From left, Bert Lams and Tom Griesgraber will perform at the Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake, Calif., on Sunday, September 11, 2011. Courtesy photo.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Tallman Hotel in Upper Lake hosts a periodic series of informal “Concerts with Conversation” for 40 to 50 guests in the Meeting House next to the Hotel.

This popular series continues this Sunday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. with Tom Griesgraber, who is recognized as one of the world’s true masters of the magical but complicated instrument called the Chapman Stick. He will be appearing along with classical guitarist Bert Lams.

Tom Griesgraber, whose father John is a longtime Kelseyville resident, tours widely performing on the Chapman Stick, a 12-stringed instrument built around the idea of tapping on a fretboard with the fingertips of both hands with the resulting amplified vibrations producing a full range of unique sounds.

“I’m proud to see one of my instruments used in such a creative way,” said Emmet Chapman, inventor of the instrument.

Griesgraber is an active composer and arranger for the instrument and his shows include a mix of original material as well as arrangements ranging from Bach to the Beatles.

Lams initially gained notice in 1980 as first laureate in a youth music contest in Brussels. He then went on to earn an honors degree in the study of classical guitar, eventually teaching at the Brussels Academy of Music.

Since 1993, he has toured the world and released six albums with the California Guitar Trio.

Coffee and cookies will be served at the performance.

Tickets at $25 plus tax are available by calling the Tallman Hotel reservation desk at 707-275-2244. People interested in the show can get a preview at www.thossounds.com and www.bertlams.com.