The California Honeydrops don’t just play music — they throw parties. Led by dynamic vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Lech Wierzynski and drawing on diverse musical influences from Bay Area R&B, funk, Southern soul, Delta blues, and New Orleans second-line, the Honeydrops bring a vibrant energy and infectious dance-party vibe to their shows. They’ve taken the party all over the world, playing festivals of all kinds and touring widely across North America, Europe and Australia. In 2016 the Honeydrops were honored to support Bonnie Raitt on her North America release tour — and in the past have been privileged to support the likes of B.B. King, Allen Toussaint, Buddy Guy, and Dr. John. Whether in those high-profile performances or in more intimate venues where the band itself can leave the stage and get down on the dance floor, the California Honeydrops’ shared vision and purpose remain: to make the audience dance and sing.

The band will returning to Portland for a two-night stand, Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3, at The Star Theater, 13 NW 6^th Avenue for 9:00 pm shows with opening act Steep Ravine. Tickets are available in advance through Ticketweb.com for $20.00. This is a 21 & over only event.

While growing up in Sweden, Anders Osborne discovered enough of a connection to American blues that he decided to move to the United States and settle in New Orleans where he’s since become a mainstay on the city’s immense musical scene. Between the potency of his richly detailed songwriting, his intensely emotional, soulful vocals, and his piercing, expert guitar work, Osborne is a true musical treasure. He is among the most original and visionary musicians writing and performing today and has been heralded by Offbeat magazine with being named the city’s best guitarist three times and best songwriter twice. Guitar Player magazine has named him “Poet Laureate of Louisiana’s fertile roots music scene.” With a handful of recordings on the Alligator label (his latest titled Spacedust & Ocean Views), appearances on the television show Treme, and performing with the likes of other well-known Louisiana artists as Keb’ Mo’, Tab Benoit, Johnny Sansone, and Mike Zito.

Anders Osborne will be performing at The Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Avenue, on Thursday, November 17,  in a double bill with singer-songwriter James McMurtry.  Show time is 8:00 pm and it is open to all ages, with minors being accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tickets are $29.50 in advance through Ticketfly.com, or $32.00 day of show at the venue.

Mary Flower and Thad Beckman are two diverse yet overlapping talents, and they’ll team up for a double bill at The Lake Theater & Cafe, 106 N State St in Lake Oswego, on November 7. Each will perform individual sets and then will close the night playing together for a few songs that will surely create some magic in the theater.

Multiple Blues Music Award nominee, guitarist, singer, and songwriter Mary Flower is that rare breed of American roots artist. With a devotion to the art form that is both lovingly and historically accurate while steeped in a creativity that lends it vitality and energy, Flower’s music continues to evolve and flourish in an age of increasingly digitized and compressed music.

Thad Beckman, with seven solo recordings under his belt, has performed on Late Night with David Letterman and Levon Helm’s Midnight Ramble, and at The Kerrville Folk Festival, The Waterfront Blues Festival and countless other festivals, theaters, and clubs across The USA, Canada, and Europe.  John T. Davis of The Austin American Statesman describes Beckman as  “a voice that rasps like shoe leather on roadside gravel, and a finger-picked guitar on which notes fly by like railroad ties under a fast moving freight.” And Tom Russell simply calls him “one of America’s best guitar players and a damn good songwriter.“

This incredible twin-billed show will begin at 7:00 pm, with tickets available for $15.00 at https://laketheatercafe-com.seatengine.com.

Now in its fifteenth year, the Musician’s Toy Run Benefit, hosted by Francine West, will once again hold a day-long show aimed at bringing holiday joy to children. The event returns to the Trails End Saloon, 1320 Main Street, Oregon City, on Saturday, November 5 from 3:00 until midnight. Admission is only $5.00 or the donation of new unwrapped toys. Last year brought in $4,420.29 and five boxes of toys for the ABATE/Shriners Toy Run and they’re hoping to bring in more this year.

Francine West and her band The High Speed Wobblers will host a day filled with some of the very best musicians on the West Coast. Lloyd Jones, Jim Mesi, Norman Sylvester, Dover Weinberg, The Remedy Band, Hang Um High, and the Rose City Ramblers will all be hand to help with the cause. Also Bay Area boogie pianist and International Blues Challenge finalist Wendy DeWitt along with her partner Kirk Harwood will travel up to Oregon City to join in the fun. This is a remarkable line-up for a not-to-be-missed show that helps support a very good cause indeed!