June-July Update

Hey Fam!

Last month’s concert tour was a busy month, exceeding all expectations and leaving an indelible mark on both our band and the audience. We had a blast touring the pacific northwest, and are excited to be doing some great festivals this summer. A big shout out to Finnriver Cidery and Shaun Lawrence for creating one of our best audio and video opportunities on the tour to date. For us, this means we have the chance to do some post-production and get some products out to you. Check out some of the latest releases in this blog, and make sure to check out our June and July shows listed as well. 

June Shows

  • 6/1/23 – Jacksonville Hotsprings – Honey of the Heart & BrightSide Blue acoustic show
  • 6/4/23 – Thrive presents: Honey of the Heart with the Wildchoir Humanist Hall , 390 27th Street , Oakland, CA 4-6 pm
  • 6/15/23 – Blackbird at the Hollbrooke in Grass Valley CA 8-10 pm
  • 6/23/23 – Justin Ancheta solo reggae set at the Roseville Galleria 6:30-8:30 pm

July Shows

MAY HIGHLIGHTS

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS

Blackbird Jazz with Ananda  Vaughan
and Maren Metke 

BLACKBIRD FLIES AGAIN!!

Formed by Ananda and Maren in the winter of 2010, Blackbird has been swooning audiences all around the Sierra foothills with their sultry, soulful rendition of the standards & more. They soothe and swing crowds with their unique chemistry and style, bringing a rich ambience and playful skill. Collectively, they have opened for acts such as Dr. John, Blues Traveler, Taj Mahal, The Polish Ambassador, and co lead a world rock groove project which recently headlined at the Center for the Arts.

The band was formed out of a desire to share, exercise & live their love of the rich traditions of jazz music. Come catch this amazing duo at The Iron Door, downstairs at the Holbrooke Hotel.

Our first show at the Iron Door was a total hit! Come join us for some more lovely jazz and cocktails. 

BrightSide Blue + Honey of the Heart @ Jackson Wellsprings

Thursday, June 1 @ 7:00PMThu, Jun 1 @ 7:00PM
Jackson Wellsprings, 2253 OR-99 N, Ashland, OR 97520

“It’s rare to witness this level of musical heartfelt, creative intention come to fruition” Soul, folk indie & roots with world rhythm and influence, this superband takes you all over the musical map. Honey of the Heart and BrightSide Blue Announce A Special Album Release Tour through California, Oregon & Washington from May 19th – June 1st, 2023. This special homecoming tour (by native Seattle area musician, Maren Metke) is made extra special by the hosting of this Memorial Day event at the Rabbit Box Theater, a venue created and named for an inspired book of Poetry by J. Pintauro (one of Metke’s lifetime favorite books) 

Rooted In the Sacred – Oakland Ritual Event 

Sunday, June 4 @ 4:00PM — 6:00PM
Humanist Hall , 390 27th Street , Oakland, CA 94612

“How, in our modern world, can we find our way to understand the earth as a gift again, can we make our relations with the world sacred again?” -Robin Wall Kimmerer “Here are the taproots; let us draw from the deep.” -Yeye Luisah Teish Join us on Sunday, June 4th for Rooting in the Sacred: Ritual, Community & the Waters of Life with celebrated author, ritualist & spiritual teacher Yeye Luisah Teish, beloved musicians, vocalists & songwriters Honey of the Heart, and soul-stirring voices from the Wildchoir.

We live in a dominant culture that has uprooted its connection to the sacred. What role can ritual and earth-based spirituality play in restoring our relationship to our ancestors, each other, the places we live and the more-than-human realms? How can we root our lives in a spiritual interconnectedness and reweave a sense of the sacred back into the heart of our culture? Join us as we gather to experience the power of community, music, song, ritual and the waters of life.

Justin Ancheta Solo at the Roseville Galleria – Reggae Looping set 

June 23, 2023 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Roseville Galleria, 1151 Galleria Blvd Yuba City, CA

What’s Coming this Month?

New local Cali shows with this fine crew!

July 1-2, 2023 – High Sierra Music Festival featuring sets by Honey of the Heart – times Quincy, CA

Honey of the Heart, BrightSide Blue, and Justin Ancheta SuperBand at Nevada City Summer Nights

July 12, 6PM

Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co, Nevada City

Nevada City Summer Nights Main Stage presents the Honey of the Heart, BrightSide Blue, and Justin Ancheta SuperBand in partnership with Soul Graffiti Productions

Time: 6-9:15 pm

Place: Parking lot in front of ThreeForks Bakery

Nevada City Summer Nights, a celebratory street festival of art and music, has been an annual tradition in this quaint, scenic – and sometimes quirky – community, for 31 years.

Honey of the Heart and BrightSide Blue SuperBand just returned home from touring in Oregon and Washington for this special show in downtown Nevada City, CA.

The music will be rocking! Expect folk-soul-roots-world/flamenco grooves, soaring multi-part harmonies and wailing solo-spiked jams – all offered in a spirit of care, humor, and hopes for a better world.

If you haven’t seen the SuperBand combination of these three different music projects, now is your chance — together they are truly more than the sum of their parts. Tyler Blue, Director of Music at Crazy Horse Grass Valley once said: “It’s rare to witness this level of heartfelt, creative intention come to fruition.”

More background:

Both groups toured for years as duos, occasionally inviting other instrumentalists to join as guests, but the power that comes through when they all take the stage together is unparalleled. While there is no telling exactly how it will unfold, the chances of crying, laughing, or dancing wildly during a live performance is nearly guaranteed.

Since launching the combined music group late last year, they have been featured at multiple festivals and stages across the West Coast including Relaxpansion Festival in Ashland OR, Common Vision May Festival, California Worldfest in Grass Valley, CA and Juan de Fuca Festival in Port Angeles, WA.

Talent buyers, event producers, community members and strangers alike continue to express their ardent astonishment at the awesomeness of this Super Band. Executive Director of the Center for the Arts, Amber Jo Manuel, shares: “This group was a hit at WorldFest. They played multiple stages throughout our four day festival including a spot on the main stage with some top artists from across the globe. They are always loved by the audience, have an excellent following and bring great vibes.”

These two groups found harmony in the dissonance of the pandemic: Every week they met safely outdoors to support one another and keep spirits high by learning each other’s tunes. Their story of resilience through hard times is a testament to the healing power of music and community. Honey of the Heart and BrightSide Blue were just featured on a podcast called “Neurons To Nirvana” where both bands speak candidly about their deep connection as friends and musical allies.

The full group featured at Hot Summer Nights on July 12 includes: Beau Askew on drums, Thomas Spellman on bass, Lindsay Bellows on vocals and percussion, Maren Metke on vocals and ukulele, Justin Ancheta on vocals and guitar, and Ananda Vaughan on guitar and vocals.