Music

 Sunday November 26 @ 4 pm. Occidental Center for the Arts welcomes the Leading Lady of West Coast Folk & Bluegrass, Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands! Grammy-winning singer/songwriter/fiddler/educator Laurie Lewis joins forces with the virtuosic talents of The Right Hands at OCA’s acoustic sweet spot! From foot-stomping instrumentals to heartfelt ballads, Laurie Lewis and her Right Hands take you on a musical journey that’s as diverse as it is captivating. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of bluegrass or just looking for a delightful way to spend your afternoon, this concert promises to be a joyous celebration of music and community. $30 GA/$25 OCA Members at www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org; or at the door. Fine refreshments, art gallery open. Accessible to mobility-challenged patrons. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA 95465   707-874-9392. Become an OCA Member for discounts to all events.

December 1, 2, 3, 9, 10. Occidental Community Choir Winter Concerts 2023: “Comfort and Joy.” Directed by Gage Purdy.

Born around an Occidental bonfire in the winter of 1978, our west county chorale is pleased to present a joyous winter concert of songs and spoken word that soothe and inspire, celebrate resilience, tradition and community, and make us laugh and cry in these fraught times. We offer our own choir composers’ ‘ Music from Home’, blended with contemporary and classic compositions spanning many genres and cultures – plus poetry and theatrics – to spread ‘Comfort and Joy’. Tickets are $25.@ occidentalchoir.org/tickets. Kids 12 and under $1 with online seat reservation. Be sure to get your tickets in advance so you don’t miss out!

Friday, Dec. 1 @ 7 pm – Community First Night $10;  Saturday, Dec. 2  @ 7 pm; Sunday, Dec. 3 @ 3 pm; Saturday, Dec. 9  at 7 pm concerts will be held at Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Ct., Occidental, 95465. Sunday, Dec 10 @ 3 pm concert will be at Glaser Center , 547 Mendocino Ave. Santa Rosa 95401 .

Sunday, October 15 @ 4 pm. Ariel Marin & James Earley at Occidental Center for the Arts Amphitheater. Ariel Marin is a powerhouse singer/songwriter on track to be the next global superstar. She is on a mission to invigorate and inspire the world through music and creative expression. Multiplatinum MC Hammer producer James Earley is responsible for some of the biggest hits you know and love. Ariel & James play it all: Funk, Rock, Soul, Pop, Folk, Country, R&B, Motown, Gospel, & Jazz! Don’t miss this exciting show in our outdoor theater. Tickets are $30 GA/$25 OCA Members at www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org; or at the door. Rain moves concert indoors. Please bring your own seat cushion or low-backed chair. Reserved seating at ground level is available for mobility-challenged patrons – email info@occidentalcenterforthearts.org . Fine refreshments available, art gallery open during intermission. OCA is a non profit arts organization with volunteer staffing.

Sunday, October 1 at 4 pm. Paul McCandless/Christian Foley-Beining Collaboration at Occidental Center for the Arts Amphitheater. Guitarist Christian Foley-Beining has been performing at OCA for many years, bringing his talented bandmates for an impressive show. Don’t miss out on a lovely afternoon jazz performance in our shade-cooled amphitheater, celebrating the release of his new CD ‘Cascade Terrace’. Featuring: Christian Foley-Beining, Paul McCandless, Tom Shader, and Tom Hiyashi. Tickets are $25 GA, $20 for OCA Members at www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org; or at the door Please bring your seat cushion or low-backed chair. Reserve seating for mobility-challenged is available by emailing info@occidentalcenterforthearts.org. Doors at 3:30 PM, fine refreshments for sale, art gallery open during intermission. Become an OCA Member and get discounts for all events! 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465. 707-874-9392.

Friday September 29 at 7 pm. Holly Near and Friends at Occidental Center for the Arts. The legendary Holly Near returns to OCA with her multi-talented collaborators Jan Martinelli, Tammy Hall and Christelle Durandy for a special performance! Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Holly and friends as they celebrate 50 years of honoring the human spirit through music. Tickets are $40 GA/$35 OCA Members at www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org. Get your tickets early as this show may sell out! Doors open at 6:30 pm. Fine Refreshments for sale, art gallery open during intermission. Accessible to patrons with mobility challenges. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465 . 707-874-9392. Become an OCA Member and get discounted admission to all events.

Saturday September 16 at 8 pm. Sol Flamenco at Occidental Center for the Arts. Enjoy live flamenco at West County’s arts & entertainment hub! Sol Flamenco combines flamenco master Mark Taylor’s exciting guitar techniques with evocative singing and dancing into a unique, crowd-pleasing show, transporting audiences to old world Spain. Celebrate Spanish Heritage Month with us and enjoy this spectacular display of romantic, sensual and passionate music and dance (solfalmenco.com).Tickets are $30 GA, $25 for OCA members at www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org. Fine Refreshments for sale, art gallery open during intermission. Accessible to patrons with mobility challenges. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465 . 707-874-9392

Sunday, September 10 at 4 pm : Nina Gerber and Chris Webster at Occidental Center for the Arts Amphitheater. Don’t miss the return of Sonoma County’s legendary guitarist Nina Gerber and multi-talented soulful vocalist Chris Webster to our beautiful outdoor theater. Tickets are $35 GA, $30 for OCA Members at www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org.This show is likely to sell out so get tickets early! Please be sure to bring your own seat cushion or low-backed chair; dress in layers for comfort. Contact us for reserved seating for mobility-challenged. Fine refreshments for sale, no outside food/alcohol/glass allowed. Art gallery open during intermission. OCA is located at 3850 Doris Murphy Ct , Occidental, CA. 95465. 707-874-9392 . Become an OCA Member and get discounted tickets plus other benefits!

Saturday July 22 @ 8 pm. the pickPocket ensemble with DorAlice at Occidental Center for the Arts. Inspired by many world musical traditions, the pickPocket ensemble inhabit a country all their own.Their combined talents generate vivid imagery and infectious tunes that will instantly transport you to Europe’s sidewalk cafes. Original and fresh, the pickPocket ensemble creates contemporary chamber cafe music without borders. A special opening set of original acoustic cinematic music performed by Doralice compliments this performance in our acoustic sweet spot on Bohemian Highway! Tickets are $30 GA, discount for OCA members. $35 at the door. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Beer/wine/refreshments for sale. OCA is wheelchair accessible. Art Gallery exhibit open at intermission. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct. Occidental, CA. 95465. 707-874-9392. 

Sunday June 4 @ 4 pm. The Quitters at Occidental Center for the Arts Amphitheater. OCA is pleased to welcome back the iconic musicians known as The Quitters! The trio consists of right-side up finger picker Stevie Coyle, upside-down flat picker Glenn “Houston” Pomianek, and upright bassist Chris Kee. They were the three original members of The Waybacks quintet, and Chris Kee and Glenn Houston were the long-time bassist and lead guitarist for Americana powerhouse band Houston Jones. This performance will take place in our outdoor amphitheater. Please bring your own seat cushion or low back chair. Fine refreshments for sale, art gallery open during intermission. Floor level (front row) seating available for patrons in wheelchairs; please email tina@occidentalcenterforthearts.org. Tickets are $35 GA, $28 for OCA members at www.occidentalcenterforthearts.org; or at the door. 3850 Doris Murphy Ct., Occidental, CA. 95465. 707-874-9392. OCA is a nonprofit performing and fine arts center staffed by volunteers.