Join us for a magical Afternoon Concert at the Occidental Center for the Arts Amphitheater, featuring an unforgettable lineup of local talent and soulful sounds.
✨ Essence and Gold Country brings their signature blend of rich Americana and classic country vibes, with an impressive Bay Area ensemble curated by powerhouse songstress and writer Essence.
✨ 3 Acre Holler is rich with Sonoma County musical talent featuring Cori Wood, Layne Bowen, Michael Calpella and Paul Shelasky. They offer heartfelt originals and classic Americana with musical storytelling that echoes the spirit of the Appalachians.
Both bands will impress you with their roots-infused harmonies that’ll have your toes tapping and your heart soaring.
Soak up the songs under the shade of the redwoods in our serene setting—this is going to be an afternoon you won’t forget.
Bring your seat cushion, your friends, and your love for live music. Don’t miss this sweet slice of West County magic!
Tickets are $25 advance, $30 at the door. Doors open at 2:30 PM. Bring your own seat cushion or low-backed chair. No outside food or drink allowed except water. People with limited mobility and OCA members can email us to reserve ground-level front row seating (chairs).
Award winning singer-songwriter Essence Goldman has been immersed in art and music since childhood. Her birth name really is ‘Essence’ – she was raised by quintessential flower children. As a sixth generation native of San Francisco, her parents were two free spirited bohemian artists from the Haight-Ashbury ‘Summer of Love.’
Essence’s sound nods to songwriting legends like Tom Petty and Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton and Gillian Welch. In addition to writing folk/Americana, country, pop and rock songs, Essence has produced a very much loved children's album called “A Dog Named Moo.” Essence recently received national and international spotlights for her work with Bernie and the Believers through NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and BBC. “The story of Bernie and the Believers is the most powerful I've ever come across at the Tiny Desk.” - Bob Boilen, (host and creator of NPR's online music show All Songs Considered and NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts series.) The story and music of Essence’s project Bernie and the Believers is currently being developed into a major Hollywood feature film on which she will be a co-producer with Weed Road Pictures and John Legend and his team “Get Lifted.” Essence has toured nationally, opening for Jason Mraz, Shawn Colvin, Tom Petty, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Chrissie Hynde, Steve Miller, Pat Benatar, and Linda Perry.
Essence’s forthcoming album titled “Father’s Daughter” is named as an ode to the man that raised her and made her into the person she is today. Fully steeped in the traditions of the Appalachian, Americana and Country music that Essence grew up on, this album is an honest and at times humorous account of her losses and wins; to the bone and from the heart. A collection of songs capturing hard won wisdom that could never have been written without real life living. It is at once deeply personal and immediately relatable; vulnerable and brave. Dobro guitars that conjure the spirits, pedal steels that dance like the wind, rolling banjos that haunt and chill, rousing harmonies, church organs and cinematic strings; these are the colors that paint this timeless soundscape.
While in the studio making her new record, Essence formed a strong musical and personal bond with guitarist, producer and songwriter Danny Uzilevsky. Their newly formed duo features twinning vocal harmonies reminiscent of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and other great male/female duos, including Gillian Welsh and Dave Rawlings, making this pair a powerful emerging voice on the Americana landscape.
When Essence is not in the studio recording, or on the road touring, she is a voice coach and leads powerful workshops called “Finding Your Voice'' for artists and business professionals. Essence is also the founder and executive director of a powerful non profit called ‘Believe Music Heals’ which is dedicated to transforming lives through the healing power of music.
Essence is also a dedicated mother to a wonderful son and daughter.
3 Acre Holler is an acoustic band based in Sonoma County featuring the vocals and songs of singer Cori Wood and singer/guitarist Layne Bowen. Other band members are bassist extraordinaire Cary Black and one of the most honored fiddle players on the west coast, Paul Shelasky. Dobro player and singer/ songwriter Michael Capella rounds out the band. Together, 3 Acre Holler material is rich in tradition with songs influenced by old time Appalachian and country music as well as the finest contemporary alt country songwriters. Layne and Cori wrote nine original songs that reflect those traditional influences for the band's most recent recording "Prudence and Wisdom" on Jackalope Records. The cd has received critical praise and is for sale at shows.
