performer, and they’ve shared the stage with the likes of Willie Nelson, Del McCoury, Leon Russell and Laurie Lewis. Della Mae’s 2011 release, “I Built This Heart,” was an impressive debut, a delicate balance between bluegrass grit and singer-songwriter sensitivity. Check out a Della Mae song on YouTube, and come see one of the fastest-rising acts in the Americana/bluegrass genre.


UPCOMING AT CAFE FLO
5/1/13 WED. CAREY ROBINSON TRIO WILL PLAY A LIVE JAZZ HAPPY HOUR 5-7

5/1/13 WED. WAY OUT WEST AT FLO! OR SOME CALL IT HONKY TONK 7-9:30
WITH THE BLUE MERLES ONE OF THE BEST NIGHTS YOUR
GOING TO HAVE. COME ON OUT AND DANCE.
EVERY WEDNESDAY!

5/2/13 THUR.LAST STAND- COMEDY OPEN MIC OPEN @ 7 SHOW 8-10

5/3/13 FRI. FLO SESSIONS: TROUBADOUR CAMP . COM 7-10
PETER WILSON, MOUNTAIN JOHN & MOE DIXON
LOOK THEM UP. WHAT A TREAT TO HAVE THEM.
CD RELEASE PARTY- COME SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

5/4/13 SAT. SCOTT COFFEY FROM SANTA CRUZ AND OUR NOW 7-10
LOCAL DREW RUSH WILL OPEN THE SHOW FOR
GARRICK DAVIS. LOOK HIM UP AT GARRICKDAVIS.COM

5/6/13 MON. FLO LIVE JAZZ HAPPY HOUR WITH THE CAREY 5-7
ROBINSON TRIO. THIS IS EVERY WEEK PEOPLE!

5/6/13 MON. WORD PLAY: POETRY OPEN MIC 7:00 PM WITH AN 7-9
INTERLUDE OF FREESTYLE AND THEN END THE NIGHT
WITH A TWO ROUND SLAM POETRY NIGHT
FIRST MONDAYS EVERY MONTH

5/7/13 TUE. OPEN MIC- SINGER SONG WRITER NIGHT W ITH AARON 7-9
EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT AT THE FLO.

5/8/13 WED. CAREY ROBINSON TRIO WILL PLAY A LIVE JAZZ HAPPY HOUR 5-7

5/8/13 WED. WAY OUT WEST AT FLO! OR SOME CALL IT HONKY TONK 7-9:30
WITH THE BLUE MERLES ONE OF THE BEST NIGHTS YOUR
GOING TO HAVE. COME ON OUT AND DANCE.
EVERY WEDNESDAY!

5/9/13 THUR. .. BLUES UNPLUGED- COME ON AND ENJOY THE BLUES 7-10
WITH STEVEN TRUSKOL & SPECIAL GUESTS

5/10/13 FRI. FLO SESSIONS: LUMINOUS FLUX- WITH KATIE AND COLIN 7-10
MONTH OF SUNDAYS- WITH MARK AND HOPE AND A SOLO
ACT BY LOGAN DUNN

5/11/13 SAT. ALLI BERTAGLA AND GENE MANN WILL BLESS US... 7-10

5/11/13 SAT. SONG CIRCLE WITH ROBERT CATALONO, COME ON OUT 1-4
FOR THIS JAM CIRCLE OF GREAT MUSICAL TALENT
SECOND SATURDAY EVERY MONTH




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DANCE

SATURDAY, MAY 11: CONTRADANCE at the Chico Grange, 2775 Nord Ave., off W. East Avenue at Rodeo. Beginner's orientation at 6:30pm, dance from 7:00 to 10:00pm. Every 2nd Saturday. All dances are taught in a walk-thru and then called to music. You do not have to bring a partner with you. Live music by the PUB SCOUTS! Caller: Mark Goodwin. ADMISSION: Adults: $8, Teens and students with ID: $4. Children free with supervising adult. INFO: Mark or Grace 877-2930, Joy 891-8789

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FESTIVALS

FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MAY 4 & 5: THE 38th ANNUAL CLOVERDALE OLD-TIME FIDDLE FESTIVAL at the Citrus Fairgrounds, Citrus Fair Drive, in Cloverdale, CA, (just north of Healdsburg) from 9am to 6pm each day. It's an intense 2-day festival with music workshops, handmade crafts, food, beer & wine. For info on downtown Cloverdale events, shops, inns, & B&B's as well, visit www.cloverdale.net.
Primarily a fiddle contest, the Cloverdale Old-Time Festival will also feature musical performances in bluegrass & old time music on a separate stage. Performers include, on Saturday, Oak Grove String Band, Radio Ramblers, The Roustabouts, Dan Levenson & Bob Carlin, and Debbie McClatchy. And on Sunday, Dan & Bob, Debby McClatchy, the Kathy Kallick Band, and a banjo workshop with Debby McClatchy. No advance ticket sales--all tickets at the door, $13 per day, or $25 for both days. For more info, go to www.cloverdalefiddles.com , call 707-894-2067, or email fiddlers@cloverdalehistory.org

THURSDAY TO SUNDAY, MAY 9-12: PARKFIELD BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL.
The hamlet of Parkfield kicks off the festival season in California with the annual Parkfield Bluegrass Festival on May 9 - 12 (Mother’s Day weekend). The outstanding list of bands includes Roland White Band, Kathy Kallick Band, Central Valley Boys, Dark Hollow, Rocky Neck, Chico band Rock Ridge, Roustabouts, Get Down Boys, Snap Jackson & the Knock-on-Wood Players, Old-Time Fiddle & Banjo Show, Leroy Mack, plus Gerry Higbie’s Kids on Stage. The site for this festival is nestled in a beautiful valley in the Coast Range. Adult 4-day tickets including camping are $105. The best driving directions are on their website, www.parkfieldbluegrass.com.

JUNE 13- 16, 2013: CBA Father's Day Festival & Kids-Only Music Camp, Grass Valley. This is the biggest CBA event of the year so of course you're going; & bring a friend. Adult 4-day tickets are $110. Order yours on the CBA website, www.cbaontheweb.org or use the order form in the Bluegrass Breakdown. The bands include Rhonda Vincent & the Rage; Blue Highway; Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper; Melvyn Goins & Windy Mountain; Larry Stephenson Band; Special Consensus; Tom, Brad, & Alice; Earl White Stringband; Front Country; Della Mae; & many more.
New this year is a "kids only" camp for kids ages 8 - 16. Darby Brandli has arranged for another organization, Bluegrass Camps for Kids, to conduct a daytime ((9:30 AM - 3:30 PM) instructional bluegrass music camp simultaneous with the CBA Father's Day Festival on the same site: Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Rd, Grass Valley CA 95945. Cost is $300 & limited to 35 kids. For more info, checkwww.bluegrasscampsforkids.com.

*VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED FOR THE CBA FATHER'S DAY FESTIVAL! There are so many benefits to volunteering...being part of worthy organization, meeting new friends & meeting up with old ones, and even getting a free ticket! If you can help out with T-shirt or merchandise sales, the kid's program, working the gate, or any number of other volunteer jobs, please contact CBA Volunteer Coordinator Deb Livermore at deblivermore@gmail.com, or call her at 916-925-1733.

Other 2013 Festivals:

Susanville Bluegrass Festival: June 20 - 23, Susanville, www.susanvillebluegrass.com
Americana Music Festival: July 12 - 14, Virginia City, NV, www.americanafest.org.
Bluegrassin' in the Foothills: September 20 - 22, Plymouth, www.landspromotions.com
CBA Old-Time Campout:August 22 - 25. Lake Sonoma, www.cbaontheweb.org
Mammoth Bluegrass Festival:August 30 - September 1, Mammoth Lakes, www.mammothbgf.org
CBA Fall Campout: October 14 - 20, California Delta, www.lighthouseresortandmarina.com
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MUSIC INSTRUCTION

CBA SUMMER MUSIC CAMP, JUNE 9 TO JUNE 12, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Rd.in Grass Valley. One of the best music camps--for adults-- in the country. Enjoy 3.5 days of bluegrass and old-time instrumental, vocal, and band workshops with jams, concerts, delicious food, and dances. For more information or reservations, call Janet & Peter at 360-647-0741. Or email info@cbamusiccamp.org, or visit http://cbamusiccamp.

SID LEWIS' ACOUSTIC COLLEGE aka CHICO SCHOOL OF ROCK, 932 W. 8th Avenue, Chico, CA. LESSONS...Sid himself teaches guitar, mandolin, & banjo, and he has a number of excellent instructors in all instruments. There is also a MUSIC STORE on site, 2 Cool Music!
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INSTRUMENTS FOR SALE
GUITAR:
Yamaha FG-461S 1991 for $325 - solid spruce top, Rosewood back/sides, made in 1991

MANDOLIN:
Michael Kelly Elegante for $875-top of line with upgrades of arm rest, better bridge/nut, strap

Contact Jim Myers (myersjj@gmail.com)
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Be sure to check out the California Bluegrass Association website at www.cbaontheweb for more bluegrass information and links!

If you have any bluegrass events to announce--jams, concerts etc-- or instruments to sell, please let me know. I'd be happy to include them in this newsletter.

If you would like to opt our of this newsletter mailing, please reply with "PLEASE UNSUBSCRIBE". Hope to see you at some of these bluegrass events.

Happy picking & listening!

Lucy Smith
California Bluegrass Association
Area Vice President, Butte-Tehama area
 
Posted By:  Lucy Smith



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