Musical Fun Continues at Eugene Holiday Market

Here's what is planned on the Eugene Holiday Market Main Stage and in Holiday Hall (at the Lane Events Center, 796 W. 13th Ave., Eugene, OR.) on Dec 17, 18, 22, 23 and 24. Be sure to stop by the Lane County Musicians Collective booth right by the Main Stage to sample regional music and pick up some CDs.    Food booths in the International Food Court will offer a large variety of delectable delights. More info and photos:  http://www.holidaymarket.org/food_court.html     DIRECTIONS: From Interstate 5, take Exit 194-B to Eugene (I-105). Continue on I-105 until it ends at 7th Ave. Continue straight ahead on Jefferson to 13th Ave., continue on under the big electronic sign which is the entrance to the Fairgrounds. Holiday Market is in the Exhibit Hall, ahead on your right as the entrance drive curves into the Fairgrounds. Drive past the building via the driveway that passes its left side to the main parking lot and main building entrance. Parking and admission are free. FOR MORE INFO:  http://www.holidaymarket.org/ Saturday, December 17 - Dress Up Theme: All That Glitters
10:30 AM	Linda Yapp	The Lemondrop Fairy
11:30 AM	David Rogers	original songs of the new west
12:30 PM	Sacred Harp Singers	traditional American acapella shapenote singing
1:45 PM	Mike & Carleen McCornack and the Garden Variety Band	Contempory Folk, singer-songwriters
3:15 PM	The Jivemasters	Swinging blues
4:45 PM	What Yo Mama Warned You About	Blues, funk, rock & roll
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Glenn Falkenberg	Celtic harp & hammered dulcimer
2:00 PM	Jerry Zybach	original and traditional blues
4:00 PM	Robert Meade	energetic acoustic
Sunday, December 18 - Dress Up Theme: Leopard Colony
10:30 AM	Rob Tobias	soul filled kid songs
11:30 AM	Rooster & His Barnyard Bucketeers	Balkan Pre-War jazz and Ragtime
12:30 PM	Steve Goodbar	Straight up bluegrass
1:45 PM	Red Pajamas	high energy folk rock originals
3:15 PM	Soromundi Lesbian Chorus of Eugene	spiritual, political, women's and multicultural music
4:45 PM	The Dennis Smith Project	original folk rock
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Cascade Harp Ensemble	celtic harp
2:00 PM	Walker T. Ryan	Underdog American music
4:00 PM	Edson Oliveira	Brazilian Bossa Nova
Thursday, December 22 - Dress Up Theme: Seasonal/Solstice
10:30 AM	Chico Schwall	American folk songs & singalongs
11:30 AM	Janet Naylor & Linda Danielson	Irish & Scottish music on harp & fiddle
12:30 PM	LCC Faculty Jazz Band	expert jazz
1:45 PM	Buffalo Romeo	Classic Americana and award winning originals
3:15 PM	Slightly Retro Jazz	as advertised
4:45 PM	The Never Ever Band	original folk rock
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Jeff Roberts	acoustic guitar
2:00 PM	Janet Naylor & Linda Danielson	Irish & Scottish music on harp & fiddle
4:00 PM	TBA
Friday, December 23 - Dress Up Theme: Holidaze in the Tropics
10:30 AM	Invincible Vince	seriously funny magic
11:30 AM	Three of Hearts	folks in harmony
12:30 PM	Sweet River	swing, folk & Delta blues classics
1:45 PM	Morningstar	original folk
3:15 PM	Gerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate	jazz
4:45 PM	Ramblin' Robert & The McKenzie Drifters	bluegrass
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	TBA
2:00 PM	Ricardo Cardenas	classical guitar
4:00 PM	Richard Crandell	magical mbira
Saturday, December 24 - Market closes 4 PM! - Dress Up Theme: Pajamas/Ugly Holiday Sweaters
10:30 AM	Sharon Rogers	family favorites
11:30 AM	The Post Project	world music on the Hang Drum
12:30 PM	The Rosen Sisters	extraordinary fiddlers
1:30 PM	Barbara Healy Trio	blues & soul
3:00 PM	Americanistan	Middle Eastern dancing and music
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	SemiSweet	a cappella duo
2:00 PM	Jill Ledet	ethereal experimental piano music

After Thanksgiving at Eugene Holiday Market

A big three-day weekend is planned after Thanksgiving at the Eugene Holiday Market. The Lane County Musicians Collective will have its booth set up. Please feel free to stop by, sample some of the regional music, and then pick up a bunch of gifts for all your family and friends! Many of our Coop's members will also be appearing on Friday - Sunday on the Main Stage and in Holiday Hall (just down the corridor a short ways.)

Friday, November 25- Dress Up Theme: Black & White Friday
10:30 AM	Rich Glauber	Music in Action!
11:30 AM	Two Easy	acoustic originals
12:30 PM	The Alves Brothers	talented kids on guitar
1:45 PM	Deer & Antelope Band	rock, oldies, blues and jazz
3:15 PM	Tim McLaughlin's Revolving Trio	Boogaloo Funk Jazz Power Trio
4:45 PM	The Huckleberrys	Roots, blues, americana
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Mark Ross	America's most famous unknown folksinger
2:00 PM	Jerry Zybach	original and traditional blues
4:00 PM	TBA

Saturday, November 26 - Dress Up Theme: Mad for Plaid
10:30 AM	Ballet Folklorico Alma de Mexico	Children performing traditional Mexican dances
11:30 AM	Lisa Lynne & George Tortorelli	harp and world flutes
12:30 PM	Walker T. Ryan	Underdog American music
1:45 PM	Sun Bossa	Brazilian Bossa Nova
3:15 PM	Olem Alves & Inner Limits	funk groove
4:45 PM	The Texas Toasters	Western Swing
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	David Rogers	original songs of the new west
2:00 PM	Glenn Falkenberg	Celtic harp & hammered dulcimer
4:00 PM	Michael Hall	folk

Sunday, November 27 - Dress Up Theme: Faux Fur & Feathers
10:30 AM	Lorna Miller	little kid's jamboree
11:30 AM	Gordon Kaswell & Jerry Zybach	blues, faves, etc.
12:30 PM	Laura Kemp	favorite local folksinger/songwriter
1:45 PM	Dan Cioper	acoustic folk/rock and reggae
3:15 PM	Kef	Balkan dance music ensemble
4:45 PM	Steel Wool	Harmony Powered Acoustic World Folk-Rock
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Lisa Lynne & George Tortorelli	harp and world flutes
2:00 PM	Chip Cohen	Dr. Horsehair Himself
4:00 PM	K-Tone	Folk with southern flavors

Opening Weekend at Eugene Holiday Market

Held at the Lane Events Center (796 West 13^th Ave., Eugene, OR), Eugene Holiday Market features hundreds of artisans with quality, hand-crafted items. Saturday/Sunday November 19-20 was opening weekend for the Holiday Market. I especially like the non-stop entertainment perfect for the season.

I appreciated the opportunity to be the opening act on the main stage on Sunday, Nov 20. I interspersed jazz standards with interactive kid's songs. Everyone seemed to enjoy the variety for all ages. I saw several folks singing, clapping, dancing along. A few young volunteers helped me out on "Strike the Bell" (accompanied by concertina) and "My Aunt Came Back" and "Sambalele." Also saw folks singing along with "I'm Beginning to See the Light," "Call Me Irresponsible," and "I'm Confessin' That I Love You."


Then, The Celtic Tradition (Linda Danielson, Janet Naylor and I) took the stage for special Scottish/Irish Holiday shows at 11:30 am (Main Stage) and 2 pm (Holiday Hall). Assistant Market Manager Kim Still even caught us on video playing a Scandinavian waltz called "Bond Vals" (Farmer's Waltz), as well as "Shady Grove." The day's dress-up theme was "Hats, Ties & Tiaras," and Ms. Kim Still was decked out in a cute homemade dress and antique hat from the 1940s.       

After us was Ghillie Dhu & The Dohun'ts (Jeremy Wegner, Chico Schwall, Hilary Jones) with some rousing reels and jigs for our dancing pleasure. I video'ed their set with "Pigeon on a Gate, Monahan Twig, and Jenny Dang the Weaver" and their closing set of jigs and hope you enjoy them.

 

Other acts appearing opening weekend were Eugene Bhangra Youth Group, Richard Crandell, Jerry Zybach & Adam Scramstad, Carolyn Cruso, Tatiamo, Gypsy Moon, Bow & Airo, Jill Ledet, Robert Meade, TheTraceys, Rusty Still, Dirty Dandelions, Gordon Kaswell and Lonesome Randall. WOW!

Food booths in the International Food Court always offer a large variety of delectable delights. I had a great steak burrito from Saritza's Mexican and a refreshing raspberry cooler from the Lemonade Gourmet. My wife had a tofu dish from Bangkok Grill. My bandmates enjoyed crepes from Edible Improv. Check out all the Holiday Market food choices here.   

For the "I Spy Elves" Game, Market artisans created unique elves to be displayed in booths throughout the Market on Opening Weekend, November 19-20. People picked up an Elf spotter's card, then wandered the Market, and wrote down the booth number where each elf was seen. Those finding at least six elves were entered into a drawing to win one of the elves. Those locating 20 elves were entered into a grand prize drawing to win $100 in Holiday Market gift certificates! Check the website to see some elves that folks were looking for. There were also silly clues to help locate them. What a fun activity for families and kids of all ages!

All Holiday Market 2016 Dates include:

Sat.-Sun., Nov. 19-20; Fri.-Sun., Nov. 25-27; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 3-4; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 10-11; Sat.-Sun., Dec. 17-18; Thur.-Sat., Dec. 22-24. Hours are 10 am - 6 pm (but closing at 4 pm on Dec. 24)

For a complete artisan and entertainment schedule, see the Holiday Market webpages. 

DIRECTIONS: From Interstate 5, take Exit 194-B to Eugene (I-105). Continue on I-105 until it ends at 7th Ave. Continue straight ahead on Jefferson to 13th Ave., continue on under the big electronic sign which is the entrance to the Fairgrounds. Holiday Market is in the Exhibit Hall, ahead on your right as the entrance drive curves into the Fairgrounds. Drive past the building via the driveway that passes its left side to the main parking lot and main building entrance. Parking & admission are free.

The E-Lazztic Duo of Mary Schaffler and Joe Ross

Who can't relate to the Jazz, Latin, Broadway Classics from our Great American Songbook!? The E-Lazztic Duo of Mary Schaffler (vocals) and Joe Ross (guitar, mandolin, banjo, vocals) offers something for everyone from the eclectic repertoire of the 1920s through today. It's much loved music for dining, dancing, lounging and enjoying at restaurants, lounges, parks, fairs, festivals and special events.


The duo calls themselves "e-lazztic" because of their appreciation for a large, diverse, variety of eclectic music under the jazz umbrella. They emphasize flexibility and elasticity to  entertain and leave audiences with memorable musical experiences. "E-lazztic" also because the duo sounds like a much bigger band by using programmed accompaniment tracks of drums, bass with occasional saxophone or trumpet. "It's a real fun experience for all." says Ross. "Our accompanists are real tight professionals, and they're very dependable, reliable and easy to get along with." Take a twirl through the musical decades with Schaffler and Ross. Like two mint juleps on a foggy night, their relaxing music goes down easily from dusk 'til dawn. 
  

Check out this video on You Tube that captures some of the variety offered by the Schaffler & Ross Duo, as well as the excitement they generate! Ross also performs regularly as a soloist, such as in these videos featuring his guitar ("What a Wonderful World") and mandolin ("I'm Beginning to See the Light").  

Mary Schaffler’s love of jazz music started in childhood. Both her parents lived through the golden era of jazz and swing of the 30s and 40s. Mary’s mother played Fats Waller and Benny Goodman on the stereo with original 78s. Mary’s former vocal and music instructor, Gayle Caldwell was a gifted songwriter and vocalist with the New Christy Minstrels in the 1960s. Gayle encouraged Mary to perform jazz standards such as Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child”. 

Mary has appeared as a guest vocalist with many Northern California jazz artists such as Richard Cooper, Terry Simick, Francis Varnek and Queen Jane. She was lead vocalist for the jazz group “Ain’t Misbehavin” from 2013 to 2014. Mary enjoys singing many different forms of jazz including swing, bossa nova, samba, big band, Latin, tin pan alley and fusion. She feels that singing jazz fuels her desire for self-expression as an individual in a cooperative effort. This open collaboration can be highly rewarding while entertaining the audience. She also currently manages and sings with a 5-piece band called Local Honey. The honeys do a variety of music including western swing, indie rock, classic rock, country rock, jazz and world music.

Blessed with ten thumbs when born in Virginia, many years of practice have paid off for Joe Ross who now dabbles with many instruments. Raised a “military brat” in Japan, his music career started on organ in sixties rock/soul bands in Yokohama. Bluegrass, Celtic and Old-Time music entered his life in the 1970s at the University of Oregon. Over the years, he’s picked up guitar, mandolin, bass, banjo, dulcimer, concertina and ukulele.  He's also branched into Western Swing, Polka, Latin and Jazz Music.

Performing regularly as a soloist, Joe can also be seen with Umpqua Valley Bluegrass Band, Celtic Tradition, Keynotes Polka Band and Alamojo Western Swing Band. His eight albums (available at Amazon and CDBaby) span from Celtic to Bluegrass, Swing to Jazz, Folk to Children's music. He also writes for music magazines and blogs, gives lessons at Absolute Sound & Music (Roseburg), and tells stories. Happily retired in 2010 from his day job supporting the U.S. Marine Corps, Joe now works full-time to share and encourage the “enjoyment, fun and camaraderie of making music together.”

For more information about The "E-Lazztic" Duo of Mary Schaffler and Joe Ross, please call 541-673-9759 (Joe) or 541-404-1505 (Mary). You can also reach them via Joe's Facebook, Mary's Facebook or by e-mailing to rossjoe@hotmail.com or marys42@yahoo.com