A fundraiser for Gold Beach City Councilor Brice Gregory, who is to undergo a third heart surgery, has been scheduled for 7 p.m.  Saturday night at the Pistol River Friendship Hall.

“There will be a band, the New Iberians, and there will be a DJ before and after the band,” Mayor Jim Wernicke said. “Entry fee is $10, with kids free.”

The Portland-based New Iberians play a mix of blues and zydeco. The Pistol River Friendship Hall is located at 4252 Carpenterville Rd. between Brookings and Gold Beach.

Wernicke said Cajun food will be served at $10 for adults and $5 for under age five.

“Beer and wine will be available,” Wernicke said.

“Brice has had a couple of heart surgeries previously,” the mayor said. “This will be a pretty major one now.”

Gregory, 27, a Gold Beach native, was sworn in as a member of the council in April, for Position No. 3, which had been vacant since Peter Peterson resigned earlier in the year.

Other councilors had interviewed applicants and selected Gregory at a special meeting the week before.

Gregory, an employee of Shore Pines Assisted Living Community, is a graduate of Gold Beach High School and had attended University of Oregon.

“I was tired of people my age not getting involved but still complaining about a lot of little things that happen,” Gregory said when he was appointed. “They could get involved, but wouldn’t.”

CRESCENT CITY – San Jose Taiko, a percussion collective of Asian-American performers, will perform traditional rhythms of Japanese drumming with African, Latin and jazz percussion at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Crescent Elk Auditorim, 994 G St.

The performance is the first of the 2010-11 season for Del Norte Association for Cultural Awareness (DNACA).

Taiko is the Japanese word for drum. In North America, the term is used to describe both the Japanese drum itself and the art form of kumidaiko: ensemble drumming with Japanese drums. In addition to varied rhythms, taiko involves movements and choreography and costumes.

San Jose Taiko was founded in 1973 by young Asian Americans searching for an outlet to convey their experiences as sansei, or third-generation Japanese Americans. Looking to Japan for inspiration, they were drawn to the sounds of the taiko.

Since then, San Jose Taiko has performed internationally, reaching more than 100,000 audience members each year.

Promotional video: 2007_SJTpromo_3min

DNACA’s 28th season is made possible by underwriters Caldwell & Sund Family Trust, Bill & Kathy Maffett, Physicians of Sutter Coast Hospital Fund, Gene & Carol Schach, Smith River Rancheria/Lucky 7 Casino, Sutter Coast Hospital, Wild Rivers Community Foundation and Bicoastal Media.

Reduced admission prices are made possible by a grant from the California Arts Council and the Department of Justice. Tickets cost $12 for general admission, $7 for students and for seniors 65 years and older. Tickets are available at Del Norte Office Supply in Crescent City, Words and Pictures in Brookings and at the door beginning at 6:45 p.m. the evening of the show.

For information, contact DNACA at (707) 464-1336.

Gold record recording artist and award-winning children’s musician Nancy Cassidy will play two concerts Saturday, Oct. 2, at Centre Stage, 703 Chetco Ave., Brookings.

She will be accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Dayan Kai at both shows. This will be Cassidy’s second appearance in Brookings. She also played two shows at the Chetco Community Public Library in 2008.

The first performance at 2 p.m. will feature her original and classic children’s music The 7 p.m. show will showcase her Americana music for grown-ups.

In addition to singing favorite classics and playing the guitar, Cassidy writes many of her own songs.

Her first album, “Kids Songs,” released in 1986, received a gold record award from the Recording Association of America for having sold 500,000 copies. One song, “Chicken Lips and Lizard Hips,” written by Cassidy and her husband John Cassidy, was recorded by Bruce Springsteen on a benefit tape for the Pediatric Aids Foundation.

Another song on her “Jubilee” album, “I Wanna Be A Dog,” was beamed up to the astronauts on the space shuttle, making Cassidy one of the first children’s artists with an orbital audience.

In addition to her accomplishments as a children’s musician, Cassidy has also recorded five compact discs of original Americana folk music for grown-ups.

“Runaway Train,” released in 2009, is all original material that showcases Cassidy’s songwriting skills. It includes a blend of blues, folk, swing, gospel and country.

Cassidy’s back-up band features Ronnie Crawford on the drums, John R. Burr on piano and multi-insrumentalist Dayan Kai on keyboards, fiddle, clarinet and harmonies.

Keith Greeninger produced the album and played lead guitar. Greeninger and Kai have also played in the Brookings area several times.

Both shows will be fundraisers for the Stagelights Musical Arts Community. The children’s show is free with donations accepted and the evening show has an $8 suggested donation. “

“We don’t want anyone to not attend because of cost,” said organizer Perry Devine, “We would rather have a full house than a full donation jar, but we hope that the community will come out and make these fantastic artists feel welcome, while supporting our nonprofit organization.”

The primary mission of the Stagelights organization is to provide music education, enjoyment and enrichment to people of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay. These goals have also been a life-long passion for Cassidy.

More information about Cassidy and samples of her music

can also be found at http://www.nancycassidymusic.com.

Plenty of live music schedule for America’s Wild Rivers Coast:

Thursday, Sept. 30

•Holus Bolus (Tom Boylan), electric loop artist playing pop, rock and reggae at 7 p.m. at Tomasini’s Enoteca, 960 3rd St., Crescent City.

Friday, Oct. 1

•Old Time Music Jam, 1-2:30 p.m. upstairs at the Chetco Activity Center, 550 Chetco Ave., Brookings. An old-time musical opportunity for all ages on acoustic instruments. The public is invited. For more info contact Carl Rovainen at 541-469-6787.

Saturday, Oct. 2

• Tom Tanzi (pop music) from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Farmers’ Market on the boardwalk at the Port of Brookings Harbor.

• Nancy Cassidy with Dayan Kai: Children’s music, 2 p.m. at Centre Stage, 703 Chetco Ave. This is a free show with donations gladly accepted for the Stagelights Musical Arts Community.

• Nancy Cassidy with Dayan Kai:  Folk and Americana. at 7 p.m. at Centre Stage. $8 suggested donation. This is a fundraiser for the Stagelights Musical Arts Community.

Saturday, Oct. 9

•Jurassic Country (vintage country music) from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the farmer’s market on the boardwalk at the Port of Brookings Harbor.

• Floating Glass Balls (bluegrass) at 8 p.m. at Pistol River Friendship Hall. Tickets are $15. See www.pistolriver.com for more info.

• Bob Tiernan, acoustic guitar, 9 p.m. at the Pine Cone Tavern, 629 Chetco Ave., Brookings:

• Holus Bolus (Tom Boylan), electric loop artist playing pop, rock and reggae at 10 p.m. at the Pine Cone Tavern, 629 Chetco Ave., Brookings.

Troubaduo will perform its eclectic mix of acoustic rock, folk, blues, soul and more during a Stagelights Musical Arts Community taco feed fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 25,  in Brookings.

The concert and dinner is scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. at Centre Stage, 703 Chetco Avenue. Tickets are $15 per person and all proceeds benefit Stagelights and its music scholarships. Tickets are available at Earl E. Books in the Central Building Mall or reserve tickets by calling Kim Banfield at 541-251-3952.

After a decade of performing in bands and solo, musicians Jill Marie  and Bryson VanCleve formed the soul-singing duo Troubaduo after meeting in Los Angeles in 2008.

The husband-and-wife team are currently on a national tour, performing 150-plus shows this year.

The band’s website states, “Troubaduo writes mostly artistic Americana and folk with elements of blues, sunshine pop, rock, psychedelic, gospel, soul and jazz, placing an emphasis on lyrics.”

The duo has recorded with world-renown musicians linked to artists such as Tom Petty, Alison Krauss, Johnny Cash, Sara McLachlan and Sammy Hagar. Their list of musical influences include Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings, Tracy Chapman, Van Morrison, Ryan Adams, the Allman Brothers, Stevie Wonder, and Blues Traveler.

Troubaduo supports non-profits including PreemptiveLove.org, a reputable non-profit that raises money and awareness for children in Northern Iraq “whose bodies have been highly affected by chemical warfare and need new hearts,” according to its website.

Troubadouo’s accomplishments include being named featured vocalist of the month in the February 2009 issue of Songwriter Universe Magazine; and writing the Campaign song for the 2007 Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Listen to: Waiting For The Sun

Watch Troubaduo videos:

The Stagelights Musical Arts Community is hosting an open mike from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at Centre Stage, 703 Chetco Ave.

This is a great opportunity for aspiring musicians to perform publicly, or for veteran musicians to perform favorite songs and debut new ones for an enthusiastic audience.

Admission is free with donations gladly accepted to benefit the Stagelights Musical Arts Community.

Musicians should contact Perry Devine at 541-469-2028 to reserve a time slot.

The pair has been performing music together for more than 16 years at pubs, fairs and festivals around the country, and at their own venue “Mood Swing The Club,” in Klamath Falls.

According to the group’s website (www.moodswingclub.com), Ron and Pamela “create a beautiful sound, with unique harmonies and bold solos.” They perform a variety of music including rock, folk and bluegrass.

Although known for his bass playing (upright and electric), Ron now mostly plays guitar. The two are often joined by Sir Walter Raleigh, their 8 year-old Border Collie mix, who “sings.” There are several songs the dog loves and knows quite well, including the originals “Raleigh’s Blues” and “Bloom Where You’re Planted.”

Mood Swing has two CDs available that will be for sale during Friday’s concert. “Bloom Where You’re Planted” is an acoustic rock album, with five originals and cover tunes from the Everly Brothers, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles and more. “Thursday Night at the Club” is a jazz CD with great standards and five originals. Both CDs are available at $15 each.

Video performances can be found at http://www.moodswingclub.com/moodswingMarch27-h1000a.mp4

The music duo Four Shillings Short was everything but that Monday night when they performed its mix of Celtic, folk and world music at the Harbor Performing Arts Center to an enthusiastic crowd of more than 30 people.

The husband and wife duo, Aodh og O’Tuama and Christy Martin, will perform one more time for free in Curry County tonight (Sept. 15) from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Port Orford Community Center, at the corner of Washinton and 11th streets.

On Monday, audience members knew they were in for a treat when they walked into the theater to see an array of stringed instruments lined up across the stage. The centerpieces were a hammered dulcimer on a stand and a large, ornate sitar.

The duo quickly charmed the audience with their jokes and stories recounting the history of the songs (Indian ragas, Celtic, Peruvian and traditional folk) and the instruments they played: banjo, mandolin, pipes and dumbeks and some this reviewer can’t pronounce.

The two musicians travel the country in a modern passenger van, living much like the minstrels of old, creating an inviting sitting-by-the-fire-in-a-cottage-by-the-sea atmosphere for music lovers. Their blend of both traditional and modern music on exotic instruments fascinated listeners for two hours Monday.

O’Tuama has a wicked sense of humor and proved to a musical jack-of-all-trades, playing a variety of Renaissance woodwinds, whistles, recorders and percussion (wooden spoons!).

Martin proved equally adept, her stunning voice fitting perfectly with the string instruments she played, including the North Indian sitar, hammered dulcimer, charango and a bowed psaltery.

Toward the end of the second set, the audience enthusiastically started clapping in time with an uplifting Irish ditty. The group ended the performance with a humerous acappella ballad called “Leprechaun Stew.” The duo stayed on stage after a standing ovation to play an encore.

The group has performed at Celtic and folk music festivals, but O’Tuama told Monday’s audience that they loved best to play small theaters such as the one in Harbor. Libraries are also a favorite venue, Martin added.

They often stay with friends and fans, or camp along the way, to keep their costs to a minimum.

“We want folk music to be accessible to folks and so we offer our music mostly for a donation,” Martin said.

At the end of Monday’s concert, Harbor theater manager Dori Blodgett simply covered her heart and said, “That was food for my soul.”

Indeed.

The always popular eclectic urban roots/folk band Po’ Girl will return to Curry County for an 8 p.m. performance at Pistol river Friendship Hall on Saturday, Sept. 18. They will be joined by special guest JT Nero. Tickets are $15.

The band’s press release calls musicians Allison Russell, Awna Teixiera, Benny Sidelinger and Mikey Lightning August “a 21st century troupe of musical nomads, following their bliss without compromise.

“Formed from far-flung musical elements, and honed in the crucible of constant touring over the past few years, the members of Po’ Girl have beaten themselves into musical gold through sheer, bloody determination and a headstrong love of the musician’s life,” the press release states.

It’s hard to describe Po’ Girls sound, although many have tried, using descriptions such as “jazzy,” “folksy,” “Bluesy,” and “countryish.” The band is know for its mesmerizing harmonies and ability to play a variety of instruments including a gutbucket bass, banjo, dobro and accordion.

Their original songs have been described as “whimsical ditties, and unflinchingly bitter narratives of betrayal and harm.” (Listen to news songs below.)

Po’ Girl has visited the South Coast several times in the past, most recently last year at Centre Stage in downtown Brookings. This time around the band is touring to support its latest release “Follow your Bliss.”

A review in Glasgow Americana Festival stated, “Their uplifting take on American Folk music, combining it with Jazz, roots and a little bit of pretty much everything else, has the ability to put a smile on anyone’s face.”

Joining the Po’ Girl on tour is JT Nero, who is taking a break from his other band, JT & the Clouds, to perform solo. His music has been compared to the sounds of Rare Earth and Hall & Oates, with hints of Sam Cooke.

For more information about Po’ Girl and to watch videos, visit www.pogirl.net or www.myspace.com/pogirls.

Information and song samples for JT Nero can be found at http://www.myspace.com/jtnero.

Po’ Girl MP3s:

The music duo Four Shillings Short will perform their mix of celtic/folk/world music at three Curry County venues starting the week of Sept. 12.

Best of all, it’s free!

The band, celebrating its 15th year together, will perform from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at the Curry Public Library in Gold  Beach, 94341 3rd St.

On Monday, Sept. 13, they will play from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brookings Harbor Community Performing Arts Center, 97900 Shopping Center Ave.

On Wednesday, Sept. 15, the band will perform from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Port Orford Community Center, corner of Washington and 11th Street.

Four Shillings Short consists of husband and wife Aodh Og O’Tuama from Cork, Ireland, and Christy Martin from California. According to the duo’s web site, they tour in the U.S. and Ireland, living their lives much like the bardic minstrels of old, bringing their “one-of-a-kind, eclectic blend of world music” to the world.The musicians perform using a variety of instruments from around the world, including the North Indian Sitar, hammered dulcimer, mandolins, banjo, whistles, recorders, medieval and renaissance woodwinds, charango, bowed psaltery and a Krumhorn.  They have performed at celtic and folk music festivals, theatres, coffeehouses, folk music venues, Irish pubs, libraries and schools. They often stay with friends and fans, or camp along the way, to keep their costs to a minimum.  “We want folk music to be accessible to folks and so we offer our music mostly for a donation,” Martin said.

The New Times newspaper in San Luis Obispo called the group “One of the most unique, eclectic and fascinating acts out there.”The Columbus Folk Music Society in Ohio said, “They are astounding. They both have wonderful singing voices. They play an incredible variety of music from Indian ragas to celtic, traditional folk and about anything else you can think of. They are very charismatic with great stage presence.”

For more information about the group visit http://www.fourshillingsshort.com.

See videos of the group on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%22four+shillings+short%22&search_type=&aq=f

Listen to samples of their music at

Do you know anybody who is looking to start music lessons? Do you know someone who would like to teach music lessons? If so, please pass this information on to them:The non-profit Stagelights Musical Arts Community is launching it’s new lesson program with an open house tonight (Sept. 1) from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Centre Stage, 703 Chetco Ave. (Central Building).

Stagelights board members will explain the lesson program and current instructors will be on hand to meet prospective students. Refreshments will be served.The goal is to offer quality music lessons at an affordable cost. Scholarships will be available.

If you are unable to attend the meeting and would like more information, call 541-251-3952.

Please help Stagelights promote music in the community by forwarding this message to anyone who might be interested. Thank you.­– Scott Graves