Step into a World of Pure Imagination!

Join us for a magical journey with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, brought to life by our local community theatre production! Follow young Charlie Bucket as he unwraps a golden ticket to the most wondrous candy factory in the world, run by the mysterious and eccentric Willy Wonka. With dazzling sets, unforgettable characters, and toe-tapping musical numbers, this family-friendly production promises sweet surprises at every turn.

Don’t miss your chance to experience the charm, whimsy, and wonder of Roald Dahl’s classic tale—perfect for kids, grown-ups, and everyone in between!

🍬 Limited performances – grab your golden ticket today!

Directed by Starr Hergenrather, Produced by Ellen Robin, Musical Direction by Tim Imbach, Original Music by Janis Dunson Wilson.

Tickets are $20 advance/adults, $15 advance/OCA members, $10 advance ages 10-17. Free for kids 9 and under.

All tickets $5 more at the door.

Step into a World of Pure Imagination!

Join us for a magical journey with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, brought to life by our local community theatre production! Follow young Charlie Bucket as he unwraps a golden ticket to the most wondrous candy factory in the world, run by the mysterious and eccentric Willy Wonka. With dazzling sets, unforgettable characters, and toe-tapping musical numbers, this family-friendly production promises sweet surprises at every turn.

Don’t miss your chance to experience the charm, whimsy, and wonder of Roald Dahl’s classic tale—perfect for kids, grown-ups, and everyone in between!

🍬 Limited performances – grab your golden ticket today!

Directed by Starr Hergenrather, Produced by Ellen Robin, Musical Direction by Tim Imbach, Original Music by Janis Dunson Wilson.

Tickets are $20 advance/adults, $15 advance/OCA members, $10 advance ages 10-17. Free for kids 9 and under.

Step into a World of Pure Imagination!

Join us for a magical journey with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, brought to life by our local community theatre production! Follow young Charlie Bucket as he unwraps a golden ticket to the most wondrous candy factory in the world, run by the mysterious and eccentric Willy Wonka. With dazzling sets, unforgettable characters, and toe-tapping musical numbers, this family-friendly production promises sweet surprises at every turn.

Don’t miss your chance to experience the charm, whimsy, and wonder of Roald Dahl’s classic tale—perfect for kids, grown-ups, and everyone in between!

🍬 Limited performances – grab your golden ticket today!

Directed by Starr Hergenrather, Produced by Ellen Robin, Musical Direction by Tim Imbach, Original Music by Janis Dunson Wilson.

Tickets are $20 advance/adults, $15 advance/OCA members, $10 advance ages 10-17. Free for kids 9 and under. All tickets $5 more at the door.

Step into a World of Pure Imagination!

Join us for a magical journey with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, brought to life by our local community theatre production! Follow young Charlie Bucket as he unwraps a golden ticket to the most wondrous candy factory in the world, run by the mysterious and eccentric Willy Wonka. With dazzling sets, unforgettable characters, and toe-tapping musical numbers, this family-friendly production promises sweet surprises at every turn.

Don’t miss your chance to experience the charm, whimsy, and wonder of Roald Dahl’s classic tale—perfect for kids, grown-ups, and everyone in between!

🍬 Limited performances – grab your golden ticket today!

Directed by Starr Hergenrather, Produced by Ellen Robin, Musical Direction by Tim Imbach, Original Music by Janis Dunson Wilson.

Tickets are $20 advance/adults, $15 advance/OCA members, $10 advance ages 10-17. Free for kids 9 and under. All tickets $5 more at the door.

Due to our theatrical production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, we will not have Karaoke night in August. Please join us on September 5th for the return of Karaoke night!

Unleash your inner rock star! Join us for an unforgettable Free Karaoke Night at the Occidental Center for the Arts. Whether you're a shower singer, a seasoned performer, or just want to cheer on your friends, this is your chance to shine. Bring your favorite songs, good vibes, and plenty of energy for a night filled with music, laughter, and community fun. Admission is FREE—all ages welcome! Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.

🎵 Sing your heart out, or just enjoy the show—either way, the mic is waiting for YOU!

See you there! 🌟

Doors open at 6:45 PM.

Step into a World of Pure Imagination!

Join us for a magical journey with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, brought to life by our local community theatre production! Follow young Charlie Bucket as he unwraps a golden ticket to the most wondrous candy factory in the world, run by the mysterious and eccentric Willy Wonka. With dazzling sets, unforgettable characters, and toe-tapping musical numbers, this family-friendly production promises sweet surprises at every turn.

Don’t miss your chance to experience the charm, whimsy, and wonder of Roald Dahl’s classic tale—perfect for kids, grown-ups, and everyone in between!

🍬 Limited performances – grab your golden ticket today!

Directed by Starr Hergenrather, Produced by Ellen Robin, Musical Direction by Tim Imbach, Original Music by Janis Dunson Wilson.

Tickets are $20 advance/adults, $15 advance/OCA members, $10 advance ages 10-17. Free for kids 9 and under. All tickets $5 more at the door.

Step into a World of Pure Imagination!

Join us for a magical journey with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, brought to life by our local community theatre production! Follow young Charlie Bucket as he unwraps a golden ticket to the most wondrous candy factory in the world, run by the mysterious and eccentric Willy Wonka. With dazzling sets, unforgettable characters, and toe-tapping musical numbers, this family-friendly production promises sweet surprises at every turn.

Don’t miss your chance to experience the charm, whimsy, and wonder of Roald Dahl’s classic tale—perfect for kids, grown-ups, and everyone in between!

🍬 Limited performances – grab your golden ticket today!

Directed by Starr Hergenrather, Produced by Ellen Robin, Musical Direction by Tim Imbach, Original Music by Janis Dunson Wilson.

Tickets are $20 advance/adults, $15 advance/OCA members, $10 advance ages 10-17. Free for kids 9 and under. All tickets $5 more at the door.

Bring your instrument down to OCA for our Bluegrass Jam Session!

Led by multi-instrumentalist David Pascoe, our monthly jam session is held on the first Tuesday of each month. We’ll meet in the OCA studio and take turns leading/choosing songs. Guaranteed to be a great time for all! $5 donation requested of participants. BYOB.

See you at the jam!

Theme for August: Hot

Stories teach us about life, about ourselves & about each other. Help to create west county’s newest storytelling community. 7 Minutes Max is an evening of 7 live stories told in 7 minutes or less. Hilarious or sublime, poignant and personal tales told through the ancient oral tradition of storytelling, this evening will be sure to move, delight & intrigue you. This is an event for mature audiences & not intended for children. Interested storytellers will have a chance to throw their name in the hat to present their story. Remember no notes & 7 minutes max!

$10 GA, $5 for OCA members. Pay at the door. Storytellers will be selected randomly from willing participants.

Join us for a magical Afternoon Concert at the Occidental Center for the Arts Amphitheater, featuring an unforgettable lineup of local talent and soulful sounds.

✨ Essence and Gold Country brings their signature blend of rich Americana and classic country vibes, with an impressive Bay Area ensemble curated by powerhouse songstress and writer Essence.

✨ 3 Acre Holler is rich with Sonoma County musical talent featuring Cori Wood, Layne Bowen, Michael Calpella and Paul Shelasky. They offer heartfelt originals and classic Americana with musical storytelling that echoes the spirit of the Appalachians.

Both bands will impress you with their roots-infused harmonies that’ll have your toes tapping and your heart soaring.

Soak up the songs under the shade of the redwoods in our serene setting—this is going to be an afternoon you won’t forget.

Bring your seat cushion, your friends, and your love for live music. Don’t miss this sweet slice of West County magic!

Tickets are $25 advance, $30 at the door. Doors open at 2:30 PM. Bring your own seat cushion or low-backed chair. No outside food or drink allowed except water. People with limited mobility and OCA members can email us to reserve ground-level front row seating (chairs).

Award winning singer-songwriter Essence Goldman has been immersed in art and music since childhood. Her birth name really is ‘Essence’ – she was raised by quintessential flower children. As a sixth generation native of San Francisco, her parents were two free spirited bohemian artists from the Haight-Ashbury ‘Summer of Love.’

Essence’s sound nods to songwriting legends like Tom Petty and Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton and Gillian Welch. In addition to writing folk/Americana, country, pop and rock songs, Essence has produced a very much loved children's album called “A Dog Named Moo.” Essence recently received national and international spotlights for her work with Bernie and the Believers through NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and BBC. “The story of Bernie and the Believers is the most powerful I've ever come across at the Tiny Desk.” - Bob Boilen, (host and creator of NPR's online music show All Songs Considered and NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts series.) The story and music of Essence’s project Bernie and the Believers is currently being developed into a major Hollywood feature film on which she will be a co-producer with Weed Road Pictures and John Legend and his team “Get Lifted.” Essence has toured nationally, opening for Jason Mraz, Shawn Colvin, Tom Petty, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Chrissie Hynde, Steve Miller, Pat Benatar, and Linda Perry.

Essence’s forthcoming album titled “Father’s Daughter” is named as an ode to the man that raised her and made her into the person she is today. Fully steeped in the traditions of the Appalachian, Americana and Country music that Essence grew up on, this album is an honest and at times humorous account of her losses and wins; to the bone and from the heart. A collection of songs capturing hard won wisdom that could never have been written without real life living. It is at once deeply personal and immediately relatable; vulnerable and brave. Dobro guitars that conjure the spirits, pedal steels that dance like the wind, rolling banjos that haunt and chill, rousing harmonies, church organs and cinematic strings; these are the colors that paint this timeless soundscape. 

While in the studio making her new record, Essence formed a strong musical and personal bond with guitarist, producer and songwriter Danny Uzilevsky. Their newly formed duo features twinning vocal harmonies reminiscent of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and other great male/female duos, including Gillian Welsh and Dave Rawlings, making this pair a powerful emerging voice on the Americana landscape.

When Essence is not in the studio recording, or on the road touring, she is a voice coach and leads powerful workshops called “Finding Your Voice'' for artists and business professionals. Essence is also the founder and executive director of a powerful non profit called ‘Believe Music Heals’ which is dedicated to transforming lives through the healing power of music.

Essence is also a dedicated mother to a wonderful son and daughter.

3 Acre Holler is an acoustic band based in Sonoma County featuring the vocals and songs of singer Cori Wood and singer/guitarist Layne Bowen. Other band members are bassist extraordinaire Cary Black and one of the most honored fiddle players on the west coast, Paul Shelasky. Dobro player and singer/ songwriter Michael Capella rounds out the band. Together, 3 Acre Holler material is rich in tradition with songs influenced by old time Appalachian  and country music as well as the finest contemporary alt country songwriters. Layne and Cori wrote nine original songs that reflect those traditional influences for the band's most recent recording "Prudence and Wisdom" on Jackalope Records. The cd has received critical praise and is for sale at shows.

Rest & Renew at our Sound Bath!

Support your nervous system, release anxiety and stress, and harmonize your body, mind and spirit on the 2nd Tuesday of every month! Laura Benson has a Masters in Intuition Medicine(R) and is a certified sound healer who will guide you through a gentle meditation before each sound bath session. Bring your own yoga mat & blanket and come ready to rest and renew! In the OCA Studio.

Sliding scale pricing $25-$35.

A sound bath is a whole-body, immersive listening experience. During a sound bath, participants often sit or lie down, and are surrounded by the mostly non-melodic soundscapes created by a range of instruments played by the sound bath facilitator. Hence, they are “bathed” in sound.

Sound therapy is a non-invasive healing modality that utilizes the physical and physiological interactions of sound on our bodies and nervous systems to produce therapeutic results. In a sound healing session, specific sonic frequencies are used to soothe the central nervous system, calm the breath, and quiet the mind by encouraging the brain to move into more relaxed states, down from beta (fight-or-flight) and into theta and alpha waves. This increases present-moment awareness and reduces stress and anxiety. Sound baths have been found to be effective in improving mood, cognitive function, and overall mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.

Crystal bowl sound baths are particularly powerful in that each bowl is tuned to a specific frequency that corresponds with a different chakra, or energy center, of the body. Based on specific needs, a practitioner can focus on releasing tension or clearing out stuck energy in specific chakras by playing certain bowls or intervals. 

While attending a sound bath, you may experience physical sensations brought out by the crystal sound bowls or gong, such as tingling in your limbs or scalp, slowing of your breathing, eye flutters, or small muscle spasms. Not to worry! These sensations often indicate the release of tension or emotional energy stored in the body’s energy systems.

Join us for a fun evening of Django-Style Jams at OCA! Bring your acoustic instrument and songs to share (instrument required/songs optional).

Led by Rick Fulkerson, this fun meetup for Django-Style Jazz enthusiasts is a great way to make new friends, learn new songs and spend an evening making music. No charge to participate/donations gratefully accepted. Meets in the OCA Studio, 3820 Doris Murphy Court.

Pete Sawyer & The Left Hand Monkey Wrench Gang offer a high energy “all killer, no filler” Grateful Dead experience every time they take the stage.  Featuring unique combinations of many of the foremost interpreters of Grateful Dead music, Pete and The Gang have taken Northern California by storm in 2024 and they always deliver a well-curated exploration of the beloved Grateful Dead songbook!

Don’t miss this special show in our amphitheater. Tickets are $25 advance, $30 at the door. Discount for OCA members. Bring your own seat cushion or low-backed chair. No outside food/drink allowed except water.

The Gang for this show includes:

Elliott Peck (Phil Lesh)

Scott Guberman (Phil Lesh)

Burt Lewis (Jerry’s Middle Finger)

Matt Lazarus (Stu Allen)

Jerry Saracini (Forgotten Space)

Join us to celebrate the launch of the West County Writers Circle’s book “A View From My Window”, authored by Beverly Riverwood, Diane Foti, Blythe Klein, Noel Bouck, Julie Middleton, Diane Masura and Andrea Van Dyke.

This book is an innovative form of memoir writing, where seven women writers chronicle their lived experiences beginning in the 1940s and extending into 2024. This multi-layered, multi-viewpoint history describes the ways political and social change affect family and cultural life over this incredibly dynamic period. A spectrum of collected tales such as this is rare indeed. Discovering such a spectrum of stories in one place is also rare.

At this event, hear selected readings by the authors and audience Q&A. Book sales & signing, refreshments. FREE EVENT.

Bring your instrument down to OCA for our Bluegrass Jam Session!

Led by multi-instrumentalist David Pascoe, our monthly jam session is held on the first Tuesday of each month. We’ll meet in the OCA studio and take turns leading/choosing songs. Guaranteed to be a great time for all! $5 donation requested of participants. BYOB.

See you at the jam!

Unleash your inner rock star! Join us for an unforgettable Free Karaoke Night at the Occidental Center for the Arts. Whether you're a shower singer, a seasoned performer, or just want to cheer on your friends, this is your chance to shine. Bring your favorite songs, good vibes, and plenty of energy for a night filled with music, laughter, and community fun. Admission is FREE—all ages welcome! Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.

🎵 Sing your heart out, or just enjoy the show—either way, the mic is waiting for YOU!

See you there! 🌟

Doors open at 6:45 PM.

Popular jazz ensemble Glass Brick Boulevard returns for two shows!

Glass Brick Boulevard returns to perform at 3PM in our amphitheater.

Tickets are $25 advance, $30 at the door (if available - this event is likely to sell out)

Discount for OCA members.

For tickets to the 7pm show, click here.

Rest & Renew at our Sound Bath!

Support your nervous system, release anxiety and stress, and harmonize your body, mind and spirit on the 2nd Tuesday of every month! Laura Benson has a Masters in Intuition Medicine(R) and is a certified sound healer who will guide you through a gentle meditation before each sound bath session. Bring your own yoga mat & blanket and come ready to rest and renew! In the OCA Studio.

Sliding scale pricing $25-$35.

A sound bath is a whole-body, immersive listening experience. During a sound bath, participants often sit or lie down, and are surrounded by the mostly non-melodic soundscapes created by a range of instruments played by the sound bath facilitator. Hence, they are “bathed” in sound.

Sound therapy is a non-invasive healing modality that utilizes the physical and physiological interactions of sound on our bodies and nervous systems to produce therapeutic results. In a sound healing session, specific sonic frequencies are used to soothe the central nervous system, calm the breath, and quiet the mind by encouraging the brain to move into more relaxed states, down from beta (fight-or-flight) and into theta and alpha waves. This increases present-moment awareness and reduces stress and anxiety. Sound baths have been found to be effective in improving mood, cognitive function, and overall mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.

Crystal bowl sound baths are particularly powerful in that each bowl is tuned to a specific frequency that corresponds with a different chakra, or energy center, of the body. Based on specific needs, a practitioner can focus on releasing tension or clearing out stuck energy in specific chakras by playing certain bowls or intervals. 

While attending a sound bath, you may experience physical sensations brought out by the crystal sound bowls or gong, such as tingling in your limbs or scalp, slowing of your breathing, eye flutters, or small muscle spasms. Not to worry! These sensations often indicate the release of tension or emotional energy stored in the body’s energy systems.

Theme for September: School

Stories teach us about life, about ourselves & about each other. Help to create west county’s newest storytelling community. 7 Minutes Max is an evening of 7 live stories told in 7 minutes or less. Hilarious or sublime, poignant and personal tales told through the ancient oral tradition of storytelling, this evening will be sure to move, delight & intrigue you. This is an event for mature audiences & not intended for children. Interested storytellers will have a chance to throw their name in the hat to present their story. Remember no notes & 7 minutes max!

$10 GA, $5 for OCA members. Pay at the door. Storytellers will be selected randomly from willing participants.

Occidental Center for the Arts honors Diane Masura for her decades of community service and support for the Arts with its inaugural Harmony Award. Join us to celebrate Diane's dedication to enriching our community through her work with the Salmon Creek Watershed Council, the Occidental Community Choir, Harmony School, the Occidental Community Council, the Occidental Community Center, and Occidental Center for the Arts. Diane has also generously shared her time and talent with the community through expressions of art in many forms including poetry, ceramics, music, prose, lyrics and more.

This fun event will include live music and presentations by community members honoring Diane's outstanding efforts to make Occidental a better place for all. Come help us celebrate!

Tickets are available on a sliding scale from $20-$40, please pay what you can and support our nonprofit center. Doors open at 2:30 PM.

Join us for a lovely afternoon concert of Brazilian Jazz in our outdoor theater. Two incredibly talented duos will uplift and relax your spirit with the smooth, melodic sounds of Brazilian Jazz.

Tickets are $25 advance, $30 at the door. Discount for OCA members. Open for entrance at 2:15 PM. No outside food/drink allowed except water. Bring your own low-backed chair or seat cushion, contact us for handicapped seating at info@occidentalcenterforthearts.org

Mônica da Silva

is a Brazilian American singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. She grew up living between the Midwest, United States, and Belém, Brazil, a city on the Amazon River. A love of travel and foreign language helped to forge her unique sound, a genre she calls "Indie Nova". Bringing her cultural diversity to her songs, she smoothly flows between languages (English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French), and takes her listeners on a journey. Through her music, da Silva hopes to expose people to different cultures, sounds, and new ways of thinking.

Paralleling her life, da Silva's music contains an eclectic mix of Brazilian and American influences. Her sound can be classified as International Fusion, as it is heavily influenced by Brazilian music, namely Bossa Nova, but also incorporates elements of French Pop, Lounge, Electronica, Indie Pop, and Worldbeat.

In 2010, da Silva released her album “Brasilissima”. The record features songs in English and Portuguese. The first single “Aí Então”, was chosen by Putumayo World Music to be included on their compilation “Brazilian Beat”. The upbeat, psychedelic track “That’s Not The Way” was included in the programming of The World Cup 2014. Another song from that album "Push Me Away", was licensed by Patron Tequila in 2015, for their video "The Making of The Bottle".

In 2017, da Silva's song "Back To His Girl" was featured in the Golden Globe Award winning film "Lady Bird". Her latest single “Soldado de Amor” (2017), was nominated for a 2018 International Brazilian Press Award. The track was featured in the BBC One series "The Replacement”, in the 2018 Paramount Network series "American Woman", and appeared in the 2019 Fall Campaign for the American fashion label Tory Burch. She is currently recording a new, full-length album, as well as writing and recording with her project, Complicated Animals.

Chad Alger

is a musician and producer who has been crafting creative, unique mixes of all genres since 2008, when he co-founded Socialite Fiasco Music. As the Executive Producer at Socialite Fiasco Music, he has produced and mixed albums, and licensed music with major brands and television networks both nationally and internationally.

First and foremost, Chad has been a musician all his life. He has been playing, writing, mixing and producing since childhood; listening to every kind of music he could get his hands on. Performing on many instruments in different projects, Chad learned what it takes to craft creative, unique mixes in all genres.

Natalie Cressman

draws inspiration from a vast array of musical currents. A prodigiously talented trombonist possessing a voice as cool and crystalline as an Alpine stream, , she’s spent the last 14 years touring as a horn player and vocalist with Phish's Trey Anastasio, while also performing around NYC with jazz greats Wycliffe Gordon, Nicholas Payton, Anat Cohen, Dave Douglas, and Peter Apfelbaum. Deeply versed in Latin jazz, post-bop, pop, and Brazilian music, Cressman has released three albums under her own name as well as three acclaimed duo albums with Brazilian-born guitarist Ian Faquini, her primary musical partner for the past decade. Together they’ve honed a singularly expansive creative communion encompassing their love of the Brazilian songbook, jazz, Impressionism and sophisticated pop songcraft. Focusing on their original songs, the duo’s recordings include 2019’s Setting Rays of Summer, 2022’s Auburn Whisper, and 2024's GUINGA, a tribute to the revered Brazilian composer and guitarist. Cressman’s trombone prowess has earned her widespread recognition. In both 2019 and 2023 Downbeat awarded her “Rising Star Trombone” honors in the magazine’s annual critics’ poll.

Ian Faquini

writes exquisitely sophisticated Brazilian pop music in the omnivorous tradition known as MPB (música popular brasileira), which has often been deeply influenced by jazz. Born in Brasília and raised in Berkeley, Faquini is a protégé of Guinga, the revered Brazilian guitarist and songwriter whose tunes have been recorded by dozens of MPB stars.

In 2014, Faquini released his debut album with flautist Rebecca Kleinmann, Brasiliense, which features his original compositions reflecting his love of jazz and Impressionism and his growing mastery of Brazilian musical forms. He followed up with 2016’s Metal na Madeira, a collaboration with acclaimed vocalist Paula Santoro, who hails from Minas Gerais. Conjuring the physical and cultural landscape of Brazil’s northeast with maracatu, frevo, baião, xote, and toada rhythms, the project features an all-star cast of collaborators, including Brazilian saxophone great Spok (leader of Recife’s Spok Frevo Orquestra), Bay Area multi-reedist Harvey Wainapel, trombonist Jeff Cressman, keyboardist and accordion player Vitor Gonçalves, bassist Scott Thompson, drummer/percussionist Rafael Barata, and pandeiro master Sergio Krakowski. Since then, Faquini has focused on his partnership with trombonist, vocalist, and lyricist Natalie Cressman, with whom he was a finalist for duo of the year in 2023’s Jazz Journalists Critics Poll. They’ve recorded three albums, 2019’s Setting Rays of Summer, 2022’s Auburn Whisper, and the soon-to-be released Guinga, a tribute that features the maestro on five tracks.

With a singular set of skills, highly personal compositional style, and lush harmonic palette, Faquini is one of the most respected guitar players in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Experience a magical night honoring the incomparable Ella Fitzgerald, the First Lady of Jazz. Over her six-decade career, Ella evolved from the dynamic voice of the swing era at Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom with Chick Webb to a trailblazing jazz icon, renowned for her dazzling scat solos and definitive interpretations of the Great American Songbook. Her legendary partnerships with masters like Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, and George Gershwin turned their melodies into enduring treasures, and even in her later years, she captivated global audiences, frequently sharing the stage with guitar genius Joe Pass.

Bay Area songstress Stella Heath—celebrated for her standout performances in The Billie Holiday Project and Stella Meets Nat—now brings Ella’s timeless music to life in Stella Swings Ella. Backed by an all-star ensemble including Ian Scherer (guitar), Daniel Fabricant (bass), Robby Elfman (sax/clarinet), and Spike Klein (drums), this show is a must-see homage to one of jazz’s greatest voices.

Advance tickets are $28 GA/$23 for OCA members. All tickets are $5 more at the door. Advance sales end at 4PM day of show. Doors open at 6:30 PM. OCA is wheelchair accessible. This show will be indoors. Reserved seating available for OCA members.

A band of stellar musicians comes together to celebrate the music of singer and pianist Charles Brown, whose forties and fifties Top Ten Billboard hits like "Driftin' Blues" and "Merry Christmas Baby" earned him a place in both the Blues and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame and influenced performers like Ray Charles and Sam Cooke.

Brown staged a comeback in the nineties,thanks to support from Bonnie Raitt and guitarist Danny Caron. With Caron as musical director, he won over audiences around the world with his stage presence and mellow delivery of songs later covered by the likes ofChuck Berry, Eric Clapton, Bobbie “Blue” Bland, Alicia Keys, and Sam Smith. Caron has put together an outstanding band that includes original band members bassist Ruth Davies and drummer Deszon Clairborne, Nicolas Bearde on vocals, pianist Eamonn Flynn, and saxophonist Charles MacNeal for an exciting evening of blues inspired by this musical legend.

Tickets are $30 advance, $25 for OCA members. $5 more at the door. OCA members may reserve seats. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Advance ticket sales end at 4PM day of show.

Join us for a fun evening of Django-Style Jams at OCA! Bring your acoustic instrument and songs to share (instrument required/songs optional).

Led by Rick Fulkerson, this fun meetup for Django-Style Jazz enthusiasts is a great way to make new friends, learn new songs and spend an evening making music. No charge to participate/donations gratefully accepted. Meets in the OCA Studio, 3820 Doris Murphy Court.

Inspired by many world musical traditions, the pickPocket ensemble inhabit a country all their own. Original and fresh, the pickPocket ensemble create a contemporary chamber café music that moves both body and soul.

"The band's meditative sound has been described as 'cafe music without borders.'Truth is that you would be hard-pressed the world over to find cafe music of this quality!”-Dai Woosnam, Folkworld

From the street corner to the concert hall, the pickPocket ensemble have created a unique and original contemporary chamber cafe music. Based in Northern California, we have toured internationally and released 6 CD's of original music. Our music has been featured in several films and on NPR and public television.To listen to the pickPocket ensemble is to embark on a journey. Speak to audience members after a performance: one will have been to Bogota, one to Prague, one to Paris. Yet for all its wide-ranging inspirations, thepickPocket ensemble's music remains intensely personal and immediately engaging, an invitation to listen in on an intimate conversation.

Tickets are $25 GA, $20 for OCA members. All tickets $5 more at the door. Advance sales end at 4PM day of show. OCA is wheelchair accessible. Refreshments for sale, art gallery open during intermission.

Rick Corrigan (accordion, piano, composition) has been an electronic music composer and film composer, with several scores for experimental filmmaker Stan Brakhage to his credit, and has produced live film and sound performances with filmmaker Paul Lundahl at San Francisco's Exploratorium and SF's Cinematheque.

Chloe Allen (violin) has performed in a wide variety of styles including classical, folk, pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, metal, circus, burlesque, punk, and Gypsy Swing. She has played with the Albany (NY) Symphony, the Binghamton (NY) Philharmonic, pop music group Here Here, and is a member of the SF Blind Cafe Orchestra.

Yates Brown (guitar, banjo, bass, sitar) has appeared on over 30 recordings, including 7 solo albums, with live performances including Spoleto Festival USA. He performs regularly with the traditional Arabic orchestra ASWAT and has toured with progressive rock group Ventid. Currently, he composes for and performs with the new chamber ensemble Doralice.

John Slattery(percussion), a Chicago native, has worked in wide-ranging musical settings for over 25 years, appearing on records and tours with pop, hard rock /metal, jazz / fusion and blues groups. Notable performances include those with Cyclone Temple and Tools of Ignorance. He is thrilled to bring his diverse experience to the pickPocket ensemble.

Colin Williams(double bass) grew up listening to his mother sing jazz standards as she rocked him to sleep. After picking up the bass in high school, he moved to New Orleans to study music. Around midnight, you could see him lugging his upright on the streetcar back to the dorms. Evacuating just before Hurricane Katrina, Colin now lives in Nob Hill and teaches music at the Bay School of San Francisco in addition to starting a band with the grandson of Clifford Brown. But you can still see him lugging his bass home on the cable cars, humming Gershwin under his breath.

Matthew Souther (trumpet) began playing at age 11, and has toured with indie folk group Il Gato. He studied at Bennington College, where he composed a mini opera, song cycles and miscellaneous chamber music, and played in the student brass quartet.

Kurt Ribak is a graduate of the Berklee College of music, where he developed his love of jazz and composition. His band the Kurt Ribak Trio has performed at Yoshi's and SFJazz, as well as the Freight & Salvage, the San Francisco Jazz Festival, and others. His recordings can be heard on KCSM-FM, KPFA, KKUP, PRI, and other jazz stations.

Bring your instrument down to OCA for our Bluegrass Jam Session!

Led by multi-instrumentalist David Pascoe, our monthly jam session is held on the first Tuesday of each month. We’ll meet in the OCA studio and take turns leading/choosing songs. Guaranteed to be a great time for all! $5 donation requested of participants. BYOB.

See you at the jam!

OCA is celebrating musical legend John Prine’s birthday with a special show featuring David Luning!

Special guests will join David, and you’ll also get to enjoy some of David’s original tunes. This show will sell out quickly - get your tickets today!

$25 advance, $30 at the door (if available). No online ticket fees. Discount for OCA members.

About the artist:

With the intuitive sense and emotional depth of a filmmaker, California native David Luning looks deeply into the human condition in his music, exploring its shadowy recesses and its brilliantly lit corners. He spent a few years studying film scoring at the Berklee College of Music, then John Prine’s music changed his life. “Some friends of mine shared John’s music with me… And it was like discovering a whole other way to approach music. It made me realize just how powerful the right lyric can be. The right lyric can create a thousand images and stories in your head and therefore can hit pretty hard emotionally.”

“It was definitely a pivot but I knew then what I wanted to do with my life…” Luning says. “I wanted to be a singer-songwriting artist.” And turns out, he had quite a knack for it. His talent for capturing the failures and triumphs, the joys and sadness of the human heart, have led to his songs being placed on many TV shows from Nashville and Grimm, to Lucifer, and most recently, the full length feature film 57 Seconds, starring Morgan Freeman and Josh Hutcherson.

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In addition to his successes as a songwriter, Luning’s exciting and naturally captivating performances have landed him on stages with artists like the Tedeschi Trucks Band (receiving standing ovations), John Hiatt, Leon Russell, Band of Heathens, Dustbowl Revival, Aubrie Sellers, Elvin Bishop, and Rodney Crowell, among many others. And he’s been enthusiastically received at music events around the globe, such as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Bottlerock Napa, Kate Wolf, Black Swamp Arts, and Ramblin’ Roots in the Netherlands.

Rest & Renew at our Sound Bath!

Support your nervous system, release anxiety and stress, and harmonize your body, mind and spirit on the 2nd Tuesday of every month! Laura Benson has a Masters in Intuition Medicine(R) and is a certified sound healer who will guide you through a gentle meditation before each sound bath session. Bring your own yoga mat & blanket and come ready to rest and renew! In the OCA Studio.

Sliding scale pricing $25-$35.

A sound bath is a whole-body, immersive listening experience. During a sound bath, participants often sit or lie down, and are surrounded by the mostly non-melodic soundscapes created by a range of instruments played by the sound bath facilitator. Hence, they are “bathed” in sound.

Sound therapy is a non-invasive healing modality that utilizes the physical and physiological interactions of sound on our bodies and nervous systems to produce therapeutic results. In a sound healing session, specific sonic frequencies are used to soothe the central nervous system, calm the breath, and quiet the mind by encouraging the brain to move into more relaxed states, down from beta (fight-or-flight) and into theta and alpha waves. This increases present-moment awareness and reduces stress and anxiety. Sound baths have been found to be effective in improving mood, cognitive function, and overall mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.

Crystal bowl sound baths are particularly powerful in that each bowl is tuned to a specific frequency that corresponds with a different chakra, or energy center, of the body. Based on specific needs, a practitioner can focus on releasing tension or clearing out stuck energy in specific chakras by playing certain bowls or intervals. 

While attending a sound bath, you may experience physical sensations brought out by the crystal sound bowls or gong, such as tingling in your limbs or scalp, slowing of your breathing, eye flutters, or small muscle spasms. Not to worry! These sensations often indicate the release of tension or emotional energy stored in the body’s energy systems.

Stories teach us about life, about ourselves & about each other. Help to create west county’s newest storytelling community. 7minutes Max will be an evening of 7 live stories told in 7 minutes or less. Hilarious or sublime, poignant and personal tales told through the ancient oral tradition of storytelling, this evening will be sure to move, delight & intrigue you. This is an event for mature audiences & not intended for children. Interested storytellers will have a chance to throw their name in the hat to present their story. Remember no notes & 7 minutes max!

Refreshments available for purchase including fine wine & beer selection.

$10 GA, $5 for OCA members. Pay at the door. Storytellers will be selected randomly from willing participants.

Join us for a fun evening of Django-Style Jams at OCA! Bring your acoustic instrument and songs to share (instrument required/songs optional).

Led by Rick Fulkerson, this fun meetup for Django-Style Jazz enthusiasts is a great way to make new friends, learn new songs and spend an evening making music. No charge to participate/donations gratefully accepted. Meets in the OCA Studio, 3820 Doris Murphy Court.

Bring your instrument down to OCA for our Bluegrass Jam Session!

Led by multi-instrumentalist David Pascoe, our monthly jam session is held on the first Tuesday of each month. We’ll meet in the OCA studio and take turns leading/choosing songs. Guaranteed to be a great time for all! $5 donation requested of participants. BYOB.

See you at the jam!

Rest & Renew at our Sound Bath!

Support your nervous system, release anxiety and stress, and harmonize your body, mind and spirit on the 2nd Tuesday of every month! Laura Benson has a Masters in Intuition Medicine(R) and is a certified sound healer who will guide you through a gentle meditation before each sound bath session. Bring your own yoga mat & blanket and come ready to rest and renew! In the OCA Studio.

Sliding scale pricing $25-$35.

A sound bath is a whole-body, immersive listening experience. During a sound bath, participants often sit or lie down, and are surrounded by the mostly non-melodic soundscapes created by a range of instruments played by the sound bath facilitator. Hence, they are “bathed” in sound.

Sound therapy is a non-invasive healing modality that utilizes the physical and physiological interactions of sound on our bodies and nervous systems to produce therapeutic results. In a sound healing session, specific sonic frequencies are used to soothe the central nervous system, calm the breath, and quiet the mind by encouraging the brain to move into more relaxed states, down from beta (fight-or-flight) and into theta and alpha waves. This increases present-moment awareness and reduces stress and anxiety. Sound baths have been found to be effective in improving mood, cognitive function, and overall mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.

Crystal bowl sound baths are particularly powerful in that each bowl is tuned to a specific frequency that corresponds with a different chakra, or energy center, of the body. Based on specific needs, a practitioner can focus on releasing tension or clearing out stuck energy in specific chakras by playing certain bowls or intervals. 

While attending a sound bath, you may experience physical sensations brought out by the crystal sound bowls or gong, such as tingling in your limbs or scalp, slowing of your breathing, eye flutters, or small muscle spasms. Not to worry! These sensations often indicate the release of tension or emotional energy stored in the body’s energy systems.

Theme for November: Holidays

Stories teach us about life, about ourselves & about each other. Help to create west county’s newest storytelling community. 7 Minutes Max is an evening of 7 live stories told in 7 minutes or less. Hilarious or sublime, poignant and personal tales told through the ancient oral tradition of storytelling, this evening will be sure to move, delight & intrigue you. This is an event for mature audiences & not intended for children. Interested storytellers will have a chance to throw their name in the hat to present their story. Remember no notes & 7 minutes max!

$10 GA, $5 for OCA members. Pay at the door. Storytellers will be selected randomly from willing participants.

Join us for a fun evening of Django-Style Jams at OCA! Bring your acoustic instrument and songs to share (instrument required/songs optional).

Led by Rick Fulkerson, this fun meetup for Django-Style Jazz enthusiasts is a great way to make new friends, learn new songs and spend an evening making music. No charge to participate/donations gratefully accepted. Meets in the OCA Studio, 3820 Doris Murphy Court.

Bring your instrument down to OCA for our Bluegrass Jam Session!

Led by multi-instrumentalist David Pascoe, our monthly jam session is held on the first Tuesday of each month. We’ll meet in the OCA studio and take turns leading/choosing songs. Guaranteed to be a great time for all! $5 donation requested of participants. BYOB.

See you at the jam!

Rest & Renew at our Sound Bath!

Support your nervous system, release anxiety and stress, and harmonize your body, mind and spirit on the 2nd Tuesday of every month! Laura Benson has a Masters in Intuition Medicine(R) and is a certified sound healer who will guide you through a gentle meditation before each sound bath session. Bring your own yoga mat & blanket and come ready to rest and renew! In the OCA Studio.

Sliding scale pricing $25-$35.

A sound bath is a whole-body, immersive listening experience. During a sound bath, participants often sit or lie down, and are surrounded by the mostly non-melodic soundscapes created by a range of instruments played by the sound bath facilitator. Hence, they are “bathed” in sound.

Sound therapy is a non-invasive healing modality that utilizes the physical and physiological interactions of sound on our bodies and nervous systems to produce therapeutic results. In a sound healing session, specific sonic frequencies are used to soothe the central nervous system, calm the breath, and quiet the mind by encouraging the brain to move into more relaxed states, down from beta (fight-or-flight) and into theta and alpha waves. This increases present-moment awareness and reduces stress and anxiety. Sound baths have been found to be effective in improving mood, cognitive function, and overall mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing.

Crystal bowl sound baths are particularly powerful in that each bowl is tuned to a specific frequency that corresponds with a different chakra, or energy center, of the body. Based on specific needs, a practitioner can focus on releasing tension or clearing out stuck energy in specific chakras by playing certain bowls or intervals. 

While attending a sound bath, you may experience physical sensations brought out by the crystal sound bowls or gong, such as tingling in your limbs or scalp, slowing of your breathing, eye flutters, or small muscle spasms. Not to worry! These sensations often indicate the release of tension or emotional energy stored in the body’s energy systems.

Theme for December: Magic

Stories teach us about life, about ourselves & about each other. Help to create west county’s newest storytelling community. 7 Minutes Max is an evening of 7 live stories told in 7 minutes or less. Hilarious or sublime, poignant and personal tales told through the ancient oral tradition of storytelling, this evening will be sure to move, delight & intrigue you. This is an event for mature audiences & not intended for children. Interested storytellers will have a chance to throw their name in the hat to present their story. Remember no notes & 7 minutes max!

$10 GA, $5 for OCA members. Pay at the door. Storytellers will be selected randomly from willing participants.

Join us for a fun evening of Django-Style Jams at OCA! Bring your acoustic instrument and songs to share (instrument required/songs optional).

Led by Rick Fulkerson, this fun meetup for Django-Style Jazz enthusiasts is a great way to make new friends, learn new songs and spend an evening making music. No charge to participate/donations gratefully accepted. Meets in the OCA Studio, 3820 Doris Murphy Court.