Events
Upcoming Shows
We'll update this section once we've booked a new gig.
Past Shows
Sept. 14, 2024: Porch Concert & Fundraiser
We played in the front yard of a friend as part of a fund-raiser for her during the South Park Walkabout. Barry Hill opened for us, accompanied by James Morrison on violin and Bonnie Nicholls on keys. Then we took the stage and played for an hour. It was great fun playing for old friends and new folks who had never heard of Birds on a Train before. It was also gratifying, because we raised $240 for our friend. That's the power of community!
From left: Jessica Barlow, Bonnie Nicholls, Kristen Maher. Hidden: Drummer Doug Hartley.
From left: James Morrison, Barry Hill, and Bonnie Nicholls.
July 14, 2024: Carté Hotel
We played a one-hour show at the Carté Hotel rooftop bar/restaurant downtown. 10% of all food and beverage sold between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. went toward Mid-City Community Music, a nonprofit that supports music programs in San Diego.
June 1, 2024: University Heights Garden Tour
Kristen Maher and Bonnie Nicholls played originals and covers at one of the homes featured in the University Heights Garden Tour. More info here...
March 24, 2024: Adobe Falls House Concert
Our band played a lovely set featuring new originals and covers at a house concert in Del Cerro. Singer-songwriter Mark Torpey opened for us.
From left: Jessica Barlow, Kristen Maher, Bonnie Nicholls, and Doug Hartley.
Doug Hartley on harmonica.
Mark Torpey, with Bonnie Nicholls singing harmonies on Danny's Song.
Jessica Barlow on guitar.
Bonnie Nicholls on bass.
Kristen Maher on electric guitar.
June 17, 2023: Summer Solstice Porch Concert in North Park
We played a porch concert, debuting some new originals, covers, and jams. The Bird Park B-Sides, a vintage jazz band, followed.
Jan. 21, 2023: Birdtopia Backyard House Concert and Potluck in La Mesa
Our host saw one of our porch concerts and asked if we'd like to play in her backyard where she had built a stage. Heck, yeah! We called the event Birdtopia, because the marvelous Bird Park B-Sides opened for us, playing vintage jazz. Two bird-named bands for the price of one! We played two sets, chock-full of awesome harmonies, rich instrumentals, intuitive drumming, and overall "quimsicality" (our way of stating quirkiness and whimsy in one word). Photography by Carlo Emami.
Nov. 5, 2022: Train Song Festival in Poway
Our first time at the Train Song Festival at Old Poway Park! We learned about 5 new train songs for the gig, and one of them was an original by Kristen Maher.
It was inspiring to hear the train whistle blowing of the 1907 steam engine as the train passed by the gazebo where we played. It added appropriate ambience to songs like Last Train Home by Pat Metheny, Last Train to Clarksville by The Monkees, and I Never Will Marry.
This was our first time performing at an event organized by San Diego Folk Heritage. And it was our first gig with our new drummer, Doug Hartley. More info on the festival ...
Aug. 27, 2022: Porch Concert in North Park
We put on a porch concert in North Park on International Porch Concert Day. We performed on the lawn of a wonderful neighbor, who helped set up a festive stage.
What a great turnout! About 60 people showed up with beach chairs, sat under the trees as the sun went down, and gave us great energy during the show.
We added new songs to the mix, as well as new instruments. Jessica Barlow, who plays violin and viola, debuted a song on electric guitar.
Many thanks to Jules Stewart, our guest drummer, who enhanced our songs with intuitive percussion. And to our loving roadies, who helped trouble-shoot stage set-up and fine-tuned our sound.
Dec. 4, 2021: Mid-City Community Music Holiday Concert in North Park
Sept. 18, 2021: Private Concert in Spring Valley
Our core band is (from left) Jessica Barlow, Kristen Maher, and Bonnie Nicholls, but we also have a freelance drummer, Jules Stewart, who completes our sound with killer beats.
June 19, 2021: Porch Concert in North Park
We put on another porch concert that coincided with a local block park party, celebrating the solstice with neighbors and friends, old and new. We are always glad when Jules Stewart joins us to lend her brand of intuitive texture on drums.
May 19, 2021: Porch Concert in Normal Heights
The pandemic meant no live music for a long time. Once everyone was vaccinated, though, we were ready to play for a crowd. But where? Fortunately, porch concerts had become a popular way to share music, and that's what we did. We discovered that our audience was as hungry for live music as we were, and it was a joyous occasion. Other great news: drummer Jules Stewart began performing with us.
August 2019: Mid-City Community Music Concert in City Heights
We enjoyed being part of an event that Mid-City Community Music hosted at the City Heights Performance Annex.
May 2019: Concert at Torque Moto Cafe
Torque Moto Cafe was a sweet little coffeehouse in North Park, and it had an outdoor stage that was perfect for our band. Our drummer at the time was Eric Bakovic.
