Friday, October 10, 2008 - 8:00 pm
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Folk Collection
Your favorite 60s and 70s folk songs!
The Folk Collection could just as well be named “Your Favorite Songs of the 60s Folk Era” group. Tony Unger, Ed Labowitz and Mike Sirota, along with bass man Bob Packham, grew up in the 1960's, when they fell in love with the story songs and 3-part harmonies of that acoustic era. Ed and Tony have been a duo on and off since their days at Hollywood High School. Mike joined the group in 2003 and Bob in early 2005.
Much of their repertoire is familiar to audiences of all ages. With songs like “This Land is Your Land,” “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Where Have all the Flowers Gone?,” John Denver tunes, original compositions, and a medley of the great TV Western theme songs of the 50s (like “Rawhide” and “Bonanza”), The Folk Collection is reminiscent of such groups as The Kingston Trio, The Limeliters, The New Christy Minstrels, and The Brothers Four. But they have their own unique blend, sound – and humor.
These guys grew up loving folk music, and the turnouts at their shows confirms that there are many baby boomers, as well as older and younger folks, who really like listening to words and harmonies – and joining in when the mood and song fit. Their show is centered around folk music and good clean jokes. They are family friendly and their audiences are multi-generational -- from children, to parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. Their show is a fun evening that should not be missed. You will leave singing, toe-tapping, and smiling.
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| Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 8:00 pm |
Chris "Hammer" Smith Band
 Red hot blues harmonica
A high energy, yet authentic style of electric blues with jazz and rock influences, the Hammer Smith Band is an L.A. based Rockin' Blues band. The combined virtuosity of these musicians (harmonica, guitar, bass and drums) creates a fresh, explosive sound that has wide ranging appeal. HAMMER SMITH’s versatile, ingratiating blues harmonica style with his genuine rhythm and blues band makes it obvious that they were born with the blues running through their blood. This band is a real treat, red hot and rockin’ R&B music at its best by real musicians. There seems to be no dearth of harp players on the increasingly competitive blues circuit. But few anywhere have the world-class chops of harmonica wizard Chris "Hammer" Smith. And none can claim, as he can, to have recorded with Paul McCartney, Sammy Hagar, Smokey Robinson, Dolly Parton, Julio Iglesias, John Tesh, and Michael Jackson, and played on soundtracks for some of the biggest commercials and television shows ever aired.
Come here the Hammer Smith Band and enjoy high energy blues!
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| Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 8:00 pm |
Omega
 World music, jazz and gospel!
Not only does this East African Diva burst on the world music scene with a unique name, but she also blazons into the industry with a fantastic new sound. Omega Bugembe Okello, who just goes by the name Omega, is blessed with a powerful vocal range and the international ability of singing in various languages and dialects. The songstress who hails from Uganda has been described as “having a voice that touches the soul,” “bursting into song at birth,” and having “a beautiful voice.” If you listen to her music you will undoubtedly agree. She definitely has the kind of voice that pleasantly, but hauntingly seeps into one’s soul and her latest album, Kiwomera Emmeeme, embodies this very essence.
Omega draws from her African, in particular Ugandan, roots to bless her listeners and critics with a rich worldly flavour. Musically, she is old school in a new school kind of way, using her music as a medium of healing, loving, education, empowerment and celebration with well thought out lyrics and a memorable voice to boot.
Omega’s latest 2008 album Kiwomera Emmeeme, which in Luganda means “it is sweet to the soul,” is an explosion of ethnic and western sounds. The album is a compilation of 10 songs; 8 of which she wrote. All but one of the songs on the album are in her native tongue, Luganda, except for one that is in Swahili. Omega incorporated the help of several people, including award-winning Ugandan songwriter Sylver Kyagulanyi to write the song Gunyuma – “Love is a wonderful thing.” She also collaborated with musicians from the USA, Madagascar, South Africa and Kenya to create an internationally stamped album. The song Tugilabilile, which means “Let’s take care of the earth,” was written to encourage us all to become more environmentally conscious. She also recorded a slew of other songs including Gwe wangamba – “You said,” Zibasanze - “Woe,” Amazima – “Truth,” and Utama wa Mapenzi- “The sweetness of love”. Fans can get a taste of what is undoubtedly her best work yet through her featured single Mujje which simultaneously invites people to find true meaning in life and to celebrate that very core of who we are.
She also has recorded an album of jazz standards as well as a gospel album
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| Saturday, November 08, 2008 - 8:00 pm |
| A Evening With Mark Twain
Amador County resident Wendell Martin's unique interpretation of Twain emphasizes the storytelling expertise of the beloved writer, capturing the same loose rhythm that has become a Twain trademark. He weaves each tale as if he were telling a fantastic story that he fully expects everyone to believe. Martin, dressed in customary white suit, plays Twain as a 70-year-old speaking in a slow, gruff, whiskey-soaked drawl, relating the foibles and follies of his fellow man.
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| Friday, November 14, 2008 - 8:00 pm |
Thomas Pandolfi
 An evening of Gershwin piano music
A graduate of The Juilliard School, Pandolfi earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees as a scholarship student.
American pianist Thomas Pandolfi is emerging as a prodigious virtuoso who excels in reviving the core repertoire from the golden age of pianism. Praised for his interesting and innovative programming, his recitals regularly include works by Busoni, Godowsky, Dohnanyi and Chasins, and his orchestral appearances often feature concerti by Paderewski, MacDowell, Moszkowski and Anton Rubinstein.
Thomas will play a concert of Gershwin selections on our Steinway grand piano. Don't miss this fabulous evening by a true piano virtuoso!
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