| Greetings, friends and fellow music lovers –
I hope you are enjoying this beautiful autumn day wherever you are! There are lots of fun things coming up this month. As usual I thank you for reading and I hope you will scroll down for newsy news, gratitude, show details, musings and random photos!
Thu, Oct 4 – Private House Concert – Palo Alto, CA
Sat, Oct 6 – Private Party – Oakland, CA
Sun, Oct 7 – Fiddler’s Crossing – Tehachapi, CA
Sat, Oct 13 – Songwriting Workshop – Seattle, WA
Fri, Oct 19 – Camarillo Cafe – Camarillo, CA
Sat, Oct 20 – Manhattan Beach Studio Concerts – Redondo Beach, CA
Sat, Oct 27 – Apex Music Festival
Sun, Oct 28 – House Concert – Eugene, OR
1. GRATITUDE. Wow. My heart is overflowing with gratitude! BIG THANKS to the following for making September so special…Ann Fleming, Richey Bellinger and Dale Jones and all at Art in the Pearl, Brad Tisdel and the Sisters Folk Festival/Americana Song Academy family, David Stoddard, Jordan Burger and Carbon Leaf, The Doug Fir, The Crocodile, The Triple Door, Bill & Micki Lippe, The 2Jeffs and the Seattle Aquarium, Dale and Debra and all at HPPR Garden City, Deb and all at Last Minute Folk in Topeka, and Reverand Sarah and all at UU Fellowship of Topeka.
2. THE NEWS. Well the big news is that the “official” release of my new album THE LONG ROAD is finally unfolding! These days an official release is mostly in cyberspace — meaning three singles and then the album will debut on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, etc. Our friends at the Press House are busy getting the word out and seeking reviews in national and regional magazines, blogs, newspapers, etc. It’s always nerve-racking to let go of new work and set it free into the greater world, but I have never been more proud or excited about an album in my life so let’s do this!
Speaking of the album release, Portand peeps I hope you will join us at the Alberta Street Pub on November 9 to celebrate!! I will be joined by Milo Fultz on bass, Steven Skolnik on the suitcase drum kit, Paul Brainerd on pedal steel, and Ara James (formerly Ara Lee) on vocals…be still my heart! Please save the date!
This year’s Sisters Folk Festival and Americana Song Academy were EPIC, to say the least! The whole week was a wonderful reminder of how powerful music is as a connector, a gathering force, a common thread that holds us together. We need more of this in the world, don’t we? Special thanks to all of the artists, volunteers, organizers, and attendees who made it so magical! I was deeply inspired and renewed by my time there, and it has me looking ahead for other ways to continue the work of facilitating creativity, celebrating community through music, and sharing what I have learned about songwriting and performing. I am excited to look ahead to the Songsmith Gathering and song school in Brevard, NC in the spring! Sarah Siskind and I will be leading the song school again in the days leading up to the festival on May 18. Stay tuned for more details!
Speaking of Sisters Folk Fest, check out our opening song at the Sunday Celebration, woop!! Thanks to Shireen Amini, Anna Tivel, Ara James, and Bianca Caruso for making my dream come true!!
Speaking of NC, I am so excited that the Apex Music Festival been rescheduled for Oct 27! I’m also looking forward to fun shows in southern CA, a songwriting workshop in Seattle, and a Stand and Sway (BW and Ara duo) house concert in Eugene hosted by the great David Jacobs-Strain! See below for details…
3. OCTOBER SHOWS…Life is so uncertain, please call ahead!
Thu, Oct 4 – Private House Concert – Palo Alto, CA.
Sat, Oct 6 – Private Party – Oakland, CA.
Sun, Oct 7 – Fiddler’s Crossing – Tehachapi, CA. 206 East F Street. Fiddlers Crossing is an intimate acoustic music “listening room” in the mountain town of Tehachapi, in Eastern Kern County, CA., presenting traditional and contemporary Folk music, Bluegrass, singer-songwriters, Americana, Country, Western, Blues, Celtic, World and other styles. It has a distinctly “coffee house” feel but without all the noise and other distractions. Based on the house concert model, freshly ground and brewed coffees, teas and a variety of “goodies” are included in the ticket price. The vibe is cozy, friendly and warm. Come join us! Tickets are available online here and also at several local merchants (see website for details). 7 pm. $20.
Sat, Oct 13 – Songwriting Workshop for Songwriters in Seattle – Seattle, WA. Songwriters in Seattle is a 501(c)3 non-profit org that supports our Pacific NW creative community through educational, creative, and performance based events. BW will lead a 2 hour workshop about storytelling through song. At the Phinney Neighborhood Center. 6532 Phinney Avenue North. 2-4 pm. $20. See event page here for details.
Fri, Oct 19 – Camarillo Cafe – Camarillo, CA. 1605 E. Burnley St. Camarillo Cafe is A smoke-free and alcohol-free coffeehouse-style concert series sponsored by the Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District and hosted by Peter Krantz & Becky Glenn. Although not an actual dining establishment, the Camarillo Café is a delightful, intimate coffeehouse-style concert series in Camarillo, California. BW shares the stage with the great Rebecca Folsom. $20 suggested donation. 8 pm.
Sat, Oct 20 – Manhattan Beach Studio Concerts – Redondo Beach, CA. Manhattan Beach Studios hosts “in-house concerts”, private intimate events with artists in a listening and engaging environment. There is often time to interact with the artists, ask questions, get autographs and have meaningful and engaging evenings while supporting artists and their crafts. We do supply some basic noshes but encourage guests to bring desserts and items to share. This is not generally an evening designed for our kids; so get away if you can! Please email info@manhattanbeachstudios.net if you are interested in attending. $20 suggested donation. 7:30 pm.
Sat, Oct 27 – Apex Music Festival – Apex, NC. Historic downtown Salem St. Apex Music Festival has been rescheduled for Oct 27! Produced by Six String Presents and The Apex Downtown Business Association, the purpose of the festival is to increase awareness, support, and funding for the continued beautification and revitalization of Downtown Apex and to provide support and funding for Guardian Angel Thrift. Now in its eighth year, the Apex Music Festival attracts thousands of fans to historic Downtown Apex, NC to enjoy live music, street vendors, food trucks, beer and wine and an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. Two outdoor stages and one indoor theater will host a variety of acts from local, regional and national performers from many musical genres, including Rock, Folk, R&B, Country, Pop and Americana and more. Local food trucks will feature unique food choices in addition to the several indoor offerings from local restaurants and taverns near the festival grounds. There will be a variety of beer stations offering a mix of craft beers from local breweries. This year, proceeds from the festival will go to Guardian Angel Thrift to assist them in their mission to support Alzheimer’s research. Pre-sale tickets are available for $15-$20 at https://www.apexmusicfestival.com/tickets/ BW plays on the Oak Street Stage at 3:30.
Sun, Oct 28 – House Concert – Eugene, OR. Open to the public. Stand and Sway duo show (with Ara James…formerly Ara Lee)! Please email info@davidjacobs-strain.com for details and reservations! 6 pm potlock, 7 pm music. $20 suggested donation.
This year’s Art in the Pearl festival was so much fun! My friends Richey Bellinger and Dale Jones joined me for a couple tunes…
goofing around at song camp!
One of the most fun parts of the Sisters Americana Song Academy (aka song camp) is the open mic nights where everyone shares a song! My friend Cinda Johnson asked me to sing harmonies with her, and Ann Janelle joined us on cello and harmonies!
our group of awesome instructors at song camp…
I was SO THRILLED to introduce the Sisters Folk Fest audience to my friend David Stoddard’s music!! We had so much fun at the Open Door stage on Saturday night…
and it was a blast and an honor to sing harmonies with Tremoloco!
Did this really happen? Was I dreaming? Sunday’s community celebration was over the top AMAZING!
oh man did I have a blast opening three sold-out shows for Carbon Leaf on their 25th anniversary tour! I got to sing for crowds like this and they were so attentive and open to my music!
My favorite moment at the Triple Door show in Seattle was when my new friend Vaeda gave me this at the merch table. SO SWEET!
then I got to play for a private event at the Seattle Acquarium..so cool! I sang to this guy all night!
then I went to Kansas and felt right at home with the tumbleweeds and the big sky…
It was so fun to play for the Last Minute Folk series at the Jayhawk theater gallery space!
and guess what was going on the same night in the theater?!?!?
made a new friend before the show…
it was such a lovely night with friends old and new in Topeka…
and can you believe this face?? Fiona from Garden City is not so sure about this photo shoot, but she sure is thirsty.
and OMG, this is her sister Jitsu, a very regal lady, except when she is licking your face… I love her so much.
4. THE FUTURE. This fall will be jam packed with shows celebrating the release of the new album! And then of course we will turn toward the winter months, when things will slow down a bit and allow for introspection and time at home. I hope to see you out there on the road so I can thank you in person for supporting me and my musical journey throughout the years! Until then, I hope you are enjoying these and crisp breezes and this beautiful season of transition. With much gratitude from your fan,
Beth Wood
PO Box 10141
Portland, OR 97296
www.bethwoodmusic.com
Holler at me: bethwoodmusic [AT] hotmail.com
Here I am with my face on Facebook.
I barely know how to use it but I’m tryin’ on Twitter
Find me on Instagram! @bethwoodmusic.com
For the love of Pete, somebody please help me with Youtube!
Down the road a piece…
Nov 1 – Listening Room of Palmer Ranch at the Music Compound- Sarasota, FL
Nov 2 – Mudville Music Room – Jacksonville, FL
Nov 3 – Academy for Five Element Acupuncture 30th Anniversary Gala – Gainesville FL
Nov 4 – Safety Harbor Arts and Music Center – Safety Harbor, FL
Nov 9 – CD RELEASE @ Alberta Street Pub – Portland, OR
Nov 16 – Anderson Fair – Houston, TX
Nov 17 – The Epic – Grand Prairie, TX
Nov 18 – MCL Grand Black Box Theater – Lewisville, TX
Nov 24 – The Old Firehouse – Edom, TX
Dec 14 – Calera Songwriters Holiday Concert and Benefit for Egan Warming Centers – Eugene, OR
Dec 15 – Artichoke Holiday Concert – Portland, OR |
