Admission:Reserved seats $25.00 CCA Members: $20.00
Age restrictions:All Ages
Notes:
You already know the songs—”Eli’s Coming,” “And When I Die,” “Stoney End,” and the chart-topper “Wedding Bell Blues.” Join us for a special tribute concert celebrating the timeless music of Laura Nyro and The 5th Dimension, presented by Songwriters at Play.
Performers on December 7 include:
Jack Roberts, Donna Phillips, Zoe Fitzgerald Carter, Jason Luckett, Jeanne Newhall, Naomi Nektare, Toots Prichard, Pi Jacobs, and Steve key.
Enjoy 5th Dimension classics like “Workin’ On a Groovy Thing,” “Up, Up and Away,” and “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In.”
We’ll also explore deeper cuts from Laura Nyro’s songbook, including “Sweet Blindness” and “Christmas In My Soul.”
This concert is produced by Songwriters at Play, the husband-wife team Steve Key and Bonnie Nelson-Key. A lifelong Laura Nyro fan, Bonnie will host the show. Past tributes at CCAT have honored artists such as Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan.
Excited to have a FAR-West Reunion for our November edition. We have my great friends, Joselyn & Don, and a new friend, Mz. Etta — who’ll I’ll accompany — joining us. RSVP on Facebook or right here below.
Montana-raised, Los Angeles-based music duo Joselyn & Don are celebrating the release of their third album “Lost & Found Highway,” which is receiving critical praise for its blend of soulful grit and intimate Laurel Canyon-esque songwriting. Its songs have been featured on NPR syndicated radio shows and recently charted on the Folk Alliance International radio chart. The duo tours venues across the West with their warm and engaging show, using their music as a way to share truth and build community.
It’s rare to find anyone in the blues, jazz, soul, funk, or R&B genres who isn’t familiar with her name. Arietta Ward, affectionately known as Mz. Etta has become an integral part of Portland’s vibrant and diverse music scene. She began her musical journey alongside her beloved mother, the late pianist and esteemed Northwest legend, Janice Marie Scroggins.
Because of her diverse musical background and unparalleled versatility, Arietta has been a Featured Artist-At-Large at the 2023 Sawtooth Valley Gathering festival in Stanley, Idaho, a beloved staple at the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival for many years & as a bandleader, opened for the Iconic Macy Gray at the famed Elsinore Theatre in Salem Oregon.
In addition, She has worked with acclaimed artists such as Esperanza Spalding, the late Obo Addy, Linda Hornbuckle, Curtis Salgado, Jarrod Lawson, Nigel Hall, Tony Ozier, Tyrone Hendrix, and Farnell Newton.
Nearly 50 of LA’s finest musicians will take the stage to celebrate The Beatles’ timeless catalog—sing along to your favorites, discover deep cuts, and soak in the magic. As always, we’ll kick things off with an acoustic opener to set the vibe.
Archetype Yoga 638 E. Colorado Blvd. Ste. 301 Pasadena, CA 91101 626-345-5676 Please RSVP to coordinate accessibility options. Elevator is in the back so we’ll need to meet you there.
In Playhouse Village in the heart of Pasadena, just around the corner from the Playhouse, plenty of parking on Colorado or in the city lot behind Urth Cafe.
Enter through the front, we’re on the third floor. Let us know if you need an elevator and will let you in the back through the alley. 626-345-5676
Archetype Yoga 638 E. Colorado Blvd. Ste. 301 Pasadena, CA 91101 626-345-5676 Please RSVP to coordinate accessibility options. Elevator is in the back so we’ll need to meet you there.
In Playhouse Village in the heart of Pasadena, just around the corner from the Playhouse, plenty of parking on Colorado or in the city lot behind Urth Cafe.
Enter through the front, we’re on the third floor. Let us know if you need an elevator and will let you in the back through the alley. 626-345-5676
Always a joy! Not singing this time — I’m “just” playing the solo for “Something” (!!!!! — What? Yeah! One of my favorite guitar solos of all time! So much feel!!)
Nearly 50 of LA’s finest musicians will take the stage to celebrate The Beatles’ timeless catalog! Join us — sing along to your favorites, discover deep cuts, and soak in the magic. As always, they’ll kick things off with an acoustic opener to set the tone.
Nearly 50 of LA’s finest musicians will take the stage to celebrate The Beatles’ timeless catalog—sing along to your favorites, discover deep cuts, and soak in the magic. As always, we’ll kick things off with an acoustic opener to set the vibe.
FAR-West Conference Schedule Thursday Night, October 9 Mother Hen Promotions / Two Blue Roses private showcase 11-11:55pm — 4 Songwriters in the Round Everybody Sings —12:20-12:40am Friday, October 10 My Presentation, Songs Between Us — 2-3:30pm Official Showcase accompanying Zoe FitzGerald Carter — 9pm “Chase Rainbows, Not Dustbunnies” — 10:30-11:30, one hour in the round with Milo Binder and Claudia Russell + Bruce Kaplan.
Songs Between Us is a 60-90 minute interactive workshop exploring ways to ignite songwriting in people of all ages, backgrounds and musical experience levels. Drawing on my work with youth, seniors, and multicultural communities, our core exercise combines visual prompts, storytelling, and music-making to spark creativity. Inspired by Colum McCann’s Narrative 4 and my own Merging Pictures workshops, participants will exchange and reimagine personal stories — using photographs and sensory details as entry points — then they’ll transform these fragments into building blocks for songs.
Additionally, we’ll explore inclusive approaches that guide groups toward songwriting, whether they’re beginners or seasoned artists. These include circle singing, line pattern techniques, and methods for building empathy, drawing out sensory language, and fostering trust through group dynamics. Attendees will leave with a new songwriting exercise and a practical toolkit for teaching, facilitation, or personal creative practice.
FAR-West Conference Schedule Thursday Night, October 9 Mother Hen Promotions / Two Blue Roses private showcase 11-11:55pm — 4 Songwriters in the Round Everybody Sings —12:20-12:40am Friday, October 10 My Presentation, Songs Between Us — 2-3:30pm Official Showcase accompanying Zoe FitzGerald Carter — 9pm
Before I get to the gigs, I want to celebrate my musical home and put out that I’m looking for a new music studio. I’ve been lucky to have a spot in a 100+ year-old building in the heart of Hollywood for the past decade, but the building’s been sold and I’m looking to find a new place this month. It was a unique situation, and I’d like to find something similar!
Our next Second Saturdays in Pasadena is on July 12. I’m excited to be joined by First Fridays/Second Saturdays alum, Alison Lewis,and Kēhau Kahananui with Jason Arimoto on ukulele, for an eclectic evening of song — and in the case of Kēhau’s set of Hawaiian music — dance! I will be accompanying all and doing my own set to close the night. Yes, there will be hula! And you may know that Hawaii is a very special place for me, so I can’t wait! Read about these brilliant artists here.
Then on July 22, I’m going to sing a couple of songs with the house band where FF/SS alum, Jami Lula is the music director, at the North Hollywood Church of Religious Science. I’ll be singing, “Silos (& Joy)” and “All Souls Are Free.” The theme is, “Big Spirit = Big Healing!” I’m up for that! 🙂
By the way, the photo with my “Worn Olive Drab” Epiphone Casino, by Kimberly Adamis Fongheiser, is from the Beatle Jam tribute to June birthday boy, Paul McCartney. I was playing George Harrison’s classic solo to “Till There Was You.” Then I sang “Michelle!” with the amazing house band’s harmonies (including FFJN alum, Lisa Crawley).
The week after the Beatle Jam, I did the Nilsson tribute at Molly Malone’s. This photo by Stevo Rood links to a video of my performance of “Open Your Window,” a lesser-known classic in the Nilsson catalog, once covered by Ella Fitzgerald and also The 5th Dimension! Thanks to my brilliant friend and occasional songwriting partner, Todd Lawrence, for putting this together. (Read about the rest in the YouTube description.)
Lastly, I just wanted to acknowledge that Tuesday would’ve been the 74th birthday of my friend, Anne Feeney, who I met at the Kerrville Folk Festival around 2007 or 8. She enlisted me to tour with her during the start of the Obama Administration to promote universal health care, the Sing Out For Single Payer Road Show. It was one of the most exciting tours of my life, being inspired by her endless energy and commitment to engaging, entertaining, and advocating. She passed in early 2021 from COVID-19. How I wish she were here now to speak, sing, and agitate! I recorded a version of her classic, “Have You Been To Jail For Justice” for her while she was in the hospital, if you’d like to hear it. But seek out her records and support the foundations set up in her name.
Wishing love, peace, and fortitude to you all! Have a safe holiday weekend! And I hope to see you the following weekend or be in touch soon!
J
PS Thanks to veteran IRS publicist Cary Baker for the top photo of me at the Nilsson show. He’s alway in the right place to get good shots!
