Songs of the Central Coast

Catch the sounds of the Central Coast this weekend as some of the region’s most talented singer-songwriters square off at a free concert in San Luis Obispo.

Eight musicians will compete Sunday night at the SLO West Coast Songwriters Showcase, held once a month at Linnaea’s Cafe. They’ll be joined by eight other guest performers.

Judging the contest are guitarist Craig Nuttycombe, part of the gypsy-tango quartet Café Musique, and Craig Kincaid, a professional singer-songwriter from San Luis Obispo.

Painted Sky Studios of Cambria will donate two hours of recording time to the musician awarded “Best Song.” Participants can also win “Best Performance,” and a number of door prizes.

Pismo Beach musician Steve Key launched the monthly showcase in May to highlight the area’s talent

The show starts at 7 p.m. Sunday at Linnaea’s Café, 1110 Garden St. in downtown San Luis Obispo. For more information, check out the showcase’s MySpace page.

Here’s the current lineup:

Competitors: Nathan Martin, Jackie Morris, Jennifer Neetz, Matthias Clark, Brian Keel, Deborah Kirk, Nina Jo Smith, Larry Allen

Guest performers: Steve Key, Craig Nuttycombe, Craig Kincaid, Will Barkley, Loren Radis, Cliff Stepp, Alex Miner, Michael Barrish

Catch a local band this weekend

Local musicians are making waves this weekend.

Jade Jackson, a 15-year-old girl from Santa Margarita, squares off Saturday against some of California’s finest singer-songwriters.
Judges with the SLO West Coast Songwriters Showcase, held once a month at Linnaea’s Café in San Luis Obispo, selected Jackson to compete against other musicians in Berkeley.
She won Best Song in June with “It's All Right, Girl,” her song about a girl struggling with strict parents and other travails of teenage life. Earlier this month, Jackson beat out other Central Coast musicians for the chance to go to the finals.
Saturday’s concert will showcase top contenders from across the Bay area, Sacramento and Southern California, playing their original songs for a panel of celebrity judges.
The Song Showcase Finals start at 8 p.m. at the Freight & Salvage Coffee House, 1111 Addison Street, Berkeley. Tickets are $17.50 in advance and $18.50 at the door.

Learn more about the SLO West Coast Songwriters Showcase, organized by Pismo Beach musician Steve Key, at the group's MySpace profile.

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Two Central Coast bands play Sunday as The Cliffs Resort wraps up its “Live on the Rocks” summer concert series in Shell Beach.
Threes and Nines, an acoustic rock trio from Arroyo Grande, will perform from 1:30 to 3: 30 p.m. on the resort’s oceanfront lawn.
They’re followed by Louie Ortega, from 4 to 6 p.m. The Latin guitarist shared a 1990 Grammy Award with the Texas Tornados for his song, “Soy de San Luis.”
Past bands in the concert series, which began July 22, include the Damon Castillo Band, Incendio and Resination.
A full bar and barbecue is available Sunday at The Cliffs Resort, 2757 Shell Beach Rd. in Shell Beach. Call 773-5000 or visit www.cliffsresort.com for more information.

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Also on Sunday, Los Osos musician Matthias Clark releases his latest album, “California Soul” at the Frog & Peach Pub.
Matthias recently brought his blend of free-styling pop and folk rock to the SLO West Coast Songwriters Showcase, held once every month at Linnaea’s Café in San Luis Obispo, and to the Winery Music Awards in San Miguel.
The concert starts at 10 p.m. Sunday at the Frog & Peach, 728 Higuera St. in San Luis Obispo.

-- Sarah L.