Pop-up Flamenco concert Monday, April 13th with special Spanish guest!

Greetings, guitar fans!

As you know, we use this email list for monthly announcements, but I have to tell you about something very rare and special happening Monday, April 13 at 7:30pm in Ashland.

A renowned flamenco singer from Spain, Ezequiel Benitez, is passing through on his way from Portland to San Francisco while on tour. He’s agreed to stop here to give a concert! He’ll be accompanied by guitarist Jesse Torres. I understand there may be a guest singer and dancer as well.

The concert will take place on Monday at 7:30pm at the Oak Street Dance Studio located at 1287 Oak Street in Ashland. Doors will open at 7:15pm. Advanced reservations are highly recommended.

You can order tickets here. This link will take you to PayPal, but don’t worry if you don’t have a PayPal account. You can still pay with debit or credit card.

If you want more information, please email dancer Lourdes Rodriguez, who is organizing the event, or you can call her at (279) 842-2058‬. Just to be clear, this isn’t a GSSO event, but we’re glad to tell you about it.

Ezequiel was born in Jerez de la Frontera, one of the cradles of flamenco. He is one of the most singular and profound voices in contemporary flamenco. His cante (singing) is characterized by a strong artistic personality that naturally blends the purest tradition with a contemporary perspective. He is particularly known for his ability to stir emotions and communicate from a place of truth and deep roots.

Here’s a fun video of Ezequiel in action.

Respectfully submitted,
Grant Ruiz
Secretary, GSSO

Monthly Meeting Recap and News for April 2026

Greetings guitar fans,

Welcome to the recap for the GSSO monthly gathering on Thursday, April at Paschal Winery.

As a reminder, if you haven’t already, please renew your membership or become a new member by visiting guitarsocietyso.org/become-a-member.
 The Monthly Meeting

PROGRAM

Neil Holland – Gee Whiz (original)

Brian Parris – Angel by Jimi Hendrix, Till You Come Back To Me by Stevie Wonder Long, Long Time by Gary White

John Swinnerton – Paschal, Staffordshire, Jazz Night, Americana (originals)

Paul Mozilla – West Coast Blues by Wes Montgomery, Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon and Garfunkel

Mark Turnbull – Spring, Beyond the Blues, The Good Sport, Meditation (originals)
 
AnnouncementsMark Turnbull will play at La Baguette in Ashland on Saturday, April 18 from 10:30am to 12:30pm.

Canto Sol (Grant Ruiz and Dan Fellman) will play at the Paschal Winery happy hour on Sunday, April 26 from 3:30 to 5:30pm; at Cafe Lumina in Ashland on Thursday, April 30 from 6 to 8pm; and at The Springs at Veranda Park in Medford on Tuesday, May 5 from 11am to 1pm.

Grant will play at Liquid Lounge in Ashland on Friday, May 1 from 7 to 9pm; at Mother’s Day brunch at Paschal Winery on May 10 from 10:30am to 1:30pm; and at Tap & Vine in Medford on Sunday, May 10 from 5 to 7pm.

Jason Wolverton and Vanessa Finney will be at the Punch House in Central Point on Saturday, May 2 from 3 to 5pm.Guitar for saleLocal luthier Phleques builds classical-style guitars that use steel strings. The designs are beautiful, as you can see from the photos above. You can check out the models and pricing (which is very reasonable for hand built instruments) at phlequesguitars.com/shop or click on the images above. GUITAR SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN OREGONThe GSSO is grateful to receive support from the following organizations:

Monthly Meeting Recap and News for March 2026

Greetings guitar fans,

Welcome to the recap for the GSSO monthly gathering on Thursday, March 12 at Paschal Winery.

Twelve people paid their annual membership dues at the meeting, bringing our total to 33 year-to-date. We had 60 members last year, and we’re hoping to match that number this year! To renew your membership or become a new member, please visit guitarsocietyso.org/become-a-member.
 The Monthly Meeting

PROGRAM

Randall Walker – The Galaxy Song by Eric Idle and John du Prez, Homeward Bound by Paul Simon 

Norm Fletcher – The Frozen Man by James Taylor, Both Sides Now by Joanie Mitchell’s (arr. Emil Ernebro), Millworker by James Taylor

Brian Parris – End of The Innocence by Bruce Hornsby, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood by The Animals, Silver Lining by David Gray

~ Intermission ~

Grant Ruiz – Traces if You, Eugene’s Trick Bag by Nicolo Paganini/Steve Vai (arr. Ruiz), Guajiras (trad. flamenco)

Mark Hamersly –  Prelude to a Kiss by Duke Ellington, I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner, Garota de Ipanema by Antonio Carlos Jobim

Mark Turnbull – Simple Trust, A Can of Worms, Sew the Flags Together (originals)
AnnouncementsOn Friday, March 27, multicultural guitarist and friend of the society Goh Kurosawa will play an intimate house concert in Ashland. Seating is limited, so please make a reservation soon by emailing Grant Ruiz.

On Saturday, March 14 (today), Grant Ruiz will play solo guitar at Liquid Lounge in Ashland from 7:00 to 9:00pm and at First Friday, April 3 at Shephard’s dream from 5:00 to 8:00pm.

On Wednesday, March 18, Canto Sol (Dan Fellman and Grant) will play for a salsa dance gathering at the Cedarwood Barn in Talent from 6:30 to 7:30pm; on Sunday, March 22 at Belle Fiore Winery in Ashland from 5:00 to 7:00pm; and on Sunday, April 5 at Tap and Vine in Medford from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

On Sunday, March 29, Nick Garrett-Powell will play at Paschal Winery’s happy hour from 3:30 to 5:30pm. For more music at Paschal, please see the winery’s event calendar.Guitar for saleLocal luthier Phleques builds classical-style guitars that use steel strings. The designs are beautiful, as you can see from the photos above. You can check out the models and pricing (which is very reasonable for hand built instruments) at phlequesguitars.com/shop or click on the images above. GUITAR SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN OREGONThe GSSO is grateful to receive support from the following organizations:ShareTweetForward