Auburn City Limits blends diverse performers, genres

The space is dimly lit – just some overhead yellow beams diffusely raining down onto a simple framework, and array of tables and chairs in front of a stage. The group comes on; they are the Duo Quartet – two with acoustic guitars plugging into amps, the percussionist straddling a wooden box that looks like a painted milk crate, and another holding a tambourine. All performers take to their mics, the first chord flourishes above the crowded tables, and suddenly, everyone in the room becomes elevated, soaring high above their bodies while being carried to whatever far-off destination that warrants their imaginations. Music brings us back, propels us forward, pins us directly to the moment in time – sometimes forever. It's what highlights Auburn City Limits, a series of concerts that have been running the last two months in its current series – having been in existence for two years – and will culminate with a performance Saturday at General Gomez Arts. For fans and music lovers, the series of concerts has been a boon for those particularly fond of singer-songwriters and folk music, but not only that, specifically. Duo Quartet, a female band consisting of equal-numbered members of other bands, rocked the house weeks ago with foot-stomping and gentle renditions like Elton John's classic "Love Song" and original tunes. The series also just featured Glen Philips, singer and songwriter of the alt-rock '90s radio staple Toad the Wet Sprocket, who performed such hits as "Walk On The Ocean" and "All I Want" to an excited, packed house in the downtown venue. A strong run is something organizers Michael Pierce, the theater guru, and Kevin Odell, the series' talent wrangler, have always wanted to go for. "We always say we're not in this for the money," Pierce said, then with a smile, "but we don't really want to lose money either." For both men, longtime friends in promoting the arts, it has been about providing eclectic entertainment to Auburn, about bringing audiences out into a community celebrating art and all of its wonderful connectivity. Odell has been plugged into the music scene for years, booking talent for Auburn State Theatre and other venues. In early 2023, he and Pierce began discussing the idea for a series that spotlighted singer-songwriters and original work but, as Odell mentioned, didn't focus exclusively on the one genre. Odell, whose enthusiasm when talking about his own musical proclivities is equally matched in partnership with Pierce, himself being involved extensively with theater production since childhood, building sets with his father for stage shows, began the process of gathering talent from his old contacts while Pierce prepared the venue. Both have an affection to the music scene as a whole. Pooling their diverse talents has been something both have seen grow into a wonderfully satisfying experience. For Odell, bringing in original songs is a hallmark. "Local musicians often play standard cover tunes that people have heard a million times before at bars or breweries," Odell said, his voice jovial with endeared amusement beneath. "We wanted to bring something to the audience that's unique and different to what they can get." Accessibility is another component to the series. Arts and music have been demonstrated to offer profound benefits to a person's overall health regardless of their stage of life. The diversity of health effects – from keeping the brain active by playing an instrument to the mental health benefits of expressing oneself through writing and performing to sharper memories by singing – are what engages the audiences mostly beyond its entertainment value, as well as the subtlety of blending different genres. Pierce and Odell explain that most of the talent is brought in while in the midst of tours, on their way to other places. This provides a unique opportunity for artists and audiences alike: a show where audiences hear new works or new variations of work while artists are free to try out new ways and styles of performing. It's also a great way of blending different talent together, such as Duo Quartet with Alice Wallace, who will take the stage this Saturday. Wallace, a famed singer-songwriter, was the recipient of the Female Vocalist of the Year by the California Country Awards and is hot off the release of her new album, "Here I Am." She's playing the last show of the series at Gomez this Saturday. Accompanying her will be legendary blues guitarist Mighty Mike Schermer, adding more flavor and bluesyness to Wallace's deeply soulful work. Tickets for the show are available now at www.auburncitylimits.org. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at General Gomez Arts Center, 808 Lincoln Way, in Auburn.