Summer Music in the Secret Garden 2013
A mix of touring and local artists, and some world travelers
Our beautiful garden is the perfect setting for a summer evening of music and a barbecue. Everyone is invited to sign up to play a song, and our featured artists will play a solo set. FREE!
2013 Schedule
Every Tuesday ~ June 18 – September 10, 2013 ~ 6:30pm – 9:30pm ~ Sign up for open mic spots at the events ~
June 2013
June 18 – Boa Saida, Portland, OR
Boa Saida came together in the summer of 2010. On cello, guitar,and keyboard, the three young musicians of Boa Saida artfully blend Progressive folk and classical. The project began when singer/songwriter Andy Goncalves approached cellist, Boris Popadiuk about jamming, and after practicing around Boris’ younger sister, Oksana, they soon found her keyboard and sung harmonies indispensable. By the end of the summer the trio had become Boa Saida, which is Portuguese for “good exit”, or “good point of departure.” BOA is also the first initials of the group members, Boris, Oksana, and Andy, so thus, it means, their point of departure. Listen here.
June 25 – Amanda West, Santa Cruz, CA
Opening for Amanda: Robin Greene, Portland, OR
Amanda West lives in the magical woods of the Santa Cruz, CA mountains. A performing songwriter for half her lifetime, she regularly tours the U.S. West Coast and has participated in a range of festivals including California World Fest, The Kate Wolf Festival, Fairieworlds and the San Francisco Free Folk Festival.
Her songs explore topics from humanity’s impact on the planet, to musings on women’s role in society, intimate stories of love, and recipes for self empowerment and cultural evolution. With an inquisitive mind, open heart, and old soul, this engaging songstress sings to heal the world and remind us all of our beautiful interconnectedness.
Recording artist, engineer & producer Pete Solomon accompanies on world percussion, keyboards, classically influenced jazz saxophone and the occasional electronic loop, expanding West’s music into a world folk fusion accessible to people of all ages. Catch the duo this summer on their “Onesie Tour”, celebrating the release of their new EP, “Life Happens”, and their first inter-state tour with their baby, who will turn one while on the road. Listen here.
Robin Green
Robin Greene has played guitar, mandolin, dulcimer and ukulele all over the world opening for people like the Squirrel Nut Zippers, John Prine, Nancy Griffith, EmmyLou Harris and others. She plays a mix of acoustic folk blues originals and a well chosen cover here and there. Robin has been a teacher for all levels of experience in music, voice, song writing and performance.
July 2013
July 2 – Ali Marcus, Seattle, WA
Opening for Ali: Sue Zalobar, Portland, OR
Ali Marcus is a Seattle-based songwriter who tours the country singing songs for people. She has had the great pleasure of sharing bills with internationally renowned artists, such as Tom Paxton, Dar Williams, Jolie Holland, Catie Curtis, Danny Barnes, Ruthie Foster, Chatham County Line, and many other wonderful acts. Her music spans a variety of audiences, from straight-up 60′s folk, to contemporary singer-songwriter, and the burgeoning Americana movement that radiates out from the Pacific Northwest like moonlight on a foggy night. Her smart, melodic songs have been featured on NPR, XM, in the New York Times and venues all around America, with a box full of harmonicas that bring a dose of bluesy country to the act. Listen Here.
Sue Zalokar
Sue Zalokar is a writer and musician living in Portland, Oregon. An Ohio native, Sue followed a passionate wanderlust and landed in the Pacific Northwest. She lived for many years in the Hoh River Valley, working a small family market garden and responsibly managing twelve acres of alder and evergreen forest. Sue also spent ten years working with the Quileute and Hoh River Nations. Today, she works and volunteers for Street Books and Street Roots. The former, a mobile, pedal-powered library for people living outdoors, the later, Portland’s grass root, nonprofit newspaper, provides income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness. The matter which holds her together is music. With a love of writing and lust for music she has immersed herself in the vibrant Pacific Northwest art and music scene. Listen here.
July 9 – Chris Harris
Chris Harris uses his mastery of mood and tempo to illuminate the songs he sings, and much as a skilled illustrator can transform a good book into a memorable one, Chris “paints” his songs with his guitar. Plying his trademark molasses-over-sandpaper voice to poignant effect, Chris pieces his songs together into a patchwork quilt of longing, sorrow, redemption, and hope. His songs have themes that listeners can relate and connect to personally. And his performance is honest and real – with a few laughs and a lot of heart. The emotional effect is devastating. Listen here.
July 16 – Dan Weber
Award Winning songwriter Dan Weber is a gifted storyteller in the long tradition of great singer-songwriters, entertaining audiences with heartbreaking and funny songs, inspired and energetic performances, and hilarious, true stories from the road’s he’s travelled. Since the release of his new CD ‘Ash and Bone’, Weber was named a 2012 Finalist in the prestigious ‘New Folk’ competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival and has received accolades from American Songwriter Magazine, The Great American Songwriting Contest and West Coast Songwriters International Song Contest. He’s also been given praise from legends like Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, recognition from DJ’s “‘Hank and Jesus’ is easily the best folk song I heard in 2011. It has a timeless and authentic ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ feel to it” and press such as “Weber is one performer that’s living proof that you never know when a music career will bloom.” With ‘Ash and Bone’, Dan Weber brings a new voice to Authentic American Stories…
July 23 – Matt Meighan & Chris Kokesh
Matt Meighan mixes his originals with songs by fellow songwriters as well as older songs from the folk and blues traditions. Drawing on his years as an activist, journalist, parent and poet, Matt writes tradition-steeped, thought-provoking songs that are at turns personal, political, poignant and funny, infused with a philosophical bent and an audible love of language. Listen here.
Chris Kokesh became a distinctive voice on the Northwest music scene with the inception of the band Misty River in 1997. With the release in 2010 of her solo debut, “October Valentine,” Chris’s stunning songwriting, crystalline vocals, and tasty fiddle distinguish her as a stand-alone talent. Onstage Kokesh brings songs to life with a transparency that draws audiences in, revealing the inner workings of her heart with grace and an unexpectedly wry sense of humor. Listen here.
July 30 – Brian Cutean
Brian Cutean/QTN, Oregon’s troubadour song poet and wordsmith musician, tours the country with offbeat, and touching observations on the socialography of the human condition. He has performed his songs of spirit, and whimsy all over these United States for many tens of years, and celebrated his 25th consecutive year of stage performance at the Oregon Country Fair this year. Listen here.
August 2013
August 6 – Beth Wood
Beth Wood is a modern-day troubadour and believer in the power of song. Her exceptional musicianship, crafty songwriting, and commanding stage presence have been winning over American audiences for sixteen years. Beth’s music is soulful, organic, intelligent, barefoot, high-energy communication of joy. Picture a home-body with an ever-present wanderlust, an introvert with a passion for performing, a creative free-spirit with enough discipline to rework her dream year after year, calloused little hands and a big pile of curly hair…and you’ve got Beth Wood.
August 13 – Jacob Westfall
August 20 – Dan Dover
Dan Dover has been writing songs for over 35 years and just recently started playing out. His act is a solo acoustic guitar based show. Dan plays mostly original contemporary folk music and some covers. Listen Here.
August 27 – Avery Hill
September 2013
September 3 – Ezza Rose
September 10 – Suzanne Lapidus
Our 2013 season is fully booked. To apply for a featured artist performance in 2012, please contact our music committee.
Scheduled featured artists from previous years