June 25 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 25, 2008
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copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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WHY WE’RE ON BLOGSPOT.COM: after a long presence on MySpace, that site suddenly changed parameters to accept only short posts, now requiring a ponderous and VERY time-consuming process to list events in small increments. It’s far too time-consuming. So we began posting the calendar and news on Blogspot. We’ll see how it works, and if everyone adjusts and gives positive feedback, we’ll move, and soon.
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JUNE CALENDAR updates frequently. View all of June as a continuous read at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, and see EACH DAY’s listings, as separate posts, there AND at www.myspace.com/laacoustic – for the time being.
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FUTURE EVENTS are posted into 2009. We update often to add a BUNCH of concerts, club gigs, workshops, and recurring events as announcements and dates arrive. It’s easy to find at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com. On our myspace site, reading into the future curiously requires that you use the “Older Entries” button that appears when you click “View All” – thus going “back” to the future… another myspace aberration.
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LATEST NEWS FEATURES posted JUNE 19 and news always posts separately. Previous news features posted June 13; those, and recent editions, are available at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com; earlier editions, old radio playlists from “Tied to the Tracks,” and more, remain available at www.myspace.com/laacoustic, by using the “View All” button, and if you don’t see what you want, then you’ll need to journey farther back by using the “older entries” button as many times as necessary to find what you want – a quirk of myspace to see into the future as well as into the past; and you can go all the back to when “acoustic” meant natives pounding on hollow logs with rocks.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25
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Today’s anniversaries:
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BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIGHORN was fought this day in 1876, as one of the largest-ever gatherings of Sioux and Cheyenne was attacked by the 7th US Cavalry, under command of COLONEL GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER. Approximately 10,000 Native American Indians had gathered in a massive encampment while their leaders, including SITTING BULL and CRAZY HORSE, discussed what to do. The Indians had left, or refused to go to, the reservations that the US government had ordered them to occupy. The reservations failed to supply sufficient food and necessities, and were counter to a free way of life based on following the buffalo herds from late spring to early fall, to obtain food and raw materials for clothing and other needs.
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Custer, the “Boy General” of the Civil War, would be branded rash and reckless for his behavior on this day. In fact, he had proven his tactical genius as well as his brash daring, numerous times during the Civil War. That included his action at Gettysburg, where he kept his Confederate cavalry counterpart, JEB Stuart, from attacking the rear of the Union position at Gettysburg on the critical day of the battle, while Pickett’s Charge was attacking the front of the Union position. A victory at Gettysburg could have won the Civil War for the South.
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Fast-forward 13 years to Montana Territory. Custer was to have been part of a massive three-pronged campaign by the army under GENERAL CROOK and GENERAL TERRY, but that had been undone by the Indians defeating one of the main battle forces a few days earlier. Custer didn’t know that had happened. When his Crow scouts sighted the distant Sioux-Cheyenne encampment, early on the morning of June 25, Custer divided his force into three elements for a coordinated attack, aimed at preventing the uncooperative Indians from melting-away into the vast landscape. The Crow were working with the army as scouts because, during the previous 50 years, they had been disposed of their lands by the Sioux. The Sioux, or Lakota, had taken the Black Hills and the northern plains from the Crow as they had been pushed west by pressure from white settlement. As Custer and his scouts gazed northward from a far hilltop on June 25, the Crow scouts tried to warn him that the Sioux-Cheyenne encampment was far too big for his force to handle, but he released them from service and rode to the attack.
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Custer sent one attacking force, led by MAJOR RENO, to cross the river and attack the west end of the encampment as a diversion intended to draw the Indian warriors in that direction. Meanwhile, Custer rode east with the main force, screened by a line of hills that paralleled the Little Bighorn River, to attack down from the heights near the opposite end of the huge encampment, strung along the opposite side of the river. Custer’s orders to the third element, under CAPTAIN BENTEEN, to join his force and bring the pack train with ammunition, were essentially ignored by Benteen. Reno’s attack was driven back and the army survivors pinned-down in a shallow bowl, where they were eventually joined by Benteen and his men. Custer’s main element was overtaken as they began to descend the heights, and killed, to the last man, by Indian warriors, including the band led by CRAZY HORSE.
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The outcome shocked white America, and the news arrived just as the nation prepared to celebrate its centennial, on the fourth of July, 1876. Custer’s widow, ELIZABETH “LIBBY” CUSTER, would spend the rest of her life making her late husband into a larger-then-life figure, and “Custer’s Last Stand,” also celebrated by a famous art print that hung in every bar in America, would become part of American myth and lexicon. In Hollywood, ERROL FLYNN would portray a heroic Custer in “They Died with Their Boots On,” followed decades later by the portrayal of Custer as an egomaniacal nut opposite DUSTIN HOFFMAN’s character in “Little Big Man.” Which vision is true? Both, and neither. BUFFALO BILL figures-in to things, as he walked-out on his theatrical show in the East to return West and claim “The first scalp for Custer,” which he did, in individual combat, wearing his stage costume.
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The Indians who had achieved their greatest victory of the Plains Wars this day at the Little Bighorn quickly disbanded the massive camp. SITTING BULL took his band into Canada. Eventually, all, including CRAZY HORSE, would surrender to the army and accept confinement on several reservations. The final “battle” of the Plains Wars would happen in the 1890s, when an unarmed band of Sioux was attacked and killed by the 7th Cavalry at WOUNDED KNEE, South Dakota, in retribution for what happened on this day in 1876.
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THE KOREAN WAR began this day in 1950, as North Korean Communist troops pour over the line into South Korea. Korea, because it had been forcibly occupied by Imperial Japan in WW II, was partitioned between the victorious allies following the war. The Russian zone became North Korea, the US zone became South Korea. The invasion on this date and the ensuing war would involve the US under the auspices of the United Nations. The UN’s participation was made possible because the Soviets had walked-out in protest over the international body’s condemnation of North Korea’s action, and they were not present to use the Soviet Union’s veto power in the Security Council. Later, with the international force in control of most of North Korea, the Communist Chinese army poured across the border from China, and the war escalated anew. Eventually, a peace was negotiated that returned the border between to the two Koreas to the same place it had been before the war. And technically, the US is still at war with North Korea, because no final peace was ever signed by the two nations.
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VIET CONG TERRORISTS blew-up a floating restaurant on the Saigon River in 1965, killing 31 people.
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THE LAST PACKARD automobile rolled off the assembly line in Detroit on this day in 1956, and the famous brand was done.
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CARLY SIMON was born in 1945.
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THE BEATLES recorded “All You Need Is Love” in 1967, before an international TV audience of 400 million. The song became their 14th Number-One hit.
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“LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN” aired its final show in 1993, clearing the way for his move to CBS, opposite NBC’s “TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO.”
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TODAY’S EVENTS:
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25
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Wed, Jun 25:
Annual 2008 “LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL” continues today, runs Jun 19 through Jun 29, showcasing more than 100 feature films, alongside star-studded premieres, outdoor screenings, live musical performances, and a Family Day. Info and sched at www.lafilmfest.com.
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Wed, Jun 25; 2nd & 4th Wed every month; in Lancaster:
6 pm UKULELE CLUB at Nicks Pizza, 43755 15th St West, Lancaster. Uke players begin arriving about 5 pm, meeting starts at 6 pm. Newcomers welcome.
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Wed, Jun 25; every week, Jun-Aug:
6:30 to 9 pm “CULTURAL ELEVATIONS - Get High on Culture at the Southwest Museum of the American Indian” presents world cinema, “WE OF THE NEVER NEVER” (Australia) (PG)at the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, 234 Museum Dr, L.A. 90065; 323-221-2164; www.southwestmuseum.org. Every Wed, June-August, journey up the hill for a new cultural high at the Southwest Museum, featuring a mix of local and Native American artists and performers. Bring a picnic, enjoy diverse bands and musicians, and view the best of Native and world cinema. View of the city from atop Mt. Washington, and elevate your mind. You can ride the Gold Line light rail to the Southwest Museum station, and hike up the hill.
Free.
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Wed, Jun 25:
7 pm AMOS LEE at Amoeba Music, 6400 Sunset Bl, Hollywood; 323-245-6400. Amos Lee seamlessly glides between blues, soul, gospel and folk with straightforward yet graceful songwriting on his latest CD, "Last Days at the Lodge," due June 24 on Blue Note. Free.
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Wed, 2nd & 4th Wed, every month; in Lompoc:
7-9 pm “BLUEGRASS JAM” at Southside Coffee Co, 105 S "H" St, Lompoc. Info, call Bill, 805-736-8241.
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Wed, Jun 25:
8 pm DAMN COYOTES, aka JOHN AMOS & DAVID VIDAL, plus ANNA BENTHOLM (from Denmark) opening, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info www.coffeegallery.com; reservations 626-398-7917. JOHN AMOS’ current CD, “Bending the Light,” has been charting on X-Country XM Radio for almost 3 months now. It has entered the top 100 on the Americana Music Association charts during the last 4 weeks, and is steadily climbing. It was also on the AMA radio “top 5 added” chart, tied with MARSHA BALL and VAN MORRISON in its first week. John is steadily gaining airplay across the country. If you've not heard him, his music is a refreshing blend of acoustic, country, blues and folk rock, with an original twist. John's comfortable humor and stage presence, brilliant lyrics, and fascinating rhythmic fingerstyle guitar work will send you home with a smile.
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DAVID VIDAL plays “cowboy hippy blues,” with infusions of New Orleans funk, hardcore country and huge doses of original whimsy, “brought to a hard boil and turned down to a slow simmer.” He is an outstanding acoustic slide guitarist and award-winning songwriter. His 2006 CD, “Nasty Habit,” was named one of the top 100 releases of the year by the “American Roots” radio Show, and his songs appear in movies, including “My Cousin Vinny,” and television shows, including “Friday Night Lights.”
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Together, as DAMN COYOTES, John Amos and David Vidal combine their substantial talents, so expect an evening of superb entertainment. For a short time, get free downloads of their music at www.myspace.com/bendingthelight.
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ANNA BENTHOLM, aka ANNA BENTHOLM-JENSEN, is from Denmark, making her second US tour. We heard her last time she was in L.A., and she has unusually fine original songs, in English. $15.
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Wed, Jun 25:
8 pm LAURIE LEWIS AND THE RIGHT HANDS (TOM ROZUM, SCOTT HUFFMAN, CRAIG SMITH and TODD PHILLIPS) at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City. Laurie Lewis is a Grammy winner who stayed true to her musical vision as a bluegrass artist and producer, instead of going the route of Nashville’s pop-country.
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Wed, Jun 25; last Wed, every month:
8-10 pm “HOBO SOUP” monthly folk music evening with performing host “BANJO FRED” STARNER, usually joined by PHIL VAN TEE and KAREN KRANTZ, at the Lost Souls Café, 124 E 4th St, in the Old Bank District, downtown L.A.; 213-617-7006; www.lostsouls.com. The venue is the big lobby of a 1905-era bank building. Fred says it has “a fine sound system, and a no-alcohol good vibe.” FRED STARNER is the officially-named “GRAND DUKE OF HOBO MINSTRELS” by the National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa. Musical funnyman PHIL VAN TEE has taken his homemade cookie-tin banjo to stages everywhere, opening for nearly all the big-name country music acts. Previous guests have included JILL FENIMORE, ORGANIC DEMO, and DADDY BONE. Venue is just down the gated alley between Main and Broadway; it’s a coffeehouse that serves coffee drinks and tasty light fare.
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Wed, Jun 25:
8 pm “STRINGS OF COMEDY” at The Gas Lamp, in Long Beach. CHRIS VALENTI put this together. He is that wonderfully funny comedic singer-songwriter who is the self-proclaimed poster child of the failed relationship. He’s performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” Artist info, www.ChrisValentiMusic.com. This lineup has grown since we first listed it. Here’s the late update:
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CHRIS VALENTI - If you've ever been frustrated by a relationship and you have a twisted, but healthy sense of humor, then Chris Valenti is the artist for you. Chris takes his romantic failures and frustrations personally and pours them out to you straight from his wry, twisted heart.
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PHIL JOHNSON - Even when he's screaming at the audience in the guise of a schizo killing his girlfriend or a jilted lover insulting every bit of his ex-lover's femininity, it's done with a warmth and a knowing glance that it's all in good fun.
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ALISON BLOCK - A stand-up comic with a guitar or a musician with a sense of humor. Her songs mix the wild and witty with the feminine tenderness found in themes about gay ex-boyfriends and male gynecologists.
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ERIC SCHWARTZ - Eric's Sundays in high school were spent listening to two hours of Doctor Ruth followed by two hours of Doctor Demento. That should explain his penchant for sexually explicit, humorous songs.
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PIPER & TUPPER - Back from a 10 year tour of the Bermuda Triangle, this hippy duo is actually 40 years behind us musically, but their big hearts and enthusiasm overshadow their confused state of musical oblivion.
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EVAN WECKSELL - Evan's act is a blend of comedy and music. He celebrates dysfunctional relationships, endorses unorthodox career paths, and makes fun of bad music.
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DYSFUNCTIONAL ROMANTICS - Comprised of musical comics Chris Valenti and Phil Johnson, the two confused Romeos sing of the struggles, blunders, temporary triumphs, and missed opportunities that anyone who has ever attempted dating knows all too well. Songs like "Please Don't Text Someone While I'm Making Love to You", "You're Not Gonna Get Any Tonight", and "Now That I'm Ready to Love You, Where Do You Live?" express turmoil familiar to those who have ever been in relationships.
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Chris tells us, “If you haven't been [to the venue], the place is one huge room with a very classy atmosphere. There is NO cover charge.”
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Wed, Jun 25:
8 pm “MUSIC INDUSTRY SHOWCASE” with THE FALLEN STARS, BRANDI WHITAKER, SHARIF, ANGELA MUKUL, DANNY MAIKA, and JENNA BRYSON, at the Derby, 4500 Los Feliz Bl, Los Feliz. Here’s some info about tonight’s lineup. OCMA “Best Acoustic Band” winner THE FALLEN STARS (www.myspace.com/thefallenstars) open at 8 pm, followed by the sweet folky sounds of BRANDI WHITAKER (www.myspace.com/brandiwhitaker) at 8:30 pm. Then, West L.A.-based SHARIF (www.myspace.com/sharif) at 9 pm, followed by newcomer ANGELA MUKUL (www.myspace.com/angelamukul) at 9:30 pm. Headliners are the “Best Male Performer” from the “Southern Cal Music Live Acoustic Competition,” DANNY MAIKA (www.myspace.com/dannymaika) at 10, and LA’s own folk-blues singer JENNA BRYSON (www.myspace.com/jennabryson) at 10:30 pm. Industry members may attend free of charge with exchange of a business card. For further information, contact Bob at Shout it Out Promotions LLC at 909-518-7194. These showcases are open to the public, with an $8 cover before 9 pm and $10 after 9 pm.
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Wed, Jun 25; rock-opera:
“THE WHO’S TOMMY” with ALICE RIPLEY & NONA HENDRYX runs Jun 18-29, at the Ricardo Montalban Theater, 1615 Vine St, Hollywood 90028. Somehow, the L.A. Times found it, even though it isn’t classical or jazz (usually the only music they acknowledge), and they have named it their “#1 L.A. Times Summer Theater Pick.” Sure, it’s largely an electric performance, but we’re sure you want to know about it. Info & tix, www.TheWhosTommy.com.
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Wed, Jun 25:
8:30 pm COLDWATER CANYON at the Cowboy Palace Saloon, 21635 Devonshire St (Devonshire & Owensmouth), Chatsworth 91311; www.cowboypalace.com; 818-341-0166. Live music 7 nights a week, sometimes acoustic, sometimes electric. Preceded by free line dance lessons with Kathy, 7-8:30 pm. No cover.
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Wed, Jun 25:
8:30 pm-midnight LAST-EVER “JAM SESSION AT THE SPORSTMAN'S LODGE” as the seven-year run of the weekly jazz jam has its final night, at The Sportsman’s Lodge, Coldwater Canyon Bl & Ventura Bl, Studio City. This news arrived without much advance notice, even to host CATHY SEGAL-GARCIA. Cathy says, “OK guys! I need your help! I'm having some people who run other restaurant locations come look at the Jam Session this last time. We want to show them that we can attract A LOT OF PEOPLE! Help me please, to do this in a BIG Way! Cathy is not one to lie down for long. We may be up and running in another week or two, at another location.” Info, www.cathysegalgarcia.com. No cover.
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Wed, Jun 25; 4th Wed every month:
8:30 pm “FESTIVAL OF THE EGG” the monthly all-female musicians’ event, at the Universal Bar & Grill, 4093 Lankershim Bl, North Hollywood; 818-766-2114. $7.
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Wed, Jun 25:
10 pm KEN O'MALLEY and JOHN BREEN bring authentic and original Irish music to O'Brien's Irish Pub, 2941 Main St, Santa Monica; 310-396-4725. Artist’s info,.
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View all of June at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, and chronological date listings, as separate posts, continue there AND at www.myspace.com/laacoustic. 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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Questions? Comments? Contact us at tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
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