AN INTRODUCTION TO SLOFOLKS
SLOfolks, a non profit organization, brings you live music from Appalachia to Mali, a diversity reflecting the cultural history and expression of the people's music played on a variety of instruments.
You will hear sea shanties, ballads, work songs, gypsy music, West African Kora, Celtic Bluegrass as well as French Musettes and Brazilian instrumentalists.

"Let this be my epitaph:
The only proof he needed for the existence of God was music"
Kurt Vonnegut

On August 9, 2007, SLOfolks received our tax exempt status from the IRS. We are now a public charity, exempt from federal taxes as a 501(c)(3) corporation.

Any bequests, transfers, gifts or contributions to SLOfolks are tax deductible under section 170 of the code.

Picture on the right: Anne McCue coming to Coalesce Bookstore on October 8 and Castoro Cellars, October 9.
Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, the Weavers, Peter Paul and Mary, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan were major influences for many of us. Now new voices continue to inspire us, artists like Peppino D'Agostino,The Duhks, Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen, James Talley, Rosalie Sorrels, Pierre Bensusan, Alice Stuart, Eric Bibb, Chuck Brodsky and Misty River to name a few .

SLOfolks brings us a variety of voices and instruments... artists like Rahim AlHaj from Baghdad, who uses his music to communicate compassion, love and peace.
"The responsibility of the listener is to understand the message. This message is the secret of life." Rahim AlHaj

Please visit our About SLOfolks page to find out how SLOfolks started, Events to get more information about upcoming concerts. Our News, page will let you know about other local concerts, radio shows, and Press articles, and Past Performers to find out about all the talented musicians who have performed for SLOfolks.

For Ticket Reservation, please check our Ticket page

SLOfolks has just created a fan page on Facebook.
copy and paste this link to go to the fan page:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/San-Luis-Obispo-Folk-Music-Society/113530222011295?ref=ts

or, simply enter San Luis Obispo Folk Music Society in the search box at the top of Facebook.



Alison Brown at Castoro, July 24,2010


Shanagolden Retreat
We would like to thank all our SLOfolks Fans who help us host our musicians, especially Kristin and Alan Cameron who have often hosted some of our SLOfolks bands in their peaceful Shanagolden Retreat B&B in Templeton.
Shanagolden is named after a little town in Limerick, Ireland. It is said to be a place of great peace and tranquility.

Shanagolden Retreat

We also want to thank Gary Latrell, Ollie & Dennis Palm who also host some of our musicians. They are much appreciated by our musicians and SLOfolks.

If you would like to host some of our musicians, please let me know. We are always looking for new hosts. Email Elisabeth at SLOfolksmusic@sbcglobal.net

2010 SLOFOLKS CONCERTS
We are looking forward to a wonderful Summer Concert season for our SLOfolks friends.
Thank you for supporting live music!

CHECK OUR EVENTS PAGE FOR OUR 2010 CALENDAR OF EVENTS


SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT CASTORO CELLARS
Our SLOfolks Summer Concert Series at Castoro Cellars opened with a most enjoyable concert featuring HOUSTON JONES BAND.

Please remember that our Summer Concerts start at 7:00PM and a catered dinner is served at 6PM.
You can bring low back chairsbut will not be able to set them up until the gates open at 6PM

If your folding chairs have a high seat, please set them up in front of the green chairs that Castoro arranges for those who don't bring their own.

For Reservation please call: 805-238-0725
On line: Tastingroom@castorocellars.com(Ordering & events questions
www.CastoroCellars.com





ARROYO GRANDE CONCERTS
The VSCS shows start at 1:00pm and run until 3:00 or 3:30.

This is a Free Concert....there are some chairs set up...but you can bring your own chair!

The Rotary Bandstand is in Heritage Square Park at the corner of Short St. and Nelson St. just south of the Arroyo Grande Village and the Arroyo Grande Creek. Three blocks east of Hwy 101 at the Grand Ave. exit in Arroyo Grande.

SLIGO RAGS & LITTLE BLACK TRAIN will be performing on the SLOfolks stage on August 1st.

SLIGO RAGS has been called “the best I’ve heard from a stateside band” by Celtic Beat Magazine. Bob Stane, the legendary founder of The Icehouse and The Coffee Gallery Backstage says of Sligo Rags,“This is a money-back, ‘no questions asked if you are not thrilled’ act.
Sligo Rags is taking the local and not-so-local Folk and Celtic music scenes by storm with a unique blend of eclectic musical influences. Dan Miller of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine says “These guys have it all--great vocals, lots of energy, captivating songs, well executed arrangements, and tasteful solos.” Their debut studio recording, "The Night Before the Morning After", was called "the best I've heard from a stateside band" by Celtic Beat Magazine, while their sophomore effort, “The Whiskey Never Lies,” (called “the best from the West Coast Celts in many years” by Shay Clark of the Irish-American News), was named one of the top 10 of 2007 by Folkworks. Don’t be surprised if elements of country, gypsy jazz and swing manage to sneak their way into the act as well. Award-winning flatpicking and fingerstyle guitarist David Burns (recently featured in Flatpicking Guitar Magazine), fiddler extraordinaire Michael Kelly, world-renowned bassist Gordon Rustvold, and percussion whiz-kid Andy Reilly (8 years on the road with the original Riverdance company) are guaranteed to fill the room and your lives with electricity. They may give you a good laugh or two along the way as well. "Sligo Rags have mastered the ability to take songs from a time gone by and make them fresh and relevant for a modern audience. Their passion for the music and their willingness to take risks combine for an outstanding live show."
Music Connection

Each of the musicians in Little Black Train is "amazingly accomplished, but something magical happens when they play together, their instruments swirling around one another like curls of smoke from a smoldering fire. This is old-time music at its most riveting!" Glen Starkey, New Times SLO

Opening the show are local favorites Little Black Train. What do you get when you mash up a virtuosic bluegrass mandolinist, a traditional Irish fiddler, and an old-timey songster? Kenny Blackwell (mandolin and guitar), John Weed (fiddle), and Stuart Mason (guitar, banjo, and mandola) are the bluegrass-roots trio Little Black Train. From Depression-era gospel and blues to Appalachian and Celtic dance tunes, they dig up the roots of bluegrass that traveled to America from Ireland and Scotland in the 19th century. Avid practitioners of the time-honored folk process, these boys combine new words and melodies with traditional songs from sources such as the Carter Family, Doc Boggs, and Charlie Poole. On the instrumental side, they mine fiddle tunes from archival sources in West Virginia, Ireland, and Scotland. "Each of these three is amazingly accomplished, but something magical happens when they play together, their instruments swirling around one another like curls of smoke from a smoldering fire. This is old-time music at its most riveting!"
Glen Starkey, New Times SLO
PEPPINO D'AGOSTINO WITH CARLOS REYES
August 20 - Peppino D'Agostino - Solo - Coalesce Bookstore, 7PM ~ $22

August 21 - Peppino D'Agostino with special guest Carlos Reyes, Castoro Cellars $22

Bon Temps Creole Café will be catering our dinner ~ $12.00

Peppino D'Agostino is a Renaissance man. This is not just because he was born in Italy. Everything about the longtime California resident and his art -- virtuoso acoustic guitarist, composer, singer, teacher and all-around entertainer -- is rooted in his heritage. It's fitting then that his new CD is titled Made in Italy. It's his first CD release since 2005's Bayshore Road, a collaboration with longtime friend, electric guitarist Stef Burns.

D'Agostino has had a long and distinguished career filled with highlights. He was voted BEST ACOUSTIC GUITARIST by its readers in the Reader's Choice Awards in May 2007

Peppino D'Agostino has performed for SLOfolks for over 20 years, every August, surprising us each year with a special guest performer. His performances always sell out..so get your tickets early!

"Peppino writes wonderful guitar pieces. He's one of my favorite composers for this cranky instrument. Plus, he's a tone player. I love his sound... gets the resin and the wood."
Leo Kottke

"a poet...among the best talents around"
San Francisco Chronicle

"Peppino's music is deep and beautiful."
Tommy Emmanuel

"one of the most capable composers among fingerstyle guitarists"
Acoustic Guitar

"...D'Agostino plays steel-string guitar with virtuosity and complexity...Influences are as far-flung as the flamenco work of Paco de Lucia and the pop sensibility of the Beatles, evident in the songs he's written, which brim with memorable melodies."

Peppino D'Agostino -



Carlos Reyes recording artist, producer, engineer, harpist and violinist-has been breaking musical barriers since his first public performance at the age of five.
Born in Paraguay South America. He began his musical education at the age of three and a half on the violin. A few years later, his father, a musical and national hero in Paraguay, dared young Carlos to learn the complicated 36 string native Paraguayan harp. Being called a child prodigy at an early age he took his fathers challenge seriously, Carlos purchased his first harp for $50.00 when he was just ten years old. Two weeks later, he earned a double encore and $250.00 at his first professional harp concert. Since then he has taken the Harp and it’s music to new and ground breaking levels. Carlos Reyes plays Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Keyboards, as well as mastering the use of a variety of electronic devices and special effects.

The music of Carlos Reyes is a blend with flavors of jazz to funk, classical to blues. You just never know what Carlos will pull out of his musical hat next. This By Area Paraguayan harp and violin virtuoso has toured the world, won awards from the Vatican and played with virtually evry musical star.

Carlos currently has new CD’s soon to be released. A group effort featuring Carlos’s astonishing mastery of the Violin and Harp and a third solo harp endeavor. Along with an international musical reputation, Mr. Reyes has amassed a large enthusiastic Bay Area following always wondering what new surprise or style of music he’ll bring to the stage. His charismatic personality and outstanding musical talents are a potent combination with which he performs an extensive and entertaining repertoire. The Bay Area is proud to claim Carlos Reyes, as one of its most favorite and talented artist

Carlos videos. Copy & paste or go on his website:
http://www.carlosreyesmusic.com/videos/index.html

Carlos Reyes -



LOS PINGUOS


September 11, Castoro Cellars ~ 7PM ~ $22
Popolo Rotisserie Café will be catering dinner ~ $13.00 per person

Los Pinguos came to the US from cosmopolitan Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a mixture of Latin rhythms, performed with Spanish guitars, a Cuban Tres, Peruvian cajón (box-drum), bass and harmonizing vocals. Vivacious and infectious, the sound of Los Pinguos has claimed fans worldwide, from their hometown to the streets of Los Angeles.

The story began in 1999 when Adrián Buono, José Agote, Juan Manzur and Juan Manuel Leguizamón (later joined by bassist Santiago Lee) formed the band to play in clubs, bars, and private parties throughout Buenos Aires. Their exciting, passionate live shows garnered a devoted fan base, inspiring the talented ensemble to pursue global attention.

While performing, they were spotted by a talent scout who urged them to audition for a new television show, “The Next Big Star”, hosted and produced by Ed McMahon of “Star Search” fame. In spite of fierce competition from more seasoned groups, and being the only Latin band to perform, Los Pinguos won the audience vote and rightly claimed the Grand Prize.

Since then, they have recorded five new albums –"Camino Bueno" (2002), "Serenata" (2003), “Live In Los Angeles” (2005) a live double CD on Kufala Records ,“Peripecias” (2006) and “California” (2008).

They've played with such acts as Ozomatli, Taj Mahal, The Skatalites, The Nevile Brothers, Pablo Montero, Paul Anka, Plácido Domingo, Yerba Buena, Charly Garcia and famed Argentinean rockers Bersuit Vergarabat.

They appeared at the 2005 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL with female songstress Suzanne Vega.

Los Pinguos’ music has appeared in TV shows such as "The Shield", "The L Word", and is featured in the Antonio Banderas and Emma Thompson film "Imagining Argentina" , “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and had two songs in the Katherine Heigl movie “The Ugly Truth” this year. The band also participated in the award-winning documentary on street musicians entitled “Playing For Change”. Los Pinguos have appeared on three of the famous Putumayo World Music compilations, “Baila!”, “Radio Latino” and most recently, “World Party”.
from their website

Los Pinguos