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Fiddling Cricket & Canyon Acoustic Society Concert Series 2025
POSTPONED
Mood Indigo
Old Hollywood Jazz at its finest. In the 1980's this group took LA Clubs by Storm, playing and singing 20's and 30's material.
Saturday, October 18th, 7.00pm (doors open at 6.30pm); $25 adv / $30 dr

Presented by Fiddling Cricket Concerts & Canyon Acoustic Society
AT THE UGLY MUG CAFE
4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073
Contact Fiddling Cricket at 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com for reservations or more information.
Reservations still pay at the door, by cash or check.
Food and Drink: Beer, wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks available. Usual coffee shop food. (if you wish, bring your own wine and pay corkage)

Originally formed in 1980, Mood Indigo took Los Angeles by storm, playing the city's most sophisticated nightspots, entertaining at Hollywood star's parties, and appearing in the movie Frances.

The group's enthusiastic following basked in the cosmic chemistry of three distinct characters: master of bass and time David Jackson, whimsical guitar virtuoso John Reynolds, and bandleader and crooner Casey MacGill.

David Jackson charms with his husky baritone as he sashays with his Earthwood bass. His resume is a breathtaking journey beginning with being house bassist at the Troubadour, cast member of the Andy Williams TV show, and alumni of the New Christy Minstrels.

John Reynolds is their romantic virtuoso, creating the perfect balance of music and entertainment with his guitar. John is a 4th generation Angeleno, whose grandmother was the actress ZaSu Pitts! John honed his skills working shows at Disneyland, and has performed with the Smothers Brothers, Julie Andrews, and Johnny Crawford.

Casey MacGill, who croons and leads the riffery, is the witness and connective tissue. He stands in between David and John, enjoying the magic and mischief up close. MacGill's career has ranged from busking to Broadway, playing theatre lines for Easy Rider to starring in Swing! He recently released a luxurious two-volume LP of his original music.

Some of you may have seen Mood Indigo at The Kuumbwa, where they performed with Poi Rogers, who are big fans of theirs.

There is a lot more information, pictures, and videos (some from the 80's) at their website, themoodindigotrio.com

Fiddling Cricket & Canyon Acoustic Society Concert Series 2025

Alison Steele /Dan & Laurel
Mountain music/Roots-folk
Thursday, October 23rd, 7.00pm (doors open at 6.30pm); $25 adv / $30 dr

Presented by Fiddling Cricket Concerts & Canyon Acoustic Society
AT THE UGLY MUG CAFE
4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073
Contact Fiddling Cricket at 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com for reservations or more information.
Reservations still pay at the door, by cash or check.
Food and Drink: Beer, wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks available. Usual coffee shop food. (if you wish, bring your own wine and pay corkage)

Meeting via a chance YouTube sighting, and fueled by rare musical chemistry, eclectic Roots-Folk songwriters Dan Frechette, guitar/vocals, and Laurel Thomsen, violin/vocals, prove that musical magic is not only possible, but as described by the Monterey Herald, "a match made in heaven" They have released four albums of their diverse and uplifting original material. Now, a decade on since Dan moved from Canada, and based in California, in the Santa Cruz mountains, this will be the 6th time they have visited us. "their energy, winsome personalities, and toe tapping rhythms, keeping audiences engaged with every song" -Carlin Hall, Tappen, British Columbia www.danandlaurel.ca

A native of Virginia, Alison Steele lives with her family in Boulder Creek where she tends her mountain garden of fruit trees, vegetables, and herbs. She documents the growing, harvesting, and seasonal living from The Santa Cruz Mountains back to her native home in the Blue Ridge Mountains on her instagram handle, alisonsteelemountainliving. As a young mother far from home, she learned the openback banjo at night, while her children slept, so she could keep the traditional mountain music of Virginia alive in her home in California. Find her instagram channel Banjoandblossom and follow along to learn some technique and traditional mountain tunes. Alison plays both banjo and guitar, and sings, in Coyote Moon (with Patti Maxine and Lizzy Smith). She is also part of the all-girl group, Sugar By The Pound. Her latest project is heartfelt originals in the duo, Starlit Hymns, with classical guitar luthier Joel Di Mauro.

Fiddling Cricket & Canyon Acoustic Society Concert Series 2025

Sharon Allen and The Dusty Boots
Folk, Country, Toe-tapping Blues
Saturday, November 8th, 7.00pm (doors open at 6.30pm); $25 adv / $30 dr

Presented by Fiddling Cricket Concerts & Canyon Acoustic Society
AT THE UGLY MUG CAFE
4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073
Contact Fiddling Cricket at 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com for reservations or more information.
Reservations still pay at the door, by cash or check.
Food and Drink: Beer, wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks available. Usual coffee shop food. (if you wish, bring your own wine and pay corkage)

Local songbird, Sharon Allen, for many years fronted a local blues rock band, The Firebirds, working also with B.B. King, Etta James, Robben Ford, Elvin Bishop, and Lonnie Mack. Fifteen years or so ago Sharon found her writer's voice, an ongoing collaboration with Sherry Austin, and a renewed appreciation of acoustic folk and Americana music. For several years she co-fronted the very popular Sherry Austin and Henhouse group.

For the last few years Sharon has been investing her musical efforts with her own band, Sharon Allen and The Dusty Boots (Sharon vocals and guitar; Mike Mongiello, guitar; Jerry Bradley, vocals and bass; and Jimmy Norris, vocals and percussion). In this show Jim Hannibal, saxophone, and Charlie Joe Wallace, steel guitar, will join as guests, as usual, and Sharon promises to mix it up with folk, countr, and toe-tapping blues. Great to have Sharon back again for her now annual show (the 6th) at the Ugly Mug! www.sharon-allen.com

Sharon Allen is way up on the list of sweet voiced singers…."unpretentious music that is beautiful and lasting" - Sleepy John Sandidge, Snazzy Productions

Fiddling Cricket & Canyon Acoustic Society Concert Series 2025

Djangatos
Saturday, November 15th, 7.00pm (doors open at 6.30pm); $25 adv / $30 dr

Presented by Fiddling Cricket Concerts & Canyon Acoustic Society
AT THE UGLY MUG CAFE
4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073
Contact Fiddling Cricket at 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com for reservations or more information.
Reservations still pay at the door, by cash or check.
Food and Drink: Beer, wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks available. Usual coffee shop food. (if you wish, bring your own wine and pay corkage)

Djangatos is a Los Gatos based acoustic trio that plays in the improvisational, fiercely rhythmic and lyrical style of Jean "Django" Reinhardt, the Belgian-born guitarist and composer who is celebrated for elevating so-called "gypsy jazz" to a wildly popular dance music form.

The Djangatos ultra traditional hot club sound is a banquet of complimentary nuances, warm and smooth, the lead guitar plectrum-forward, technically exquisite, expressive and nimble. The Djangatos trio features two acoustic guitars, Robert Alan Witmeyer on lead and Ron La France on rhythm, and standup bass featuring some of the area's best musicians including go-to pro Dan Robbins. This is their 3rd visit to us.

"Playing lively sets at familiar venues throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Cruz as a way to preserve the music and memory of Django, Stéphane, and the Quintet, these hep cats lay down some shimmering sharps and flats" - San Lorenzo Valley Post

Fiddling Cricket & Canyon Acoustic Society Concert Series 2025

Tom Faia
Saturday, December 6th, 7.00pm (doors open at 6.30pm); $25 adv / $30 dr

Presented by Fiddling Cricket Concerts & Canyon Acoustic Society
AT THE UGLY MUG CAFE
4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073
Contact Fiddling Cricket at 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com for reservations or more information.
Reservations still pay at the door, by cash or check.
Food and Drink: Beer, wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks available. Usual coffee shop food. (if you wish, bring your own wine and pay corkage)

MORE INFORMATION TO COME

Home Concert Descriptions At-A-Glance
Concert Calendar CD Label General Info Contact Us Archives

Last Updated: 10/20/2025

Fiddling Cricket & Canyon Acoustic Society Concert Series 2025 POSTPONED Mood Indigo Old Hollywood Jazz at its finest. In the 1980's this group took LA Clubs by Storm, playing and singing 20's and 30's material. Saturday, October 18th, 7.00pm (doors open at 6.30pm); $25 adv / $30 dr Presented by Fiddling Cricket Concerts & Canyon Acoustic Society AT THE UGLY MUG CAFE 4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073 Contact Fiddling Cricket at 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com for reservations or more information. Reservations still pay at the door, by cash or check. Food and Drink: Beer, wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks available. Usual coffee shop food. (if you wish, bring your own wine and pay corkage)
Originally formed in 1980, Mood Indigo took Los Angeles by storm, playing the city's most sophisticated nightspots, entertaining at Hollywood star's parties, and appearing in the movie Frances. The group's enthusiastic following basked in the cosmic chemistry of three distinct characters: master of bass and time David Jackson, whimsical guitar virtuoso John Reynolds, and bandleader and crooner Casey MacGill. David Jackson charms with his husky baritone as he sashays with his Earthwood bass. His resume is a breathtaking journey beginning with being house bassist at the Troubadour, cast member of the Andy Williams TV show, and alumni of the New Christy Minstrels. John Reynolds is their romantic virtuoso, creating the perfect balance of music and entertainment with his guitar. John is a 4th generation Angeleno, whose grandmother was the actress ZaSu Pitts! John honed his skills working shows at Disneyland, and has performed with the Smothers Brothers, Julie Andrews, and Johnny Crawford. Casey MacGill, who croons and leads the riffery, is the witness and connective tissue. He stands in between David and John, enjoying the magic and mischief up close. MacGill's career has ranged from busking to Broadway, playing theatre lines for Easy Rider to starring in Swing! He recently released a luxurious two-volume LP of his original music. Some of you may have seen Mood Indigo at The Kuumbwa, where they performed with Poi Rogers, who are big fans of theirs. There is a lot more information, pictures, and videos (some from the 80's) at their website, themoodindigotrio.com

Fiddling Cricket & Canyon Acoustic Society Concert Series 2025 Alison Steele /Dan & Laurel Mountain music/Roots-folk Thursday, October 23rd, 7.00pm (doors open at 6.30pm); $25 adv / $30 dr Presented by Fiddling Cricket Concerts & Canyon Acoustic Society AT THE UGLY MUG CAFE 4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073 Contact Fiddling Cricket at 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com for reservations or more information. Reservations still pay at the door, by cash or check. Food and Drink: Beer, wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks available. Usual coffee shop food. (if you wish, bring your own wine and pay corkage)
Meeting via a chance YouTube sighting, and fueled by rare musical chemistry, eclectic Roots-Folk songwriters Dan Frechette, guitar/vocals, and Laurel Thomsen, violin/vocals, prove that musical magic is not only possible, but as described by the Monterey Herald, "a match made in heaven" They have released four albums of their diverse and uplifting original material. Now, a decade on since Dan moved from Canada, and based in California, in the Santa Cruz mountains, this will be the 6th time they have visited us. "their energy, winsome personalities, and toe tapping rhythms, keeping audiences engaged with every song" -Carlin Hall, Tappen, British Columbia www.danandlaurel.ca A native of Virginia, Alison Steele lives with her family in Boulder Creek where she tends her mountain garden of fruit trees, vegetables, and herbs. She documents the growing, harvesting, and seasonal living from The Santa Cruz Mountains back to her native home in the Blue Ridge Mountains on her instagram handle, alisonsteelemountainliving. As a young mother far from home, she learned the openback banjo at night, while her children slept, so she could keep the traditional mountain music of Virginia alive in her home in California. Find her instagram channel Banjoandblossom and follow along to learn some technique and traditional mountain tunes. Alison plays both banjo and guitar, and sings, in Coyote Moon (with Patti Maxine and Lizzy Smith). She is also part of the all-girl group, Sugar By The Pound. Her latest project is heartfelt originals in the duo, Starlit Hymns, with classical guitar luthier Joel Di Mauro.

Fiddling Cricket & Canyon Acoustic Society Concert Series 2025 Sharon Allen and The Dusty Boots Folk, Country, Toe-tapping Blues Saturday, November 8th, 7.00pm (doors open at 6.30pm); $25 adv / $30 dr Presented by Fiddling Cricket Concerts & Canyon Acoustic Society AT THE UGLY MUG CAFE 4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073 Contact Fiddling Cricket at 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com for reservations or more information. Reservations still pay at the door, by cash or check. Food and Drink: Beer, wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks available. Usual coffee shop food. (if you wish, bring your own wine and pay corkage)
Local songbird, Sharon Allen, for many years fronted a local blues rock band, The Firebirds, working also with B.B. King, Etta James, Robben Ford, Elvin Bishop, and Lonnie Mack. Fifteen years or so ago Sharon found her writer's voice, an ongoing collaboration with Sherry Austin, and a renewed appreciation of acoustic folk and Americana music. For several years she co-fronted the very popular Sherry Austin and Henhouse group. For the last few years Sharon has been investing her musical efforts with her own band, Sharon Allen and The Dusty Boots (Sharon vocals and guitar; Mike Mongiello, guitar; Jerry Bradley, vocals and bass; and Jimmy Norris, vocals and percussion). In this show Jim Hannibal, saxophone, and Charlie Joe Wallace, steel guitar, will join as guests, as usual, and Sharon promises to mix it up with folk, countr, and toe-tapping blues. Great to have Sharon back again for her now annual show (the 6th) at the Ugly Mug! www.sharon-allen.com Sharon Allen is way up on the list of sweet voiced singers…."unpretentious music that is beautiful and lasting" - Sleepy John Sandidge, Snazzy Productions

Fiddling Cricket & Canyon Acoustic Society Concert Series 2025 Djangatos Saturday, November 15th, 7.00pm (doors open at 6.30pm); $25 adv / $30 dr Presented by Fiddling Cricket Concerts & Canyon Acoustic Society AT THE UGLY MUG CAFE 4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073 Contact Fiddling Cricket at 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com for reservations or more information. Reservations still pay at the door, by cash or check. Food and Drink: Beer, wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks available. Usual coffee shop food. (if you wish, bring your own wine and pay corkage)
Djangatos is a Los Gatos based acoustic trio that plays in the improvisational, fiercely rhythmic and lyrical style of Jean "Django" Reinhardt, the Belgian-born guitarist and composer who is celebrated for elevating so-called "gypsy jazz" to a wildly popular dance music form. The Djangatos ultra traditional hot club sound is a banquet of complimentary nuances, warm and smooth, the lead guitar plectrum-forward, technically exquisite, expressive and nimble. The Djangatos trio features two acoustic guitars, Robert Alan Witmeyer on lead and Ron La France on rhythm, and standup bass featuring some of the area's best musicians including go-to pro Dan Robbins. This is their 3rd visit to us. "Playing lively sets at familiar venues throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Cruz as a way to preserve the music and memory of Django, Stéphane, and the Quintet, these hep cats lay down some shimmering sharps and flats" - San Lorenzo Valley Post

Fiddling Cricket & Canyon Acoustic Society Concert Series 2025 Tom Faia Saturday, December 6th, 7.00pm (doors open at 6.30pm); $25 adv / $30 dr Presented by Fiddling Cricket Concerts & Canyon Acoustic Society AT THE UGLY MUG CAFE 4640 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073 Contact Fiddling Cricket at 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com for reservations or more information. Reservations still pay at the door, by cash or check. Food and Drink: Beer, wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks available. Usual coffee shop food. (if you wish, bring your own wine and pay corkage)
MORE INFORMATION TO COME