Once again, Michael and I enjoyed a date night at the Oats Park Art Center—taking in the latest art exhibits, grabbing a drink from the bar (I’m currently partial to a Frey Ranch Rye on the rocks), and cozily planting ourselves in the umbral seats of the Barkley Theater to experience another live musical performance.
First, we had an unexpected opening performance from one of our own local musicians, Anabelle Forshee (aka Anabelle and the Desert Scrubs, also 2025’s Cantaloupe Queen). Anabelle has a warm, almost bohemian vibe. Mike noted a strong ’90s influence, and I agree – she shares vocal elements with artists like Joan Osborne or Meredith Brooks. Her music evoked a warmly hued, laid-back mood and made for a welcoming introduction to the evening.
Afterward, we had the pleasure of listening to the main performer of the night, Gabby Moreno, a Guatemalan-born singer-songwriter who performs her unique songs in both English and Spanish. She is a Grammy Award winner with numerous nominations, and her creative work is something many readers of The Fallon Post have likely encountered without realizing it.
Touring alongside artists like Tracy Chapman, her music has appeared on television and in films, including Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities. She composed the theme song for NBC’s Parks and Recreation—earning an Emmy nomination—and co-wrote and performed “Por Qué Te Vas?” for DreamWorks’ Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. She has also appeared on The Tonight Show twice, once hosted by Jay Leno and again by Jimmy Fallon.
Moreno was a joy to listen to. Moving fluidly between English and Spanish, her voice was both playful and smooth, occasionally delivering a smoky-tinted edge to her lyrics. Her songs danced the genre lines of jazz, blues, and a Tex-Mex/Flamenco style (evoking the Del Castillo tracks featured in Kill Bill Vol. 1 and Vol. 2), with her bluesy notes reminding both Mike and me of the sounds of Johnny Cash.
I would also be remiss not to mention the occasional rockabilly riff she skidded and strutted impressively on her guitar, as well as the excellent support from her two bandmates, whose low-slung bass lines and syncopated, driving drum work carried her rhythmic melodies effortlessly.
Overall, Gabby Moreno was a gem to have perform in our community, and I'm grateful that our arts council brings diverse and talented artists for our community to experience.
Up next at the Oats Park Art Center, audiences can look forward to an evening with acclaimed Scottish singer Julie Fowlis on February 7. Hailing from the Outer Hebrides and now based in the Highlands, Fowlis is celebrated for her crystalline, intoxicating vocals and deep connection to traditional Gaelic music. Many listeners will recognize her voice from the Brave soundtrack, where her songs helped bring the ancient Highlands to life. It promises to be a beautifully immersive night of folk music and storytelling.
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