Shows on August 7th and 8th | Benicia and San Francisco

First things first - have to pay the blog toll! (Inside joke, if you are curious, send me an email.) 

Upcoming gigs: Friday at Lucca in Benicia 6:30 pm and Saturday at 4:00 pm at The Saloon in San Francisco 

I've had so much on my mind, weighing heavy in my heart that I'm really grateful to have two gigs this week. At first, I was pretty upset when Arne booked two gigs back to back, but now I'm grateful, because I need the spiritual release that only music provides. 

And on that note, the celebration of Glen Hansard's life took place on August 4th in Ireland. It was shown on RTE, BBC and several live news outlets. I caught the tail end of the live stream, and was so moved by the crowd of people still standing there in the church, singing, that I felt compelled to watch the recording of the entire service. It was a beautiful service, a reminder to live our lives with more kindness, courage, creativity and love. If you are already doing this, just keep doing it. If you find you are living your life any other way, you can decide to have a change of heart at any moment. 

Ox,

Mari 

p.s., to the people who keep bringing up the age gaps in his relationships - did you ever think that some people connect at a soul level

This Week: Live Music In Benicia and San Francisco

Hey Everybody! 

Doing what comes naturally this week, although we'll be jamming more than usual, because we have a gig on both Friday and Saturday. Should be an adventure! I'll be drinking lots of water while being grateful for the musicianship in our band. 

Friday: Lucca, 439 First Street, Benicia: 6:30 downbeat $5 cover, all ages

Saturday: Saloon, 1232 Grant Avenue, San Francisco 4 - 8 pm, No cover, 21+ only

Kings' lineup for these gigs: 

Myself on vocals, Arne on bass, Dave on guitar, Richard on keys, and Dylan Garrison on the drum throne. 

Hope to see you soon. 

Enjoy your week and stay hopeful! 

As always, thanks for reading. 

Best,

Mari 

p.s. After publishing last week's post, I realized I left out my paragraph about Ray Gomez and Glen Hansard, who both passed recently. Glen's funeral notice is in the comments of that post. I don't have the time I would like to be able to devote to them at the moment, so I linked to my Facebook posts. 

Celebrations of Life

It's been a week of comings and goings. 

The cycle, or circle of life. 

Today, we will celebrate granddaughter Avalon's 3rd birthday. 

We gifted her first dollhouse yesterday, and the delight on her face was worth the price of admission. 

Arne and I also celebrated our wedding anniversary yesterday, and we shared the day with friends and family and music, grateful for every moment we get to spend together in this life. 

I wish you love, for yourself and everyone. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Monday Morning Musings: 7/27/2026

Hey Everybody, 

Just plugging away, seeking paid work/gigs and doing my best to treasure each precious moment of life. 

I wish you the best week possible. 

Ox, 

Mari 

8/7/26 - Lucca in Benicia 

8/8/26 - The Saloon in San Francisco

I took this photo outside Amphora, a pottery studio in San Rafael. The pollinators were buzzing about. 

Thursday Thoughts 7/23/2026

Hello Again, 

I'm.just sharing a note to say, find or create something that brings you joy today. 

The sun rises in the sky every day, and it lights up the whole world. 

Ox, 

Mari

photo credit: Elaine Cramer (Murphy Productions event, exact date unknown at this time) 

Monday Morning Musings 7/20/26

Today is my closest cousin's birthday. I'm going to celebrate that today by text, and try not to beat myself up about not getting the card in the mail on time. 

The band sounded really great on Saturday. Wish you were there! 

Sending love out into the world. 

Upcoming gigs: 

Lucca in Benicia on August 7th

6:30 pm. Fun venue. 

The Saloon on August 8th.

Heart and soul of North Beach. 

Ox, 

Mari 

Thursday Thoughts : 7/16/26

Hey Everybody, 

Hope this note finds you well, despite world events and heat waves. Speaking of world events, I'm.doing what I can. staying informed enough to make what I hope are intelligent decisions, but not so bogged down by bad news that I become filled with despair or too cynical to engage. Reading history professor Heather Cox Richardson's Substack a few times a week helps. And I have several sources for local news and events.  It's important to find or create joy when we can!  

Speaking of joy, I'm putting the set list together for Saturday's show at the Sausalito Cruising Club... doors at 7, show from 8 - 11. 

We'll be tossing in some extra dance tunes because that is what this gig calls for. A couple of originals in the mix as well. 

I'm getting some questions about details for this show, so I'm posting here, as opposed to having to answer each question individually. This is what I'd call a semi-private gig, since it is a club for members and their guests, not a traditional "nightclub" open to the public. (You have to be a member or guest of a member to gain admission.) 

Bands are considered "members for the day" when we play, which is what the guest list is all about. Please let me know you are coming, so I can put you on the guest list, and then you pay the cover using your card or phone app when you get there. (We are not doing an advanced ticket link this time around, as this is our first time playing there.) 

Band lineup: 

Mari Tamburo (that's me) on vocals

Arne Frager on bass

David Powell on guitar

Richard Wood on keys 

Roy Blumenfeld on the drum throne. 

Together, we go by Mari Mack & Livin' Like Kings. In case you don't know the backstory, the band was founded after we left the old studio, and Arne expressed a desire to pick up his bass again. I handed him a stack of Albert, BB and Freddie King CDs and long story short, we are still here, playing a lot of those tunes, mixed in with some old soul classics and a few of my tunes. 

It'll be fun. Hope you can join us. 

As always, thanks for reading. Sending love and best wishes for staying cool!

Ox,

Mari 

Saturday July 18th in Sausalito!

For links to music, etc., please visit https://linktr.ee/mmllk

Hey Everybody, 

Due to World Cup shenanigans, The Saloon gig was an extra adventure, and the audience was kind and receptive. 

Thanks to everyone who showed up to support and share kind words and good vibes!

We have another gig this month - this time on our side of the bridge: 

July 18,  8 - 11pm 

Sausalito Cruising Club. 

It's a private club, so in order to gain admission, please reply to this email or text 415-789-Mari and we will put you on our list of expected guests. There is a cover charge, ($10) so thank you for supporting live music! 

Lineup for this date: 

Arne Frager on bass, Dave Powell on guitar, Richard Wood on keys and Roy Blumenfeld on the drums. 

Myself (Mari Tamburo, aka Mari Mack) on vocals, as usual. 

Until we see you, take care, don't worry about things you can't change, change the things you can, and treat everyone kindly, including yourself. 

Hope you have the best week possible. 

Ox, 

Mari