Mega-talented musician and entertainer Barbara Higbie returns with a stellar ensemble of performers for the annual Winter Solstice concert! Prepare to be impressed, uplifted and energized for the winter season by this impressive group. Joined by Michaelle Goerlitz, Vicki Randle, Lena Anderson, Jasper Manning, Kofy Brown and Mia Pixley, Barbara leads us through a variety of glorious genres and melodic masterpieces that will lift your spirits and touch your soul.

Tickets are $32 GA, $27 for OCA members if purchased in advance. $5 additional at the door (if available). Don’t miss this season finale spectacular at OCA!

Barbara Higbie’s family moved to Ghana, West Africa when she was thirteen years of age. It was there she first fell in love with music and studied with master drummer Mustafa Tetty Addy. Later in life, after musical studies at Mills College, studies at the Sorbonne and a sojourn performing in Paris, she returned to West Africa with a Watson Fellowship to collect traditional music. A professional musician since age 17, Barbara has played everything from Traditional Jazz, Bluegrass and Irish to New Classical Music, Blues and African Pop. She is known for her ability to compose in a style that is both genre bending and accessible.

A Grammy-nominated, Bammy award winning composer, pianist, fiddler, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Barbara Higbie has performed on more than 100 albums, including Carlos Santana’s 2007 release. Her latest solo release, 2014’s “Scenes from Life” was recorded for at Lucas Film’s Skywalker Sound.

As a solo artist, Barbara’s first solo CD “Signs of Life” was named a Washington Post “Top Ten of the Year”. Four other solo releases, “I Surrender”, “Variations on a Happy Ending” and ‘Alive in Berkeley” and last year’s “Scenes from Life” followed to much critical acclaim.

In 2011, Higbie was the first ever “Artist in Residence” at the prestigious west coast Jazz Club, “Yoshi’s”, where she created two new bands. Roots music’s, “Hills to Hollers” with icons Linda Tillery and Laurie Lewis, and the exotic “Cello Heaven” with cellists Joan Jeanreneau of Kronos Quartet fame and new age star, Jami Sieber.

In 2014, at R. Kassman Fine Pianos in Berkeley, she was the sponsor and promoter of a piano series featuring Bay Area music icons Tammy Lynne Hawkins-Hall, Mary Watkins, Katrina Krimsky, Adrienne Torf, Frank Martin, and Zofo. She also hosted singer-songwriter, Deidre McCalla at the same venue.

Higbie has 13 solo and group recordings to her name, as well as contributions to 10 compilations that have sold in the millions. She was the first female instrumentalist to compose and record for Windham Hill Records, 1982’s Tideline, a duet project with violinist, Darol Anger. Tideline’s unique sound became an instant classic, thanks in part to Higbie’s innovative and moving compositions. One of her pieces from Tideline, ”True Story”, was downloaded on Pandora in 2014 more than 850,000 times.In June or 2015,  Tideline was re-issued on Adventure Records.

1984 was an important year,  when Higbie recorded, with Anger, Mike Marshall and Andy Narrell, “Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival” for Windham Hill Records, a landmark genre defining album. Her composition “To Be” became Montreux’s radio/VH-1 hit. She toured world-wide with Montreux until 1990.

In addition to her instrumental music, Higbie’s singer-songwriter work, 2 CD’s with vocal dynamo, Teresa Trull, on Olivia Records and 2 solo CD’s on Slowbaby Records have won her critical acclaim and a large, devoted nationwide following.

Higbie has performed with Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Terry Riley, the Kronos Quartet, Pete Seeger, Holly Near, Will Ackerman, Cris Williamson, Bobby McFerrin, Milton Nascimento, Spyro Gyra, Michael Hedges, Greg Brown, Ferron, Vinnie Colaiuta, Teresa Trull, Vicki Randle, Amy Ray, Darol Anger, Mike Marshall, Rosalee Sorrels, Terry Garthwaite, Laurie Lewis, Liz Story, Benny Rietveld and Alex De Grassi  among others.

Unleash your inner rock star! Join us for an unforgettable Free Karaoke Night at the Occidental Center for the Arts. Whether you're a shower singer, a seasoned performer, or just want to cheer on your friends, this is your chance to shine. Bring your favorite songs, good vibes, and plenty of energy for a night filled with music, laughter, and community fun. Admission is FREE—all ages welcome! Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.

🎵 Sing your heart out, or just enjoy the show—either way, the mic is waiting for YOU!

See you there! 🌟

First Fridays starting January 3, 2025. Doors open at 6:45 PM.

Stories teach us about life, about ourselves & about each other. Help to create west county’s newest storytelling community. 7mintuesmax will be an evening of 7 live stories told in 7 minutes or less. Hilarious or sublime, poignant and personal tales told through the ancient oral tradition of storytelling, this evening will be sure to move, delight & intrigue you. This is an event for mature audiences & not intended for children. Interested storytellers will have a chance to throw their name in the hat to present their story. Remember no notes & 7 minutes max!

Refreshments available for purchase including fine wine & beer selection.

$10 GA, $5 for OCA members. Pay at the door. Storytellers will be selected randomly from willing participants.

Support your nervous system, release anxiety and stress, and harmonize your body, mind and spirit on the 2nd Tuesday of every month! Laura Benson has a Masters in Intuition Medicine(R) and is a certified sound healer who will guide you through a gentle meditation before each sound bath session. Bring your own yoga mat & blanket and come ready to rest and renew! In the OCA Studio.

Sliding scale pricing $25-$35.

A sound bath is a whole-body, immersive listening experience. During a sound bath, participants often sit or lie down, and are surrounded by the mostly non-melodic soundscapes created by a range of instruments played by the sound bath facilitator. Hence, they are “bathed” in sound.

Sound therapy is a non-invasive healing modality that utilizes the physical and physiological interactions of sound on our bodies and nervous systems to produce therapeutic results. In a sound healing session, specific sonic frequencies are used to soothe the central nervous system, calm the breath, and quiet the mind by encouraging the brain to move into more relaxed states, down from beta (fight-or-flight) and into theta and alpha waves. This increases present-moment awareness and reduces stress and anxiety. Sound baths have been found to be effective in improving mood, cognitive function, and overall mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.

Crystal bowl sound baths are particularly powerful in that each bowl is tuned to a specific frequency that corresponds with a different chakra, or energy center, of the body. Based on specific needs, a practitioner can focus on releasing tension or clearing out stuck energy in specific chakras by playing certain bowls or intervals. 

While attending a sound bath, you may experience physical sensations brought out by the crystal sound bowls or gong, such as tingling in your limbs or scalp, slowing of your breathing, eye flutters, or small muscle spasms. Not to worry! These sensations often indicate the release of tension or emotional energy stored in the body’s energy systems.

This event is being rescheduled to Spring 2025. Stay tuned for updates!

"Words + Music": A Unique Blend of Folk Music Brilliance

Some might call it a song circle, but when Laurie Lewis, Don Henry, Claudia Russell, and Nina Gerber share the stage, it becomes much more than that. These four exceptionally talented folk musicians create a pop-up band experience that is nothing short of magical. They're back for their sixth annual OCA performance that is guaranteed to leave you enchanted.

Laurie Lewis: A name well-known to Bay Area audiences and beyond, Laurie is a world-renowned singer, songwriter, fiddler, guitarist, producer, and educator. Her voice, described by Linda Ronstadt as "a rare combination of grit and grace," has earned her two International Bluegrass Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year awards. With nearly 20 albums to her name, Laurie has garnered multiple Grammy nominations and won for her contribution to "True Life Blues: the Songs of Bill Monroe." Here in Words+Music, Laurie’s songwriting truly shines.

Don Henry: Don is a songwriter's songwriter, infusing humor, depth, and profound humanity into his songs. Artists like Miranda Lambert, Ray Charles, and Patti Page have recorded his works. Don's Grammy-winning song "Where've You Been" (recorded by Kathy Mattea) is a testament to his songwriting prowess. His music, often compared to Randy Newman's, delves into thought-provoking themes, making every performance an engaging experience. Don’s “day job” is playing and singing backup on tour with folk legend Tom Paxton.

Claudia Russell: The brainchild of Words+Music, Claudia’s heartfelt and humorous songs have won her accolades on both sides of the Atlantic. According to Britain’s Country Music People UK, “Few singers can construct a song as well as Claudia Russell, and her sharp, well-observed lyrics have an engaging, timeless feel.” American Songwriter hailed her 2013 CD, “All Our Luck Is Changing,” as “a masterpiece,” and Sing Out magazine called her “an outstanding talent in the crowded field of singer/songwriters.” Boston’s WUMB-FM named Russell Artist of the Year, and the East Bay Express selected her as Best Musician.

Nina Gerber: Adding her virtuoso guitar skills to the mix, Nina Gerber is one of the West Coast's most sought-after guitarists. Her intuitive style and ability to blend seamlessly with a range of artists have made her a favorite collaborator. She's played with a wealth of renowned artists, including Chris Webster, Karla Bonoff, Nanci Griffith, Dave Alvin, Kate Wolf, and many others. Her album "Good Music with Good People" showcases her exceptional talent alongside Jackson Browne, Eliza Gilkyson, Bruce Cockburn, and more.

This extra-special evening promises savvy songwriting, superior singing, and beautiful accompaniment. Don't miss your chance to witness the enchanting collaboration of Laurie Lewis, Don Henry, Claudia Russell, and Nina Gerber. Join us on January 21 for an unforgettable Words + Music experience.

We’re so thrilled to announce that Rhythm Future Quartet will return to our stage in January!

This incredible group from the East Coast will knock your socks off with their virtuosic Django jazz. Jason Anick, Henry Acker, Max O’Rourke and Greg Loughman are supremely mega-talented, five-star musicians. They are simply amazing and we can’t wait for their show!

Violinist Jason Anick describes his music “..as if Paganini and Django walked into a bar”. Check out their video below!

Tickets are $27 General, $22 for OCA members. $8 additional at the door (if available).

We expect this show to sell out - get tickets early!!

Check them out on YouTube

Get ready to be inspired, moved and uplifted by this soulful performer!

BenjaSoul is a composer, performer, and song leader who specializes in music of the Black Spiritual tradition. He can often be found leading songs at benefit concerts, vigils, protest actions, sacred services, circle songs, and workshops.  He is on the board of directors of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, an immigrant rights and anti-incarceration nonprofit, and is also the founder/director of the Joyful Noise! Gospel Singers. 

Tickets are $25 advance, $15 for OCA members. $5 additional at the door. Doors open at 6:30 PM.

Benja is a third-generation professional musician.  His mother is a professional singer and “grandaddy” was a jazz pianist who worked with legends like Sarah Vaughan and Charles Mingus. Benja counts among his mentors luminaries like Dr. Ysaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock, concert pianist Kai Pangune Kim, and a host of session musicians in the world of jazz. He has directed adult and youth choirs for 20 years and is a strong believer in community singing.

When not performing music, Benja is a writer, public speaker, and workshop leader on issues of racial justice, civil rights, and Black History. He has worked as a leadership consultant in private, public, and nonprofit organizations. He is also a certified executive coach through the Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute.

Learn more about him at www.benjaminmertz.com

Join us as we celebrate the release of author Michael Fels’ latest book, Becoming a Farang & Other Astonishing Transformations. Michael will share selected readings, answer audience questions and sign books. Free event.

In Becoming a Farang, Michael invites the reader to join him on a three-month stay in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. Told with humor, personal history, introspection and commentary, Michael uses his experiences in Thailand to explore cultural differences, aesthetics, sexuality, ageing, spirituality, and the environment.

This is Michael’s 7th book. Although he has always enjoyed writing, it wasn’t until he was in his 60’s that he began to share his work. In addition to short stories, creative nonfiction and memoirs, Michael has written plays and performance pieces. He is an active member of the Rotary Club Sebastopol Sunrise and the Sebastopol Area Time Bank. He and his partner, Jesada, live in Sebastopol.

Don’t miss this special reunion performance by seasoned jazz ensemble Glass Brick Boulevard! Led by Greg Johnson, this show features the original bandmates who played for many years in the Bay Area and were featured regularly at Marin’s Fenix Theater. Glass Brick Boulevard brings contemporary, original jazz tunes with class … what a great way to spend a winter Sunday afternoon! With Paul Hanson on Bassoon, Rob Fordyce on Bass, Celso Alberti on drums and Greg Johnson on Piano, this show will impress and inspire you.

Tickets are $25 advance, $15 for OCA members. $5 additional at the door. Doors open at 2:30 PM. Fine refreshments for sale, art gallery open during intermission.

Get ready for the greatest love story ever sung!

This five-star tribute to Johnny and June Cash will amaze you, with the multi-talented performers Essence Goldman and Danny Evans leading an impressive ensemble of musicians that recreate this unique couple’s greatest hits.

From his #1 hit “I Walk the Line” in 1956 to the iconic “Folsom Prison Blues,” many have known and loved Johnny Cash over the years. No love, though, seems as great as the love that singer/songwriter June Carter had for Cash during their long years together. Though they have passed on, the passion that burned between them will always be present in their heartfelt and truthful lyrics written and performed for one another. As one of the most beloved couples in music history, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash’s love lives on through their iconic duos and many albums recorded with each other. 

Danny Evans and Essence Goldman’s chemistry and musicality on stage is so undeniable that many have described them as the reincarnation of Johnny & June.

Don’t miss this impressive performance coming to Occidental!

Advance tickets are $30 GA, $20 for OCA members. $5 additional at the door. Doors open at 6:30 PM.

No fees to purchase in advance. Get your tickets today!

DANNY EVANS is widely recognized as a premier guitarist, an unparalleled singer/songwriter and producer. As the son of Rusty Evans, whose own Johnny Cash tribute “Ring Of Fire” that reigned supreme on the national circuit for over 20 years Danny played lead guitar and served as musical director in the family band, as well as bearing his own musical soul with his band Chrome Johnson. 

Known as a “musical chameleon”, Danny is well regarded as being accomplished in almost any style. Danny’s storied career has seen him sharing high profile stages from Glastonbury to Bumbershoot. With live performances with many legends and such as Link Wray, Dick Dale, Taj Mahal, Chris Robinson, Bill Kirtchen, Leo Nocentelli, Roy Rogers, Count Basie Orchestra, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Crystal Gayle, Porter Wagoner etc. under his belt, his production and recording credits are just as bountiful. Well known as a “go to” guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, Danny’s musical talents are well regarded and always in demand. 

ESSENCE GOLDMAN, an award winning singer-songwriter has been immersed in art and music since childhood. Her birth name really is ‘essence’ – she was raised by quintessential flower children, her parents being two free spirited bohemian artists from the Haight-Ashbury ‘Summer of Love.’  essence has released 6 CDs (with a 7th on the way!) on both independent and major labels, and toured nationally opening for Jason Mraz, Shawn Colvin, Tom Petty, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Chrissie Hynde, Steve Miller, Pat Benatar, and Linda Perry. Her sound nods to songwriting legends like Tom Petty and Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton, and Gillian Welch.  Essence recently received a national and international spotlights for her work with Bernie and the Believers through NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and BBC. The story and music of her band Bernie and the Believers is currently being developed into a major Hollywood feature film.

PHIL BILLY, Electric Guitar & Vocals

Guitarist, singer, producer and engineer Phillip “Philbillie” Milner has been in the Bay Area music scene for the better part of 35 years. Landing in San Francisco in the early 90’s after slugging it out in the club scenes of Southern California and Maui, followed by, of all things, a stint in the US Navy in the Advanced Electronics field.

A versatile guitarist and dynamic singer, Philbillie has lent those talents to a number of bands and solo artists both on stage and as a producer/engineer/mixer at Okey Doke Studios, a private residential facility maintained with his long-time partner, singer/songwriter Jenny Kerr. There he produced numerous releases for Eric McFadden, Darren Nelson (San Geronimo), Jenny Kerr and others.

A verified road dog, Phil has toured extensively throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico and Hawaii. In his capacity as a guitar tech, he’s done his time “on the bus” with the likes of Bob Weir & Ratdog, Bonnie Raitt, Tracy Chapman, Wilco, Graham Nash and plenty more.

Now settled in Marin County, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, Philbillie is busy playing guitar and making records with local, national and international artists.

JOE KYLE JR. - Standup Bass

Joe cut his musical teeth in the early 1990s in San Francisco, when entry-level gigs were plentiful and taxicabs were large enough to accommodate a double bass.  His musical education began in the trenches and the barrooms and dance halls of the Greater Bay Area, and continues to this day.

Joe has become an in-demand performer and session player known throughout the land for his superb feel, musical agility, adaptability and propensity for slap bass and tragicomic asides.  He may be the only bassist to have played with pianists Martin Denny, Al Kooper, AND Pinetop Perkins, although not with all on the same session, sadly.

Joe can frequently be seen and heard performing and recording with many Bay Area groups, including Michael Zisman's Americano Social Club, HowellDevine, the Colm ORiain Band, Koolerator, The Cottontails,  The Lucky Losers and The Waybacks.

Chris Lockheed - Drums

Chris has been a studio musician for years. Played, toured with NRPS, THE TUBES, LIGHTNIN’ HOPKINS, VAN MORRISON, BLUE CHEER and others. National tours with Rusty Evans & Ring Of Fire, #1 Johnny Cash tribute. Arizona Musicians Hall Of Fame with Goose Creek Symphony, Capitol Records.

Shay & Michael Black are singing siblings from Ireland's foremost family of song, The Black Family, which also includes their sisters Mary & Frances, & brother, Martin. Hailed in the Irish Echo as “one of the most impressive groups of Irish singers to be found anywhere; exquisite, exhilarating and nothing short of thrilling” they raise their sibling rivalry to revelry, The Blacks adroitly accompany themselves on banjo, cittern & guitar. The musical lineup also features button accordion virtuoso, Félim Egan and keyboardist, Eamonn Flynn . At their concerts one can expect to hear Irish traditional ballads, Dublin street songs, music hall ditties, contemporary folk compositions, rollicking reels & joyful jigs, all interspersed with comic stories, jokes & humorous childhood anecdotes that invariably have audiences smiling broadly & joining in on the choruses. Shay and Michael are close harmony singers, with a special fondness for songs that includes their audience in chorus, and many of the songs are narratives with stories.

Don't miss this lively evening of Irish music at OCA! Tickets are $25 advance, $15 for OCA members. $5 additional at the door. Free for kids 12 and under. Refreshments available, art gallery open during intermission.

Hammond organist, pianist and keyboardist Eamonn Flynn was born into a musical family in Dublin, Ireland. He first came to prominence as keyboardist on the 12 million selling movie soundtrack The Commitments, and toured with Commitments singer Andrew Strong. Now living in San Francisco, California he has gone on to record and tour worldwide with numerous artists including Michael Franti and Spearhead, Evelyn 'Champagne' King, Elvin Bishop, Coco Montoya, Michelle Shocked, Pee Wee Ellis, Donald Harrison, Maria Muldaur, Tony Lindsay (Santana), and a 12 year stint with Meters drummer Zigaboo Modeliste.

Eamonn plays gospel organ at St. Mark Institutional Baptist Church in San Francisco and has previously been organist at True Hope COGIC, Bell Chapel CME in San Francisco, Greater Miracle COGIC in Oakland and Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Richmond. He also toured the public schools as part of the San Francisco Symphony's AIMS program and has performed as a session musician on countless recordings. His original band Under has had music placed on TV shows Ugly Betty and Moonlight and he produced the soundtrack for the movie 'Beached'.

Félim Egan (accordion/vocals) was born in 1972 in Ballinasloe, Co. Galway and raised in Cloghan, Co. Offaly (west Offaly). His father has a passion for music and encouraged him to play. He began lessons at the age of four with his father and then with a local Offaly fiddler Dan Cleary. He comes from a family of five children and all are well accomplished musicians. He has many musical influences which include Matt Molley, Tommy Peoples, Charlie Lennon and Frankie Gavin, to mention a few. In 1993 he moved to Portland, Oregon, but has now located to the San Francisco Bay Area and has added his talent to the group.

Trombonist and singer/songwriter Natalie Cressman and composer, guitarist, and singer Ian Faquini have created a uniquely intimate duo collaboration, drawing from impressionism, jazz, and the great Brazilian songwriting tradition. Their original material features songs in three different languages and encompasses a vast spectrum of musical ground. With the warm instrumentation of acoustic guitar and trombone and two-partvocal harmonies hugging the Brazilian-accented Portuguese, Cressman & Faquini weave their musical voices together to create a fully orchestrated sound befitting a much larger ensemble.

The duo has released two albums together and is steadily gaining recognition for their distinctive sound, including a finalist nomination for “Duo of The Year” by the JazzJournalists Association in 2023. Setting Rays of Summer (2019) and Auburn Whisper(2022) both received critical praise and topped many “best of” lists in their respective years. Together Cressman and Faquini have played their music across the US in venues ranging from intimate house concerts to performing arts halls and jazz festival stages such as the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Jazz Aspen Snow mass, and have performed internationally in Brazil, Japan, Portugal, Spain, and Italy. We're thrilled to have this talented duo return to OCA for an afternoon concert!

Tickets are $25 advance, $15 for OCA members. $5 additional at the door. Doors open at 2:30 PM. Free for kids 12 and under.

Sonoma County treasures Teresa Clark & Friends (Mike Campbell, John Paul Norris) and 3 Acre Holler (Cori Wood, Layne Bowen, Michael Capella, Paul Shelasky) bring Americana, Appalachian and original tunes for a soulful afternoon of harmonious tunes and lyrical stories.

Tickets are $25 advance, $30 at the door.

OCA members save $10.

Indie artist Marc Farre delivers cinematic art-folk songs shot through with a raw, poetic energy. His voice is deep, intimate, intense. (Critics have called it “mesmerizing.”) Open-hearted and hallucinatory, his music pulls you in like an art-house film.

Mark and his talented bandmates will perform a deep and fiery selection of soulful lyrics and melodies for an evening that will lift you up and touch your spirit.

Tickets are $25 GA/Advance, $15 for OCA members. $5 additional at the door.

Though he is based in Northern California, Marc Farre’s French background imbues his music with a European, art-house feel — a seductive ambience perfectly paired with his otherworldly lyrics and magnetic melodies.

While his past association with 20th-century giants Merce Cunningham and John Cage continues to drive Farre's creative vision toward the new, it is his visceral, open-hearted singing that really carries you out onto a tightrope — and leaves you there.

Joy Alive! is a synthesis of Terry Garthwaite from The Joy of Cooking and Barbara Borden and Susanne DiVincenzo from Alive! Both were influential bands from the 60's. Now enjoy the current inventive version of this band in concert.

Tickets are $25 GA/Advance, $15 for OCA members. $5 additional at the door. FREE for kids 12 and under.

Terry Garthwaite is an internationally known singer, songwriter, composer, producer, and teacher. Her recording career dates back to the late 1960s when she and Toni Brown formed the rock group Joy of Cooking. She recorded several albums with the band, and then a dozen others by herself or in collaboration with other jazz and blues musicians.
Terry has also produced recordings by other artists including Jasmine, Rosalie Sorrels, Rhiannon, Nicholas, Glover &Wray, Hunter Davis, Robin Flower, and Ferron, whose Garthwaite-produced Shadows on a Dime was awarded four stars by Rolling Stone.

In performance she has shared the stage with such artists as BB King, Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, The Band, Allen Ginsberg, Santana, Rosalie Sorrels and writer Bobbie Hawkins at venues that include Carnegie Hall, the Joseph Papp Theater, the Hollywood Bowl, and Canadian Folk Festivals. Terry's music is an array of songs and sounds that encourages empowerment and delight, and radiates the healing nature of music.

Barbara Borden, a founding member of Alive! began drumming at age 10 and grew up to be one of the preeminent female jazz drummers in the 1950’s through 80’s – Barbara continues to re-invent herself to this day – 55 years later. In the 90’s she composed several world music albums including her solo recording, “Beauty in the Beat” and launched her solo autobiographical percussion play, “She Dares to Drum”. From 1994 to the present, Barbara has traveled the world, visiting Africa, Asia, Europe and North America as a drumming Ambassador of Peace. Most recently, Barbara sings, drums and leads her rock and roll band, Hearts on Fire.

Susanne DiVincenzo, Bass and Cello, is a founding member of Alive! In 1975 she established Wonder Woman Electric, an all-women Electrical Contracting Company in the Bay Area. For several years she was concurrently touring with Alive! and earning her living as an electrician. For the last 20 years she has lived in New Jersey, taking care of her elderly Father and raising her young son. During that time, she remained musically active, playing in the Atlantic City Casinos for Andrea Bocelli, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, and others. She is the principal cellist of the Jersey Shore Pops Orchestra and has also played with other groups on cello and bass. She has a thriving Wedding Music business, specializing in weddings on the beach. She is the Assistant Director of the Atlantic Youth Orchestra. The son that she raised, graduated from Juilliard and is now Principal Timpanist with the New York City Ballet. Susanne put her Electrical Contracting License on Inactive and has been working as a public school teacher specializing in Physics while maintaining a private cello teaching studio.

Join us for a special evening with Richard Smith!

Richard Smith is a British fingerstyle guitarist, renowned for his variety of styles and techniques, entertaining performances and engaging charisma. A true guitar master, Richard plays a mesmerizing repertoire ranging from expertly arranged Scott Joplin rags, original compositions, traditional fiddle tunes, jazz and swing, classical and more. Impressive and endearing, Richard will delight you with his masterful techniqe and charismatic performance.

Tickets are $25 advance, $15 for OCA members. $5 additional at the door (if available).

Tickets to this event are currently available to OCA members only. Public sales begin January 10, 2025. Members: please email us for the ticket link.

Richard will lead a guitar workshop at OCA on Sunday, June 1st for a limited number of participants. To learn more about this, click here.

About Richard Smith
Inspired by iconic guitarists like Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, Jerry Reed, Django Reinhardt and Joe Pass, Smith's unique style blends country, jazz, classical and ragtime influences. In his very early years, he received mentorship from guitar greats, laying the foundation for his future success.

Smith's resume includes:

•⁠ ⁠Performed or recorded with legends Tommy Emmanuel, Chet Atkins and Les Paul
•⁠ ⁠Collaborations with Tommy Emmanuel, Joscho Stephan, Brent Mason, Martin Taylor
•⁠ ⁠Performances at prestigious festivals like Merlefest and Chet Atkins Appreciation Society Convention
•⁠ ⁠Instructional DVDs and online lessons sharing his expertise
•⁠ ⁠25 years as a Nashville resident, immersed in Music City's vibrant scene

Artistry and Legacy

With his fingerpicking style, percussive techniques and emotive expression, Richard continues to tour constantly in the US, and some in Europe, and Asia.

Fingerstyle master Richard Smith will present a guitar workshop to a limited number of participants. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn techniques and strategies from a legendary musician!

Richard’s impressive career has earned him:

• 1999 AFG Golden Thumbpick Award

• 2001 National Finger­style Guitar Champion

• 2008 Thumbpicker of the Year

• 2009 National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame Induction

  Richard has played with Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Nato Lima, Boots Randolph, Tommy Emmanuel, John Jor­genson, Marcel Dadi, Tommy Tedesco, Joe Pass, Biréli Lagrène, Mark O'Connor, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Martin Taylor, Jorge Morel, Earl Klugh, Suzy Bogguss, Victor Wooten, John Cowan and countless more.

Workshop fee is $50 for OCA members, $65 for non-members. A very limited number of spaces are available for this workshop; registration is open only to OCA members at this time. Public sales begin January 10, 2025. Members can email us for a link to register.

Explore folk music and dance from around the world at our Third Annual event! Enjoy selecting from dozens of hands-on workshops presented by masters of their respective traditions as well as jam sessions, performances and presentations. A musical instrument lending library allows you to try acoustic instruments from around the globe.

This event is unique in Sonoma County and is open to all ages and experience levels. Make new friends, learn something new, improve your skills, explore new sounds, rhythms and movements. A world of music and dance awaits you at this fun event! Come sing, dance, play and celebrate global harmony with us at West Sonoma County’s Arts & Entertainment Hub.

Complimentary instrument check and free parking. A variety of international food will be available for purchase.

Early registration and OCA member discounts.
Scholarships available for those with financial limitations (applications open in January)

Adult tickets are $75 through January 1, 2025

$85 through April 1

$95 through May 31

$100 at the gate

Half-price for teens 13-17

Children 12 and under FREE (must have accompanying adult)

Just announced: the closing concert for 2025 will be performed by Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter (7-9 PM)

Some of our workshops for 2025 include:

Belly Dance - Janessa Lynna

Unlock Your Voice: Friendly Master Class - Sophia Zimmerman

Cubin/Latin/Salsa Rhythms - Carlitos Medrano

Fingerstyle Guitar - Michael Greenberg

Song Circle - traditional and original - Celia Ramsay

Native American cultures, spirituality, and meditation with flute - Al Striplen

Balkan Dance - Sue Williard

Arabic Rhythms and Drumming - Faisal Zedan

Old Timey Jam / Strum Along - Michael Greenberg

Swedish Orchestra - Aryeh Frankfurter

Check back for more workshops to be confirmed soon!

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