Events

This experience is for all musician levels to engage.  Please help bring open mic music to Olalla! Just come hang out enjoy the evening…it’s free!

April 13, 2024- Linda Carroll and Retro Gruve

Linda Carroll is a Northwest musical treasure, and one of the most sought-after Blues and Jazz Vocalists in the greater Puget Sound area. Linda first received national recognition when she performed with the Commencement Bay Jazz Societies production of “The Lady Sang” a tribute to Billy Holiday. Her powerful vocal style caught the attention of national production companies as she performed with several blues and rock Icons like BB King, Bobby Blue Bland, Albert King, and Joe Cocker. Linda’s latest project is an exciting new group called Linda Carroll and Retro-Gruve which Linda says is “Classic Blues and More’. Linda Carroll and her band can be seen performing on stages throughout the greater North West.

Runaway Train – February 10, 2024

Runaway Train – based in south Puget Sound – was formed in 2000 and has evolved through the years into it’s current formation of guitar, bass, mandolin and banjo along with strong lead and harmony vocals. They have a traditional sound but are not afraid to push the boundaries a bit. The band has played most of the major festivals in the Northwest as well as other music events and private parties. They are host band for Bluegrass from the Forest festival which as of 2024 is in it’s 19th year.

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April 8, 2023 Katie Crowell and Friends

Katie C is a local musician, residing in Manchester, WA. She was born into a musical family and in her first original song titled, “Black Hills of Gold,” she sings about sweet memories with her late father. Katie has a rich, soulful voice and has been inspired by artists that range from anywhere from Adele to Chris Stapleton. She is joined by two extremely accomplished musicians, Russ Salton and Billy Odden. Russ is a Beatles Super Fan and has been playing guitar since he was 12. He played in the Los Angles Club circuit and then made his way to Washington, where he wrote and recorded 5 original albums. Billy has been rocking since he was 14. Many musicians refers to him as, “The Rock,” because of his solid groove. Together, they perform a mix of classic rock, country and original music.

Magical Strings – March 17, 2024

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the dynamic Celtic duo Magical Strings in Concert, joined by lively Irish dancers from the Tara Academy.  Described by the Washington Post as “sonically gorgeous,” they will carry you to sublime realms with ancient airs and their own unique compositions, have you “dancing” to lively jigs and reels and share stories and selections from their newest CDs Fairy Wind and Lullaby for a Soul’s Journey.  Philip and Pam Boulding who have toured worldwide for over 44 years and recorded 22 albums, will perform on their own hand-crafted Celtic harps and hammered dulcimers along with whistles, button accordion, concertina and more.

SteelHead Bluegrass Band featuring Terry Enyeart, Saturday February 11, 2023

The SteelHead Bluegrass Band is a contemporary bluegrass band based in Kitsap County, Washington. Their music ranges from sweet love songs to the hard drive and excitement of traditional and contemporary bluegrass. Strong vocals are the centerpiece of the band, but let’s face it, these folks can pick. You’ll be hard-pressed to keep your foot from tapping and your heart from singing along. So come on down and enjoy, just like all “Steelhead” they are hard to catch, but worth it.

Larry Murante – November 5, 2023

Singer-songwriter Larry Murante is well known for his soaring, mellifluous tenor, strong rhythmic guitar style, and engaging stage presence. He performs both originals and cover tunes. His award-winning original songs feature beautifully woven stories about everyday folks. They combine compassionate, socially conscious lyrics with an upbeat, joyful folk-rock style.

Larry’s music is reminiscent of Jackson Brown, Lyle Lovett, and Marc Cohn. His extensive repertoire of originals and classic covers can be tailored to audiences at festivals, wineries, restaurants, pubs, private events, radio interviews, and house concerts. In the past 10 years, Larry Murante has won more than 18 awards in US and international competitions for songwriting and performance, including Grand Prize Winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Other awards include the West Coast Songwriters Song Contest and the Great American Song Contest. His fourth CD release, Patch of Sky, has garnered critical acclaim and radio airplay in both the US and Europe.

Carl Tosten – September 11, 2022

Carl Tosten has a passion for guitars that began when his father bought him his first guitar at age 11. From his early years in a small town in Eastern Washington, his playing centered around the electric guitar, performing with various groups and diverse styles ranging from country to rock to jazz. In the mid 1990’s, after years of eclectic listening and playing, he began to focus fully on the acoustic guitar, creating masterful acoustic fingerstyle compositions which combine alternate tunings, multiple capos, percussive body slaps and right-hand tapping. Known for his expressive and energetic guitar style, Tosten has been described as an “Acoustic One-Man Band.” His self-produced solo recordings combine his unique and expressive guitar style with his strong and soulful voice. He writes songs layered with warmth, intelligence, oblique humor and acute observation of human nature. His dynamic vocals and rhythmic, percussive guitar style fill his performances with intense energy, stories and music — weaving a web of writing, singing and playing that captivates and inspires his audiences. Carl has played with and or shared the stage with, Brent Mason, Stanley Jordan, Tuck & Patti, Lila Downs, Lee Ritenour, Seymour Duncan, Stu Hamm, James Burton, Mike Stern, Rick Vito, Muriel Anderson, Nokie Edwards, Frank Vignola, Carl Verheyen, The California Guitar Trio, Daryl Steurmer and Doyle Dykes.

Lisa Lynne & Aryeh Frankfurter
Celtic Harp, Swedish Nyckelharpa and more…

October 15 2022 – Show starts at 7pm at the Burley Community Hall – Potluck Starts at 6PM – Bring a dish

Lisa Lynne & Aryeh Frankfurter are a multi-instrumentalist duo with Celtic Harps, Swedish Nyckelharpa, Ukrainian Bandura, Bouzouki, Cittern and more. They hail from Oregon and tour extensively, both having successful recording and performing careers built from years of street performing and a background as rock musicians. They have performed with some of the biggest names in folk and acoustic music and have sold well over a million albums combined. Audiences are spellbound and enchanted with their unique show of breathtaking music both Traditional and original, with wondrous stories and humor entwined.

John Batdorf  May 13, 2023

Singer song writer legend John Batdorf lights up the stage May 13th 7pm. As usual, a potluck dinner starts at 6pm. Bring your favorite dish and spend an evening enjoying great music and relaxing.

Batdorf’s musical career began in 1967 after moving to Los Angeles. He joined with Mark Rodney in 1971 to form the duo Batdorf & Rodney. Their biggest hit was “Somewhere in the Night” (U.S. #69, 1975).

Following their breakup in 1975, he formed the group Silver, with whom he had his biggest hit, “Wham Bam” (U.S. #16, 1976).^[3] He sings lead on the song, which was their only hit. “Wham Bam” was revived by appearing in 2017’s blockbuster movie, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and had nearly 8 million plays on YouTube.

Batdorf has also enjoyed success as a film and TV composer with credits from Touched by an Angel, Promised Land, Book Of Days and The Best Two Years, session vocalist on several hit records and commercials, and songwriter for Kim Carnes, England Dan and America.^[4]

In 1997 he formed Batdorf & McLean with Michael McLean, with whom he had collaborated earlier as arranger and vocalist, and they released an album, Don’t You Know. In 2012, the two teamed up to make Soundtrax2Recovery.^[5]

In 2006, he released the solo album Home Again, reuniting him with Mark Rodney on some of the tracks. The album features many Batdorf & McLean compositions. Since that release John has released, Old Man Dreamin’, One Last Wish, Beep Beep, Next Stop Willoughby, Me And My Guitar, Last Summer, An Extraordinary Ordinary Life and his latest 2022 release, Side II.

Listen to John’s latest recordings – https://johnbatdorfmusic.com/product/side-ii/

Scott Cossu – June 10, 2023Pianist/composer Scott Cossu was one of the first artists signed to the legendary Windham Hill record label in the 1980’s and continues to be one of the most respected names in contemporary music. Today he is with the new and popular label Heart Dance Records. Over 19 years Cossu received stellar reviews for his 10 chart topping albums, and toured with label mates such as Michael Hedges, Alex De Grassi, George Winston, and others.  He has performed around the world and has very fond memories of sold out shows in Spain, Canada, Costa Rica, England, Chile, Italy, and Germany, as well as many in the US. Cossu’s style is a unique blending of a wide variety of influences. He is as comfortable playing barrelhouse piano as he is creating a lyrical melody line. Performing with Cossu will be guitarist Giles Arendt. Cossu’s concerts usually end with a cheering standing ovation and this promises to be an incredible evening with a potluck dinner, great music and entertainment. 

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The 2024 Olalla Americana Music Festival.

A new festival replacing the Olalla Bluegrass Festival…held at the SKSLL ballfield. www.olallaamericana.com

2024 Olalla Polar Bear Jump

Olalla Bay Market & Landing