Boathouse Concerts
Since 1992, Pam and Charlie Weber have hosted live music at Weber & Co., the warehouse where Charlie restores classic wood boats. The Boathouse Concerts focus on traditional and contemporary folk music, as it often tells of a way of life that existed or is threatened with extinction – much like the historic waterfront artist colony at Fifth Avenue Point. At the Boathouse, the audience enjoys an intimate setting, shares homemade desserts and has an opportunity to meet and visit with the musicians. In an age of stadium extravaganzas, with bands on oversized screens, ticket (and parking) prices equally oversized, Boathouse guests sit just feet away from the performers for a small donation, all of which is given to the entertainers. This is an experience rarely available to inner city working residents.
For Performers
The Boathouse Concerts are produced by the Fifth Avenue Institute, which participates in a growing network of organizations providing “infill” bookings for small venue traveling performers (see HouseConcerts.com, Concertsinyourhome.com and FolkMusic.org.) The Institute also works with members of the Far-West regional chapter of the International Folk Alliance , which fosters and promotes traditional, contemporary and multi-cultural folk music, dance and related performing arts. Additionally, the Institute Board members bring attention to acts playing at regional festivals, and invitations are extended with the message that an appreciative audience can be found at the Boathouse.
2008-2009 Boathouse Performance Series
February 2, 2008 (attended by 52 guests)
Tallulah Cameron, singer/songwriters, musician
Brian Theriault and Fun with Finnoula, traditional Celtic
Glenn Houston and Travis Jones, singers/songwriters, musicians
July 19, 2008 (attended by 65 guests)
Chojo Jacques and Billy Bright, nationally recognized musicians (mandolin, fiddle, guitar), traditional and contemporary bluegrass.
November 22, 2008 (attended by 70 guests)
Michael McNevin, singer/songwriter, musician, past winner of the Kerrville New Folk award in Texas, a 5-time winner of the West Coast Songwriters Association "Song Of The Year”.
January 10, 2009, Attended by 70 guests
Keith Greeninger, singer/songwriter, musician, winner of the prestigious Kerrville New Folk Songwriters Contest and the Napa Valley Songwriting competition. Keith performs solo, with Dayan Kai, and City Folk.
April 11, 2009, Attended by 76 guests
Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum, with Chad Manning
Laurie is a singer/songwriter, musician (fiddle, mandolin, guitar, standup bass), Grammy winner, and has twice been named Female Vocalist of the Year by the IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association). Laurie’s performing companion is ace mandolinist-singer Tom Rozum; they were joined by Chad Manning, fiddler who has performed with David Grisman.
Upcoming Concerts
The Fifth Avenue Institute produces the Boathouse Concert Series as part of its mission to preserve artisan communities and encourage art and music in neighborhoods.
Unless otherwise noted, doors open at 7 pm, performances begin at 8 pm. Donation of $15 goes to the musicians.
Attendance by reservation only at boatwork@aol.com
Guests are asked to bring a dessert, savory or beverage to share
There is always a barrel by the door for contributions to the Food Bank
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Johnsmith, singer/songwriter, musician, and teacher, winner of the New Folk competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival, was touring to promote his latest CD, Break Me Open,” which features some of the finest players in acoustic music today: Darrell Scott, Tim O’Brien, Stuart Duncan, Byron House, Kenny Malone, Andrea Zonn, Dan Sebranek, Bill Miller,and harmony vocals by Suzi Ragsdale, Sally Barris, and John’s daughter Elisi Smith-Waller. John also conducts tours of Ireland. John won our hearts at the Boathouse and we asked him to promise to include us on next year's visit to the West Coast.
Saturday, August 29, 2009 (80 guests)
Laurie Lewis, Tom Rozum, Chad Manning, Andrew Conklin and Patrick Sauber.
Laurie, in the midst of an extended tour with Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women, returned with Tom and Chad and added Andrew Conklin on bass and Patrick Sauber on mandolin, guitar and banjo. This was one incredible show! www.LaurieLewis.com
Steve Meckfessel
Keith Greeninger
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Stevie Coyle
With a background in theater, television, commercials, radio, voiceovers and films, Stevie in the late '90s co-founded and fronted The Waybacks and toured with them through 2007. The band released 4 albums, played festivals like Merlefest, Grey Fox, Floydfest and Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, toured Australia and collaborated with Lloyd Maines, Michelle Shocked and Bob Weir of The Grateful Dead.
Stevie's gone solo now, is performing at festivals and house concerts, and just completed his first solo CD, “Ten On One” produced by singer/songwriter and guitar guru Walter Strauss.
We were amazed by Stevie's concert -- guitar students, young and old, were concentrating on the fingerpicking technique. No one expected to end the evening singing along to the theme from Gilligan's Island! We hope Stevie will return soon.
Visit Stevie’s website (www.StevieCoyle.com) for his tour schedule, audio samples, CDs and CD-Quality Downloads.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Steve Meckfessel and Keith Greeninger Steve was originally booked as a solo act, but he is usually surrounded by incredible musicians (friends), including Keith Greeninger, who produced and performed on Steve's latest CD "Under Beautiful Skies." He and Keith shared the evening, and as Steve said, "we will be trading songs, backing each other up, and generally making merry." That was an understatement! Steve was accompanied by Bob Hahn, songwriter and harmonica wizard, and Julie Baker on harmonies. Michael McNevin sang a few originals, then sat in with Steve and Keith. They invited Sherry Austin and Sharon Allen out of the audience. The entire group performed the encores. It was a magical night at the Boathouse!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Keith Greeninger and Dayan Kai
Another wonderful evening at the Boathouse! We were surprised and delighted when Keith mentioned that he and Dayan were releasing a new CD in November-- because Keith had graciously not mentioned it at Steve Meckfessel's CD release party
in October. Dayan's musical talents are endless --he is a singer-songwriter, arranger andproducer with a lifelong commitment to music. He's also a stunning accompanist who has released five solo albums as well as two albums with his former band Water. ("Back to You," with Keith, brought us 'Red Wine Again,' 'Juanita' and 'Waiting for the Rain'). Keith was wonderful as a solo performer at the Boathouse earlier in the year and with Steve Meckfessel and friends. Keith and Dayan's friendship is reflected in their performance and the material from their new CD is breathtakingly beautiful. They invited friends to join part of the second set -- Bob Hahn on harmonica, Michael McNevin on electric guitar, and Art Alm (from "Water") on keyboard -- together they delivered some rockin' blues! If you can't see them live soon, be sure to buy the new CD - "Make It Rain."
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Alisa Fineman and Kimball Hurd
Long-time favorites in Northern California,
Alisa Fineman and Kimball Hurd delivered an
incredible evening of music -- their beautiful
vocal harmonies and Kimball's talent on
guitar, mandolin, mandola, dobro, banjo and
slide guitar made them instant favorites at the
Boathouse.
In addition to their tour as a duo, Kimball also performs with Keith Greeninger and Roger Feuer in City Folk, a group that enjoyed national recognition in the mid-1990s, and their 2009 reunion tour was so successful it will continue this year.
You can hear cuts from Alisa’s and Kimball’s new CD
Faith in our Love at:
2010 Boathouse Concert Series
Saturday, January 30, 2010
California Honeydrops Rock the Boathouse
The California Honeydrops’ appearance at
the Boathouse on January 30 before a
sell-out crowd provided another memorable
night of music at Fifth Avenue. One review: “Wow and WOW!” Formed in November 2007, the California Honeydrops first performed on the streets and in BART stations in Oakland. Playfully crossing genres from Roots and Blues to R&B and soul, The California Honeydrops’ sound is tied together by soulful vocal harmonies, colorful brass and horns, and a funky, good-times New Orleans rhythm section. They are the best party in the Bay Area. The Honeydrops performed between the boats, permitting better visability and sound and allowing more room for the audience (even some space for dancing). The Honeydrops promised to return, but in the meantime, don’t miss an opportunity to see them. Check their schedule:
Most people know of Ronny's acting career, but not so many know of his life-long love and dedication to music. These days, he spends about half of his time acting and the other half as a singer/songwriter performing at folk festivals, concert venues and small intimate theatres.
Ronny charms crowds with self-teasing humor, tart progressive insight, and a lulling Southwestern folk sound. His repertoireis a smart mix of witty ditties, bluesy swing tunes, heart-on-sleeve romances, and real-life anthems ("It's a cry in the night/ It's a whispered prayer/ That gets you from here to there"). Scott Alarik, The Boston Globe
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In his latest cd "Songs With Repercussions", as well as "How I Love Them Old Songs", "At The Sebastiani", "Ronny Cox Live", "Cowboy Savant" and "Acoustic Eclectricity", Ronny Cox showcases a wonderful acoustic mix of folk, western and jazzy-bluesy and just plain corn ball stuff. Ronny is a terrific storyteller, and after you hear about his acting career, his childhood and his family, you will go home thinking you have spent the evening with an old friend.
Ronny will be accompanied by Radoslav Lorkovic on keyboard and accordian and Karen Mal on mandolin.
Check out Ronny’s website: http://www.ronnycox.com
Deliverance Star Trek Beverly Hills Cop
Saturday May 1, 2010
Ronny Cox
