Jeff DeMark

Blue Lake writer and performer Jeff DeMark has been performing his stories, poems and songs since 1974 in venues ranging from the Coffee Break in Sunny Brae to the Knitting Factory in New York City and dozens of theaters, coffee shops, schools and night clubs in between the coasts. He has written five solo theatrical shows and is happy to help both CASA and the Soroptimist International of Arcata. His main goals in show biz are to just stay in the game and let one show lead to another. So far, so good.

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The Performers

Lyndsey Battle – Vocalist

Lyndsey Battle is a singer/songwriter from the Gulf Coast bringing a folk-style perspective on the music of the Mississippi River Delta to her audience on both East and West Coasts.  Lyndsey’s fresh sound and original lyrics carry a message that appeals to listeners of all ages.  After releasing her first album, The Prototype, in 2004; Battle’s devotion to her art earned her The Independent News’  award for Best Vocalist in 2006.  Carrying this momentum into the following year, Battle managed to produce her second album, Kill Bass, while touring heavily with her band throughout the Southeast.  These days, one might find Lyndsey Battle strumming on her guitar at a festival or Farmer’s Market in Humboldt County while steadily at work on her upcoming third album.

Michael Conner – Poet

Michael Conner is a spoken word poet that has called Eureka home for nearly a year, and plans on staying while pursuing educational and creative endeavors. Born in Texas, Michael performed in many theater plays while in school, and later competed in several poetry slams during a few years residency in Colorado. With over ten years of performing side-by-side with many talented artists and teachers alike, Michael is no stranger to the stage. He is now excited about living, learning and performing in Humboldt County.

John David Young Trio – Band

John, the lead guitarist, lead vocalist and primary songwriter, is a Humboldt native.  He plays keyboards as well as guitar.  He once played backup for Roy Orbison.
Ray started out in a gospel group in Nevada, and played at the Save Mono Lake concert in 1980.  He is the bass player and playlist consultant (meaning, if the bass man likes it, they play it!)

Les, the flute player, second vocalist and songwriter, and voice coach, used to be the MC of the Has Beans Open Mic, which is where the three of first met.  They have been playing together for a little less than a year.

Jeremiah Johnson – Juggler

Jeremiah began his juggling and performance career in 2005 when he discovered the HSU theater club, the Humboldt Circus. Having uncovered his hidden talent and newfound passion, he practiced avidly and quickly found his way onto stage as a juggler.  Mostly self taught, within a few short years Jeremiah has performed countless times with the Humboldt Circus, toured with the Freelove Circus, collaborated on the instructional juggling DVD Clubmotion, created an entire solo juggling show, and along with a few other talented jugglers, formed the performance troupe the Poetic Motion Machine who in the summer of 2009 won a bronze medal in the International Juggling Competitions Team Division!  Jeremiah has since redirected his college studies toward theater and movement, and currently performs locally in the Humboldt Area building his career and juggling life.

Josephine Johnson and Andrew Goff – Vocalist and guitarist

After earning an MA in English from Humboldt State University in 2007, Josephine Johnson was so enamored of Humboldt County that she decided to stay and now proudly calls Eureka, California, home. As a 19 year old National Civilian Community Corps/ Americoprs volunteer, she taught herself to play guitar in an abandoned airplane hangar on Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado.  Ever industrious and always an avid writer and singer, Josephine honed her music in the evenings and early mornings for nearly ten years before deciding to share her music publicly, though her cats, friends, and family have always been her number one fans.  You can catch Josephine each Tuesday from 10:30 am to noon at Has Beans in Old Town, Eureka, and at almost any open-mic in Humboldt County.  She just completed recording a CD of original music slated for release April 2010.

Andrew Goff snuck in the back door.

Katie Kime – Vocalist

Katie has been singing for most of her life and was fortunate enough to take singing lessons for about 7 years.  She was involved in choirs throughout her schooling and was a member of the Eureka High School Mixed Ensemble for two years and then a member of Eureka High School’s Limited Edition for two years.  She was also selected to participate in the All-County Choir all 7 years during her schooling.  While at Eureka High she was selected by the faculty as a 2005-2006 Bank of America Achievement award winner in the field of choral music and won the National High School Choir Award during her senior year.  She has been selected to partake in various singing competitions including the Colgate Country Showdown and Nashville Star.  She has also had the honor of singing the National Anthem for various events throughout the community.

Donna Landry-Rehling and Bryan Rehling – Dance duo

Bryan and Donna met at a dance event have been enjoying life together since.  Donna has been a performer/entertainer in Humboldt County for many years with her 50’s Revue band, jazz group “The A Train”, her singing telegram service, and with her Rhythm & Blues group “Swing Set with Donna Landry”.  Bryan has enjoyed dancing most of his adult life, beginning with country western line dance and then on to ballroom and Latin styles.  They continue to occasionally take dance classes together when their schedules allow.  They each work full time jobs in the community and actively support community organizations with their time, talents and treasure. 

Sara Seidt – Vocalist

A Humboldt County native, Sarah Blair Seidt has been performing in the area for a number of years in local theater productions and with the Redwood Coast Children’s Chorus under the direction of Kathe Lyth.  Her newest project has been lending her vocals to Laurel Blair’s latest album “My Constant Hope”, a collection of traditional hymns set to original melodies.  As a former foster child, Sarah is excited to be supporting CASA and Soroptimist in their efforts to support children throughout Humboldt County.  Sarah is grateful for the support of her accompanist Nanette Voss, who has been performing locally for a number of years as a vocalist, accompanist and music director for many local theater productions.

The Soulful Sidekicks – Band

The Soulful Sidekicks, a trio with Ginger Cassanova on Guitar, banjo and vocals, Laura Hennings on guitar, harmonica and vocals, have been performing together for over 4 years. J.P. Reese, who joined the group last September, plays bass. The Souful Sidekicks bring “heart” back into the sound of music with emphasis on rich harmony. Their musical selections include folk ballads and pop standards from the 40s to 70s, with a light touch of bluegrass, light rock, gospel, blues and a sprinkling of country classics and original songs.

They have performed at various local venues, including the Humboldt Folklife Festival, morris Graves Museum, The Arkley Center Tuesday Music Café, Clark Museum, Eureka Theater, McKinleyville Summer Converts in the Park, Scotia Inn, Westhaven Center for the Arts, Humboldt Artisan Fair and too many more to mention here.

Kati Texas – Vocalist

Kati Texas is a Graphic Artist, and local Mural Painter. She encourages Girls to find their own creative voice by running the  the North Star Quest Camp for Adolescent Girls.Kinetic Sculpture Racers will know Miss Texas as “Rutabaga Queen 2008-Lotta Paintbuckets” & an ACE Kinetic Pilot.

Vacation Life – Band

Hiking a mountain trail?  Lost your passport at a border crossing? Forgot your swim trunks on a Caribbean cruise?  Time off can be hard earned with hard work.  But there are always days spent lounging on the beach, drink in hand.  Viewing a breath-taking vista from the top of the world.  Dancing the night away in the warm summer breeze.  Every moment of your life can have this attitude and we would like to provide the soundtrack.  Members include Timmy Havens on bass, Ryan Brock Campbell on guitar and back-up vocals, Shannon West on lead vocals and Matt Smith on drums.