Point Richmond Acoustic Presents Adam Levy, Special guest Mark Lemaire opens

Point Richmond Acoustic presents songwriter Adam Levy, Friday, November 9, at 8:00 pm and special guests Mark Lemaire and Twilight. The series is hosted by the First Methodist Church of Point Richmond located at 201 Martina Ave. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Adam Levy is a literate and lyrical songwriter and accomplished guitar player who has toured as a member of both Norah Jones for the better part of a decade, and recorded with dozens of other artists including Tracy Chapman. He has released several solo albums, The Heart Collector being his latest.  He's equally adept performing alongside avant-garde jazz figures as he is with mainstream artists. His musical influences come from guitarists Bill Frisell, George Harrison, Jeff Beck, Les Paul, John Scofield, Steve Cropper, and Ted Greene, though one of his biggest musical heroes was George Wyle — his piano-playing grandfather. Adam is also a music instructor, a music journalist, and a touring artist. His writings regularly appear in Acoustic Guitar, Guitar Player, and other publications.

Says Point Richmond Acoustic co-producer Bruce Kaplan. “Many people know Adam as a really fine guitar player. But what impresses me, having seen Adam play solo, is that Adam turns a phrase just as well as he delivers a guitar solo. He’s a really great songwriter, and an engaging performer!”  www.adamlevy.com.

Mark Lemaire and Twilight (Cindy van Empel) will open the show.  Mark Lemaire’s music is both ethereal and deeply grounded. Berkeley songwriter Carol Denney says that “To call him a remarkable player would be a considerable understatement — just about nobody I know is doing what Mark can do on the guitar.” He’s shared the stage with Tracy Chapman, Maria Muldaur, and bass virtuoso Michael Manring.  www.marklemaire.com

While Mark’s solo guitar compositions stand as complete statements, the message in the vocals adds another dimension. Mark performs with his partner, vocalist Cindy van Empel, as Mark Lemaire and Twilight. This is music for adults, yet with clarity and incisiveness appealing to the part of us that is ageless.

The Pt. Richmond First Methodist Church is an intimate place for concerts, and music is an important part of its program. Built more than 100 years ago, the octagonal shaped sanctuary accentuates the up close and personal nature of the music. Pt. Richmond is a small enclave right off 580 ten minutes north of Berkeley and 10 minutes south of San Rafael.

Says Kaplan, ”The Point Richmond Acoustic Music series is completely non-religious and people of all faiths as well as no faith are welcome. It’s a friendly no-pressure environment, and even if it’s been a few decades since you have set foot in a church, no one is going to bite you. But they might offer you a cookie or cup of coffee. It’s all about the music here.”

After the November show, the Point Richmond Acoustic season continues on the 2nd Friday of each month with:

December - Peter Case - Legendary, twice grammy-nominated folk, blues, and rock songwriter returns to Point Richmond
January - Evie Ladin Band - Bay Area favorite (from the Stairwell Sisters) blends traditional folk influences and modern songwriting.

Point Richmond Acoustic is co-sponsored by Point Richmond Music, Folk Unlimited and the First Methodist Church. Visit www.pointacoustic.org for more info or contact Pt Richmond Acoustic at folkunlimited@att.net.


###