Chris Duarte
2026-03-27 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Martin Hotel, 94 W Railroad St, Winnemucca, NV, 89445
To classify Chris Duarte simply as a Blues Man is an understatement. In his own words, “rockin’ blues” or ”punk blues” describes him best. “Ferocious blues” also fits. Legend has it that Chris will play so hard that his fingers bleed in a set. The legend is true. Photos attest.
Chris Duarte is a road warrior playing more than 150 dates a year. As well, Chris has headlined major festivals and clubs throughout the US, Canada and Europe.
Chris is a savant, a sorcerer of tone, a master at channeling the spirits and sounds of great musicians of our past, while remaining completely recognizable in his own sound. He has shared his stage with many of the greatest musicians of our time as well as the multitude of “young lions” and local musicians he meets on the road. From his many years as a side man in Austin, he easily changes roles from front to side, graciously allowing all to share the conversation of the jam.
Chris Duarte’s music is ever changing. In many interviews, he has said “Music must evolve.” His own early offerings often become magical journeys into changing tempo and jazzy interludes before returning to their core. With such a vast catalog of recordings, there are no two shows alike. Every set list is different, and each song may be offered distinctly, based on the feel of a show and the audience. For those reasons, loyal fans often return to a Chris Duarte show again and again, and always walk away awed and satisfied to have witnessed such a legendary, but humble guitarist.

Book Talk with Dale Erquiaga
2026-04-14 18:00 - 19:00
Join us for an evening with Native Nevadan, Dale Erquiaga, while he shares his books inspired by the experiences of his Basque relatives and their lives in Nevada.
His book Three Wive’s Tales was the winner of 2020 Basque Writing Contest sponsored by the University of Nevada, Reno. The novel provides a glimpse into the lives of Victoria, Eladia, and Annie, three formidable Basque women who served as the backbone of their families in the American West. Woven together as a work of historical fiction, the memoirs and family lore of these three Nevada women capture a journey of self-discovery filled with wisdom
and strength that other Basque and immigrant families will
recognize. The author is the son and grandson of the tale’s protagonists.
His book from 2024 is A Soldier’s Road, a fictionalized history of two men who served in World War II. It details their very different upbringing – one the child of poor Spanish Basque immigrants in rural Nevada, the other a highly educated engineer with a stellar career in the Army and public service. Fabian “Bob” Rubianes served as an Army private in WWII and was horribly wounded on Okinawa in 1945. General Tom Farrell rose to become deputy commander of the Manhattan Project, targeting and later inspecting the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The book also details how these very different men traveled the post-war road home to their families, who would ultimately be connected by the marriage of the General’s great-granddaughter to Bob’s nephew, the book’s author.
About the Author: Dale Erquiaga is a native Nevadan, the grandson of Spanish Basque immigrants. He is the only person in Nevada history to serve as both state superintendent of public instruction and chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Dale was also the national president and CEO of Communities In Schools, the nation’s largest and most effective
dropout prevention organization. Other positions in government include service as senioradvisor chief strategy officer for Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval; director of the Nevada Department of Museums, Library & Arts; and Nevada’s chief deputy secretary of state. Dale holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Nevada,Reno, and a master’s degree in leadership from Grand Canyon University. He is the proud father of two and grandfather of six. He resides in Northern Nevada with his dog,
Ezra. Dale is currently working on a third novel about his family.
This event is free and is part of a Literary Series in honor of Aliceann Doyle.

Never Come Down
2026-04-22 19:00 - 21:00
Weaving together modern and traditional styles of American music, Never Come Down is a Portland, Oregon based band composed of Joe Suskind (guitar), Crystal Lariza (vocals), Lillian Sawyer (fiddle), and Kaden Hurst (mandolin). Their dedication to thoughtful songwriting and dynamic arrangements highlight polished technical skills and a commitment to listening to each other. Formed in 2018, the band began touring extensively- steadily cultivating a passionate fan base at home in the Pacific Northwest, and eventually around the country. NCD released their first studio album “Better Late Than Never” in 2021 and their second LP “Greener Pastures” in 2024. They’ve toured internationally and have found acclaim at festivals such as Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Iceland Airwaves, John Hartford Memorial Fest, Americanafest, FreshGrass and RockyGrass.

Poi Rogers
2026-05-02 19:00 - 21:00
Hailing from Santa Cruz, CA, Poi Rogers performs original and vintage American roots music, with Gerard Egan doubling on acoustic guitar and triple neck steel and Carolyn Sills on standup bass, their timeless harmonies anchoring the show.
They won the 2018 and 2024 Ameripolitan Award for Western Swing Group (as ‘The Carolyn Sills Combo’), and Carolyn was named the Academy of Western Artists’ Western Swing Female Vocalist of 2020. They performed at the 2024 Monterey Jazz Festival and are both Sacramento Western Swing Hall of Fame inductees. They’ve been known to spontaneously perform other musicians’ material, from ZZ Top to Patsy Cline to Django Reinhardt. For them, it’s all about having a good time.
What began as a fun way for the couple to explore the vintage musical styles they love turned into an in-demand touring act, with the second Poi Rogers album due out in 2026.

Piconland:Conversation and Documentary Film Screening
2026-05-27 18:00 - 20:00
Learn more about the history and cultural significance of Nevada’s official state drink, the Picon Punch.
Join Nevada Humanities for a free screening of the documentary film Piconland on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 6:00 pm at The Martin Hotel in Winnemucca, Nevada. The 27-minute film will be followed by a conversation with Mark Maynard (writer and director, Piconland) and local panelists about Basque heritage and traditions in Nevada.

This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to let us know you are interested in attending.

This program is produced by Nevada Humanities as part of Around the Table—a series of free, public humanities-based programming in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Throughout 2026, Nevada Humanities invites Nevadans to share and celebrate their diverse food traditions through a series of public events and creative reflections that explore Nevada foodways, food traditions, and expressive cultures across the Silver State.
Around the Table is part of the national initiative By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, which is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners, and was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
Nevada Humanities’ Around the Table programming is supported in part by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and Nevada Humanities’ generous donors.
Visit www.piconland.com to learn more about the film.

Margo Cilker
2026-06-05 19:00 - 21:00
We are honored to have Margo Cilker back on our stage to share her excellent songs and self. Her songs are powerful yet relatable; telling stories rooted in place, experience, and gifted perception and expression.
In the wake of the critically acclaimed “Valley of Hearts Delight” and her stunning debut “Pohoryll” Margo Cilker has made a name for herself as a clear-eyed troubadour, spinning songs from everyday truths. Her live performances are at once intimate and electric, inviting glimpses into the characters and moments that are the fabric of life. She makes her home near the Columbia River in Goldendale, Washington with her husband, songwriter and working cowboy Forrest VanTuyl, as well their dog and some horses.
Get your tickets early!

Matt Axton
2026-07-28 19:00 - 21:00
Matt Axton is a gifted singer/songwriter. Granted, that’s a claim made by many artists that inhabit the world of Americana these days, but in Matt’s case, it’s more than a mere boast. The ability to make music is firmly infused in his genes, courtesy of a family history that implanted that ability in him early on.
While he modestly describes his sound as a “humble slice of Americana,” it’s clear that it possesses so much more. With a style that encompasses country, folk, roots, rock, R&B, and pure pop proficiency, he defies easy categorization. With a rich reservoir of original tunes — over 300 in fact — and three well received albums (Blue Sky Rain, Matthew C. Axton and Badmoon), he’s established himself as a prolific and proficient singer, songwriter and guitarist, both on his own and at the helm of his various ensembles.
Axton tours nationally playing large festivals and iconic institutions as well as opening up for acts like Midland, Paul Cauthen, Jim Lauderdale, and Nikki Lane. The verve and versatility underscore the fact that Matt is a master of many motifs.
Tickets $20 Get yours now at The Martin or online at gbae.org

Tom VandenAvond
2026-08-11 19:00 - 21:00
Tom VandenAvond is a country/folk singer born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Known for his quiet raspy voice and ego-free approach to sharing stories through music. He lived in Austin, Texas for about eight years before moving to Oakdale, California.
From Saving Country Music.com:
“Even if he never made a dime doing it, even if nobody ever doted on him for it, Tom VandenAvond would still be out there traveling around the country playing songs for whoever he could get to listen. He’s unique to the music world in how there appears to be no ego. Instead the quiet, raspy-voiced troubadour is driven by the simple urge to share stories.
VandenAvond, whose originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, lived in and around Austin, TX for about 8 years before moving to the small town of Oakdale in interior California to “be amongst the cowboys” with fellow songwriter Willy Tea Taylor. “Willy had an airstream open,” Tom explains.
Songs become timeless by having the uncanny knack of feeling relevant no matter when they are performed. The title track from Tom’s latest album Wreck Of A Fine Man falls into that lot. Last week when it was announced Darius Rucker would be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, “Wreck Of A Fine Man” seemed to be the best salve for the old soul struggling with the short-sightedness of today’s society.”

The Black Feathers
2026-08-26 19:00 - 21:00
The ability to write songs that are both modern and ancient is a rare thing. The product of an arcane art of weaving in traditional influences so thoroughly that they become the warp and weft of fresh creations.
The Black Feathers, made up of Ray Hughes and Sian Chandler, are two such talents. They first became aware of the magic between them while collaborating on several musical projects, becoming The Black Feathers and life partners in 2012.
Americana, Folk, and Acoustic Indie Rock sensibilities coexist comfortably in their musical world, with Hughes’ guitar work buoying the kind of harmonies often only heard in family bands. Their music quickly draw the interest of listeners, but it is the stage chemistry that will keep them riveted.
Having already built up a loyal following in the UK, The Black Feathers have been spreading their wings across the US. They have performed at Philadelphia Folk Festival, Kate Wolf Music Festival, and AmericanaFest, and have also been awarded official showcases at the International, North East Regional and Far-West Folk Alliance conferences.

Mike Beck - The Ponies Show
2026-11-13 18:30 - 20:30
A Celebration of the Horse in Song and Stories
My life has been wrapped up in horses and music, so it’s only natural that I have combined both my passions together in one show, The Ponies. The Ponies is a complete evening of songs I’ve written and a few others I love, plus stories of my life’s work in the pursuit of coming together with the horse through a harmonious approach to bring out the best in both horse and human.
Drawing on a life spent with amazing teachers, such as Bill Dorrance, Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt and many others, and a life as a working cowboy where I used the horse to do a job on ranches in the Western United States. Also, all my adventures and experiences conducting Horsemanship Clinics in over 20 states and 6 foreign countries for over 20 years has lead to songs and stories both heartfelt and humorious.
This is in no way just a cowboy show, rather a celebration of the ancient draw and connection between Man and Horse, through song and story.
“Working with the Horse…. Well, it’s really just L.I.F.E. , Mike”
Words Tom Dorrance said to me…..
I love doing this show…. It means a lot to me.
Best
Mike Beck

Ned Evett
2026-11-21 19:00 - 21:00
The son of an English professor and an opera singer, Ned Evett is one of the world’s foremost fretless guitarists, creating music that both celebrates and transcends the novelty of his instrument. He is also an accomplished visual artist, animator, and author.
Evett began playing fretless guitar in 1990 on a modified Stratocaster that he built from various parts, including a basswood body from Luthier John Bolin. He first appeared in print in Fingerstyle magazine’s ‘Bizarre Guitars’ profile, who stated “Ned Evett will make you reconsider the plucked-string instrument”.
Evett developed the use of glass fingerboards for fretless guitar in 1996. In 1996, Evett played the fretless glass-necked guitar with Warner Brothers Recording artists Built to Spill, on their album, The Normal Years.
In 2003, Evett won the North American Rock Guitar Competition and, in 2004, PBS Television broadcast a documentary about the competition titled Driven To Play.The competition launched a series of high-profile opening concert performances for Evett with notable musicians, including Joe Satriani, the Allman Brothers, John Fogerty, George Thorogood, Eric Johnson, Kansas, and Leon Russell.
Evett has released over 12 albums. He lives in Los Angeles.

“The world’s first fretless guitar rockstar” -Guitar Player Magazine
” The master of the fretless glass-necked guitar ” -USA Today
