Mary McCaslin's Roundup
January
11, 2008
Given the wild weather we've experienced recently, tomorrow night's Louis
& Clark 30th Annual Birthday Bash seems altogether appropriate. This event,
which has become a beloved local tradition, will take place at the Crow's
Nest at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. Peter Clark and longtime musical partner
Stormin' Norman with his band the Cyclones will treat the crowd to an evening
of top notch country-rock. The Cyclones feature an all-star lineup with Tiran
Porter on bass, Ken Kraft on lead guitar, Jim Norris on drums and saxophone
phenom Frankie Ramos. As usual there will be lots of special guests joining
them onstage. What a great way to put the old year and the Holidays behind
and start up the New Year. Call 476-4560.
The following weekend folk musician and singer-songwriter John McCutcheon
performs his annual Santa Cruz concerts at the First Congregational Church,
900 High St. Friday, January 18th he plays his evening concert and the next
morning he plays a children's concert at 10. Both concerts are fundraisers
for the Resource Center for Non-Violence, which has presented him every January
for over two decades. John McCutcheon is a perennial favorite and an incredibly
talented multi-instrumentalist, who is also known for his clever and touching
songs, along with his covers of Woody Guthrie songs. A few years ago his recording
of Guthrie's "I'm Gonna Mail Myself to You" was used for the U.
S. Postal Service's Holiday ad. For tickets call 423-1626.
The UC Arts & Lectures series resumes on Saturday, January 26th (changed
from Friday, January 25th) with the Anonymous 4, a quartet of women singers
whose unearthly blend of harmony is bound to bring chills to the most jaded
listener. The women of Anonymous 4 are Marsha Genensky, Susan Hellauer, Jacqueline
Horner and Johanna Maria Rose. They interweave music, poetry and narrative
into an unforgettable performance. Their repertoire includes music from the
Middle Ages, innovative contemporary music and most recently the traditional
music of the British Isles and America. They perform at the UCSC Recital Hall
and for this tour they are accompanied by stellar instrumentalists Darol Anger
and Scott Nygaard. Call the UCSC ticket office at 459-2159.
Speaking of beautiful harmony, a one of a kind concert will take place on
Saturday, February 2nd at 7:30 PM at the Digital Media Factory in Santa Cruz.
I am honored to have been asked to perform with Ginny Mitchell, along with
other local favorites, and special guest, Diana Donnelly, for an evening with
the Velveteens. Guitarist extraordinaire Jim Lewin will lend his considerable
musical talent to the proceedings. For information call 427-1786 or go to
www.digitalmediafactory.net.
Here's a heads-up about a concert a couple of months from now at the Kuumbwa.
On Saturday, March 22nd Snazzy Productions presents singer-songwriters, and
local favorites, Sherry Austin and Sharon Allen, accompanied by Steve Perez
on guitar and Lisa Burns on bass. For details about this and the rest of the
Snazzy concert schedule go to www.snazzyproductions.com.
I can't think of a better way to usher in the New Year than with the fabulous
music these events offer. Happy New Year!
Contact Mary McCaslin at roundup@marymccaslin.com.