Note: This page,  www.songmakers.org will continue to be the primary means of communication to our members. The EChord is the only other “official” communication. Neither is private. The easiest way to control attendance to your event is to list it with the words “RSVP required to attend”. Alternatively, keep your event by your private invitation only. We do not now nor do we intend to attempt any kind of “members only” notifications.

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Calendar Updated 11:08 am on 12/04/2023

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For a Calendar view, see: https://localendar.com/public/Songmakers but keep in mind that events listed may not be current.

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Calling all singers and musicians

From Patty Lebow from Stagecoach Inn Museum:  This year I am in charge of getting musicians for our 4 holiday dates:  Friday evenings 6-8:30 Dec. 8th and 15th and Saturdays 1-4 Dec. 9th and 16th.  Are there any members of Songmakers that can perform for any of those dates?

You can perform solo or in your group with others or lead a songcircle.  Microphones might be available for your use.

You may email me at 2lebows@gmail or call me at 805-660-0057 (cell-can text).  

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Weekly Repeating Event List

Times are Pacific Time Zone except LIVE times are local.

Every Sunday 1-3:30pm: LIVE Pitts Ranch Park Song Circle, SMPOC Steve Linsky invites Songmakers, Old Time Fiddlers & friends to come jam at Pitts Ranch Park, 1400 Flynn Rd., Camarillo, 93012 (Directions Here). Led by Steve Linsky or Jack Zigray. Free admission. Bathrooms, seating, and shade available. Come bring your instruments and your voices and let’s make some music! 

Every Sunday 7-10:15pm: Virtual Agoura Hills Song Circle – Steven Mark Berman <President@songmakers.org> is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom Song Circle: Join via: https://zoom.us/j/637717652?pwd=ZW92MDYwN3NYUGtyWHJtQW1BRXlQQT09 Meeting ID: 637 717 652 Password: 008615. 

Every Monday 12-4pm: Mudcat Worldwide Zoom Singaround, Email Joe Offer <joe@mudcat.org> to get the meeting number and password sent to you by email on Sundays (changes weekly). Joe is the Music Editor, The Mudcat Cafe Folk Music Discussion Forum.

Every Wednesday 1-2pm: Bill’s Uke Beginner Ukulele Class via Zoom, Email Bill Dempsey <billdempsey@cox.net> to get meeting number and password sent to you by email on Tuesday. For more info: www.billdempseymusic.net. New album, Oft I Sing, currently available only as a download. Here’s a link http://billdempsey.hearnow.com.

Every Wednesday Virtual Open Mic Guitar Merchant – FYI this is now dark indefinately.

Every Wednesday Noon-3pm: FOCSLE Music Zoom, from England. Sign up for e-mail alerts via paul@focsle.org. More info at www.focsle.org.  

Every Thursday 7-10pm: Virtual Chuck Behrman’s Thursday Evening Zoom <chuck@chbphoto.com>. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83549396377?pwd=NFVqTEZJVzFHU3U2Mm9iZFdlVVRSQT09 – Meeting ID: 835 4939 6377 Password: 262022

Every Friday morning from 9:30-11:30am: David Steinhart’s Virtual Song Circle. Start the Day With A Song! dstein1209@yahoo.com – Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89162569327 – Meeting ID: 891 6256 9327 – Passcode if needed: 839872

Every Saturday 9:30-10:30am: Bill’s Uke Beginner Ukulele Class via Zoom, Email Bill Dempsey <billdempsey@cox.net> to get meeting number and password sent to you by email. For more info: www.billdempseymusic.net. New album, Oft I Sing, currently available only as a download. Here’s a link http://billdempsey.hearnow.com.

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Monthly Events – November

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Nov 28 – 2nd & 4th Tuesday 4-6:30pm: Virtual Port Hueneme Zoom Song Circle. A SCAN Health Plan sponsored Song Circle. Join via: https://scanhealthplan.zoom.us/j/6345438370?pwd=ZklITVVjYmRySUtKTjMvM0ZldTlIQT09 Meeting ID: 634 543 8370 – Passcode: ac9gM3 / One tap mobile +16699006833,,6345438370#,,,,,,0#,,728002# US (San Jose) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 634 543 8370 Passcode: 728002

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Monthly Events – December

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FYI – The following song circles will be dark in December or have been suspended.  It is always best to verify that the song circle you are planning to attend will still be held.

Dark in December: Canyon Sages Song Circle in Topanga

Suspended: IHOP 1st Tuesday led by Valerie Kotas.  Valerie is looking for another venue.

Suspended: Rise Up Singing 3rd Friday – Santa Paula.

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Dec 5 -1st Tuesday 1-3pm: SFFMC Zoom Sings will have a song swap in the lobby and breakout rooms will be available. If you have a suggestion for a workshop subject, please email it to info@sffmc.org or phone 510-473-6651. join via https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84464929798?pwd=enI2dGREak9PcmVLTWNaTlFidzB2dz09 Meeting ID: 844 6492 9798Passcode: Sing // Meeting ID: 844 6492 9798Passcode: 491149 – Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kibhotSmb

Dec 2 – 1st Saturday 7-9pm Santa Monica Folk Club Zoom musical get together. The way it works is you need to click on the zoom link below. You will be let into the meeting from the waiting room by the host – Please turn your video ON so that we can identify you as a real person and not a Zoom Bomber. Between songs we can all unmute and chat. We will all have an opportunity to see each other and share our music. Meeting ID: 825 8956 4896 – Passcode: 728632 – One tap mobile – +16699006833,,81687335715# US (San Jose) – +13462487799,,81687335715# US (Houston) Join via: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82589564896?pwd=YVFjL2lqNXkwaDk5Q0J6ZEZadG5FUT09 

Dec 12 – 2nd & 4th Tuesday 4-6:30pm: Virtual Port Hueneme Zoom Song Circle. A SCAN Health Plan sponsored Song Circle. Join via: https://scanhealthplan.zoom.us/j/6345438370?pwd=ZklITVVjYmRySUtKTjMvM0ZldTlIQT09 Meeting ID: 634 543 8370 – Passcode: ac9gM3 / One tap mobile +16699006833,,6345438370#,,,,,,0#,,728002# US (San Jose) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 634 543 8370 Passcode: 728002

Dec 8 – 2nd  Friday 7pm-after midnight: San Francisco Folk Music Club – For full details and to sign up, go to https://www.sffmc.org/.

Dec 15 – 3rd Fridays 4pm (7pm ET): MCCRFolk Jam offers fun, themed Song Circles. Join us for a fun MCCR virtual open mic on ZOOM.  Please register in advance by clicking: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvcemvqjoiGd1yKxpdAgJsqnT5DIh6TFa2 – After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  We continue to be an open and welcoming jam, so please feel free to invite your friends. There’s plenty of room in a virtual jam!  Email me directly at MCCRFolkJam@gmail.com and request to be included on the distribution list. The Virtual Jam Book https://acousticparlor.us20.list manage.com/track/click?u=d7e255a92d545eb230da89d42&id=9b225ad26d&e=2a5de13c44 is s the ‘Kitchen Sink’.  It includes songs suggested by our jammers. You will want to download this and have the songs you want to sing displayed on your computer or printed out. This list is not written in stone – themes can change, so if you have an idea for a theme, please send them to me at MCCRfolkjam@gmail.com

Dec 16 – 3rd Saturday 1-3pm San Mateo Virtual Folk Music Singing Meetup hosted by Lee Strieb. Full details and to RSVP: https://www.meetup.com/San-Mateo-Folk-Music-Meetup/events/274959830

Dec 17 – 3rd Sunday 1-5 pm: LIVE Mensa Folksong SIG (special interest group). Host Alan Stillson invites you to attend an IN-PERSON song circle event for up to 15 fully vaccinated participants (couples count as two attendees). Participation requires a reservation – please contact Alan Stillson directly via astillson13@gmail.com or 818-884-4284. The Folksong SIG is a long-running event for members of Greater Los Angeles Area Mensa and invited guests. It is not listed on Meetup. The address is 5515 Keokuk Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91367. It’s close to the Ventura Freeway and Winnetka Ave. All musical instruments are welcome. The gathering is indoors. There is a full-size keyboard in the room. Host will provide light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Please bring a snack to share.

Dec 18 – Free Movie Mantinee: Fisherman’s Friends 1 – 3:30 PM, Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room, 1401 E. Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. Movie Description: A fast living, cynical London music executive heads to a remote Cornish village on a stag weekend where he’s pranked by his boss into trying to sign a group of shanty singing fishermen. He becomes the ultimate “fish out of water” as he struggles to gain the respect or enthusiasm of the unlikely boy band and their families (including Tuppence Middleton) who value friendship and community over fame and fortune. As he’s drawn deeper into the traditional way of life he’s forced to reevaluate his own integrity and ultimately question what success really means.

Dec 19 – 3rd Tuesday 6-10pm: LIVE Agoura Hills Potluck & Song Circle. An RSVP is required for all in-person attendees.  For full details, including the address, and to RSVP  see: https://www.meetup.com/Songmakers/events/278765396. Potluck at 6pm – bring a dish to share, Music from 7 to 10pm. Please bring seating (folding chairs with rubber feet preferred). Five armless chairs available. This event is Songmakers guidelines compliant.

Dec 19 – 3rd Tuesday 1-3pm: SFFMC Zoom Sings will have a song swap in the lobby and breakout rooms will be available. If you have a suggestion for a workshop subject, please email it to info@sffmc.org or phone 510-473-6651. join via  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84464929798?pwd=enI2dGREak9PcmVLTWNaTlFidzB2dz09 Meeting ID: 844 6492 9798Passcode: Sing. Meeting ID: 844 6492 9798Passcode: 491149

Dec 22 – 4th  Friday 7pm-after midnight: San Francisco Folk Music Club – For full details and to sign up, go to https://www.sffmc.org/.

Dec 23 – LIVE WEST LA HOOT & Potluck –  4-8pm Potluck at 6pm Potluck –  This is usually the 4th Sunday but has been moved a day earlier because of Christmas Eve.  Please bring a contribution for the 6pm potluck. Contact info:  mhaatma@earthlink.net.   Attendance RSVP via Meetup (https://www.meetup.com/Songmakers/events), no exceptions. Attendance will be limited to 20 people, with a waitlist for any who register after that.  

Dec 23 – Peace by Piece Winter Concert – 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Grant R. Brimhall Library Community Room, 1401 E. Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. The student musician Project Peace by Piece will perform a holiday and winter concert in the Thousand Oaks Library Community Room.

Dec 23rd – 4th Saturday 5:30-9pm: LIVE Woodland Hills Potluck and Song Circle. Alan Stillson astillson13@gmail.com is inviting you to attend this in-person event. The address is 5515 Keokuk Ave. Woodland Hills, CA 91367. It’s close to the Ventura Freeway and Winnetka Ave. The landline telephone number is 818/884-4284. Co-leaders are Linnea Richards and Alan Stillson. All musical instruments are welcome. It will be held in compliance with the rules adopted by the Songmakers board of directors for in-person gatherings. Attendance requires a reservation via Meet-up or direct contact with host. The maximum number of attendees is 15 (couples = two attendees). The gathering is indoors. There is a full-size keyboard in the room. Bring a Potluck item to share. The host will provide non-alcoholic beverages.

Dec 23 – 4th Saturday 1-4pm: LIVE Stagecoach Inn Museum Song Circle in Newbury Park. Donations to support the museum music program are welcome. Please do not join the circle unless you are fully Covid vaccinated. RSVP via StagecoachSongCircle@songmakers.org. Waived museum admission fees on the 4th Saturday for Songmakers, however, the day use fee is expected to be paid if you are not a current paid up member of Songmakers or the CVHS. For parking, please use the lot on Susan Drive. Do bring your own chair. While masks are not required, participants will be in close proximity, so masks are strongly recommended. Dressing in a fashion that supports the era is desired.  StagecoachSongCircle@songmakers.org

Dec 26 – 2nd & 4th Tuesday 4-6:30pm: Virtual Port Hueneme Zoom Song Circle. A SCAN Health Plan sponsored Song Circle. Join via: https://scanhealthplan.zoom.us/j/6345438370?pwd=ZklITVVjYmRySUtKTjMvM0ZldTlIQT09 Meeting ID: 634 543 8370 – Passcode: ac9gM3 / One tap mobile +16699006833,,6345438370#,,,,,,0#,,728002# US (San Jose) Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 634 543 8370 Passcode: 728002

Dec 31 – Steve and Sandy’s Agoura Hills Song Circle Food, Friendship, & Music FUN New Year’s Party 7 – 12 pm – RSVP required via Meetup.  We couldn’t think of a better way to bring in the New Year than food, friendship and music fun with you! Pot luck dinner 7-8 (or feed the kitty). Song circle 8-Midnight. Everyone will get several turns where they may either perform a song, lead a sing-along, request a song or performance by someone else, or simply “pass.” You are the boss when it’s your turn.  Most of the 300+ members of our Songmakers.org music nonprofit are not MeetUp members, and most members of the Songmakers MeetUp group are not members of Songmakers.org, but we are limiting this party to 18 (chai) attendees who are members of both. It is free to join the MeetUp platform (meetup.com) and to then join the Songmakers MeetUp group https://www.meetup.com/Songmakers/

Call us at 310 699-5755 for questions. If you need to join Songmakers.org on New Year’s Eve, Sandy and I will have an application ready for you. For $10, everyone at your address gets membership in Songmakers for one year. We had 17 at our monthly November circle, so I expect this party will fill up. You cannot sign up by calling but if you have trouble with MeetUp, I may be able to talk you through it, The party will take place 8-Midnight on New Years Eve, and we do have some guest beds if you want to stay overnight. Our address is 4032 Defender Drive, Agoura Hills, CA 91301. There is plenty of street parking on our block. Happy 2024!

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• If you are aware of any LIVE or virtual song circle or performance that will welcome Songmaker participation (or want to host one), please provide the info to  <webmaster@songmakers.org> for inclusion to our members.
   
• Inputs for “Southland” also come from our members. Do you know of an upcoming musical event that may be of interest to our readers? Please provide a write-up with dates & website &/or other pertinent information, send to: <webmaster@songmakers.org>.
   
• Joining Songmakers is not accomplished via Meetup. The www.songmakers.org list of events will continue. Songmakers membership is only $10 per year per family / household – join via https://songmakers.org/member-registration
  EChord Note: No longer sending the EChord to non-members except for prospective members. 

• SPAM blockers often create a problem in that they reject / move to SPAM folders EChord emails. 

FYI – Too many events to track individually so all should be considered unverified.  Please do not attend any other than Songmakers approved face to face events.

A list of virtual Song Sessions: https://www.bostonsongsessions.org/virtual-sessions.

Open mics http://micnights.com/

Ventura Freeway Corridor Acoustic House Concert Locations: http//www.acousticmusic101.com

Paul Blakelock provides a list of upcoming music events for the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas. This one site shows the events ordered by date, with the closest ones at the top. It focuses on free events, and a few of the major paid events and festivals. http://conejo.rocks.

Old Time & Celtic Music Calendars. David Brown updated 19 Sep 2022: The latest revisions on the oldtimeSF & celticSF groups.io groups. To join these groups go to https://groups.io/g/oldtimesf & https://groups.io/g/celticsf. Also available via: https://www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org/ – select “Monthly Calendar of Old Time Music” under the About menu AND here https://sites.google.com/site/davbrown2/celtic Join the CelticSF group via https://groups.io/g/celticSF

CA Dept of Health Guidelines: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Guidance-on-Isolation-and-Quarantine-for-COVID-19-Contact-Tracing.aspx

CDC recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/