Happy, Merry Peace to you! I’ll be singing sweetly o’er the plains - I mean, o’er at Jay’s (Bistro and Lounge, 135 W. Oak St., Fort Collins) – this coming Saturday night, Dec. 22nd, from 8:30-11:30 pm. Santa Mark (Sloniker) will play the piano and his elf helper Roger Barnhart will accompany us on acoustic bass. Come on down for some Christmas cheer! I’ll actually be playing my guitar on this gig, too, doing some of my favorite “alternative” holiday tunes, and other fine, folkish fare, as well as our usual jazzy classics, Christmas and otherwise. Oh, come all ye weary shoppers - it’d be wise to take a break with us!

Monday, Christmas Eve, noon - 1 pm, Mark and I will join a cast of carolers, including Kevin Jones, Tim Cook (of the Subdudes), Deni LaRue, Scott Allen, Pamela Robinson, and Dave Zekman on KRFC’s Live@Lunch program, to celebrate the season in song. Sing along with us at 88.9 FM on air or online at www.krfcfm.org !! We’ll be there with bells on – jingle, jingle!

Later that night, Mark and I will participate in 2 Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at Unity of Fort Collins, 1401 W. Vine Dr. The first one is at 6 pm, and will have child care available; the second service starts at 8 pm. We will be joined by Cory Carroll on bass and Shilo Stroman on drums, and will likely have other surprise cameo appearances!

A mere week later, what do you know, it’ll be New Year’s Eve, and I’ll be back at Jay’s with Mark Sloniker and a whole band to ring in 2008!! The band plays from 9 till 1 am. It’s always a fun and festive event at Jay’s – make your reservations now, if you haven’t done so already.

Blessings and Light to one and all, and to all a Good Night! Colleen www.colleencrosson.com

Greetings!  I am so looking forward to this weekend and my 2 concerts with Johnsmith at Avo’s in Fort Collins!  

Saturday’s show starts at 7:30 pm, and Moab singer/songwriter Cosy Sheridan will open for us.  I love Cosy’s humor and wit, and her songs really speak to me.  In fact, I recorded her song, “I’d Fall For You” on my latest CD, “Singing Into Being”.

Sunday’s show starts at 7 pm, and features Mark Sloniker on piano!  I am thrilled that Mark will be joining us and adding a new dimension to John’s live show.  Tickets are $17 general admission each night.

I spoke with John this week and he is planning a totally different song list for each night, so both concerts will definitely be unique and hold their own special magic.  You might want to consider the “double-header”, as several folks I know are doing!  I was just reminded that the “Be Local” Coupon Book has a $5.00 off coupon for any musical event at Avo’s, so that could be an incentive, if you haven’t gotten your tickets yet.

I had such a great time last weekend at all my gigs – many thanks to those who came out to Monroe’s, the HalfMoon Arts Fundraiser, and to Barbara Clark’s CD release concert. Your support means the world to us!

Upcoming dates include:
Sat., Dec. 22nd – Jay’s Bistro with Mark Sloniker and Roger Barnhart
Mon., Dec. 31st – New Year’s Eve at Jay’s Bistro!
Fri., Jan. 25th – concert with Pamela Robinson at Avo’s
Sat., March 8th – concert with Kathryn Mostow at Avo’s
Sat., April 19th – concert with Barbara Clark at Avo’s

Enjoy the season!  Peace and light, Colleen

Bbbrrrr!  The recent cold and snow was a BIT of a rude awaking for this gal, just stepping off a plane from a week in Mazatlan!  NOT appreciated.  Oh, darn – that was a complaint, wasn’t it?  Now I’ll have to start over (again!) in my endeavor to cease complaining, criticizing, or gossiping for 21 days straight.  It’s quite the challenge and a real eye opener…. If you are intrigued by this concept, check out www.acomplaintfreeworld.org to learn more.  SO, I’ll start again….My!  What a refreshing change this brisk winter weather is!  Contrast is beautiful….

Well, the holiday season is surely upon us and I am happily busy with lots of events, both private and public.  Here are the latest I’d like to invite you to:

This Friday night, Nov. 30th, I’ll debut a new club gig – A solo show at Monroe’s Restaurant and Lounge, located inside the Loveland Best Western Inn, just off the Route 34 exit ramp at I-25.  The room has been totally remodeled and is quite comfy and classy.  I play from 8-11 pm and would love to have a crowd show up in support of live, local music.  I appreciate having a new place to do my “solo thang”!

Saturday night, Dec. 1st, I will perform solo from 6-7 pm at a Fine Art Auction to benefit Halfmoon Arts, an art apprenticeship program for at-risk youth and youth with addictions.  The event will take place at Whole Life Center for Spiritual Living, 2020 S. College Ave., Fort Collins and runs from 6-9 pm, with a live auction beginning at 7 pm.  Appetizers and refreshments will be served.  Come support a great organization and bid on a lovely and diverse selection of art by local artists!  More info: 970.412.4998

Sunday night, Dec. 2nd, I am pleased to be part of a stellar line-up of musicians supporting Barbara Clark at her (ironically, long awaited) CD release concert, “She Won’t Wait” at Bas Bleu Theatre, 401 Pine St., Fort Collins.  The show starts at 7 pm, with special guests Dave Beegle, Derf Green, Brent Hawley, Mark Sloniker, Chris Kennison, Eric Levine, Roger Barnhart, and Our Mothers’ Daughters (which includes me!).  What did I tell you about the line-up, eh???  I was informed just tonight that this show is almost sold out, so if you want tickets ($15), call 970.498.8949 pronto!

Saturday night, Dec. 8th, and Sunday night, Dec. 9th – Yippee!  TWO SHOWS at Avo’s, 605 S. Mason St., Fort Collins, with one of my all time favorite performing songwriters, Johnsmith!  The first night, Cosy Sheridan will open for John and me, and on Sunday we will be joined by Mark Sloniker on piano, performing as a trio.  How cool is that??  Saturday’s show starts at 7:30 pm; Sunday’s show a tad earlier at 7 pm.  Tickets are $17 general admission and are available at the Finest CDs in Campus West (now) and at Avo’s a week before the show.  More info at Quantum Arts, 970.493.3080

Well, that’s enough for now.  Steep yourself in the comfort and joy and peace of the season….aaahhh….Colleen

www.colleencrosson.com

November Greetings to everyone – Yikes!  2008 is right around the corner!  I continue to be amazed (and slightly bewildered…) by how fast the weeks and months fly by….

Sunday and beyond:

I trust you are enjoying this gorgeous fall weather, and hope your weekend plans may include my concert with Kathryn Mostow at Avo’s this Sunday, November 4th, at 7 pm.  We will be celebrating the harvest, gratitude, and simply being in the delightful presence of friends and family as we enter this magical season.  Avo’s is located at 605 S. Mason St. in Fort Collins, 493-5555.  Tickets are $10 at the door.  Do remember that it’s the end of daylight savings time (though if you forget to set those clocks back, you’ll be sure to get a great seat at the concert!).

Next Saturday night, Nov. 10th, 6-8 pm, I will be the featured musician for the Windsor-Severance Library District’s Celebration of the Arts, entitled “Connections”, at the library in Windsor, 720 Third St, 970.686.5603.  The event will also feature readings by local author Blair Oliver and poet, Maria Dunn, as well as a juried art show with visual works of many media and styles.  I am scheduled to play from about 6:30 – 8 pm.  Light refreshments will be served.

Coming up:

Sat., Nov. 24th – Jay’s Bistro, with Mark Sloniker and Roger Barnhart

Fri., Nov. 30th – solo performance at the newly remodeled Monroe’s Restaurant (inside the Loveland Best Western at Hwy 34 and I-25)

Sun., Dec. 2nd – Bas Bleu Theatre, Barbara Clark’s CD release concert!

Sat. and Sun., Dec. 8th and 9th – 2 nights with Johnsmith at Avo’s (Mark Sloniker joins us Sunday night!)

Thanks for supporting live, local music!  Colleen 

www.colleencrosson.com

Howdy again - Here’s a (very) last minute reminder about tomorrow night’s concert!

Friday, Oct. 26th, 8 pm – I’m pleased to be sitting in with singer/songwriter Kevin Jones, as he kicks off the rebirth of Lloyd Drust’s Campfire Concert series at Avogadro’s Number, 605 S. Mason St., in Fort Collins.  This will also be a CD release celebration of Kevin Jones:Collection, a compilation CD of many of Kevin’s best recordings over the years.  Other special guests that evening will include Pamela Robinson and Dave Zekman.  Lloyd Drust opens the show.  Admission is just $7.00 at the door – what a bargain!

Other additions since I last wrote:

Saturday, Oct. 27th, 8:30-11:30 pm – I’ll sing at Jay’s Bistro with Mark Sloniker on keys and Gene Libbea on bass (vocalist Mary Buirgy was originally booked for this gig, but was called out of town, so I’m the pinch hitter!)

Monday, Oct. 29th, noon -1 pm – Kathryn Mostow and I will perform on “Live at Lunch” on KRFC Community Radio, 88.9 on your FM “dial”. You can also listen to us via the web, streaming live at http://www.krfcfm.org.  We’ll be talking about our upcoming show at Avo’s on Nov. 4th, singing songs from our latest CDs, and harmonizing on some new tunes as well!

Check out my website www.colleencrosson.com for more info on the Avo’s show, as well as other upcoming events.

Thanks for listenin’ and hope to see you out there!  Colleen

Hi Folks! Just a quick reminder of this weekend’s happenings:

Saturday, Oct. 20th, 8:30-11:30 pm – I’ll sing jazz and other tasty tunes at Jay’s Bistro, 135 W. Oak St., Ft Collins, with Mark Sloniker on piano and Gene Libbea on acoustic bass. Sloniker does a solo set from 6:00-8:00 pm.

Sunday, Oct. 21st, 7:00-9:30 pm – Mark Sloniker and I will perform a “Fall Harvest/Gratitude” concert at Unity of Fort Collins, 1401 W. Vine Dr. Our special guests will include Cory Carroll on bass, Gerald Gates on drums, and Myles Sloniker on guitar. We will share potluck chocolate desserts following the concert. Make your favorite recipe or pick up something luscious from the bakery! Admission is on a love offering basis, with proceeds going to Unity, and we will have our CDs available at a special sale price the night of the concert. Please join us!

Enjoy the blustery day! Colleen www.colleencrosson.com

Dazzling autumn greetings to everyone! I’ve got some cool news - my CD “Singing Into Being” is now available on iTunes, as well as CDBaby! Follow the links on my website www.colleencrosson.com discography page to get directly to my CD on those sites, or you can search “Colleen Crosson” from the iTunes Store or the CDBaby home page. People have been asking me for months when I’d get my CD on iTunes, so I’m pleased that it’s finally done! You can also buy the CD directly from my website through PayPal. Thanks to all who have bought “Singing Into Being” already – I so appreciate your support and all the positive feedback! If any of you would like to write a review of it for CDBaby, and/or iTunes, please do! Just click the "write a review" links on my CDBaby and iTunes pages. Thank you!

Here are some October/November events you might want to put on your calendar:

This Friday evening, Oct. 5th, 6:30-8:30 pm – I’ll join Mark Sloniker on piano and Forest Greenough on bass, singing jazz standards for “A Vintage Affair” – an exclusive wine tasting event at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, 417 W. Magnolia Ave., benefiting Hospice of Larimer County’s patient care and grief programs. The event runs from 6:30-10 pm, and features live entertainment in three venues, wine and cooking presentations, and live and silent auctions. Cost is $50 per ticket, and black and/or white cocktail attire is suggested. 970.663.3500 for more information

Sunday Oct., 14th, Mark Sloniker and I will participate in a “Friendship Fest” Benefit for a friend who’s been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Many of you may be familiar with the local band FUBAR II, featuring Jim Kristoff and Daryl Ray. This benefit is for Daryl’s wife, Cheryl, and will run from 11 am-8 pm at the New Plantation in Evans (Greeley). There will be music all day long, including many local favorites – Scott Allen, Kevin Jones, Rob Solomon, Cornerstone, John Shaffer, Scot Von, FUBAR II – the list goes on and on!! Mark’s and my set will be from (approximately) 1:30-2 pm. There will be a poker run, kid’s games, a silent auction, food, and other festivities. Whether you know Cheryl or not, come support community, hope, love, service, and gratitude with a bunch of fine folks! For more information, email Sharon, Lawoffsharon@aol.com.

Saturday, Oct. 20th, 8:30-11:30 pm – I’ll sing with Mark Sloniker (piano) and Grammy award winning bassist, Gene Libbea in the lounge at Jay’s Bistro, 135 W. Oak St., Fort Collins

Sunday, Oct. 21st, 7-9:30 pm – Mark Sloniker and I will have a fall gratitude concert at Unity of Fort Collins, 1401 W. Vine Dr. Special guests to be announced! A chocolate dessert potluck will be held at intermission (and we’ll play twice as fast during the second half of the show!). Admission is on a love offering basis, with proceeds to benefit our wonderful Unity community.

Friday, Oct. 26th, 8 pm – I’m pleased to be sitting in with singer/songwriter Kevin Jones, as he kicks off the rebirth of Lloyd Drust’s Campfire Concert series at Avogadro’s Number, 605 S. Mason St., in Fort Collins. This will also be a CD release celebration of Kevin Jones:Collection, a compilation CD of many of Kevin’s best recordings over the years. Other special guests that evening will include Pamela Robinson and Dave Zekman. Lloyd Drust opens the show. Admission is $7.00 at the door – quite the deal for a night of music, I must say!

Sunday, Nov. 4th, 7 pm – I’ll be back at Avo’s to do a show with singer/songwriter Kathryn Mostow, a very talented musician who I’ve been enjoying singing/playing with since she moved here from the Seattle area last year. I bet we’ll have some new songs to play for ya! Admission is $10 at the door.

Saturday, Nov. 10th – I will be the featured musician for the Windsor-Severance Library District’s Celebration of the Arts, entitled “connections”, at the library in Windsor, 720 Third St, 970.686.5603. The event will also feature readings by local authors, and a juried art show with visual works of many media and styles. I’m not sure of the time of this event yet, but I’ll let you know as it draws nearer.

And farther in the distance (but here before we know it!) –

solo show, Nov. 30th, at Monroe’s in Loveland, 8:30-11:30 pm

2 shows with Johnsmith at Avo’s, December 8th (Cozy Sheridan opens) and Dec. 9th (Mark Sloniker joins us on piano!)

Another Avo’s show with Pamela Robinson, Jan. 25th, 2008!

Whew! That was a lot of information…. Thanks for hangin’ with me! Colleen

Greetings all – here’s what’s coming right up in my music world…..

Tomorrow morning, Sunday, Sept. 16th, Mark Sloniker and I will lead Sunday services at Unity of Fort Collins, CO, 1401 W. Vine Dr. at 9 and 10:30 am. Our subject is “Spiritual Alchemy”, and there’ll be lots of music from the Unitics as well as sharing of sweet poetry and wisdom from Hafiz, Rumi, Ram Dass, Jesus, Buddha, and many other master teachers. We always love this opportunity when it comes up and we’re honored to fill in for our spiritual tipster Lynn Kendall!

I’ll lead the Wednesday night, Sept. 19th service as well, with a similar topic and extra musical selections. Service starts at 7 pm.

Next Thursday, Sept. 20th, I’ll do a guest set at Jay’s Bistro, 135 W. Oak St. in downtown Fort Collins, from 8-10 pm, with Mark Sloniker on keys from 6:30-10:30 pm.

I’ll again join Mark at Jay’s on Saturday night, Sept. 22nd from 8:30-11:30 pm with Gene Libbea on acoustic bass. Mark also plays a solo set from 6-8 pm.

Hope to see you around town! Thanks for listening, Colleen
www.colleencrosson.com

Hello! I can’t believe it’s been over a month since I last sent out a newsletter….I’ve spent at least half that time vacationing on the Jersey Shore and on the Rhode Island coast. My, my, my – what a time I’ve had! Soaking up the sun, boogie boarding and body surfing, kayaking, doing yoga, and taking luxurious walks in the salty, moist air!! Not to mention all the fabulous meals and hang time with family and friends – it’s a good thing I did stay ACTIVE! It was a truly magical time that will be a treasured memory. In between trips I’ve played a few scattered private functions – weddings and such. Now, the kids are back in school, and I guess it’s time to settle down and get to work (which fortunately for me is also PLAY!). So here’s what’s coming up for this weekend:

I’ll play another private party on Friday, and then Saturday, August, 25th, I’ll sing with Mark Sloniker on keys and Roger Barnhart on bass, in the lounge at Jay’s Bistro, 135 West Oak St, Fort Collins. Show time is 8:30-11:30 pm.

I’m looking into some new venues in which to do some solo shows, so I’ll keep you posted on that. I intend for the fall to hold some new surprises!

As always, I play music at Unity of Fort Collins services on Wednesday nights at 7 pm, and on Sundays with Mark Sloniker and other various band members at 9 and 10:30 am. 1401 W. Vine Dr., FC 482-1620. Feel free to check out the website at www.unityfc.org

Hope you’re treasuring these last sweet days of summer! Best, Colleen www.colleencrosson.com

Hey there! Hope everyone’s summer is going well and you’re getting lots of “down time” to relax, visit family and friends, and enjoy the outdoors. We’ve been doing just that, amidst playing for quite a few summer weddings (‘tis the season!), and other private events. Two public events coming right up that I’d like to tell you about are:

Tuesday, July 24th, 7-10 pm, Mark Sloniker and I will perform at the Stonehouse Grille, 125 S. College Ave. in downtown Fort Collins, 970-498-0873. We are excited about playing this new (to us!) music venue and hope you can join us. The Stonehouse has great food and a lovely atmosphere in which to hear live music. We’d love to get a great crowd and have more opportunities to play here! Come on down if you can.

Wednesday, July 25th, 6:00-8:30 pm, Mark Sloniker and I will be joined by a stellar band - Eric Thorin (acoustic and electric bass), Mark Raynes (drums) and Andrew Vogt (saxophone and clarinet) – for the outdoor Lagoon Concert Series on the CSU campus in Fort Collins. You can get further information and a detailed map at www.mantoothcompany.com. This is one of the nicest outdoor concert venues (in my humble opinion J), with a large, grassy area to sit and listen, and outlying fields for playing Frisbee, hackysack, or letting the kids run. Bring a picnic dinner, a blanket or lawn chair, a gaggle of friends, and join us for some inspired tunes!

Keep enjoying the summer - it seems to be flying by! Colleen

Happy (official) summer everyone!

There’s no question it’s here, with the dry heat we’ve been experiencing this last week…..

I am delighted to tell you about TWO great concerts I’m involved with this coming weekend.

The first is Friday night, June 29th, at Unity of Fort Collins, 1401 W. Vine Dr., with award winning singer/songwriters Jan Garrett and JD Martin. I will be singing harmony vocals on their inspiring, uplifting tunes. The show begins at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 in advance (email JD@JDMartin.ws or call 970-927-4428) and $18 at the door.

On Saturday night, June 30th, I am excited to be performing a concert with local fave and multi-instrumentalist Pamela Robinson at Avogadro’s Number, 605 S. Mason St., in Fort Collins. This will be an outdoor concert on the back patio which has a new stage area. Pamela and I will be improvising on one another’s songs as well as doing some solo tunes. Be ready for some “in the moment” frivolity and magical music, with Pamela trading off on ukulele, guitar, saxophone, penny whistle, and percussion! Our show starts at 8 pm and admission is $10 at the door.

Other upcoming public performances:
I’ll sing with Mark Sloniker at Jay’s Bistro on Saturday, July 14th, from 8:30 -11:30 pm Mark and I will perform with a full band at the CSU Lagoon Concert Series on Wed., July 25th

Enjoy your summer! Take in some live music, wherever and whoever! Colleen

Good morning!

Just a quick reminder – if anyone’s got the noon hour off today, Tuesday, Kathryn Mostow and I will be playing a “Noontime Notes” concert at Oak Street Plaza in downtown Fort Collins. Show time is 11:30 am -1 pm. Pack a lunch and come on down!

Colleen

Hello! Just a quick note to tell you my Jay’s Bistro date has been changed to this coming Saturday, June 9th (instead of the 16th).

Roger Barnhart will join Mark and me on bass. Performance time remains the same, from 8:30-11:30 pm.

Hope to see you this Saturday! Thanks, Colleen

Hi everyone! I know this is a busy time of year, so wanted to give you a bit of advance notice on some upcoming events.

One coming right up is the annual Houska/Houska 5K to benefit the Bone Marrow Donor Program at Poudre Valley Hospital. This takes place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28th, 9 am at Houska’s Automotive, 899 Riverside Ave., Fort Collins. This is no ordinary 5K and we’re proud of it! It’s a huge amount of fun with a different theme each year and a big party and live music following the “race”. This year it’s a circus theme (“Help us save a life – it’s the Greatest Gift on Earth!”) and there will be prizes awarded for best circus costume – adult, child, and dog. Trophies are awarded to the fastest runners (for those that take this seriously!) and there will be a Carnival and other activities for kids and adults alike, as well as food and drink (ya gotta try the “bloody marrows”!!)

The Crosson-Sloniker Group will start playing between 9:30 and 10 am and go till 12:30 or so. The band will feature Mark AND Myles Sloniker, Colleen Crosson, Oscar DeZoto (drums), Roger Barnhart (bass) and Dave Lunn (saxophone).

Pre-register in person by Friday, May 25th at Houska’s or Runner’s Roost (902 W. Drake) OR register race day starting at 8 am. Minimum donation is $25, with larger donations welcome to benefit this worthy program! Call 970.482.0156 for more information. You’re welcome to just come to the party, too, as long as you donate to the cause…..

Other June events:

Saturday, June 16th, 8:30-11:30 pm: I’ll sing jazz and more with Mark Sloniker at Jay’s Bistro, 135 W. Oak St., Fort Collins. 970.482.1876

Tuesday, June 19th, 11:30 am-1 pm: I’ll join Kathryn Mostow for an Oak Street Plaza (Fort Collins) “Noontime Notes” outdoor concert. We’ll be performing songs from Kathryn’s 2 recordings, some brand new tunes she’s written since moving to Fort Collins from Seattle several months ago, and a few of my songs as well.

Friday, June 29th, I’ll join Jan Garrett and JD Martin in a concert at Unity of Fort Collins, 1401 W. Vine Dr, Fort Collins

Saturday, June 30th, Local favorite Pamela Robinson and I will perform a very eclectic concert together at Avo’s, 605 S. Mason St., Fort Collins

Hope to see you at these summer events!

Thanks for supporting live music in Fort Collins

— Colleen www.colleencrosson.com

This Saturday night, April 21st, I'll sing with Mark Sloniker on piano and Roger Barnhart on acoustic bass at Jay's Bistro, 135 W. Oak St., Fort Collins, CO, 970.482-1876. Celebrate successfully finishing your tax return (or filing an extension?), celebrate Earth Day, celebrate the return of spring-like weather, celebrate SOMETHING - God knows we need that positive, healing energy.....Hope to see you!

A warm thank you to all who came out to the house concert at Greyrock last weekend. Kathryn Mostow and I had a great time trading songs and harmonies on stage, getting silly and improvisational, and you all added to the fun and lightheartedness of it all! We plan to do many more shows together. In fact....

Friday, May 4th, I'll join Kathryn at Avo's in an opening set for Texas songwriter Tish Hinojosa. I'll be adding harmonies and percussion to Kathryn's poignant and soulful songs. If you've never seen Tish, she is a wonderful songwriter who has garnered critical praise from, as she puts it "the White House to el barrio". She is a bilingual performer (English/Spanish), who has recorded with such songwriting greats as Lucinda Williams, Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson, and Nancy Griffith. To learn more about Tish, you can visit: http://www.mundotish.com

Looking further into May, I'll sing at Jay's again on Mothers' Day weekend, May 12th, and the Crosson-Sloniker Group will perform at the annual Houska/Houska fun run to benefit PVH Bone Marrow Donor Program on Memorial Day, May 28th. Call Houska's Automotive at 970.482.0156 to sign up or for more information.

Thanks for listening! Be the Light, Colleen

My apologies to those who may receive this twice. It appears there are still glitches in my new e-mailing system, so I sent this message from my personal e-mail address, as well as my website address, in hopes that everyone would get this notice at least once! We'll figure it out eventually.....

Greetings Everyone! I wanted to remind you that my “house concert” with Kathryn Mostow is this Saturday night, April 14th, starting at 7:30 pm, in the Common House of Greyrock Commons Co-housing Community, 2265 Shooting Star Lane, in northwest Fort Collins (more detailed directions below*). Kathryn is a mighty fine singer/songwriter who recently moved here from the Seattle area, and is rapidly acquiring a strong local following, with her beautiful voice, warm heart, and life-affirming lyrics. Our styles fit perfectly together and we are enjoying learning one another’s songs to perform Saturday night. We have named our concert “Singing Into Being – A Spring Concert”, and it will be a “CD release celebration” of sorts for me, as I didn’t end up doing any major performances when it was first released, this past snowy and cold winter (December/January). We sure hope you can join us for this very special evening of music! There wi ll be a potluck dessert intermission, so bring some sweets to share if you can. The suggested donation for the concert is $10-15 at the door, and I will be offering my CDs for $12.00 (regularly $15) the night of the concert.

*directions to Greyrock: from the intersection of North Taft Hill Rd and West Vine Dr., proceed north on Taft Hill Rd and take your first LEFT onto Liberty Dr. (there has been lots of construction going on near this intersection, but things are at a lull now, and you shouldn’t have any trouble getting through, even if there are still signs that say “no thru traffic”!). Then, take your first RIGHT onto Briarwood, which dead ends into the Greyrock community. Turning right and following the road around will lead you to the Common House. Please observe the “Visitor Parking” signs and park only in those designated spaces. There is also parking just before you enter Greyrock, on Briarwood. The phone number at the Common House is 970-221-9846, if you get lost, or have questions about parking.

See ya Saturday! Colleen

Hi all

I just wanted to let you know about a last minute gig: I'll be joining Mark Sloniker at Jay's Bistro, 135 W. Oak St in Ft. Collins, this Thursday night, April 5th, from 7:30-9:30 pm. Hope you can stop by!

My webmaster has reconfigured some settings in the e-mail set up and we sure hope this message will get to everyone that is subscribed to my music list this time. I'll check in with some of you to see if anything's changed....

Thanks for your patience! Colleen

Joyous Spring blessings to everyone! Did you ever think it would get here? I've had a bit of luscious "down time", including a lovely week with friends and family in the mountains near Steamboat Springs over spring break, as well as a festive birthday celebration. I am certainly rejuvinated and happy to tell you about my next musical happenings:

This coming Saturday night, March 24th, I'll sing jazz and more with Mark Sloniker on piano and Roger Barnhart (recently returned from the cruiseline music scene!) on acoustic bass, at Jay's Bistro, 135 W. Oak St. in downtown Fort Collins, 970-482-1876. Our trio plays from 8:30-11:30 pm. We'd be pleased if you joined us!

On Saturday, April 14th, I will be performing a special show with fellow singer/songwriter Kathryn Mostow. Kathryn is a wonderful artist who recently moved here with her husband and young son from Seattle. Our concert will be in the Common House of the Greyrock Co-Housing Community in northwest Fort Collins. We will be joining one another on many of our songs, as well as performing solo. The concert starts at 7:30 pm with a suggested donation of $10-15. We will have a potluck dessert extravaganza at intermission, so bring on the chocolate (or whatever else "suites" your fancy!). I'll send more exact directions to the venue soon.

A collaborative concert with performing songwriter Pamela Robinson is also in the works for early summer. Stay tuned for details......

Thanks for listenin'! Colleen

Greetings from my new website!

That's my big news for the day - www.colleencrosson.com is up and running! My newsletters are now generated from my website, and you may notice a new e-mail address. Feel free to use this one; however my other address, ccrosson@peakpeak.com also remains valid. I would love for you to check out the site and give me feedback about your experience there - speed, content, ease of navigation, etc. I will continue to send out my newsletters every week or so, or whenever new gigs come up. You can also check the schedule page on the website in between mailings and find all the events there. A reminder that I'll be at the Raptor Center's annual dinner and benefit auction this Saturday night, Feb. 24th, at the Lincoln Center. Check the website for details.

Enjoy! Colleen

Greetings everyone! A huge thank you to all who attended our “JOY” concert at Unity of Fort Collins this past Sunday evening. What a night! The music set, created largely “in the moment” ranged from J.S. Bach to Death Cab for Cutie, and everything in between! Myles Crosson Sloniker joined us on several tunes on acoustic and electric guitar and is building a strong fan base of his own. The funds are still being counted, but your generosity contributed thousands to our building expansion fund, and we thank you from the center of our hearts…..

This Saturday night, February 17th, I’ll join Mark Sloniker on piano and Gene Libbea on acoustic bass in the lounge at Jay’s Bistro, 135 W. Oak St., Fort Collins, from 8:30-11:30 pm (that is, if the hurricane force winds predicted for today don’t blow me into Kansas first…)

Next Saturday night, February 24th, I’ll play my usual “dessert set” at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program’s 14th annual “A Second Chance At Freedom” Gala Dinner and Benefit Auction. This year’s event, “A Reason to Believe”, celebrates and raises funds for the Raptor Program’s move into their new facility on Vine Drive in Fort Collins. The event includes dinner, entertainment, a live auction and (always incredible) silent auction. Tickets are $35 at the door, and the event runs from 5-9 pm at the Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., Fort Collins. Call 970-484-7756 for additional information.

Stay grounded….Colleen

Howdy all – no gigs for me on Friday or Saturday (I’ll be out and about catching other acts!), but I did want to let you know about a listening concert at Unity of Fort Collins this Sunday evening, February 11th. We will be having our 3rd annual “JOY” concert, celebrating our beautiful, donated grand piano which continues to bring us so much joy! The concert will feature Mark Sloniker on “Joy” (the piano), with special guest appearances by Cory Carroll (bass), Gerald Gates and Rob Wojtowick (drums), and myself (vocals). The concert starts at 7 pm and is on a “love offering” basis, with all proceeds going to Unity’s expansion fund. We will have a potluck dessert intermission, so bring along something yummy if you plan to attend (chocolate is always a favorite!J). Some people like to dress up fancy for this annual Valentine affair, but, of course, anything goes here at Unity!

Coming up:

Feb. 17th, 8:30-11:30 pm, I’ll sing with Mark Sloniker at Jay’s Bistro.

Feb. 24th, I’ll once more be a part of the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program’s “A Second Chance at Freedom” Gala Dinner and Benefit Auction (14th annual!) at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins. More details to follow…..

Thanks always for sharing in the music! Colleen

Happy New Year! And my gosh, January’s half over. Hope everyone is fairing the cold and snow well enough….. Here’s what’s on the docket for the next few weeks:

This Thursday, January 18th, I’ll be doing a solo gig (guitar/vocals) at Somi’s Restaurant, in the “Red Door Lounge”, from 7-10 pm. Somi’s is located on Oakridge Dr. (corner of Harmony and McMurray) in SW Fort Collins. Many of you have been asking when I’ll do some solo performances, as they’ve been few and far between these days. This is the only one I’ve got scheduled so far, so hope you can make it!

This Saturday, January 20th, from 9 am to 3 pm, Mark Sloniker and I will be facilitating a “playshop” called “Write With Your Heart” at Unity of Fort Collins, 1401 W. Vine Dr. It is a great way to envision the new year through journaling, art, meditation, and contemplation, set to periods of music and extended silence. We will share a potluck lunch. Cost is on a “love offering” basis, with proceeds to benefit Unity’s expansion fund. Call the Unity office at 482-1620 for more information, or feel free to e-mail me with any questions.

Saturday, January 27th, I’ll sing with Mark Sloniker on piano and Gene Libbea on bass, in the jazz lounge at Jay’s Bistro, 135 W. Oak St., Fort Collins, from 8:30-11:30 pm

On another tangent…My friend and yoga “guru”, Jim Vassallo and I have decided to team up and offer music/yoga “playshops” and parties! These can be individually tailored to meet your specific desires, and can be held at your home or any other designated location. They would include short sets of inspirational music interspersed with yoga. Give me a call (970-493-4424) or e-mail me if this kind of thing piques your interest and you want to explore the possibilities!

Looking forward to another fun and music-filled year with all of you - Colleen