More than 25 bands will shift on and off two stages—Solvang Park and the Copenhagen stage—during Solvang’s inaugural Fall Festival, which runs Friday, Nov. 15, through Sunday, Nov. 17. Ska punk band The Mad Caddies is headlining the festival, with a performance in Solvang Park on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m. Four of the group’s founding members—Chuck Robertson, Sascha Lazor, Todd Rosenberg, and Carter Benson—are Solvang natives who met during high school (all four are Santa Ynez Valley High School alumni).
The band started touring and recording together in 1995 and released its first studio album, Quality Soft Core, in 1997. Although best known as a ska punk act, the group’s eclectic sound blends elements of reggae, Dixieland jazz, and even “cowpunk” (country punk). To date, The Mad Caddies—currently performing as part of their 25th anniversary tour—have sold more than 400,000 albums.
Other musical acts scheduled to play the festival include Vineyard Byrds, Soul Cats, The Kicks, and more than 20 others. Visit solvangfestival.com to view the full lineup of bands. Admission to each concert is free.
A haunting in Orcutt
The Naughty Oak Brewing Company presents pop-rock group Ghost/Monster on Friday, Nov. 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. Bandleader and acoustic guitarist Nataly Lola has always had an affinity for the supernatural, and she’s cited Stephen King novels as some of her favorites growing up. Lola and co-founder and lead guitarist Jaxon Camaero found a common ground on their mutual love for the weird and unexplainable, which inspired the band’s name. The group, which also features Dale Moon on drums and James Yerkes on bass, performs covers of hits ranging from the ’50s to the ’80s as well as pop-rock originals.
Admission to the show is free, and Asian cuisine will be available for purchase from visiting vendor Feed My Seoul. The food service starts at 5:30 p.m. Call the brewery at (805) 287-9663 or visit naughtyoak.com to find out more.
Going south
The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez presents Livewire on Friday, Nov. 15, from 8 to 11 p.m. Fellow country act The Tex Pistols performs the following evening, Saturday, Nov. 16, from 8 to 11 p.m. Admission to both shows is free. A Tales From the Tavern concert takes place at the saloon on Sunday, Nov. 17, from noon to 3 p.m. This month’s showcase features solo artist Robert Cray. Visit talesfromthetavern.com for more details.
Classic rock cover group Jumpstart is jumping on over to the Cold Spring Tavern on Friday, Nov. 15, from 6 to 9 p.m. This group is described on its Facebook page as “Santa Barbara’s newest, youngest classic rock band,” as its members are all between ages 14 and 18. Acoustic indie-rock duo Let Go Flo take the tavern’s stage the following afternoon, Saturday, Nov. 16, with a performance from 1 to 4 p.m. Eclectic trio Back Pocket follows the show that evening, performing from 5 to 8 p.m. The venue’s weekend lineup closes with country act Dusty Jugz on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Entry to every show at the venue is complimentary.
Also in the Santa Ynez Valley, Banda Los Sebastianes will perform at the Chumash Casino Resort on Friday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. The concert takes place in the resort’s Samala Showroom and features an appearance from special guest artist Rancho Viejo. Tickets to the show range from $39 to $69 and are available in advance at chumashcasino.com.
More music
Temple Beth El in Santa Maria hosts a fundraiser concert with big band and country artist Barbara Wilson on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 3 p.m. This solo performer has spent her career providing live entertainment on more than 100 cruise ships, Las Vegas showrooms, and other venues. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Proceeds of this benefit show will support Temple Beth El. Call (805) 478-1463 for advance tickets.
Santa Ynez-based singer-songwriter Kelly Irelan will perform a set at Vino et Amicis Wine Bar in Orcutt on Friday, Nov. 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. This solo artist has described her passion as creating sounds that evoke strong feelings and messages that are otherwise hard to articulate through words alone. Irelan dabbles in multiple genres, including jazz, folk, and indie, and some of her influences include Cat Power, Beach House, and Sia. Admission to the performance is complimentary.
Also in Orcutt, fellow solo artist Chad Land performs at Blast 825 Brewery on Friday, Nov. 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. The brewery hosts a Joe Daddy and the Sumthings concert on the following evening, Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 p.m. to past midnight. The venue’s weekend offerings conclude with singer-songwriter Keith Cox, who takes the brewery’s stage on Sunday, Nov. 17, from noon to 3 p.m. Entry to all three performances is free.
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood wrote this week’s Local Notes. Contact him at cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 14-21, 2019.
