Red Dragonfly Productions Blog

We've relocated!

We loved our studio on First Street, but we outgrew the space. So, we moved to a new studio which is about 2,000 square feet. We've expanded the computer learning center, have added additional rooms and teaching staff, and are able to do concerts, workshops, seminars in our new studio. I'm teaching in the concert room. I have my piano in one corner and teach Monday through Saturday. The room is big enough to seat 30 people and we now have a place for student performances, group classes, jam sessions and the occasional concert.

Here's the new contact information:

Red Dragonfly Productions
310 Military West
Benicia, CA 94510
www.RedDragonflyProductions.com
707.771.0140
rhondalucile@comcast.net

851 Music Studio
310 Military West
Benicia, CA 94510
www.851MusicStudio.com
707.747.851
info@851MusicStudio.com

About Red Dragonfly Productions

Red Dragonfly Productions produces, promotes live music in the Bay Area. Red Dragonfly Productions is committed to supporting music as a means of artistic expression and community.

About 851 Music Studio

851 Music Studio provides private and group instruction for electric and acoustic guitar, bass, piano, violin, voice, saxophone, drums and harp. Lessons emphasize the fundamentals of music, and general musicianship with an eye towards creativity and improvisation.

The onsite teaching staff includes J. Shelby (guitar, bass, voice), Rhonda Lucile Hicks (piano), Josh Icban (guitar), Matt Ortiz (guitar), Tony Parcaut (guitar), Don Bassey (bass and band development), Aina Davis (violin), Bryan McVicker (saxophone), Justine Chadly (children’s music), Stephan Betz (music therapy) and the offsite teaching staff includes Matt Guggemos (drums), Cynthia Schultz (lever and Celtic harp) and Maureen Moore (voice).

The studio provides private and group instruction, student band development, computer learning, recording services, play nights, workshops, field trips and student performances. Beginning through advanced students are welcome.

Labels: 851 Music Studio, Benicia, guitar lessons, music lessons, piano lessons, Vallejo

Volker and Don will play a rare acoustic blues guitar concert at 851 Music Studio in Benicia on Saturday, February 7th at 4 pm. The concert is free and open to the public.

Volker Strifler, the long-time member of the Ford Blues Band has formed his own band that features his talents as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. He has long been a respected sideman to an impressive lineup of other artists such as Robben, Pat and Mark Ford, Lowell Fulson, Chris Cain and many more. Volker conjures up a seductive mixture of old and new styles and hard to find originality.

His solo CDs, "The Volker Strifler Band," released in 2002, and "The Dance Goes On," released in 2006, have received critical acclaim from press, musical peers, and fans around the world. Today it’s clear that Volker Strifler is a unique musician in his own right.

Always true to his blues roots, Volker is not merely satisfied with interpreting and copying his idols. To him, reaching out and finding new interpretations of this vital music is as important as respecting long standing traditions.

When blues guitarist Volker Strifler was putting his new band together seven years ago, he called Don Bassey to fill the bass slot and team with award-winning drummer Gary Silva in the Volker Strifler Band rhythm section. Don’s playing is featured on the band’s new Blue Rock’It Records release “And the Dance Goes On."

Previous concerts at 851 Music Studio have featured The Steve Freund Trio, harpist Cynthia Schultz and Pepperland (Beatles Tribute Band make up of 851 Music Studio students).

The idea for a concert/informal lecture was the idea of 851 Music Studio owner and guitar instructor, J. Shelby. Shelby said he wanted to create a special event where students and musicians could experience music and have a conversation.

851 Music Studio presents
Volker Strifler and Don Bassey
Acoustic Blues Guitar Concert
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2009
Time: 4 pm
Location: 851 Music Studio 310 Military West Benicia, CA 94510
Free Admission –Open to the Public - Limited Seating – Reservations REQUIRED!
Call 707.747.0851 for reservations and information

Labels: 851 Music Studio, Benicia, blues, Don Bassey, guitar, Volker Strifler

Music is coming this summer to the Benicia Historical Museum! It's cold and dark now, but come June, we'll be sitting outside in shorts and tank tops, sipping wine and listening to the first of many outdoor concerts to come.

The museum has built a beautiful garden in back of Stone Hall. We'll be able to seat 100 people and have planned eight concerts from June to October 2009. The museum is well known for it's Celtic concerts in Stone Hall, and with the addition of the new garden will be able to program new and different music.

I've been named Artistic Director for the Spenger Garden Music Series and I have been given the task of bringing music to the garden. The museum has charged me with their mission to be a center of culture and community. They feel a deep responsibility to bring music that will electrify, educate, enlighten and entertain. I am thrilled to have this artistic freedom and I look forward to building this small series into a gem of musical enjoyment.

My mission is bring new, different, unusual, illuminating, ecletic, enlightening, boundary pushing music to the Spenger Garden Music Series. I plan to focus on bringing some of the best in music to the museum.

I asked my music teacher this past year "What makes music 'good' music?" His answer was simple -- "When it moves you."

I look forward to the opportunity to move the audience, the musicians and all that will come to experience the community of the Spenger Garden Music Series.

Stay tuned! We'll be announcing the series in March!

Labels: Benicia, Benicia Historical Museum, music series, Spenger Garden

I finally got a chance to see the inside of The Empress Theatre in Vallejo. I've been hearing good things about The Empress and it's all true! The Empress has been beautifully restored to it's glory. It just goes to show what a few million dollars can do! My hats off to all involved in this restoration. You can be proud.

The Majestic Theatre in Benicia is not going to be available to rent for the next 3 months. Robert is taking a break from renting the theatre through the winter so the opening of The Empress couldn't happen at a better time for me. I spoke with Robert last week and he'll let me know as soon as The Majestic is available to rent, but for now -- there aren't going to be any shows at The Majestic Theatre. We've certainly had some memorable shows with some wonderful artists -- Steve Freund, Tommy Castro, Maria Muldaur, Johnny Ace, Cathy Lemons, Pork Pie Phillips, Alvon, Mz. Dee, Stef Burns, Kenny Saydak, The Alameda Allstars, The Detroit Disciples, The Volker Strifler Band, The Bud E. Luv Trio, Bill Haley's Original Comets, VOENA, The David Thom Band, Craig Horton, The Suburban Comedy Tour, George Winston, House of Floyd and Antsy McClain and The Trailer Park Troubadours....

I'd like to thank Robert, the owner of The Majestic, for two wonderful years of shows at The Majestic!

Labels: Benicia, The Empress Theatre, The Majestic Theatre, Vallejo