Sarah McQuaid

Singer/Songwriter

USSB Parish Hall

1535 Santa Barbara St.

October 4, 2026

7:30-9:00pm

Sarah McQuaid’s lush, velvety voice combines with her engaging personality and brilliant musicianship on acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards and  drum to create a truly immersive experience. Her live performances are full of warmth, wit, and intimacy, and have earned her loyal followings on both sides of the Atlantic.

Born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holding dual Irish and American citizenship and now settled in rural England, she brings the eclecticism of her background to her captivating, unorthodox songwriting and choice of material. From contemplative ballads to playful blues to atmospheric instrumentals, Sarah’s music invites reflection, connection, and a deep appreciation of the quiet power of a well-crafted song.

In the words of one audience member: “Sarah is a truly impressive artist who takes you on a journey through storytelling, blending a variety of musical genres and instruments with ease and creativity. Her lyrics are down-to-earth yet incredibly captivating. Attending her concert feels like diving into a book of short stories — some resonate deeply, some spark your imagination, others make you pause and reflect, and a few bring tears or spontaneous laughter. Sarah’s connection with the audience is both gentle and profound. You don’t just watch a performance — you become part of it, part of the story she’s telling. … To anyone considering seeing her live: go. It’s worth every second. You’ll leave with your heart full and your soul touched — guaranteed.”

This performance is for seating in rows. Food or drink are not allowed in the Hall.

Alexandr Misko UnPlugged

Virtuoso Guitarist

USSB Parish Hall

1535 Santa Barbara St.

November 8, 2026

7:30-9:00pm

Alex Misko is a modern fingerstyle guitar prodigy who represents a remarkable new generation in his craft. He has over 230 million web views and over 1 million YouTube subscribers. This show took a decade to arrange as he is Russian émigré to Germany; tours the world from Carnegie Hall to Australia; and is currently on tour in New Zealand, managed out of Israel, booked out of Tennessee and promoted out of Australia.  A lot of moving pieces had to come together to finally get him here.

“Alexandr Misko is the future of acoustic guitar. People have watched my generation play and said "That's it, that's the limit, nobody can take the guitar any further." But that would be a tragedy to me. The moment I first saw Alexandr my heart filled up with relief and joy, as I saw that they had been wrong”

Jon Gomm (singer songwriter / virtuoso guitarist)

This performance is for seating in rows. Food or drink are not allowed in the Hall.

Andy McKee

USSB Parish Hall,

1535 Santa Barbara

January 24, 2027

7:30-9:00pm

Andy McKee is a world renowned guitarist best known for his original compositions for steel-string acoustic guitar. Andy has performed as a soloist in over 40 countries around the world, bringing a universal message of music without words. Andy turned to the steel-string acoustic guitar after discovering the music of modern fingerstyle guitarists like Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, Don Ross and others.

"I was so amazed at the possibilities of the acoustic guitar that were revealed to me by players like Hedges. I loved the idea of exploring alternate tunings and trying to cover rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic ideas at once. I was always quite shy as a kid and I felt like the guitar might be a way for me to say some personal things that were too difficult with words."

In 2006, Andy's music was brought to people around the world when his original composition "Drifting" began to go viral on the burgeoning website YouTube. To date, Andy's videos have had hundreds of millions of views which in turn have inspired people around the world to play fingerstyle guitar. Musicians as diverse as John Petrucci, Prince, Eric Johnson, Don Ross, Josh Groban, Steve Lukather, Lee Ritenour, and David Foster have recognized Andy as a unique and talented artist and have either recorded or toured with him since his breakthrough on the internet.

"Arguably the most influential player of the era, certainly on solo acoustic and perhaps overall."

Guitar Player Magazine May 2024

This performance is for seating in rows. Food or drink are not allowed in the Hall.

Guy van Duser & Billy Novick

USSB Parish Hall,

1535 Santa Barbara

January 31, 2027

7:30-9:00pm

“Elegant.” “Riveting.” “Soulful.” “Classic mastery.”

These are a few of the terms that have been used to describe the unique and stunning swing-jazz music of acoustic guitarist Guy Van Duser and clarinetist Billy Novick.

Their music is based around Guy's innovative finger-style guitar wizardry, and his uncanny ability to play bass lines, chords and melodies all at the same time. With his daring imagination, breathtaking technique, and his wonderful musicality, Guy has become an inspiration for guitarists all over the world. Amongst incredible guitarists including Chet Atkins, John Knowles and Richard Smith, Guy holds a legendary status and seems to have been at the center of the fingerstyle world forever. And yet, he has no website, and hardly tours… making this engagement exceptionally fortunate to come together as one of only two dates in California.

Novick’s ever-inventive and soulful clarinet playing provides the ideal complement to Guy’s guitar. With his vast knowledge of the classic jazz era, his dazzling improvising skills, and his entertaining vocals, Novick is able to both add a melodic and dynamic spark to Guy’s guitar. Their music sounds fresh and original, yet is also deeply rooted in the rich legacy of the classic jazz age. The duo can play any piece from their huge repertoire - an obscure Ellington tune, a Gershwin classic, a complex Jelly Roll Morton arrangement, or perhaps one of their originals - and immediately have it sound their own.

And, my, how they swing! The two of them together can create a pulse as driving as any big band. They have a musical telepathy and understanding that has been honed by fifty years of playing together, a rhythmic drive that doesn’t quit and a thorough mastery of their instruments. Add to all of this their relaxed and engaging stage manner, and you will be treated to a joyously entertaining and musically enchanting show that, indeed, has already stood the test of time.

This performance is for seating in rows. Food or drink are not allowed in the Hall.

Ardeshir Farah and Luis Villegas

USSB Parish Hall,

1535 Santa Barbara

February 2?, 2027

7:30-9:00pm

When we discuss artists who genuinely embody more than one culture, Ardeshir Farah stands among the rare few whose sound is not the result of strategy or trend, but of biography, memory, and instinct. His guitar speaks a language shaped by deep Iranian roots, years of displacement, and an intimate, organic dialogue with Latin music that never feels borrowed or superficial.

Born in Tehran, Ardeshir’s earliest relationship with music was formed in an environment where melody carried weight and dignity. Iranian musical culture, even when not taught formally, imprints a certain seriousness toward phrasing, a respect for tension and release, and an understanding of music as emotional architecture rather than ornament. This sensibility never left him. Even at his most rhythmically explosive, there is always a sense of inwardness in his playing, a lyrical gravity that traces back unmistakably to Iran. You hear it in the way his melodies unfold—not rushing toward resolution, but circling it, teasing it, allowing silence and restraint to do part of the storytelling. Ardeshir belongs to a generation of Iranian artists for whom exile did not mean rupture but transformation. Instead of freezing his identity in nostalgia, he allowed it to evolve, and that evolution found its most powerful expression through the guitar.

Ardeshir brings world-class artistry and elegance with his signature sound and passionate performances. Putting a dynamic spin on classical guitar music, he integrates Afro-Caribbean, Latin American folk, flamenco and Middle Eastern rhythms from his native Iran into a truly distinctive style. He is an incredibly versatile player who has shared the stage with top-tier musicians including Miles Davis, Bela Fleck and Bonnie Raitt.

Luis Villegas is an internationally acclaimed guitarist celebrated for his Spanish guitar artistry. HIs music embodies the passion of flamenco, the sophistication of jazz, the discipline of classical, and the global spirit of world music. Born to Mexican immigrant parents, Villegas grew up surrounded by a rich blend of cultural influences that shaped his sound and identity. He plays a rapid-fire, finger picking style that adds spark to the duos’ energetic performance.

This performance is for seating in rows. Food or drink are not allowed in the Hall.

Richard Gilewitz

USSB Parish Hall,

1535 Santa Barbara

March 7, 2027

7:30-9:00pm

"I actually wanted to be a drummer. Five minutes after my folks heard that news, they bought me a guitar.”  

Luckily for the rest of us, Richard discovered John Fahey and Leo Kottke (to whom he mailed his broken thumbnail). His innate musical gift was quickly apparent, demonstrated by his composition of a song so lyrical and inspiring only four years after picking up that first guitar that his hero Kottke recorded the final portion as “Echoing Gilewitz” (and kept the thumbnail!).

Richard is a fingerstyle master; he follows Joni Mitchell in a ranking of best fingerstyle guitarists…ever.  If she could only hear his rendition of Both Sides Now!  What truly sets him apart is the breadth of his musical choices and inspirations (Bach to Led Zeppelin anyone?) and the emotional tone he elicits from every piece, regardless of the clip at which a tune is played.  He was once told that every note is an individual in a society of notes and must be treated as such, giving unmatched depth and nuance to his musicianship.  A CD reviewer noted that

“Richard’s tunes breathe and have space; you can take a nap between notes” …in the best possible way.  

Having learned that musicians don’t usually know how to use silence in music, Richard prefers to let a tune sit like a dream in the listener’s hands. Imagine accomplishing that kind of gentle airiness when chasing notes like runaway horses.

“At turns mesmerizing, playful, humorous and wistful, Gilewitz is a master of moods when he speaks to audiences through his guitar. He's always at the service of his inner voice, which has a sneaky way of connecting directly to the listener's heart.” - Creative Loafing Magazine

“His quick wit and twisted sense of humor has made him an entertainer as well as a fine guitarist.” - Fingerstyle Guitar

This performance is for seating in rows. Food or drink are not allowed in the Hall.

Transatlantic Guitar Trio

THE Finest Guitar Trio in the World

SOhO, 1221 State St.

September 10, 2028

7:30-9:00pm

The Transatlantic Guitar Trio is, quite simply, the finest guitar trio in the world. This extraordinary trio features three very different members with very different backgrounds.

Richard Smith is an International Fingerstyle Guitar champion from London England. He is the current day Chet Atkins, Merle Travis and Jerry Reed rolled into one. Richard is a soloist and bandleader, and master of just about any and all guitar styles from country to Gypsy Jazz to Scott Joplin and more.

Joscho Stephan shapes modern gypsy swing with his playing like no other by combining Latin, classic and pop music into his interpretations of well-known classics and originals. With his authentic tone, harmonic refinement, rhythmic flair, and breathtaking solo technique, Joscho is known the world over for his sensational Django Reinhardt "Manouche Jazz" style; his guitar skills are so special you will be left breathless just watching him.

The brilliant Rory Hoffman is a master of many instruments from guitar to keyboards, accordion, harmonica and all reed instruments. Rory has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry many times as a soloist and sideman to Ricky Skaggs, Kathy Mattea, Kacey Musgraves and many more.

Since their very first live premier with us in 2019, and returning every year since, they have pushed each other to new heights in which the sum is greater than the parts, and are guaranteed to be fabulous. These three diverse stylists have become so harmonious in the music they have created that audiences tend to cheer while watching "note play" bordering on the impossible! Combining jazz ballads, gypsy swing standards, a pinch of pop music and original compositions to create a broad repertoire, Transatlantic is stunningly authentic.

This performance is for seating in rows in the music room with a minimum purchase of $20pp for food and drink in the back room prior to the show.