Jacks O'Lantern

Enjoy a night of great entertainment with your whole family

"Where else could we have gone in San Diego - or anywhere for that matter - for a similar experience? " - Mike Stubblefield, Concert Guest

Charles Johnson
contact@jacksolantern.com
760-580-4417

September 2nd, 10:30am - Escondido Public Library

September 9th, 10:30am - Escondido Public Library

September 10th, 7:00pm - Hobo Campfire

September 16th, 10:30am - Escondido Public Library

Your performance was delightful, original, fast paced, highly entertaining and very professional!

A great combining of story-telling and music! Well done!

Where else could we have gone in San Diego - or anywhere for that matter - for a similar experience?

If you'd like to book a progam, call or send me an email:

Phone: 760-580-4417
Email: contact@jacksolantern.com

About Me

After twenty years as a software engineer, Charles Johnson decided there must be more to life, so he taught himself to play the ukulele and put out a shingle as a musical storyteller.

Software might be a stable career, but you haven't lived until you've told ghost stories to four dozen girl scouts.

His child-like manner and desire to educate and entertain his audience have led him to performing for children and adults at libraries, schools, festivals and private homes throughout San Diego County. Charles has used his storytelling skills as a ghost-tour guide, and he has appeared on stage alongside San Diego’s most well-known storytellers.

I play all three kinds of music: cowboy songs, sea chanteys and railroad tunes!

Zesty ukulele tunes, salty sea ballads and hilarious story songs are all on the agenda. Besides ukulele, Charles plays harmonica, concertina, recorder, kazoo - even a paper bag, weaving music and storytelling together into a delightfully entertaining show.

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What is one of your concerts like?

Imagine you're way back in the twentieth century - no Internet, no TV, no radio. The only entertainment is live entertainment, but unlike today, when live entertainment just means music, a hundred years ago live entertainment meant a lot more. Long before the electronic age people entertained each other with songs and stories and games. It was a good reason to have people over - entertainment meant getting together and interacting with each other in the real world. Now days you have to visit a campfire for that sort of entertainment, or you can come to a Jacks O'Lantern concert - or you can host one in your home!

At one of my concerts you'll be entertained with familiar songs and music that I perform on ukulele, harmonica, concertina - even a paper bag; you'll hear funny tall-tales, heroic fables of long ago, and spooky stories to chill your bones.

Is this kid's entertainment?

This is family entertainment - it's kid friendly, but it's for adults too. While kids have fun listening to a funny song or story many of the concepts explored are complex and dramatic, and what plays well as a kid's story is enjoyable for adults on a completely different level.

What's a house concert?

Quite simply, a house concert is a live performance in someone's home. You invite your friends over, give them a place to sit, and something to drink. I regale you all with great music and fascinating stories. I don't charge you a dime, during the intermission and after the show I pass the hat and sell my CDs.
You get live entertainment in your home and your friends get to see a great show that isn't available anywhere else.

Here's how it works

Contact your friends and family, tell them you're hosting a Jacks O'Lantern house concert. If you'd like to pack your house then post some flyers or get the word out on the Internet. Remember a Jacks O'Lantern concert is family friendly so don't forget to invite the people with kids - they need things to do on a Saturday night too. Let them know that I'll be asking for tips ($10 per person is suggested) and selling CDs so they'll have some cash on hand. I'll arrive at a pre-arranged time to set up, then you just sit back and enjoy ninety minutes of great entertainment. I will help you every step of the way, just call if you have questions.

Hosting a house concert is rewarding and fairly easy to do. They are a vital part of the folk scene throughout the United States. There are artists touring the country playing just house concerts and making a good living doing it. Who knows, you may like it and turn into one of those people who hosts house concerts regularly!