The arts and culture editor of the VC Reporter wrote a wonderful post-show review of "Licity's' Love Fest" and audience members also posted that the show was a unique and memorable treat to their hearts.
by Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer
Ojai-based singer/songwriter Licity Collins brought her guitar, her notebook and some friends to Namba Performing Arts Space on Feb. 15. It was the day after Valentine’s Day, but the good vibes continued to flow, as the artist hosted her very own “Love Fest” featuring herself along with troubadour Rags Rosenberg, Ventura musician Henry Stewart and trombonist Stan “Skabone” Middleton.
Collins — as talented a storyteller as she is a singer and guitarist — shared true tales of love, loss and heartache, many punctuated with moving musical numbers. Rosenberg, a traveling folk bard who sometimes calls Joshua Tree home, gave insight into the people and events behind the songs he played. Collins and Stewart teamed up to perform a duet of Stewart’s hauntingly beautiful ballad “Sleeping in the Graveyard.” She was also joined by Middleton for a spell, with the Barrelhouse Wailers horn player bringing a jazzy touch of trombone to Collins’ folk rock numbers.
While the chocolates handed out to the audience were a treat indeed, the sweetest gift was joining the musicians for genuinely heartfelt moments where poetry and pathos informed the playing. A perfectly delicious Valentine for local music lovers.
Also, this pretty fantastic instagram post by an audience member really summed up the night in a powerful way.
Some pics from a fantastic night of music last weekend, the Love Fest. It was put together by and featuring the inimitable @LicityCollins who brought together a cadre of musicians perfect for this post-Valentine’s evening of stories, music, chocolate, love and laughs.??
? Licity played, sang, read some of her remarkably written stories (I’d buy the collection!) and wrapped us in her authentic embrace, relating to the audience through vulnerability and joy. The delight she feels in sharing herself so honestly is palpable and irresistible. Icing on the cake was the addition of all the “old white guys”—as she laughingly/lovingly put it—whose musical talents and writing shone, as well. If you’re local, check out Licity at her next big show on 4/3 at the @ojaiundergroundexchange She’ll make you feel like you belong and you’ll leave with a spring in your step and a smile on your face!