The Best Cellar Coffeehouse - A monthly music series (usually 4th Fridays), featuring area and regional performers, usually held at the the First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Avenue. Admission is on a sliding scale of $2 to $10 (kids are free), with coffee, juice, teas, and sweets available at a nominal charge.

The Best Cellar continues its mission of bringing great acoustic music to the community for a price anyone can afford. The Cellar has lots of fans and plenty of fine musicians that want to play there. We could use a couple more volunteers. We have enough volunteers right now to make an evening of music happen, but not quite enough to cover if one or two folks can’t make it. The jobs are simple enough. Cookies, coffee, taking admission, and selling the occasional CD for the artists. No heavy lifting. If you’d like to join Diane Roth, Bob Duval, Van Fister, and me in helping to create this community event, please get in touch with me, Mark Weiss, 752-7456. Thanks.

Upcoming Best Cellar concerts

Apr 27 (Fri) — Wild Hog In The Woods and Gumbo (Best Cellar Coffeehouse)

7:30 pm, $2-10, Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe (11th St. entrance)
These two great groups did a combined gig last year and absolutely blew the walls out from under the roof. They mix and match with great instrumental work and singing. Together they provide one of the happiest evenings of music you're ever gonna hear.
The Best Cellar is located in the Cellar of the Methodist Church on 11th and Monroe (enter from the back). We do a sliding scale for admissions of 2-10 dollars, your choice. Kids are free and welcome. Coffee, cookies, tea, and water are available.
Gumbo: A local band that plays less familiar vintage gems and original songs and tunes that capture the spirit and styles of the popular music of the depression era 1930's — with a the strong influence of the black musicians who performed at that time and created so much excellent music. They emphasize having fun and creating synergy!
Wild Hog In The Woods: Another local band that’s been together for over fifteen years, havin' fun every minute of the way... and it's contagious. So watch out! They play Kickin' Stringband Music from now and then, including traditional & original tunes: Oldtime music, Old-school country classics, Hot Sleaze-jazz, and Tin-pan-alley Gems... Enough said... Words do no justice. Just get out and catch 'em if you can. You'll be glad you did.
The Wild Hogs are: Hershel Olmsted — clawhammer banjo; Ted Tom — guitar, dobro, tenor banjo; John Simonds — bass, vocals; John Donoghue — mandolin, tenor guitar, cello, chromatic harmonica.
Wild Hog Gumbo: A culinary, auditory experience!

Past Best Cellar concerts

Mar 30, 2012 (Fri) — Rita Brown and Bill Smythe, Tim Hardin

First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe (use the 11th Street door), Adults: 2-10 dollars, sliding scale; Kids: Are free and welcome.

7:30 Rita Brown and Bill Smythe

Yes, Rita and Bill have returned from their world travels and come home to The Best Cellar. Wonderful vocals, great guitar playing, original songs mixed in with some classics. A great duo.

8:30 Tim Hardin

Tim returns to The Cellar with some new satirical material and a few old friends helping him out. Tim has a great voice and some very clever lyrics.

Feb 24, 2012 (Fri) — Laura Zaerr and Hilary Smith, Clint Epps

First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe (use the 11th Street door), Adults: 2-10 dollars, sliding scale; Kids: Are free and welcome.

7:30 Laura Zaerr and Hilary Smith

Most folks who've lived in Corvallis for awhile have heard Laura's wonderful harp work. For this performance she will be joined by a second great harpist, Hilary Smith of Sisters. Together they will play everything from Celtic to jazz to folk to Renaissance styles of music.

8:30 Clint Epps

We've been hoping to get Clint to the Best Cellar for quite awhile now. He hales from Virginia. With his strong guitar work and his pure, Appalachian voice Clint has a natural feel for that style of music, whether he's playing a classic traditional song or one of his tasty originals. Clint will be joined on some songs by his wife Lauren and their harmony singing is really something special. Join us for this long over-do debut at The Cellar.

Jan 27, 2012 (Fri) — Songwriter Showcase

7:30 pm, First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe (use the 11th Street door), Adults: 2-10 dollars, sliding scale; Kids: Are free and welcome.

Dec 2, 2011 (Fri) — CD Release concert: Mark Weiss and Friends

7:30 pm, First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe (use the 11th Street door), Adults: 2-10 dollars, sliding scale; Kids: Are free and welcome.

Guest appearances by:

Sandy Smith, Jeff Hino, Audrey Perkins, Jeff Hino, Cliff and Chere Pereira, and more... Come and celebrate a project five years in the making. Proceeds from admission to benefit the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence.

Oct 28, 2011 (Fri) — Prime Standard; Cooper Hollow

$2-10 sliding fee, First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe (use the 11th Street door)

7:30 — Prime Standard

Hot swing and jazz from Fred Berman, Ray and Bev Brassfield, and more.

8:30 — Cooper Hollow

One of the finest old time string bands around. Hot fiddle. Terrific singing. And mostly, lots of fun.

Sept 30, 2011 (Fri) — Jeff Hino and Dave Plaehn; Cyd Smith and Ruthie Dornfeld

$2-10 sliding fee, First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe (use the 11th Street door)

7:30 — Jeff Hino and Dave Plaehn

The top blues duo in Oregon. Great vocals, Harmonica, and slide guitar/dobro.

8:30 — Cyd Smith and Ruthie Dornfeld

Two of the original members of the legendary "High Water String Band" (along with Jeff Hino) return to Corvallis. Wonderful guitar work and fiddle. Lots of old favorites combined with some excellent original tunes.

May 27, 2011 (Fri) — Tom and Ellen Demarest; Kristen Granger and Dan Wetzel

$2-10 sliding fee, Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave. 11th St. door

7:30pm — Tom and Ellen Demarest

"Acoustic folk, with a hint of country-blues and a taste of technology here and there.

8:30pm — Kristen Granger and Dan Wetzel

Singer-songwriter Kristen Grainger is also known as the voice of Oregon alternative-bluegrass band True North. An accomplished pianist, poet and short-fiction writer, Kristen has been writing song lyrics on the backs of parking tickets and Keno slips for as long as she has been legally able to drive and gamble.
In addition to performing as a duo with Kristen, Dan provides direction and creative leadership for True North, and also sings and plays mandolin and guitar with the band. He earned considerable recognition touring nationally as a solo artist. Dan has shared the stage with the likes of David Grisman, Bryan Bowers and John Lowell of Kane's River and Growling Old Men, and his talents are frequently tapped for various recording projects and live performances.
Kristen and Dan have been writing and performing music and filing jointly as a married couple for nearly seven years. The duo started True North in 2003 and the band continues to perform and record avidly.

Apr 22, 2011 (Fri) — MC Squared; Deborah, Sophie, and Claire Lindsay, with Heather Pinney and special guests.

$2-10 sliding fee, Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave. 11th St. door

7:30pm — MC Squared

Cliff and Chere Pereira with Mark Weiss. Nice three part harmony with some great guitar licks

8:30pm — Deborah, Sophie, and Claire Lindsay, with Heather Pinney and special guests.

Mar 25, 2011 (Fri) — Wild Hog In The Woods; Gumbo

$2-10 sliding fee, Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave. 11th St. door
What do you get when you get a little Wild Hog and mix it up with some Gumbo? You get an evening of entertainment! These two local bands, Gumbo and Wild Hog in the Woods, are teaming up to present an evening of all-original songs for your listening pleasure. Here’s the recipe for the evening; You get a little straight Gumbo, and a little bit of pure Wild Hog in the Woods, and then you mix the two together to cook up some Wild Hog Gumbo! Please plan to join us at this All-Original Musical Event!
Gumbo: A local band that plays less familiar vintage gems and original songs and tunes that capture the spirit and styles of the popular music of the depression era 1930's — with a the strong influence of the black musicians who performed at that time and created so much excellent music. They emphasize having fun and creating synergy!
Wild Hog In The Woods: Another local band that’s been together for over fifteen years, havin' fun every minute of the way... and it's contagious. So watch out! They play Kickin' Stringband Music from now and then, including traditional & original tunes: Oldtime music, Old-school country classics, Hot Sleaze-jazz, and Tin-pan-alley Gems... Enough said... Words do no justice. Just get out and catch 'em if you can. You'll be glad you did.
The Wild Hogs are: Hershel Olmsted — clawhammer banjo; Ted Tom — guitar, dobro, tenor banjo; John Simonds — bass, vocals; John Donoghue — mandolin, tenor guitar, cello, chromatic harmonica.
Wild Hog Gumbo: A culinary, auditory experience!

Feb 25, 2011 (Fri) — Adam Scramstad, The Nettles

$2-10 sliding fee, Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave. 11th St. door

7:30pm — Adam Scramstad

One of Oregon's finest guitarists. Steeped in traditional blues and finger style guitar, Adam branches out into ragtime, and originals, as well.

8:30pm — The Nettles

"Ahh, the Nettles. One of the finest groups around. Wonderful musicianship. Not to be missed." Check out their web site for samples and mp3s of "Celtic with a Kick."

Jan 28, 2011 (Fri) — Sharon Thormahlen; Swing Habit

$2-10 sliding fee, Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave. 11th St. door
This evening of music brings together Sharon Thormalen playing original and celtic harp music on harps made by her husband Dave, who, no coincidence, plays mandolin and sings with Swing Habit. A household of music brought straight to you.

7:30pm — Sharon Thormahlen

Harpist and composer, Sharon has always been a Best Cellar favorite

8:30pm — Swing Habit

One of the top swing groups around. Lots of fun with songs from the 30's and 40's. Great instrumental work.

Dec 3, 2010 (Fri) — Tim Hardin and Friends; Three-Fingered Jack

$2-10 sliding fee, First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Avenue. (Enter from the back / north side)

7:30 — Tim Hardin and Friends

Great local folk singer with some pretty great friends

8:30 — Three-Fingered Jack

Wonderful Irish band. Superb instrumental work and lots of fun.
Three-Fingered Jack was born in 2006 when long time Corvallis Celtic guitarist and bouzouki player Bruce Marbin joined together with cellist and whistle player Beth Brown, fiddler Shari Ame, and bodhran player Laureen Urey. Three-Fingered Jack is named for the rugged peak in the Cascade Range.
Three-Fingered Jack taps into the deep roots of the Celtic world. They are known for driving reels and lilting jigs punctuated by proud and clear traditional ballads, tightly harmonized waltzes, and the occasional drinking song. The combination of instruments and vocals produce a powerful and richly layered sound. If you take an Irish pub session, set it down in an Oregon barn, put on your dancing shoes, and let the rain fall hard on the roof, Three Fingered Jack will be there.
After a year of work with Wild Rose Studio, the band recently completed their premiere CD "Bigger Than You Think." The CD combines traditional Celtic tunes and songs with contemporary and original pieces. Some highlights include Shari’s Grandma Eleanor Eastonian tune, an original jig by Shari, and a Middle-Eastern-inspired and Celtic-based modal tune by Bruce.

Oct 22, 2010 (Fri) — Judy Fjell (all evening)

$2-10 sliding fee, First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Avenue. (Enter from the back / north side)
Judy Fjell returns to Corvallis on October 22nd, at the Best Cellar. Judy is an historic part of the Corvallis music scene, having started her career here in the 1970's. More than any other performer, Judy brought "women's music" to life in our community. She was the first local performer to ever "come out" on stage. But most especially, Judy has always given us the kind of inspirational singing that breathes warmth into a heart gone cold. Whether interpreting the great songs of the masters, or delivering one of her powerful and/or humorous originals, Judy's music is moving, expressive, and, ultimately, triumphant.

For the occasion of her return, Judy will be joined by long time music partner, violinist Crystal Reeves of Ashland. Together they will weave a little musical magic. We invite you to join us.

Sept 24, 2010 (Fri) — Dave Plaehn and Creighton Lindsay, Prime Standard

$2-10 sliding fee, First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Avenue. (Enter from the back / north side)

7:30 — Dave Plaehn and Creighton Lindsay

Blues, and so much more, from two of Oregon's finest acoustic musicians.

8:30 — Prime Standard

Swing and all that jazz from from a recently formed group of Corvallis all-stars: Fred Berman, Ray Brassfield, Bev Brassfield, Faye Cummins, and Jg.

May 21, 2010 (Fri) — Nancy Spencer and Cyd Smith; James Wilson

7:30 — Nancy Spencer and Cyd Smith

Musical Saw, flute, strong vocals, and great guitar from two of the folks who created the Corvallis Folklore Society
Nancy Spencer has performed all over the country, including Prairie Home Companion (twice). She doesn't just play the saw, she makes it sing in the most remarkable way. She'll be accompanied by Cyd Smith, a true talent on the guitar and an excellent singer-songwriter. Along with Paul Kotapish, Nancy and Cyd created the Folklore Society we all enjoy so much, today.

8:30 — James Wilson

Return of a terrific Celtic musician
James Wilson first played the Best Cellar in March, 2008. He has two recordings available on CD Baby and Amazon: A Jig Monkey in the Northwest and Tunes Fer Yer Head, both recorded with Tom Demarest. Once a member of Corvallis group Poitin and Stout, he currently plays in Sacramento Irish bands Whiskey and Stitches and Stout Rebellion. The former headline Sacramento's Summer Concert Series in Cesar Chavez Park July 30. The latter play most Thursday evenings - "Irish Night" - aboard the Delta King in Old Town Sacramento. He will be bring his mandolin, classical guitar, 12 string guitar, tin whistle, melodeon, and flute; however, he will primarily concetrate on the guitar for a performance of Irish, Scottish, light classical, and original instrumentals.

April 23, 2010 (Fri) — Best Cellar Coffeehouse: Ian Priestman / Mitch "The Whistler" Hider

7:30pm — Ian Priestman

Thoughtful original songs mixed with humor and interesting instrumental work.

8:30pm — Mitch "The Whistler" Hider

An Oregon icon. Must be seen to be believed. From swing to folk to classical to, well, God only knows, with true style and musicianship.

$2-10 sliding fee, First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Avenue. (Enter from the back / north side)

March 26, 2010 (Fri) — Best Cellar Coffeehouse: Wild Hog In The Woods / Shanghaied On The Willamette

7:30pm — Wild Hog In The Woods

One of the finest, and fun-est old time sting bands around. Wild Hog really plays a variety of musical styles, and they do them all well. This is foot stompin’ music at it’s best. A good will be had by all. The Wild Hogs are: Hershel Olmsted — clawhammer banjo; Ted Tom — guitar, dobro, tenor banjo; John Simonds — bass, vocals; John Donoghue — mandolin, tenor guitar, cello, chromatic harmonica.

8:30pm — Shanghaied On The Willamette

A long time Best Cellar favorite, this duo brings sea shanties and other folk favorites to audiences throughout the northwest. A real treat.

$2-10 sliding fee, First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Avenue. (Enter from the back / north side)

Feb 26, 2010 (Fri)

7:30 — Sharon Thormahlen
Sharon has been playing music since she was 12. She has found the harp to be the most creative of all the instruments she has played. Her compositions are like musical watercolors. They are haunting, evocative and beautiful. It's music you can get lost in.
8:30 — Madera
Music from Central America played and sung with great enthusiasm and skill. Vocals and instruments are done beautifully. One of the biggest hits of last year's Best Cellar season. The songs are all done in Spanish (with some introductory explanation), and done with such feeling that every lyric is completely understood.
Location: The cellar of the First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Avenue.

Jan 22, 2010 (Fri)

7:30 — Gary and Shy Nolde
Gary and Shy first played the Best Cellar in 1974. Now, "after 35 years of rehearsal," they are back, with two or three special friends sitting in.
8:30 — Johanna Beekman
Johanna grew up in the Corvallis music scene. Now she returns with her special brand of songwriting and wonderful voice. Joining her will be George Beekman on percussion and the Lyris Cooper on bass.
Location: The cellar of the First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Avenue.

Older Best Cellar concerts