Here is a list of some upcoming shows and workshops: 16 NOV 2008: Old Town School | 4544 N. Lincoln, Chicago SURF GUITAR BASICS AND CLASSICS WORKSHOP You’ll learn the electric guitar techniques used by Dick Dale, the Ventures, the Chantays and others to craft songs from the golden age of the rock and roll instrumental. Guitar 3 experience required. oldtownschool.org or 773.728.6000 to register SUNDAY 2p 29 NOV 2008: Schubas  3159 N Southport Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l play. Don’t miss this one! Last Schuba’s gig was a dance explosion! With w.w.loman SATURDAY 10p 7 DEC 2008: Old Town School | 4544 N. Lincoln, Chicago EXPLORING THE GUITAR WITH MODES WORKSHOP Explore your understanding of scales and harmony while opening up your access to the fingerboard! This workshop presents a set of shapes that break you from your normal patterns and opens up your ears. These are the tools that inspired everyone from Miles Davis to Carlos Santana. From the familiar to the exotic, you'll come away with tools for interesting solos and sparkling chords, and can even change the way you think about writing songs! oldtownschool.org or 773.728.6000 to register SUNDAY 1p 14 DEC 2008: Old Town School | 4544 N. Lincoln, Chicago THE ABC’S OF CAGED WORKSHOP Open up your understanding of the guitar by learning to play around the neck using the familiar major chord shapes (C A G E and D), and learn how they interlock to make the entire fingerboard into your melodic jungle-gym. You'll learn grips and shapes that your ear has known for years, and explore new approaches to the major keys used by all your favorites: southern rockers, African virtuosos, and traditional fingerstyle players. We'll demystify the use of the Capo, and learn how to alter scales to get at a range of harmonic colors. oldtownschool.org or 773.728.6000 to register SUNDAY 2p 8 JAN 2009: Kennedy Center | 2700 F Street, Washington DC Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l perform in our District of Columbia debut. It is free, so come and buy lots of cds. THURSDAY 6p 11 JAN 2009: globalFEST 2009 @ Webster Hall | 125 East. 11^th, NYC World Music Breakthroughs, Now on Stage in America: globalFEST 2009 at NYC’s Webster Hall. The Occidental Brothers play as part of a blockbuster line-up with Chicha Libre, Femi Kuti, Hot 8 Brass Band, Kailash Kher’s Kailasa, L&O, La Troba Kung-fú, Marcio Local, Shanbehzadeh Ensemble, Tanya Tagaq, and Watcha Clan. SUNDAY 8p RECENT DOINGS: 24 OCT 2008: University of Wisconsin Student Union | Madison The Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l perform for young scholars and the homecoming crowd. Friday 10:30 26 SEP 2008: Martyrs’ | 3855 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago OBDBI play our first club show since the Park West in May. We’ll be joined by our good friends, the incredible band The Eternals. You don’t want to miss this one. FRIDAY 10p 6 SEP 2008: Navy Pier Beer Garden The Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l play for free on the lakefront. SATURDAY 1p 3 SEP 2008: Pritzker Pavilion: Millennium Park | Randolph/Michigan Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l Live on the great stage in Millennium Park with our good friend, Andrew Bird. It’s our last outdoor show of the season, and is presented as part of the City of Chicago’s “Blockbuster Week”. WEDNESDAY 6.30p 21 AUG 2008: Skinner Park | 1331 W. Adams The OBDBI play a free outdoor show. Bring the little ones! THURSDAY 5:30-7:00 16 AUG 2008: Art Institute of Chicago | 111 S. Michigan The Occidental Brothers plays a special showcase in the pristine Fullerton Hall. We're the museum's guests as they celebrate their "Passport to Africa" exhibit. Please mark this one on your calendar! SATURDAY, 1p 14 AUG 2008: SUMMERDANCE | 601 S. Michigan Ave Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l Live on the Spirit of Music Stage in Grant Park, come early for dance lessons, and stay late for two sets of African dance music set against the Chicago skyline THURSDAY 6.30p 8 AUG 2008: Art Institute of Chicago Cafe | 111 S. Michigan The band plays a stripped down, jazzier gig in this lovely westside park. Kofi and Josh can’t be there, but Jeff Greene is sitting in with Greg, Rambo, and Nathaniel SATURDAY 5:30-7:30 | 3 sets 26 JULY 2008: Smith Park | 2526 W. Grand Crazy 8's on this 08/08/08 gig. The Occidental trio plays a quieter African jazz in the lovely outdoors area of the Art Institute of Chicago. FRIDAY 5:30-8:45p | 2 sets 24 JULY 2008: Hideout | 1354 W. Wabansia, Chicago Rachel Ries band plays with band of Jason Toth, Ariel Bolles, Nathaniel Braddock. THURSDAY 10p 20 JULY 2008: Pitchfork Music Festival | Union Park, Chicago OBDBI play the year's most-anticipated festival along side the cream of the contemporary independent music scene and honored elders. Including, but not limited to, Animal Collective, !!!, Dinosaur Jr., Extra Golden, Vampire Weekend, M. Ward, Spiritualized, and Public Enemy recreating their classic "It Takes A Nation of Millions" album. SUNDAY 5p 12 JULY: Folk and Roots Fest | 4544 N. Lincoln Debut of my fabulous new rock band with Frank Rosaly and Tobin Summerfield. We’re up on the staff stage, right by the fest’s north entrance. Lamajamal play after us. SATURDAY, 7p 1 JULY 2008: Welles Park (Western/Montrose) A pleasant evening by the Gazebo for you? It’s outside, casual, and of course free. Bring the little ‘uns. OBDBI TUESDAY 6.30p | 2 sets 25 JUN 2008: Town Square (Damen/Belle Plaine) We play a free outdoor show. Bring the little ones! WEDNESDAY 6.30p 21 JUNE 2008: Old Town School of Folk Music | 4544 N. Lincoln, The OBDBI perform one song to open up this night paying tribute to Fleetwood Mac. Seem unlikely? Wait until you hear what we have in store! Call for reservations at 773.728.6000 SATURDAY 8p 31 MAY 2008: Do Division Fest | Division/Damen The Occidental Brothers play festive African rhythms as this hipster fair. No white belt required! SATURDAY 4p 30 MAY 2008: Art Institute of Chicago | 111 S Mighigan The Occidental African Jazz Trio plays with special guest Marcus Evans on drums. FRIDAY 5:30-8:45p | 3 sets 23-24 MAY 2008: Pete Miller’s Evanston | 1557 Sherman Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'lplay two nights at one of Chicagoland's great jazz venues. 3 sets. FRIDAY & SATURDAY 9p 10 MAY 2008: MicroFest | Los Angeles Braddock’s microtonal music for electric guitar ensemble performed by the Los Angeles Electric 8. Concert is at the Arnold Schoenberg Institute, University of Southern California Los Angeles. SATURDAY 9 MAY 2008: Park West | 322 West Armitage, Chicago Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l help celebrate the release of a new cd by our friends Funkadesi. Also featured is DJ Redlox will take the night out. FRIDAY 8p 3 APR 2008: Hideout | 1354 W. Wabansia, Chicago Nathaniel plays with Kevin O’Donnell supporting our friend Rachel Ries. Also, These United States & Vandaveer. THURSDAY 9p 14-15 MAR 2008: Pete Miller’s Schaumburg | 1385 Meachum Road Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l play two nights. Come for dinner at Schaumburg's best restaurant, and hang around for the music. 3 sets. FRIDAY & SATURDAY, 9p 4 MAR 2008: Empty Bottle | 1035 N. Western, Chicago Producer, saxophonist and bon vivant Stuart Bogie leads a band through his music: a combination of soul, afro-beat, and indi-pop. The band features Bogie, Braddock, Bitney, Bishop, and Summerfield. TUESDAY, 10:00p 1 MAR 2008: AV-Aerie | 2001 W. Fulton, Chicago Never Enough Hope: Toby Summerfield is at the helm of this gigantic band featuring star musicians from Chicago, Montreal, San Francisco, and New York. This is a record release show, and part of a festival of five nights featuring members of the band. SATURDAY, 9p 29 FEB 2008: AV-Aerie | 2001 W. Fulton, Chicago Never Enough Hope: Toby Summerfield is at the helm of this gigantic band featuring star musicians from Chicago, Montreal, San Francisco, and New York. This is a record release show, and part of a festival of five nights featuring members of the band. FRIDAY, 9p 23 FEB 2008: Charleston | 2076 N. Hoyne, Chicago Two sets with Occidental Brothers Highlife Guitar Band at our favorite small club in Chicago SATURDAY, 10p 29 DEC 2007: Charleston | 2076 N. Hoyne, Chicago Two sets with Occidental Brothers Guitar Highlife Band in a grand return to the Charleston SATURDAY 10p 29 DEC 2007: Pete Miller’s Evanston | 1557 Sherman Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l debut at one of Chicagoland's great jazz venues. Come for dinner at one of the northsides great restaurants, and hang around for the music. FRIDAY, 9p 15 DEC 2007: Logan Square Auditorium| Chicago Thrill Jockey 15^th Anniversary Showcase with The Zincs, Sea and Cake, the Fiery Furnaces, Trans Am, and other bands. SATURDAY, 7p 14 DEC 2007: Martyrs’ | 3855 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago OBDBI play with great local band Corporate X. FRIDAY 10p 11 NOV 2007: KOKO | LONDON UK Thrill Jockey 15^th Anniversary Showcase with The Zincs, Sea and Cake, the Fiery Furnaces, Trans Am, and other bands. 17 OCT 2007: University of Minnesota, MPLS Nathaniel appears in collaboration with old friend and poet Daniel Givens in this first-time collaboration. The event entitled The Sound Creates the Space: Time and Place in Aural Art is part of the Symposium on Time, presented by the University’s Institute for Advanced Study. 125 Nolte Center WEDNESDAY 4.15p 15 SEP 2007: Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque, IA Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l play an event with our good friends at Chicago’s Short Film Brigade. This is part of the museum’s Voices From the Warehouse series. SATURDAY 7p 8 SEP 2007: Martyrs 3855 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l play with great local band Lovers In Arms. This $1 show is sponsored by TIXEM. This is our last local show for a little while. SATURDAY 10p 26 AUG 2007: Bucktown Arts Fest, 2200 N Oakley Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l Sunday 5p 12 AUG 2007: Millenium Park, Chicago GREAT ILLINOIS PERFORMERS Festival 11AM - Coat 12PM - Joshua Abrams 1PM - Lanterna 2PM - Darin Gray 3PM - Bill Dolan Ensemble 4PM - Poster Children 5PM - Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l SUNDAY 10 AUG 2007: Empty Bottle (Western Ave @ Cortez) The OBDBI play African music for you, with guests guitar ace Billy Dolan and dj Wayne Montana (the Eternals). Come out for this night of killer guitar music! FRIDAY 10:00p 9 AUG 2007: Twiggs Park:Evanston, IL Starlight Concert Series Two sets in the park with Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l. The park is on Simpson St. at Dodge Ave THURSDAY 7:30p 5 AUG 2007: Hideout: 1354 W. Wabansia Hosted by the Chicago Short Film Brigade. OBDBI guitarist Nathaniel Braddock spins classic African music with dj Josh Abrams as part of this premier screening of Andrew Bird's new video for his song "Imitosis". SUNDAY 8:00p 4 AUG 2007: Old Town School: 4544 N. Lincoln Record Release of the OTSFM Songbook cd [Bloodshot] volumes 2 & 3, performances by Braddock’s trio, Zincs and more, finding new angles on classic American songs. SATURDAY 8p 29 JUL 2007: Bickerdike Park: 1461 W. Ohio, Chicago Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l in the park—two sets Sunday 2pm 26 JUL 2007: SUMMERDANCE: 601 S. Michigan Ave Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l Live on the Spirit of Music Stage in Grant Park, come early for dance lessons, and stay late for two sets of dance music set against the Chicago skyline THURSDAY 6.30p 15 JUL 2007: Chicago Folk & Roots Festival Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l on the Staff Stage. 4500N Lincoln in Welles Park SUNDAY 1p 14 JUL 2007: Clark Street Festival Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l. Stage at Touhy/Clark—north end of the park. SATURDAY 6p 30 JUN 2007: Charleston  2076 N. Hoyne Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l return to the Charleston for another barn-burner. SATURDAY 10p, 2 sets 27 JUN 2007: Town Square (Damen/Belle Plaine) Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l play a free outdoor show. Bring the little ones! WEDNESDAY 6.30p 22 JUN 2007: Martyrs 3855 N Lincoln Ave Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l play with the incomparable Rebirth Brass Band. FRIDAY 10p 16 JUN 2007: Performers’ Loft A trio performance of Nathaniel Braddock (classical guitar), Carole Genetti (voice) and Frank Abbinanti (piano). Plus, debut of Geoff Kowaleski’s new work for large ensemble. Conact for more information. SATURDAY 5p 12 JUN 2007: Welles Park (Western/Montrose) The Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l have landed that long sought-after Gazebo gig. It’s outside, casual, and of course free. Bring the little ‘uns. TUESDAY 6.30p ZINCS tour dates with THE SEA AND CAKE MAY 31 Chicago Empty Bottle JUNE 1 Chicago Empty Bottle JUNE 2 Toronto Mod Club Theatre JUNE 3 Montreal La Sala Rossa JUNE 5 Boston Paradise JUNE 7 New York Webster Hall JUNE 8 Philadelphia Theatre of Living Arts JUNE 9 Wash DC Black Cat 25 MAY 2007: Hideout 1354 W. Wabansia Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l play. This is an anniversary party thrown for/by Chicago’s great independent media source GAPERS BLOCK.com. Also, the Heaven Seventies, dancing with DJ Mary Nisi, and other delights. FRIDAY 9p ZINCS tour dates with THE SEA AND CAKE MAY 14 Vancouver Richard's on Richards MAY 15 Seattle Neumos MAY 16 Portland Crystal Ballroom MAY 18 San Francisco Bimbo's MAY 19 Los Angeles Troubadour MAY 20 Los Angeles Troubadour MAY 21 San Diego Belly Up Tavern 28 APR 2007: Schubas  3159 N Southport Occidental Brothers Dance Band Int'l play. Don’t miss this one! Last Schuba’s gig was a dance explosion!