Eugene Holiday Market Offers Much Variety

On several days each week between November 21 - December 24, Eugene's HolidayMarket at the Lane Events Center (796 West 13^th Ave., Eugene, OR) features hundreds of artisans with quality, hand-crafted items. Hours are  10 am - 6 pm (closing at 4 pm on Dec. 24). Food booths in the International Food Court offer a large variety of delectable delights. For a complete artisan and entertainment schedule, see the Holiday Market webpages. Many of the performing artists are members of the Lane County Musicians Collective, and their CDs will be available for purchase at the LCMC booth by the Main Stage. Musicians also perform acoustically in "Holiday Hall," a separate room around the corner from the Main Stage. Remember that each day has a theme so dress accordingly!  

On the Holiday Market Stage

Saturday, November 21 - Dress Up Theme: Velvet Day
10:30 AM	Lorna Miller	little kid's jamboree
11:30 AM	Two Doors Down	energetic, intense, acoustic folk
12:30 PM	Walker T. Ryan	Underdog American music
1:45 PM	The McKenzie Drifters	bluegrass
3:15 PM	Rusty Still	Bluegrass & Americana
4:45 PM	Gumbo Groove	Folk Fueled Fungrass
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Janet Naylor & Linda Danielson	Irish & Scottish music on harp & fiddle
2:00 PM	Bow & Airo	classical duet
4:00 PM	Mark Ross	America's most famous unknown folksinger
Sunday, November 22 - Dress Up Theme: Leopard Colony (animal prints)
10:30 AM	Rich Glauber	music in action!
11:30 AM	Eagle Park Slim	the blues
12:30 PM	Elizabeth Cable	Passionate Folk with jags of blues
1:45 PM	Deer & Antelope Band	rock, oldies, blues and jazz
3:15 PM	Rob Tobias & The Northwest Express	Original blend of Blues, Jazz, Reggae, Folk-Rock
4:45 PM	Sun Bossa	Brazilian Bossa Nova
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Gordon Kaswell	acoustic variety guitar
2:00 PM	Beth Miriam Rose	acoustic folk music for the soul
4:00 PM	Lonesome Randall	Rock & Roll historian
Friday, November 27 - Dress Up Theme: Black & White
10:30 AM	Anahid Bertrand	sing alongs and play alongs
11:30 AM	Two Easy	acoustic originals
12:30 PM	Steve Goodbar	blues, folk, and old time country
1:45 PM	Viridian Brass	classical to contemporary, Mozart to modern
3:15 PM	TBA
4:45 PM	Peter Wilde Band	original folk songs
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Eagle Park Slim	the blues
2:00 PM	Chip Cohen	Dr. Horsehair Himself
4:00 PM	Robert Meade	energetic acoustic
Saturday, November 28 - Dress Up Theme: Mad for Plaid
10:30 AM	Magic Mama Music	Organic hip-hop & world beats for the whole family
11:30 AM	Gordon Kaswell	acoustic variety guitar
12:30 PM	Jerry Zybach & Friends	blues, roots, soul
1:45 PM	Mike & Carleen McCornack and the Garden Variety Band	Contempory Folk, singer-songwriters
3:15 PM	The Geo 4	fresh, original, jazzy
4:45 PM	Gypsy Moon	organic rootsy Afro-trance
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Eric Nicholson	fresh folk
2:00 PM	Jill Ledet	ethereal experimental piano music
4:00 PM	Karen Stingle	renaissance recorder
Sunday, November 29 - Dress Up Theme: Hats, Ties & Tiaras
10:30 AM	Invincible Vince	Seriously funny magic
11:30 AM	Richard Crandell	magical mbira
12:30 PM	LCC Faculty Jazz Band	expert jazz
1:45 PM	Pickles & Peppers	clarinet quartet with an eclectic repertoire
3:15 PM	Steel Wool	Harmony Powered Acoustic World Folk-Rock
4:45 PM	Paul & Nancy's Love Truffle	All Beatles set!
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Jim Hershey	acoustic originals
2:00 PM	David Rogers	original songs of the new west
4:00 PM	June Apple	Old-time string band
Saturday, December 5 - Wild Wild West
10:30 AM	Ballet Folklorico Alma de Mexico	children's dance troupe showcasing various Mexican folkloric dances
11:30 AM	Alves Family Band	talented kids on guitar
12:30 PM	Inspirational Sounds	inspiring gospel choir
1:45 PM	Soromundi Lesbian Chorus of Eugene	spiritual, political, women's and multicultural music
3:15 PM	David Helfand, Justin Leder & The Majestic Ensemble	Eclectic original and traditional music on Celtic Harp, violin, etc.
4:45 PM	ATA / Family School Band	talented Middle Schoolers
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Gordon Kaswell	acoustic variety guitar
2:00 PM	Glenn Falkenberg	Celtic harp & hammered dulcimer
4:00 PM	Edson Oliveira	Brazilian Bossa Nova
Sunday, December 6 - Faux Fur & Feathers
10:30 AM	Rob Tobias	soul filled kid songs
11:30 AM	Bin Daas	Indian ragas
12:30 PM	'olekona	Hawaiian music
1:45 PM	Red Pajamas	high energy folk rock originals
3:15 PM	The Now Brothers	sturm und twang
4:45 PM	The Fiddlin' Big Sue Band	hoedown boogaloo
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Robert Meade	energetic acoustic
2:00 PM	Jerry Zybach	original and traditional blues
4:00 PM	Richard Crandell	magical mbira
Saturday, December 12 - Holidaze in the Tropics (Hawaiian shirts)
10:30 AM	The Hummingbirds	Sweetly singing girl choir
11:30 AM	Olem Alves	solo jazz guitar
12:30 PM	Carl "Bus Man" Faddis	harmonic folks
1:45 PM	Brume	french folk
3:15 PM	Blue Moon	swinging classics
4:45 PM	To the Bridge	Swinging blues
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Bow & Airo	classical duet
2:00 PM	Janet Naylor	celtic harp
4:00 PM	David Rogers	original songs of the new west
Sunday, December 13 - Dress Up Theme: Purple Day
10:30 AM	Twin Oaks Choir	directed by Patty Delph
11:30 AM	The Liaisons	jazz standards
12:30 PM	Oregon Tuba Ensemble	tuba tunes!
1:45 PM	Mother of Pearl	eclectic brass & bellows
3:15 PM	Kef	Balkan dance music ensemble
4:45 PM	The Dennis Smith Project	original folk rock
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Eagle Park Slim	the blues
2:00 PM
4:00 PM	Beth Miriam Rose	acoustic folk music for the soul
Saturday, December 19 - Dress Up Theme: Stripes & Polka Dots
10:30 AM	Rockstop	talented young cellists
11:30 AM	Eugene Recorder Orchestra	holiday favorites
12:30 PM	Sacred Harp Singers	traditional American acapella shapenote hymns
1:45 PM	The Traceys	close family harmonies
3:15 PM	The Klezmonauts	cutting edge Klezmer
4:45 PM	The Texas Toasters	Western Swing
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Jill Ledet	ethereal experimental piano music
2:00 PM	Glenn Falkenberg	Celtic harp & hammered dulcimer
4:00 PM	Edson Oliveira	Brazilian Bossa Nova
Sunday, December 20 - Dress Up Theme: All That Glitters
10:30 AM	Story Time and Magic Show	Magic tricks and music with Bryan Reed
11:30 AM	David Rogers	original songs of the new west
12:30 PM	Jerry Zybach	original and traditional blues
1:45 PM	Ghillie Dhu & the Dhonts	celtic dance music
3:15 PM	Olem Alves & Inner Limits	funk groove
4:45 PM	Barbara Healy & Groove Too	Original R & B and Soul
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	Lonesome Randall	Rock & Roll historian
2:00 PM	Chip Cohen	Dr. Horsehair Himself
4:00 PM	Brian Cutean	wordless guitar songs
Tuesday, December 22 - Seasonal/Solstice
10:30 AM	Eugene Bhangra Youth Group	Indian dance
11:30 AM	O' Carolan's Consort	royal harp tunes
12:30 PM	Sweet River	swing, folk & Delta blues classics
1:45 PM	Brian Cutean	Acoustadelic Gypsyhooplamojobop Metafablemedicine
3:15 PM	Gerry Rempel Jazz Syndicate	jazz
4:45 PM	Calango	Brazilian music
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	Brian Cutean	wordless guitar songs
Wednesday, December 23 - Time Machine (Retro/Steam Punk/Space Age)
10:30 AM	Joe Ross	kid songs and stories
11:30 AM	Celtic Tradition	Refreshing Celtic music
12:30 PM	Left Coast Sax Quartet	eclectic brass music
1:45 PM	Slightly Retro Jazz	as advertised
3:15 PM	South Hills String Band	old time string band music, traditional bluegrass
4:45 PM	Satori Bob	acoustic americana with a twist
In Holiday Hall
12:00 PM	TBA
2:00 PM	Janet Naylor	celtic harp
4:00 PM	Richard Crandell	magical mbira
Thurs, December 24 - Market closes 4 PM! - Dress Up Theme: Pajamas/Ugly Holiday Sweaters 10:30 AM Sharon Rogers family favorites 11:30 AM TBA 12:30 PM The Rosen Sisters extraordinary fiddlers 1:30 PM TBA 3:00 PM Americanistan Middle Eastern dancing and music In Holiday Hall 12:00 PM SemiSweet 2:00 PM TBA

Local Bellydancers Raising Money For Syrian Refugees

On Saturday, November 14, 2015, Eugene, Oregon will come to life with swirling silk veils, jingling finger cymbals, and the hypnotic drum beats of the Near East as our local bellydancers join a global effort to raise money for Syrian refugees. Denise Gilbertson of the band Americanistan is organizing this local event, which will be held at Celebration Studio, 1840 Willamette St., Eugene, and is open to the public. Tickets will be priced at suggested donation of $10 and are available at the door.

The event is part of a global initiative called “Global Hafla for Humanity.” Hafla means “party,” but the international bellydance community has used the word for decades to refer to informal performance events and student recitals. Bellydancers in more than 25 cities around the world will be holding events to raise money for the International Rescue Committee to benefit Syrian refugees.

Lauren “Zehara” Haas, the founder of Hafla for Humanity, says, “We may disagree about the best way to house and care for these refugees, but we can all agree that they need support wherever they are at the moment. The IRC is on the ground in Lesbos and other locations, meeting the refugees as they arrive with medical care, shelter, clean water, and psychological services. I think we’re all well-acquainted with the suffering of the refugees, and most of us feel powerless to help. Individually we may feel lost, but together we are powerful.”

Haas goes on to say, “It’s so difficult to describe what this dance does for those of us who get involved in it. So many women — and men — find self-expression, artistry, connection, emotional healing, and self-esteem through this dance form, and we owe a great debt to the people we’ve borrowed it from. I’ve been involved in the international bellydance community for 15 years, and, contrary to the stereotypes we sometimes face, these are the most intelligent, creative, powerful, compassionate people I’ve ever known. I knew that if we gathered together, we could make a difference. Right now, we have more than 25 events scheduled around the world, and it looks like we’re on track to raise more than the $10,000 I originally set as our goal.”

Local dance instructor and musician Denise Gilbertson agrees. “In the face of this humanitarian crisis, I felt helpless to do something. Global Hafla for Humanity offers a way to do what we love to do - play music and dance - while also raising funds to help refugees who are in terrible straits.”

Bellydance is much more than the naughty wiggling it’s often made out to be in movies and television shows. It is a complex dance form that is intricately tied to the music and portrays the full range of human emotions, from joy to heartbreak, with lots of playful humor mixed in. Culturally-minded bellydancers are also well-versed in the folk dances and musical traditions of Egypt and the Arab world, while tribal bellydancers (a form that developed in the United States) focus on empowerment and connections between dancers or on fusing Middle Eastern dance movements with elements from other world dances, including Western street styles like hip hop.

Some bellydancers are professional entertainers who dance in restaurants and onstage. Others are homemakers, professors, accountants, retail clerks, or veterinarians who love to explore their artistic side in their time off. Tarja Kaarina Halonen, former president of Finland, is a bellydancer. So is comedian and actress Margaret Cho. Come to Celebration Studio at 7-10pm on Saturday, November 14, 2015 to enjoy an evening of vibrant entertainment, get a peek into your local bellydance community, and support the IRC.

Two bands, Americanistan and Black Magdalene will provide the music for the evening. Dancers Mezdulene, Ramziyah, Amani, Meridian, Gwyn, Zahia Izzah, Jasel and Dunyah (Denise Gilbertson) will perform with Americanistan. Dancers Ruby McConnell, Lindy Comrada, and Regina Anne will perform with Black Magdalene.

For more information, contact
Dunyah, aka Denise Gilbertson
Director, Americanistan
Music Inspired by the Middle East
dunyah@americanistan.com
541-513-9345

"Birds, Blossoms and All Living Things: New Music by Paul Safar" on April 25, 2015

Introducing David Helfand and Justin Lader

David Helfand is a Celtic Harpist and multi-instrumentalist. He performs with an extraordinary violist/violinist named Justin Lader. They perform an eclectic blend of original world music that ranges from Scottish, Celtic, Middle Eastern, Israeli, Asian meditation, flamenco, classical, introspective space music, as well as music inspired by travels to Britain and Israel.   In concert, the duo commonly focuses on a few  genres of music, unless they are requested to highlight a particular stylistic tradition.

Helfand is a  contemporary composer who writes original music for the traditional Celtic Harp, mandocello and guitar.  Lader is a classically trained violist and violinist but has a broad background in world music traditions, improvisation, and composition.  They have performed throughout the West Coast and have had successful concert tours in the Bay area the past three summers.  Helfand and Lader also have led and enjoy teaching workshops on performance practice and composition.

Helfand and Lader have recorded two albums together, “From a Distant Time: Inspirations from the Celtic Lands,” and “After the Rain,” (all original acoustic harp and viola pieces) and have a new album titled, “Through the Portal,” which is a studio produced ‘space music’ opus that will be released in spring 2015.  In addition to the three albums they've recorded together, Helfand has recorded six solo albums of original music including two inspired by journeys to Israel and Britain. He has also been a guest artist at the Eden Project in Cornwall.  

 

Link here for a sampling of the duo playing "Shimmering Falls" during their 2012 Northern California tour. For more info, check out David Helfand's website and Justin Lader's website.