“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.” -Unknown

And yet known to us all!

CV The Sweet Live is a group of Castro Valley residents who share a passion for the healing power of live music. Some are accomplished musicians, some would love to be one some day, some just dabble in an instrument or two or enjoy singing in the shower. Many don’t play an instrument at all but are thankful patrons of live music that wish (and wish some more!!) that they could have more live music in their lives.

CV The Sweet Live (CVTSL) as a movement is in its infancy. We don’t know where the journey will take us but we can’t wait to find out! Our founders include Paul Keim, a musician and curator of the fabulous community asset and gathering place, Smalltown Society, Shane Sharkey, musician, educator and owner of the wonderful Castro Valley School of Music, and Christine Tengan, Castro Valley Matters Placemaking group and an avid believer in the healing power of live music.

CVTSL’s mission is simple: to provide ongoing opportunities for CV residents to experience live music. Whether as part of an audience in the community, as a participant in a drum or singing circle, as a soloist or a player/singer in a duet/trio/quartet or band or as one of the hosts in a CV House Concert network, opportunities for engagement are varied and many.

CVTSL’s mission is simple but not simply realized without teamwork that includes CV residents, business owners and others who share our passion for the community-building and healing that live music brings to our lives.

Following a couple of kick-off gatherings, CVTSL’s first initiative is building a local network of House Concerts with an emphasis on homegrown talent of which there’s a rich source in the CV area. If you’ve never experienced the joy of attending (or hosting!) a house concert, check out “Concerts in Your Home” for a great overview (https://concertsinyourhome.org/).

 Local musician Clay Bassard performs at CV The Sweet Live inaugural House Concert, March 2019

We’ve already started our local network of House Concerts by engaging like-minded folks who would like to become House Concert Hosts and learning more about it.  CVTSL was pleased to host our Inaugural House Concert at the end of March and hope our network will grow so that many others can more often experience the joy and community-building power of live music.

Local artist Safiyah Hernandez performs at CV The Sweet Live inaugural House Concert, March 2019 

Whether you’re a local musician or a patron who would like to support the mission of more live music in CV, we hope you’ll join us!

Interested in becoming a House Concert Host in the CV The Sweet Live network? Complete this House Concert Host intake form and let us know more about you!.

In addition to working on building a local network of House Concerts and Listening Room venues, CVTSL is promoting live music in our community, including drum/singing circles and other experiences.

Are you a local singer, musician or member of a duet/trio/quartet or band who would like to join the CV The Sweet Live artist network? Perhaps you’re a local music educator who would like to share your expertise in leading drum/singing circles or teaching the art of harmonizing? Come join the song!  Check out this Artist Registry link and tell us more about you!