THE SCENE – from The Guide – for March 5, 2011

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COMING SOON: Photographs to accompany News Features, Spotlight Events, and MORE!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The reinvention of The Acoustic Americana Music Guide is at hand… fast access, new approach, new content, new format… drum roll, maestro…


Acoustic Americana Music Guide & Tied to the Tracks presents

||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||

The SATURDAY Guide to THE SCENE – for the first Saturday of the month

||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||


What's happening in the world of live acoustic music, today and tonight? Here's a FOUR-PART Guide.

PART ONE is "WHERE THINGS HAPPEN" - our annotated survey of all the venues and
places, BY TOWN AND VENUE (in Southern Cal), and “THE ODDS” of
finding an acoustic show there tonight.
PART TWO is "RECURRING EVENTS" - our detailed listing, BY START TIMES, with
descriptive write-ups of what happens today / tonight, including some
expanded details of what’s in Part One.
PART THREE lists “TODAY’S RADIO / WEB RADIO AND TV SHOWS” with acoustic
music performances.
PART FOUR is the “VENUE CATALOG,” our enormous list of over 500 locations, with
street addresses, contact info, and web sites (when we have them), for ALL
acoustic-music-friendly live performance venues in Southern California.

To get the COMPLETE PICTURE of live acoustic music, check out what’s here in THE SCENE and check the Guide’s OTHER two sections to get the word on “Show-of-the-Week” picks, “Events-of-the-Week for Artists,” “Get-Tix-Now Alerts,” inside-the-industry news, and LOTS MORE, in -

NEWS FEATURES at
url-url-url x

and

SPOTLIGHT EVENTS at
url-url-url x

These separate urls change frequently with fresh updates. The latest updates are always available at

www.acousticmusic.net

– just click “Acoustic Americana Music Guide” and you’re on your way!


||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||

PART ONE: "WHERE THINGS HAPPEN"

– our quick list of places, by town and venue (in Southern Cal), with the odds of a show there tonight.

MANY venues are hotbeds of live music on Saturdays – always or often with acoustic music – though they do NOT all host residencies or recurring series tonight. These, PLUS tonight’s residencies and recurring series, are RIGHT HERE.

In 2011, the recurring events herein are part of The Scene for February 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, September 3, October 1, November 5, & December 3.

THE SCENE for today and tonight includes THE ODDS of finding acoustic music in each place listed, from northern Santa Barbara County to south Orange County, from downtown L.A. to the valleys to the Inland Empire, from the desert to the sea.

||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||>♦<||

First, our little commercial…
BUY AN AD, HELP KEEP THE GUIDE GOING!

Sending us $25 gets you an ad in the Guide (prepared, run in the Guide, and sent to you for other uses) for your event or CD release or gig, AND you become a Guide Annual Subscriber (making you eligible for ticket giveaways and more!)

Please become an annual supporter by sending us $25. That helps sooooo very much! Bringing you all this information is a time-devouring production, on par with gathering and reporting the news for any full-size 40-page WEEKLY newspaper!

Seriously: Throughout 2010, the Guide often ran 100 pages – or more – of 8 ½ x 11 size pages, EVERY WEEK… Yes, there IS that much acoustic music happening out there! And it’s why we’re changing to the new format.

WRITE US at tied to the tracks (at) Hotmail dot com … and THANK YOU for your support!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||

Here’s

THE SCENE

~ the Guide to

“Where Things Happen”

the first Saturday of the month…

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||


Listed alphabetically by city, neighborhood, or micro-region,
so you can find an event near you!

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||
.

AGOURA / AGOURA HILLS (See “Thousand Oaks / Agoura / Agoura Hills”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

ALTADENA (just N of Pasadena)

Altadena; SATURDAY’S ODDS 9/10:
THE COFFEE GALLERY BACKSTAGE is the most prolific live acoustic music venue in the Los Angeles region, hosting more nationally-touring acts than any other Southern Cal venue. Shows at the Coffee Gallery Backstage happen just about every night. Show time is 8 pm weeknights and 7 pm weekends, with occasional weekend matinees, at 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-794-2424; venue phone 626-398-7917; info, show schedules, detailed write-ups, at www.coffeegallery.com. This is “the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue in L.A.” Tickets range from $12-20 (typically, $15-18.).

Altadena; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/3:
THE COFFEE GALLERY FRONT STAGE, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; 626-398-7917. Scene of a weekly assortment of 8-10 pm FREE shows. Front Stage offerings each week are family-friendly and focus on, or at least include, acoustic music – except Tuesday night’s “Uncensored Comedy.” In fact, you can catch the Coffee Gallery Front Stage’s live SUNDAY webcast of the MUSIC open mic at www.ustream.tv/channel/the-coffee-gallery-community-front-stage – live or archived. Multiple Open Mic nights happen here, and there are occasional shows with featured recording artists. Host is musician and event producer DUANE THORIN, who adds, “The Coffee Gallery now features soup and sandwiches in the evening, plus coffee drinks, white and dark hot chocolate, pies, smoothies, smiles and good company.” This does NOT take the place of scheduled shows in the Backstage – it’s in addition to scheduled shows there. Get a feel for the scene by catching the Front Stage’s Sunday webcast of the open mic at www.ustream.tv/channel/the-coffee-gallery-community-front-stage – live or archived. Front Stage scheduled shows are free, and All Open Mics here are free to attend or participate.

Altadena; 1st SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
OH HAPPY DAYS NATURAL FOOD GROCERY & CAFÉ, 2283 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; www.geocities.com/ohdonline; 626-797-0383. Scene of a monthly, Noon-4:30 pm, “ACOUSTIC JAM” that usually draws very good musicians, hosted by TOM FAIR, often joined by BILL BURNETTE (Backboners), and DUANE THORIN (“Sole Rustler” from the Bohemian Soul Rustlers). Expect (and bring) folk, sing-along folk, acoustic rock, acoustic soul music, and upbeat original tunes. Venue is a health food store and vegan restaurant, offering lunchtime fare of tasty and wonderful vegetarian soups and plates (get the daily combo plate, endorsed by your editor, or great soup is $2.50 for a bowl), as well as organic shelf goods. Bill Burnette adds, “Fun sing-along folk stuff, no mics and all. It is just such a great bunch there, and John the owner is one of the true saints of Altadena. Just fun. And music is mainly for that, even if you are someone who is serious about your music.” Tom says, “There’s no charge for the music, but we may pass the hat.” Info, 323-627-0662.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

ANAHEIM (See “Orange County”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

ARCADIA / COVINA / MONROVIA / SAN GABRIEL / SIERRA MADRE

Arcadia; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
ARCADIA BLUES CLUB, 16 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006; www.arcadiabluesclub.com; 626-447-9349. Most Friday & Saturday nights, 8 pm, THE BOBBY BLUEHOUSE BAND opens for a headliner, often “some of the best blues music headliners in the industry.” The venue proudly asserts, “This is the greatest house band in America. Members over the years have included musicians who have played with BILLY JOEL, ARETHA FRANKLIN, THE POINTER SISTERS, THE JEFF HEALEY BAND and influences from John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison and Eric Burden.” Friday & Saturday nights can bring local blues bands as well as national acts. Acts recently booked include CHRIS CAIN, LIL CHARLIE AND THE NITE CATS, COCO MONTOYA, ROD PIAZZA, JAMES INTVELD, ROSIE FLORES, DUKE ROBILLARD, GUITAR SHORTY, GARY HOEY, WUMBLOOZO, BASTARD SONS OF JOHNNY CASH and more. Website has lineups for specific dates and a tickets link. Venue serves dinner Friday & Saturday, 7 pm-2 am. Five-dollar per ticket discount available for some advance tix, through day-of-show purchases before 8:30 pm. Advance tix and reservations are recommended, as club is now holding tables only until 8:30 pm.

Covina; 1st SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
THE FRET HOUSE, 309 N Citrus Av, Covina; 626-339-7020; frethouse@earthlink.net; www.frethouse.com. Scene of a monthly, 8 pm, “OPEN MIC,” just one dollar to get in. Sign-up starts at 7:30, show at 8 pm. They tell us, “If there aren't enough slots for everybody, we'll make a list for the next month, and call you at 7:30. Each act gets two songs or ten minutes, whichever comes first. We'll have desserts and coffee ready. Bring your friends and family and join the show.” $1 cover.
The Scene here, otherwise? Shows here are always wonderful, first-rate folk-Americana artists, always acoustic, in the little subterranean performance hall beneath the music store. They haven’t been booking all that many shows lately, hence the odds aren’t “1/1.” Check their website.

San Gabriel; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/6:
AZTECA RESTAURANT AND BAR, 717 S San Gabriel Bl, San Gabriel 91776; 626-287-4645.

Sierra Madre; SATURDAY’S ODDS 6/7:
CAFÉ 322, 322 W Sierra Madre Bl, Sierra Madre; 626-836-5414; www.cafe322.com. Scene of plenty of booked Americana and roots music shows, with occasional residencies. Everything we’ve seen there is good, and venue specializes in Italian food, has full bar. Check to see who’s playing and go early for a table that lets you see the band.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

AZUSA / GLENDORA

Glendora; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
STRINGS MUSIC STORE, 146 N Glendora Av, Ste 101, Glendora 91741; 626-914 4100. Scene of the every-Saturday-morning FREE ACOUSTIC CONCERT series, 8-10:30 am, always with a featured recording artist or band, nearly always acoustic. Free entertainment, tips only, in a great place, with nice people and good music. VIN FIZ FLYER, who has played it, says, “Old town Glendora is a kinda sleepy small Midwest town plopped into Southern California. These early morning concerts sound like a wacky idea, but they’re well-attended by musicians as well as music lovers! A car club meets at the café next door every Saturday for breakfast, and they park their assorted ‘babies’ out front for you to peruse too. Come on by and start your weekend out right.” Always check with venue to be sure there is a concert scheduled.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

BURBANK (See “San Fernando Valley” listings)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

CHATSWORTH (See “San Fernando Valley” listings)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

CLAREMONT / POMONA

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

Claremont; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
FOLK MUSIC CENTER & MUSEUM, 220 Yale Av, Claremont 91711; 909-624-2928; www.folkmusiccenter.com. info@folkmusiccenter.com. A music store with a concert series that’s been at for decades, they also sponsor the annual CLAREMONT FOLK FESTIVAL. They book fine shows, and the artists who play them often do a weekend workshop. But they haven’t been booking all that many concerts the past year or so.

Claremont; SATURDAY’S ODDS 6/7:
HIP KITTY JAZZ / FONDUE, 502 W First St (in the Packing House complex), Claremont 91711; www.hipkittyjazz.com; 909-447-6700. This beautiful venue is part of the recently renovated Claremont Packing House complex, and serves food, beer & wine. 25 minutes E of Pasadena off the 210 Fwy.

Claremont; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/7:
THE PRESS, 129 Harvard Av, Claremont; 909-625-4808.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

COLTON (See “San Bernardino / Colton / Loma Linda”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

COVINA (See “Arcadia / Covina / Monrovia / San Gabriel / Sierra Madre”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

CULVER CITY

Culver City; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/7:
BOULEVARD MUSIC, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583. This is a music store that famously hosts concerts by touring folk-Americana artists, and most often, by some of the world’s guitar elite. Sometimes a booked artist does a weekend workshop at the venue while they’re in town. The quality of shows here is never in question, just the frequency of offerings, one or two each weekend. Tickets usually go on sale a few weeks before each show, and some shows sell-out. Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide, a nice touch for those unfamiliar with the area.

Culver City; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
CINEMA BAR, 3967 Sepulveda Bl (between Washington & Venice), Culver City 90230; www.myspace.com/thecinemabar; 310-390-1328; music series hotline 310-250-1317. It’s often been called “The world’s smallest honky-tonk,” and despite its postage-stamp size, it frequently attracts top musicians. Venue is 21+, and people here are considerate when it’s crowded. Once in a while, there’s a BBQ on the back patio. No cover, bring $ for the artists’ tip jar.

Culver City; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/7:
VINOTEQUE (formerly the SYNERGY CAFÉ), 4437 Sepulveda (at Braddock, just S of Culver Bl), Culver City; 310-482-3490; www.VinotequeLA.com. Great atmosphere, no cover, food / drink purchase expected on nights when there’s live music.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

DESERTS & BEYOND (includes Palm Desert, Palm Springs, Palmdale, Lancaster, Tehachapi)

Palmdale; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/5:
BUTLER'S COFFEE, 40125 10th St West, Suite I, Palmdale 93551; 661-272-9530; www.butlerscoffee.com/music.html. Butler's owners, PAM & DAVID LOGAN, are long-time lovers and supporters of acoustic music. Indeed, Pam is an accomplished musician and a member of the BROWNE SISTERS, Celtic festival favorites who earned a “Listener Favorite” on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” The venue serves food and drink in a rich, comfortable setting, featuring fresh-roasted coffee. Butler's “music guy,” KEVIN BURTON SMITH, has had great success in attracting excellent acoustic music for featured shows here.

Pioneertown; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/5:
PAPPY & HARRIET'S, 53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown; www.pappyandharriets.com; 760-365-5956. This place is legendary and the absolute most-off-the-beaten-path venue in Southern California. Nevertheless, top musicians and loyal fans of the hallowed old hall keep it going with plenty of rollickin’ honkytonk and more.

Tehachapi; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/3:
FIDDLER’S CROSSING, 206 East F St, Tehachapi 93561; www.grungehobbit.com; 661-823-9994. The acoustic music venue, new in 2010 and next door to a music store, has become the
any day / evening scene for musicians in Tehachapi, and those passing through, since the demise of Mama Hillybeans. They book touring artists for concerts here between their Central Cal and L.A. gigs, plus Southern Cal-based and talented local musicians.

Victorville; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/6:
THE COCKY BULL, 14180 US 395, Victorville 92392. It’s a desert landmark and everybody famous in pre-pop country has played there. These days, it’s primarily a restaurant and honky-tonk dance hall with live music.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

EAGLE ROCK (See “Pasadena / South Pasadena / Eagle Rock”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

ECHO PARK

Echo Park; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/6:
DOWNBEAT CAFÉ, 1202 N Alvarado St, Echo Park; 213-483-3955.

Echo Park; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
THE ECHO / ECHOPLEX are affiliated venues, but each has a separate entrance. The Echo, 1822 Sunset Bl, Echo Park; 213-413-8200. The Echoplex, 1154 Glendale Bl, Echo Park; 213-413-8200. Web site for both, www.attheecho.com. They frequently work with alt-country and folk-Americana bookers, and book some acoustic renaissance, in addition to lots of alt rock.

Echo Park; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/5:
TAIX 321 LOUNGE, 1911 W Sunset Bl (at Alvarado), Echo Park; 213-484-1265. Though an affordable French restaurant, the place seems to universally be mispronounced as “Tex.” That probably owes to the good portion of folk-Americana, alt-country, new grass, and Southern and Texas-flavored acts booked here.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

FULLERTON (See “Orange County”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

GLENDALE (See “San Fernando Valley” listings)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

GLENDORA (See “Azusa / Glendora” listings)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

HERMOSA BEACH / MANHATTAN BEACH / REDONDO BEACH

Hermosa Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/5:
CLUB 705, aka ARDMORE RESTAURANT / CLUB 705, 705 Pier Av, Hermosa Beach 90254; 310-372-9705; www.club705.com. Check with venue for tonight’s lineup. All ages, no cover.

Redondo Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
BRIXTON SOUTH BAY, 100 W Torrance Bl Suite J, Redondo Beach 90277; 310-406-1931; www.brixtonsouthbay.com and www.myspace.com/brixtonsouthbay. Venue is 21+, holds 450, and often books name acts.

Redondo Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/4:
COFFEE CARTEL, 1820 S Catalina Av, Redondo Beach 90277; 310-316-6554. No cover.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

HIGHLAND PARK

Highland Park; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/4:
HIGHLAND PERK COFFEEHOUSE, 5930 York Bl, Highland Park (L.A.).

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

HOLLYWOOD / WEST HOLLYWOOD

Hollywood; 1st SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
AMOEBA MUSIC, 6400 Sunset Bl, Hollywood; 323-245-6400. Scene of the 4 pm, 1st Saturday, every month, “CHARITY AUCTION.” Host Brently Heilbron presides over the event, bringing a good time and money for a variety of charitable causes.

Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/5:
AVALON, 1735 Vine St, Hollywood 90028; www.avalonhollywood.com; 323-462-8900.

Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/7:
CAFÉ MUSE, 6547 Santa Monica Bl (at Hudson), Hollywood 90038; 323-464-MUSE (6873); www.cafemusela.com. Scene of music or other live entertainment (of various kinds) every night, usually beginning 9:30-10 pm, after the shows end in the surrounding theatre district. Venue has a beautiful piano and a house guitar for musician use, or bring your own instrument. They say, “We welcome people to come by and play anytime - you never know when the Muses might appear!” They tell us, “We are always looking for piano players & musicians to accompany the singers and spoken word artists (or to come in and jam with us).” Email them to be added to their roster, at TheMuses@CafeMuseLA.com. Venue serves vegan & omnivore “comfort food,” fruit smoothies and organic coffee & tea beverages. Early arrival recommended; when there’s entertainment, $5 minimum on food & drink in lieu of cover.

Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
CAFÉ WAS, 1521 N Vine St, Hollywood. Always music on Fridays, just a question of what…

Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
CRANE’S HOLLYWOOD TAVERN, 1611 N El Centro Av, Hollywood; www.myspace.com/cranestavern. Some nights are jumpin’ with musicians from the local singer-songwriter scene. Venue is between Selma & Hollywood Bl.

Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/5:
EL CID, 4212 Sunset Bl, Hollywood; 323-668-0318; www.elcidla.com. A Mexican restaurant and bar that hosts music, sometimes rootsy Americana, sometimes rootsy Latin, sometimes just nouveau loud.

Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
HOTEL CAFÉ, 1623 N Cahuenga Bl, Hollywood 90028; www.hotelcafe.com; 323-461-2040. This is absolutely the hippest place in L.A. with acoustic music, though the décor is nothing special at all. They book some touring indies and some of the best L.A.-based artists, and some East Coast-based and European artists always play Hotel café when they pass through town. Acoustic performers are frequently in the mix of acts scheduled one per hour – check the venue’s schedule carefully and plan for Hollywood traffic so you can be on time. There are very few seats, and those are only available if you order food from the menu, so be prepared to stand. Two full bars, tiny dark restaurant where you can’t hear the music, and tinier table seating area in front of the stage that’s the prime place for music here. Tasty light fare. Cover charge is often more, the later you go. Be sure to state, at the door, which artist you came to see, because that’s how they get paid.

Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS (summer only) 5/7:
JOHN ANSON FORD AMPHITHEATRE (aka FORD AMPHITHETRE), 2580 Cahuenga Bl East, Hollywood 90068; 323-461-3673; 323-GO1-FORD; www.FordTheatres.org; box dinner orders 310-652-3797. Across the pass from the Hollywood Bowl, this could be any other city’s best outdoor venue. Smaller than the Bowl or the Greek Theatre, it has splendid acoustics and sound reinforcement, delightful architecture, and lots of history. You can bring your own picnic dinner and wine to any show here. Bookings are done during the winter, through proposals from artists, producers, or music-related organizations. The Celtic Arts Center and Bluegrass Association of Southern California each produce annual extravaganzas here. Other series, like the one booked by Koffeehouse Music, are very inclusive of indies. Check the venue’s schedule for enjoyable outdoor shows and for info on how to prepare your proposal to do a show there.

Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
M BAR, 1253 Vine St (at Fountain), Hollywood 90038; 323-856-0036. An eclectic assortment of acts at this nice supper club and bar, where they have a grand piano.

Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/7:
MUSIC BOX AT THE HENRY FONDA THEATRE, 6126 Hollywood Bl (betw Argyle & Gower), Hollywood; 323-464-0808. Cavernous and echo-ey without seats, which is usually the configuration here, it’s still fun, and they do sometimes book roots-Americana or acoustic acts.

Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/5:
THE PIG 'N’ WHISTLE, 6714 Hollywood Bl (1 blk E of Highland), Hollywood 90028; www.pignwhistle.com; Event info, 323-551-1000. This venue, more than ANY other, maintains the charm of “Old Hollywood” of the great clubs of the silver screen era – the interior architecture is amazing. The venue’s scheduled entertainment is often acoustic lineups, but (almost always) people whose names you’ve never heard anyplace else.

West Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
AROMA COFFEEHOUSE, 8539 Sunset Bl, West Hollywood; 323-644-2833.

West Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/9:
CAT CLUB, 8911 Sunset Bl, West Hollywood; 310-657-0888. Usually loud rock, but not always.

West Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
HOUSE OF BLUES - SUNSET STRIP, 8430 Sunset Bl, West Hollywood; 323-848-5100; www.hob.com. Rarely are the shows here acoustic, and they aren’t all that dedicated to the blues, either.

West Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/5:
RAINBOW BAR & GRILL, 9015 W Sunset Bl, West Hollywood; 310-278-4232. Like the affiliated Pig ‘n’ Whistle, the entertainment is often acoustic lineups, but (almost always) people whose names you’ve never heard anyplace else.

West Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/5:
THE ROXY, 9009 Sunset Bl, West Hollywood; www.theroxyonsunset.com; 310-276-2222. Usually loud rock, but not always.

West Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
TROUBADOUR, 9081 Santa Monica Bl, West Hollywood; www.troubadour.com; 310-276-6168. This old club, famous and storied for events of decades past, is neither media-savvy nor media-friendly, so we haven’t often had reason to list them in the Guide. They do host some acoustic and electric Americana shows, including the occasional star from the Austin music scene.

West Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/6:
VIPER ROOM, 8852 Sunset Bl, West Hollywood; 310-358-1881. There are two stages here in the place once owned by Johnny Depp. The main, upstairs stage is usually booked with very loud rock acts, often drowning-out the act playing the postage-stamp-size performance space downstairs (once Depp’s private space). Check to be sure the downstairs act you want to see is scheduled before the upstairs stage opens, or don’t bother.

West Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/5:
WHISKY A-GO-GO, 8901 Sunset Bl, West Hollywood; 310-652-4202. Usually loud rock, but not always.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

HUNTINGTON BEACH (See “Orange County”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

IDYLLWILD (See “Riverside County”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

LAKEWOOD

Lakewood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
ME ’N’ EDS PIZZA PARLOR, 4115 Paramount Bl (at Carson), Lakewood; 562-421-8908. Scene of a long-running, every Saturday, 6:30-10:30 pm BLUEGRASS CONCERT.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

LANCASTER (See “Deserts & Beyond”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

LEIMERT PARK

Leimert Park; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
BABE & RICKY'S INN, 4339 Leimert Bl, Leimert Park; ; www.bluesbar.com; 323-295-9112. Roots-Americana acts figure into the mix here, more often than weekly.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

LOMA LINDA (See “San Bernardino / Colton / Loma Linda”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

LONG BEACH / SIGNAL HILL

Long Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/5:
AULD DUBLINER, 71 Pine Av, Long Beach; 562-437-8300; www.aulddubliner.com. They book Irish music and more.

Long Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
CLANCY'S, in East Arts Village, 803 E Broadway, Long Beach 90802; 562-437-1836. They book Irish music and sometimes other things.

Long Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/7:
COUSIN JACK'S NEW ORLEANS RESTAURANT, 217 Pine Ave (1/2 block from Broadway), Long Beach; 562-436-1925. Some Cajun and zydeco performances are booked here.

Long Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
EL DORADO RESTAURANT, Spring & Studebaker, Long Beach. 562-421-2122. Scene offers a small dance floor, a nice bar, good food, and a friendly atmosphere.

Long Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/4:
FENDI'S CAFÉ, 539 East Bixby Rd (near Atlantic), Long Beach; 562-424-4774.

Long Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
THE PIKE BAR & GRILL, 1836 E 4th St (at Hermosa, 1 block W of Cherry), Long Beach 90802; 562-437-4453; www.myspace.com/thepike. The assortment here ranges from really good singer-songwriters (acoustic and electric) backed by their bands – including some who tour, to roots-Americana bands, to maybe-okay alt rock bands and bands playing covers.

Long Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
THEATER & CABARET, 1535 Termino Av, Long Beach 90804. Scene of the every-Saturday, 11 am-12:30 pm, “PACIFIC SONGWRITERS WORKSHOP” with G. F. MLELY. Info, Billie Kalua, songwriters@jazcraft.net or 562-494-9627. $15 per workshop, minimum 4 workshops payable in advance; pre-registration required.

Long Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/3:
VIENTO Y AGUA, 4007 E 4th St (at Termino), Long Beach 90814; 562-434-1182; www.myspace.com/vientoyaguacoffeehouse. A local music hang-out.

Signal Hill; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/4:
CURLEY’S CAFÉ, 1999 E Willow (at Cherry), Signal Hill; 562-424-0018. Sometimes you’ll find bluegrass here, beyond the residencies (not on Saturdays), or a variety of booked acoustic acts.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

LOS FELIZ

Los Feliz; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/3:
TAM O' SHANTER, 2980 Los Feliz Bl, Los Feliz; 323-664-0228. Venue serves ale & sandwiches. All ages, no cover.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

LOS ANGELES – Central & Downtown

(Also check SEPARATE L.A. neighborhood listings, for “San Fernando Valley,” “Silverlake,” “Echo Park,” etc., and check West L.A. venues in “Santa Monica / Venice / West L.A.” listings)

Los Angeles (downtown); SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
THE BORDELLO, 914 E 1st St, L.A. 90012; 213-687-3766; www.bordellobar.com; event calendar at www.myspace.com/bordellobar. A truly unique music venue that was once exactly what its name implies, with the décor to prove it. Good acoustic acts get booked here, in a rather eclectic mix.

Los Angeles; 1st SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
BRENTWOOD YOUTH HOUSE, 731 S Bundy Dr (just S of San Vincente). Scene of the monthly, 7:30-11 pm, “FIRST SATURDAY CONTRA DANCE” with THE SCREAMING EARWIGS. They’re the merry acoustic band of TOM SAUBER, PATRICK SAUBER, STEVE LEWIS, & MIKE SAUBER. Take advantage of the contra dance instruction at 7:30, dance from 8-11 pm.

Los Angeles (downtown); SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
CANTER'S KIBITZ ROOM, in CANTER’S DELI, 419 N Fairfax Av, LA; 323-651-2030. One of L.A.’s favorite delis has a venue that often hosts acoustic music.

Los Angeles (downtown); SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
CASEY'S IRISH PUB, 613 S Grand Av, downtown L.A., 90017; 213-629-2353; www.bigcaseys.com. They book Irish music and sometimes other things.

Los Angeles (downtown); SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
THE EDISON, 108 W 2nd St #101, Los Angeles 90012; www.edisondowntown.com; 213-613-0000. An ex-power plant is a venue that books quite a mix, including some good acoustic music.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
FAIS DO-DO, 5257 W Adams Bl, L.A. 90016; www.faisdodo.com; 323-215-5212 or 323-954-8080. Cajun and zydeco musicians get booked here, and occasionally others do, too.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
FARMERS MARKET, aka Original Farmers Market, 3rd & Fairfax, L.A. Scene of the weekly, 7:30 pm “RANCH PARTY” evening of country & Americana roots music performances, on the West Patio Stage. Presented by EB’s Beer & Wine Bar. Performers have included DAVID SERBY, GRANT LANGSTON, 29 MULES, BOB WOODRUFF, OLD BULL, PSYCHEDELIC COWBOYS, PAUL CHESNE, NICOLE GORDON, and BUCKSWORTH. Parking: 2 hours free with validation from EB’s Beer & Wine Bar. $3 for the third hour; $1 for each additional 20 minutes; $15 max. Addt’l parking at The Grove, next door. Get validation for their structure from Grove merchants. No cover.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
GENGHIS COHEN, 740 N Fairfax Av, L.A. 90046; www.genghiscohen.com; 323-653-0640. Be careful that you get seated in the room with the stage, rather than elsewhere in the Chinese restaurant. Some wonderful and accomplished musicians, including some who tour nationally and play the festival circuit, get booked in a mix that can be, well, a real grab-bag.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS (Summer only) 4/7:
LEVITT PAVILION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - L.A., in MacArthur Park, 2230 W 6th St (at S Park View), downtown L.A.; 213-368-0520; www.levittla.org; concert series, 213-384-5701. (AKA MacArthur Park Band Shell, and home to other L.A. Parks-sponsored events that are NOT in Levitt series listings.) The Levitt summer series assigns a different recurring theme to each night, then more-or-less follows that theme every week. It’s almost always a nationally-touring act, sometimes with an L.A.-based opener. The season always brings a few “don’t-miss-it” performances. (There’s another Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena, where the season starts earlier.) All shows are free.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/7:
LIFE ON WILSHIRE, 6311 Wilshire Bl, L.A. 90048; 323-651-5433; www.lifeonwilshire.com. Dinner seating starts at 6:30 pm. Upscale, usually elevator jazz, but sometimes something really good.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/14:
LOST SOULS CAFÉ, 124 E 4th St (down the gated alley), downtown L.A.; 213-617-7006; www.lostsouls.com. This place is spotty. Used to host a weekly acoustic series hosted by the late banjo maestro and “Grand Duke of Hoboes” Fred Starner.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/4:
M'DEAR'S, 7717 S Western Av (78th & Western), L.A. 90047; www.mdears.com; 323-759-2020. Tonight’s not the scheduled night for the blues series, but you might find somethin’ good here, anyway.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
THE MINT, 6010 W Pico Bl, L.A.; 323-954-9630; www.themintla.com. One of L.A.’s most famous music halls, their bookings include stars from the Austin music scene and elsewhere from the alt-country and honky-tonky sides of Americana.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
MOLLY MALONE'S, 575 S Fairfax Av, L.A. 90036; www.mollymalonesla.com; 323-935-1577. Another of L.A.’s most famous music halls, bookings here do include Irish bands and Celtic rock, along with string or keyboard-based local singer-songwriters (and their bands) who play the festival circuit. And you’ll find musicians from the Austin music scene, and elsewhere, who do alt-country and Americana, and even some other brands of folk-Americana.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/7:
PIANO BAR, 6429 Selma Av. L.A. 90028; 323-466-2750.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/7:
REDWOOD BAR & GRILL, 316 W 2nd St (between Broadway and Hill), downtown L.A. 90012; www.theredwoodbar.com. Scene here is heavily inclusive of Americana and alt country bands, and how could be otherwise, as the veritable home base for PHIL ALVIN (THE BLASTERS).

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
ROOM 5, 143 N La Brea Bl (2nd Floor, above Amalfi Ristorante), L.A.; 323-938-2504; www.amalfiristorante.com. A good track record with booking indie artists, individually, in duos, and with small bands, for acoustic and not-too-loud electric shows. Easy to find acoustic renaissance music here from up-and-coming performers and a few who have “been there, done that.” This venue is upstairs, above Amalfi Ristorante, from whose full menu you can order, if you ask for it in place of the limited bar menu. There’s no elevator for handicapped access. It’s an upscale, cozy atmosphere with affordable food, full bar.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/7:
SEVEN GRAND, 515 W 7th St (2nd floor), downtown L.A. 90014; www.sevengrand.la. Trendy and upscale, known for expensive booze, sometimes with good music.

Los Angeles; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
THE VARNISH, 118 E Sixth St, downtown Los Angeles 90014; 213-622-9999; www.thevarnishbar.com. Upscale; good piano performers, some other interesting music.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

MARINA DEL REY (See “Santa Monica / Venice / Marina Del Rey / Playa Del Rey / West L.A.”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

MONROVIA (See “Arcadia / Covina / Monrovia / San Gabriel / Sierra Madre”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

NEWHALL (See “Santa Clarita / Newhall / Saugus”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

NORTH HOLLYWOOD (See “San Fernando Valley” listings)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

ORANGE COUNTY

Anaheim; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/7:
THE DOLL HUT, 107 S Adams, Anaheim 92802; 714-533-1286. Venue is 21+. Usually rock / alt rock, sometimes quieter music.

Anaheim; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/5:
HOUSE OF BLUES - ANAHEIM, 1530 S Disneyland Dr, Anaheim; www.hob.com; 714-778-2583. Rarely are the shows here acoustic, and they aren’t all that dedicated to the blues, either.

Fullerton; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
STEAMERS JAZZ CLUB & CAFÉ, 138 W Commonwealth, Fullerton 92832; 714-871-8800; www.steamersjazz.com. They include bluesy jazz and some traditional swing jazz in their bookings here.

Huntington Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/5:
FITZGERALD'S, 19171 Magnolia St, Huntington Beach; 714-968-4523.

Laguna Beach; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
MARINE ROOM TAVERN, 214 Ocean Av, Laguna Beach; 949-494-3027.

Mission Viejo; 1st SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
SONGMAKERS “ORANGE COUNTY HOOT” monthly in Mission Viejo; Usually 6 pm-midnight, sometimes 8 pm-midnight. Info, www.songmakers.org/hoots/orange_county_hoot.htm and www.songmakers.org. Location, David Borger & Ann Carroll, OrangeCountyHoot@songmakers.org.

Orange County, various locations; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
“JUST PLAIN FOLKS ORANGE COUNTY” weekly “Group Singing,” sponsored by the local chapter of the international Just Plain Folks, 7-9 pm; info & location, go to www.JPFolks.org.


San Clemente; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/2:
IVA LEE'S in San Clemente. Scene of the alternate Saturdays, 6:30 pm solo residency by bluesman BERNIE PEARL on guitar and vocals (DWAYNE SMITH on piano joins Bernie on the second Saturday of each month). Call venue to verify this is one of those “every-other” Saturdays. Artist info, www.berniepearl.com.

San Juan Capistrano; SATURDAY’S ODDS 7/8:
THE COACH HOUSE, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano; 949-496-8927; www.thecoachhouse.com. A long-famous South OC venue that’s hosted many folk-Americana and non-Nashville country stars. It’s easy to find a good show here.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

PALM DESERT;

PALM SPRINGS;

PALMDALE / LANCASTER (See “Deserts & Beyond”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

PASADENA / SOUTH PASADENA / EAGLE ROCK

(Also check “Altadena” venues.)

Pasadena; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/7:
BOSTON COURT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; www.bostoncourt.org 626-683-6883. Scene of the annual “SPRING MUSIC SERIES” on Saturdays, mid-May to early June. Series brings folk, jazz, classical, opera, or electronic. Well worth checking the venue’s web site.

Pasadena; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
HUNTINGTON HOTEL bar, 1401 S Oak Knoll Av, Pasadena; 626-568-3900. Scene of the longtime residency by MISS MICKEY CHAMPION. L.A.’s legendary blueswoman plays an every-Fri & Sat residency here. Artist info: www.mickeychampion.net. Start time varies; call venue.

Pasadena; SATURDAY’S ODDS (Summer only) 4/7:
LEVITT PAVILION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS - PASADENA, Memorial Park, 85 E Holly St, (really Raymond & Walnut), Pasadena 91103; www.levittpavilionpasadena.org; 626-683-3230. Ride the Gold Line light rail to Memorial Park Station. The Levitt summer series assigns a different recurring theme to each night, and more-or-less follows that theme every week. It’s almost always a nationally-touring act, sometimes with an L.A.-based opener. The season always brings a few “don’t-miss-it” performances. (There’s another Levitt Pavilion in L.A’s MacArthur Park, where the season runs a few weeks later. That’s in The Scene’s L.A. listings.)
This Pasadena venue, in addition to the Levitt series, is also home to the “PASADENA CONCERTS IN THE PARK” series – which is NOT listed on the Levitt website, but presents four to six shows here; check with the PASADENA SENIOR CENTER for info on the all-ages, often youth-friendly shows (with first-rate musicians) that are NOT in the Levitt series.
All shows here are free, with exception of an annual season-opening Levitt benefit concert. Vendors have food at both series, or bring a picnic, but no alcohol allowed.

Pasadena; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
OLD TOWNE PUB, 66 N Fair Oaks Av, Pasadena; 626-577-6583. This fun little bar, hard to find down a couple of intersecting alleys, has a spotty record with music. They’ve hosted some of L.A.’s best alt country and rootsy bands along with globe-trotting singer-songwriters; and they’ve been known to bring-in some strange stuff (and that’s being kind to the latter).

Pasadena; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/5:
PARKWAY GRILL, 510 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena 91105; reservations recommended, 626-795-1001. Piano-based acts and more play here, but not every night.

Pasadena; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/7:
PASADENA FARMER'S MARKET in Victory Park, E of Altadena Drive, a few blocks N of the 210 Fwy. Scene of the 8:30 am (start time) free music series, sometimes with the DARK & STORMY BAND (with the HINKLEY SOARING duo of PETE KALMUS & SHARON KUNDE). More at http://myspace.com/petekalmus. Pete was among the winners in mandolin at the 2009 Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest, and they’ve headlined at the Coffee Gallery Backstage. Pete says, “There's no way I'm getting out and playing music 8:30 am every Saturday,” so check his myspace page to see if they’ll be there. Sharon plays flute. Free.

Pasadena; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/7:
PASADENA JAZZ INSTITUTE, upper terrace at Paseo Colorado, 260 E Colorado Bl, Suite 206, Pasadena 91107; 626-398-3344; www.pasjazz.org. Too often, it’s the kind of jazz that folkies despise, with endlessly repetitive 4-note motif saxophone excursions done in the name of “improvisation.” But sometimes, good things can happen in this very beautiful venue with its 40-foot.

South Pasadena; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/3:
FIREFLY BISTRO, 1009 El Centro St, South Pasadena 91030; www.eatatfirefly.com; 626-441-2443.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

POMONA (See “Claremont / Pomona”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

REDONDO BEACH (See “Hermosa Beach / Redondo Beach”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Oak Glen; 1st SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/4:
RILEY’S AT LOS RIOS RANCHO at, in the beautiful hills of Oak Glen above Yucaipa and Beaumont; info & tix, 909-797-1005 or www.losriosrancho.com. Scene of the monthly, 6 pm, “HOMETOWN JAMBOREE” show & jam. They tell us, “Folks can tuck into a tasty meal and enjoy a hand-clappin', knee-slappin', toe-tappin' good time as RILEY'S MOUNTAINEERS and special guest performers pick, fiddle and sing their favorite old-time bluegrass, western, and gospel tunes, as well as a few surprises along the way. Guest musicians are always welcome to tote along an instrument or two and join in the free-wheeling jam after the show. You never know who'll turn up, or what you'll hear next!” No shows in December and July. Jamborees start at 6 pm. Advance tix $15 adults, $10 kids age 12 & under.

Temecula; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/8:
THE MERCANTILE, 42051 Main St, Temecula 92590; 951-491-9053. Scene of several themed music series. Info and schedules, www.LiveattheMerc.com. Tix at www.temeculatheater.org. One of Temecula's beautifully restored original buildings, it now serves as a performance venue that hosts music four days each week. More info, schedules on events in Temecula, at www.cityoftemecula.org/temecula/presents/merc.aspx.

Trabuco Canyon; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/4:
COOK’S CORNER, 19152 Santiago Cyn Rd / 19122 El Toro Rd, Trabuco Cyn 92679; 949-858-0266; www.cookscorners.com; same place, two entrances, two addresses. A happening place in the middle of nowhere.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

(Includes Burbank, Chatsworth, Glendale, San Fernando, Universal City, Woodland Hills, and all individually-named parts of the City of Los Angeles that are in “The Valley”)

Burbank; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
JOE’S GREAT AMERICAN BAR AND GRILL, 4311 W Magnolia Bl, Burbank 91505; 818-729-0805; www.rootsatjoes.com - www.myspace.com/rootsatjoes - www.danceatjoes.com. This place hosts a lot of good stuff, from the monthly “Ronnie Mack’s Barn Dance” to harmonica-based blues acts and bands with fiddles and banjos. Very worth checking it out, any night.

Burbank; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/4:
THE OFFICE, 3516 W Victory Bl (at Hollywood Wy), Burbank.

Burbank; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/7:
VIVA FRESH CANTINA (aka Viva Cantina), 900 Riverside Dr (next to L.A. Equestrian Center), Burbank; 818-845-2425 or 818-515-4444; www.vivacantina.com. Really, on any given night, you might find a very good Americana or honky-tonk or traditionally-based band in the house here. There’s a full bar, good Mexican food, main restaurant in back, restaurant service / table seating for the stage in front, plus a patio with bar service.

Chatsworth; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
COWBOY PALACE, 21635 Devonshire St, Chatsworth; 818-341-0166. Live music and country dancing here every night, preceded by free dance lessons (tonight is “free line / couple dance lessons with Charlotte,” 7-9 pm). You’ve seen this place in dozens of movies. You’ll think you’re in Texas. No cover at L.A.’s last real honky-tonk.

Canoga Park; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/9:
GUITAR MERCHANT, 7503 Topanga Cyn Bl, Canoga Park 91303; 818-884-5905. The music store’s concert hall, the VERITY ROOM, has come under the control of an alt rock booker, most nights. Still, some first-rate singer-songwriter concerts are here, just not as often.

Glendale; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
THE BIG FISH, 5230 San Fernando Rd, Glendale; 818-244-6442. A longtime landmark, hosting blues and some bluesy jazz in its mix of bookings.

Glendale; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
THE SCENE, 806 E Colorado Bl (at Everett), Glendale 91205; 818-241-7029.

North Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/4:
BAKED POTATO, 3787 Cahuenga Bl, North Hollywood; 818-980-1615. This is one of those storied venues that dates from the ’60s and is still at it. Some fine acoustic singer-songwriters turn up here in a rather eclectic mix that’s become jazz-heavy.

North Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/3:
CAHUENGA GENERAL STORE (aka HALLENBECK’S), 5510 Cahuenga Bl, North Hollywood 91601; www.MySpace.com/CahuengaGeneralStore; 818-985-5916. Overall scene here: Not as active, musically, as it used to be, but still the place with the coolest interior décor of any folk-friendly establishment in Southern Cal. Venue offers sandwiches, coffeehouse fare. Cover varies, but there’s one in force now, every night they have music. Check ’em out to see what’s up on other nights.

North Hollywood / Valley Village; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
KULAK'S WOODSHED, scene of 8-10 pm Saturday night acoustic concerts by one or more featured recording artists, singer-songwriters or bands, at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood; 818-766-9913; info/web simulcast at www.kulakswoodshed.com.
Any night the place is open, you may find big stars playing here. It’s a wacky and charming space. This place is unique, in a most appropriate use of the word. PAUL KULAK’s post-beatnik listening room has few seats, sort of dropped wherever there was room to set them, and some patrons sprawl with their dogs on the queen-size bed or the deep couch, or perch atop barstools. It figures that the green room is open to everybody, and many people bring snacks to share there, with $ donation baskets for the venue. Attend or catch the 5-camera web simulcast – watchers are a loyal cadre, globally, whose emails are read during the show. All artists here donate their performances to support the venue, which is in a permanent fund-raising mode. (And they sometimes host fundraisers for other causes.) They ask $10 in lieu of an actual cover charge.

North Hollywood; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/7:
UNIVERSAL BAR & GRILL, 4093 Lankershim Bl, North Hollywood; 818-766-2114; www.universalbarandgrill.net. Between the NoHo theatre district, which is conspicuously devoid of music, and Universal CityWalk, there’s this friendly little youth-oriented (21+) pub and music scene. Mostly alt rock, sometimes punky, it still has some fine and fun nights with blues, blues-rock, acoustic renaissance, and other good stuff. Free street parking; not on CityWalk.

Northridge; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/3:
TANGO D'AMORE, 19524 Nordhoff St #3, Northridge 91324; shared parking with Guitar Center; 818-727-7399; www.tangodamore.com.

Sherman Oaks; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/5:
ARNIE’S CAFÉ, 15245 Burbank Bl, Sherman Oaks 91411; 818-781-7009; www.arniescafe.com & www.myspace.com/arniescafe. Venue serves complete dinners, specializes in Italian food, and has good coffeehouse treats and beverages. This is the music-friendly Italian restaurant that moved from Tujunga. Last we knew, you can bring your own wine with no corking charge.

Sherman Oaks; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/5:
CAFÉ CORDIALE, 14015 Ventura Bl, Sherman Oaks 91423; dinner reservations, 818-789-1985; info, www.cafecordiale.com/music.html; www.myspace.com/cordiale. Music of some kind is here most nights, may be of any genre, but it’s usually very good. Dinner served all evening; plenty of private tables, though you should come early and eat to assure your seat for the music. (Same strategy for a stool at the full bar.) All ages, free parking, no cover.

Sherman Oaks; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
COZY'S, 14058 Ventura Bl (at Hazeltine), Sherman Oaks; 818-986-6000.

Sherman Oaks; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/10:
SPAZIO’S, 14755 Ventura Bl, Sherman Oaks 91403; 818-728-8400; www.spazio.la. Hardcore jazz, and seldom of a rootsy-traditional kind. Upscale.

Studio City; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/5:
VITELLO'S (“Upstairs at Vitello's”), 4349 Tujunga Av, Studio City 91604; reservations, 818-769-0905; www.vitellosrestaurant.com. One artist who plays piano here calls it a “Great place for Italian grub.” The venue is usually jazz, might be contemporary, might be bluesy or trad swing jazz, or a good piano-based act.

Tarzana; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/7:
THE SUGARMILL SALOON, 18389 Ventura Bl, Tarzana. Venue has dance floor, full bar, catered food.

Toluca Lake; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/7:
LUCY'S 51, 10149 Riverside Dr (just E of Cahuenga, at Forman), Toluca Lake.

Universal City; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/4:
B.B. KING'S, Universal City Walk, 2nd level, Universal City; 818-622-5464. They often book big name acts, but they’re not all that dependably bluesy. Check to see who’s playing, before you go and spend for parking. And while you’re there, look for officially-sanctioned CityWalk street performer CHELSEA WILLIAMS, a fine songwriter, singing and playing her six-string.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SAN GABRIEL (See “Arcadia / Covina / Monrovia / San Gabriel / Sierra Madre”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO (See “Orange County”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SAN PEDRO

(Also see separate listings for “Hermosa Beach / Redondo Beach” and “Long Beach”)

San Pedro; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/5:
SACRED GROUNDS COFFEEHOUSE & ART GALLERY, 468 W 6th St, San Pedro 90731; 310-514-0800. A local music hangout.

San Pedro; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/5:
WHALE AND ALE, 327 W 7th St, San Pedro; 310-832-0363; www.whaleandale.com. No cover charge if you are a patron at the bar or there for dinner. Venue has music some weeknights and weekends, including periodic residencies. Some offerings are acoustic string-based, some piano-based, some bands, and sometimes it gets retrorock electric.

San Pedro; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/5:
Historic WARNER GRAND THEATER, aka Warner Grand Performance Space, and the GRAND ANNEX, 434 W 6th St, San Pedro 90731; www.grandvision.org; 310-833-4813. These are affiliated venues, the former a giant old movie palace, restored as a live venue for music, plays, musicals and the occasional art film or guest lecturer, the latter an intimate 100-seat venue that books an eclectic, but nearly all acoustic, music series. A dedicated foundation and community support are behind it all. Many offerings each season attract people from all over Southern California. Most concerts here, in either venue, are Saturdays and Sundays.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY

Santa Barbara; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/5:
COLD SPRING TAVERN, 5995 Stagecoach Rd (near San Marcos Pass), Santa Barbara 93105; Restaurant reservations 805-967-0066; www.coldspringtavern.com. Some evening music, and they host music in the daytime on weekends,

Santa Barbara; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/5:
PARADISE STORE, N of Santa Barbara, is the scene of Wednesday & Thursday 4 pm-to-late bluegrass / mountain music jams and they host music in the daytime on weekends. Music here is not as often on weekend nights, but may be hoppin’ on weekend afternoons. The store is 9.5 mi N of Santa Barbara on Hwy 154, right on Paradise Rd, 1/2 mile to the store. Directions, www.paradisestoresb.com/directions.asp. More, www.paradisestoresb.com/entertainment.asp?cmth=2&cyer=2009.

Santa Barbara; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/7:
SOhO RESTAURANT & MUSIC CLUB, 1221 State St, Santa Barbara 93101; 805-962-7776; www.sohosb.com. This is the place that Santa Barbara is lucky to have. They book lots of great music, both legendary artists and those on their way to earning that status, and they book the place so well that many music lovers and musicians find it worth fighting traffic from L.A. to get there. Always worth checking their schedule so you can start making plans.

Santa Barbara; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
TRINITY BACKSTAGE COFFEEHOUSE, 1500 State St, Santa Barbara 93101; www.trinitybackstage.com. The coffeehouse that could, and did, and does, book name-brand folkies, passing through on tour.

Santa Barbara; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/4:
TUPELO JUNCTION CAFE, 1218 State St, Santa Barbara; 805-899-3900 for dinner reservations. Venue has full bar and food. No cover.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SANTA CLARITA / NEWHALL / SAUGUS

Newhall; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/5:
EL TROCADERO, 24274 Main St (at Market), Newhall 91321; 661-284-6615; www.eltrocaderosteakhouse.com. They book some Saturday night music. Don’t get lost looking for the place: many maps show the street name as San Fernando Road; the part where the venue is located was renamed Main Street in 2007.

Newhall; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
VINCENZO’S PIZZA, 24500 Lyons Ave, Newhall; 661-259-6733. (Lyons exit, just off I-5.) The GRATEFUL DUDES play their long-running weekly bluegrass concert at 7:30-10:30 pm. They often have very impressive performing guests.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SANTA MONICA / VENICE / MARINA DEL REY / PLAYA DEL REY / WEST L.A.

Marina Del Rey; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
BRENNAN’S IRISH PUB, 4089 Lincoln Bl, Marina Del Rey; www.brennanspub-la.com; 310-821-6622.

Playa Del Rey; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
CANTALINI'S, 193 Culver Bl, Playa Del Rey; 310-821-0018; www.cantalinis.com. This place has some interesting bookings, including Grammy-winner IAN WHITCOMB with his band of nineteen-teens & ’20s proto jazz and charming old time music players. Worth checking to see what’s cooking.

Santa Monica; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
CLUB GOOD HURT, 12249 Venice Bl, Santa Monica 90066; 310-390-1076.

Santa Monica; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/7:
FINN McCOOL, 2702 Main St, Santa Monica; 310-452-1734.

Santa Monica; SATURDAY’S ODDS 5/7:
HARVELLE'S, 1432 Fourth St, Santa Monica; 310-395-1676. Music start times vary; call venue.

Santa Monica; SATURDAY’S ODDS 9/10:
McCABE’S, aka McCABE’S GUITAR SHOP, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. Usually active as a concert venue on Friday and Saturday evenings, they do book an occasional Thursday or Sunday show. McCabe’s Concert Series kept the torch burning for legendary folk-Americana musicians for decades when other venues were exclusively rock, or (gasp) disco. Though every show here isn’t acoustic, nearly all are, and most feature top touring artists. They tend to add shows to what seems to be a full Friday/Saturday schedule, so check their website often or get on their email list. Concert Office inquiries: mccabesconcerts@gmail.com; Kids' Concerts inquiries, mpalma2@ca.rr.com.

Santa Monica; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
RUSTY'S SURF RANCH, 256 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica; www.rustyssurfranch.com; 310-393-7386 / 310-393-7437. A famous venue, mostly owing to its location a short way onto the historic old pier, where it’s automatically the watering hole after every “Twilight Dance Series” summertime show. They do book some good acts here, and were the scene of a famous 2010 post-L.A. Marathon show, wherein lead singer KELLY ZIRBES joined her band, KELLY’S LOT, on stage immediately after completing the 26.2 mile run.

Santa Monica; 1st SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
SANTA MONICA SYNAGOGUE, 1448 18th St (corner of 18th & Broadway), Santa Monica. Scene of the monthly, 7:30-11:30 pm, “SANTA MONICA TRADITIONAL FOLK MUSIC CLUB” music gathering. Info, coordinator April Halprin Wayland, 310-376-8760, Aprilstory@aol.com; www.santamonicafolkmusicclub.org.

Santa Monica; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
“SHAPE NOTE / SACRED HARP – “The Learners Group” every week, 4-6 pm, in Santa Monica. Call Laura for location, 310-450-3516.

Santa Monica; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/7:
UNURBAN CAFÉ / COFFEE HOUSE, 3301 Pico Bl (at 33rd), Santa Monica; 310-315-0056; www.unurban.com. The Unurban is “a free thinking, all ages, speakeasy-style coffee house, with food for vegetarians and deli lovers alike, and the usual coffeehouse fare.” Just down the street from McCabe’s, plenty of musicians gravitate here and create a fun scene most nights. Watch where you park, or you’ll get a veeery expensive ticket.

Venice; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
AC LOUNGE, aka AIR CONDITIONED LOUNGE / SUPPER CLUB, 625 Lincoln Bl (3 blks S of Rose Av), Venice 90291; 310-230-5343; www.airconditionedlounge.com or www.airconditionedbar.com/venice. Venue has full bar, is 21+.

Venice; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/7:
STRONGHOLD SPEAKEASY, 1625 Abbot Kinney Bl, Venice 90291; 310-399-7200. Venue is a jeans / apparel shop during the day and an evening 21+ music venue with two bars.

Venice; 1st SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
THE TALKING STICK, 1411c Lincoln Bl, Venice 92091; www.thetalkingstick.net; 310-450-6052. Scene of the monthly, 8-10 pm, “JUKE JOINT GANG” show, an evening of fine acoustic roots music, with four acts, each playing a 30-min set. Hosted by 2009 Kerrville Folk Festival “New Folk Award” winner ERNEST TROOST, sometimes with LAUREN ADAMS, who have each performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” Venue has coffeehouse fare, good sandwiches, salads, soup. No cover.
Background on venue: It’s the scene of lots of local acoustic music and monthly series and sometimes a touring artist or two. Venue has coffeehouse fare and good sandwiches. Was named as co-winner for “Best Free (no cover) Acoustic Music Venue” in a recent FolkWorks’ annual review – though some events charge cover. Almost always all ages.

West L.A.; SATURDAY’S ODDS 2/7:
THE JOINT, 8771 W Pico Bl (at Robertson), West L.A.; 310-275-2619. Bookings here are getting much more interesting, especially for blues-Americana artists and fans.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Temecula; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
THE MERCANTILE, 42051 Main St, Temecula 92590. Scene of TWO Saturday series, one in the afternoon, one in the evening.
Every Saturday afternoon 2:30 pm “GOSPEL AT THE MERC” series. It’s “a variety show and features traditional, contemporary and jazz influenced Gospel music. Each week will showcase different soloists and Gospel mime dancers,” in a series presented by Lillian Crawford. Series info, www.americantowns.com/ca/temecula/events/gospel-at-the-merc-2009-07-18
Every Saturday at 7 & 9 pm (two shows) is the “COUNTRY AT THE MERC” music series where, “country band THE RANCH ROCKERS plays current country music to back-up multiple performers in an Opry-style.” Series info & tix, www.temeculatheater.org.
The Merc is one of Temecula's beautifully restored original buildings, The Merc now serves as a performance venue that hosts music four days each week. Gen’l admission, $15; seniors, students, military discounts available.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SAUGUS (See “Santa Clarita / Newhall / Saugus”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SHERMAN OAKS (See “San Fernando Valley” listings)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SIERRA MADRE (See “Arcadia / Covina / Monrovia / San Gabriel / Sierra Madre”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SIGNAL HILL (See “Long Beach / Signal Hill”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SILVERLAKE

Silverlake (Los Angeles); SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/5:
SPACELAND, 1717 Silverlake Bl, Silverlake; 213-833-2843. Primarily rock, but a fair amount of acoustic renaissance and some rootsy Americana happens here, and when it does, it’s always first-rate, even when you’re hearing someone for the first time.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SOUTH PASADENA (See “Pasadena / South Pasadena / Eagle Rock”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

TEHACHAPI (See “Deserts & Beyond”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

TEMECULA (See “Riverside County” listings)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

THOUSAND OAKS / AGOURA / AGOURA HILLS

Agoura Hills; SATURDAY’S ODDS 4/5:
THE CANYON CLUB, 28912 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills; www.canyonclub.net; 818-879-5016. Big supper club with a cavernous interior. Nationally-touring acts are often booked here. To have a guaranteed seat for a show, you need to make reservations and eat dinner. Otherwise, expect to stand.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

TOPANGA

Topanga; SATURDAY’S ODDS 3/7:
ABUELITA'S, 137 S Topanga Canyon Bl, Topanga; www.abuelitastopanga.com; 310-455-8788. They book somewhat eclectically, but hey, it’s Topanga (and either that’s enough to make the point, or it isn’t). We should add that they do book conscientiously and care about what they put on their stage. Venue serves Mexican food, has full bar.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

TUJUNGA (See “Sunland / Tujunga”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

VENICE (See “Santa Monica / Venice / Playa Del Rey / West L.A.” listings)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

VENTURA COUNTY

Camarillo; SATURDAY’S ODDS 1/1:
RARE BLENDS CAFE, courtyard, 4101 Las Posas Rd (next to Camarillo Library), Camarillo. Info, 805-682-4718. Scene of the weekly, 1-3 pm “ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC.” Geared for singer-songwriters and instrumentalists. Sign-ups at 12:30 pm. Rain cancels, because it’s outdoors. Free.

Ventura; SATURDAY’S ODDS 9/10:
ZOEY’S CAFÉ, new location, 185 E Santa Clara St, Ventura 93001, with some shows at “The Lodge,” 11 S Ash St, Ventura; advance tix & info, www.zoeyscafe.com; 805-652-1137 or 805-652-0091.

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

WEST HOLLYWOOD (See “Hollywood / West Hollywood” listings)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

WEST LOS ANGELES (See “Santa Monica / Venice / Playa Del Rey / West L.A.” listings)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

YUCAIPA (See “Riverside County”)

||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||


PART TWO: RECURRING EVENTS - First Saturday of every month in 2011


TWENTY-SEVEN (27 !) RECURRING EVENTS & RESIDENCIES HAPPEN TODAY & TONIGHT, the recurring events for “First Saturdays” of the month.

While these are included in Part One, here they are presented in more detail, and listed by START TIME, regardless of location.

These include weekly and monthly residencies, series, showcases, workshops, open mics and other regularly-scheduled acoustic music events from northern Santa Barbara County to south Orange County, from downtown L.A. to the valleys to the Inland Empire, from the desert to the sea.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat:
8-10:30 am FREE ACOUSTIC CONCERT at Strings Music Store, 146 N Glendora Av, Ste 101, Glendora 91741; 626-914 4100. Sometimes featuring VIN FIZ FLYER. Another in a series of MORNING concerts. Free entertainment, tips only, in a great place, with nice people and good music. Vin Fiz Flyer tells us, “Old town Glendora is a kinda sleepy small Midwest town plopped into Southern California. These early morning concerts sound like a wacky idea, but they’re well-attended by musicians as well as music lovers! A car club meets at the Cafe next door every Saturday for breakfast, and they park their assorted ‘babies’ out front for you to peruse too. Come on by and start your weekend out right.” Check with venue to see if there is a concert scheduled for today.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, recurring:
8:30 am DARK & STORMY BAND (with the HINKLEY SOARING duo of PETE KALMUS & SHARON KUNDE) bring their catchy songs and voices to the Pasadena Farmer's Market in Victory Park, E of Altadena Drive, a few blocks N of the 210 Fwy. More at http://myspace.com/petekalmus. Pete was among the winners in mandolin at the 2009 Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest, and they’ve headlined at the Coffee Gallery Backstage. Pete says, “There's no way I'm getting out and playing music 8:30 am every Saturday,” so check Pete’s myspace page to see if they’ll be there. Sharon plays flute. Free.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, repeats every Sat:
11 am-12:30 pm “PACIFIC SONGWRITERS WORKSHOP” with G. F. MLELY, at Theater & Cabaret, 1535 Termino Av, Long Beach 90804. Info, Billie Kalua, songwriters@jazcraft.net or 562-494-9627. Ongoing, began Mar 31, 2007. $15 per workshop, minimum 4 workshops payable in advance; pre-registration required.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, 1st Sat every month:
Noon-4:30 pm monthly “ACOUSTIC JAM” usually draws very good musicians, hosted by TOM FAIR, often joined by BILL BURNETTE (Backboners), and DUANE THORIN (“Sole Rustler” from the Bohemian Soul Rustlers) at Oh Happy Days Natural Food Grocery & Café, 2283 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; www.geocities.com/ohdonline; 626-797-0383. Expect (and bring) folk, sing-along folk, acoustic rock, acoustic soul music, and upbeat original tunes. Venue is a health food store and vegan restaurant, offering lunchtime fare of tasty and wonderful vegetarian soups and plates (get the daily combo plate, endorsed by your editor, or great soup is $2.50 for a bowl), as well as organic shelf goods. Bill Burnette adds, “Fun sing-along folk stuff, no mics and all. It is just such a great bunch there, and John the owner is one of the true saints of Altadena. Just fun. And music is mainly for that, even if you are someone who is serious about your music.” Tom says, “There’s no charge for the music, but we may pass the hat.” Info, 323-627-0662.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat, in Camarillo:
1-3 pm “ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC” in the courtyard of Rare Blends Cafe, 4101 Las Posas Rd (next to Camarillo Library), Camarillo. Info, 805-682-4718. Geared for singer-songwriters and instrumentalists. Sign-ups at 12:30 pm. Rain cancels, because it’s outdoors. Free.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat, in Temecula:
2:30 pm “GOSPEL AT THE MERC” music series at The Mercantile, 42051 Main St, Temecula 92590. Every Saturday afternoon, it’s “a variety show and features traditional, contemporary and jazz influenced Gospel music. Each week will showcase different soloists and Gospel mime dancers,” in a series presented by Lillian Crawford. Series info, www.americantowns.com/ca/temecula/events/gospel-at-the-merc-2009-07-18
One of Temecula's beautifully restored original buildings, The Merc now serves as a performance venue that hosts music four days each week. Gen’l admission, $15; srs/student.military discounts available.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, recurring:
4-6 pm SHAPE NOTE / SACRED HARP, “The Learners Group” in Santa Monica. Call Laura for location: 310-450-3516.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, 1st Sat every month:
4 pm “CHARITY AUCTION” at Amoeba Music, 6400 Sunset Bl, Hollywood; 323-245-6400. Host Brently Heilbron presides over the event, bringing a good time and money for a variety of charitable causes.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, 1st Sat every month; in Oak Glen:
6 pm monthly “HOMETOWN JAMBOREE” show & jam at Riley’s at Los Rios Rancho, in the beautiful hills of Oak Glen above Yucaipa and Beaumont; info & tix, 909-797-1005 or www.losriosrancho.com. They tell us, “Folks can tuck into a tasty meal and enjoy a hand-clappin', knee-slappin', toe-tappin' good time as RILEY'S MOUNTAINEERS and special guest performers pick, fiddle and sing their favorite old-time bluegrass, western, and gospel tunes, as well as a few surprises along the way. Guest musicians are always welcome to tote along an instrument or two and join in the free-wheeling jam after the show. You never know who'll turn up, or what you'll hear next!” No shows in Dec and July. Jamborees start at 6 pm. Advance tix $15 adults, $10 kids age 12 & under.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, 1st Sat, every month; in OC:
6 pm-midnight SONGMAKERS “ORANGE COUNTY HOOT” in Mission Viejo; sometimes this is 8 pm-midnight. Info, www.songmakers.org/hoots/orange_county_hoot.htm and www.songmakers.org. More, contact David Borger & Ann Carroll, OrangeCountyHoot@songmakers.org.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, repeats on alternate Saturdays, in South OC:
6:30 pm Bluesman BERNIE PEARL solo at Iva Lee's in San Clemente for a new alternate Friday night gig. Bernie continues there with DWAYNE SMITH (on piano) the second Sat of each month, and Bernie plays solo on alternate Saturdays. Call venue to verify this is one of those “every-other” Saturdays. Artist info, www.berniepearl.com.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat:
6:30-10:30 pm Weekly BLUEGRASS CONCERT at Me ‘n’ Ed’s Pizza Parlor, 4115 Paramount Bl (at Carson), Lakewood; 562-421-8908.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat, in OC:
7-9 pm “JUST PLAIN FOLKS ORANGE COUNTY” Group Singing, sponsored by the local chapter of the international Just Plain Folks; for info & loc, go to www.JPFolks.org.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat, in Palmdale:
7 pm ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE at Butler's Coffee, 40125 10th St.West, Suite I, Palmdale 93551; 661-272-9530. Butler's owners, Pam & David Logan, are long-time lovers and supporters of acoustic music. Indeed, Pam is an accomplished musician and a member of the BROWNE SISTERS, Celtic festival favorites who earned a “Listener Favorite” on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” The venue serves food and drink, featuring fresh-roasted coffee, in a rich, comfortable setting. Butler's music guy, Kevin Burton Smith, has had great success in attracting excellent acoustic music to Butler's.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat, in Temecula:
7 & 9 pm “COUNTRY AT THE MERC” music series at The Mercantile, 42051 Main St, Temecula 92590. Every Saturday night, “country band THE RANCH ROCKERS plays current country music to back-up multiple performers in an Opry-style.” Series info & tix, www.temeculatheater.org. The Merc is one of Temecula's beautifully restored original buildings that now serves as a performance venue, hosting live music four days each week. The 9 pm performances feature mature subject matter, so parental discretion is advised at the late show. Gen’l admission, $15; srs/student.military discounts available.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, runs mid-May to early June, annually:
Annual “SPRING MUSIC SERIES” at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; www.bostoncourt.org 626-683-6883. Series brings folk, jazz, classical, opera, or electronic. Well worth checking the venue’s web site.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, 1st Sat every month:
7:30-11 pm “FIRST SATURDAY CONTRA DANCE” with THE SCREAMING EARWIGS the merry acoustic band of TOM SAUBER, PATRICK SAUBER, STEVE LEWIS, & MIKE SAUBER, playing the 1st-Sat-of-every-month contra dance at the Brentwood Youth House, 731 S Bundy Dr (just S of San Vincente). Instruction at 7:30, dance from 8-11 pm.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat:
7:30-10:30 pm GRATEFUL DUDES weekly bluegrass concert at Vincenzo’s Pizza, 24500 Lyons Ave, Newhall; 661-259-6733. (Lyons exit, just off I-5.) This a long-running series, often with very impressive performing guests.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat:
7:30 pm “RANCH PARTY” evening of country & Americana roots music performances, on the West Patio Stage, Original Farmers Market, 3rd & Fairfax, L.A. Presented by EB’s Beer & Wine Bar. Performers have included DAVID SERBY, GRANT LANGSTON, 29 MULES, BOB WOODRUFF, OLD BULL, PSYCHEDELIC COWBOYS, PAUL CHESNE, NICOLE GORDON, and BUCKSWORTH. Parking: 2 hours free with validation from EB’s Beer & Wine Bar. $3 for the third hour; $1 for each additional 20 minutes; $15 max. Addt’l parking at The Grove, next door. Get validation for their structure from Grove merchants. No cover.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, 1st Sat every month:
7:30-11:30 pm “SANTA MONICA TRADITIONAL FOLK MUSIC CLUB” at Santa Monica Synagogue, 1448 18th St (corner of 18th & Broadway), Santa Monica. Info, coordinator April Halprin Wayland, 310-376-8760, Aprilstory@aol.com; www.santamonicafolkmusicclub.org.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat:
MISS MICKEY CHAMPION at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel bar, 1401 S Oak Knoll Av, Pasadena; 626-568-3900. L.A.’s legendary blueswoman plays an every-Fri & Sat residency. Artist info: www.mickeychampion.net. Start time varies; call venue.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, 1st Sat every month:
8-10 pm monthly “JUKE JOINT GANG” show at the venue named in FolkWorks as co-winner for “Best Free (no cover) Acoustic Music Venue,” The Talking Stick, 1411c Lincoln Bl, Venice 92091; 310-450-6052; www.thetalkingstick.net. This monthly event is specifically cited as a reason for the venue’s 2008 co-win in FolkWorks. It’s an evening of fine acoustic roots music, with four acts, each playing a 30-min set. Hosted by 2009 Kerrville Folk Festival “New Folk Award” winner ERNEST TROOST, sometimes with LAUREN ADAMS, who have each performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” Venue has coffeehouse fare, good sandwiches, salads, soup. No cover.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat:
8-10 pm ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE, singer-songwriter or band, at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood; 818-766-9913; info / web simulcast at www.kulakswoodshed.com - named for “Best Web Simulcast” in “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166. All artists donate their performances; venue is supported by donations, and asks $10 per attendee in lieu of a cover charge.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat:
8 pm THE BOBBY BLUEHOUSE BAND plus a headliner, most Fri & Sat nights, with BBHB opening for “some of the best blues music headliners in the industry,” at the Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia; www.arcadiabluesclub.com; 626-447-9349. The venue claims, “This is the greatest house band in America. Members over the years have included musicians who have played with Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, The Pointer Sisters, The Jeff Healey Band and influences from John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison and Eric Burden.” Fri & Sat nights bring local blues bands as well as national acts. Acts booked include Chris Cain, Lil Charlie and the Nite Cats, Coco Montoya, Rod Piazza, James Intveld, Rosie Flores, Duke Robillard, Guitar Shorty, Gary Hoey, Wumbloozo, Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash and more. Website has lineups for specific dates and a tix link. Venue serves dinner Fri & Sat, 7 pm-2 am. Five-dollar per ticket discount available for some advance tix, through day-of-show purchases before 8:30 pm. Advance tix, reservations, recommended (club is now holding tables only until 8:30 pm).

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, 1st Sat, every month:
8 pm monthly “OPEN MIC” at the Fret House, 309 N Citrus, Covina 91723; 626-339-7020; www.frethouse.com. Always on the first Saturday of the month, and just one dollar to get in. Sign-up starts at 7:30, show at 8 pm. They tell us, “If there aren't enough slots for everybody, we'll make a list for the next month, and call you at 7:30. Each act gets two songs or ten minutes, whichever comes first. We'll have desserts and coffee ready. Bring your friends and family and join the show.” $1 cover.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat:
9 pm LIVE MUSIC & DANCING for listening & dancing at the Cowboy Palace Saloon, 21635 Devonshire St (Devonshire & Owensmouth), Chatsworth 91311; www.cowboypalace.com; 818-341-0166. Check their website for tonight’s performers. Live music 7 nights a week, sometimes acoustic, sometimes electric. Preceded every Saturday by free line / couple dance lessons with Charlotte, 7-9 pm. No cover.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||

*Sat, every Sat, in Temecula:
9 pm “COUNTRY AT THE MERC” music series at The Mercantile, 42051 Main St, Temecula 92590. Every Saturday night, “country band THE RANCH ROCKERS plays current country music to back-up multiple performers in an Opry-style.” Series info & tix, www.temeculatheater.org. The Merc is one of Temecula's beautifully restored original buildings that now serves as a performance venue, hosting live music four days each week. There’s an early show at 7 pm, and the 9 pm performances feature mature subject matter, so parental discretion is advised at the late show. Gen’l admission, $15; srs, student. military discounts available.

||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||<۩>||
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||


PART THREE:

Today’s RADIO / WEB RADIO and TV SHOWS that feature live performance-interviews with acoustic musicians, and selected other acoustic music shows (mostly on-line, simulcast from radio stations elsewhere) are listed, in all their abundance, at

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2010/03/saturdays-radio-web-radio-tv-acoustic.html


||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||


PART FOUR:

The Guide’s VENUE DIRECTORY, with locations, web sites, street addresses and contact info for OVER 500 acoustic-performance-friendly venues in Southern California is a click away, at

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/02/venue-directory-from-guide-updated.html


||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||


PLUS, be sure to check the Guide’s

SPOTLIGHT EVENTS section!

That’s where you’ll find our

* “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks and
* “EVENTS-OF-THE-WEEK FOR ARTISTS” and
* UPCOMING FESTIVALS and MUSIC CONFERENCES

and more, covering events happening this week and for months ahead!

It’s available at

url-url-url x


||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||<§>||


And, the Guide’s weekly

NEWS FEATURES

available in the latest edition at

www.acousticmusic.net


<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
Entire contents copyright © 2011, Larry Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>

Something missing, or need correcting? Tell us, or simply leave a comment for us, at
tied to the tracks at hotmail dot com (remove all the spaces in the address).


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.