Nightbeats: Jazz artist Eki Shola debuts album in Sebastopol

EKI SHOLA: Earning a local slot on NPR's Tiny Desk On the Road Tour is no easy task. Yet, standing out like a shooting star among a stagnant sky, Eki Shola captivates listeners with her rhythmic music. Shining alongside Tiny Desk winner Naia Izumi last year, as well as Bay Area favorites La Misa Negra and SOL Development, the jazz songstress is a force to be reckoned with.

Her strength and live energy is a jazzy delight. To celebrate a new album titled “Possible,” Shola is scheduled to perform a local album release concert at Sebastopol's Dhyana Center, accompanied on the sax and flute by Michael Fortunato.

The album is much anticipated after her work on the “Out of the Fire” CD to benefit victims of the 2017 North Bay wildfires. As a survivor of the Tubbs fire, Shola found her own healing through music and was performing for others affected by the fires within weeks of the blaze.

The song “Marching On,” a collaboration with her father in which he created percussion using objects found in the wreckage of the North Bay fires for “Out of the Fire,” was a powerful contribution to the local compilation. The song reminds listeners it's important to “rise up” and not give up in times of distress.

If Shola's newest song is any indication of what's to come with her upcoming 2019 album, it's sure to be a must-hear.

As a hotspot for self-care and wellness, the Dhyana Centerfocuses on creating a space where all people can heal, learn and grow through wellness techniques. It's a perfect place to see Shola perform.

Details: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, Dhyana Center, 186 North Main St., Sebastopol. Free. Ekishola.com

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TATTOOS MEET THE BLUES: Before Travis Barker and KROQ teamed up for Musink, the Instagram famous punk-rock tattoo festival held in Southern California, there was the Santa Rosa Tattoos and Blues convention. Run like clockwork for the past 28 years, the annual shindig brought talented tattoo artists to town while fire breathers, snake charmers and other colorful acts roamed the grounds of the Flamingo Resort.

While the tradition was great, it grew into too many bells and whistles for one person to experience in a short weekend. Honing in on the heart of the convention, co-owners Daniel Dorsett and Daat Kraus scaled back when they took over Santa Rosa's longest running tattoo convention to focus on bringing in new music, having a car show and sponsoring an awesome contest.

“When we bought it two years ago, we denied focusing on the tattooing,” co-owner Dorsett said on a brief phone interview with The Press Democrat.

Though the convention still hosts the traditional tattooing that's been engraved in the title since it's inception, this year's musical lineup includes rockabilly space explorers The Phenomenauts, from “Earth's capital: Oakland” and the Misfits tribute band, Plan 9.

“We got rid of all the extra sideshow stuff and brought in better bands,” Dorsett said.

The Young Barons, The Budrows, The Aces, The Tabaltix and Tuesday Social Club also are among the list of fresh new acts on the bill. With tickets at $15 a day, guests can see a few bands, witness live tattooing and meet local artists, too. Those who go on Saturday also can stay tuned for a fun contest and experience the convention's newest attraction, a car show.

“We put a lot of work into the show and it's getting bigger every year, it's not going anywhere,” Dorsett said.

Details: Noon to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Feb. 22-24, Flamingo Resort, 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. $15- $30. santarosatattoosandblues.com

Help us keep the beat. Write Estefany at nightbeats@pressdemocrat.com