Squid Fest West is shaping up to be one for the records. It’s KSQD’s Sixth birthday celebration March 15th at The Resource Center for Nonviolence, 1-6pm at 612 Ocean Street in Santa Cruz. Get your tickets before they sell out on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/squid-fest-west-benefit-concert-auction-tickets-1201335279159?aff=oddtdtcreator

The lineup includes some wonderful acts. Plus we have some amazing items in our silent auction: A five night stay in Yosemite, Two Nights at the River Inn, Big Sur, psychedelic framed posters, books, local artists’ paintings, jewelry,  and more. All of the proceeds go to support KSQD community radio, broadcasting now since 2019 to the region.

Here are the artists:

PAINTED MANDOLIN TRIO

 

We’re excited to welcome Painted Mandolin Trio with Dan Robins, Larry Graff, and Matt Hartle (sans Joe Craven). Painted Mandolin Trio is a plugged-in acoustic quartet of original compositions, reupholstered covers, and reimagined medleys. The concept was born out of mutual love and direct affiliation to the musical leanings of Jerry Garcia.

SAMBA NGO AND MANDJOU KONé

Samba Ngo, the internationally acclaimed guitarist, singer, and songwriter from the Congo, blends traditional African sounds with contemporary influences. His electrifying performances captivate audiences worldwide, leaving them inspired and energized.

Joining him is the legendary Mandjou Koné, a griot and master vocalist from Mali and Burkina Fasso, whose performances are a mesmerizing journey through West African traditions. Known for her dynamic stage presence and rich, expressive voice, Mandjou connects deeply with audiences, weaving melodic stories of resilience, unity, and joy.

Together, Samba Ngo and Mandjou Koné create a one-of-a-kind musical experience that transcends borders and celebrates the richness of African culture.

SHARON ALLEN AND DUSTY BOOTS

Sharon Allen is a veteran performer from Santa Cruz who delivers her Americana with a filling blend of her own songs and favorites. Every song is delivered with her sweet voice and persona. Sharon has gained respect from radio and audiences as she weaves between genres she knows well; folk, country and blues. To help Sharon bring a toe-tappin’ swinging good time is her band The Dusty Boots, all seasoned musicians who can bring you to your feet or pull at your heart strings. The Dusty Boots are: Mike Mongiello/guitar, Charlie Wallace/steel guitar, Jerry Bradley/bass and vocals, Jim Hannibal/saxophone and Jimmy Norris/drums and vocals. They have shared stages with notables such as B.B. King, Etta James, Robben Ford, Lonnie Mack, Elvin Bishop, Jesse Colin Young, Laura Love and Paul Thorn.

LUCAS LAWSON

is a young singer/songwriter who grew up on a farm just north of Santa Cruz, California. Lucas’s upbringing on an organic farm exposed him to the balance and harmonies that all living things have to offer. At a young age, Lucas began attending bluegrass barndances on the farm, where he first learned to play the guitar alongside local group, the County Line Pickers. When those sadly came to a halt in March of 2020 due to the threat of a growing pandemic, Lucas found himself writing songs more than ever. A few of those songs he recorded and produced himself to form his debut EP: Revisited Harbor.

DAN AND LAUREL

Meeting in 2012 via a chance YouTube sighting and fueled by a once-in-a-lifetime musical chemistry and friendship, Canadian-American husband-wife Roots-Folk duo Dan Frechette and Laurel Thomsen are “prodigious players with songwriting that sets them apart.” With soaring violin, diverse guitar styles, compelling storytelling, a dash of harmonica and humor, and unique vocal rapport they deliver a dynamic, engaging, polished performance.

GINNY MITCHELL

Ginny Mitchell is a singer/songwriter in the country and folk vein. “Songwriters write and sing their songs because they just have to”.

If they’re gifted, guided and lucky, they know it when they’re young and they pursue it as a career, as a life mission. Like Ginny Mitchell did. Today she’s among the premier all time women musicians and singers from that creative arts haven that is Santa Cruz, on California’s alluring Central Coast.