Never Forget Pauly Silva Benefit Concert
Show Emcee Chris Renee X-Factor Finalist
Touch'd Too Much AC/DC Bon Scott Era Tribute
Cliff Feldman & Roots 66
Dickie Dangle & The Snot Rockets

Fri. May 24 at 7:30pm $12 adv./$15 door Dance – ages 21 +

A SWAMPLAND PRODUCTION

Pauly Silva, was a loving Father, gentleman and loyal friend to all who knew him. Gifted with an almost child like enthusiasm & love for martial arts, Pauly over came learning disabilities , the stigma of a broken bi-racial family & legal challenges, and took those issues on one at a time, and conquered them all. He wa s always re-inventing himself physically and mentally. He become a martial arts champion & loving teacher to all who learned from him. Pauly's knowledge of martial arts doctrine and theology, made Pauly who he was. Pauly's library contained everything from comic books to religious history. He was a Shalom Peacemaker, who was loyal to the Old School Code that brought a Community together.

Tonight's fun rockin' concert will be a benefit to help the family with burial expenses and an education fund for Pauly's children. Show starts 7:30 with a special guests paying tribute Pauly.

Touch'd Too Much Tribute AC/DC: Touch'd Too Much is a Monterey Bay based band that recreates the energy and sound of Bon Scott era AC/DC. Touch'd Too Much takes pride in delivering a high energy, impromptu performance every time they hit the stage, playing all the Bon Scott tunes everyone loves to rock to.

Cliff Feldman & Roots 66: Classic American Roots Rock

Dickie Dangle & The Snot Rockets: Just good plain fun music we all love

Chris Renee is an X-Factor Finalist from Santa Cruz

Artist sites and sounds: www.reverbnation.com/touchdtoomuch and www.roots66music.com and www.facebook.com/pages/Dickie-Dangle-The-Snot-Rockets/343917815658602 and www.chrisreneofficial.com

Locomotive Breath performing the songs of
JETHRO TULL • LED ZEPPELIN • THE WHO • ROLLING STONES• PINK FLOYD • THE DOORS • CREAM• AEROSMITH

Sat. May 25 at 8:30pm $12 adv. /$15 door Dance – ages 21 +

Locomotive Breath is the newest side project of local bassist, Daniel Vee Lewis, a professional musician who has over 25 years of experience backing bands like Special Fun, Tao Chemical, Jive Hounds and World Entertainment War, to name just a few. His newest band sticks primarily to the classics, playing the songs of Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Cream and Aerosmith. The group features Bill Walker and Bob von Elgg on guitaris, Marty Schuchardt on drums, and Bourn Archer on vocals.

Artist sites and sounds: http://locomotivebreath.us and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Locomotive-Breath/173605412775135

Mountain Folk 7pm Concert

Sun. May 26 at 7pm $8 adv./$10 door seated <21 w/parent

Mountain Folk is a seven-piece string band based in Santa Cruz, California. Their repertoire is comprised of select classics borrowed from a variety of genres, including folk, bluegrass, country, old time, and rock. Mountain Folk is: Roger Tompkins (upright bass and vocals), Don Taylor (banjo and vocals), Laura Staats (mandolin and vocals), Jeff Stasi (lead guitar), Brian Smith (vocals and rhythm guitar)& Katharina Schoellhammer (vocals and rhythm guitar).

Artist sites and sound: www.mountainfolkband.com

Freedy Johnson
plus Blue-Eyed Son

Mon. May 27 at 7:30pm $12 adv./$15 door seated <21 w/parent

Freedy Johnston: From his rough-and-tumble debut, The Trouble Tree, to his most recent album, the sublime Rain On The City, Johnston returns to themes of loss, tough luck, and bad timing. Johnston's songs are often praised for their literary quality – and deservedly so – but they also hit you on a gut level. As a young man, Johnston was drawn to both the raw energy of punk and the austere beauty of Paul McCartney's vocal melodies. It's no surprise that Elvis Costello's My Aim Is True is among the first albums that inspired him. One can hear Costello's gift for meticulous songcraft and wry storytelling on Johnston's second album, Can You Fly. When it came out in 1992, Rolling Stone and Spin hailed Can You Fly as a masterpiece. Robert Christgau called it “a perfect album.” Its success led to a major label deal with Elektra, for whom Johnston released “This Perfect World” in 1994. Not only did that album showcase Johnston's increasing sophistication and range as a songwriter, but it also included his breakthrough hit, “Bad Reputation.” Johnston has released three additional albums on Elektra, including 1999's critically acclaimed Blue Days, Black Nights, produced by T-Bone Burnett.

Blue-Eyed Son: Andrew Heilprin has removed his sonic smoke sunglasses to reveal a Blue-Eyed Son. Former front man for surf-punk band 40 Watt Domain, Andrew's musical focus has shifted gears into a stripped down, acoustic orchestration. On June 1st, Andrew's manifestation was released to the world, in the form of Blue-Eyed Son's West of Lincoln

Artist sites and sounds: www.freedyjohnston.com and www.blueeyedson.com

The Black Lillies
INDIE ROOTS VIA APPALACHIA

Wed. May 29 at 7:30pm $10 adv./$10 door seated <21 w/parent

Born in the rumbling cab of a stone truck and aged in the oak of Tennessee's smoky night haunts, The Black Lillies have quickly risen to the forefront of the Americana scene. Founded by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Cruz Contreras (co-founder of Robinella and the CCstringband), The Black Lillies have created their own unique brand of country, roots, rock and blues via Appalachia. In April 2009, The Black Lillies released Whiskey Angel , their debut recording, which was recorded live in Cruz's living room. The album received rave reviews and appeared on multiple “Best of 2009"? lists across the country, winning the Independent Music Award for Best Album, Americana. The band's current album, 100 Miles of Wreckage , has been spent more than five months on the Americana radio Top 40 charts – four of them in the top 20.

Artist sites and sounds: www.theblacklillies.com

The Bobs

Thu. May 30 at 7:30pm $15 adv./$15 door seated <21 w/parent

PRESENTED WITH SNAZZY PRODUCTIONS

A band without instruments?! The Bobs fall outside a cappella traditions, landing in a hot tub of humor and vocal prowess. What other band can headline The American Songbook series, open for Frank Zappa and The Dead, and perform for 700 million people on the Emmy Awards? Manhattan Transfer meets Monty Python, Robin Williams meets Bobby McFerrin, J.S. Bach meets Jimi Hendrix: Grammy-nominated vocal acrobats (and certifiable nutjobs), that's THE BOBS. This original “band without instruments” has been skewering the classics, breaking all the rules and clear-cutting their own unique path in the world of vocal music for over 25 years, playing everywhere from Lincoln Center to Berlin's Passionkirche. “Some performers are brilliant comedians, some are genius musicians, and some just make you happy to be alive. THE BOBS are all of that — and then some.” - Paul Provenza

Artist sites and sounds: http://bobs.com

Almost Cut My Hair Tribute to
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
plus Talmon Owens

Almost Cut My Hair 

Tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young 

plus Talmon Owens

Fri. May 31 at 8pm $12 adv./$12 door  seated <21 w/parent

The Almost Cut My Hair Tour returns to Don Quixote's International Music Hall for the fourth time to dazzle the audience with a tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Led by Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame recipient Gary Burr, Almost Cut My Hair provides a spot-on rendition of CSN&Y tunes with amazing musicianship and vocal harmonies. Gary Burr just played the Rio Theater with his OTHER band The Blue Sky Riders, with Kenny Loggins, and Georgia Middleman. Almost Cut My Hair also features some great local favorites, Scott Owens on guitar and vocals, his brother Craig Owens on bass and vocals, and Dean Newbury on percussion and vocals. Dean is also the executive producer of the show. Rounding out the band will be Michael Capella on pedal steel and vocals, Gary Henry on drums and vocals, Mark Mirando in keyboards and vocals, Joe Sita on guitar and vocals, and Tom Sepio on guitar. Big Sur songwriter and guitarist, Talmon Owens will open the show. 

Artist site and sounds: www.garyburr.com and www.talmonowens.com

EXTRA LARGE

Sat. June 1 at 8pm $10 adv./$10 door Dance – ages 21 +

Take a lot of love, soul, funky grooves and positive attitudes, mix well with flute, sax, guitar, bass, keyboards, drums, a generous helping of exotic percussion and high energy soulful vocals, and you've got EXTRA LARGE. EXTRA LARGE's music is funky, positive, rhythmic, lively, energetic, and FUN! The sunny, upbeat attitude this band exudes is absolutely infectious- WE DARE YOU NOT TO DANCE! See the full production video of EXTRA LARGE LIVE AT DON QUIXOTE'S on their website.

Artist sites and sounds: www.extra-large.net

Webster Walton Edwards 7pm Concert
Chris Webster Tracy Walton and Bill Edwards

Sun. June 2 at 7pm $17 adv./$20 door seated <21 w/parent
WELCOMED BY FIDDLING CRICKET CONCERTS 

New CD is The Trees . Chris Webster and Tracy Walton have been a magical duo vocal presence over the years fronting Mumbo Gumbo , finding ways to blend Webster's smoky, beguiling voice with Walton's joyful pop/rock vocals into something even better than each of them alone. Tracy Walton and Bill Edwards were together in Way Out West in the 80s and 90s. They will all be playing acoustic versions of Mumbo Gumbo originals and well chosen covers.

Artist sites and sounds: www.chriswebstermusic.com

Ledward Kaapana
Hawaiian Two Time Grammy Award Winner
with Mike Kaawa and Fran Guidry

Tue. June 4 at 7:30pm $17 adv.$20 door seated <21 w/parent
WELCOMED BY FIDDLING CRICKET CONCERTS 

Led Kaapana's mastery of stringed instruments, particularly slack key guitar, and his extraordinary baritone and leo ki`eki`e (falsetto) voices, have made him a musical legend. He has been thrilling audiences for more than 40 years. With easy-going style and kolohe (rascal) charm, he has built a loyal corps of Led Heads from Brussels to his birthplace on the Big Island of Hawaii. Recognition by his peers earned Led 4 Grammy nominations in his own right and 2 wins on slack key compilations.

Mike Kaawa is one of Hawai‘i's finest 12-string guitar players and is a highly regarded musician. Mike describes his music as “Hawaiian with attitude”.

Fran Guidry: plays kika ki ho?alu or Hawaiian slack key guitar.

Artist sites and sounds: www.ledkaapana.com and www.kauaimusicscene.com/a/mike-kaawa and www.kaleponi.com

Wed. June 5 at 7:30pm $12 adv./$15 door seated <21 w/parent

Dayan Kai has a new CD, “Resonate”, and he and his stellar band of musicians are here to "Celebrate"

Dayan Kai's supersonic voice is big enough to cause a tidal wave one minute and rich enough to turn a choppy sea into a smooth clear lake the next. And then there is the phalanx of instruments that he has mastered and the stunning song craft. Dayan Kai is a talent mightily personified and an absolute joy to experience. Born without sight but not without soul. Dayan Kai is a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, vocalist, and producer with a lifelong dedication to music. Equally versed in jazz, world, Americana, and rock traditions. Devoted husband and father of two. Formally trained since the age of 2, Dayan has studied under world music composer Lou Harrison, Latin percussionist Michael Strunk, jazz trumpeter/arranger Ray Brown and mandolin master David Grisman. Kai is also a versatile accompanist and works with numerous notable artists from around the world in many genres.

Artist sites and sounds: www.dayankai.co

Thu. June 6 at 7:30pm $15 adv./$18 seated <21 w/parent

Helene presents an evening of Mediterranean music featuring The Meridian Band with Bellydance performances by award-winning dance artist visiting from Spain, Sese Geddes , plus Jill Baker , Lana, Celena , Isadorah, and members of The Sisters of The Desert Sky Dance Company . The Meridian Band bring their unique music regularly to the top local Bellydance festivals in Redwood City, Santa Clara and San Jose presenting classical and folkloric music from Egypt, Turkey, Greece and other countries of the Mediterranean region. Mike Fair{Faraz} plays doumbec and riq, Leelane Hines{ Leila} plays electric violin, Richard Robbins plays percussion, and Marti Coyne{Sadika} sings and plays oud. 

Helene is director of Bellydance International and has been teaching, performing and promoting Bellydance for over 25 years. She was a recipient of The Gail Rich Award in 2002 for her significant contribution to the arts in Santa Cruz County.

Artist sites and sounds: www.meridianmajor.com and Sese www.bellydancebasics.com and Helene & Bellydance International www.mountainartcenter.org

Fri. June 7 at 8pm $17 adv./$20 door dance ages 21 +

Heartbreaker has been playing all over the western hemisphere since 2000, performing as far north as Anchorage Alaska, as far south as Trinidad and the Dominican Republic and as far east as Providence, Rhode Island. The cast of players includes

Artist sites and sounds: www.zeppelintribute.com

Sat. June 8 at 8pm $10 adv./$12 door dance ages 21 +

The Fall Risk is the brainchild of Furthur vocalist and Box Set front man, Jeff Pehrson.It includes other members of Box Set, a few old friends from the dorms at SF State, and a stellar new cast of characters. Their sound is infectious Americana folk-rock with enough groove to get you up and moving. The eight member band is loaded with talented players who consistently elevate Pehrson's journeyman songwriting. A San Francisco based band, The Fall Risk encompasses the traditions of Bay Area music of the past, while helping to shape its future. “Jeff and his bandmates in the Fall Risk create some of the warmest vibes out there. After hearing Cross My Heart a couple of times, that tune was embedded in my brain, and it never fails to bring a smile. Like Jeff's Gibson J-100 Xtra, the Fall Risk creates a wide and big sound...This is good stuff”.Jim Roberts, Assistant managing editor for the New York Times

Michael Vincent and Rocking Horse: is the culmination of an evolving sound - from all the players' backgrounds, bands, and histories, coming together from rock, jazz, worldbeat, and more, to form a more perfect union.

Artist sites and sounds: www.thefallrisk.com and www.michaelvincentmusic.com

Sun. June 9 at 7pm $15 adv./$17 door seated <21 w/parent

Houston Jones is a San Francisco Bay Area based high-octane Americana quintet. Formed in 2001, the band performs a strong original repertoire that ranges from bluegrass and folk to blues and gospel. Houston Jones features Travis Jones (lead vocal, rhythm guitar), Glenn Houston (lead acoustic and electric guitar), Henry Salvia (keyboard and accordion), Chris Kee (standup bass, cello and acoustic guitar), and Peter Tucker (drums and percussion).

Artist sites and sounds: www.houstonjones.com

Sun. June 9 at 7pm $15 adv./$17 door seated <21 w/parent

"A confluence of sublime talent." - San Francisco Chronicle. Houston Jones invites you into a world of musical virtuosity and storytelling that ranges from the myths of ancient Greece to the red dirt back roads of Waskom Texas. The acoustic heart of the band beats with the passion of five lifetimes lived in a musical landscape of gospel revival tents to Irish pubs, New Orleans to the Great Plains to Motown, a church in Cape Cod to a punk club in Berkeley. All this translates into an explosive, wide-ranging performance that will touch your heart, expand your mind, and get your feet moving of their own volition.

Artist sites and sounds: www.houstonjones.com

Mon. June 10 at 7:30pm $12 adv./$15 door seated <21 w/parent

Round Mountain: Blending dusty American grit with a worldly amalgam of global influences, Santa Fe-based duo Round Mountain presents a singular take on folk music that is both foreign and familiar. The multi-multi-instrumentalist band of brothers has travelled the globe absorbing bits and pieces of musical cultures, returning to filter them through their own sepia-toned Americana framework. Char and Robby Rothschild have been writing songs and singing together since they were kids harmonizing in the back of the family car. The brothers developed a passion for Irish music, then adding West African, Appalachian, Afro Beat, Zimbabwean, Turkish, Roma, and Balkan to their repertoire of study and performance.

Amanda West: An elegant union of inquisitive mind, open heart and old soul enable singer-songwriter Amanda West to weave powerful songs with a disarming stage presence. Pete Solomon often accompanies on world percussion, gentle keyboards, classically influenced jazz saxophone and the occasional electronic loop. West's all original songs explore topics from humanity's impact on the planet, to musings on women's role in society, intimate stories of love, and recipes for self empowerment and cultural evolution.

Artist sites and sounds: http://roundmountainmusic.com and www.amandawestmusic.com

CRIME TAKES A CRUISE Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

Who Dunnit??? You Solve the Mystery

Three Wednesday Performances Opening Tonight Wednesday, June 12th
Wed. June 12, 19 and 26 at 6:30pm (Dinner Seating)
$50 includes Performance, Dinner & Tip
Seated <21 w/parent
Puns proliferate! Alliteration abounds! Dinner Specials! Mystery, Music, Mirth, Mayhem!

Cruise Dinner Specials :

Elf Empire Productions joins forces with Don Quixote's Music Hall and Restaurant to present an outrageously entertaining musical murder mystery. CRIME TAKES A CRUISE, written by local playwrights Rita Wadsworth and Carolyn Hyatt and directed by Stuart Serman. Featured in CRIME TAKES A CRUISE are well-known local performers Albert Kent, Claire Hodgin, Liz Hodgin Anderson, Carolyn Hyatt, Steve Edmonds, Wendy Edmonds, Scott Whisler, Rita Wadsworth , and Richard Stauff . The show features excerpts from the cruise ship's Holiday production, “ SANTA'S FOLLIES ”, performed by talented entertainers Claire Hodgin, Liz Hodgin Anderson, Scott Whisler and pianist Richard Stauff , adding a touch of musical fun to the evening .

Be ready for fun as the audience joins the cast and crew on a Holiday cruise to Hawaii. In typical Elf Empire style, music and laughter abound along with a murder or two along the way. Elf Empire's talented troupe of thespians has worked with theater companies throughout the county. Elf Empire has been presenting innovative and entertaining theater productions in Santa Cruz since 1991. The delectable combination of Don Quixote's fine food and Elf Empire's talented performers deliver an exhilarating evening of music, mirth and mayhem for enthusiastic audiences. Dinner seating for all shows begins at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended. Artist sites and sounds: www.elfempire.com

Thu. June 13 at 7:30pm and Fri. June 14 at 8pm $20 adv./$20 door  ALL STANDING – ages 21 +

SPECIAL LIMITED TWO NIGHT TICKETS FOR $34 AVAILABLE ONLY AT DON QUIXOTE'S

"The simple fact is that James McMurtry may be the truest, fiercest songwriter of his generation. "Stephen King.  The son of acclaimed author Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove, Terms of Endearment), James grew up on a steady diet of Johnny Cash and Roy Acuff records. His first album, Too Long in the Wasteland (released in 1989), was produced by John Mellencamp and marked the beginning of a series of acclaimed projects for Columbia and Sugar Hill. In 1996, McMurtry received a Grammy nomination for his Longform Music Video of Where'd You Hide The Body. “James writes like he's lived a lifetime.” —John Mellencamp. “James McMurtry writes songs filled with characters so real that you're sure they're going to climb out of the speakers and look you in the eyes.” —VOICE OF AMERICA. Jonny Burke is at it again. Just over a year after the release of his debut solo album “Distance And Fortune”, Burke puts forth “Cup Runneth Over”. A veritable narrative of the seedy underworld and gritty glory that is the life of a down and out song man.  

Artist sites and sounds:  www.jamesmcmurtry.com  and www.jonnyburke.com

AZA Berber & Saharan-African Blues of Morocco

Sat. June 15 at 8pm $12 adv./$15 door Dance – ages 21 +

Founders Fattah Abbou and Mohamed Aoualou, native Moroccans, combined their musical genius with avant-garde local talent, giving way to the hottest sounds in world music. AZA has traveled the globe hitting the art capitals of the world such as Montreal, Chicago, Paris and Casablanca. What does AZA music sound like? ?A deep down celebration of the soul: it leaps of North Africa, Gnawa and Amazigh (Berber) soul--the blues gone happy. Described as "a barn burner of a show" and "revolutionary" by Madison World Music Festival , don't miss the opportunity to dance and groove to one the best kept secrets in California.?- Cruzio.com . That Tamagha Wushen opens with banjo may seem strange, but it's not: the banjo is hugely popular in Morocco, and this gorgeous second release by Santa Cruz's Aza uses the instrument deftly in its desert-inspired compositions. Fans of the band Tinariwen will hear the kinship between the music of the Atlas Mountain-dwelling Berbers and their Touareg cousins -- it's there in the spacious compositions, the loping rhythms, the chanted refrains. But where Tinariwen skews rock, Aza drops into jazz or gnawa music, taking your breath away with their ability to make it all work so well.?- Sarah Bardeen, Rhapsody.com

Artist sites and sounds: www.azamusic.com

CRIME TAKES A CRUISE Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

Who Dunnit??? You Solve the Mystery

Only Two Wednesday Performances To Go!
Wed. June 19 and June 26 at 6:30pm (Dinner Seating
$50 includes Performance, Dinner & Tip
Seated <21 w/parent

Cruise Dinner Specials :

Puns proliferate! Alliteration abounds! Dinner Specials! Mystery, Music, Mirth, Mayhem!

Elf Empire Productions joins forces with Don Quixote's Music Hall and Restaurant to present an outrageously entertaining musical murder mystery. CRIME TAKES A CRUISE, written by local playwrights Rita Wadsworth and Carolyn Hyatt and directed by Stuart Serman. Featured in CRIME TAKES A CRUISE are well-known local performers Albert Kent, Claire Hodgin, Liz Hodgin Anderson, Carolyn Hyatt, Steve Edmonds, Wendy Edmonds, Scott Whisler, Rita Wadsworth , and Richard Stauff . The show features excerpts from the cruise ship's Holiday production, “ SANTA'S FOLLIES ”, performed by talented entertainers Claire Hodgin, Liz Hodgin Anderson, Scott Whisler and pianist Richard Stauff , adding a touch of musical fun to the evening .

Be ready for fun as the audience joins the cast and crew on a Holiday cruise to Hawaii. In typical Elf Empire style, music and laughter abound along with a murder or two along the way. Elf Empire's talented troupe of thespians has worked with theater companies throughout the county. Elf Empire has been presenting innovative and entertaining theater productions in Santa Cruz since 1991. The delectable combination of Don Quixote's fine food and Elf Empire's talented performers deliver an exhilarating evening of music, mirth and mayhem for enthusiastic audiences. Dinner seating for all shows begins at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Artist sites and sounds: www.elfempire.com

Amy LaVere

plus Carolyn Sills Combo

An Evening of Vintage Country, Swing Gypsy Jazz, Rockabilly, Southern Soul
WELCOMED BY FIDDLING CRICKET CONCERTS 

Thu. June 20 at 7:30pm $12 adv./$15 door seated <21 w/parent

Amy LaVere: Amy LaVere is a spitfire American singer, songwriter, upright bass player and actress based in Memphis, Tennessee. Her music is classified as Americana, combining a blend of classic country, gypsy jazz, rockabilly, and southern soul. She has appeared in the movies Walk The Line, Black Snake Moan and A Fine Step .

Carolyn Sills writes and performs original music with guitarist Gerard Egan. They are heavily influenced by their vinyl record collection and enjoy performing western music - western swing, country western, west coast blues, spaghetti westerns and more. The combo features top local players Charlie Wallace on steel guitar and Jimmy Norris on drums, with Gerard on guitar and Carolyn on electric bass and vocals.

Artist sites and sounds: http://amylavere.com and www.carolynsills.com

Freestone Peaches : A Tribute to Duane Allman
Performing the 1971 "
Holy Grail of Allman Brother Shows"

Fri. June 21 at 9pm $10 adv./$15 door Dance – ages 21 +

Freestone Peaches, based out of the San Francisco Bay Area , emulates the feel, excitement and energy of the Allman Brothers Band during the Duane Allman and Berry Oakley era (1969 - 1971). Filled with jam band, blues band and Allman Brother enthusiasts, this band features Ron Tomasello on lead/slide guitar (Duane Allman), Jeff Faust on bass (Berry Oakley), Chris Zanardi on lead guitar (Dickey Betts), Mark Corsolini on drums (Butch Trucks), Mo Sardella on drums (Jai Johanny "Jaimoe" Johanson), Jefferson Bergey on vocals ( Gregg Allman ) and Russel Kreitman on B3/keyboards (Gregg Allman). The band will be performing from the "Holy Grail of Allman Brother Shows" which was the last public performance at the Fillmore East on June 26, 1971. No recordings exist of this show but similar versions can be heard on the ABB album Live At The Fillmore East.

Artist sites and sounds: www.FreestonePeaches.com

Fatoumata Diawara

Sat. June 22 at 8pm $20 adv./$25 door Dance – ages 21 +

Fatoumata Diawara, the phenomenal new talent from Mali and the biggest story in African music hits North America this spring and summer.

PRESENTED WITH ZOOKBEAT PRODUCTIONS

Fatoumata is receiving absolutely massive media coverage in Europe over her stance and action re the Mali crisis. The forthcoming spring US tour is going to deliver ever more massive media coverage ahead of the summer tours. Fatoumata Diawara has created a unique contemporary folk sound with a distinctly African spin. She draws elements of jazz, blues, and funkinto a sparse contemporary folk style, all the while paying tribute to the rocking rhythms and plaintive melodies of her ancestral Wassoulou tradition. At the center of the music is Diawara's warm, affecting voice; spare, rhythmical guitar playing; and gorgeously melodic songs that draw powerfully on her own often troubled experience. Born in Côte d'Ivoire, raised in Mali, now based in Paris, Diawara has had a life covering a whole gamut of contemporary African experience: fighting parental opposition to her artistic ambitions and the cultural prejudice faced by women throughout Africa, winning success as an actress in film and theater, before inding her feet in the medium she was always destined to make her own: music. Damon Albarn, Toumani Diabaté, Herbie Hancock, and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones are just a few of the major players who have fallen for Diawara's effortless musical charm, as her presence has lit up shows in Europe by Africa Express, AfroCubism, and Hancock's "Imagine" project.

Artist sites and sounds: www.myspace.com/fatoumatadiawara Listen to the story from NPR's Morning Edition .

Buy tickets now: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/343950

Five Women / Five Life Stories 7pm Concert
Jan Luby, Pipa Piñon, Patti Maxine, Laura Devine
Burnett & "Lady" Michal Lauren

Sun. June 23 at 7pm $15 adv./$17 door seated <21 w/parent

WELCOMED BY FIDDLING CRICKET CONCERTS  

An evening of Original and Deeply Soulful Music & Spoken Word

Jan Luby: former Santa Cruz Musician Extraordinaire is known for her engaging, often riveting stage-presence as well as her voice full of passion, range and power. Rhode Island's Motif Magazine chose Jan as Female Vocalist of 2011.

Pipa Piñon: Pipa Piñon's music moves through soft vignettes to deep trancey grooves, bringing you into a deep blue ocean of vocal melodies. Her music is often described as "indescribable". It is an original blend of avant-garde electric folk. She is the recent recipient of the 2013 Gail Rich Awards.

Patti Maxine: Lap steel virtuoso Patti Maxine is one of the hardest working musicians in Santa Cruz, California. A session player in constant demand, Patti plays most nights of the week. A musical Swiss army knife, she handles a wide variety of styles with ease, sliding gracefully from Hawaiian to swing, from R&B and rock, from blues to jazz and back again.

Laura Devine~Burnett: Laura Devine~Burnett's heavenly vocals coupled with the ethereal sound of the mountain dulcimer, presents the listener with her originals, folk ballads, old timey and spirituals tunes.

"Lady" Michal Lauren: Lady Michal''s voice radiates like the glimmer of sunlight off the surface of a cool mountain lake on a warm summer's day. Her Musings and emotion come from the heart within the heart - the place where only the truest of singers and musicians can come from.

Artist sites and sounds: www.JanLuby.com and www.dreambeach.net and www.pattimaxine.com and www.LadyMichal.com

CRIME TAKES A CRUISE Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

Who Dunnit??? You Solve the Mystery
Last Performance Tonight!
Wed June 26 at 6:30pm (Dinner Seating)
$50 includes Performance, Dinner & Tip
Seated <21 w/parent

Cruise Dinner Specials :

Puns proliferate! Alliteration abounds! Dinner Specials! Mystery, Music, Mirth, Mayhem!

Elf Empire Productions joins forces with Don Quixote's Music Hall and Restaurant to present an outrageously entertaining musical murder mystery. CRIME TAKES A CRUISE, written by local playwrights Rita Wadsworth and Carolyn Hyatt and directed by Stuart Serman. Featured in CRIME TAKES A CRUISE are well-known local performers Albert Kent, Claire Hodgin, Liz Hodgin Anderson, Carolyn Hyatt, Steve Edmonds, Wendy Edmonds, Scott Whisler, Rita Wadsworth , and Richard Stauff . The show features excerpts from the cruise ship's Holiday production, “ SANTA'S FOLLIES ”, performed by talented entertainers Claire Hodgin, Liz Hodgin Anderson, Scott Whisler and pianist Richard Stauff , adding a touch of musical fun to the evening .

Be ready for fun as the audience joins the cast and crew on a Holiday cruise to Hawaii. In typical Elf Empire style, music and laughter abound along with a murder or two along the way. Elf Empire's talented troupe of thespians has worked with theater companies throughout the county. Elf Empire has been presenting innovative and entertaining theater productions in Santa Cruz since 1991. The delectable combination of Don Quixote's fine food and Elf Empire's talented performers deliver an exhilarating evening of music, mirth and mayhem for enthusiastic audiences. Dinner seating for all shows begins at 6:30 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Artist sites and sounds: www.elfempire.com

The Shifty Sailors
16 Members Singing Songs of the Sea

Thu. June 27 at 7:30pm $12 adv./$15 door seated <21 w/parent

The Shifty Sailors are a big entertaining romp of an ensemble. The 16 Member Sea shanty and maritime vocal music group, is based on Whidbey Island, Washington. The Shifty Sailors performs around the world. Their musical tours have taken them to festivals in the British Isles, Scandinavia, New England, the Baltic Sea countries, Maui and Prague. While sea shanties are working songs, The Shifty Sailors specialize in maritime songs about fishing, lighthouses, wrecks, pilons and of course, ferries.

Artist sites and sounds: www.shiftysailors.net

Chum
Tribute to Phish

Fri. June 28 at 9pm $8 adv./$10 door Dance – ages 21 +

When Chum played their first live date in December of 2010 on a rainy Tuesday night in North Beach, nobody in the band knew what to expect. Phish fans are notoriously difficult to please, Phish music is notoriously difficult to play and with the real band firmly back in touring mode, there were questions about whether people would come out to see anything but the actual band. As longtime Phish fans, Eric Schiff (guitar), Alex Bowman (drums), Colin Hoops (keys) and Chad Weiner (bass) knew that they would be excited to see a band playing Phish music at intimate venues and so they bet that there was a sizeable group of fans just like them. To judge from that first show and subsequent shows around San Francisco, it's clear they were right.

Artist sites and sounds: www.facebook.com/ChumPhishTribute/info

Mon. July 1 at 7:30pm  $12 adv./$15 door seated <21 w/parent

For being all instrumental, Pavlo's Mediterranean music speaks for itself. In his 9th album,"Six String Blvd" Pavlo incorporates the world's most exotic instruments into his classic Mediterranean sound.  Influenced by his travels, you will be captured by the Chinese Ehru; the Portuguese Guitarra; the Arabic Flute; the Indian Sitar and of course the Greek Bouzouki. Pavlo has come full circle since he introduced his Mediterranean brand in 1998, once again recording an All-Instrumental album.  Complete with all brand new compositions, this album highlights Pavlo's unmatched ability to melodically unite world instruments into his sound seamlessly, all the while staying true to his distinct Mediterranean guitar signature.It has never been more convincing, Pavlo is a TRUE WORLD artist, and has become famous for bringing every audience to their feet. Pavlo continues to tour worldwide performing over 150 shows per year and is still driven by his father's famous words: "Have the courage to do what you love, and the drive to do it well."  

Artist sites and sounds: www.pavlo.net

Wed. July 3 at 7:30pm $7 adv./$7 door Dance – ages 21 +

The rocking rhythms, solid grooves and all out sincere fun are what puts UTURN in the drivers seat when it comes to getting the party started - and keeping it going. They might play songs you know but you haven't heard them like this. The band is built on the hard hitting beats laid down by John Dell'Acqua (JD) on drums, Dan Waller on bass and Tim McNulty on rhythm guitars. Bud Denton and Gary Blackburn hammer out the lead and rhythm guitars. Everyone sings. This lends itself to naturally offering a wide variety of song selection. There is a lot of experience in the collective U-TURN but none of that would matter if the rockin' ever stopped. UTURN intends to never let that happen.

Fri. July 5 at 8pm $15 adv./$18 door Dance – ages 21 +

It has been 50 years since the Beatles released their debut album Please Please Me. The Sun Kings are celebrating by playing that album all the way through along with the other 1963 hits along with the huge hit list that spans the Beatles’ illustrious career. From theatres and festivals, clubs ad live radio performances, to private and corporate events, The Sun Kings shine with their spot-on arrangements and vocal harmonies delivered with driving energy, joy, and vitality. Beatles shows! The Sun Kings continue to amaze their fans with their uncanny channeling and respect for the music they perform..

Artist sites and sounds: www.thesunkings.com

Tue. July 9 at 7:30pm $12 adv./$14 door seated <21 w/parent

$10 at door to Members of The Celtic Society by way of $2 rebate

Members of RUNA have played with Solas, Riverdance, Slide, Clannad, Fiddlers' Bid, Moya Brennan, Eileen Ivers , Hazel O'Conner, Full Frontal Folk, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Barcó, Téada, and the Guy Mendilow Band. RUNA consists of vocalist and step-dancer, Shannon Lambert-Ryan of Philadelphia, Dublin-born guitarist, Fionán de Barra, Cheryl Prashker of Canada on percussion, Dave Curley on mandolin, vocals, bodhrán, and stepdancing, and Maggie Estes of Louisville on the fiddle. The band often performs with world-renowned, guest musicians, including Isaac Alderson on the uilleann pipes, flutes, and whistles. “There is truly a mystical quality to their playing. They create a lyrical sound that is at once unique as well as seamless.” – Lori Lander Murphy, Irish Philadelphia. RUNA draws on the diverse musical backgrounds of its band members and offers a contemporary and refreshing approach to traditional and more recently composed Celtic material. Through their repertoire of both highly energetic and graceful, acoustic melodies, along with their fusion of music from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and the United States, this vocal and instrumental ensemble gives its arrangements of traditional songs and tunes a fresh sound. “Best of all, RUNA sounds like no one else.” – Travis Rogers, Jr., Music Life and Times

Artist sites and sounds: www.runamusic.com

4 KORE CREATIONS PRESENTS

Thu. July 11 at 8:30pm $15 adv./$20 door Dance – ages 21 +
Sound/Lighting/3D Projection Mapping/Deco! Face-melting 3D projection mapping!
Badklaat: aka Adam James from Gloucester, Britain (UK) Dubstep

Labrat: Santa Cruz-based dubstep artist Travis Egner Williams produces melodically infused dance floor bangers under the persona LabRat. He exploded onto the EDM scene in 2010 with his bootleg of The XX track Crystalized which was featured on many top YouTube channels around the world. Word spread quickly about LabRat's unique drops and synths. In 2011 he was picked up by GruntWorthy Music where he released his debut EP "Test Subject", receiving much critical praise.

DownsquarZ: DownsquareZ, AKA Colin McAndrews, is a producer & DJ from Santa Cruz, CA. A drummer since age 12, he has always been rhythmically inclined, and he pursues expertise in the booty clap and the skit-daddly shuffle.

LucidSummerDreams: dubstep duo group from Santa Cruz

Artist sites and sounds: https://soundcloud.com/badklaat and www.soundcloud.com/labrat and www.soundcloud.com/downsquarez and https://soundcloud.com/lucidsummerdreams

Bluegrass & Old Time Mountain Music 7pm Concert

Sun. July 14 at 7pm $10 adv./$10 door sea ted <21 w/parent

Chris Doud: currently co-fronts and writes song for The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit with Willie Tea Taylor. GLTSO plays a hybrid of Americana, folk, rock, bluegrass, and that sweet, old country & western – a rough-hewn yet driftwood-smooth; rebel-headed, but heart-of-gold sound.

The Naked Bootleggers : Local favorites bring a fresh approach to old time mountain music. Reviving the standards of yesterday while writing the standards for tomorrow. Local musicians Don Mackessy (banjo), Ona Stewart (guitar), S.T. Young (guitar, washboard, harmonica), Steve Perez (guitar), James Mackessy (bass) are bridging the gap between old time and contemporary music with captivating vocal harmonies, lyrical creativity and that high lonesome sound of old.

Artist sites and sounds: https://soundcloud.com/chris-doud and www.reverbnation.com/thenakedbootleggers

Wed. July 17 at 7:30pm $12 adv. /$12 door seated <21 w/parent

PRESENTED WITH SNAZZY PRODUCTIONS

Whether nailing an upbeat honky-tonk tune or a slow, sad story-song, Zoe Muth's music is so honest and familiar, you'll wonder why you haven't heard it yet. Her self-titled, self-released debut won attention not only from her hometown (Seattle Weekly dubbed her "our own Emmylou"; tastemaker blog Sound on the Sound called her "without doubt, one of the finest songwriters in Seattle") it also earned praise from the worldwide press. The record landed on No Depression's annual Reader's Poll as one of the Top 50 Albums of 2009, while Modern Acoustic magazine called her 2010's "New Artist of the Year." Growing up in the hometown of Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain, Muth was raised on old school rock before discovering the Anthology of American Folk Music.

Artist sites and sounds: http://zoemuth.com

Wed. July 24 at 7:30pm $10 adv./$10 door
seated <21 w/parent

Milk Drive: Jazz-grass band Milk Drive features award-winning instrumentalists Brian Beken on fiddle and lead vocals, Noah Jeffries on guitar and harmony vocals, Dennis Ludiker on mandolin and harmony vocals, and Matt Mefford on double bass. But awards reveal nothing about the Austin string band's exhilarating sound. Fueled by equal parts tradition and innovation, MilkDrive delivers a distinctive acoustic experience that crosses genres, geographies, and generations. The band's much-anticipated sophomore studio album WAVES, produced by Bil VornDick, was released in June 2012. Capturing the band's sophisticated arrangements and fierce musicianship, the album showcases a number of original compositions and features guests Noam Pikelny (of Punch Brothers) and Futureman (of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones).

The Bluetail Flies formed in 2009 after banjo player, Ben, met sister singers, Courtnay and Lauren, at a birthday BBQ in Lauren's backyard. In 2012, the now 7 member band consists of strings (fiddle, bass, banjo and guitar), a hand drum and three-part vocal harmonies. They've recently self-released their first album, self-titled, The Bluetail Flies . Yeehaw!

Artist sites and sounds: http://milkdrive.com and http://www.thebluetailflies.com

Wed. Aug. 28 at 7:30pm $12 adv./$15 door Dance – ages 21 +

Tom Constanten , keyboardist, best known for playing with the Grateful Dead from 1968 to 1970 including at Woodstock. He received a PhD in music from Harvard University , where he also taught music. He is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Normal Bean Band: Taking the message of the Dead to the people, the Normal Bean Band will spread the love and good vibes to everyone that has ears to listen. With a massive repertoire of tunes from the Sixties to the present, no two shows will be the same. In the best Dead tradition, Bean and band will mix it up, feel the vibe and connect with rock, blues, jazz and soul songs and improvs. New Original songs Created at every show.

Cecil P-Nut Daniels P-Nut's favorite instrument is his Casio MIDI-Horn which allows him to play many of the instruments he loves such as saxophone, keyboard, vibraphone any many other sounds and effects to the audience's amazement.

Artist sites and sounds: www.tomconstanten.com and www.reverbnation.com/normalbeanthedreamteam

HOUSE OF FLOYD An Evening of Pink Floyd

Sat. Sept. 7 at 8pm $15 adv./$18 door seated <21 w/parent

The S.F. Bay Area's HOUSE OF FLOYD performs the music of Pink Floyd, and has gained a strong following for their unique ability to enthuse both the hard-core fans of the early adventurous Floyd and those who enjoy the songs and soundscapes that later brought them widespread appeal. They capture the essence of each of the various Pink Floyd eras from the formative Syd Barrett days, through the 70's and the final post-Waters era.   In the Pink Floyd tradition, a HOUSE OF FLOYD concert incorporates sound effects, moving lights & state of the art laser show.  The set lists on any given night might be from an actual Pink Floyd concert, or a custom HOUSE OF FLOYD mix, but always includes rarely heard live arrangements used by Pink Floyd in concert – as well as the occasional obscure pieces that never made it to vinyl and were heretofore unknown to all but the serious collectors. HOUSE OF FLOYD affords the opportunity for those who never saw Pink Floyd to “get” what made those shows so extraordinary. Those who were fortunate enough to have seen Pink Floyd in concert, get the chance to experience it again albeit by a pretty exciting “surrogate band.” 

Artist sites and sounds:   www.houseoffloyd.com

Sun. Sept. 22 at 7pm $16 adv./$19 door seated <21 w/parent

Muriel Anderson: Guitarist / harp-guitarist MURIEL ANDERSON is the first woman to have won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. An engaging performer, her obvious joy of music and facility across musical genres is revered by guitarists and audiences worldwide. She is host of the renowned Muriel Anderson's All Star Guitar Night .

Steve Palazzo is and awesome guitar player, teacher and plays in the Bluegrass Band, Homefire. He is hugely influenced by the great Doc Watson.

Artist sites and sounds: http://murielanderson.com

Tue. Oct. 1 at 7:30pm $15 adv./$17 door seated <21 w/parent

$13 at door to Members of The Celtic Society by way of $2 rebate

Irish Music Awards' 2009 “Top Traditional Group” is Bua, a quartet comprised of some of the most talented young musicians in the US. Bua plays Irish traditional music with “a precision and intensity that is rarely heard on this side of the Atlantic.” Their sound stands out among modern bands in the genre by “keeping the music down the path of tradition.” Their 2011 release, Down the Green Fields, finds Bua further down that path where the band explores forgotten sounds and inspirations with a blend of enchantingly stark song arrangements and bold, earthy dance tunes. A review of Down the Green Fields, calls it “a testament, from beginning to end, of the lasting essentials of the Irish tradition.”

Artist sties and sounds: www.buamusic.com

1pm Matinee Concert
Sun. Oct. 6 at 1pm $12 adv./$15 door seated <21 w/parent

Laura Benward (guitar and vocals) was born in San Francisco and began her musical "career" at age 6 on WNLK in Norwalk, Connecticut where he sang on a Sunday morning program. The family home was always full of music as she was growing up. She would sing a-cappella with her mother and remembers dancing around the living room with her father to the music of Al Jolson, Perry Como, Mitch Miller, Andy Williams and Peggy Lee.

William Florian - Guitar, Vocals, formerly of The New Christy Minstrels . An unwanted album he received through the Columbia House Record Club ignited William's interest in the music of Peter, Paul and Mary. In the 1970's, William and his younger sister, Nanette, took their act on the road. During this tour they met the New Christy Minstrels. They were invited to join and William sang lead for the group. Both William and his sister Nanette toured with the group singing those favorite hit songs, This Land Is Your Land, Today, and Green Green.

Tim Crosby - Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Fiddle, Vocals Tim has a knack for playing pretty much any instrument with strings. His finger picking musical skills add a unique dimension to The Vintage Singers where his baritone voice is enhanced by guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle.

Artist sties and sounds: http://thevintagesingers.com