“FALL FESTIVALS ALMANAC” – UPDATED October 7, 2010

[This is an OCTOBER 8 update of the News Feature that ran in The Guide’s Sep 8 edition. Events that have already happened are no longer here, and MORE festivals have been added!]
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Holy cow, there’s a lot comin’ at us through October! There’s no respite, with MANY competing festivals in the L.A. region (in addition to all the MANY concerts and club gigs to tempt you) and it just keeps coming. Fall Festival options are an abundant harvest. Here’s the lowdowns on the hoedowns. Hold onto yer hat.
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There are many favorites still to come, like the October 9 & 10 return of the annual “SEASIDE HIGHLAND GAMES” at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, and the return of the annual “FOLK FESTIVAL” both days at Underwood Farms in Moorpark. You can do one on Saturday, the other Sunday, OR split the weekend with the Sunday-only 39th annual “OLD TIME FIDDLERS CONVENTION & FESTIVAL” in Goleta on October 10. In between, October 3 brings Southern Cal’s first-ever “AMERICANA MUSIC FEST.”
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Before it all starts to jam-up like the Hollywood Freeway, we’re here to inform and help you sort-through it, so you can plan. Most everything below is described in more detail in the Guide’s event listings. Here’s a short-form almanac of the festival scene.
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LOCAL & SEMI-LOCAL FESTIVALS, NOW THROUGH THE REST OF THE FALL:
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* Fri, Oct 8; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
6-10 pm annual “ART NIGHT PASADENA” is FREE at a14 participating galleries, museums, and cultural institutions throughout Pasadena, with free admission, restaurant specials, bike tours, and a free bus shuttle between and among nearly all the venues. The Gold Line light rail will get you close to a shuttle stop; check the event’s website. (That free shuttle is a BIG deal, because Pasadena parking fees would eat you alive if you drove and parked at each venue. Shuttles run late enough that you can stay in a venue until it closes at 9 or a few minutes after, and still catch a shuttle back to where you began.) This is a kaleidoscope of arts and some science, a fine free night out, and you should start as early as possible to partake of as much as you can. A Guide “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick. Info, www.artcenter.edu/artnight
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* Fri, Oct 8; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm “ALOHAFEST! RHYTHM OF THE ISLANDS” at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Bl East, Hollywood 90068; 323-GO1-FORD (323-461-3673); www.FordTheatres.org; box dinner orders available for some shows at 310-652-3797. [Aka Ford Amphitheatre.] It’s an evening of music and authentic Hawaiian “meles” (that’s dances, in Hawaiian), featuring award-winning HULA LALAU KEALI’I O NALANI and contemporary Hawaiian music from master musician / singer-songwriter WILLIE K. There’s a “special presentation” from KEALI’I CEBALLOS, kuma hula of one of the few mainland hula schools invited to Hawaii’s premier “Merrie Monarch” hula competition; that part of the show traces the Tahiti-to-Hawaii migration of Pacific Islanders, described through “kahiko” (ancient) and “auana” (modern) hula. Maui native WILLIE K is acclaimed as “an extraordinary guitarist / singer-songwriter” who has performed with or opened for B.B. KING and WILLIE NELSON. Tix are reserved seats; students & children $12; adults $25 advance before Oct 1; $30 thereafter. A Guide “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick. More info in the Guide’s “events” section for Friday, Oct 8.
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* Fri-Sun, Oct 8-10:
Annual “SANTA ANA FALL FESTIVAL” at Centennial Park in Santa Ana. Has one stage of music.
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* Fri-Sun, Oct 8-10; festival, in Lone Pine, CA:
Annual “LONE PINE FILM FESTIVAL” with many events at the museum and around town, interpretive tours of famous movie locations, and more, including a Friday evening concert (2 shows, 7 & 9 pm) with DON EDWARDS & SOURDOUGH SLIM in the Lone Pine High School Auditorium. Schedules, concert tix (it sells-out), info, www.lonepinefilmfestival.org
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* Sat & Sun, Oct 9 & 10; festival, in Ventura; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
Annual “SEASIDE HIGHLAND GAMES” AND “SCOTTISH FIDDLE COMPETITION” with ALEX BEATON, CELTIC SPRING, THE BROWNE SISTERS & GEORGE CAVANAUGH, BROTHER, and more, at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W Harbor Bl, Ventura 93001; 805-648-3376; www.venturacountyfair.org. Event info, www.seaside-games.com or 818-886-4968. This is a splendid event, the premiere Scottish event on the California Central Coast, with multiple stages of music ranging from the very traditional to marching competitions for pipe and drum bands, exhibitions of massed pipe (that’s bagpipe) bands, to Celtic rock. New this year is the festival’s inclusion of the “SCOTTISH FIDDLE COMPETITION.” There’s food of the British Isles – including haggis, Scotland’s national dish – and lots more. In this case, “more” notably includes “large men throwing things,” including the caber toss competition – which is essentially solo competitors throwing telephone poles so that they flip, end-over-end – wherein they compete for distance. They throw boulders, too. Yes, really. The games themselves are a hoot! The entire weekend is a major Scottish / Celtic event and draws first-rate performers – musicians, and those large men throwing things. You can drive (and pay parking at the fairgrounds) or ride Amtrak – directly to the Games – from L.A., OC, SFV, or San Diego, or from anywhere farther north up the coast. Plus, at 7:30 pm Saturday, the festival’s evening concert with PEAT FIRE FLAME is in the nearby Pierpont Inn, with Scottish music. It’s a separate ticket, $10. Advance tix, whether two-day passes or single day tix, are cheaper than buying them at the gate. See the event’s website. A Guide “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick.
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* Sat & Sun, Oct 9 & 10, in Moorpark; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
10 am-5:30 pm the 13th annual “UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARMS FOLK FESTIVAL” with FUR DIXON & STEVE WERNER plus BRANTLEY KEARNS, PHIL SALAZAR & THE KINFOLK, MERLIN SNYDER & FRIENDS, THE SALTY SUITES featuring SCOTT GATES & CHUCK HAILES, THE CATTERWAILERS, THE SIDESHOW PREACHERS, RIC TAYLOR, & RANDALL LAMB, as part of the month-long “FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL” (different theme each weekend) at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark 93021; www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com; 805-529-3690.
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* Sat, Oct 9; festival; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
4 pm ”2nd ANNUAL WHISTLE STOP RANCH FALL COWBOY ROUNDUP” with DAVE STAMEY, GARY ROBERTSON, and MICHAEL TCHERKASSKY, at Whistle Stop Ranch in Acton, CA (off the 14 Fwy, between Santa Clarita and Palmdale.) Sponsored by OutWest Marketing in Old Town Newhall.
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* Sat, Oct 9, in N San Diego County; festival; a ‘SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
10 am-4:30 pm 13th annual “TRAIN SONGS FESTIVAL” in Old Poway Park, Poway Poway (North San Diego County); sponsored by San Diego Folk Heritage, www.sdfolkheritage.org
Hear the sweet sounds of train songs and the steam train whistle. It's cosponsored by the City of Poway and San Diego Folk Heritage.
MUSIC SCHEDULE
Emcee./ performer: KEN GRAYDON
TANYA ROSE STAGE (GAZEBO)
10:15 am KEN GRAYDON
11-11:45 am JOE RATHBURN
11:50 am-12:35 pm SHAWN ROLF (7TH DAY BUSKERS)
12:40-1:25 pm JEFF MORIN
1:30-2:15 pm DAVE DECKER
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* Sat & Sun Oct 9 & 10, in the desert:
5th annual “JOSHUA TREE ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL” is in the desert all weekend, with a good Americana lineup. Info, www.joshuatreemusicfestival.com
* Sat, Oct 9, in Santa Barbara:
Annual “SANTA BARBARA HARBOR & SEAFOOD FESTIVAL” in Santa Barbara Harbor.
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* Sat, Oct 9, in OC:
Annual “PLACENTIA HERITAGE FESTIVAL AND PARADE” centers in Tri-City Park in Placentia.
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* Sat, Oct 9:
Annual “GOOD ENERGY FESTIVAL” on the Santa Monica Promenade, downtown Santa Monica.
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* Sat & Sun, Oct 9 & 10:
Annual “CELEBRATE THE ARTS FESTIVAL OF FINE ARTS” includes music stages (it’s been very folk-friendly in past years) in Monrovia Library Park, downtown Monrovia. It happens in that charming San Gabriel Valley burg, with multiple music stages, all weekend, and it’s free.
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* Sat & Sun, Oct 9 & 10:
Annual “FALL OCTOBER ART FESTIVAL” in Moorpark Park, Studio City.
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* Sat & Sun, Oct 9 & 10, in the desert:
Annual “JOSHUA TREE ROOTS MUSIC FESTIVAL” at Joshua Tree Lake Campground, Joshua Tree.
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* Sat, Oct 9 to Sat, Oct 17, in Perris:
Annual “SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FAIR” at Lake Perris Fairgrounds in Perris.
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* Sun, Oct 10; festival, in Goleta; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
10 am-5 pm 39th annual “SANTA BARBARA OLD TIME FIDDLERS' CONVENTION” featuring Grammy Award winner LAURIE LEWIS & TOM ROZUM, FOGHORN TRIO, SAUSAGE GRINDER, MOLLY'S REVENGE, STEVE JAMES, WILD ASPARAGUS, LITTLE BLACK TRAIN, TRIPLE CHICKEN FOOT, TRIO GONZALO FEATURING NICK COVENTRY, THE OLD TIME FIDDLERS and more, with lots of jamming & fun, at the Stow House at La Patera Ranch, Los Carneros Rd, Goleta 93117; www.stowhouse.com. Event info, 805-450-2243; www.fiddlersconvention.org. More at www.laurielewis.com. MARY KATHERINE ALDIN, host of radio’s “Alive & Picking,” has been the emcee of this event for over twenty years. Situated in Goleta, 10 minutes N of Santa Barbara, on the grounds of the historic Rancho La Patera and Stow House (tours available), the festival is a family friendly celebration of Old Time American music and more. Enjoy contests in Old Time fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, band, and song, plus workshops in Old Time fiddle and acoustic blues guitar, as well as jam sessions in various musical styles, on the grounds, all day. Produced by Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise. All profits support the club's local and international community service projects. Gen’l admission $20; srs & teens are less; kids age 12 and under are free. Free parking.
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* Sun, Oct 10; festival, in OC; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
10 am-4 pm annual “ORANGE COUNTY ACCORDION FESTIVAL,” aka "The Big Squeeze,” with SLUGGER O'TOOLE, CONJUNTO LOS POCHOS, LISA HALEY & THE ZYDEKATS, and more, at Orange County Marketplace, OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa 92626; www.ocmarketplace.com. The much-maligned squeezebox gets its due today, in the hands of some top players and bands. LISA HALEY & THE ZYDEKATS are Grammy nominees. CONJUNTO LOS POCHOS brings top Tex-Mex / Norteno / Ranchera accordion player OTONO LUJAN, with songs in English & Spanish. SLUGGER O’TOOLE is a fine, fun, high-energy Irish band that delighted the crowd a year ago at the Ford Amphitheatre. Now, if we could just get a festival this good for the banjo…The Accordion Festival will not put a "squeeze" on your wallet. All activities, including entrance to the swap meet, are included in the price of Market Place admission, which is $2 or FREE with a canned food item to help the Orange County Food Bank. Children 12 and under are free. A complete schedule for "The Big Squeeze" is available at the website www.ocmarketplace.com or call 949-723-6660. Much more in the Guide’s “events” section for Sunday, Oct 10.
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* Sun, Oct 10; festival:
Annual “LARC RANCH WESTERN ROUNDUP” includes a performance by the CROSS TOWN COWBOYS. For venue, details, & times, Google it…
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* Sun, Oct 10; festival:
CANCELLED: the annual “TASTE OF FOLK MUSIC / TASTE OF ENCINO” has, for a number of years, centered-on several free folk & bluegrass music stages in Encino Park, sponsored by the California Traditional Music Society (CTMS) as L.A.’s part in the international celebration of “DANIEL PEARL WORLD MUSIC DAY.” (Pearl grew-up nearby, in the SFV.) The event would have been this Sunday, but it’s a victim of L.A. City budget cuts…
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* Fri & Sat, Oct 15 & 16; festival, in Visalia, CA:
Annual “VISALIA FALL ROUNDUP” with music by SOURDOUGH SLIM and others, authentic western BBQ (durch oven biscuits, etc) by the Cowboy Cultural Committee, and more, at Richie's Barn, Visalia. Schedules, lineup, info, www.visaliacowboys.com
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* Sat, Oct 16; Sat & Sun, Oct 2 through Oct 31, in Moorpark:
10 am-5:30 pm The 13th annual “UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARM FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL” kicks off at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark 93021; 805-529-3690; www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com. Runs all month, and each weekend has a different theme, including a Folk Festival, Bluegrass Festival, and Cowboy/Western Music Festival.
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* Sat, Oct 16; Sat & Sun, Oct 1-31:
9 am-5 pm annual “HARVEST FESTIVAL” in the SFV at Forneris Farms, 15200 Rinaldi St, Mission Hills 91345; 818-361-0714 Farm Market; www.fornerisfarms.com; 818-730-7709. Live music on weekends; weekdays, the festival runs 2-5 pm. Features a refreshment stand on weekends with fresh roasted corn and more; a Farm Market with fall decorations and farm grown produce; a farm grown Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze Adventure (the editor can tell you that getting lost in one of these corn “maizes” is a distinct possibility); Tractor-pulled Train Ride – take a narrated ride around the farm; Farm Frolic Area for Kids - mini maze, giant hay pyramid, the Great Pumpkin jumper. Attractions have a fee, cash only (prices on their website). No pets. Free parking, free admission.
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* Thu-Sun, Oct 21-24:
Annual “FOLK ALLIANCE REGION WEST (FAR-West) MUSIC CONFERENCE” this year in San Jose, CA; www.far-west.org
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* Sat, Oct 23; festival; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
1-7 pm annual “THUNDERFEST – BLUESAPALOOZA” at The Fret House, 309 N Citrus Av, Covina; 626-339-7020; frethouse@earthlink.net; www.frethouse.com. It’s a tradition here, a once-a-year FREE day of the blues. Here’s the lineup:
* 1 pm - LES JOHNSON BLUES BAND
* 3 pm - BARRY BIG B BRENNER
* 5 pm - STAN WEST
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* Sat, Oct 23; Sat & Sun, Oct 2 through Oct 31, in Moorpark:
10 am-5:30 pm The 13th annual “UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARM FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL” kicks off at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark 93021; 805-529-3690; www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com. Runs all month, and each weekend has a different theme, including a Folk Festival, Bluegrass Festival, and Cowboy/Western Music Festival.
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* Sat, Oct 23; Sat & Sun, Oct 1-31:
9 am-5 pm annual “HARVEST FESTIVAL” in the SFV at Forneris Farms, 15200 Rinaldi St, Mission Hills 91345; 818-361-0714 Farm Market; www.fornerisfarms.com; 818-730-7709. Live music on weekends; weekdays, the festival runs 2-5 pm. Features a refreshment stand on weekends with fresh roasted corn and more; a Farm Market with fall decorations and farm grown produce; a farm grown Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze Adventure (the editor can tell you that getting lost in one of these corn “maizes” is a distinct possibility); Tractor-pulled Train Ride – take a narrated ride around the farm; Farm Frolic Area for Kids - mini maze, giant hay pyramid, the Great Pumpkin jumper. Attractions have a fee, cash only (prices on their website). No pets. Free parking, free admission.
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* Sat, Oct 30; Sat & Sun, Oct 2 through Oct 31, in Moorpark:
10 am-5:30 pm The 13th annual “UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARM FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL” kicks off at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark 93021; 805-529-3690; www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com. Runs all month, and each weekend has a different theme, including a Folk Festival, Bluegrass Festival, and Cowboy/Western Music Festival.
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* Sat, Oct 30; Sat & Sun, Oct 1-31:
9 am-5 pm annual “HARVEST FESTIVAL” in the SFV at Forneris Farms, 15200 Rinaldi St, Mission Hills 91345; 818-361-0714 Farm Market; www.fornerisfarms.com; 818-730-7709. Live music on weekends; weekdays, the festival runs 2-5 pm. Features a refreshment stand on weekends with fresh roasted corn and more; a Farm Market with fall decorations and farm grown produce; a farm grown Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze Adventure (the editor can tell you that getting lost in one of these corn “maizes” is a distinct possibility); Tractor-pulled Train Ride – take a narrated ride around the farm; Farm Frolic Area for Kids - mini maze, giant hay pyramid, the Great Pumpkin jumper. Attractions have a fee, cash only (prices on their website). No pets. Free parking, free admission.
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You can bet we’ll list even MORE festivals, as we learn about ‘em…
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Entire contents copyright (c) © 2010, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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ORIGINAL EDITION, including events already passed, is archived below…
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"FALL FESTIVALS ALMANAC” – SUMMER’S LAST, THROUGH THE FALL .
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[This is an OCTOBER 1 update of the News Feature that ran in The Guide’s Sep 8 edition. MORE festivals have been added!]
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Holy cow, there’s a lot comin’ at us for the next two months! There’s no respite, with MANY competing festivals in the L.A. region (in addition to all the MANY concerts and club gigs to tempt you) and it just keeps coming. As Summer wanes and Autumn arrives, the festival options are an abundant harvest. Here’s the lowdowns on the hoedowns. Hold onto yer hat.
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There are many favorites, like the 19th annual “MILLPOND MUSIC FESTIVAL” September 17-19 up in Bishop, and the October 9 & 10 return of the annual “SEASIDE HIGHLAND GAMES” at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, and if you do that one on Saturday, you can get to the Sunday-only 39th annual “OLD TIME FIDDLERS CONVENTION & FESTIVAL” in Goleta on October 10. In between, October 3 brings Southern Cal’s first-ever “AMERICANA MUSIC FEST.”
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Before it all starts to jam-up like the Hollywood Freeway, we’re here to inform and help you sort-through it, so you can plan. Most everything below is described in more detail in the Guide’s event listings. Here’s a short-form almanac of the festival scene.
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LOCAL & SEMI-LOCAL FESTIVALS, FROM NOW THROUGH THE FALL:
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* Fri-Sun, Sep 10-12, festival:
Annual “ORIGINAL LOBSTER FESTIVAL” at Rainbow Lagoon Events Park, 400 E Shoreline Dr (between Shoreline Village Dr & Linden Av), Long Beach 90802. Runs Fri 5-11 pm; Sat Noon-11 pm; Sun, Noon-10 pm. Plenty of music in several genres on the main stage and fresh live Maine lobsters…
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* Sat & Sun, Sep 11 & 12; festival; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
1st annual “FALL EQUINOX FESTIVAL” - Folk Music, Dance, & Storytelling Festival, presented by the California Traditional Music Society (CTMS) in collaboration with FolkWorks, featuring NIGHTINGALE, JOHN WHELAN BAND, THE BLADERUNNERS, SEVERIN BROWNE, FOGHORN DUO, SAUSAGE GRINDER, BIG IRISH BAND, TRIPLE CHICKEN FOOT, CONJUNTO LOS POCHOS, ROSS ALTMAN, TOM & PATRICK SAUBER, ZADONU, ASHLEY BRODER, BROTHER YUSEF, and more, at Rancho Cordillera del Norte in Northridge. Saturday evening concert, plus master classes Saturday afternoon, Sep 11. Full festival runs Sunday, Sep 12, 10 am-6 pm.
Saturday evening concert, plus master classes Saturday afternoon, Sep 11.
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* Sat, Sep 11; festival:
Noon-8 pm “WEST LOS ANGELES JAZZ FESTIVAL” at Jackie Robinson Stadium, UCLA Baseball complex, on the campus in Westwood. Presented by Homeland Homeless as a benefit for disabled veterans; www.homelandhomeless.com. Contact events_homelandhomeless@yahoo.com. Festival features GERALD ALBRIGHT, HOWARD HEWETT, NAJEE, KIRK WHALUM, EUGE GROOVE, PETER WHITE, THE SAI WHATT BAND, KEIKO MATSUI, ALEX BUGNON, and others. Musically, not our cup of beverage (we’ll be at the Equinox Festival, then the Celtic extravaganza at the Ford), but this is a benefit for a great cause.
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* Sun, Sep 12; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm 7th annual “CELTIC ARTS CENTER CONCERT AT THE FORD” with THE FUREYS & DAVEY ARTHUR, KEN O’MALLEY, THE McCARTAN IRISH DANCERS, champion dancers MEGAN & ADAM KIRK, and THE LOS ANGELES POLICE EMERALD SOCIETY PIPES & DRUMS, at the Ford Amphitheatre (aka John Anson Ford Amphitheatre), 2580 Cahuenga Bl East, Hollywood 90068; 323-GO1-FORD; www.FordTheatres.org; box dinner orders 310-652-3797. It’s the US West Coast premiere of THE FUREYS & DAVEY ARTHUR with their award-winning guitar, banjo, mandolin, accordion and bouzouki, plus fine vocals.
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* Ongoing, through Oct 1:
The L.A. COUNTY FAIR runs at Fairplex in Pomona and parts of it qualify, on some days, as worthy of music festival status; www.fairplex.com. The world’s largest county Fair runs the month of September and includes dozens of concerts on multiple stages, many of them acoustic, some of them with major national acts. As we do every year, The Guide lists events that we believe will interest our readers. On Saturdays & Sundays (after we expand each week’s listings to include all the events), check the listings beginning in the morning, as many shows are listed once, but repeat several times during the day. The Fair is closed on Mondays & Tuesdays, except Labor Day.
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* Fri-Sun, Sep 17-19, in Bishop, CA; festival; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
19th annual “MILLPOND MUSIC FESTIVAL” with JOE CRAVEN TRIO, SLAID CLEAVES, "STRAY CAT" LEE ROCKER, JO HENLEY, THE BILLS, CELTIC FIDDLE FESTIVAL, LOS PINGUOS, THE ADAM BURNS BAND, OLD COYOTE MOON, OLD MAN LUEDECKE, THE MASANGA MARIMBA ENSEMBLE, IDLE HANDS, MARC ATKINSON QUARTET, SAGE ROMERO & ACA MYA DANCERS, DAVID JACOBS-STRAIN, RICHARD SMITH & JULIE ADAMS, and more, at Millpond County Park, 5 miles N/NE of Bishop; www.inyo.org/millpond.asp. The Guide ran a News Feature on this one in the Sep 4 edition, or see the current edition’s event listings for full info.
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* Fri-Sun, Sep 17-19; festival:
Annual “PASADENA GREEKFEST” at Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia (Baldwin Av exit, south of 210 Fwy) has music, food, Greek dancing and culturally-themed entertainment, vendors, lots of fun even if you’re not Greek, and more.
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* Sat & Sun, Sep 18 & 19; festival, east of San Diego:
Annual “JULIAN BANJO-FIDDLE CONTEST AND MUSIC FESTIVAL” celebrates its 40th year at Frank Lane Field, in the mountain community of Julian, east of San Diego. A variety of traditional music is featured both days. The Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, and Mandolin Contests are on Saturday only. There will be an Open Mic stage and lots of Jamming Opportunities all weekend. Organizers say, “if you are a player, start getting ready! Teachers - let your students know - encourage them to enter.” The Julian event is the one of the oldest festivals in California. Many of the finest stringed instrument artists of today participated in the Julian contest when they were just getting started - NICKEL CREEK, STUART DUNCAN, ALLISON BROWN, and JOHN MOORE among the many. Come to Julian in September to participate in a continuation of music history. More info, and the 2010 Entry Form are online at www.julianbanjofiddle.com
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* Sat, Sep 18; festival, in Palmdale:
Noon-9 pm 3rd annual “GRACEFEST AV” benefit for local kids charities with headliners BIG DADDY WEAVE, BARLOWGIRL, & AARON SHUST – all Dove award nominees or winners – plus a special performance by Christian reggae artist DOMINIC BALI. Venue is in Palmdale. Gates at 11:30 am, local artists begin at noon; Christian band BOLD WITNESS opens the main show. Info & tix, www.gracefestav.com; 661-265-6069.
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* Sun, Sep 19; festival, in Temecula:
Noon-9 pm “SIMPLY SHARON'S ZYDECO FESTIVAL & CRAWFISH BOIL” at Simply Sharon's, 27464 Jefferson Av, Temecula; 951-308-0016. Acts tba…
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* Sun, Sep 19; festival, a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm “¡VIVA MEXICO!” with OZOMATLI, LOS SUPER SEVEN, MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOUND, MARIACHI REYNA DE LOS ANGELES, & GRANDEZA MEXICANA FOLK BALLET COMPANY, is the only “mainstream” offering in “KCRW's World Festival” series at the Hollywood Bowl.
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* Sun, Sep 19; festival, a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7:30 pm “MARIACHI USA® FIESTA” at the L.A. County Fair at Fairplex in Pomona.
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* Sat, Sep 25, festival:
All-day “HARVEST FESTIVAL OF DULCIMERS” with workshops & concerts, at Culver-Palms United Methodist Church, 4464 Sepulveda Bl; Culver City. There’s a free concert at noon, and an evening concert at 6 pm with Appalachian music and Bavarian & Medieval music performed by CARMEN AMREIN, KENDRA WARD, BOB BENCE, & NEAL HELLMAN for $16. This was the venue for the Guide-sponsored “Concert for Haiti” back in January…
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* Sat, Sep 25; festival, in Bear Valley (near Tehachapi):
Annual “BEAR VALLEY BUCKAROO GATHERING” in Bear Valley, near Tehachapi, with many cowboy / western performers and cowboy poets, some award-winning. More when we know it.
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* Sat, Sep 25; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm “BODIE HOUSE MUSIC 10th ANNIVERSARY SHOW” at the “Bodie House Music Series at the Thousand Oaks Library,” at Grant R. Brimhall Library, 1401 E Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks 91362; 818-621-8309; info, www.BodieHouse.com. No, we don’t yet know who is playing, but we are assured it will be some wonderful artists.
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* Sun, Sep 26; world music; festival:
7 pm “BRAZILIAN NITES – 17th ANNUAL BRAZILIAN SUMMER FESTIVAL” at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Bl East, Hollywood; 323-461-3673; www.fordamphitheatre.org.
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* Sat, Oct 2; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
“SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA UKULELE FESTIVAL 2010” with VICTORIA VOX, MELE O'HANA UKULELE GROUP, D HAWAII SENIORS, THE JUMPING FLEAS, UNCLE LINCOLN'S UKULELE, HAWAIIAN LEGEND SERENADERS, ALDRINE GUERRERO, FRED THOMPSON, and many more, at Cerritos Park East Community Center, 13234 E 166th St, Cerritos; 818-522-6066 or 818-322-8026.
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* Sat, Oct 2; festival, a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm “VIVA MEXICO! 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION” with acclaimed Spanish-language singers ANGELES OCHOA and PERLA BATALLA joining NATI CANO and MARIACHI LOS CAMPEROS at UCLA Live, Royce Hall, 340 Royce Dr, on the UCLA campus at Royce Dr between Westwood Bl and Hilgard Av, West L.A.; www.uclalive.org; info 310-825-4401; UCLA ticket office 310-825-2101.
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* Sat & Sun, Oct 2 & 3, in San Francisco; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
Annual “HARDLY STRICTLY BLUEGRASS FEST” in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, is a multi-stage extravaganza with many stars of folk-Americana, as well as top bluegrass acts.
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* Sat & Sun, Oct 2 through Oct 31, in Moorpark:
10 am-5:30 pm The 13th annual “UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARM FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL” kicks off at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark 93021; 805-529-3690; www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com. Runs all month, and each weekend has a different theme, including a Folk Festival, Bluegrass Festival, and Cowboy/Western Music Festival.
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* Sat & Sun, Oct 1-31:
9 am-5 pm annual “HARVEST FESTIVAL” in the SFV at Forneris Farms, 15200 Rinaldi St, Mission Hills 91345; 818-361-0714 Farm Market; www.fornerisfarms.com; 818-730-7709. Live music on weekends; weekdays, the festival runs 2-5 pm. Features a refreshment stand on weekends with fresh roasted corn and more; a Farm Market with fall decorations and farm grown produce; a farm grown Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze Adventure (the editor can tell you that getting lost in one of these corn “maizes” is a distinct possibility); Tractor-pulled Train Ride – take a narrated ride around the farm; Farm Frolic Area for Kids - mini maze, giant hay pyramid, the Great Pumpkin jumper. Attractions have a fee, cash only (prices on their website). No pets. Free parking, free admission.
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* Sun, Oct 3; festival; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
CANCELLED: All day First ever “AMERICANA MUSIC FEST” sponsored by the Thousand Oaks Kiwanis Charitable Foundation at Paramount Ranch near Agoura Hills, in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation area. Info. www.americanamusicfestkw.org. Performers are all acoustic, chosen from submissions through the spring and summer.
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* Fri-Sun, Oct 8-10; festival, in Lone Pine, CA:
Annual “LONE PINE FILM FESTIVAL” with many events at the museum and around town, interpretive tours of famous movie locations, and more, including a Friday evening concert (2 shows, 7 & 9 pm) with DON EDWARDS & SOURDOUGH SLIM in the Lone Pine High School Auditorium. Schedules, concert tix (it sells-out), info, www.lonepinefilmfestival.org
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* Sat & Sun, Oct 9 & 10; festival, in Ventura; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
Annual “SEASIDE HIGHLAND GAMES” at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W Harbor Bl, Ventura. This is the premiere Scottish event on the California Central Coast, with multiple stages of music that ranges from the very traditional to pipe and drum corps to Celtic rock. The games themselves are a hoot! One recent year’s publicity proclaimed, “Large Men Throwing Things.” You can drive or ride Amtrak (directly to the Games) from L.A.
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* Sat, Oct 9; Sat & Sun, Oct 2 through Oct 31, in Moorpark:
10 am-5:30 pm The 13th annual “UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARM FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL” kicks off at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark 93021; 805-529-3690; www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com. Runs all month, and each weekend has a different theme, including a Folk Festival, Bluegrass Festival, and Cowboy/Western Music Festival.
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* Sat, Oct 9; Sat & Sun, Oct 1-31:
9 am-5 pm annual “HARVEST FESTIVAL” in the SFV at Forneris Farms, 15200 Rinaldi St, Mission Hills 91345; 818-361-0714 Farm Market; www.fornerisfarms.com; 818-730-7709. Live music on weekends; weekdays, the festival runs 2-5 pm. Features a refreshment stand on weekends with fresh roasted corn and more; a Farm Market with fall decorations and farm grown produce; a farm grown Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze Adventure (the editor can tell you that getting lost in one of these corn “maizes” is a distinct possibility); Tractor-pulled Train Ride – take a narrated ride around the farm; Farm Frolic Area for Kids - mini maze, giant hay pyramid, the Great Pumpkin jumper. Attractions have a fee, cash only (prices on their website). No pets. Free parking, free admission.
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* Sat, Oct 9; festival; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
4 pm ”2nd ANNUAL WHISTLE STOP RANCH FALL COWBOY ROUNDUP” with DAVE STAMEY, GARY ROBERTSON, and MICHAEL TCHERKASSKY, at Whistle Stop Ranch in Acton, CA (off the 14 Fwy, between Santa Clarita and Palmdale.) Sponsored by OutWest Marketing in Old Town Newhall.
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* Sun, Oct 10; festival, in Goleta; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
10 am-5 pm 39th annual “OLD TIME FIDDLERS CONVENTION AND FESTIVAL” at Ranco Patera & Stowe House, 304 N Los Carneros Rd, Goleta 93117. Tix, $20.
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* Fri & Sat, Oct 15 & 16; festival, in Visalia, CA:
Annual “VISALIA FALL ROUNDUP” with music by SOURDOUGH SLIM and others, authentic western BBQ (durch oven biscuits, etc) by the Cowboy Cultural Committee, and more, at Richie's Barn, Visalia. Schedules, lineup, info, www.visaliacowboys.com
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* Sat, Oct 15; Sat & Sun, Oct 2 through Oct 31, in Moorpark:
10 am-5:30 pm The 13th annual “UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARM FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL” kicks off at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark 93021; 805-529-3690; www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com. Runs all month, and each weekend has a different theme, including a Folk Festival, Bluegrass Festival, and Cowboy/Western Music Festival.
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* Sat, Oct 15; Sat & Sun, Oct 1-31:
9 am-5 pm annual “HARVEST FESTIVAL” in the SFV at Forneris Farms, 15200 Rinaldi St, Mission Hills 91345; 818-361-0714 Farm Market; www.fornerisfarms.com; 818-730-7709. Live music on weekends; weekdays, the festival runs 2-5 pm. Features a refreshment stand on weekends with fresh roasted corn and more; a Farm Market with fall decorations and farm grown produce; a farm grown Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze Adventure (the editor can tell you that getting lost in one of these corn “maizes” is a distinct possibility); Tractor-pulled Train Ride – take a narrated ride around the farm; Farm Frolic Area for Kids - mini maze, giant hay pyramid, the Great Pumpkin jumper. Attractions have a fee, cash only (prices on their website). No pets. Free parking, free admission.
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* Thu-Sun, Oct 21-24:
Annual “FOLK ALLIANCE REGION WEST (FAR-West) MUSIC CONFERENCE” this year in San Jose, CA; www.far-west.org
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* Sat, Oct 23; festival; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
1-7 pm annual “THUNDERFEST – BLUESAPALOOZA” at The Fret House, 309 N Citrus Av, Covina; 626-339-7020; frethouse@earthlink.net; www.frethouse.com. It’s a tradition here, a once-a-year FREE day of the blues. Here’s the lineup:
* 1 pm - LES JOHNSON BLUES BAND
* 3 pm - BARRY BIG B BRENNER
* 5 pm - STAN WEST
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* Sat, Oct 23; Sat & Sun, Oct 2 through Oct 31, in Moorpark:
10 am-5:30 pm The 13th annual “UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARM FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL” kicks off at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark 93021; 805-529-3690; www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com. Runs all month, and each weekend has a different theme, including a Folk Festival, Bluegrass Festival, and Cowboy/Western Music Festival.
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* Sat, Oct 23; Sat & Sun, Oct 1-31:
9 am-5 pm annual “HARVEST FESTIVAL” in the SFV at Forneris Farms, 15200 Rinaldi St, Mission Hills 91345; 818-361-0714 Farm Market; www.fornerisfarms.com; 818-730-7709. Live music on weekends; weekdays, the festival runs 2-5 pm. Features a refreshment stand on weekends with fresh roasted corn and more; a Farm Market with fall decorations and farm grown produce; a farm grown Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze Adventure (the editor can tell you that getting lost in one of these corn “maizes” is a distinct possibility); Tractor-pulled Train Ride – take a narrated ride around the farm; Farm Frolic Area for Kids - mini maze, giant hay pyramid, the Great Pumpkin jumper. Attractions have a fee, cash only (prices on their website). No pets. Free parking, free admission.
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* Sat, Oct 30; Sat & Sun, Oct 2 through Oct 31, in Moorpark:
10 am-5:30 pm The 13th annual “UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARM FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL” kicks off at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark 93021; 805-529-3690; www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com. Runs all month, and each weekend has a different theme, including a Folk Festival, Bluegrass Festival, and Cowboy/Western Music Festival.
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* Sat, Oct 30; Sat & Sun, Oct 1-31:
9 am-5 pm annual “HARVEST FESTIVAL” in the SFV at Forneris Farms, 15200 Rinaldi St, Mission Hills 91345; 818-361-0714 Farm Market; www.fornerisfarms.com; 818-730-7709. Live music on weekends; weekdays, the festival runs 2-5 pm. Features a refreshment stand on weekends with fresh roasted corn and more; a Farm Market with fall decorations and farm grown produce; a farm grown Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze Adventure (the editor can tell you that getting lost in one of these corn “maizes” is a distinct possibility); Tractor-pulled Train Ride – take a narrated ride around the farm; Farm Frolic Area for Kids - mini maze, giant hay pyramid, the Great Pumpkin jumper. Attractions have a fee, cash only (prices on their website). No pets. Free parking, free admission.
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You can bet we’ll list even MORE festivals, as we learn about ‘em…
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Entire contents copyright (c) © 2010, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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