The Ugly Mug Café

Anonymous Oct 18, 2018 at 12:49AM

Victor brings his worldly stories and music to the Mug with Kemen Waddell

Anonymous Sep 9, 2018 at 7:39AM

Ronstadt Brothers Preserving 5 generations of Roots Tradition
Thur 9/13, 7:30pm (doors open at 7.00pm) Tickets $15adv / $18 door donation @ Ugly Mug Soquel
... Reservations/Info:
Fiddling Cricket at 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com

Ronstadt Brothers led by cellist Michael G. and Peter D. Ronstadt (guitar and banjo) along with multifaceted drummer Aaron Emery, present a new and fresh take on the traditional Southwestern and Mexican folk songs and offer innovative original material to those discovering the treasure of roots music. This musical journey will take you from the past to the present steeped in the Americana vein, carrying forward a sound closely tied in its infancy to their aunt Linda Ronstadt and their father Michael J. Ronstadt and the 5 generations of Ronstadt music from Tucson. Please join them on their journey through the Post-Modern American West as they share a little piece of their home with the world and take a little bit of the world back home with them.

In 2013 we were fortunate enough to have Ronstadt Generations (Michael J and his two sons, Michael G. and Peter), play in the Ugly Mug concert series. That concert, with its wonderful intimate vibe, received the best audience feedback of all the 150 or so shows we have had there before and since. Since their father’s death, Michael G and Peter have tried to carry on in the same spirit, so please make them welcome back to our stage.
“The Ronstadts preserve & redefine a century-plus family tradition, integral to the diverse tapestry of American music.” —Stephanie P Ledgin, author, Discovering Folk Music
www.ronstadtbrothers.com
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Anonymous Aug 31, 2018 at 1:45AM

since March, the Ugly Mug and our custies, have given over $300 to Planned Parenthood and The ACLU. Thanks Soquel!

Anonymous Jul 12, 2018 at 9:29PM

Villanelle CD release for "Light Path", "a harmonious vocal and instrumental blend of contemporary and traditional folk, a cappella, and inspirational music" Sunday, July 22nd, 7:00pm Tickets $12adv / $15door donation (under 12 half price) Presented by Fiddling Cricket Concerts & Canyon Acoustic Society
... Contact Fiddling Cricket at 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com for reservations or more information.
Villanelle began when Lynnette Mello and Karen Rodriguez met in the fall of 2011. Having a natural vocal blend, and a similar passion for music as therapy, they started out singing a cappella for bed-bound patients in hospice care. Since then they have expanded their music and have broadened their audience, completing their first album of original music in 2015, Paint Me a Song.
A villanelle is a type of poetry, and each of their original songs is a creatively crafted poem set to music in the style of country/folk and Americana with an Appalachian influence. They accompany themselves with a variety of acoustic instruments that include dulcimer, concertina, recorder, flute, ukulele, autoharp, guitar and piano, and have recently added a bass player, Oscar Rodriguez, Karen's husband. Their family friendly music appeals to all ages. Some of their songs will tug on your heart, and others will make you smile as they were written for just plain fun. Recently they completed their second album, Light Path. With their goal of bringing joy, comfort, positivity and meaning to others through their music, they hope to inspire and touch the hearts of listeners. "When you're lost and confused and feeling all alone, I will send the light path to lead you home.", from their title song, Light Path.
On Sunday, July 22nd, 7pm, at The Ugly Mug, Villanelle will be sharing songs from both of their albums, and celebrating the release of Light Path. www.villanellemusic.com
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Anonymous Jul 12, 2018 at 9:26PM

Dirk Hamilton with Marky Starks • Thur 7/12, 7:30p @UglyMugSoquel$15/18 Presented by Fiddling Cricket and Canyon Acoustic Concerts Dirk Hamilton with Marky Starks • Thu 7/12, 7:30p at Ugly Mug Coffeehouse, 4640 Soquel Drive at Porter St, Soquel • $15/18
The complete singer-songwriter and musician. Veteran of 16 albums since the 70’s (some major labels). Dirk Hamilton is Un-pigeon holeable!... Dirk regularly plays in Europe (where he lives half the time) with the four-piece Dirk Hamilton Band (Don Evans -lead guitar, Eric Westphal - bass, Tim Seifert - drums), and fronts The Bluesmen, a crack Italian group from Ferrara. He is also a strong solo performer - in more intimate settings the wit and humanity of his music shines through in a way that only a solo performance can convey. Dirk Hamilton is a prolific recording artist. His latest album called, More Songs From My Cool Life, came out in 2009.
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Anonymous Jun 19, 2018 at 2:15AM

Rowan McGuire is a singer-songwriter and guitar player from San Luis Obispo, California. His songs feature fingerpicking techniques that have percussive elements, and involve many different tunings. His lyrics and vocals carry underlying themes of change, growth, and leaving home, blending vocal melodies and harmonies with complex picking patterns. With the use of loops and different effects on his acoustic guitar playing, his sound has become more electric, giving the listener a different take on the sound of the acoustic guitar. His musical influences include John Mayer, Ben Howard, John Martyn, Nick Drake, and Tommy Emmanuel. https://www.rowanmcguire.com/

Anonymous Jun 2, 2018 at 1:01AM

Join us for Open Mic to hear poetry, music, comedy, and singing or perform yourself! Sign up is at 5:15pm, hosted by our very own Steven David.

Anonymous Jun 2, 2018 at 12:56AM

Steve Palazzo, with Charlie Rice and Rachel Goodman Pickin’ and singing duets vintage 30’s to 50’s Saturday, 2nd June 7.30pm. $15adv / $18dr The Ugly Mug, 4640 Soquel Drive, Soquel
... Santa Cruzian, Steve Palazzo, is this year’s Santa Cruz County Arts Council Gail Rich Awards winner in the music category. These annual Awards recognize those who inspire our culturally rich community. Steve has been involved with music his entire life and his rich amalgam of traditional bluegrass, blues and old-time country music, along with an enormous repertoire, speak to a lifetime immersed in playing, building (as the 3rd employee of Santa Cruz Guitars) and teaching acoustic guitar. His mastery of American Roots guitar styles and heartfelt vocals always make for a compelling performance. He was a regular member of the local bluegrass group, Homefire, for many years; hosts many excellent house concerts; and, when he has time away from his prodigious teaching schedule, accompanies and sings with favorite local partners, like Charlie Rice and Rachel Goodman.
The show will feature Steve singing old-time country duets with Charlie and Rachel, performing a separate set with each of them. Both sets will be drawing heavily from the pre-Bluegrass 1930's era of classic "brother duets" by the likes of the Delmore Brothers, Blue Sky Boys & Monroe Brothers, right up through the Louvin and Everly Brothers. Former bandmate with Homefire, mandolinist Mike Osgood, has also threatened to join in the festivities.
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Anonymous May 21, 2018 at 6:35AM

Friends and Denizens! Our weekly open mic is the best place to both be heard and to listen to a diversity of voices. This is what community means! Every Monday from 5:15 - 8:30pm!
Our longtime friend and performer Sam has recently recorded his first album and needs your support. He's about halfway to his modest funding goal, and any help you give is one more way to be a good person. He has been called the Jacques Cousteau of joie de vivre, and this is a chance to be a part of the joy!

Anonymous May 19, 2018 at 12:57AM

Blending the nuance of a classically-trained musician, the twang of a born-and-bred Texan, and a genre-bouncing career spent collaborating with musicians from around the world. http://www.michaelshay.com/index

Anonymous May 19, 2018 at 12:52AM

$15 at the door hosted by fiddling cricket and canyon acoustic society 408 499 9441 or crbrundle@gmail.com
The Todalo Shakers play vintage jug band party blues and old time rags and stomps. The band features lots of harmony vocal arrangements, making for a rich palette of vocal blends and a great feeling of camaraderie, the exuberance and fondness that the musicians feel for the music being very clear.
... Suzy Thompson (Berkeley) has long been known for her bluesy fiddling and powerful vocals. Eric Thompson (playing mostly mandolin here) began exploring the country blues way back in the 1960s with Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions (with Jerry Garcia). Guitarist/vocalist Frannie Leopold (Mendocino) is a perennial favorite instructor at many West Coast music camps. Bruce "WB" Reid (Seattle) sings and plays a rare vintage 6-string banjo-guitar (affectionately known as "the enforcer"). WB spent part of his twenties hanging out in San Diego with bluesman Sam Chatmon, of the legendary string band, the Mississippi Sheiks. Upright bassist Matt Weiner (Seattle) boasts a distinguished resume including stints with the Asylum Street Spankers and Hot Club of Cowtown. His slap bass solos are always a highlight of a Todalo Shakers performance!
What exactly is a "Todalo"? Pronounced "TOE-dah-low", it's closely related to "diddy-wah-diddy", and crops up occasionally in obscure old blues songs: "I'm satisfied, satisfied, my todalo shaker by my side" is a line from the Memphis Jug Band classic "You May Leave, But This Will Bring You Back" and references to "todalo" turn up in songs by both Mississippi John Hurt, and Bessie Smith. www.ericandsuzy.com/todalo-shakers
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Anonymous May 4, 2018 at 10:15PM

Special menu for Star Wars Day! 10% of sales goes to Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center!!

Anonymous May 4, 2018 at 10:11PM

May the 4th be with you!

Anonymous May 4, 2018 at 9:38PM

Happy Star Wars Day! Come in today for some yummy drinks and 10% of our sales go to Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center! http://www.wafwc.org/

Anonymous May 3, 2018 at 12:59PM

Who is excited to join the rebellion on Friday?

Anonymous Apr 26, 2018 at 12:28AM

This is the coffee you were looking for.
We will have a special Star Wars menu and 10% of sales will go to Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center (http://www.wafwc.org/)