Songmakers

Bills Sat Uke Ukelele Beginner Class
2024-07-20 09:30 - 10:30, 2024-07-13 09:30 - 10:30, 2024-07-06 09:30 - 10:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
via Zoom, Email Bill Dempsey<billdempsey@yahoo.com> 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.

Open Mic at Historia Bakery in Thousand Oaks
2024-07-19 18:00 - 21:00 | Historia Bakery and Cafe, 11 Hillcrest Dr, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360, United States
CJ Chimenti has been hosting an open mic at Historia Bakery and Cafe in Thousand Oaks for the past year, every other Friday. Signups are from 6-7 pm and open mic is from 7-9 pm.

Bills Wed Uke Ukelele Beginner Class
2024-07-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-07-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-07-03 13:00 - 14:00
via Zoom, Email Bill Dempsey<billdempsey@yahoo.com> 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.

Summer 2024 Picnic at Somis Community Church
2024-07-13 11:30 - 19:00 | Somis Community Church, 3300 West St., Somis, CA, 93066, United States
The first Songmakers Summer picnic for 2024 will be at Somis Community Church this Saturday July 13 11:30 – 7. The picnic at this church last Summer drew over 60 Songmakers to 3 wonderful circles, but as of 7/10 we have only 25 RSVPs!
Several people have reported difficulty RSVPing at the Songmakers-Ventura MeetUp, so as of today there are 3 ways to RSVP: RSVP at Songmakers-Ventura MeetUp group, RSVP at Songmakers MeetUp group (I cloned the event), or call me at (310)6995755 (voicemail message is fine).
Since Songmakers will grill 1 hot dog and burger for each RSVPd attendee, it is important each one RSVPs only ONCE by Friday at noon. You can bring side dishes, drinks and desserts, but no alcohol please. By popular demand the circle in the main sanctuary will be play along / sing along on all songs but PLEASE don’t overpower the songs leader. Other circles will allow solos or selected players only as usual at most of our events.

Open Mic at HIstoria Bakery in Thousand Oaks
2024-07-05 18:00 - 21:00

Bill's Sat Uke Ukulele Beginner Class
2024-06-29 09:30 - 10:30, 2024-06-15 09:30 - 10:30, 2024-06-08 09:30 - 10:30

Bill's Wed Uke Beginner Ukulele Class
2024-06-26 13:00 - 14:00, 2024-06-05 13:00 - 14:00

Bill's Sat Uke Ukulele Beginner Class
2024-06-22 09:30 - 10:30, 2024-06-01 09:30 - 10:30

Fireside Concert with Freebo & Alice
2024-06-21 19:30 - 21:30 | Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Rd, Newbury Park, CA, 91320, United States
SAVE THE DATE for our next Fireside Concert which will be at the Borchard Community Center on Friday, June 21 at 7:30pm with two fine entertainers. Freebo & Alice.
Freebo is the Folk-Rock-Blues icon who first came to national prominence as Bonnie Raitt’s bass player for 10 years beginning in 1971. He has also appeared on Saturday Night Live, Midnight Special Muppets Tonight, and in concert with the legendary Spinal Tap. Freebo’s music and message touches your heart with songs of life, love, the human condition, and even dogs! Freebo and Alice Howe met in 2016 at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conference and began a recording collaboration with symbiotic, musical chemistry. Howe’s music evolved from her New England roots influenced by blues, bluegrass, folk, and pop-with Celtic nods and anchored by her rich soprano vocals.
The venue will be at the Borchard Community Center-190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320 (Corner of Borchard Rd. & Reino Rd.). $20.00 at the door. Show starts at 7:30pm and seating is First Come First Served. Adults Only. For more information, please see attached flyer or call 626-244-7698/email ronbloom2014@yahoo.com. Come on out and be entertained!
Thank You,

Borchard Center Staff
190 N. Reino Road
Newbury Park, CA 91320
805-381-2791

Bill's Wed Uke Beginner Ukulele Class
2024-06-19 13:00 - 14:00

Bills Wed Uke Ukelele Beginner Class
2024-06-12 13:00 - 14:00

First Tuesday Song Circle - Camarillo
2024-06-04 18:00 - 21:00 | Calfia Productions, 575 Dawson Dr. #204, Camarillo, CA, 93012, United States
The First Tuesday Song Circle will begin meeting at a new location from 6-9 pm hosted by Valerie Kotas cell texting preferred: (805) 523-1760
Calfia Productions
575 Dawson Dr. #204
Camarillo CA 93012

Long Beach Bluegrass Festival
2024-05-04 11:00 - 19:00 | The Shell – Long Beach Outdoor Ampitheatre, 701-939 Federation Dr., Long Beach, CA, United States
This has been rescheduled from Saturday March 30 to Saturday May 4.
I hope to see you and some Songmakers out here at the very first festival in my home town of Long Beach. These are all California bands and not just strictly bluegrass and there will be lots of jamming. It was a tough break that it got postponed until May 4 because of tomorrow’s predicted storm, but that gives people time to plan. . .

Camping in Landers
2024-04-18 - 2024-04-21 | Landers, CA
The Gelencsers are inviting Songmakers to camp on their property in Landers near Yucca Valley for a weekend of making music. Details: We have a cabin on 5 acres of land suitable for dry camping with plenty of room for RVs, SUVs, and tents. We use solar panels for lights and charging our electronic devices and we bring water for cooking, washing, and flushing the toilet. You may arrive anytime after noon on Thursday, April 18th, and stay through noon on Sunday, April 21st. For those who don’t wish to camp, there are rental properties not far from our place listed on Airbnb.com and hometogo.com. For more information and meal contributions, contact: Janice at 909-374-2630 or singfolk@yahoo.com.

Janice

Santa Paula Concert Series - Chris and Lorin Rowan
2024-04-14 15:00 - 17:00 | Santa Paula Universalist Church, 740 E. Main St., Santa Paula, CA, United States
The Santa Paula Concert Series will present the return of the Rowan Brothers with special guest Maddie Sifantus on Sunday, April 14th at 3:00 PM at the historic Universalistd Unitarian Church, a Ventura Historical County landmark, located at 740 East Main Street, Santa Paula. It is handicapped accessible through the side gate.
Chris and Lorin Rowan perform their own music and Acoustic roots/Americana with a splash of Bluegrass. Both record and perform on their own and with others. Their trademarks are tight harmonies and haunting melodies underscored by crisp guitar and mandolin. With their older brother Peter Rowan, who has performed for the Concert Series in the past, they have also recorded several albums including “Sibling Rivalry”, “Tree on a Hill” and “Crazy People”. Lorin’s song “Soldier of the Cross” is the title track of country artist Ricky Skaggs’ Grammy winning CD. Their last concert in the series was in 2018.
The Rowans are longtime musical collaborators with Rev. Maddie Sifantus, director of the concert series and minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula. She will be sitting in with them as she has since the Sixties.
The Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula has been home to a number of musical events throughout its history. Admission is $25 donation at the door, from the church office during office hours, or by Paypal on the church’s website: www.uucsp.org. Children 12 and under are $15; children 5 and under are free. Proceeds benefit the Universalist Unitarian Church of Santa Paula Building and Historical Fund. Parking is on the street or behind the church. UUCSP is a registered Ventura County Historical Landmark. For more information, call 805-525-4647 or email office@uucsp.org

Bill Dempsey at Avalon Library
2024-04-11 16:00 - 17:00
Avalon Library

Thursday April 11th, 2024, 4 p.m.
215 Summer Ave.
Avalon, Ca. 90704

NOTE: This is a sea music gig. Bring your voices & below!

Bob Kroll Memorial Hoot
2024-03-29 06:30 - 22:00 | Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Rd, Newbury Park, CA, 91320, United States
Please join us on March 29 to celebrate Bob Kroll’s life in word and song.
We will gather at Borchard Center, where Bob hosted the Fireside Concert Series for over twenty years.
Stan Cadranel will serve as Master of Ceremonies and will lead the Memorial Hoot. There will be a sign-up sheet at the entrance for those wishing to participate in the hoot.
If you would like to share a finger-food-type snack, it will be welcome and appreciated.
RSBP by March 20 to help us plan seating capacity. Please call or text 805-907-8318 or email katlynch904@gmail.com

Bill Dempsey at Campus Jax
2024-03-24 16:00 - 17:00
Campus Jax

Sunday March 24th, 2024, 4 p.m.
3950 Campus Dr.
​Newport Beach, Ca. 92660

NOTE: This is a ukulele/vocal gig. Bring your uke!

Gemini St. Patricks Day Show
2024-03-16 16:00 - 19:30 | Country Harvest Restaurant, 3345 Kimber Dr, Newbury Park, CA, 91320, United States
Saturday, March 16th, 4-7:30 PM: GEMINI (Bruce and Renata) will be returning to the Country Harvest restaurant again for a St. Patrick’s Day show. Family-style, good food and drink (no corkage fee), lots of fun and rip-roaring Irish music. Comalya! Eat! Drink! Sing! and have a great time at the Country Harvest Restaurant at 3345 Kimber Drive, Newbury Park. Telephone: (805) 375-4598. Best to make reservations, but they will certainly accommodate walk-ins. Take the 101 Freeway to Wendy exit, south to Kimber, right on Kimber to restaurant at end of shopping center on right. See you there! Slainte!

Fireside Concert - Hay Dudes and Larry Wilder
2024-03-15 19:30 - 22:00 | Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Rd, Newbury Park, CA, 91320, United States
Good Afternoon All,
SAVE THE DATE for our next Fireside Concert which will be at the Borchard Community Center on Friday, March 15 at 7:30pm with two fine entertainers. The Hay Dudes are Kenny Blackwell, Mike Mullins, and Wally Barnick, three seasoned west coast players. Friends by musical association for over 30 years, these guys are masters of progressive folk and country as well as veteran musicians who have played nationally and internationally with a variety of groups. Also on the ticket will beLarry Wilder, who is a classic folk musicologist with influences including the Kingston Trip, the Carter Family, Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, and more. He brought his passion for American songs and song stories to 2000 audiences on three continents. Larry has opened for Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, and Pete Seeger. He also happens to be a U.S. Yodeling Champion!
The venue will be at the Borchard Community Center-190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park, CA 91320 (Corner of Borchard Rd. & Reino Rd.). $20.00 at the door. Show starts at 7:30pm and seating is First Come First Served. Adults Only. For more information, please see attached flyer or call 626-244-7698/emailronbloom2014@yahoo.com. Come on out and be entertained!
Thank You,

Borchard Center Staff
190 N. Reino Road
Newbury Park, CA 91320
805-381-2791

Guitarist Kaki King Multi-Media Show
2024-02-28 19:00 - 20:00 | Grant R Brimhall Library – Thousand Oaks, 1401 E. Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks, 91362, United States
February 28 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Kaki King is a guitarist and composer known for her percussive and jazz-tinged melodies, energetic live shows, use of multiple tunings on an acoustic and lap steel guitar, and her diverse range in different genres. She is currently on tour promoting her new album, Modern Yesterdays.

Fireside Concert - Stephen Mendel/Nightbirds
2024-02-09 19:30 - 22:00 | Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Rd, Newbury Park, CA, 91320, United States
The Fireside Concert Series presents Songmakers own Stephen Mendel, along with guitarists Brad Strickland and Rocky Dalonzo presenting a tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, who passed on last November. Growing up in Montreal, Canada, Stephen learned to play the guitar with Gordon Lightfoot songbooks. Stephen has earned his living as an actor for almost fifty years. He spent five years as a series regular on the CBS crime drama Night Heat, and after that many guest star roles. www.stephenmendel.com
Also appearing will be Nightbirds, a trio that emerged from their California roots and love for folk music. They are comprised of Samantha Harvey, Jade Hendrix, and Ashley Hoyer. The trio fuses classic folk themes with expressive vocals, resulting in a unique blend of sound. Jade Hendrix brings her soulful vocals and insightful songwriting to the ensemble. Jade has worked alongside luminaries such as Judy Collins, Dave Mason, and Ronnie Spector. Ashley was described as a “mandolin phenomenon” by the San Diego Tribune. Samantha has performed on accordion throughout the world with groups such as Téada, Ireland the Show, Irish Christmas in America, and Celtic Journey. Nightbirds, individually, and in combination, have performed with major artists and have traveled the world with major theater acts. Samantha and Ashley were featured in an Oscar-nominated movie, The Sea Beast. www.nightbirdstrio.com
The Fireside Concert Series is located at the Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Rd., Newbury Park, CA 91320. Call Ron Bloom for information (626) 244-7698 or email ronbloom2014@yahoo.com. Admission: $15 cash at the door.
