Upstairs at the Cozmic

Our ballroom is an uniquely beautiful venue, home to an eclectic mix of live music, 
entertainment and community events.  

Be sure to check out the Upstairs Pub for a fine selection of local wines and microbrews.

May 2008

Wednesday, May 7

All That Is Pants - Student Animation Film Festival, 7 PM

All That is PANTS. An animation film festival. Short amateur animated films of all skill levels. Also showing off artwork from fantastic people. Entry is free but donations will be accepted to support the El Dorado County Library. For more information contact Gretchen Lewis at (530) 306-2809 or fetuspiece@yahoo.com.

Friday, May 9

Hans York & Amelia, 8 PM  $10 Advance/$13 Door

Singer-songwriter/ multi-instrumentalist / Jazz / Lyrical

German-born, Seattle-based, Award winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Hans York has quickly made himself a name as an extraordinary DADGAD player and strong, engaging performer with a distinctive style and an irrepressibly delightful and approachable manner. His intimate and distinctive voice draws comparisons to Sting, Paul Simon, Kenny Rankin or Michael Franks and captures the audience instantly with its honesty and clearness.

Hans accompanied Robert Palmer on German TV, toured as bassist with the New York Broadway Ensemble, played throughout Europe with master harp player Rüdiger Oppermann, and performed a Concerto as Soloist on fretless bass with the "Ars Quittilinga" Chamber Orchestra (Concerto written by contemporary German composer Thomas König). Hans York co- founded the German Worldmusic cult band Moka Efti and recorded three CDs with them. The third album, “Fata Morgana” features US saxophonist Charlie Mariano and producer/saxophonist Heinrich von Kalnein (Vienna Art Orchestra).

Hans spent six months in Rio de Janeiro where he studied Samba, Bossa Nova and popular Brazilian music, an experience that upon his return to Germany, inspired his first solo album Hazzazar.

His 2008 album "Young Amelia" is a low-key gem showcasing York’s impressive acoustic guitar playing, appealing tenor and strong songwriting skills. His approach to the guitar blends jazz, folk and Classical European styles into a sound that’s both familiar and unique.  Young Amelia shows off York’s distinctive guitar sound, full of rhythmic and melodic flourishes that impress without overwhelming the songs. York favors open tunings, which give his playing an expansive feel, marked by full, round notes and chiming overtones.

Hans York is a world musician in the true sense of the term, drawing most of his present day inspiration from his vast eclectic background. 

Hans York's Website

Saturday, May 10

Thick Soup, 8 PM  $7

Blues / Bluegrass / Jazz

Thick Soup has been playing constantly from the foothills to the central valley to central bay of California for the last four years. Performing lively shows filled with mostly original material along side choice covers of various roots music ranging to bluegrass, blues, classic jazz, motown, swing, folk, and acoustic rock, which in turn influence the originals. The shows themselves are unique, filled with medley's and instrumental seques to keep everyone entertained and the music flowing. Every show is different enticing people to return for multiple shows in a row knowing each is unique. 

Thick Soup's stage show has earned them a following and also gotten them a chance to open for some fine other acts such as: The Devil Makes Three, The Mother Truckers, Cam Penner, Ryan Shupe & The Rubber Band, The Earl Brothers and Alma Melodiosa to  name a few. Greg & Brian had the great opportunity to open for Roseanne Cash at the Bear Valley Music Festival

Thick Soup's Myspace

Sunday, May 11

Buddhist Study, 11 AM

Note:
Sacred You! Sunday Celebration will be held at Journey in Shingle Springs for Mothers' Day!

Wednesday, May 14

Women's Wheel, 7 - 9 PM

An informal gathering for women of all ages to explore ideas that support personal empowerment and spiritual growth. Hosted by Marylou Morton.

Friday, May 16

Crazy Ballhead, Another Rap Group, Roper, & Art by Darryl Garvin, 8 PM  $7

 Socially Conscious Rap /Hip Hop

Either over his studio compositions or in front of his live band, Crazy Ballhead brings every lyric with the flavor and energy
of raps True School pioneers. Crazy B has traveled coast-to-coast, stage-to-stage, and even abroad building his rep as one of Hip-Hops hottest talents today. His dedication and contributions to the Hip-Hop musical art form have earned him the respect of many crews, and countless music fans around the world. His 2004 CD release, On The Horizon of Another Massive Takeover, continues to pave new roads for Crazy Ballhead led by the popular Sacramento anthem The Valley Rumble. 

While Crazy Bs lyrics continue to captivate, his musical compositions have made their way into both television and big screen productions. The very near future holds the release of Crazy Ballheads 5th CD The Children of Hope, and Composition/Executive Producer credits on an all-star CD of poetry entitled Weapons of Mass Instruction. Crazy Ballhead won the 2005, and 2006 SAMMIES Award for Best Rap/Hip Hop artist.

Crazy Ballhead's Website

Saturday, May 17

Boulder Adventure Film Festival, 8 PM  $10

Mt. Biking, Skiing, Kayaking, Enviro and more………
The Boulder Adventure Film Festival’s World Tour mobilizes this years’ finest award winning adventure films, bringing them to life on the big screen in venues around the world. Audiences will travel trough the lens into the minds and locations of the world’s foremost adventurers, stirring contemplative and emotionally charged journey’s within ourselves. This international forum for the best and most inspiring independent films of the year cover the range of human adventure from heart-stopping athleticism, serious exploration, environmental heroism and gripping tales from the edges of the believable. Adventurers and filmmakers created this festival because we believe in the power of the story, especially the narrative of adventure and awakening to change and challenge the world we live in. You don’t want to miss this one!

Sunday, May 18

Wednesday, May 21

Cozmic Cafe hosts a community gathering of individuals who are interested in seeing our local foothill region evolve into a more connected sustainable community. If you have an interest in Organic Farming, Community Gardens, Alternative Fuel, Alternative Health, Conscious and Sustainable Living (Food, Fuel, Economy, Ethics, Creativity, etc.) Please come out and support this effort. Our community is as we make it.

For more information, please contact Chris at 530-642-8481 or events@thecozmiccafe.com

Friday, May 23

Janet Robin with November :2nd, $10 Advance/ $12 Door

Singer-songwriter /Powerful guitar

“… a killer guitarist, but she also happens to be a great singer and songwriter.”
-The Album Network

Janet Robin is not just another female singer/ songwriter with a guitar. From her performances, one gets the sense that she and the guitar are one.  Countless reviews have been written to attest to her playing abilities.  Janet’s musical roots are grounded by her mentors: Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart) and Lindsey Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac). It all began with Janet listening to her older brother perform. This inspired her to pick up the guitar at the early age of six and study under the guitar teacher around the corner from her home, Randy Rhoads (Ozzy Osborne).

While still in high school, Janet started performing with several popular Los Angeles bands and evolved into a premier guitarist.  As her talent progressed so did her playing opportunities, landing a spot in the Lindsey Buckingham Band as one of the featured guitarists on tour and in the studio.  Following her tenure with Lindsey, Janet was invited by Meredith Brooks to become a member of Meredith’s touring band and her opening artist.

Other notable artists that Janet has toured, recorded and/or co-written with include: Clumsy Lovers, Catie Curtis, Patty Larkin, Garrison Starr, Melissa Etheridge, Loudon Wainwright III, Melissa Ferrick, Maia Sharp, The Wild Colonials, Colin Hay, Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart)

Janet will be joined by the Czech band, November 2nd.

Janet Robin's Website

Saturday, May 24

Tibetan Buddhist Monk, Venerable Lobsang Tsultrim  
Discussion of the Tragic Events in Tibet   2 PM  Free

Venerable Lobsang Tsultrim will  share up-to-date information on the recent
ongoing tragic events in Tibet with recent videos, slides and commentary.

Ven. Lobsang will discuss and answer questions about the many misconceptions being publicized by the Chinese Government about the number of deaths and atrocities that have occurred all across Tibet and beyond, especially in Lobsang's hometown near Amdo.

On March 10th, many Tibetans, including Monks and Nuns, held peaceful demonstrations in order to protest the ongoing occupation of Tibet by the Chinese. This date was chosen as it is marked the 49th anniversary of the Tibetan National Uprising in Lhasa, Tibet when tens of thousands of Tibetans rose up against China's illegal invasion and occupation of their country. Tens of Thousands of Tibetans were killed by Chinese soldiers during this uprising in 1959.

Despite China's best attempts to destroy the Tibetan spirit, Tibetan resistance has continued for nearly half a century inside Tibet and in exile communities worldwide. On March 10th, 2008 when the Tibetan people held peaceful demonstrations, the Chinese once again opened fire.

Ven. Tsultrim will share how we can help. While this event is free, donations* will be gratefully accepted for those Tibetan families who have lost a loved one during this struggle.

A Question and Answer Period will follow the talk and slide show.

This effort is dedicated to the benefit of all beings. May all beings be free from suffering and in this way, the light of compassion shine through all realms.

Venerable Lobsang Tsultrim, an ordained Tibetan Buddhist monk and Master Thangka artist, was born near Amdo in Eastern Tibet. Lobsang has traveled for over 10 years with the Gaden Sharste Sacred Earth and Healing Arts Tours and has visited over fifty countries around the world. He now lives locally in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California.

For more information/questions regarding Lobsang's Workshops or for information about hosting a Workshop at your museum, school, church, art gallery, please visit his website at
www.puremind.org or contact info@tibetch.org or call 530-263-9960
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Sarah Gautschi Trio, 8 PM

Singer-songwriter/guitar /vocals

Local sweetheart, Sarah Gautschi sings her sultry tunes and newer jazzy pieces accompanied by her band with Phil Pacca & John Savino.

Sunday, May 25

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Gove Scrivenor, 8 PM  $15 Advance/$18 Door

Folk / Blues

Gove Scrivenor's music has been described as high energy folk blues, with his inventive slide work and boisterous vocals tempered all the while with singular work on the autoharp and beautiful ballads of his own writing, as well as a magical rapport with his audiences of all ages.

 Gove's musical influences began with the regular summer visits of Benny Goodman and Red Nichols and the Five Pennies to his home in Pine Orchard. His father had been a band leader in college and had befriended Benny and Red after graduation in 1927. These were musical events to remember for a boy of ten. The joy of music was everywhere then and although Gove's own style was affected more by the artists and musicians of the folk and blues genre, like Tom Rush, Eric Von Schmidt, Joan Baez, Paul Butterfield, Dylan and the like.

Gove toured with Delbert and Jimmy and the Original Coral Reefer Band throughout Texas and the Southeast, gathering a following that led to a recording deal with Flying Fish Records the label out of Chicago that featured such diverse artists as The Incredible String Band, Vassaar Clements and John Hartford. Gove's album, "Shady Gove, " which featured Doc Watson, John Hartford, Buddy Emmons and a host of others, was the first of two highly regarded releases for the label. The second album "Coconut Gove" also included Doc, along with Marty Stuart, Ben Keith and Dave Loggins.

The release of these albums led to Gove being invited to perform not once but twice on the highly acclaimed "Austin City Limits television show. He shared the hour with The Amazing Rhythm Aces on the first show and then with Doc Watson on the second.

He has been a session player, playing autoharp mostly, on records for Dolly Parton, Dan Seals, Neil Young, Glen Campbell, Hank Williams, Jr., Iris Dement and many others. He met success with the singing of many jingles, including the early Opryland campaigns for TV and Busch Beer, among others. 

Gove Scrivenor's Website

Friday, May 30

Saturday, May 31

Corinne West, 8 PM  $12 Advance/$15 Door

Americana / Singer-songwriter

There's magic in Corinne West's voice. It aches and breaks. It soars. It's clear, penetrating and washed in emotion. When she wraps that voice around songs as sublime as those on her latest CD, Second Sight, she's spellbinding. That's because she's unlocked the secret that so many singers spend entire careers looking for and never find.

It's right there on Second Sight. It's in every note and lyric. But most important, it's there in West's voice. What's the secret? Great singers are great communicators and every note sung can be a complete story in itself.

She knows giving listeners an unfettered glimpse into the raw and wild places of the soul is part of her job requirement. So she sings the story of life unfolding- sometimes brutal, sometimes beautiful, but always honest.

Corinne West come to Cozmic Cafe from the same Americana Agency that brings us Blame Sally.

Corinne West's Website

Upcoming:

6/6 1st Friday Blues Night w/ Jonny Mojo

6/7 Silver Darlin, Agent Ribbons, Alas Alak Alaska

6/8 Benefit Concert for Invisible Children

6/13 Uncommon Ground & Jackson Road

6/14 Laura Meyer

6/20 Paul Sprawl

6/21 Ally Hatche

6/22 Benefit Concert for Elizabeth Ringler

6/27 Last Friday Jazz Night

6/28 Placerville Brewfest - East Portal Express

7/4 1st Friday Blues Night w/ Jonny Mojo

7/5 Aaron Ross, Treesus, & Thomas James

7/11 Andrew Herringer

7/12 Drum and Didgeridoo Extravaganza

7/18 Johnny Starlings

7/19 Mother Jones

7/25 Last Friday Jazz Night

7/26 Emith
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For booking information, contact Chris Cole at: events@theCozmicCafe.com