June 16 events, Acoustic Americana Music Calendar & News 2008

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"Tied to the Tracks"
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA
MUSIC CALENDAR & NEWS
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Events for June 16, 2008
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copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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June calendar, as a continuous read, is now at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, along with each day’s updated post of events, and our newest popular feature, the anniversaries of things that happened on that date.
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Each day’s updated events and anniversaries is still at www.myspace.com/laacoustic – for the time being. Because Myspace is suddenly accepting only short posts, we must go through the ponderous process of listing events there in small blocks, usually one day at a time – so, the calendar will move to another site, and that will happen soon.
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FUTURE EVENTS are posted into 2009 on our myspace site, where reading them curiously requires that you use the “Older Entries” button that appears when you click “View All” – going “back” to the future… just one of the many myspace aberrations.
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LATEST NEWS FEATURES were posted separately on June 13 and appear on both sites; previous news features posted June 7 on myspace, where earlier editions are still available by using the “View All” button, and if you want to journey farther back than recent editions, use the “Older Entries” button as many times as necessary to go all the way back to when acoustic music was made by indigenous natives pounding on hollow logs with rocks.
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MONDAY, JUNE 16
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Today’s anniversaries:
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HAMMURABI THE GREAT died on this day in Babylon, present-day Iraq, in 1686 BC.
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SENATE CANDIDATE WARNS THAT AMERICA IS “A HOUSE DIVIDED” – the candidate was Abraham Lincoln, the statement came from the Bible, it was 1858, and the issue was a nation “half slave and half free.” The same argument is echoed today in economic terms, as the middle class continues to get squeezed, the rich grow immensely richer, and the poor and dispossessed grow in number.
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HAILSTONES HIT DUBUQUE, IOWA in 1882, measuring 17 inches in diameter, weighing 1 3/4 lbs.
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AMERICA’S FIRST ROLLER COASTER opened this day in 1884, at Coney Island in New York. It traveled at the breakneck speed of 6 mph, and cost a nickel to ride.
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STAN LAUREL, great comedic actor of LAUREL & HARDY fame, was born in 1890, as Arthur Stanley Jefferson, in Ulverston, England. The legendary duo made more than 100 films between 1927 and 1950. After OLIVER HARDY suffered a stroke in 1954 and died in 1957, Laurel was inconsolable and never acted again. He died in 1965.
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BLOOMSDAY, the day of events from JAMES JOYCE’s “Ulysses,” 1st observed, 1904.
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MICKIE FINN, banjo player / TV hostess (“Mickie Finn’s”) was born in 1938 in Hugo, OK.
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Singer BILLY “CRASH” CRADDOCK was born in 1940 in Greensboro, NC.
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Songwriter LAMONT DOZIER was born in 1941 in Detroit. He would become famous as one-third of the trio of Dozier-Holland-Dozier.
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CHARLIE CHAPLIN WED OONA O’NEILL, daughter of playwright Eugene O’Neill, in 1943. He was 54, she was 18, and she was the third teenage bride he had married. The couple stayed together and raised their 8 children, though mostly out of the US. Chaplin was denied a US entry visa in 1952, during the McCarthy Era, because he was accused of having “communist ties,” and he was too outraged to defend himself.
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Singer REG PRESLEY was born in 1944; famous for The Troggs’ “Wild Thing.”
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FIRST NETWORK NEWS BROADCAST, the Dumont Network’s “News from Washington,” was made in 1947.
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“TODAY SHOW” HOST Dave Garroway was fired in 1961.
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BALLET STAR DEFECTS in 1961, as Russian RUDOLF NUREYEV sneaks away from the Kirov Ballet Company in Paris and gains political asylum in the West.
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PRESIDENT KENNEDY AGREES TO MILITARY ADVISORS for South Vietnam on this day in 1961. There would be 900 by the end of that year, 3,200 by the end of 1962, and 16,000 by the time JFK was assassinated in 1963. President Johnson, who followed Kennedy, would have 540,000 US troops in Vietnam by the time he left office in 1969.
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FIRST WOMAN FLIES IN SPACE in 1963, as Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova is launched aboard Vostok 6. She would complete 48 orbits in 71 hours, more than the total combined time in space of all American astronauts to that date.
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MONTEREY POP FESTIVAL draws 50,000 people in 1967.
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“BEATLEMANIA” opened on Broadway in 1977.
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EX-BEATLES RELEASE RECORDS on this date; in 1978, Ringo’s “Bad Boy,” and Wings “I’ve Had Enough;” in 1983, Ringo’s “Old Wave” (in W Germany).
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WERNHER VON BRAUN, rocket scientist who played a key role in the design of the Saturn V Moon rocket (and before that, in design of Hitler’s V-2 rocket in WW II) died this day in 1977, at age 65, from smoking.
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COMPUTER INJURY SUIT THROWN-OUT OF COURT on this day in 1998, as a Brooklyn jury found that a group of workers with repetitive stress injuries had no claim against Compaq and DEC, the makers of computer keyboards. That, in a nation with no assurance of health insurance, and insurance companies that routinely exclude “pre-existing conditions” when policies are purchased, has sidelined hundreds of thousands of people who once made their livings sitting in front of computers.
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TODAY’S EVENTS:
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Mon, Jun 16:
10 am JIM WALKOW plays the “Monday Morning Concerts for Children” free series at the Madrid Theatre, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park 91303; 818-347-9419. Requires reserv at 818-347-9938. JIM WALKOW is an author, composer, father, performer, and storyteller who conveys the tale of “The Zabbit.” It’s the story of Abbott, an unusual rabbit, who learns many important values from his parents, including, "Keep the love in your heart and always be kind. Create your own luck by using your mind." The Valley Cultural Center's children’s series places professional musicians in an intimate, educational setting with five hundred K-5th grade children each week throughout the summer. Exposure to music at an early age has been proven to increase academic achievement in math and language and increased comprehension and communication skills. The joy of music and song in our daily lives strikes a personal chord and is invaluable in bridging the gap between peoples of varying cultures and ethnic backgrounds. This interactive program includes a brief history lesson of each musical style, a dynamic performance with selected children invited to the stage, and an opportunity for children to ask questions of the performers. Monday Morning Concerts for Children serves 6,500 young students each season.
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Mon, every week:
2-4 pm “HEAR, HERE” at the Lost Souls Café, 124 E 4th St (down the gated alley), downtown L.A.; 213-617-7006; www.lostsouls.com. A weekly live benefit event of “whatever” kind of music, by and for www.killradio.org, which has daily internet radio and live webcasts on Fridays, Noon-2 pm. The “Kill Radio” webcast is a submission show; send them your CDs or mp3s for “guaranteed” airplay. All the info for that is at www.myspace.com/hear_here.
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Mon, every week:
“PRO BLUES JAM” at Cozy's Bar & Grill, 14058 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks; 818-986-6000 www.cozysblues.com.
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Mon, every week:
“ALL STAR PRO JAM” (blues, R&B, jazz, soul, etc.) every Monday at Harvelle's, 1432 Fourth St, Santa Monica; 310-395-1676.
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Mon, Jun 16:
8 pm INARA GEORGE & VAN DYKE PARKS at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reserv, 626-398-7917. INARA GEORGE, with orchestral help from VAN DYKE PARKS, introduces her latest CD, “An Invitation.” When they played their first gig here last week, MATT CARTSONIS and ELENI MANDELL sat in with them, so expect surprises. Inara is touring her new album on Everloving Records, and this is her first appearance at The Coffee Gallery Backstage. Her show serves to welcome VAN DYKE PARKS back for his second stint at the delightful venue. The result is her CD, and their show, and it promises a lush, elegant, fully orchestrated song cycle, a catalog of experiences equally inspired by the sophistication of Frank Sinatra and the storied, cinematic wonder of Richard Sherman's oeuvre.
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Not that this is Inara and Van Dyke’s first introduction. Inara’s father, LITTLE FEAT frontman LOWELL GEORGE, and Van Dyke were great friends and collaborators. When Inara was born in 1974 in Baltimore, Maryland, her extended family had gathered for her birth while Little Feat recorded “Feats Don’t Fail Me Now.” And, yep, Van Dyke was there to welcome her into the world. And even after the death of her father in 1979, Inara and Van Dyke have continued to stay in touch.
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As Inara began to forge her way into a musical career, Van Dyke was always close at hand to offer sage advice and encouragement. And for both, there was a real desire for some kind of collaboration. In the past few years, Inara found her stride as a member of the Blue Note Records’ band THE BIRD AND THE BEE, and with the release of her first solo album, “All Rise,” on Everloving Records. Both projects caught the attention of critics worldwide. And as Inara geared up to make her second solo record, an opportunity emerged for Inara and Van Dyke to finally make music together.
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In 2002, Inara introduced Van Dyke to MIKE ANDREWS, producer of her albums, “All Rise” and “An Invitation.” Mike was impressed by Van Dyke’s work with THE BEACH BOYS, HARRY NILSSON, THE BYRDS, JOANNA NEWSOM, and others, and had always hoped to engage his arranging abilities in some capacity for Inara’s next record. But then Inara asked, ”What if we have him do the entire thing?” They asked Van Dyke, and he accepted. And after months of preparation, the orchestra was recorded in a daring and excitement-filled two-day live session at LA's historic Sunset Sound studios.
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"There are different characters in each piece, but it all feels like a connected event," says Van Dyke. "There are certainly different scenes on the record, and that's what I like. And I think that takes real talent, as a writer, to fictionalize a reality the way Inara has done." We’ll incorporate what others have written about the resulting album, “An Invitation:” it “begins with an overture, echoing the sun-dappled landscapes of Aaron Copeland, filtered through the wide-screen lens of Van Dyke's neoclassicist sensibility. Inara's voice enters in the second track, ‘Right As Wrong,’ on a cloud of hushed strings, and carries the record through a series of vignettes that contrast the smoky poise of Chet Baker and Kurt Weill with the wide-eyed optimism of Leonard Bernstein.”
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Continuing with compiled comments, “Throughout the record, Van Dyke's cerebral, even psychedelic, arrangements twist the music into multiple directions at once, a swirling canvas suspended over the sonic mantelpiece of Inara's songs, bewitching and perplexing, a truly organic achievement among friends in an era of artificial pleasures.” Producer Mike Andrews says, "There was more love going through the glass with Inara and Van Dyke than any other record I've worked on. It was a family love. Very real." This wil sell-out, so get reservations. Tix $20.
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Mon, Jun 16:
8 pm DEBBIE HENNESSEY plays an all-acoustic show at the Cat Club, 8911 W Sunset Bl, Hollywood. DEBBIE HENNESSEY has performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” Joining Debbie are JEFF MARSHALL & JOHN DEPATIE. Artist info, www.debbiehennessey.com. $5 cover.
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Mon, every week:
8-11 pm blues legend BERNIE PEARL hosts the weekly BLUES JAM at M'Dear's, 78th & Western, L.A. Bernie says, “If you haven't been in, you owe it to yourself to join us either to play or just to listen, and be sure to bring an appetite for home-made soul food and home-baked cobbler, cake and pie. We have a ball, every Monday, 8-11.” Bernie was great performing live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks” in March, ‘07. Artist info, www.berniepearl.com.
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Mon, every week:
8 pm “BLUE MONDAYS” brings NEW ORLEANS WEST and featured blues performers to Club Fais Do Do, 5257 W Adams Bl, L.A. 90016; www.faisdodo.com; 323-215-5212; (Adams & Cloverdale; exit La Brea S from 10 Fwy). Free red beans & rice with BBQ chicken.
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Mon, every week:
8 pm “ACOUSTIC MONDAY NIGHTS” at Room 5 (above Amalfi Ristorante), 143 N LaBrea, Hollywood. It’s a weekly institution featuring four of the city's best acoustic singer-songwriters “in-the-round." Inspired by Jay Nash.
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Mon, every week:
8 pm OPEN MIC at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood; 818-766-9913; www.kulakswoodshed.com. Signups at 7:30 pm. Hosted by LISA TURNER. Kulak’s provides all necessary connections for acoustic stage, plus a baby grand piano. Sign-ups 7-7:15 pm, show at 7:30 pm. One (max length 3-4 minute) song per performer. Info, www.kulakswoodshed.com/openmic.shtml. Must be a member of venue, in advance, to gain entry. No cover, artists are unpaid, and a $10 donation to the venue is expected from participants and audience members.
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Mon, every Mon:
8 pm "KILLING CASSANOVA'S SALOON MONDAYS" series at Dragonfly, 6510 Santa Monica Bl (at Wilcox), L.A 90028. Always a lineup of alt-country and roots bands, often with names you recognize and already know you want to go see. $7 cover.
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Mon, every Mon:
8:30 pm “TALENT NIGHT” hosted by CHAD WATSON BAND at the Cowboy Palace Saloon (Devonshire & Owensmouth), Chatsworth 91311; www.cowboypalace.com; 818-341-0166. Cash prizes, and some winners have gone on to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. Free dance lessons 7-8:30 pm, "Two-Step with Ed." No cover.
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Mon, every week:
8:30 pm OPEN MIC at the Rainbow Bar and Grill, 9015 W Sunset Bl, West Hollywood; 310-278-4232. Sign-ups at 8, show at 8:30 pm.

Mon, every week:
9-11:30 pm "IRISH MUSIC SESSION" weekly at Celtic Arts Center’s new shared location, Theatre Unlimited, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood 91602; 818-760-8322; www.celticartscenter.com. Schedule every week is Irish language workshop at 7 pm, followed by the Irish céilí dance workshop at 8 pm, then comes Southern California's longest running traditional Celtic music seisiún, from 9-11:30 pm. Free.
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Mon, every week:
10:30 pm MISS MICKEY CHAMPION at the Social, 6525 Sunset Bl, Hollywood. L.A.’s legendary blueswoman plays an every-Monday residency. Artist info: www.mickeychampion.net. No cover.
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View all of June at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, or listings continue at www.myspace.com/laacoustic with chronological date listings, as separate posts. On myspace, use the “view all” and then, curiously enough, the “older” button to see into the future, all the way into 2009. The calendar will be moving soon, where we won’t need to post events in small increments, and we’ll let you know when and to where. Meantime, the most recent info, both events and news, lives on both the myspace and the blogspot pages.
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copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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