Friday, October 23, 7:30pm
Nevada Theatre, Nevada City, California
$35 premium reserved seating
$25 general admission
“More authenticity than you can shake a stick at,” –Maverick Magazine
“Mesmerizing,” –Pure M Magazine
“She narrates the legacies of the working class flawlessly, walking the line between literary genius and front-porch-storyteller with great precision,” –Mother Church Pew
“With something incisive to say, a poet’s way with words folks actually use, and an instrument that delivers the goods, Hosking has talent to burn.” – Minor 7th
Rita Hosking’s got the spirit, and she knows how to reach ours through her grace, heart, chops and spunk. This heavy-hitter in the Nor Cal songwriting scene, along with sublime accompanist Sean Feder on dobro and banjo, has created award-winning music spanning 9 albums and over 20 years of touring.
Rita’s homespun style of country-folk has been lauded for story and sense of place, and her performances praised for capturing the audience. She hails from Hatchet Mountain — a summit between Montgomery Creek and Burney, CA. A descendant of miners who sang in the mines of Cornwall and Grass Valley, CA, she grew up with deep regard for folk music and the power of the voice.
Sean’s three decades of music performance have been eclectic with a strong penchant towards everything rooted in rhythm. His music career includes collaborations with several rhythmic and melodic masters, such as Arthur Hull (Village Music Circles), Hershel Yatovitz (of Chris Isaak), and Joe Craven, and for ten years he taught afro-latin style hand drumming classes at UC Davis. With a foundation of guitar since age 10 and piano since age 6, he subsequently embarked on a journey into the energizing twang and spark of banjo and dobro.
VELVY APPLETON & REBECCA CHOURR
Velvy Appleton and Rebecca Chourré have become one of Northern California’s most engaging acoustic duos, weaving together concert, conversation, and community. With all original songs, they present a repertoire that’s fresh, insightful, and unmistakably their own. Whether appearing in an intimate listening room, an historic theater, or a festival stage, the magic they create leaves audiences energized and uplifted.
For more than twenty-five years, Velvy has been a cornerstone of Northern California’s roots music community, performing with acclaimed bands including Spark & Whisper, Monica Pasqual & the Handsome Brunettes, Nobody From Ipanema, Little Gems, The Dolly Mamas, Audrey Auld, Howie’s Persuasion, Rhonda Linstadt, and The Valley Blues Brothers. His songwriting synthesizes thoughtful lyrics and melodies, while his guitar is rhythmically inventive and instantly recognizable. Velvy’s playing draws inspiration from 1970s rock, 1950s jazz, 60’s folk traditions, Brazilian rhythms, and modern Americana. His work with Spark & Whisper earned widespread critical acclaim, with their Ghost Towns album appearing on more than a dozen “Top Ten Folk Albums of 2013” lists.
Rebecca Chourré brings an equally remarkable musical pedigree. A classically trained vocalist whose roots also embrace folk, soul, and funk, she has performed with Rhonda Linstadt, Little Gems, The Dolly Mamas, North Shore Railroad, and The Valley Blues Brothers. She’s even sung for the Pope in the Sistine Chapel. Soaring and gutsy vocals, impeccable harmonies, and warm stage presence are the perfect complement to Velvy’s guitar work. Together they create a musical conversation that feels effortless, blending decades of experience into performances that are both polished and refreshingly spontaneous.