New ‘Cass After Dark’ event combines music with stargazing
Event coincides with a new moon and will include stargazing hosted by the Cal Poly Astronomical Society
– A new winter evening event called “Cass After Dark” is scheduled for Jan. 17 at Cass Winery in Paso Robles.
The family-friendly event is set for 5 p.m. and is described as a seasonal gathering centered on music, stargazing, and outdoor activities. The program includes live Americana music, fire pits for s’mores, soups, mulled wine, and hot cider.
The event coincides with a new moon and will include stargazing hosted by the Cal Poly Astronomical Society. Organizers said the night’s featured musical performance will be by the Los Angeles-based Americana group the Susie Glaze New Folk Ensemble, with special guest Paso Wine Man Casey Biggs.
According to event information, the evening’s music will feature Americana, folk, bluegrass, and country selections, including songs by Arlo Guthrie, Woody Guthrie, John Prine, Steve Earle, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan.
The Susie Glaze New Folk Ensemble was named best new folk artist by LA Weekly in May 2019. The group includes vocalist Susie Glaze, mandolinist Steve Rankin, fiddler Mark Indictor, and bassist Fred Sanders.
The ensemble blends folk, bluegrass, and Celtic-inspired music and has been compared to British folk groups Pentangle and Fairport Convention for its approach to traditional folk music and storytelling paired with orchestral-style arrangements.
The group has appeared at venues and festivals throughout the West Coast, including Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, McCabe’s Guitar Shop, the Broad Stage, the Hollywood Bowl, Palms Playhouse, Don Quixote’s Music Hall, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, and the California Institute of Technology Folk Music Society.
The ensemble released the album “White Swan” in March 2013. The album received coverage from No Depression, FolkWorks, Pop Matters, M Magazine for Musicians, Music News Nashville, and FolkWords UK, and charted in the Top 50 on the Roots Music Report combined internet and terrestrial folk chart.
Bluegrass Unlimited wrote, “If there were a word to describe this fine band, it would be sophisticated. They draw influences from disparate sources to meld their sound. The level of musicianship is exemplary.… display a great range of prowess and work as a tight unit.” No Depression described the group as “…one of the finest and most original Americana groups in California (or in the country for that matter).”
LA Weekly wrote, “A flat-out superb vocalist… Glaze delivers warm, amber-toned vocals that explore the psychic depth of a lyric with deft acuity and technical perfection.” KVMR in Nevada City stated, “The band is tight, great picking, and beautiful vocals and harmony.” The Scott Valley Bluegrass Festival wrote, “She held the audience in the palm of her hand….”
KCSN in Northridge wrote that Glaze “…does something with a song that only great singers can do…” KPFK’s FolkScene described her as having “One of the most beautiful voices in bluegrass and folk music today.” Folk musician Jean Ritchie said, “…with people like this to trust, my music will go on living, and soaring. And so will I.”
Cass Winery is a family-owned vineyard located in the Geneseo area of eastern Paso Robles. The property includes 145 acres of Rhône and Bordeaux varietal vineyards that are fully estate-grown.
The winery operates a tasting room and full-service café and has hosted vineyard weddings since 2004. In 2019, the winery opened a barrel room designed for large events. Lodging and outdoor experiences are also offered through on-site inn and camp accommodations.
Click here to learn more about the event and purchase tickets.
