Pleased by Summer, Shade Tree Plans Folk Series for Fall

So far, so good in the Shade Tree musical instrument shop’s attempt to become an oasis in the desert that is Orange County’s folk music scene. The summer series of Saturday night acoustic concerts in the cozy venue in Laguna Niguel drew well, according to Greg Mirken, who runs the shop with his wife, Margie.

All but one of the summer shows featured locally based singers and players performing for $5 admission. Mirken said each act drew an average of 40 to 50 fans to the shop, which has enough seating and standing room for about 60 people. The Shade Tree is embarking on a fall series of eight weekly shows. This time, there’ll be a greater number of touring performers (and higher ticket prices, ranging from $6 to $10).

The series starts Sept. 24 with a songwriter showcase featuring local performers Richard Curiel, Terry Miller, Sandii Castleberry and Rick Clark. Oct. 1 is Dulcimer Night, with local players Jim Hayes, Deidre Jackson, Patti Krall and Margie Mirken. Oct. 8 is Bluegrass Night, with guitarist Tom Long and harmonists Janet Beasley, Marshall Andrews and Gary Shirreffs.

Kim Robertson, a harpist from Nevada City who has made a name in traditional folk circles, appears Oct. 15. Chris Proctor, a Los Angeles-based guitarist, plays Oct. 22, along with banjoist David Guptill.

Alistair Anderson, a concertina and bagpipe expert from Great Britain, becomes the Shade Tree series’ first international figure on Oct. 27, a Thursday night. The Andy Rau Band, a new-wave bluegrass group, plays Oct. 29, and local classical guitarist Gregory Coleman ends the fall series Nov. 12.

For information, call (714) 364-5270.