Live Music to Celebrate Dunsmuir’s Second Saturday

On Saturday, July 13, Pops Performing Arts and Cultural Center will present a double bill concert celebrating Dunsmuir’s Second Saturday. Allison Scull and Victor Martin and Two5Live!, a new group in the area, will perform beginning at 8pm. Advanced tickets are available here.

Allison and Victor and Two5Live will combine to bring a fabulous night of music. Songs will be featured from each act as well some collaboration with both bands together. Allison and Victor together create a fusion of musical forms uniquely their own. They blend roots music — a fusion of jazz, folk, blues, a little funk, originals and some jazz standards laced with some French lyrics. Currently recording their 4^th CD, Allison and Victor are recording with area musicians such as drummer Kenji Kato, bassist Bruce Calin and Stefan Schittko who will be featured on keyboard in both acts for this special concert. Visit allisonandvictor.com and facebook.com/AllisonAndVictor for more on these artists.

Two5Live! is a band that blends jazz, funk, neo-soul, R&B and Latin music. It features Nathan Sivananda on bass, Stefan Schittko on keys, Victor Martin on saxophone and vocals and Ross Perry on drums. According to Schittko, this group features “a lot of tunes that all band members love and never had an outlet to play.”

Pops Performing Arts and Cultural Center is located at 5819 Sacramento Ave in historic Dunsmuir, across from the Amtrak train station. Tickets are available in advance online for $10 and at the door for $15.   For more on Dunsmuir’s Second Saturday, visit https://www.dunsmuirsecondsaturday.com/

Shasta Taiko Presents Free Performance by Tadaima at Pop’s July 6

Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer are known in northern California as leaders and founders of Shasta Taiko and are recognized nationally for pioneering taiko – Japanese drum – in America.  On Saturday, July 6, 7 pm at Pop’s Performing Arts & Cultural Center in Dunsmuir, Shasta Taiko presents Russel and Jeanne’s music ensemble, Tadaima, featuring jazz artists drummer Kenji Kato and bassist Greg Potter.  The event is free to the public and sponsored by Shasta Taiko.

Russel’s work on saxophone and flutes has received favorable reviews in national music publications – DownBeat, Musician, Jazz Times, CODA, and Options magazines.  Jeanne is known for her exquisite touch, beautiful sound, and an open creative approach to taiko.

“We love group taiko, the physical movement, the choreography, and the spirit and spectacle of large and loud drumming as well as exposing taiko through community classes.  We do however have other sides as artists and people.  We hope to explore other areas for taiko to expand in or vice versa…for music like jazz to include taiko and other music.  So we’re not only exposing taiko to America, but we also hope to pioneer taiko in other areas – in our case, jazz and world music influences.” says Baba.

Russel Baba is known as an innovative musician and for creative compositions.  He has toured and recorded winds with jazz artists drummer Eddie Moore, violinist Michael White, and pianist Andrew Hill, and taiko and winds with Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka, Kenny Endo, San Jose Taiko, On Ensemble, and Jeanne Mercer.

Jeanne Mercer has performed taiko with Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka, Kenny Endo, San Jose Taiko, and On Ensemble.  Her work has contributed to movie soundtracks Star Wars and The Right Stuff.  She has performed and recorded original music with Eddie Moore, Michael White, Russel Baba, Masato Baba, and Shoji Kameda.

Kenji Kato is a versatile drummer who has performed with Gary Burton, Merle Haggard, Larry Mitchell, Roy Hargrove, Delfeayo Marsalis, Mark Gross, Mark Whitfield, Warren Hill, Antonio Hart, Mark Cooper, Chuck Epperson, and Greg Potter.  Kenji received both the Wayne Shorter and Tony Williams Awards where he graduated from the Berklee College of Music.

Bassist Greg Potter has toured worldwide and has performed with Stan Kenton and The Entertainers.  He has recorded with Bruce Hornsby and for the Disney studios.  He also plays guitar and drums.  Locally he plays with Marc Cooper, Kenji Kato, Chuck Epperson, and Sharp 11.

Jeanne adds, “We’re excited to have the opportunity to play some original music with some exceptional artists.  This open approach is not so common in taiko.  A smaller ensemble of musicians allows for spontaneity and musical ideas to flow.  It’s really challenging, fun, and creative.”

“Tadaima’ is the traditional greeting when one comes home in Japan.  It means “I’m here, I’m pressent, I’m home.”  says Russel.  “Tadaima has performed before at the ShastaYama Taiko Festival with various guest artists.  The Festival presented a variety of taiko artists and groups with each act having only a limited time to perform.  At Pop’s, Tadaima will be featured, allowing time for the music to go deeper and for me, more centered.”

Tadaima is sponsored by Shasta Taiko.  There is no door charge – FREE  Donations are accepted.   Pop’s – 5819 Sacrameneto Ave.  popsdunsmuir.com   Tadaima – russelbaba.com
June 18, 2019

Press Release

Shasta Taiko Presents Free Performance by Tadaima

Where:
Pop’s Performing Arts Center & Cultural Center
5819 Sacramento Ave.
Dunsmuir, CA

When:
Saturday, July 6
7 pm

What:
Music Performance byTadaima (I’m here, I’m present, I’m home)

Russel Baba – flutes, saxophone, taiko, percussion
Jeanne Mecer – taiko, percussion
Kenji Kato – drum set, percussion
Greg Potter – bass

Free:
Sponsored by Shasta Taiko
Donations accepted

Musician, composer, educator and author Abe Lagrimas, Jr will be performing at Pops Performing Arts & Cultural Center, Sunday, August 4. Listen here to his amazing sounds.

Abe Lagrimas, Jr. plays the drums, vibraphone, ukulele, and studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. In 2012, he competed in the highly prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Drums Competition and has worked with many different artists such as Eric Marienthal, Eric Reed, Kamasi Washington, Dontae Winslow, Barbara Morrison, Michelle Coltrane, Jake Shimabukuro, Kenny Endo, and continues to be an in-demand session musician in Los Angeles. As an ukulele artist, Abe is a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award (Hawaii Music Award) recipient and has released multiple albums in the United States, Japan, and South Korea. His latest album, self-titled Abe Lagrimas, Jr., was featured on the Hawaiian Airlines in-flight entertainment system. As a performing artist, he has been featured at ukulele festivals throughout the United States in addition to leading his own solo tours. His international performances include Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Germany, and toured extensively throughout China. Abe is also an educator and is the author of Jazz Ukulele: Comping, Soloing, Chord Melodies (Berklee Press & Hal Leonard), which is available in stores worldwide and on Amazon. He is currently endorsed by Canopus Drums, Paiste Cymbals, Vic Firth Drumsticks, Beato Bags, Ko’olau Ukulele, Analysis Plus Cables, Fusion Gig Bags, and Elite Acoustics. abelagrimasjr.com

As part of Railroad Days, Pops is please to host Music is Healing, an Instrument Petting Zoo. Please join us. Entrance is free.  To find out more and to register, go here.

Grace Rodriguez, a sculptural artist, is one of the featured artists at The Ol’ Dunsmuir Faire Sat May 4 from 10 am to 1 pm at Pops Performing Arts & Cultural Center.

Her work contemplates the sensuality of intuition and the vulnerability of beauty by processing ceramic forms that are felt beyond a physical attraction. Through the eyes of her touch she bridges the unknown position of a ceramic coil into its known place while considering the fragile nature of balance. Her organic forms become Grace seen.

Grace works primarily with porcelain clay called B-mix, which is not suited for sculptural forms, but her forms insist otherwise.

She creates most of her pieces at her home studio in Dunsmuir.

Are you looking for a space to host a conference, wedding, retreat or gathering? Pops might be just the perfect place. A unique space with charm and history, it has new hickory floors, the original brick walls, and outdoor enclosed patio with a garden and stream, a bar to serve drinks and offer food.

Hotels and restaurants are literally steps away, as is the Amtrak station and the Sacramento River.

To book Pops, call Victor at 530 925-0115.

Read more on Sarah Leal Nova in an article published in the Mt. Shasta Area Newspapers:

Siskiyou County native Sarah Nova is ready to check climbing Mt. Shasta off her bucket list in June and most importantly, help raise awareness for Breast Cancer Prevention Partners to expose and eliminate the environmental causes of breast cancer.

Siskiyou County native Sarah Nova is ready to check climbing Mt. Shasta off her bucket list in June and most importantly, help raise awareness for Breast Cancer Prevention Partners to expose and eliminate the environmental causes of breast cancer.

This year marks BCPP’s 19th Climb Against the Odds, the 16th year on Mt. Shasta. Each year, one person from Siskiyou County is selected to be on the team and raise funds for the local charity.

“We’re thankful that BCPP donates the funds back to Breast Cancer Services of Siskiyou County, which in turn distributes funds through Mercy Foundation North, to assist local residents suffering from breast cancer,” explained Nova. “In the 15 years the climb has been on Mt. Shasta, climbers have raised approximately $176,000 to support local giving.”

Past local climbers have included Terry Thompson, Nancy Swift, Annie Bowles, Melinda Barnes, Anna Antonowich, Hillie Crowfoot, Karen Pautz, Paul Engstrom, Jenn Bray, Alisa Johnson, Tessa Montgomery, Brett Waite, Shalonda Gerdes, Andrea Shanti, and Heather Mason.

All of the money Nova raises will stay in Siskiyou County and helps women and their families facing breast cancer with transportation to treatments, uncovered medical expenses, counseling, and more.

Nova grew up in Yreka and is the oldest of five children. For the last 15 years, she has worked as an oncology nurse in Redding. She lives with her husband and three children in Dunsmuir.

Nova is climbing for her grandma who had breast cancer, her patients that inspire her every day and for her community.

Nova’s goal is to raise $14,179 (one dollar for every foot of Mt. Shasta) for the Climb Against the Odds fundraiser.

Donations can be made online at bit.ly/SarahClimbsShasta.

You can meet Nova at the Mt. Shasta Ski Park on Saturday March 23 to support her fundraising efforts. When you buy your lift ticket, you will have an option to make a donation to help support the fight against cancer.

Also, on the evening of March 23, you can enjoy an evening at POPS Performing Arts and Cultural Center in Dunsmuir for “A Night in the Canyon” music and food event featuring Allison Scull and Victor Martin.

Enjoy appetizers by Lunch Box Dinners, a no host bar, raffle items, and dessert auction. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at Raven’s Tree located in the Mount Shasta Shopping Center or at Dunsmuir Hardware in downtown Dunsmuir. Only 60 seats are available.