Jamie Drake

opening for Mavis Staples

9/25/2026


What an incredible night to witness music in Chico, California.


Chico Performances has been offering Party on the Patio for Chico folks to gather ahead of the show, enjoy snacks, drinks and time with friends while a local musician performs on the patio.


Last Friday evening, Scout the Wise performed and I was grateful for the opportunity to witness their set as I historically have been vending at the Farmers Market and can't sit and watch them perform!


Jamie Drake kicked off the night indoors at Laxon Auditorium and absolutely blew everyone away - she has a powerful voice, fun energy and I was honored to get to photograph her set.


While it killed me to keep my camera tucked away for Mavis's set, being present to witness her performance was SO special. At 87 years young, she made the entire crowd emotional, laugh and dance in their seats.


As Mahina ( Director of Chico Performances and North State Symphony ) said when introducing the evening, getting to witness Mavis is pure JOY.

Red-haired female musician playing acoustic guitar and singing into microphone on stage during live performance.
Female musician performing on stage with acoustic guitar, wearing a floral dress under concert lights.
A curly red-haired woman plays acoustic guitar on stage, wearing a dark kimono with polka dots, performing at a concert.
Female musician with curly red hair plays acoustic guitar on stage, pointing upward at a live concert performance.
A curly-haired woman plays acoustic guitar and sings into a microphone on a dimly lit stage.
A curly-haired woman performs on stage playing an acoustic guitar while wearing a striped outfit under concert lights.
A curly-haired woman smiles while playing an acoustic guitar on stage, wearing a polka dot dress and gray cardigan.
Red-haired woman performing on stage, playing acoustic guitar and singing into microphone, wearing polka dot dress.
Curly-haired woman smiling while playing acoustic guitar on stage in a dark floral kimono during a live concert.
Curly-haired woman playing acoustic guitar and singing on stage during a live concert performance.
Red-haired woman playing acoustic guitar barefoot on stage at a live concert with blue stage lighting.
Curly-haired female guitarist performs barefoot on stage, raising one hand while singing into a microphone at a live concert.
Musician playing electric guitar outdoors with Marshall and VOX amplifiers at a street performance.
People sitting on a brick wall in a garden, socializing and smiling outdoors near a lamppost.
A musician plays banjo while seated outdoors against a brick wall with green foliage backdrop.
Outdoor evening event with speakers at a table and seated guests on a brick patio surrounded by trees.
Couple sitting on wooden bench in courtyard garden at evening social gathering with guests mingling nearby.
Three women laughing and conversing outdoors at an evening garden gathering with warm string lights glowing above.
Guests dine outdoors under string lights surrounded by lush trees at a garden evening event.
Elderly couple sharing a warm hug outdoors near a historic red brick building at a social gathering event.
Outdoor evening garden party with diverse crowd of guests mingling on a brick patio surrounded by trees.
Guests gather at an outdoor evening event near a bar setup, surrounded by trees and historic brick architecture.
Outdoor evening gathering with string lights in trees, guests mingling around a table on a patio.
Woman smiling on stage holding a microphone under blue stage lights during a live performance.
Guests mingle at an indoor gallery event with a large portrait of a woman singing displayed on the wall.