Alice Howe & Freebo have undeniable chemistry. Rock bass legend Freebo weaves his fretless stylings into Alice’s soulful, impeccably-tuned vocals for a harmony-driven performance showcasing two uniquely compelling songwriters.

Best known for his ten years playing bass with Bonnie Raitt, Freebo has toured and recorded with some of the greatest artists of his generation, including John Mayall, Ringo Starr, Crosby Stills & Nash, Maria Muldaur, and Dr. John. For the past twenty-five years, he’s been writing and performing his own original music. Alice Howe is a lifelong singer and songwriter beginning to make a name for herself, and recently had the honor of being named Best Female Artist at the International Acoustic Music Awards. Freebo and Alice have been working as a duo since 2017, and he produced her latest record Circumstance, recorded at iconic FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Their new album Alice Howe & Freebo Live is the duo's first joint release. Recorded in front of a small live audience in Port Townsend, WA, it debuted as the #1 Most Played Album on Folk Radio.

“When these two get together, prepare yourself for an extraordinary evening of song and smiles, and maybe a tear or two. Powerful songwriting, mesmerizing vocals, outstanding musicianship, and a palpable camaraderie make for an experience unsurpassed on the contemporary acoustic scene.” - 

Ron Olesko, The Folk Music Notebook

This very special show will be a blend of Hayley and Heather's individual music and the very first presentation of the collaboration they've been working on over the last few years together. They will debut 6-8 new original co-written songs inspired by Celtic Mythology that will later become a publicly released duo album and possibly a theater production.

It will be an intimate night of music and a window into an exciting new collaboration.

The streak continues - Cold Chocolate is back for another show! They are a genre-bending Americana band that fuses folk, funk and bluegrass to create a unique sound all their own. Led by Ethan Robbins (vocals/guitar/mandolin) and Ariel Bernstein  (vocals/percussion/banjo), the Boston-based duo released their fifth full-length album in the fall of 2023. “We're growing as a band, and I think that shows in our songwriting,” says Robbins. “I see this album as a leaping off point for many more new albums to come, and that's an exciting prospect,” adds Bernstein.

Punctuated by tight harmonies and skillful musicianship, Cold Chocolate has quickly gained recognition for their original music and high-energy shows. The band has shared bills with Leftover Salmon, David Grisman, and Angelique Kidjo, and regularly performs at venues and music festivals across the country. Jason Verlinde of The Fretboard Journal who covered the band’s FreshGrass Festival set noted “there were plenty of magical moments…I will never forget [watching] Cold Chocolate perform.” Kathy Sands-Boehmer of No Depression raved, "[Ethan] feels the music in his heart and soul and it shows when he plays. Ethan becomes the music on stage. There’s an almost mystical connection between his guitar and the notes that flow out of it."

​“Opening with a smooth and soulful organ and maintaining a laid back groove punctuated by slinky guitar playing, the song is a feel-good meditation…Blending Americana, jammy West Coast rock and roll and even the loose, flowing spirit of jazz, the song captures the band’s talent for writing poignant and catchy songs while bottling up their creative live energy in a studio recording.”

--Glide Magazine, April 22, 2020

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​“Aloft a roadhouse funk setup, Cold Chocolate addresses some of life’s more profound truths.”

--Melissa Clarke, Americana Highways, May 19, 2020

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"Cold Chocolate may have started in the rootsy, bluesgrass realm but have evolved into more jam rock with shades of jazz and funk.  It makes for a fine musical blend...Part of the band's charm are Robbins and Bernstein's harmonies, which add a layer of sweetness to their beguiling melodies.  It comes together to make their music spirited and uplifting."

--Mayer Danzig, Twangville, January 7, 2021

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"The evolution and metamorphosis of a band or artist is an inevitable thing. Particularly with those to whom creativity seems to flow like a raging river and who’s veins are filled flush with soul and vibe. Cold Chocolate is one of those bands. Over the years the adapting and growth of the self described “genre bending Americana band” has seen waves of straight acoustic, firey bluegrass, jam infused rock and even a folkier side."

--Brian Carroll, Redline Roots, May 8, 2020

We are kicking off our 10th year of hosting house concerts with something new! Molly Venter and Eben Pariser of Goodnight Moonshine will lead us through a Primal Music Experience and then play a mini concert.  This will be a one of a kind evening and we look forward to it!  

Because of the intimate nature of the Primal Music Experience, this special evening is limited to 23 guests. As far as location...we may be inside....we may be outside. We'll make a decision with Eben and Molly.

Molly and Eben are offering this experience as a gift to our Homegrown community, so all you need to do is reserve your spot. We simply ask that that represents a solid commitment on your part.  If you'd like to make a donation directly to them at the end of the evening, there will be a way to do that.

About Goodnight Moonshine

Goodnight Moonshine is a guitar and vocal duet, and a musical marriage in all senses. The Duo combines the evocative voice and songwriting of Molly Venter, with Eben Pariser’s adventurous guitar playing. The result is folk music with a depth of improvisation and tonal subtlety usually reserved for jazz.

While Molly and Eben have been successful musicians separately, their combined talents leave nothing more to be desired. Their relaxed harmonies and obvious chemistry leave the listener impressed by the vulnerability of the artists and hopeful that such honest communication becomes the norm and not the exception – both for musicians and marriages.

About the Primal Music Experience

Primal Music is an interactive music experience that fosters group cohesion, emotional expression, and joy.

Music is a universal language, and likely the original language of humankind. Humans are unique in their musical ability and every one of us is a natural born musician!

Primal Music is rooted in Eben's work as a neuroscientist, educator, and musician, and draws on aspects of indigenous medicine. There will be a variety of fun acoustic instruments (djembes, pitched percussion, keyboards, pipes, percussion, etc.) for participants to use as Eben and Molly guide us through a transformative musical experience. As a married couple, their goal is to provide a "safe container" for the experience.

MORE ABOUT PRIMAL MUSIC: A Non-Verbal Interactive Music Experience

Overview
PRIMAL MUSIC is a transformative, non-verbal music experience designed for corporate events, organizational retreats, music festivals, and workshops. This innovative program harnesses the profound connection between music, education, science, and spirituality to foster community, emotional expression, and joy.

The Concept
Inspired by Eben Pariser’s background in neuroscience and passion for music education, PRIMAL MUSIC prioritizes the raw experience of music over traditional methods that focus on practice and mastery. The goal is to immerse participants in music-making from the very beginning, allowing them to connect with the essence of music and bypass the anxiety and judgment often associated with learning an instrument or singing.

The Science Behind PRIMAL MUSIC
Research shows that only a few species—humans, songbirds, and certain marine mammals—are capable of vocal learning. However, only humans can synchronize their movements to a beat and form a chorus. When engaged in musical activities, our brainwaves and heartbeats begin to synchronize, fostering feelings of connection and releasing oxytocin, the bonding hormone. This powerful synchronization enhances social cohesion and can even elicit feelings of euphoria.

Historical Context
Archaeological evidence suggests that music has been integral to human culture for at least 50,000 years, likely even longer. As early humans developed fire and burial customs, they were also making music. Neuroscientists theorize that music may have predated language, serving as a means of emotional communication and community bonding. This connection implies that our unique musical ability could be foundational to the evolution of complex civilization.

The PRIMAL MUSIC Experience
In PRIMAL MUSIC sessions, participants are invited to reconnect with their primal selves—before the advent of language. Using a variety of acoustic instruments such as drums, piano, and strings, We guide participants through a non-verbal musical journey. They are encouraged to try playing different instruments, or to meditate, draw, dance, or simply lie on the floor, allowing their instincts to guide them.

Impact and Benefits
The results of the PRIMAL MUSIC experience are profound. Participants often report intense feelings of love, joy, and connection. One participant remarked, “I’ve done acid 100 times looking for this feeling.” As we create a powerful collective rhythm, it becomes impossible for adults not to play in time, revealing our innate musical abilities. PRIMAL MUSIC fosters a sense of community and collaboration, making it an essential tool for strengthening connections in today’s world.