Calendar
Submit calendar info to:
calendar@corvallisfolklore.org
7:30 Rita Brown and Bill Smythe
Besides great singing, songwriting and guitar playing, this is the couple that created our annual benefit for CARDV
8:30 Jazzopolis
Great musicianship by a group that brings classic interpretations of the music of the 30’s and 40’s. Featuring Bev and Ray Brassfield, Fred Berman, Faye Cummins, and JG.
7:30 Rebecca Smith and Laura Zaerr
These two wonderful harpists bring musical influences from all over the globe. They play in support of Rebecca’s new CD.
8:30 Shanghaied on the Willamette
Gordy Euler and Jonathan Lay will make there way down the Willamette, well, I-5 actually, to entertain us with strong vocals, multi-instrument skill, and story telling. They’ve been a Best Cellar favorite for a long time.
7:30 Mike and Carleen McCornack
This singer-songwriter couple from Eugene has been delighting audiences for over 40 years with their own brand of original and contemporary, folk-influenced music, exceptional vocal harmony and guitar accompaniment that sparkles! They are a Best Cellar favorite.
8:30 Pete Kozak
Pete plays mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle, dobro, and harmonica. He’s a great musician who has played in several local bands, through the years: The Bush Pilots, Yellow Rose, Pickin’ Noodle Soup, and The Rubes. He’s stood on stage with Neal Grandstaff, Paula Walters, Jeff Hino, Creighton Lindsay, Mark Weiss, Ray Brassfield, and Gary Nolde. On top of all that, before coming out west, Pete earned a Best Vocalist award at the Nebraska Old Time Fiddlers and Country Music Festival.
Note: This month the Best Cellar will be upstairs, at the top of the church.
Enter through the main 11th St. entrance.
7:30 Mark Weiss
Mark celebrates 50 years of playing the guitar with a number of friends: Pete Kozak, Dave Plaehn Chere and Cliff Pereira, Ed and Linda Waymire, Audrey Perkins, Tim Hardin, and a little piece of dynamite named Aurelia Rensema.
8:30 Audrey Perkins
As fine a singer as our community has, Audrey will be joined by Suzannah Doyle, Nancy Snowden, Bill Pfender, Page Hundermer, John Bliss, and Paul Regan. Songs will come from Diana Krall, Elvis Costello, Bruce Cockburn, Irving Berlin, Rogers and Hart, Nat King Cole, Lambert-Hendricks-Ross, and some guy named Neal Gladstone.
7:30 Mike and Carleen McCornack
Singer-songwriters Mike & Carleen McCornack have been delighting audiences for over forty years with an engaging musical style that blends clear, expressive, harmonious vocals with sparkling acoustic instrumental accompaniments. Their wide-ranging repertoire includes many critically-acclaimed original compositions. They have released seven albums during their career: Possibilities; Live On Earth; Beasties, Bumbershoots & Lullabies; Sunshine Cake; High Hopes; A Road To Call Your Own; and Ready For Christmas.
8:30 Triple Play – featuring Kurt Dietrich
Great three part harmony. Triple play features Kurt Dietrich, owner of Bull Frog Music, in his first Best Cellar performance.
7:30 James Wilson
I’m very happy to say that I am a member of SACtown’s Whiskey and Stitches and that we have been awarded a 2012 SAMMIES Award to go along with our 2011 SAMMIES Award! That and a weekend playing at the KVMR Celtic Festival in Grass Valley, rubbing elbows with the likes of the Young Dubliners, Old Blind Dogs, Molly’s Revenge, Bricktop Blaggards, Wake the Dead, and others have made this one of my best musical years ever. play mandolin, whistle, tenor banjo, melodeon in Whiskey and Stitches and mostly mandolin with Stout Rebellion – two of Sacramento’s finer Irish bands. Both regularly gig around the SACtown area and beyond. I came to Sacramento from Corvallis, Oregon where I played in folk-punk group Poitin and Stout – great experience and a fine group of lads. I occasionally get to return there and play some solo instrumentals for folks who appreciate it. Other than that, I spent a lot of years driving and working, driving and working in Southern California. My parents came to the United States from Ireland via England and Canada. Mom had a pretty good voice and Dad played melodeon and harmonica. Music was always around the house. I’m one of those Irish-Americans who was lucky enough to venture overseas when I was younger to meet the aunts, uncles, and cousins. Those are irreplaceable memories. I LOVE instrumental music and feel lucky to have connected with some many fine musical folks in my middle age. Get out and support live music!
8:30 Tom and Ellen Demarest
Tom Demarest was one of the founders of the Best Cellar and played at the first one, more than 40 years ago. He and Ellen have been playing together in Corvallis for decades, and are perennial favorites with their original songs and great covers.
7:30 Jeff Hino
8:30 Dave Plaehn 
Dave Plaehn and Jeff Hino are the Corvallis Blues Brothers, and tonight they each get independent billing for their solo acts, though I’ll bet there will be some duets involved. Guests will include Deborah and Creighton Lindsay, Pete Kozak, and DeLynn Anderson.
Dave Plaehn & Jeff Hino have been performing their own distinct blend of acoustic blues, folk, and original material since 1990. Plaehn and Hino explore the uncluttered powerful interplay of blues harmonica, National steel guitar, and vocals in the tradition of the great country bluesmen like Robert Johnson, Elmore James, and Bukka White.
“It’s a nice reminder that not all the talented musicians in this state are based in the city at the terminus of the Willamette River. This is roots music at its finest played by craftsmen in the deepest sense. This is a duo that has a lot to say and the skills to back those voices, too.”
Greg Johnson, President,
Cascades Blues Association
“Two talented blues musicians who offer a fresh and diverse array of original and traditional acoustic based compositions. Treat you ears to a real pleasing performance.”
Rod Downing, President,
Washington Blues Society
7:30 Ian Priestman
British songwriter and humorist and, these days, instructor at LBCC. Ian brings a unique perspective to music in the northwest.
8:30 Ruthie Dornfeld and Cyd Smith
Great guitar and fiddle from two legends of Corvallis past. They were members of the High Water String Band, all of whom have moved on to larger cities and strong musical careers. Ruthie and Cyd reunite every two or three years for some gigs, and we are lucky enough to have them at The Cellar this time around.
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodis Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
7:30 Pete Kozak with special guests
Pete plays mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle, dobro, and harmonica. He’s a great musician who has played in several local bands, through the years: The Bush Pilots, Yellow Rose, Pickin’ Noodle Soup, and The Rubes. He’s stood on stage with Neal Grandstaff, Paula Walters, Jeff Hino, Creighton Lindsay, Mark Weiss, Ray Brassfield, and Gary Nolde. On top of all that, before coming out west, Pete earned a Best Vocalist award at the Nebraska Old Time Fiddlers and Country Music Festival.
8:30 Swing and a Ms. with Audrey Perkins
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodis Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
7:30 John Swanson with Suzanna Doyle and Jeannie Holmes
John and Jeannie were mainstays of the Corvallis Folklore Society more than three decades ago, and are back together with one of Jeannie’s Wallop Sisters compatriots. Versatile vocalist (and former Best Cellar coordinator) John Swanson teams with pianist Suz doyle, Ukist Jeannie Holmes, and Bassist Neils Neilson for a wonderful potpourri of perspicaciously picked songs. A playful potpouri of genres will be presented.
8:30 Neil Grandstaff with Bev and Ray Brassfield
Neil is, quite simply, the best guitar player this side of Django Reinhardt, Doc Watson, B.B. King, and Chet Atkins. Ray is brilliant on Bass, and they will be joined by Bev’s wonderful vocal stylings. The Great American Songbook comes alive!
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee areavailable. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
7:30 MCsquared at the Unitarian Fellowship
Cliff and Chere Periera and Mark Weiss celebrate 30 years of playing and singing in a Best Cellar benefit for the Corvallis Folklore Society.
Note the different location for this program.
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
7:30 Tim Hardin
Tim returns to The Cellar with some new satirical material and a few old friends helping him out. Tim has a great voice and some very clever lyrics.
8:30 Mike and Carleen McCornack
Pacific Northwest folk musicians, Mike and Carleen McCornack have shared their musical artistry with grateful audiences for over four decades. From coffee houses to concert halls, Mike and Carleen’s beautifully crafted songwriting comes to life in their music with superb vocal harmony and sparkling guitar accompaniment that touches the heart and never fails to tickle the funny bone!
With music firmly rooted in the Folk-Americana tradition, Mike and Carleen are award winning songwriters and 2 time winners of the Florence Winter Folk Festival’s People’s Choice Award. Equally at home performing for “grownups” and for those who know them for their delightful, award winning music for children, Mike and Carleen’s performances are filled with themes of love and humor, inspiring originals and cover songs they love.
“Beautiful melodies, great musicians. Pure heartfelt vocals all blended together into music that will leave you smiling in your heart.” – Bill Staines, Singer/Songwriter
Note: Jeff Hino and Dave Plaehn are rescheduled for next September.
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
7:30 Sharon and Dave Thormahlen
Sharon and Dave have been making beautiful music together in Corvallis for decades. They perform traditional and new music written by Sharon, mostly on instruments made by Dave.
8:30 Wild Hog In The Woods
Stringband music from a bygone era played the way it always should have been.
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
7:30 Curtis and Loretta
Curtis & Loretta’s music comes straight from the heart. The husband and wife duo’s extraordinary harmonies and proficiency on a parade of stringed instruments create an alluring frame for their poignant original songs, and traditional pieces from America and the British Isles. The current menagerie includes mandocello, folk harp, guitars, clawhammer banjo, ukulele, and mandolin, plus a bit of kazoo, harmonica, and shakers. Curtis’ down-home sense of humor and Loretta’s theater background engage the audience in an experience that runs the gamut of rolling with laughter to holding back tears, with plenty of side-trips in between. They rack up countless miles each year, crisscrossing the country to deliver their own unique brand of folk singer/songwriter music.
8:30 Crooked Kate
Crooked Kate returns after a ten-year hiatus. What was a trio is now a duo with Anne Ridlington on cello and Rita Brown on guitar and vocals. Anne and Rita stayed in touch during the last decade while Anne played in the Eugene Symphony among other ventures, and Rita played in the local band, The Flow. But the eclectic, adventuresome Crooked Kate beckoned and the two could no longer ignore the call. Sometimes the sound elegant, sometimes messy, always creative and heart fulfilling.
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com
7:30 Marshal Adams –
Marshall has been performing music on the guitar for over 50 years, and once
opened for the Grateful Dead. For the Best Cellar, Marshall will play arrangements from jazz to flamenco, Brazil to the wild west, and will be joined, on some tunes, by his grandson, Will Danley.
8:30 Dave Plaehn and Jeff Hino
The best blues duo for miles around. Not to be missed.
The best Cellar is a once-a-month evening of acoustic music. Admission is “pay what you will,” and kids are free. Cookies and coffee are available. Located in the cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe, in Corvallis. For more information, or to join the volunteer team, contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com