HipNosis mesmerizes The Green Room once again

Stacey Vreeken

Special to the Mountain Democrat

HipNosis – fronted by a tight, powerful horn section and soaring, soulful vocals – is showcasing some new songs by Steely Dan, Bonnie Raitt and others at its Friday show at The Green Room Social Club. The concert begins at 7 p.m. May 26 at 251 Main St., Placerville.

Although these musicians are newly arranged as HipNosis, they have experience in bands that area residents have danced to for decades. This set of all-stars has shared the stage with some of the greats in modern music history.

At this latest show, HipNosis premieres “Love Letter” by Bonnie Raitt, “You Can Leave Your Hat On,” by Randy Newman and Joe Cocker and “My Old School” by Steely Dan. A special arrangement of “What You Won’t Do for Love” will celebrate the life of Bobby Caldwell, who died in March 2023.

HipNosis is the vision of multiinstrumentalist Bob Hansen, who has played with numerous local bands, including Aftershock, Late for Dinner, The Pickups and the Deb Smith Band. For Hansen, the band is a culmination of 45 years of music, realizing his dream of pulling together the best artists and using his artistic vision to guide and provide unique arrangements of classic danceable songs.

“I’ve played in an uncountable number of different groups over the years,” said Hansen, who remembers performing at the El Dorado County Fair, Wagon Train, and countless events with the Deb Smith Band back in 1980s and ’90s. Smith is a vocalist with HipNosis as well as continuing her own solo work.

“We owned the gig and loved the

Grants Continued from B2 as addressing the root causes of this abuse. A second Impact Grant was awarded to Hands4Hope for its project that empowers youth to make positive change during challenging times. The third was awarded to El Dorado County Fire Safe Council for its program to develop defensible space around seniors’, veterans’ and low-income families’ homes.

Additionally, three Acorn Grants of $8,000 each were awarded to nonprofits that have never been issued a grant by Women’s Fund El Dorado. These were issued to the Mother Teresa Maternity Home for improving infrastructure and meeting rising costs at the county’s only perinatal extended residential program. Hands and Hoofs received $8,000 for its work in providing opportunities for youth to connect with horses, nature, discover Miwok culture and be creative through hands-on art projects. The third Acorn grant was awarded to the El Dorado Chapter – National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution for its program that offers equine-assisted psychotherapy for women living with

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“In addition to this very important investment in books, FOL has used funds we raise from our sales for additions like a new modular reception desk, plus materials for the popular STEAM Program for children and much more,” she added.

Established in 1951, the Pollock Pines Library is small but very active branch of the El Dorado County Library system. Librarian Kris Spiegelberg recruits special guests music,” said Hansen.

Talented musicians have come together to form HipNosis, now celebrating its first anniversary.

“I know how well Deb sings,” he continued. “I knew she would add a new, special sound to this group. Having a female vocalist in the Hipnosis really expands our musical possibilities. She’s always ready to go and works really hard.”

When Smith moved to Washington for a time, Hansen found, “Aftershock was really a dream for me. It got me back into playing sax. And the jazz fusion pulled me back to my roots. It was a home-grown El Dorado County band, not dissimilar from HipNosis.”

Aftershock was where Hansen got his taste for arranging classic tunes and new music, producing a CD for the band. It also gave him a taste for working with excellent players and planted the seed for HipNosis.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a time to hone horn skills and plan the next moves.

This band is based on “these interesting arrangements. People will recognize the songs. At the and develops activities for local patrons. The summer is particularly rich in offerings for school-age children and presentations by local authors and topic experts to interest adults. See the libraries website at pollockpineslibrary.org for this summer’s events and to learn more about the Pollock Pines library or to become a member. For more information email pollockpinesFOL@ gmail.com.

PTSD and related mental health diagnosis.

The evening also provided WFED’s Education Committee with the opportunity to recognize recipients of its Wickline Scholarships, which help women overcome challenges and return to college. Nikki Kimbrough received $2,000 to complete her educational specialists credential program through the Sacramento County Office of Education. Katrina Fontaine received $2,000 to complete her bachelor’s degree in communications science and disorders from California State University, Sacramento. Batya Copley received her second Wickline Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to continue her education at Chamberlain College of Nursing to become a registered nurse. Machaela Melrose will use her grant of $2,000 to obtain her real estate license and real estate appraiser license through McKissock Learning. Maria Lutri received a $1,000 award to continue her education at Folsom Lake Community College.

For more information or to join WFED visit womensfundeldorado.org.

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same time, they will be surprised and excited about how different they sound. All played by the absolute best performers I can find,” explained Hansen.

“We’re not just covering great horn tunes but going beyond. I spend a lot of time researching material and put charts together for the whole band. We leave standard arrangements behind and play in a unique brandnew way,” he said. “These excellent allstars have really gone for it.”

The vibe is more concert-like, less bar band.

Arrangements highlight sections of the band, solo passages and feature different members of the band on different songs.

“It’s unique material and a different approach that is very rare in Northern California. We’re hoping it gains traction,” Hansen added.

Gerald Jonutz, a saxophone pal from Aftershock, brings a long history of performance in the region. “He’s always excited, always positive, always

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Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom presents “Cabaret,” May 26 through June 25. For tickets and more information call (916) 353-1001 or visit sutterstreettheatre.com.

Valhalla Tahoe presents Living History: Snowshoe Thompson at 7:30 p.m. in the Boathouse Theatre. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

May 27

The Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce presents Cardboard Boat Racing at the community pool. Bring your boat at 1 p.m. and races start at 2 p.m. For rules and more information visit cameronpark.org/cardboardboat-racing.

The Stage at Burke Junction in Cameron Park presents “The Voice of the Prairie,” May 27 through June 25. For tickets and more information visit stageatburke.com.

KNUF performs at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville, 8-11 p.m. For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

The Hangtown – Sierra Cluster is a series of three dog shows hosted by the Hangtown Kennel Club of Placerville, May 27-28, and the Kennel Club of the California Sierra, May 29, at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds in Placerville. Find full event details at hangtownkc.org.

Valhalla Tahoe presents Intro to Linoleum Cut Printmaking at 10 a.m. in the Grand Hall. To sign up and for more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

Valhalla Tahoe presents Living History: Donner Party Survivor James Reed at 3:30 p.m. in the Boathouse Theatre. For tickets and more information visit valhallatahoe.com.

May 28

The El Dorado High School Jazz Band performs at The Green Room Social Club, 251 Main St. in Placerville, 2-4 p.m. For tickets and pushing forward,” said Hansen.

Jonutz has backed Lydia Pense and toured with some of the greats in modern music history.

Another Aftershock alum, guitarist Bill Vallaire, “is an amazing musician, comfortable with anything you want to throw at him,” Hansen shared. Vallaire, who has his own recording studio in Cameron Park, brings his experience performing in the San Francisco Bay Area with the late Sista Monica and Blues at Eleven.

Vocalist and keyboardist Aaron Gayden “has got a huge amount of experience. He just soars with these vocalizations and scats like a crazy man,” the band leader said, explaining he thinks they share the same mindset with the new arrangements of classic tunes.

And it’s all held together by drummer Rob Ringger and bass player Peter Mancini. Ringger, a multi-instrumentalist, contributes to arrangements and runs Ringgerstudios with his wife Brooke, a vocalist.

Mancini brings the funk to the band “and comes on super strong,” said Hansen, who points out how talented Mancini is in multiple genres. “He’s a really wonderful anchor.”

Horn players Paul Simmons on brass and vocalist Martin Beal round out the band.

HipNosis is a collection of pros, many of them band leaders, all contributing to the music, making it a collaboration of excellence.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Hansen shared. “We come out of rehearsal and I just sit back and think, ‘I can’t believe what’s happening.’ That joy and excitement in the band really connects with the audience and is what makes the whole experience truly special.” more information visit clubgreenroom.com. Musician Ed Wilson will perform at Red Rooster Burgers & Brew in Garden Valley, 5-8 p.m.

For tickets and more information visit clubgreenroom.com.

June 1

Vitalant will hold an El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 & IMAX Theater blood drive, noon to 4 p.m. Make an appointment at donors.vitalant.org and use blood drive code SMFM486 or call (877) 258-4825 and mention the same code. Walk-ins will be accommodated if space allows.

New Beginnings Gold Country hosts the fourth annual Fashion Show Charity Gala, 6 p.m. at Serene Ranch in Placerville. Dress in Western wear for an evening of food, fashion and fun. For tickets and more information visit newbeginningsgoldcountry.org.

The Just Exactly Perfect Music Festival takes place June 1-4 at the South Fork of the American River. For tickets and more information visit jepfest.com.

Now

Olde Coloma Theatre presents “Not Worth Their Weight in Sterling” or “Are You Worthy?” through June 11. For tickets and more information visit oldecolomatheatre.com.

El Dorado Hills Town Center hosts Live on the Boulevard free concerts every Thursday (no show June 30). Set up begins at 5:30 p.m. For more information visit edhtowncenter.com.

El Dorado County Certified Farmers Markets have begun Saturdays at Placerville Cinema on Placerville Drive, 8 a.m. to noon; Wednesdays at Burke Junction on Coach Lane in Cameron Park, 8 a.m. to noon; and Sundays at El Dorado Hills Town Center, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Gold Bug Park & Mine in Placerville is open Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit goldbugpark.org.