ACOUSTIC NEW YEAR'S EVE in the L.A. area - Acoustic Americana Music Guide SPECIAL

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“Tied to the Tracks”
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA
MUSIC GUIDE
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December 31, 2008 - NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS - SPECIAL EDITION
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Entire contents copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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DECEMBER 31 EVENTS ONLY
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Beyond the
“CALIFORNIA TRADITIONAL MUSIC SOCIETY NEW YEARS CAMP” (Wed-Sat, Dec 31-Jan 3; details at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2008/12/december-2008-events-remaining-acoustic.html) - there are numerous events with acoustic music on New Year’s Eve in the L.A. area.
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Wed, Dec 31:
Noon-2 pm BLUES GYPSIES bring da blues to the “Pershing Square Ice Rink Music Series” on the outdoor stage at Pershing Square, on W 5th St between S Olive St & S Hill St, L.A.; www.laparks.org/pershingsquare/concerts.htm. The series has a fine, professional sound system. Ride the Red Line subway to Pershing Square and avoid expensive parking. The series has a fine, professional sound system. If you work downtown, you can grab lunch at any of several nearby take-out places, and enjoy all or part of the concert. Free.
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Wed, Dec 31:
3-7 pm PADDY’S PIG plays the first of two “NEW YEAR'S EVE SHOWS” – because 4 pm in California is midnight in Ireland and England – show at Black Watch Pub, 497 N Central Av # B, Upland 91786; 909-981-6069; VENUE WILL HAVE FREE CHAMPAGNE & APPETIZERS. The band was splendid recently at the Coffee Gallery Backstage.
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See an excellent story on PADDY’S PIG by Michelle Mills in the “Whittier Daily News,” at www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_11129751, and Bliss wrote about them in The “Pasadena Weekly,” at www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/trax/6695, and check them at www.celticmp3s.com/free/2008/11/ring-on-chain-by-paddys-pig.shtml
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Their instrumentation includes mandolin, guitar, drums, percussion, lots of vocals from the charming Miss Missy and other band members, and some penny whistle. Bridging any musical gap between generations, PADDY'S PIG entertains without fail, playing everything from reels, jigs and rebel songs to drinking songs and tender Celtic ballads. Formed, they tell us, “at the curly-tailed end of the twentieth century,” the Southern Cal-based band performs lively renditions of traditional and pseudo-traditional Irish and Celtic music. They are equally at home playing barn-burners like “The Blacksmith,” and the Pogues’ “Sally MacLennane,” to heart-wrenching ballads like “He Fades Away,” and “She Moved Through the Fair,” to classic tunes like “Loch Lomand,” and “Whiskey in the Jar.” They get the audience involved, sometimes leaving the stage to do so, blurring the line between audience and performer.
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Wed, Dec 31:
4 pm & 9 pm (two shows) “SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ - THE SONGS OF LIEBER & STOLLER” at the El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Bl, North Hollywood; www.elportaltheatre.com; 818-508-0281; event, 818-508-4200. Special NYE shows include parties; see last paragraph.
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In celebration of all the holidays including Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, and New Year’s, Weddington Street Productions in association with Corky Hale Productions presents Leiber and Stoller’s award winning musical “Smokey Joe’s Café” with an all star cast and orchestra.
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Directed and choreographed by Jeffrey Polk with musical direction by Daryl Archibald. Cast members include the Tony nominated original “shimmying” DeLee Lively, Robert Torti who starred in the Los Angeles/ Pre Broadway and London Smokey Joe's and was Tony nominated for Starlight Express and Ovation Winner for Reefer Madness , T.C. Carson who has multi film, television including Fox Network’s Living Single and national stage credits including Dreamgirls and Seasame Street, Sharon Catherine Blanks (Sharon Brown) who starred in Dreamgirls on Broadway and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jackie Seiden whose Broadway and National credits include Jersey Boys and Hairspray. And featuring Dionne Figgins , Maeco Oliverand Niles River. Director/choreographer Jeffrey Polk has a long history with the show with Broadway, National and International Tours as well as regional productions at CLOSBC, La Mirada and Sacramento Music Circus.
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Smokey Joes Café premiered on Broadway on March 2, 1995 at the Virginia Theatre and was nominated for seven Tony Awards including Beat Musical. Smokey Joes Café made its theatrical debut in 1994 in Los Angeles at the then Doolittle Theatre and its London Premiere in 1996 at the Prince of Wales Theatre. The New York production closed on January 16, 2000 after 2,036 performances making it the longest running musical revue in Broadway history. The Original Broadway cast soundtrack Smokey Joe’s Café, The Songs of Leiber and Stoller won the Grammy Award for Best Musical show Album on DVD in 2001.
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It’s the days of doo-wop and drive-ins. This Grammy Award winning musical features every hit created by the Top 40 song writing team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Featuring the solid gold singles of Elvis, The Coasters, Ben E. King, The Drifters and many more. The production showcases 39 pop standards - including some of the most memorable rock n’ roll and rythmn and blues songs of the 20th Century. The songs include Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, Yakety Yak, Love Potion Number 9, Stand By Me, Kansas City, and On Broadway. The king himself (Elvis) recorded more than 20 of these Leiber and Stoller hits.
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Rebuilt in the late 90's and opened in January of 2000, the once 1400-seat movie palace now houses three theatres - the 42-seat Studio, the 95-seat Forum, and the 350-seat MainStage - along with the new art gallery, featuring many of Los Angeles visual artists, plus hangings in the sumptuous lobbies. Free parking behind the theatre.
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The Lobbies of the historic El Portal are decorated for the season. (Last show, Jan 1, 8 pm; tix, 25-$55.) Special New Year’s Eve celebrations with inclusive after- parties are Wed, Dec 31 at 4 pm and at 9 pm, with tix $100 and $150 for New Year's Eve.
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Wed, Dec 31; in the OC:
5-9 pm “NEW YEAR’S EVE FRENCH DINNER” at Lulu's Creperie Café, 24781 Alicia Pkwy Suite E, Laguna Hills 92609; 949-855-2222; www.lulus-cafe.com. New Year's Eve dinner in a charming French Café, features 4-course menu at one price. Reservations, 949-855-2222. $40 regular, $30 srs (age 60+).
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Wed, Dec 31; in Lake Hughes:
5 pm “ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT SPAGHETTI” dinner at The Historic Rock Inn, 17539 W Elizabeth Lake Rd, Lake Hughes; 661-724-1855; www.historicrockinn.com. We don’t know what they have in mind, post-pasta…
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Wed, Dec 31; in Tehachapi:
6 pm-? “OPEN MIC NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY” at Mama HillyBeans Coffee & Community, 426 E Tehachapi Bl, Tehachapi; www.mamahillybeans.com; 661-822-BEAN.
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Wed, Dec 31:
7 pm-1 am “THE COFFEE GALLERY’S NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY” & potluck, with singer-songwriter DAVE MORRISON and others tba, at The Coffee Gallery & The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; reserv 626-398-7917; info, email Julie at bohemianjoe@gmail.com. Dancing in the Coffee Gallery bistro, live entertainment in the Backstage, FOOD potluck - bring your favorite dish to share. Rules (one): park only on Lake Av or in Ronnie’s Service Station. Admission is “a smile and a smooch at midnight.”
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Wed, Dec 31; in the OC:
7 pm-midnight 18th annual “FIRST NIGHT FULLERTON” New Year celebration, centered around Harbor Bl & Chapman Av, N of 91 Fwy, in downtown Fullerton. Info, Fullerton Museum Center, 714-738-6545. “First Night” is the city’s annual New Year’s Eve party, offering family-oriented, alcohol-free activities at various locations downtown. The historic downtown area is transformed with live music, entertainers, art exhibits, children's rides and activities, and an ice skating rink. A variety of food booths operate throughout the event, and most downtown restaurants are open and within walking distance of the “First Night” festivities. A 10-minute fireworks finale will finish off the celebration at midnight. A nominal fee is charged for the children’s rides, otherwise, it’s free.
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Wed, Dec 31; in Ventura:
“NEW YEARS CELEBRATION” at Zoeys Café, 451 E Main St, Ventura 93001; advance tix & info, www.zoeyscafe.com or 805-652-1137 or 805-652-0091. Limited to 50 guests. Begins with a 4-course gourmet dinner (with a Graham Beck wine pairing) created by Chef Andrew followed by “a fine cigar on the patio,” then it moves up to the Loft “for an intimate show with the amazing CHRIS PIERCE & BAND [www.chrispierce.com]” and includes a champagne toast at midnight. Dinner and show package, $90 per person.
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Wed, Dec 31; at Disneyland:
8 pm LISA HALEY & THE ZYDEKATS play the “DISNEYLAND NEW YEARS CELEBRATION!” at Disneyland in Anaheim.
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Wed, Dec 31 (& Fri, Jan 2):
8-10:30 pm “CHINESE NEW YEAR SPECTACULAR” is part of “Divine Performing Arts 2009 World Tour” at the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E Green St, Pasadena. Touring nationally, it’s an annual live show featuring classical Chinese dance and music, as well as the spirit of Chinese culture. Dozens of dancers in costumes, thunderous drums, spectacular backdrops, ancient legends, modern tales, soaring songs.
Tix $117 to $230, at http://thingstodo.msn.com/pasadena-ca/events/show/84940040-chinese-new-year-spectacular-2009
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Wed, Dec 31:
RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE play a “NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY” at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank; 818-845-2425. One of Southern Cal’s best bands, the RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE with EVAN MARSHALL (AKA “Relaxin' Jackson”) solo on magic mandolin / joining the band on fiddle. They are one of, if not "the" most historical Western band in the world. The Riders Of The Purple Sage have starred in films and radio from pre-WWII days to the present. Today's Riders, under the leadership of CODY BRYANT, deliver a show rich with old and new music. This band often performs with symphony orchestras. Each band member is a virtuoso. Their instruments include a five-string banjo, hot lead guitars, twin fiddles, steel guitar, upright bass, drums (one of the best drummers anywhere), and consummate vocals. While keeping alive the tradition of the original Riders' sound, they continue to write and perform new material that builds upon their signature style. Adding a strong swing influence (ala Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys), their performances appeal to listeners and dancers of all ages. Today’s Riders bring together hot swing riffs with smooth harmonies that, at the end of the show, always leave the audience wanting more. In October, 2007, Larry Wines wrote that they were “ethereal and orchestral. They exceeded musicianship. They exceeded their genre.” Of course, tonight is a bar gig NYE party, NOT a listening room experience. No cover.
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Wed, Dec 31:
8:30 pm a “NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY” at the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St, El Segundo; reservations: 310-322-2592. Venue, www.otmh.org. “Special celebration films [probably silent films, accompanied by the Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ], music, food, and friends! Resrved seating, $25.”
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Wed, Dec 31:
9 pm-1 am THE CALIFORNIA COWBOYS play for “NEW YEAR’S EVE” at Texas Loosey’s, 22252 Palos Verdes Bl, Torrance 90505. It’s a honky-tonk New Years Eve party.
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Wed, Dec 31:
9 pm (also at 4 pm; two shows) “SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ - THE SONGS OF LIEBER & STOLLER” at the El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Bl, North Hollywood; www.elportaltheatre.com; 818-508-0281; event, 818-508-4200. Special NYE shows include parties; see 4 pm listing.
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Wed, Dec 31:
9 pm RYAN HARRISON & THE ORPHANS plus THE LINCOLN BEDROOM play the “NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY” at Molly Malone's, 575 S Fairfax Av, L.A.; 323-935-1577; www.mollymalonesla.com. We ‘spect this will be all-electric…
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Wed, Dec 31:
BIG RED SKY plays for “NEW YEAR'S EVE” at The Hideaway, 12110 Kagel Canyon, Kagel Canyon (Sylmar); 818-890-1225. More at www.thebigredsky.com
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Wed, Dec 31:
“FANTASY ISLAND NEW YEARS PARTY” at Ricardo Montalban Theatre, 1615 Vine St, Hollywood 90028; http://ricardomontalbantheatre.info; 323-871-2420 or event line 323-465-4167. All we know is they’re planning an event for NYE. This splendid Beaux Arts live-performance theater was built in 1926-1927. The theater was reopened in May, 2004 and was renamed the Ricardo Montalban Theater. It holds 1000-1200, seated, and is being remodelled to appear more as it did when it was built in 1926. It's Beaux-Arts exterior has been carefully recreated in the first phase of the project and the interior work is progressing. Nike Sportswear held a 3-month exhibition there in summer ’08.
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Wed, Dec 31; in the OC:
9 pm LUIS OLIART with FAMILY STYLE, playing the “NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY” at The Winery Restaurant, 2647 Park Av, Tustin 92782. Singer-songwriter LUIS OLIART excites people. "If Luis doesn't advance to the next round, I'm gonna take him myself and start our own project on the side!" - Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) on NBC's “Star Tomorrow” TV show. "...simply magical...totally captivating...compelling." - Bernard Baur, Music Connection. "It’s beautiful to hear such great stirring spirit…there is a fire in it… I love what you are doing." - Joey Reynolds, 710 WOR Radio. More at www.oliartmusic.com and www.myspace.com/oliartmusic
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Wed, Dec 31:
9:30 pm-12:30 am PADDY’S PIG plays the second of their two “NEW YEAR'S EVE SHOWS,” this one at Casey's Irish Bar, 613 S Grand Av, downtown L.A., 90017; 213-629-2353; www.bigcaseys.com. They were splendid recently at the Coffee Gallery Backstage.
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See an excellent story on PADDY’S PIG by Michelle Mills in the “Whittier Daily News,” at www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_11129751, and Bliss wrote about them in The “Pasadena Weekly,” at www.pasadenaweekly.com/cms/story/detail/trax/6695, and check them at www.celticmp3s.com/free/2008/11/ring-on-chain-by-paddys-pig.shtml
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Their instrumentation includes mandolin, guitar, drums, percussion, lots of vocals from the charming Miss Missy and other band members, and some penny whistle. Bridging any musical gap between generations, PADDY'S PIG entertains without fail, playing everything from reels, jigs and rebel songs to drinking songs and tender Celtic ballads. Formed, they tell us, “at the curly-tailed end of the twentieth century,” the Southern Cal-based band performs lively renditions of traditional and pseudo-traditional Irish and Celtic music. They are equally at home playing barn-burners like “The Blacksmith,” and the Pogues’ “Sally MacLennane,” to heart-wrenching ballads like “He Fades Away,” and “She Moved Through the Fair,” to classic tunes like “Loch Lomand,” and “Whiskey in the Jar.” They get the audience involved, sometimes leaving the stage to do so, blurring the line between audience and performer.
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
See you in 2009!
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As always, more to come, as we keep on keepin’ on into 2009, with updates to the JANUARY Guide, and most of the months of 2009 in the “long look ahead” posts. …So many truly fine shows, so few evenings and weekends to see them. And hey, Western Capitalism is going to collapse around you anyway, and gas is suddenly the ONLY thing that’s affordable, so why not go have a tunefully good time?
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View more events at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, where all is presented as chronological date listings, for today/tonight, this week, this month, and longer “looks ahead.” The Acoustic Americana Music Guide updates often, and News Features post weekly.
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Current chronological date listings, to Sep 2009, are available for
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(1) Los Angeles-area acoustic Americana / folk-Americana / acoustic renaissance music events, and,
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(2) festivals and other events of great note featuring acoustic Americana music, THROUGHOUT THE US & CANADA (and sometimes beyond), are included in the Guide, and listed separately in our presentation of “Best-Out-of-Town (Beyond L.A.) Events,” which posts from time to time.
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If you don’t see the dates you need in the content bar at left, just scroll it, OR CLICK THE MOST RECENT PAST MONTH for posts that published during that month. If you are exploring the ancient archives on our Myspace page, use the “view all” button and scroll, then use the “older” button as many times as needed to explore into the paleozoic.
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If you’re trying to explain this thing to someone who likes real music, just tell ‘em that the Guide’s MOST RECENT EDITIONS as well as our NEWS FEATURES - that’s both the Guide with its event calendars with descriptive write-ups, AND the separately-posted News for-and-about acoustic musicians and music - can be found conveniently at
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http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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News of the “Tied to the Tracks” radio & TV shows is at www.myspace.com/laacoustic.
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copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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LINKS:
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If you are considering a vacation to Mexico, here's an informative and fun site for you: www.mexicovacationtravels.com
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