OLALLA – Olalla’s Second Saturday Clubhouse Concert series will have Seattle-based guitarist Carl Tosten performing at the community hall on April 11.

Tosten’s passion for guitars began when he was just 11-years old when his father bought him his first instrument. Early on, he focused mostly on the electric guitar, playing country, rock and even some jazz until the mid-1990s when he switched to acoustic. Since then he’s developed a unique fingerstyle that combines alternate tunings, multiple capos and percussive body slaps.

Tosten has shared the stage with the likes of Stanley Jordan, Tuck and Patty, Lee Ritenour and the California Guitar Trio. He travels throughout the U.S. and Europe giving concerts and workshops.

In 2006, his song “American Dream” won second place in the Woody Guthrie International Songwriting Competition. His instrumental work is featured on Guitar Masters Vol. 1 from Bohemian Productions and his rendition of Woody Guthrie’s “I Ain’t Got No Home” was included on Northwest Folklife’s “Roots And Branches Vol. 3 – Live.”

“Carl is a veritable one man band,” said series producer Nolan Pepperdine. “He’s an amazing player, a one-of-a-kind composer and a great storyteller. Having him play here in Olalla is a real treat.”

The event begins with an “everybody-welcome” potluck at 6 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m. Admission is suggested donation of $15-$20 or pay what you can pay.

“It’s pretty much pay-what-you-can,” Pepperdine said. “Nobody will be turned away.”

Proceeds from the concerts are split between the artist and the Olalla Community Club, a non-profit organization that has been serving the community since 1937.

The next Clubhouse Concert will feature Michigan musician Lindsay Lou on May 9 followed by London-born singer-songwriter Rupert Wates on June 27.

For more information, visit www.olallahouse.org or contact Pepperdine at nolan@wavecable.com.