Aug 19, 2017

Blue Deux and Friends  For this special performance Elias and Calvin will be joined by some of their talented friends performing originals and well-worn folk standards originating from both sides of the Atlantic accompanied by a traditional Irish dancer.  Instruments in addition to guitar and violin will be bodhran/percussion, upright bass, ukulele, as well as traditional Irish folk instruments.  Tackling various genres of folk terrain including Irish, Bluegrass and Americana, their ability to adapt music of any genre to their unique folk style has led them to perform frequently across southern California for a wide range of audiences.  This group of musicians recently had the opportunity to work with Blizzard Entertainment being chosen to arrange and perform Celtic renditions of Blizzard’s Hearthstone video game themes at Blizzcon 2015 at the Anaheim Convention Center.  These musicians have assembled into several different groups who all perform locally including Flint & Farrow and The Reelers.  You are just as likely to hear a 100 year old tune as a popular song from the radio in their unique folk style.  This concert is sure to leave you with happy feet, a happy mind and a happy soul.

Blue Deux is:

Elias Schwartzman: Hailing from the Washington D.C. metro area, Elias Schwartzman is a founding member of Blue Deux.  A violinist from the age of 5 as well as mandolinist and vocalist, he currently performs with numerous southern California acts.  In addition to obtaining his degree in Biology from Oberlin College, he studied baroque violin performance at Oberlin’s prestigious Baroque Performance Institute.  His expertise of Celtic, Bluegrass and Folk music is rivaled by his deep knowledge of the classical repertoire including performing the Solo Partitas of J.S. Bach.

Calvin Anderson is a southern California native and a founding member of Bleu Deux.  A multi-instrumentalist, composer and vocalist, he has toured the west coast twice performing at the renowned Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival.  In addition to performing, Calvin is an avid teacher and composer/arranger/orchestrator.  His skills have led him to direct many music groups as well as allowed him to work with many notable artists including Lionel Hampton New York Big Band, Metropole Orchestra, Michael Bublé and many others.

Sept 16, 2017

Joyce Woodson has been a favorite on the Cowboy Poetry and Music circuit these past 15 years.  She has shared the stage with such western music greats as Belinda Gail, Liz Masterson, Dave Stamey, and Jean Prescott, and she performed at top folk and western clubs and festivals such as the Elko National Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering in Nevada, the Cochise Cowboy Gathering in Arizona, and the Autry Museum of Western Heritage in California.  Her voice has been described as warm, soothing, and intimate.  Joyce Woodson is a Grammy-nominated performer and the recipient of Song of the Year from the Western Music Association in 2008 for her song "If I Hadn't Seen the West," as well as Songwriter of the Year in 2014 for her multiple cuts by other western music artists.  She also won Female Performer of the Year in 2008 from the Will Rogers Academy of Western Artists.

Mike Mullins has been a regular fixture on the California acoustic music scene for over 30 years.  He toured and recorded with notable bands and musicians including renowned fiddler Phil Salazar, The Acousticats, The Hay Dudes, The Tom Corbett Trio, and he is a current member of The Cache Valley Drifters.  In 2014, Mike released his first solo project, “Windows of Time,” a compendium of guitar and mandolin Americana styles showcasing Mike's original material over a 25-year span.  Mike is widely regarded as a top-tier mandolinist and for multiple summers has been an artist-in-residence at David Grisman and Mike Marshall's annual Mandolin Symposium. 

Oct 21, 2017

John Batdorf  Along the way, John has worked with many of the cornerstone figures of the music business as an artist, garnered cult status as a classic folk-rock singer-songwriter, and has reinvented himself as a successful film and TV composer, session vocalist, and inspirational musician in the substance recovery community.  John’s breakthrough moment came as a part of the folk-rock duo, Batdorf & Rodney, alongside acoustic guitar whiz and harmony partner Mark Rodney (son of the great jazz trumpeter Red Rodney who played with Charlie Parker).  John was the pair’s primary songwriter and singer, and his balmy musicality and tenderly uplifting lyrics fit right in alongside 1970s Laurel Canyon scene artists such as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jackson Brown, the Eagles, and Joni Mitchell.  Batdorf & Rodney had the distinction of being recorded by visionaries such as Ahmet Ertegun, David Geffen, and Clive Davis.  The twosome played Carnegie Hall and toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada, sharing the stages with such esteemed artists as America , Seals and Crofts, Dan Fogelberg, Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, and many more.  In May of 2011, Batdorf & Rodney were elected into the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.  John continues to be a most prolific singer, songwriter, entertainer and is much sought-after by concert venues throughout the US. 

Gemini  Bruce Farwell and Renata Decher make up the wonderful duo Gemini.  Known for their close harmonies, smooth arrangements, and warm and friendly manner, Gemini has delighted audiences throughout the Southern California area in a variety of settings, including clubs, performing venues, house concerts, radio shows, and folk festivals.  They perform a diverse repertoire including pop and standards, tunes from shows and musicals, country and folk favorites, humorous songs and many originals.  Renata's songwriting and Bruce's arrangements and outstanding guitar playing are hallmarks of this excellent duo.  They have won several awards for their singing and playing, and have produced two CD's, Twin Spirits and Heart, Heart and Soul.

Nov 18, 2017

Men of Worth  In 1986, Scotsman Donnie Macdonald and Irishman James Keigher came together to perform Irish and Scottish folk music, combining traditional and contemporary styles.  The name "Men of Worth" was chosen from the title of a folk song written by the Scottish singer/songwriter Archie Fisher.  Together Men of Worth blend their voices with harmony and support their collection of songs with their varied selection of instruments.  They have a very simple approach to their presentation, and in keeping with tradition, remain true to the music and story.  Their show is a unique combination of humor, exciting tunes, and soulful, heartfelt ballads.  Amongst other notable credits, Donnie and James are responsible for your concert coordinator, Carol Schryver-Bloom, discovering her voice and nurturing her passion for Celtic music.  Men of Worth are an international act and have earned much respect and success in over thirty years of touring together.  Performing concerts and festivals, with twelve albums to their credit, Men of Worth continue the very tradition from which they've evolved.  

The MacMammals have come full circle.  The husband and wife team of Carol Schryver-Bloom and Ron Bloom share the evening with old musical pals.  The MacMammals have drawn influence from Men of Worth over the years and will be presenting their own unique selections of music from Ireland, Scotland, England, and North America.  Backed up by guitar, mandolin, and Irish bouzouki, Carol’s crystalline vocals blend with Ron’s warm harmonies to produce a unique compilation of music that can only be described as “MacMammalian.”

Also, we're on Meetup.com.  Search for "folk" or "dance" in Anaheim, CA.