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Sofia Talvik

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Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.

Sofia Talvik

Friday, May 17th, 2024

Pot-Luck Happy Hour 7:00P

MUSIC STARTS ABOUT 8:00P

Sofia Talvik returns to the USA and Gary’s House Concert Series to promote and perform her latest album — Center of the Universe.
If you have never seen her perform before, you are in for a treat.

Unmistakably Nordic in flavor, Sofia Talvik somehow still conforms to American interpretations of her own original music, a North Sea siren blending sparkle and melancholy. A veteran performer with 9 full length albums as well as numerous EPs, singles and tours behind her.

Growing up in Sweden her music has always had a special tint of her Scandinavian heritage, making her a favorite among music lovers. While her Swedish roots serve as the basis for her songwriting, she often calls upon her many journeys and experiences for inspiration, especially the uniquely American archetype of roaming the endless highway.

She has tours across Europe and through the 48 U.S. states in “Lil Chief”, her 1989 Winnebago Warrior.  Her husband behind the wheel, and at the sound board — They create an amazing brand of Americana Music with Nordic roots. 

“I think music in itself is healing…”

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“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence”

“If you find it hard to laugh at yourself, I would be happy to do it for you.”

COVID-19  2024 I will update COVID information closer to the Concert Date

Severe COVID has become less of a concern, and most people are developing flu like symptoms.   That said, I remind everyone — hosting a House Concert and attending is not risk-free.  I feel safe in these types of gatherings.  My personal perspective is that Life is not risk-free and there is no substitute for live music. 

Artists need to perform to survive, and some of us need to experience live music to stay alive.  I fall into the second group. CURRENTLY, masks will be neither required nor discouraged at the concert (if you want or don’t want to wear one, nobody will give you a hard time). 

Stay home if you have any symptoms or were exposed!!!

Support the Arts…or we’ll have to listen to each other

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2023/2024

Schedule

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John Velghe:

Ensemble Sangineto:

Patrick Sampson:

Poor Man’s Gambit:

Annie Sumi:

Sofia Talvik:

Ted Yoder:

Friday, September 8, 2023

Saturday, October 28, 2023

Saturday, December 2, 2023

Friday, February 2, 2024

Canceled , March 15, 2024

Friday: May 17th, 2024

Saturday: September 14th, 2024

Poor Man’s Gambit:    Friday, February 2, 2024

Annie Sumi:  Friday, March 15, 2024

Sofia Talvik:  Friday, May 17th, 2024

Ted Yoder:     Saturday, September 14th, 2024

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What is a House Concert? Why Do it?

When up-and-coming bands outgrow their local venues, they tour.  It is crazy expensive living on the road, so they will schedule House Concerts in between gigs as they travel across the country. It helps cover their travel costs, and many Artists love the personal setting.

A long time ago, I attended my first house concert for a band I followed since Med-School (Wishing Chair).  It was an amazing experience. This is now my favorite way to see live music… and it’s always music I love.  Professional venues now fall short of my expectations.    I have been hosting them since I moved to Woodbine in 2014.  I usually do 4-6 a year.

 Variety is the Spice of Life

I try to find different styles of music, ranging from indie rock to folk, bluegrass, country and as many unique Instruments as I can find.  The Artists discuss the rich history of the genre and music, answer questions and socialize during the “Pot Luck” party and intermission.  Where else would you be able to see National and International Artists up-close and personal.  Find them on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon and Like and follow them.  It helps them more than you can imagine.  Attend a house concert, buy the music if you like it.  Artists get very little money out of streaming.  

You can see some of the past Artists below, and the Pics link to their sites.  

 

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“Music is my religion”

Jimi Hendrix

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Pot-Luck Happy Hour 

Every House Concert is kicked off with a “Pot-Luck” Happy Hour. A lot of guests bring something to eat or drink—to share.  Usually enough to share with 6 or 7 people.  (We can’t have 30 people bring enough food to feed 30). The variety of Food/Drink people bring makes it a great time. You get to meet some very interesting people and socialize with the artist.  

Bring your favorite dish/appetizer – we all have something we’re known for. Something ethnic, something different… Or out of a box.  Wine, beer or soda is always safe.

We usually have 20-30 people show up—so there’s a great variety of food and drink. I usually contribute 3-Liters of Sangria, a 12-pak of beer and some Chips to start it off…. I also make 4 pounds of Pulled Pork BBQ. It is my “signature dish”.

⇒ Bring Your Favorite Drink ⇐

I have a pretty cool Bar that is fully stocked, but I try/hope not to have it raided during a show.  It often does…. I won’t charge if you drink from it, but you can, on an Honor System.

Donate to the BAR to help re-stock it… The Slot Machine — takes bills.

The $15-$20 donation collected at the door — all (100%) goes to the artist.  I keep nothing that is collected during the show.  Please don’t consider the Artist’s Donation to be an OPEN BAR for you.

“Music is the strongest form of magic.” 

                                     Marilyn Manson

Gary’s Bar

The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys

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Bar Collection

Prior Artists

Patrick Sampson

Patrick Sampson

Patrick Sampson is a self-taught singer-songwriter from upstate New York -- the eastern side of Lake Ontario. He started playing guitar in 2014. After several songs went viral on YouTube - he caught the attention of Gretsch Guitars and they have been a corporate sponsor since.
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John Velghe

John Velghe

John Velghe is originally from Kansas City and now lives in Baltimore, MD. His songs walk a tightrope between rock-n-roll, Americana, country, jazz and pop, intimate and grand.
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James VanDeuson

James VanDeuson

James VanDeuson is a Singer/Songwriter from the foothills of Central New York. His music is a blend of Americana and Folk Rock with a touch of blues. He has a very unique Dylanesque sound with influences from: Bob Dylan, James Taylor, and Neil Young. His songs speak directly to the trials of the human condition- dark at times, there is light. You’ll find love, loss, gratitude and many other aspects of what life throws at us woven into the fabric of this music.
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Wishing Chair

Wishing Chair

Wishing Chair was the 1st House Concert I ever attended and the 1st group I hosted. Wishing Chair was an American folk-roots duo, consisting of songwriter Kiya Heartwood and multi-instrumentalist Miriam Davidson. The band formed in 1995 and released eight recordings on their own independent label.
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Trae Sheehan

Trae Sheehan

Based out of West Virginia, Trae has been described as a blend of Jackson Browne’s voice with John Denver’s guitar playing and Eagles songwriting is a good description.
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Matt Bednarsky

Matt Bednarsky

Born to a jazz guitarist and a mother with a classical pedigree. His unique style draws influence from a variety of genres including pop/rock, folk, jazz, and blues.
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ENSEMBLE SANGINETO

ENSEMBLE SANGINETO

Ensemble Sangineto has a wide-ranging musical style with arrangements of traditional Italian, Irish, Scottish, & Breton tunes and their own original compositions.
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Sofia Talvik

Sofia Talvik

Originally from Sweden, currently living in Germany, her music is unmistakably Nordic in flavor, Sofia Talvik blends elements of Americana, Folk and Pop—impressive considering she is from Sweden. A veteran performer with 7 full length albums as well as numerous EPs, singles and tours behind her.
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Ben Danaher

Ben Danaher

A native Texan now calling Nashville home. The singer/songwriter writes of his personal experiences while giving unforgettable melodies. Ben blends elements from Country, Blues, and Americana to help illustrate his stories.
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The Whispering Tree

The Whispering Tree

The band includes singer/songwriter Eleanor Kleiner and multi-instrumentalist Elie Brangbour. They craft richly immersive folk-rock brimming with evocative lyrics, and nature imagery. Their style encompasses traditional folk, indie and classic rock.
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Annalise Emerick

Annalise Emerick

Annalise Emerick was raised in Seattle and Austin, Texas, then moved to Boston. Emerick established herself with an acoustic guitar and a cache of catchy melodies” prior to moving to Nashville.
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SunFlurry

SunFlurry

Imagine a child of the 80s/90s underground scene falling in with a 70s prog, classically-trained cellist. What do ya get? A refreshing and often unexpected sound.
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Adam Travis

Adam Travis

Adam Travis is a singer songwriter currently living in Brooklyn, NY. His music is optimistic and he approaches all of life’s ups and downs as a chance to learn and grow. He mixes a wide range of genres into his songwriting.
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Ted Yoder

Ted Yoder

Ted Yoder’s hammered dulcimer cover of Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” became one of the most-watched Facebook Live posts in 2016 when the song received more than 100 million views. Band members from Tears for Fears actually flew out to his home in Goshen, Indiana to see him perform.
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Gigi Rich

Gigi Rich

Originally from Freehold, New Jersey, Gigi Rich wrote her first song at age 13 and won Amateur Night at The Apollo Theater a short time later. After appearing on NBC’s The Voice at 16, Rich released her debut EP, All In My Head.
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Kiya Heartwood

Kiya Heartwood

Kiya Heartwood is an international award-winning folk singer song writer currently living in Austin,Texas. She has a long musical career with 6 solo albums, 9 albums with the Band Wishing Chair and 4 with Stealing Horses.
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Marc Gunn

Marc Gunn

Marc rose to prominence as the autoharp-playing half of the Brobdingnagian Bards in the early 2000s. After the group split up in 2008, Gunn became a prolific recording musician in the Celtic music community. He fuses his love of science fiction, fantasy, and comedy with his Scots-Irish heritage.
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“Music is the strongest form of magic.” 

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Information for Artists Gary@dellazanna.com

I am a surgeon by training and currently work in cancer prevention research at the National Cancer Institute.  I am not involved in the music industry at all– but have made some interesting connections over the years.  

I have been hosting house concerts since I moved to Woodbine, MD in 2013.  I host about 5 concerts a year on Fridays/Saturdays. A week day house concert would not be well attended where I live.

I am surprised and grateful for the amazing Artists who are interested in performing at my House Concerts Series.  Music is like a religion to me. It clears my mind, displaces stress and can bring me back to special times. It is better than any medicine or therapy I know of.   The world is a better place because some very special people are willing to pursue their dreams.

I recognize that you will not be getting rich performing at my House Concerts.  I do everything I can to make it worth your while, and show you the respect you deserve.  I make no guarantees on attendance – but I work hard to fill the space.  I must be doing something right, I have managed to attract amazing talent from all over the country—and so far everyone is willing and interested in coming back.

                                   Gary Della’Zanna

 

 Details and Fine Print:

  1. I generally send out about 100+ invites to friends by e-mail and Facebook.  People are encouraged to bring friends.  Artists can promote it on their Social Media as well – It is open to all.  I generally get between 20-40 people to show up.  Prior to COVID-19 I had a couple shows with 50.  
  2. There is a Pot-Luck Happy Hour party before the show— Most guests show up for it and bring something interesting to share—Food or Drink. It is a great time and there are some interesting people.
  3. You can do what ever you want.  Most artists perform 2-sets. The 1st set usually last about 45 min, followed by a 30-45 min intermission. Artists usually socialize, sign-up followers, and sell Merch during intermission. I estimate about 15-20% will buy CDs
  4. I collect the “Door” when I announce the intermission break.  I wait until intermission because some people show up late and I think if people like the music they might be more generous. I ask everyone to donate $15-$20 for the artist. I always remind people that the life of an Artist is hard—and that you traveled far to perform for them.  100% of whatever is collected goes to the Artists.
  5. I have a large music room that is about 18 x 18. The room is open to a large foyer—with 24 foot ceiling and steps to sit on.  I put chairs in the music room and half of the foyer.  The foyer has a wide archway opening into another room I converted into a bar.   There is plenty of seats and standing room.
  6. do not have an AMP or Mics. Most artists bring their own. I have a Baby Grand Piano and some LED Spot lighting.
  7. Artists are welcome to stay the night and I will make sure there is something for breakfast.  I have an in-law suite in the basement with a separate entrance. There are 2 bedrooms with queen size beds, a kitchen, full bath, TV room, game room, and wireless internet.  If you do not need 2 rooms, I might put out of town guests in the extra room.  I sometimes get people from NY, NJ, PA to show up for my House Concerts. 
  8. You are welcome to stay a few days (before and/or after) my House Concert if you have other gigs in the area and don’t have a place to stay.  No Room Service, but Free is always better than paying Baltimore and D.C. hotel rates.  The in-law suite allows for some privacy- you will not be in the middle of everything.  If you stay with us for a few days, you are welcome to join us for dinners–but don’t expect fancy.  We generally eat dinners together– you’re on own for Breakfast and Lunch.   

 

Gary’s House Concert Series 

Recognizes the following businesses for sponsoring the current House Concert. 

All proceeds go to the Artist.   

 

Gary's Fine Spirits

Gary's Fine Spirits

Promote your Bourbon, Whisky by supporting an Artist on tour.-- with a Click to your Website
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Promote your Restaurant
Promote your Restaurant
Cilantro's Website
Gary's Winery

Gary's Winery

Promote your winery by supporting an Artist on tour.-- with a Click to your Website
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Contact Me e-mail

Woodbine, Maryland 21797

I maintain a list of regular Invites, BUT I am always looking forward to meeting new friends—especially if they are already a Fan of the Artist.

My goal is to fill the house to capacity — the more the better for the Artist.   I have never had it so crowded that anyone complained.  Maybe that might be my actual goal.  

100% of what is collected at the door goes to the Artist.

I only ask you RSVP to give me a head count– if you did not get a personal invite e-mail from me.   I will send you the full address.

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