Live Performances at FireWorks Venue, Southtown Corvallis Oregon

Monday, June 29, 8pm
Southtown Open Mic Talent Search
CASH PRIZE for Top 3 Acts!

FireWorks hosts this weekly showcase of local talent - acoustic, vocals, percussion, blues, freestyle, spoken word, humorists - who knows what performance surprises the evening will hold? The show starts with a non-competitive Open Mic warmup round, then performers have a chance to compete in the Talent Search for the cash! (All competing performers are asked to contribute $5 for the cash prize purse.) For more info call (541)754-6958.

8pm: Signups start - Please sign up your act early to be guaranteed a performance slot!
8:30pm: Last week's First Place winner kicks off the night as Featured Artist.

Friday, July 3, 5pm
Gabriel Surley, Americana Folk

Gabriel Surley is a singer, songwriter, and multi instrumentalist. His sound and songs come from a dedication to mastering his craft and portraying what it means to be human. He usually plays acoustic and is often compared to Jack Johnson and David Gray. If your in the mood for a constant happy ending, then you better stick with Jack. If you want the true counterpoint one feels in life during the triumphs and struggles, then look no further. Visit Gabriel online at www.MySpace.com/gabrielsurley

Dinner reservations advised: call (541)754-6958.

Saturday, July 4, 5pm
Bevan Frost, Country Blues and Ragtime Guitar

"Sit back with your watermelon and let the bouncing rhythms and syncopated melodies ease your worried mind. The skilled guitarwork of Bevan Frost hearkens back to an earlier period of American music, rooted in barn dances and barrelhouses. Inspired and influenced by Blind Blake, Big Bill Broonzy, and ragtime guitar in general, Bevan is always striving to balance precision and chaos. His performances are never the same twice, and sometimes the result of this interplay can be quite delightful. So pull up a stump and start stomping. Let's celebrate our independence!"

Visit Bevan online at www.MySpace.com/bevanfrost

Dinner reservations advised: call (541)754-6958.

Monday, July 6, 8pm
Southtown Open Mic Talent Search
CASH PRIZE for Top 3 Acts!

8pm: Signups start - Please sign up your act early to be guaranteed a performance slot!
8:30pm: Last week's First Place winner kicks off the night as Featured Artist.

Friday, July 10, 8pm
Adam Scramstad, Blues Guitar & Vocals

Adam Scramstad is a strong fingerstyle Blues performer with intricate and exciting guitar skills. He recently finished recording his solo album entitled "No Sun Around Blues", produced by Blues guitar legend Terry Robb. Dinner reservations advised: call (541)754-6958. Visit Adam at www.MySpace.com/AdamScramstad

Saturday, July 11, 8pm
The Saundra Shreve Project

Saundra Shreve is known for singing and playing her 12 string accoustic Washburn and Fender Strat to many differnet styles of music including blues, rock, folk, alternative, covers and original. Shan Thayer will be joining her on stand up and electric bass and back up vocals.

Monday, July 13, 8pm
Southtown Open Mic Talent Search
CASH PRIZE for Top 3 Acts!

8pm: Signups start - Please sign up your act early to be guaranteed a performance slot!
8:30pm: Last week's First Place winner kicks off the night as Featured Artist.

Friday, July 17, 8pm
Al Rivers, Blues Guitar and Vocals

"Aw yeah, this is blues the way we like it. Rain fall. Tree shakin'. Likin' yo' peaches. Truck broke. Good gal gone. Al Rivers walks the same old rode, but utterly without pretension or artifice. He has a great, scraping voice and a nimble, dirty way with the guitar." - Victory Music Review, Tacoma, WA 2006. Hear Al's music on www.MySpace.com/AlRiversBlues

Enjoy exceptional Blues from a Eugene icon. Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

Saturday, July 18, 8pm
we are the Unreal with BC, Spoken Word Avant Garde Theater

"pop rocks in your mouth. a quiet orgy.
samul. mumbles. dust. a dunce apprentice.
your bathtub. your whiskey pump.

the tuba you keep locked in your chest.
you don.t want to miss it

we are theUnreal:
poets emcees stand ups and controlled chaos
cooking up crazy delicious schemes desserts and games
blending semi traditional slam with avant garde style theater"

we are the Unreal returns to FireWorks as part of their 9 month tour of the US and Canada. They will be joined by BC of the Soulsmoke Spoken Word Syndicate, a collective of spoken word poets from around the Pacific Northwest and California.

"Soulsmoke is dedicated to affecting positive change, keeping spoken word arts alive, and audiences' jaws dropped, we hope to see this firestorm of conscious words spread worldwide! viva la rEVOLUTION!!"

Listen online at myspace.com/codeoctopus and myspace.com/soulsmokespokenwordsyndicate Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

Sunday, July 19, 7pm
Karl Smiley, Americana Roots

Long time folk artist from Summit and Open Mic favorite. Karl Smiley plays his finger-pickin' eclectic mix of folk, blues and originals. Dinner reservations recommended: call (541) 754-6958.

Monday, July 20, 8pm
Southtown Open Mic Talent Search
CASH PRIZE for Top 3 Acts!

8pm: Signups start - Please sign up your act early to be guaranteed a performance slot!
8:30pm: Last week's First Place winner kicks off the night as Featured Artist.

Friday, July 24, 8pm
Jesse Meade, Acoustic Rhythm & Blues

Jesse Meade is a singer-songwriter now living in Eugene, Oregon. He accompanies himself with his own finger-style, acoustic guitar playing while performing both original material and an array of cover songs. His influences include musicians like: Ray Charles, Hank Williams, Elizabeth Cotten, John Hurt, Sam Cooke, Patsy Cline, Fats Domino, and Aretha Franklin. Hear samples of Jesse's music at www.jessemeade.com

Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

Saturday, July 25, 8pm
James Brian Wilson, Traditional Celtic

James Brian Wilson loves instrumental music. While he was growing up, his father Jim from County Mayo, Ireland, would sometimes sit in the living room armchair playing accordion or harmonica. His mother Patricia, from Dublin, would break into songs from Irish to opera. His playing leans heavily on traditional Celtic tunes from Ireland and Scotland, but his originals have the flavors of classical, flamenco, renaissance, baroque, and new age.

Like many who grew up in the 1960's and 1970's, James enjoyed the music of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Doors, Yes, Led Zeppelin, and others at a time when the guitar was king. Then he connected with bands like Horslips, Steeleye Span, Five Hand Reel, Planxty, The Bothy Band, and guitar-slinger Richard Thompson. He was formerly a member of the Orange Coast Guitar Ensemble in Southern California concentrating on classical guitar, but it was during this period that his influences branched out, and his curiosity about instruments broadened.

Here James online at www.myspace.com/jamesbrianwilsoncelttunes

Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

Monday, July 27, 8pm
Southtown Open Mic Talent Search
CASH PRIZE for Top 3 Acts!

8pm: Signups start - Please sign up your act early to be guaranteed a performance slot!
8:30pm: Last week's First Place winner kicks off the night as Featured Artist.

Friday, July 31, 8pm
Papa Soul with Jason Johnson, 100% Delta Stomp!

Join us for a rockin' night with Eugene blues legend Papa Soul on Washboard, 28" Bass Drum & Vocals with Jason Johnson on Guitar and Vocals. Delta, slide, americana, roots, down home, dancin' music.... you know what we're talking about." Jason writes: "Been workin on some Burnside, Dusted off my stratocaster and ready to get electrified. " Hear Papa Soul at www.myspace.com/puredeltastomp

Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

Saturday, August 1, 8pm
The Sour Mash Hug Band, Bluegrass Gypsy

Fore-runners of the Dark Carnival Gypsy Jug band Revival, the Sour Mash Hug Band plays everything from traditional old-time dance music to gypsy swing to originals about spiders and eyeballs. The band started about seven years ago, playing music for strangers on the streets (busking), and at house parties for friends. Now the Sour Mash band plays a variety of venues: bars, weddings, nightclubs, festivals, and speakeasies. Still, "busking" on the street is a staple of performance, and a way to reach out to those whose lives may be too busy for going out. The band features a unique arrangement of instruments including accordion, washboard, jug, and washtub bass. Foot-stomping tunes and circus shenanigans characterize Sour Mash performances, as do a rotating cast of excellent musicians. The core members who keep it all together are:

Mad Mickey Lee, fiddle, banjo, accordion and resophonic guitar player, learned to play old-timey music as he grew up in the Ozark hills of Arkansas and Southern Illinois, and was introduced both to the violin and to balkan gypsy music by his grandfather, a hungarian violinist; he honed his skills playing in ragamuffin bands with names like the Flat Possum Boys, and Uncle Fruitjar and his Roustabouts while hopping freight trains and hitchhiking across the country until he settled in Eugene to start the Sour Mash Hug Band. He is also juggler, unicyclist, and an occasional puppeteer for our carnival.

Cate-rrific, guitar, piano, accordion, and clarinet player, and occasional fiddler, began playing the clarinet when she was six and spent her childhood singing in church choirs and playing clarinet in school marching bands. After playing everything from classical music to punk rock she has become (with Mickey) the heart of the Sour Mash having written our most beloved song, and having traversed the continent causing foots to stomp from Bellingham on down to Royal Street.

Eerie Shiri, gutbucket player extraordinaire and trombonist, an all around performer she can swallow her entire fist, and do several other amazing feats of human oddity; She has played bass with Sour Mash for 41/2 years now; she also plays with Stix duh Clown in New Orleans, thee Hobogoblins in San Francisco, and for the 999 eyes carnival band.

Hear Sour Mash online at MySpace.com/SourMashHugBand

Dinner reservations advised: call (541)754-6958.

Sunday, August 2, 7pm
The Cloud Mountain Ramblers, Olde Time String Band

Come to Southtown for some of the finest olde time music, with John Meade on banjo, Joe Huff on fiddle and Hirchel Olmsted on guitar. Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

Monday, August 3, 8pm
Southtown Open Mic Talent Search
CASH PRIZE for Top 3 Acts!

8pm: Signups start - Please sign up your act early to be guaranteed a performance slot!
8:30pm: Last week's First Place winner kicks off the night as Featured Artist.

Friday, August 7, 8pm
Tony Noble, Delta Blues Slide Guitar

Long time Open Mic favorite Tony Noble gigs at FireWorks showcasing his exceptional slide guitar technique. Tony's musical influences include Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, R.L. Burnside, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Bob Marley, and John Lee Hooker among others.

Hear Tony's music at www.MySpace.com/NobleBlues Dinner reservations advised: call (541)754-6958.

Saturday, August 8, 8pm
The Marty Baggen Band

Alaskan born artist Marty Baggen cuts a swathe through avant-garde, pop, and new age with lyrical twists and turns. Allegorical riddles wrapped with metaphorical tapestry makes the listener feel as though Baggen has eavesdropped into their most baffling moments. Yet, the invasion is comforting and resounding.

Fronting a quartet featuring Eugene bassist Terry Takahashi, Corvallis keyboardist/vocalist Carolyn Krueger, and Albany percussionist Joe Connolly, Marty Baggen brings an offering of original alternative pop from each of his four albums. Fans of Bowie, Velvet Underground, and Pink Floyd will take a liking to the lyrically driven melodies

"This man is not famous, and may never be but he damn well should be!" writes Stephanie Guinn of the Indie Reviewer. "Pure pop that rivals The Goo Goo Dolls in their finest hour" writes Greg Mandel of the Oregonian.

Hear Marty online at myspace.com/martybaggen Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

Monday, August 10, 8pm
Southtown Open Mic Talent Search
CASH PRIZE for Top 3 Acts!

8pm: Signups start - Please sign up your act early to be guaranteed a performance slot!
8:30pm: Last week's First Place winner kicks off the night as Featured Artist.

Friday, August 14, 8pm
Adam Scramstad, Blues Guitar & Vocals

Saturday, August 15, 8pm
The Groove Liberation Front

Exceptional groovy jazz from Eugene. Band consists of Tony Johnson on Woodwinds, Brian Berg-Olsen on Guitar, Bill Schwepke on the electrified keyboards, Terry Takahashi on Bass (also in the Marty Baggen Band), and Connor Hopkins on Drums.

Hear the Groove Liberation Front online at myspace.com/grooveliberationfront Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

Sunday, August 16, 7pm
The Student Loan, High Velocity Newgrass

The Student Loan is an eclectic four-piece bluegrass/newgrass band, originally from Bowling Green, Ohio and now located in Portland, Oregon. A formally trained composer, percussionist, and violinist, West Virginian mandolinist Chad Kimbler blazes a trail of furious picking, and guitarist and fiddler Liz Chibucos, a Bowling Green, Ohio native and avid songwriter, brings to the table a wealth of jazz, classical, and rock influences. Banjo player and guitarist Mark Gerolami of upstate New York draws upon a rich background of folk, western, and world music, and seasoned rock, gospel, and jazz bassist and Tacoma, Washington native Julio Appling lays down a solid foundation and more than holds his own as a soloist. Hear the Student Loan at www.myspace.com/thestudentloan

Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

Monday, August 17, 8pm
Southtown Open Mic Talent Search
CASH PRIZE for Top 3 Acts!

8pm: Signups start - Please sign up your act early to be guaranteed a performance slot!
8:30pm: Last week's First Place winner kicks off the night as Featured Artist.

Friday, Augusst 21, 8pm
Al Rivers, Blues Guitar and Vocals

Enjoy exceptional Blues from a Eugene icon. Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

Saturday, August 22, 7pm
Coin of the Realm, Fast & Furious Fiddlin' with Zach Konowalchuk

Coin of the Realm plays lively & lovely international music on violin, guitar, bass, and percussion. Their music is unique, bringing together elements of old world cultures in a dynamic sound that caters to audiences of all ages. Whether your taste is for Eastern European gypsy melodies, Greek ballads, or Celtic airs, there is sure to be something here that will please you. To hear samples of their music, visit Coin of the Realm at www.MySpace.com/CoinoftheRealm

Dinner reservations advised: call (541)754-6958.

Monday, August 24, 8pm
Southtown Open Mic Talent Search
CASH PRIZE for Top 3 Acts!

8pm: Signups start - Please sign up your act early to be guaranteed a performance slot!
8:30pm: Last week's First Place winner kicks off the night as Featured Artist.

Thursday, August 27, 8pm
Kyle Williams

Kyle has always been surrounded by great music- His mother saturated him in the sounds of James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, John Denver, The Temptations, The Carpenters, Whitney Houston, Carol King and the like, which have obviously influenced his thoughtful lyrics, approachable melodies and very conversational style of songwriting.

"As a songwriter, it is my desire to create a hybrid blend of music, one well versed in the roots of blues, jazz and folk, but also very comfortable, with pop and soul sweetness woven throughout"

"As a performer, I want to get back to that honest connection with listeners- back to the days when a singer/songwriter could be open, honest and real... pour themselves out to an audience, not as a superstar, but as a friend, just singing songs of life, loss and love."

Hear Kyle online at myspace.com/ilovekylewilliams Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

Friday, August 28, 8pm
Jesse Meade, Acoustic Rhythm & Blues

Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

Saturday, August 29, 8pm
Tony Noble, Delta Blues Slide Guitar

Hear Tony's music at www.MySpace.com/NobleBlues Dinner reservations advised: call (541)754-6958.

Monday, August 31, 8pm
Southtown Open Mic Talent Search
CASH PRIZE for Top 3 Acts!

8pm: Signups start - Please sign up your act early to be guaranteed a performance slot!
8:30pm: Last week's First Place winner kicks off the night as Featured Artist.

Thursday, September 10, 8pm
Naomi and the Courteous Rudeboys

Naomi & The Courteous Rudeboys (NCR) are on a musical quest to achieve a balance between the dark & gritty and light & clean. Inspired by the raw funk produced in the 70s, as well as sounds from Africa, New Orleans & the Caribbean, experiencing NCR live makes for a "smorgasbord of different musical offerings." (Chris Stanley, Tasty Fanzine, UK)

As her name implies, Naomi Wilder has a fearless, wild imagination. Her background in dance and theatre infuses a spunky, and often-times comedic, visual element to their live performances. Recruiting dancers replete with costume changes, choreographed kung-fu moves and flying rose petals, expect the unexpected and be ready to be entertained.

The band has racked up some miles on their biodeisel bus, and the festival community has also embraced NCR's shake-it-off grooves. Highlights include Oregon Country Fair, Earthdance, Harmony Festival, Dreamtime, Whole Earth & High Sierra.

Based out of the Santa Cruz mountains, NCR finds an infinite source of guidance and inspiration from the redwood trees. Traveling in a sustainable fashion and striving for health and well-being on their journeys, they are living proof that quality living makes quality music!

"A big factor in Naomi's favor is her voice--one of those taunting, sultry coos that sounds like innocence and naughtiness sharing the same sleeping bag."
--Damon Orion, Good Times Weekly, Santa Cruz, CA

"Naomi's voice is the thunder that follows the lightning - sometimes low and rumbling, sometimes as sharp as a whip, but always demanding attention."
--Dale Bridges, Boulder Weekly

Visit Naomi at www.MySpace.com/naomiandthecourteousrudeboys

TBA Comin' Soon!
The Bad Mitten Orchestre Returns!
All-Girl Gypsie Cabaret Bluegrass Band

This raukous Eugene all-girl band consists of Aima: vocals, accordion, ukulele, banjo, beer spilling; Ila: vocals, guitar, crazy opera sounds; Sarah: cello, kazoo, vocals, really loud laughing; Darling Clementine: ukulele, saw, vocals, fashion sense; Morgan: violin, banjo, screamin and stompin; Virginia: upright bass, texan; Brien: upright bass, testosterone. Read their Eugene Weekly Review Visit Bad Mitten music at www.MySpace.com/badmittenmusic

Dinner reservations advised: call (541)754-6958.

TBA Comin' Soon!
Fruition String Band, Feel Good Folkin' Soul

Are you coming to Fruition? This SE Portland band sounds like: Mama's home cookin' through a phonograph, this is the folkin'soul string band for the heart, head and heels. Fruition consists of Kellen Asebroek on guitar, mandolin, vocals; Keith Simon on upright bass, Mimi Naja on banjo, mandolin, guitar, vocals and Jay Cobb Anderson on guitar, harmonica, vocals. You can visit Fruition online at www.myspace.com/fruitionstringband

Dinner reservations advised: call (541)754-6958.

TBA Comin' Soon!
Guit-jo Kicks: Josh & Julia, Bluegrass Guitar & Banjo

Guitjo Kicks is a guitar/banjo duo fresh from the Eastern Sierras in California and new to the Corvallis area. Josh and Julia have been playing music together for over two years, with influences ranging from Hot Rize, John Hartford, Tony Rice, and Doc Watson to Neil Young, Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt and many others. Julia's original music features her soulful voice, developed through years of classical training, as well as banjo and guitar. Josh contributes to the instrumental aspect of songwriting and is honing his skills as a flatpicker and dobro player. Fast and slow, stop and go it don't matter what you need to Guitjo Kicks.

Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

TBA Comin' Soon!
The Conjugal Visitors
Eugene's Americana #1 Bluegrass Band

Conjugal Visitors shows are always a hoot. With their unique mix of mountain dance music, bluegrass, jazz, old-time country and jug/folk, The Conjugal Visitors always rage. These boys are hot musicians and great singers, and they aren't shy about putting it on display during explosive, marathon sets of tightly woven arrangements and jazzy improvisation. Watching them perform makes you feel like you've stumbled into a free-wheeling, living room jam session/ party, but the talent and polish soon shines through the laid back attitude.

The Rev. Jesse rocks the mandolin and screams himself into a trance, Maz(el Tov) plays Astralachian guitar, Brien slaps the dog-house bass, living legend "Professor Horsehair"-Chip Cohen blows everybody's mind with his otherworldly fiddling, while Papa Soul plays washboard when he's not in the Soul Kitchen. Hear Conjugal Visitors music at www.MySpace.com/conjugalvisitors

Dinner reservations advised: call (541)754-6958.

TBA Comin' Soon!
The Skunky Bunch, Funky R & B

The Skunky Bunch is a fun lovin' high energy funk band, based in Oregon's mid-Willamette Valley. The six-piece band performs covers of artists such as George Clinton, Buddy Guy, and Busta Rhymes and brings many funky originals. The group, comprised of music majors and recent graduates are all multi-instrumentalists; performances feature a tight always danceable rhythm section, funky horns, and soulful vocals combined with anything from talk box, to nose flute and didgeridoo creating an unforgettable sound. Hear the Skunky Bunch at www.MySpace.com/theskunkybunch

Dinner reservations recommended: call (541)754-6958.

View the Archive of Past Events at FireWorks...