Monthly Archives: March 2016

Sat Apr 16 @ 7 pm Jimmy Grant Gypsy Jazz / Allison and Victor

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Pops is pleased to host the Jimmy Grant Ensemble  on April 16, at 7 pm as a part of the Norcal Jazz Festival.  Listen to his music here. Allison Scull and Victor will be opening the event.

Jimmy Grant ∙ Guitar
Javi Jiménez ∙ Guitar
Hanna Mignano ∙ Violin
Jamie Mather ∙ Upright Bass

The Jimmy Grant Ensemble performs primarily in the style of Django Reinhardt, infusing swing era pieces, original work, and traditional gypsy tunes with the jazz guitar pioneer’s crunchy rhythms and hot harmonies. Jimmy Grant was recently a finalist in the John Lennon songwriting competition for his original song “Insomnia,” and also had an interview with Guitar World for his “5 in 5” project, in which he wrote five different songs in five days.

His style synthesizes a rich blend of Russian folk, bluegrass, celtic and classical music while remaining true to Django’s innovative guitar technique. The Jimmy Grant Ensemble will bring together two guitars, bass, and violin in an in an intimate yet energy-charged performance

About Jimmy Grant:
Native to Northern California, Jimmy Grant grew up in a household full of rich musical influences. While his early influences also included Russian Folk, Bluegrass, Celtic and Classical, from a young age he gravitated towards the music of Django Reinhardt. He has studied with acclaimed guitarists Jim Nichols and Howard Alden, and in addition to Django Reinhardt, his other major musical influences are Bach, Benny Goodman, and Joe Pass. He has performed with artists such as David Grisman, Gonzalo Bergara, Ludovic Beier, Andreas Oberg, Tim Kliphuis, Paulus Schafer, Robin Nolan, Trio Dinicu, Rhythm Future Quartet, and the Hot Club of San Francisco, and has played at Djangofest Northwest and The New York Hot Jazz Festival. In addition to performing, Jimmy teaches private students and has been on the faculty of the Django in June Festival in Massachusetts. Jimmy also writes for “Gypsy Jazz Secrets Magazine”. He has recorded two albums under his own name, as well as on several other jazz & rock albums. Jimmy’s original song “Insomnia” was a finalist in the John Lennon songwriting competition.

Fri Apr 15 7 pmThe Chronicles of Oggle

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Pops is pleased to host New Frontier Theatre Company’s North American premiere of the one-man play, “The Chronicles of Oggle”, written and originally performed by Peter Gowen, about growing up in Ireland during the 1960s and 1970s. Bennett Gale, artistic director of NFTC, brings Pakey, an orphan and survivor, to full voice on the stage at POPs Performing Arts Center in Dunsmuir and Mt. Shasta Sisson Museum, opening April 15, 2016. Previously, the play had only been performed in Ireland.

Heart-rending and hilarious, “The Chronicles of Oggle” illuminates acute adversity in institutional Ireland while simultaneously nurturing hope and joy.

“…a comic tale of our times – startling, enjoyable and sad – a sharply faceted performance.” – Irish Times

“funny, lyrical … evocative… a timely piece of work.” – Irish Theatre Magazine

Tickets are $15 and are available at Village Books in Mt. Shasta, Weed Chamber in Weed, on newfrontiertheatrecompany.com website and at the door. New Frontier Theatre Company is a non-profit, volunteer-driven theatre company striving to bring arts and prosperity to Siskiyou County.

Thur Mar 24th, 7 pm, Women in Music

Women in Music

Celebrating Women in Music, three Northern California women of very different musical styles will be highlighted this coming Thursday, March 24, 7:00pm. The evening will highlight Ananta Fiddle Hooper, Leslie Tift, and Allison Scull in three individual performances.  The cost of the show is $10.

Ananta Fiddle Hooper, an internationally acclaimed violinist, electric violinist, cellist, composer, videographer, producer and instructor has touched thousands of lives globally with her music, art and all encompassing world view. Her 25 years of professional repertoire provides a well-rounded blend of Classical, Soul, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Rock, Celtic, Middle Eastern, Indian Classical and Alternative Trance styles.

As an instructor, Ananta has started and/or worked with music programs in San Francisco, Healdsburg, Sonoma & Napa Valley Charter and Music Schools; as well as, internationally in India, Europe and Japan. She also works with ‘dedicated’ students privately in the U.S.. See www.fiddlehooper.com for more on Ananta.

Leslie Tift is an acoustic guitar, dobro player and vocalist. She arranges songs to fit her style of playing which brings a unique sound to Americana roots music. Her guitar playing is varied from finger style picking with a driving thumb pick to percussive rhythmic strumming. With her passion for singing coupled with years of training she brings forth a style that is strong, varied in range and styles with an emotion that comes from her heart.
Tift’s singing styles were influenced by a wide range of performers from, the blues of Bessie Smith, the classics of Barbra Streisand and the contemporary folk style jazz of Eva Cassidy and Linda Ronstadt. Her passion for singing coupled with years of training brings forth a style that is strong, varied in range, and emotion that comes from her heart. Leslie has performed in many venues but her highlights are: performing for the Firefly Folk Festival in Japan, playing for notable celebrities (Kennedy’s), and sharing the stage with a variety of acoustic professional performers. Tift says, “playing music is the pathway to our souls, helping us stay grounded and therefore providing us with an avenue to communicate with others in its purest form”. Currently, Tift mostly performs a duo with Tom Scott throughout the North State. Learn more about Leslie a twww.TomandLeslie.com

Songwriter, guitarist, and singer Allison Scull’s initial desire to sing in the first place was inspired by the laid-back Brazilian jazz artists such as Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz. Almost as soon as she began to play guitar in her teens, she started to write songs. “Music has been a road to learn about myself, an amazing road to connect to all kinds of people and a road to happiness in general.” Her journey of music evolved to include bits of folk, blues, jazz and includes some French and Spanish. With saxophonist Victor Martin, she had the opportunity to share the stage with Tuck and Patti, blues legend John Hammond, the Blind Boys of Alabama and more. She will present some new, never performed songs. Scull says, “The opportunity to play with these two special female musicians holds an air of excitement for me. I am looking forward to sharing the night with them. ” Learn more about Allison at www.allisonandvictor.com

Pops Performing Arts and Cultural Center is located at 5819 Sacramento Ave, Dunsmuir. See www.popsdunsmuir.com First come, first served. $10 suggested donation.

Sun Mar 6, 7:30 pm, Dance Temple Theatre

Dance Temple Theatre happens every other Sunday at Pops! Come on over and enjoy the fun. We look forward to seeing you.

First Set: The Cosmos (Live Ambient, keyboards, and drones)
2nd Set: Sahaja & Shara Fish (talented husband and wife musical team) (World, Eclectic, Tibetan Bowls, Bells, Percussion, Vocals, Etc.)
How do you participate? Read here.
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