Due to the Global Pandemic, most of the gigs on my calendar have been postponed or cancelled.
Some will be replaced with Virtual Concerts, and you’ll find details for all Live Streamed Concerts on the Cattail-LIVE page!
October 2018
Artichoke Music Concert
Taking advantage of the proximity effect to renew our bi-coastal friendship, Mary Flower and I will be splitting the bill at this august little music shop, Café Artichoke. Please come join us for some dazzling guitar work and great vocals. We'll be having a great deal of fun!
Find out more »The Lab at the Barnyard
A friend of two different friends in the Carmel area, Kiki Wow has set up this Sunday afternoon concert at The Lab.
Find out more »Ojai Storytelling Festival – California
I am so pleased to be invited back to this lovely festival up in the hills above the Pacific in Ojai, CA. Brian Bemel's welcoming me and my spoken-word/poet compatriot Glenis Redmond back and we are both excited and pleased at the prospect of working together again and making new friends at the festival, on stage and off. From their website: Nestled in a valley filled with orange groves and flanked by the Topa Topa peaks, the charming city of…
Find out more »November 2018
Whirlybird – near Lafayette LA
Jim Phillips, Christy Leichty, and their crew of volunteers and friends are creating a music/dance/art scene in St. Landry Parish, north of Lafayette, LA. My friend David Greely introduced us and I'm looking forward to being part of the scene there. Saturday evening concert sets. Sunday, midday workshop. Details coming soon. Locations sent with email confirmation of your reservations. Here's what their site says: "Jim Phillips and his wife Christy Leichty are artists and educators who love Cajun and Creole music…
Find out more »Red Clay Music Foundry-Duluth GA
Eddie Owen Presents (EOP) is sponsoring this workshop/concert day north of Atlanta in Duluth GA. The workshop in the afternoon is for blues guitarists and singers. The evening performance is for anyone who values good music, longs to know its history and stories, and has a passion for great singing and acoustic guitar playing. Come out and join us. We will have a ball. Guaranteed! Note: There's a discount if you do the workshop AND the concert. Tickets
Find out more »Sunapee Coffee House
Our gig here last year was iced out by some frozen pipes. A return to this lovely (cool) local coffeehouse in the state next door! Hopefully not as cold as last year... Come join us for a great evening of acoustic blues, slide guitar, hand-crafted songs and stories.
Find out more »January 2019
The Peace Center, Greenville SC with Poet Glenis Redmond
My poetic compatriot and sister-from-another-mother, Glenis Redmond, and I will be presenting teaching performances during the day on Wednesday and Thursday, January 9 & 10, and an evening presentation on Thursday, January 10th at 6:30 as part of their Poetic Conversations Series. The opportunity for us to be on stage together is precious to us and we are both grateful for the vision and commitment of the Peace Center to presenting this compelling work.
Find out more »Yellow Springs OH – YSAC Community Gallery
I'm happy to be returning to Yellow Springs Arts Council's Community Gallery for another unamplified evening of acoustic music, stories and songs. On an inside weeknight last time we had roughly forty people who came and were delighted. Reservations are recommended because you know how people will talk! Reservations: by email or telephone, below.
Find out more »Beacon Hall Fundraising Concert, Salisbury NC
The good people at Beacon Hall are developing a commmunity music program to provide the kids in their community with access to music, to resources, and constructive-engagement with instructors and each other. This Friday evening concert (and the guitar workshop to follow, Saturday morning) are in support of their mission and vision for transforming their community.
Find out more »Swain Center for the Arts, Bryson NC w/Reggie Harris
My friend Reggie Harris and I are returning to the scene of our first public performances together to again present "Long Time Comin'" for the community and three educational concerts for middle and high school student audiences in Bryson City, NC at the Swain Arts Center. Public Community Concert: 2:30 p.m., Sunday January 27th Educational concerts: TBA, Monday January 28th
Find out more »February 2019
High Water-Hurricane Benefit, Lumberton NC
(AP Photo/David Goldman) Working with local organizations and organizers, I'll be donating a performance to raise money and spirits of those driven from their homes by the recent hurricanes in Lumberton NC. I have friends who had only been back in their homes for a few months before losing them to high water again, in two successive 500-year floods! I had a routed night free on the road and will be doing a benefit for them on Saturday night, February…
Find out more »March 2019
14th Annual Posi Music Festival, Tampa FL
I'll be teaching in the pre-conference song school, and offering one of the two keynote addresses/performances (Bounded by Silence: Songs of Change). There will be a lot of good music and good energy here. Come join us.
Find out more »May 2019
Crow Town Gallery: Mother’s Day Lubec ME
Having spent the intervening week in Nova Scotia, I'll be coming back through to Lubec, Maine to play a larger venue on Mother's Day, Sunday May 12th at 7:00 p.m.
Find out more »July 2019
1794 Meeting House, New Salem MA
Brad Foster and the good volunteers at this Meeting House concert series have invited us to come for Saturday evening, July 13. Music starts at 7:30. This should be a magnificent venue for sound!
Find out more »Wild Rose Moon, Plymouth IN
A Friday evening concert followed by a Saturday morning radio show at the Wild Rose Moon in historic downtown Plymouth, Indiana with our host George Schricker: great fun to be had.
Find out more »Woodstock Folk Festival, Woodstock IL
The 34th Annual Woodstock (IL) Folk Festival takes place Sunday, July 21 from noon until 6:00 p.m. on Woodstock Square in Woodstock, IL. (RAIN location: Unity Spiritual Center, 225 W. Calhoun, Woodstock IL). I'll be presenting a 40-minute set there, followed by a 45-minute acoustic blues &/or slide guitar workshop. Bring your guitars! And slides, if that's your interest. We'll talk over what would be most useful and settle on topics to be covered. It'll be informal and great.
Find out more »Cafe Carpe, Fort Atkinson WI
How nice to be returning to this relaxed and friendly venue again. Wednesday night, so mark up your calendar and come to join us if you can. Spend hump day listening to some great slide guitar, fine singing, and stories of the blues.
Find out more »October 2019
Connecticut Folk, New Haven CT
This non-profit organization programs from October to May, with April being sequestered for auditions for the annual CT Folk Fest Emerging Artists' Stage. I'll be their opener this year and am looking forward to it.
Find out more »November 2019
Floyd Radio Show
Scott will be a featured artist on this monthly radio show - broadcast live from the Floyd Country Store, in Floyd, VA.
Find out more »Blue Tavern, Tallahassee FL
I'm happy to be returning to this little Tallahassee stand-by. Carrie Hamby and her crew always make us welcome. Come join us. A low $10 cover for the evening and a couple sets of fine singing, playing and storytelling are sure to be yours. Please pass the word and bring a friend!
Find out more »Concert, Clearwater, FL
We'll be back at Unity of Clearwater for Sunday service on November 10, and a concert on Monday November 11.
Find out more »Blues Concert at Timucua, Orlando, FL
A concert in a wonderful-looking and sounding venue: Timucua.
Doors open at 7:00
Introductions at 7:30
Music (live-cast) starts at 7:38!
Not in Florida? You can watch from anywhere! www.youtube.com/TimucuaArts 7:38 E.S.T.
Find out more »Unity Eastside, Tallahassee FL
My musical brother Darryl Steele has paved the way for me to join him and the musical director Vicki Herlovich for a service at 10:30 Sunday morning. It will be good to be with them both again.
Find out more »Music on Malphrus, Bluffton SC
Music On Malphrus is a concert series hosted by the UU Congregation of the Low Country in Bluffton SC. Doors open at 6:00, music at 7:00 p.m. There's room for around 125 people. Reservations are recommended, but not required.
Find out more »“Beat The Black Friday Blues” in Floyd, VA
Got the Black Friday Blues? Come to Floyd, Virginia on Saturday for a day of Blues Guitar Workshops and an evening concert. Stay over at the venue Hotel Floyd at a special discounted room rate.
Find out more »December 2019
The National Music Centre, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
An early afternoon educational concert sponsored by Scotia Bank at Studio Bell in The National Music Centre on the African Roots of American Music.
Find out more »January 2020
The Barns of Rosehill, Berryville VA
ALERT!!! TIME CHANGE!!! Doors open at 7:00; music at 8:00; an open session following the concert for those who'd like to play. They're building a scene and a community at the Barns and I'm happy to be a part of that. The workshop in the afternoon is $40 alone, $50 with the concert included. The concert will be $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Save the date and join us, Saturday, January 4th.
Find out more »Acoustic Blues Concert – Fort Worth Area TX
CHANGE OF VENUE! This concert and the Saturday Guitar Workshop will now be held at our friend Melinda Wood Allen’s house. Please contact her to rsvp and for address / directions. unitymusicmel@yahoo.com (817) 819-6022 House opens at 7:00 Friday, January 10, 2020 and music starts at 7:30. We'll be just under an hour west of where Robert Johnson made his first series of professional recordings at the Brunswick Record offices on the third floor of the 508 Park Avenue building…
Find out more »Cathedral of Light
Sunday morning service at 10:30 Afternoon concert
Find out more »Common Ground On The Border 2020, Sahuarita AZ
The Good Shepherd United Church of Christ of Sahuarita, Arizona and Common Ground On The Hill in Westminster, Maryland cooperate in the production of this program examining the common ground we all share, regardless of where the border is drawn between us: race, class, religion, or nationality. It will be my honor to join them to lead two two-hour classes on "Raising Your Voice For Others," and to present a concert on the Friday night of this weekend. Set aside…
Find out more »February 2020
Muckenthaler Cultural Center: Long Time Comin’ w/Reggie Harris
We're coming to Fullerton CA to this Cultural Center for a Thursday evening presentation. Please save the date and join us there. About my work with Reggie Harris: "Standing in concert, armed with a variety of acoustic instruments, stories, and songs, Scott Ainslie and Reggie Harris–passionate performers and friends–personalize America’s history and the shared struggle for equal social and civil rights. In their interactive concert program, Long Time Comin’, we are welcomed and wrapped up in that journey. 'Tracing the…
Find out more »Whittier CA with Reggie Harris
I'm happy to be returning to the scene of my double-bill performance with the august David Lindley (the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts) with my friend and sometime stage partner Reggie Harris. I have very fond memories of this stage and the community of volunteers who help staff the concerts and events! We'll be presenting teaching concerts during the day on Friday, optional workshops (TBA) on Saturday midday, and an evening concert Saturday night. Please plan to…
Find out more »Harmony Center for Spiritual Living – afternoon Concert
No, Scott is not singing harmony with himself -- Harmony is the name of the place! Church service and Sunday afternoon concert - details to follow.
Find out more »March 2020
Studio Bell, The National Music Centre, Calgary Canada
I'll be presenting an early afternoon teaching concert on the African roots of American Music at the National Music Centre of Canada in Calgary, Alberta. Free with Museum admission....
Find out more »On The Edge Concert Series, Calgary-Alberta, Canada
We're so looking forward to this! Details to follow!
Find out more »POSTPONED-First Congregational Church of Terre Haute
We met pastor Kathi Elliott at Common Ground on the Border in January and are please to say that we'll be playing a concert at her church in Indiana on our return trip in March.
Find out more »April 2020
Folk Song Society of Greater Boston – Virtual House Concert
Originally we were hoping to combine a Saturday house concert with a Sunday vocal workshop. We've had to cancel the workshop, but the concert will go on as a "virtual house concert" (Saturday evening, April 18 at 8 pm as originally scheduled) Information about how to join us online for this concert WILL BE posted on the Folk Song Society's page: https://www.fssgb.org/fssconc.shtml#ainslie The link will also be here: https://cattailmusic.com/live/
Find out more »POSTPONED Scott Ainslie at ISIS Lounge Concert, Asheville NC
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2020 I'm happy to be returning to Isis, a club named for the Egyptian god before Islamic terrorists commandeered the acronym... The upstairs lounge is an intimate setting with good sound and not a bad seat in the house. Come join me for an evening of music, stories, and songs. Tickets: https://isisasheville.com/event/acoustic-blues-slide-guitar-master-scott-ainslie/
Find out more »POSTPONED – The Cary Theater, Cary NC
THIS EVENT WILL BE RESCHEDULED - DATE TBD My old friend and stalwart acoustic music promoter David Sardinha is hosting me for this Friday night in April at the Cary Theater in downtown Cary NC. A beautiful room to play. And a fine spring night in my former home state. There are just 160 seats and we hope to sell out. Please reserve your seats early. Pass the word and join us, if you can.
Find out more »May 2020
POSTPONED: Marlboro VT House Concert
We hope to be able to reschedule this -- some time! Megan Littlehales has been hosting events in an old farmhouse in Marlboro VT, bringing fine acoustic music into the area for a select audience of 30-40 people. I'm delighted to be joining the long list of august performers who've made music in that house. Come!
Find out more »POSTPONED – Lizzie Rose Music Room, Tuckerton NJ
THIS HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 20, 2020. This non-profit music presenting organization was established in 2014 to bring fine live performances to Tuckerton and the surrounding area. I'm looking forward to my first performance there (courtesy of Tom Paxton and the Don Juans, who recommended me to the music coordinator there: this is how the music life works best! Thanks, boys!!). NEW DATE: Friday evening, November 20th, 7:30 p.m. Two sets and all the fun you can have.
Find out more »POSTPONED-Focus, Sterling VA
I'm happy to be returning to northern Virginia to play for these good people on Saturday, May 16th.
Find out more »ONLINE LIVE-STREAM, co-sponsored with RiverVibes Concerts and The Cooperage Project
Scott's ONLINE Streaming concert will be a 4:00 pm EDT Sunday afternoon, in hopes of making it easier for our friends in the U.K. and Europe, where it will be 9:00 pm. For west-coast friends, it will be 1:00 p.m.
Please bookmark and check the page at https://cattailmusic.com/live/ for the updated info and FaceBook event link.
Find out more »June 2020
Sumner Hall, Chestertown MD
Tom McHugh has been tasked with booking a series of community concerts in one of only two existing African-American Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) buildings still standing in the United States (and the only one offering regular programs). My friend and compatriot Reggie Harris played it last year and recommended me. The honor of working in this building, with this community, affirming the contributions and importance of African-Americans to our shared history is now also going to be mine.…
Find out more »Carroll Cafe, Takoma-Washington DC
This cafe has been bringing great acoustic music into its beautiful upstairs room for years. I'm happy to be returning to make music at this all-volunteer run coffeehouse. Come join us!
Find out more »July 2020
Searsmont, Maine Library Concert
We met Steven Brown, the library director, when Scott played in Belfast last fall. He heard the radio show Scott did and contacted us right away, and we were able to get him in for the concert in Belfast. We've agreed on a date for a concert at the library, and hope that the health and cooperation of all will allow this event to proceed. They do not accept reservations: first come, first seated. Email or phone contact for information…
Find out more »November 2020
Scott Ainslie at Isis Lounge, Asheville, NC
This is the date rescheduled from April, 2020. I’m happy to be returning to Isis, a club named for the Egyptian god before Islamic terrorists commandeered the acronym… The upstairs lounge is an intimate setting with good sound and not a bad seat in the house. Come join me for an evening of music, stories, and songs. Tickets: https://isisasheville.com/event/acoustic-blues-slide-guitar-master-scott-ainslie/
Find out more »Rescheduled – Lizzie Rose Music Room, Tuckerton, NJ
THIS HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FROM APRIL 2020 This non-profit music presenting organization was established in 2014 to bring fine live performances to Tuckerton and the surrounding area. I'm looking forward to my first performance there (courtesy of Tom Paxton and the Don Juans, who recommended me to the music coordinator there: this is how the music life works best! Thanks, boys!!). Thursday evening, May 14th, 7:30 p.m. Two sets and all the fun you can have.
Find out more »