The La Honda Voice

The Face of Local Music - Nigel Webb

 

by Craig Eddy

Well, when it comes to the local music scene there are only a handful of musicians that have been around La Honda as long as Nigel Webb. Nigel first came to the area in 1975. He was looking to check out the counter culture movement happening on the West Coast and the beauty and weather of the Santa Cruz mountains appealed to him. He fooled around with guitar for a couple of years and then on a trip to Mexico a friend loaned him a guitar and he got such a good response from people that he came home and started playing as a duo with Gary Gates. It went so well with Gary that they brought in Bobby Gates on drums and Mark Binion on Keyboards. After a couple of gigs as the Reactors they changed the name to the Rhythm Method. Rhythm Method played all the clubs from Santa Cruz to San Francisco for just under ten years. Eventually Nigel decided he needed something besides playing for little or no money and started up the Greenpeace Benefit Concert in San Gregorio which he coordinated for several years. He still is involved in the local festival scene in La Honda and Pescadero.

Nigels' motivation with his music has always been to help the world in a positive way.  His music is groove oriented, quite danceable, and socially conscious. He incorporates Afro/Caribbean influences and creates a vibe that is infectious and fun and really gets people into the dance mood. He is also an avid collector of world beat music recordings and has an extensive collection.

These days Nigel doesn't play out that much, but his two projects bring together some of the area's best talent. Both This Way Up and the International Head Band have a few dates at the local venues each year. His favorite venue is the La Honda Fair where he can be checked out this June.

I highly recommend you catch Nigel when and where you can but be sure to bring your dancing shoes.

Download the December Edition of the La Honda Voice

Here it is...
Download TheLaHondaVoiceDec1

The Face Of Local Music - Jane Sullivan

 

By Craig Eddy

What would possess someone to completely abandon sanity and get into the restaurant business in a tiny place like La Honda?  In this months Face of Local Music I hope to get that story as well as more. 

Jane and Tim Sullivan started the latest La Honda restaurant about three years ago.  When asked why they decided to try what no one else has been successful at, Jane made it clear it is all about community.  Jane wants to provide a place for the locals to get together for food, art, music and all kinds of events.  Jane still loves the social aspect but she is a bit less enthusiastic about cooking as she used to be.  I guess cooking for sixty instead of six can wear a body out.  As a previous owner of a La Honda restaurant I can concur that La Honda likes having a place to go for socializing.  There are plenty of places to eat within a half hour drive from La Honda but there is nothing better than dropping into the local eatery for a bite only to discover it happens to be Lit night, or Historical Society night, or having a local musical group playing. Of course I couldn't get Jane to pick a favorite band out of all the local groups she has brought in (she's way too smart for that) but she will tell you her favorite event has been the Sully's to Surf marathon. 

Having survived this long I asked Jane to give us a hint what might be coming up next.  The next special event is all about the holiday season.  It all starts with the annual tree lighting on Dec 4th.  Skylonda Equipment has donated this years tree and at 6pm after Con Law throws the switch he will be weighed.  Just as last year there will be a contest to guess Con's weight.  All proceeds will go to the La Honda school.  Guesses are one dollar each and can be purchased at the Post Office from Karen. Jane invites all La Hondan's to kick off the holiday season and support Con in his weight loss program.

Sullivan's will be having a holiday party celebrating all the usual excuses to have one but she will be adding Keith Richards birthday to the list this year. December 18th will feature several local musicians doing mostly Rolling Stones songs.  There will also be a white elephant gift exchange throughout the evening.  Bring something from around the house but if you buy something please keep it under five dollars. Festivities should get going around 7:30pm.

This coming year it looks like Sullivan's will be sponcering another Sully's cruise.  The people that went last year are still talking about it.  Check with Jane for details. Of course there will be another Sully's to Surf marathon next year.

In parting I asked Jane what she would like to say to La Honda and she just wants everyone to get involved with the local scene.  Many folks still don't get involved with the many things going on around town. Come down and check out Lit night or the Historical Society.  Guest bartender night is always a lot of fun for various great causes. Thanks to Jane and Tim for giving the town of La Honda a heartbeat. On behalf of the local artists and musicians I would like to thank Sully's for giving the locals a place to share their art and music.  To keep up with what is going on in La Honda be sure to check out www.lahonda.com.