Celebrating the Music of
Leonard Cohen

What began as a casual conversation over beers at a local restaurant became three must-see, must-hear events celebrating the life and music of the formidable poet and songwriter, Leonard Cohen, who passed away on November 7, 2016.

Some of Butte County’s finest musicians gathered at Chico’s Blue Room Theatre on May 20, 2017 to perform their own readings of some of Cohen’s most recognizable songs — First We Take Manhattan, Suzanne, Famous Blue Raincoat, So Long Marianne, Tower of Song, Hallelujah, Almost Like the Blues, Bird on a Wire, Joan of Arc, If It Be Your Will, and many more.

(Read the CN&R review.)

It was a huge success, with audience members pleading for more. A partnership of producers (Mark McKinnon, Peter Berkow and David Leon Zink) came together to organize a repeat performance at Norton Buffalo Hall on the anniversary of Cohen’s passing on November 11, 2017, featuring an expanded cast.

Writing for the 2017 DEVO Awards, CN&R Arts and Culture critic Jason Cassidy said:

“…and based on word from those who were there (including CN&R contributor Carey Wilson), Arts DEVO missed the best local show of the year—twice!—Leonard Cohen tribute nights at Blue Room Theatre (May 20) and again at Norton Buffalo Hall in Paradise (Nov. 11).”

Once again, enthusiasm for yet another performance was high, this time with the intent of recording the event to produce a keepsake CD for attendees.

Two Nights of Leonard Cohen Music were performed at Norton Buffalo Hall on March 29 & 30, 2018 — one of the high points for great music in our community that “the Buff” became known for.

But this time, engineer Dale Price was there to record the moment for posterity!

A limited number of noncommercial CDs are available as a thank you to any who wish to make a gift to NBH Foundation to help us rebuild Norton Buffalo Hall.

Featured Artists

Peter and Tricia Berkow
David Bilinski
Vera Marie Bridges
Stevie Cook
Laurie Dana
Susan Dobra
Lisa Flores
Tom Haber
Dana Hanson
Robert Karch
Pam Kather
Bob Littell
Mark McKinnon
John-Michael Sun
Jerry Morano
Gordy Ohliger
Katrina Rodriguez
Mark Wilpolt
David Leon Zink