Showing posts with label local musicians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local musicians. Show all posts

Monday, September 19, 2016

A Bushel and A Peck of Talent!


There was a great deal of local talent to be seen and heard this past Saturday afternoon. Young and old. Everyone of these artists were full of energy, passion, and delight.

The youthful dance troupe in the photo above are students from Sammy's Animation Dance Community. They caught the Husband's and my attention immediately upon arrival at the annual LULAC Community Health Fair, which was held at the Hollister Community Center. The young men and women performed hip hop individually and together. They were popping and locking, tumbling, and doing all sorts of amazing choreographed and improvised steps.


Moondance, a group of outstanding musicians, also performed at Saturday's health fair. Actually, the Husband and I attended just to hear the band play. This band rocks big time!

Originally formed in 1976, Moondance performs at local events as well as at private parties and various venues, such as Ridgemark County Club, Mom & Pop's Saloon,  Chillin & Grillin Roadhouse, in and nearby Hollister. You can learn more about Moondance, along with hearing them play at its website.


Zack Freitas was performing his original songs, along with popular cover songs, at Fisher's Delicatessen during the Downtown Hollister Beer and Bacon Crawl. Zach has a unique voice. Intense. Intimate. Thoughtful. Listen for yourself at Zack's website.

Zack, Moondance, and the dancers from Sammy's Animation Dance Community are only the tip of talented artists from Hollister.  We are fortunate!



Friday, December 4, 2015

December 5, 2015: Day & Night Fun in San Benito County


Lots of fun stuff going on tomorrow, Saturday, December 5, 2015, in San Benito County. These are some of them. Which ones will you check out?

Boutiques and Open Houses

Spring Grove Santa's Holiday Breakfast and Boutique 
8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
This event takes place at Spring Grove Elementary School, 500 Spring Grove Road, off Fairview Road. The all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast is $6.50. Santa Class will be there for photos. About 40 vendors will be selling crafts, goods, and other wares. For more details, check out the event's Facebook page

B & R Farms Annual Holiday Sale and Christmas Open House 
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
B & R Farms is located at 5280 Fairview Road (west side), between Fallon and Lone Tree Roads. They will offer free samples and refreshments as you shop. For more information, visit the events page on their website.


Bertuccio's Market Holiday Open House
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  
Bertuccio's is located at 2014 Airline Highway (west side) just before Union Road. They will offer food tastings, hourly giveaway, and raffle prizes as you shop. 
For more information, check out its Facebook page

Holiday Stroll Through Time Open House  
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
San Juan Bautista merchants will hold its annual "Holiday Stroll Through Time" tomorrow.  They will offer refreshments as you shop their seasonal items. For more information, check out this article in Out and About Magazine.


Living History Days

Tomorrow is the monthly Living History Day at the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park, which features the early days of San Juan Bautista. Meet and talk with Victorian Ladies, Mountain Men, and Civil War Soldiers as they demonstrate crafts and cooking of their times. The event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, click here

The Art of Books!

The Art of Books! is the theme of the 4th Annual Children's Art Exhibition at ARTspace, 240 Fifth Street, in Downtown Hollister. The delightful masterpieces done by local school children are available for purchase, of which proceeds go to funding the local Arts in Education Program. The gallery will be open from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more details, check out this earlier post.

Holiday in Lights Parade

The annual Holiday in Lights Parade in San Juan Bautista will start at 5:30 p.m., going along Third Street.  The Community Christmas Peace Tree lighting will take place earlier at sunset. 

Fa la la la Lah, la la la lah 

The Watsonville Community Band will hold it annual Winter Concert at the Veterans Memorial Building on the corner of San Benito and Seventh Streets. This free concert will start at 7:00 p.m.  

The band is made up of musicians, of all ages, from San Benito, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara counties. Tomorrow night the band will perform songs from The Polar Express. There will be a Christmas carol singalong. (I love that part.) For more details, visit this Facebook page.


Play On!

A theater group is rehearsing its play. But, the play's author keeps changing the script. Oh, dear....Oh, rats! It's getting crazy. It's gotten out of hand. Will the show go on? 

That's the premise of the comedy Play On! performed by the San Benito Stage Company, which will run until December 12. The play is at the Granada Theater, 336 Fifth Street, in Downtown Hollister at 7:00 p.m. For more details, go to the San Benito State Company website

La Pastorela

Upon receiving a message from the Angel of the Lord about the birth of the Holy Child, several poor shepherds make their way to visit him. It is not an easy journey to Bethlehem as the followers of Luzbel (Lucifer) block their way at nearly every turn. 

This the basis of the play La Pastorela, the traditional Mexican tale that Luiz Valdez adapted for El Teatro Campesino.  Performed in Spanish, the local acting troupe tells the story through words, song, and dance. La Pastorela runs every weekend until December 20 at the Old Mission San Juan Bautista.  Tomorrow night, the play will start at 8 p.m. 

You can learn about the other performance dates and times, as well as purchase tickets at this Brown Paper Ticket link. Be aware that you must pick up tickets at the El Teatro Campesino box office at 300 Third Street in San Juan Bautisa. 



Thursday, October 22, 2015

Final Free Fall Concert


This Saturday, October 24, 2015, will be the last concert of the Music in the Park series in Dunne Park on Seventh Street in Downtown Hollister. The concert will run from 4 to 6 p.m. Bring your own blankets or low-back chairs, as well as snacks and drinks. No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the park.


Performing from 4 to 5 p.m.  will be Folklorico Juvenil de Lucy Rodriguez, a dance troupe composed of girls and boys, ages 3 to 15. The dance group performs traditional folkloric dances from Mexico.

Closing out the concert will be The Flashbacks, which will perform from 5 to 6 p.m. The local group, with its smooth voices, is popular for singing 1950s doo-wop songs.


Music in the Park is a monthly concert sponsored by Mr. O's Academy of the Arts, which began this past August. The free concert series will return in Spring 2016. Thanks, Mr. O!

Saturday, September 26, 2015

September Music in the Park


This afternoon is another Music in the Park concert in Dunne Park, at the corner of Seventh and West Streets. The free event, sponsored by Mr. O's Academy of Music, is from 4 to 6 p.m. Bring your own low-back chairs or blankets. Snacks, too. No alcohol is permitted in the park.

The Moondance Band, a 60s rock & roll band featuring Rich Haggett, performs from 4 to 5 p.m. Folklorico Juvenil,  a children’s mariachi dance group featuring Lucy Rodriguez, performs from 5 to 6 p.m.


Sunday, August 30, 2015

Saturday in the Park


It was a perfect lazy afternoon at Dunne Park yesterday. Just as Saturday ought to be—relaxing on the lawn, eating, watching kids play, chatting with friends, and listening to the music of our local bands.


Dave Huboi & the Architecturals performed the first hour of the Music in the Park concert, while Mr. O's Jazz Bank played the second hour. We are fortunate to have wonderfully talented local musicians.


The free Music in the Park concerts in Dunne Park were organized by Greg Harvey of the Joshua Inn Bed & Breakfast and Mr. O's Academy of the Arts. Last Saturday afternoon was the first of three concerts. The next two will be September 26 and October 24.  They'll be both Saturday afternoon, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Here are few more photos from Saturday.









Friday, August 21, 2015

Music in the Park


Saturday, August 29, 2015, is the date for the first of three upcoming free Music in the Park concerts in Downtown Hollister. Everyone is invited—young and old, singles and families. 

The concert will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Dunne Memorial Park on Seventh Street, between West and Powell Streets. 

The performers will be Mr. O's Jazz Band and David Huboi and the Architecturals.

Mr. O's Jazz Band at the 2014 San Benito County Fair

The concerts will be held near the tennis courts. Planners say to bring a blanket and/or low-back chairs to sit on. And, yes, we can also bring a picnic or refreshments. Reminder: No wine, beer, or any other kind of alcohol is allowed in the city park. 

The next concerts will be September 26, 2015 and October 24, 2015. Both Saturdays.

Mr. O's Academy of the Arts is sponsoring the free concerts. 
If any musicians and bands would like to perform at future concerts, contact Mr. O. (Contact details are on Mr. O's Academy's website.)

For more details on this Saturday's event, check out this Facebook page

David Huboi & The Architecturals at the 2013 San Benito Olive Festival


Saturday, July 4, 2015

The 2015 Fourth of July Kiddie Parade


The Husband and I barely parked our bicycles when we heard the band start up a couple blocks away. The annual Fourth of July Kiddie Parade had begun. Hurrah! 


The Summer Band and Music Band Camp Marching Band played the Stars & Stripes. The Husband, a former school band marcher, said that they played part of the song, but they had it memorized. Few, if any, were carrying music. The young musicians were quite impressive. 


The fun parade of cuteness and sweetness went by quickly, as the children and their grown-ups made their way from the Veterans Park to Marguerite Maze School on Meridian Drive. 

Happy Fourth of July, Everyone!









Monday, November 3, 2014

A Sunday Concert


Yesterday, the Rancho-Maze Band and the Pacific Brass Band joined together to give an enjoyable afternoon concert at the Rancho San Justo gymnasium.  It was a fundraiser for the Hollister middle school band composed of student musicians from Rancho San Justo and Marguerite Maze Middle School.


Performing first was the Pacific Brass Band . It's an authentic British-style brass band, one of a few in the western United States. The band plays traditional brass band songs, as well as marches, rags, American folk songs, and songs from musicals.  The band is composed of musicians from San Benito, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and Monterey counties.

My favorite piece of the seven songs they played yesterday was The Old Grumbly Bear (Der Alte Brummbar), which featured the tuba. If the smoothness of butter could have a sound, it would be the loveliness that comes out of the tuba.


The Rancho-Maze Band performed four songs under the direction of Mr. Ruben Morales. The student musicians held their own alongside the Pacific Brass Band. The clarinet section had me wanting to learn the instrument. And, I really dug the spirit of the Cymbal Girl.

America the Beautiful was the last piece of the afternoon, performed joyously by both the Rancho-Maze Band and the Pacific Brass Band.


December Fundraisers

Mark your calendar for two awesome fundraisers in December for the Rancho-Maze Band.

On December 6 and 7, the Rancho-Maze Band will be taking part in the Barnes & Noble Book Fair in Gilroy, as well as the Barnes & Noble Online Book Fair through December 12. A percentage of your purchases made at the store or online will go to the band. For more details, click here

On December 10, at 7 p.m., the Rancho Maze Holiday Concert will take place at the Rancho San Justo gymnasium. The band will hold a raffle for such items as a candy basket, Kendamas, golf passes, tickets to the Monterey County Symphony, Happy Hollow passes, and much, much more. The Grand Prize is worth $600: four one-day hopper passes to Disneyland.  You must be present to win. For more details, click here.


Friday, October 10, 2014

Drum Reflection


The drummer is part of Mr. O's Jazz Band, a popular ensemble composed of adults and youth. The group plays at many of the local events such as last week's San Benito County Fair and tomorrow's San Benito Olive Festival.

The band is lead by Mr. Joe Ostensen who taught music and band classes in the Hollister middle schools for several decades. When he retired a few years ago, he and his wife Frances started Mr. O's Academy of the Arts. The Ostensens contine to be the strongest supporters of music in the Hollister elementary and middle schools.

Today, I'm hanging out at Weekend Reflections. Come join me by clicking here.

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Tuesday, October 7, 2014

The Second Annual San Benito Olive Festival


This Saturday, October 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is the second annual San Benito Olive Festival, which celebrates the natural beauty and agricultural bounty of our county. I have no doubt that it will be another successful fun and joyful affair that will be attended by hundreds of people from near and far.

San Benito Olive Festival is both the gourmet event and the not-for-profit organization that plans, organizes, and brings the event together. The group's mission is to promote awareness and appreciation of the region's world-class culinary agriculture and premier artisans who make award-winning olive oils, wines, chocolates, Blenheim apricot products, and more. All net profits made from the event are donated to service, educational, and other community groups in San Benito County.


This year, the gourmet celebration is going to be at the gorgeous, historic Bolado Park, which is 8 miles south of Hollister. It's easy to find and reach on Highway 25, whether driving from the north or south.

There will be lots to eat, to drink, to purchase, and to enjoy at the festival. General admission tickets -- $20/adults and $10/children, ages 5-12 -- include the cost of entry to the festival, parking, cooking demonstrations, and entertainment. The $35 VIP ticket grants guests access to the wine tasting tent and five tastings of wine and craft beer from wineries in San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties. I'm a beer drinker myself, but I would be tempted to taste samples from places with such great names as Alicats Winery, Wild Eye Winery, Lightheart Cellars, and Graveyard Vineyards.


Six celebrity chefs are scheduled to conduct live cooking demonstrations of dishes using olives or olive oil. Starting off will be Chef Eric Carter, Director of the Culinary Arts at Cabrillo College in Aptos, at which the students run the popular Pino Alto Restaurant on campus. Following him will be Chef Dorothy McNett, the popular foodie legend of the California Central Coast, after which the chef duo Gene Sakahara and Sam Bozzo, also known as SakaBozzo, the twins separated at birth, from the Gilroy Garlic Festival will take the cooking stage. Next up will be Chef Mike Fisher, a Hollister native and local caterer who was trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and ending the day will be Chef David Boswell who is the Chef de Cuisine at Yahoo!


It's going to be a toss up for me -- watching the cooking demonstrations or listening to the live bands. I've heard three out of the four that will be performing Saturday, and just the music alone makes me realize what a bargain the festival tickets are for a great afternoon of fun. Festival guests will be hearing a range of music from jazz and big band by Mr. O's Jazz Band, doo-wop by The Flashbacks, and popular rock by Shiloh and The Retrospect.


I could go on and on about the San Benito Olive Festival, but I shall stop here. To learn more, check out the festival's website and read this article that the festival posted at BenitoLink.com.

Today, I shall be hanging out at Our World Tuesday. Come join me by clicking here.


Thursday, September 11, 2014

The Flashbacks


Yesterday afternoon at the Hollister Downtown Farmers Market, The Flashbacks, a doo wop group got the crowd smiling, clapping, tapping their feet, and swaying to their groove. You can hear them yourselves at the San Benito County Fair on Saturday, October 4, and at the San Benito Olive Festival on Saturday, October 11. Both events will be at Bolado Park.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Crashing Cymbals


A Watsonville Band member provided the end of a song with resounding joy at Thursday night's San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo Parade.


Sunday, June 22, 2014

2014 Old Mission San Juan Bautista Fiesta

The statue of John the Baptist was created by Sculptor Thomas Marsh.

Today, the Mission San Juan Bautista congregation is having its annual celebration to honor St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the old mission, and its 202nd anniversary.

The fiesta runs from 11 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free to everyone.

The celebration begins with a procession led by the  Grupo Nauhcampa at 11 AM to the historic olive grove, on the north side of the Mission, where the fiesta is held. They lead another procession at 1 PM.

Live entertainment is provided by the Mariachi Juvenil Alma de Mexico and the Nu-Horizon Band. The traditional chicken barbecue lunch plate, with sides of chili beans, salad and French bread, is available for purchase at $8/plate.

For further details, check out the article by Ernest Franco in the Out and About Magazine.

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