Spotlight Events: Acoustic Americana Music Guide, UPDATED July 20, 2011

     
     
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               SPOTLIGHT EVENTS
     
                         from THE ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE
     
                                                                                          July 20, 2011 edition
     
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    Whoo-eee, summer continues to bring FESTIVALS(!), and every weekend and night it's filled with concerts indoors and out, across and around L.A., the region with the most live acoustic music of anyplace in the world.     
    
    This is SPOTLIGHT EVENTS – the LATEST UPDATE to the Guide's chronological, day-by-
day listings and descriptions of live acoustic and Americana performances, festivals,
workshops and more. Welcome!
    
    And remember to check-out the Guide's other current content – our fresh serving of the Guide's NEWS FEATURES and our separate and SPECIAL major feature on the Debt Debate, public funding, and its implications for artists, examining “IS THE FUTURE OF ARTS
FUNDING GONE IN AMERICA?     
    
Find everything via the main site at

www.acousticmusic.net     
or go directly to the latest post at     
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com     
    
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Now, let's get started...    
    
    
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July, 2011...    
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Today in History - July 20:
    Forty-two years ago today, on July 20, 1969, humans first walked on another world. The
milestone of Apollo 11 was followed by five additional lunar landings through December of
1972, each exponentially increasing our knowledge of the universe and our place in it. Alas,
the budgets were cut for science and exploration and inquiry and discovery, and aside from
epic space fantasy/adventure movies that make milllions and plenty of TV shows about space and aliens, we've never been anywhere since.
    
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Wed, Jul 20:
Noon-1:30 pm PERSHING SQUARE FREE SUMMER LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES brings singer-songwriter GILLI MOON to Pershing Square 532 South Olive St. Los Angeles 90013; www.laparks.org/pershingsquare; 213-847-4970. Check out her music and broad-spectrum presence as an artist at www.gillimoon.com. This Aussie expatriate is an energetic bundle of dynamite who performs barefoot regardless of season and writes songs that cross many genres and include plenty in the realms of new folk and acoustic pop. Grab s take out lunch at Grand Central Market and check out her live performance.
     
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Wed, Jul 20:
8 pm JOHN McEUEN (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) backed by CRAIG EASTMAN & MATT CARTSONIS, doing something extra special tonight at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations, 626-798-6236.
     It's not just a night of acoustic music with great players tonight: they will involve the audience in the writing of a song, getting the chords and subject from those shouting-out. This'll be fun.
     JOHN McEUEN, often called America's instrumental poet, is music royalty and a great,
funny guy. Country Weekly says, “His stellar playing brings us musical photographs from his
travels around the world..."
     He brings to the Coffee Gallery his guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle to create what
Billboard Magazine acclaims as "An absolute aural feast," while the Washington Post cites his "...thouroghly wacky and enjoyable performance."
     John brings his virtuoso pals Matt Cartsonis and Craig Eastman with him tonite.
     He's performed in about 50 cities so far this year, and is in the middle of summer touring
with his Nitty Grtty Dirt Band, now in their 45th year. His shows here are a celebratory break for him and a joy for the audience. New songs, old favorites, new stories are all promised.
     Check out bits of John's new show on syndicatednews.net - The Americana Music Show.
     Although a Southern Cal native, it has been said this innovator in Country Rock and Folk
(he instigated the famous “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” album) has also created "...some of t
he most deft and impeccably tasteful music to come out of Nashville" (Chicago Tribune).
     More at www.johnmceuen.com. Venue impresarion Bob Stane adds, “The stage can bear
the weight, but just barely.” Tix, $20.
     
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Wed, Jul 20:
8 pm “GREAT GUITARS: GARY LUCAS” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl, L.A. 90015; www.grammymuseum.org; 213-765-6803.
    GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and composer Gary Lucas does an on-stage interview and performance. Regarded as a "thinking man's guitar hero,” Gary Lucas continues to catch the attention of critics everywhere, as he tours the world relentlessly, both solo and with several different ensembles. His longtime band Gods and Monsters, once included the late singer Jeff Buckley. After the interview, Lucas will take questions from the audience and perform a selection of songs. GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Vice President Scott Goldman, himself a great guitarist, will conduct the interview as well as play a few tunes on stage with Lucas.
    Doors open at 7:30 pm. Tix, $15. Tickets can be purchased at the Museum Box Office starting Wednesday, June 22 at noon. All proceeds benefit The GRAMMY Museum.
     
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Wed, Jul 20:
8 pm AMANDA ABIZAID plays “Musique du Monde” at the M Bar & Restaurant, N Vine St (Fountain & Vine Plaza), Hollywood 90038; www.mbaronline.com. Doors at 7 pm; tix $10.
     
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Thu, Jul 21:
MEIKO & TOM FREUND play Open Borders, 125 W Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks 91360; www.openborders2011.com; email openbordersmedia@gmail.com; 805-497-1018. This new venue is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible and has already booked some first-rate talent. Coming up here are two Grammy-winning bands, the PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND on Friday, July 22, and THE KLEZMATICS on Saturday, July 23.
     
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Fri, Jul 22:
The Grammy-winning PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND at Open Borders, 125 W Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks 91360; www.openborders2011.com; email openbordersmedia@gmail.com; 805-497-1018. This new venue is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible and has already booked some first-rate talent. Coming up tomorrow here is another Grammy-winning band, THE KLEZMATICS.
     
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Fri, Jul 22:
8 pm SUSAN ANDERS with TOM MANCHIE at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations, 626-798-6236.
     Susan brings her smart folk-pop songs and “soulful, commanding voice” (the New Yorker)
to the Coffee Gallery Backstage for a rare Los Angeles appearance.
     “She’s a wonderful singer, an amazing songwriter, and just plain all-’round fine entertainer” (East Bay Express). Anders and her husband Tom Manche lived and performed in L.A. as
Susan’s Room throughout the 1990s before decamping to Nashville, TN.
     Backing herself on acoustic guitar with Manche on guitar and backing vocals, Anders will
perform selections from her “music for adults: smart, witty, and insightful." (Dirty Linen),
including songs from her recent CD, “Swimmer,” which “Digs in and won’t let you go” (Midwest Record). Tom Manche opens with a short set of his wickedly funny songs.
     Susan Anders isn't afraid of dishing the dirt on herself for a good song. Anders wrote and
recorded her newest CD last year, mixing it as the flood waters rose in Nashville. These are
not puppy-love songs for kids, but wise reports from mid-life.
     "Swimmer is more than a musically well-made album. This splendid singer purveys a fresh and intelligent strain of pop of her own creation, always honest in expression.” - New England critic Frank-John Hadley.
     Anders performed in a cappella, rock, and jazz bands before finding her niche as a folk-pop singer-songwriter. Her songs have won awards and been recorded by many artists, including      The Four Bitchin’ Babes and The Irrationals. In addition, Anders is a voice coach and
inventor. She's coached Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum and Joey Heatherton, among others. Expect some great guitar chops and some whacked out lyrics when you hear Tom Manche.
     Tix are only $12.50, this week's best sit-down-concert bargain.
     
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Fri, Jul 22 (& Sat, Jul 23):
8:30 pm DOLLY PARTON plays two nights at the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N Highland Av, Hollywood 90068; 323-850-2000 213-480-3232.
     
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Sat, Jul 23:
10 am-6 pm Annual "MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS FESTIVAL" with LOONEY'S FORTUNE PATTI AMELOTTE, GEORGIANNA HENNESSY, MATT TONGE, WHEN PIGS FLY! JIM COPE, BEA ROMANO, JIM ROMANO, MARIANNE SCANLON, LEGACY, BARBARA GERSHMAN, PATTY MCCOLLOM, SENARA, DIANE GRADY, SANDI HUCKABY, CAROL POTTER, WAKE THE BARD, MICHAEL & STEPHANIE ADAMS, CLARE BELLEFEUILLE-RICE, PAT & SANDI HUCKABY, with workshops, concerts and jams all day long at beautiful Green Valley Lake, at a cool 7000 ft elevation in the San Bernardino Mountains. Info, www.green-valley-lake.com/MITM_info.html; or contact Sandi Huckaby, 909-867-7105 or huckaby49@yahoo.com.
     Workshops include: Patti Amelotte - hammered dulcimer; Leo Kretzner - mountain dulcimer; Georgianna Hennessy – fiddle; Patty McCollom – pennywhistle; Matt Tonge – guitar; Monika White – spoons; Michael Ballard – bones; TBA – Ceili dancing.
     LOONEY'S FORTUNE will be celebrating the release of their first CD.
     
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Sat, Jul 23:
11 am-5 pm “DAY OF THE COWBOY & COWGIRL” with Grammy winners RIDERS IN THE SKY, a Square Dance with THE BEES KNEES and caller SUSAN MICHAELS and many varied western-theme activities and performances at the Autry National Center (Autry Museum) 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, L.A. 90027.
     It's in conjunction with the “National Day of the Cowboy” in the US and Canada, it's got Grammy winners performing and lots more, and it's the Autry's second year with a big event (last year's “day of” broke the Autry's attendance records).
    Is there any American image that's more iconic? As Cowboy Poet Larry Maurice often observes, “What other profession gets other people dress-up to look like they do?”
     RIDERS IN THE SKY did the music for Disney's “Toy Story” movies, they've starred with the L.A. Phil at the Hollywood Bowl's annual Fourth of July Fireworks Concert, and were public radio fixtures with “Riders radio Theatre.” They have legions of fans and this is a bargain ticket to see them and enjoy a daylong festival. So get there on time for a good seat.     
     Emcee for the day is ROB WOLFSKILL of the TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS.
     The festival's all-ages activities include a Cowboy Stage Show with World Champion Gunslinger JOEY DILLON; lassoing with KANSAS CARRADINE & LANDON SPENCER; Screenings throughout the day of GENE AUTRY's original science fiction western, “The Phantom Empire;” demonstrations of roping, leather crafting, panning for gold, blacksmithing; a chuck wagon display; hands-on children's crafts and activities; and the grand opening of the museum's new “Colt Revolver and the American West” exhibition.      
     There's complimentary museum admission all day with your event ticket, plus Western History Gallery tours, a museum scavenger hunt, and Story Time in the galleries.      
     An outdoor BBQ is featured (so good it sold-out early last year). And anybody with any leftover money can enjoy a western marketplace.      
     Visitors of all ages are encouraged to dress western, so don't forget your hat (how else will you get your horse a drink?) No firearms, including replicas, are allowed on the premises.
     The Autry National Center (Autry Museum) is at 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, L.A. 90027, across from the L.A. Zoo. Come in from the Los Feliz end or the Travel Town end to avoid the always bad traffic jam from the 134/I-5 Zoo Drive exit.      
     Event tickets, including complimentary museum admission, are $10 for adults; $6 for seniors and students ages 13-18; $4 for children ages 3-12; it's free for active military personnel and veterans. More info at www.TheAutry.org. Yippe-yi-yaa!     
     
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Sat, Jul 23:
“NATIONAL DAY OF THE COWBOY” brings many western music and cowboy poetry celebrations throughout the US and Canada (it’s the national day in both nations). Here in L.A., we have the big event at the Autry (above). Check local event listing sources in your area.
     
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Sat, Jul 23:
Noon ASSOCIATION OF FINGERSTYLE GUITARISTS SEMINAR at Mo's Fullerton Music. More when we know it, or check www.afg.org      
     
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Sat, Jul 23:
7 pm SLIGO RAGS at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations, 626-798-6236.
    "As Irish-trad bands go, you’d pretty much have to journey to Sligo to find anything better"
- Orange County Weekly .
    "Sligo Rags has been named Best Folk Band in Orange County for the last two years, and
there's no reason to believe the streak will be broken soon." --Long Beach Press-Telegram.
    “Sligo Rags have mastered the ability to take songs from a time gone by and make them
fresh and relevant for a modern audience. Their passion for the music and their willingness to take risks combine for an outstanding live show.” – Lisa Elaine Scott, Music Connection.
    “With Sligo Rags we were treated to an extremely talented band of pure musicians and
glorious singers who had fun mixing elements of great music. Along with traditional Irish tunes and bluegrass, we heard traces of classical and pop, Peer Gynt followed by Pink Floyd, a fun
reference to the appreciation of music of any era. 'No great shakes at all' was a delight, along with the merry soulful 'Raggle Taggle Gypsy' song.” - eyespyLA.
    "This Group is Grand"- Celtic Beat.
    Sligo Rags' sound is based on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and bass, backing up comfortably
smooth singing, and it's the melodic and unpretentious arrangements that are this trio's
strength. Always fun. Tix, $18.
     
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Sat, Jul 23:
8 pm THE SYNCOPATHS, the great contra dance band, in concert at the Caltech Folk Music Society series tonight in Beckman Institute Auditorium, and performing at a contra dance the next day, at Dabney Lounge, both on the Caltech Campus in Pasadena.
    THE SYNCOPATHS (www.syncopaths.com), the great contra dance band, roll into Pasadena for a Saturday concert and a Sunday dance with renowned caller SUSAN MICHAELS. Saturday, July 23 at 8 pm, the concert, presented by the Caltech Folk Music Society series, is in Beckman Institute Auditorium, and the contra dance the next day is in Dabney Lounge. Both venues are on the Caltech Campus.
    Recently, their lineup has grown and added additional star power. The band is Western States Picking Champ ASHLEY BRODER on mandolin, National Scottish Fiddle Champ RYAN McKASSON on fiddle & viola, CHRISTA BURCH on vocals, bodhran, shakers, and foot percussion, and JEFFREY SPERO on keyboards. You can expect plenty of lively reels, waltzes and original tunes, and this well-rounded group showcases the fine singing of Christa Burch on ballads, traditional songs and originals.
    Each member is involved in performing and recording with other folks and most of them are music instructors.
    RYAN McKASSON (www.ryanmckasson.com) is an amazing and imaginative fiddler,. He was the youngest winner ever of the National Scottish Fiddle Championship in 1996. He has recorded with his sister and others as THE McKASSONS, and with ALISDAIR FRASER & NATALIE HAAS on their album, "Highlander’s Farewell. He's an accomplished composer.
    JEFFREY SPERO (www.jeffandgigi.com) is one of the premiere dance pianists on the west coast. An amazing player, he doubles as an accomplished dance caller. Plus he's a composer.
    CHRISTA BURCH (www.christaburch.com) was inspired early on by the music of SILLY WIZARD and has a recent solo CD, "Love of the Land," a fine collection of well-performed songs from the Irish, Scottish, Australian, Canadian and American folk traditions.
    ASHLEY BRODER (www.ashleybroder.com) is a multi-instrumental Western States Picking Champion who has toured extensively, performed several times on Tied to the Tracks, is currently working on a solo album, and continues to contribute her amazing mandolin abilities to several bands.
    Check out a couple of informal YouTube videos to get an idea of their range as a band: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbzSOFMPTks&feature=related, features them playing amidst a roomful of dancers, and at www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9Myzccyet8, Christa sings the beautiful traditional song, “The Blackest Crow.”
    Tickets are available from the Ticket Office at 626-395-4652, or visiting the ticket office in person, or purchasing for cash at the door, if any remain. $15 for adults and $5 for Caltech students and children.
    (You can also buy tickets now for LOAFER'S GLORY on August 13 and KRISTINA OLSEN on September 17. More on the series' web page at http://folkmusic.caltech.edu including info on upcoming shows.)
    In addition to tonight, they're here Sunday, July 24, for an afternoon contra dance. THE SYNCOPATHS play the dance in Dabney Lounge with SUSAN MICHAELS calling, beginning at 3:30 pm. Check out http://www.contra.caltech.edu/dance_072411.shtml for details of that one.     
     
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Sat, Jul 23:
Grammy-winning THE KLEZMATICS play Open Borders, 125 W Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks 91360; www.openborders2011.com; email openbordersmedia@gmail.com; 805-497-1018. This new venue is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible and has already booked some first-rate talent.
     
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Sat, Jul 23:
8 pm DOUG MacLEOD & JESSE MacLEOD at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583. Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide.
     Known in the blues world for his superb songwriting, powerfully rhythmic acoustic guitar wizardry, warm vocals, and wit, MacLeod does an unforgettable live performance. The stories and the inspired the songs he performs can draw an audience in like a moth to a light. Plus a unique talent in his own right singer/songwriter Jesse is quickly establishing himself as a bright new artist. More at www.doug-macleod.com and www.jessemacleod.com. 
     Tickets at Blvd Music or by phone with a major credit card. A $1 service charge per ticket is added on phone orders. Doors at 7:30 pm for the best seats; those with advance tix get in first. Tickets $15.
     
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Sat, Jul 23:
8:30 pm DOLLY PARTON plays two nights (Fri & Sat) at the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N Highland Av, Hollywood 90068; 323-850-2000 213-480-3232.
     
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Sun, Jul 24:
11 am 5 pm Annual “SEA CHANTEY FESTIVAL” with THE JACKSTRAWS, KEN GRAYDON, RAGGLE TAGGLE, FLASH PACKET, GILMAN CARVER, TRIBUTE TO JOHNNY WALKER, JEFF PEKAREK, abpard the docked sailing vessel Star of India, 1492 N Harbor Dr, San Diego 92101; 619-234-9153.
     
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Sun, Jul 24:
3:30 pm THE SYNCOPATHS play a contra dance with caller SUSAN MICHAELS at Dabney Lounge on the Caltech Campus in Pasadena. See Saturday night, July 23, 8 pm, for lots of info on this wonderful band. And, check out http://www.contra.caltech.edu/dance_072411.shtml for details of today's dance.    
     
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Sun, Jul 24:
5:30 pm GRAND OLE ECHO this week brings WELLDIGGERS BANQUET (5:30), GRANT LANGSTON & THE SUPERMODELS (6:30), and RUBY FRIEDMAN ORCHESTRA (7:30), and if you wander out back you'll catch the ROCKY NECK BLUEGRASS BAND; all at The Echo, 1822 Sunset Bl, Echo Park. Free, full bar, BBQ out back, all ages.

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Sun, Jul 24:
7 pm FRANK FAIRFIELD, the wizard of old time banjo and delightfully appropriate vocals, plays McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
     
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Sun, Jul 24:
7:30 pm Grammy winner LORIN SKLAMBERG (Klezmatics) at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations, 626-798-6236.
     Lead singer for the world-renowned Yiddish roots band the Klezmatics, he's hailed as "one of the premier American singers in any genre" by NPR music critic Robert Christgau.
     Venue impresario Bob Stane tells us, “Lorin is thrilled to be returning to The Coffee Gallery Backstage again following his sold-out show here last October. Accompanying himself on
accordion and guitar, he will perform an array of songs from his unique repertoire of historic
and contemporary Yiddish folk and theater songs and Hasidic spirituals, as well as English-
language material from the Klezmatics' 2006 Grammy Award-winning CD 'Wonder Wheel'
(lyrics by Woody Guthrie).” Tix: $18.
     
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Sun, Jul 24:
7:30 pm GUY DAVIS plays the AMSD Concert Series, 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego 92116; 619-303-8176.
     
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Wed, Jul 27:
Noon-1:30 pm PERSHING SQUARE FREE SUMMER LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES brings THE UNDERCOVER GIRLS to Pershing Square 532 South Olive St. Los Angeles 90013; www.laparks.org/pershingsquare; 213-847-4970.
     
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Wed, Jul 27:
1:45-2:30 pm EILEEN CAREY with PAUL MARSHALL (I See Hawks in L.A.) performs at the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa.
     
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Thu, Jul 28:
6-9 pm: HORSEPLAY, the band of STEVE LINSKY, GORDON ROBERTS, PETER TE & TJ ZEILER, plays the world famous Ojai Deer Lodge, 2261 Maricopa Hwy, Ojai 93023; info, 805-910-7560. The band says, “Come on out for a great reasonably priced meal, a drink or two and good entertainment. Mention this Horseplay invite and order the discounted chef’s chicken special! There will be special guest appearances! or email Horseplay.band@gmail.com, more at www.horseplay.yolasite.com.”     
     
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Thu, Jul 28:
7 pm Acoustic Celtic band MOLLY’S REVENGE with special guest vocalist CHRISTA BURCH (The Syncopaths) plays the 17th annual Culver City Summer Music Festival series (8 Thursdays, different acts) in the palm-lined courtyard of Culver City's City Hall, 9770 Culver Bl (at Duquesne Av), downtown Culver City.
     Molly's Revenge is a dynamic, acoustic Celtic band with the classic combination of bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, and song – set against a backdrop of guitar, bouzouki, and mandola accompaniment. Singer and bodhrán player Christa Burch possesses a singular voice that's warm, supple, expressive and intimate.
     This popular series is curated by producer Gary Mandell of Culver City’s Boulevard Music (home of a fine year-round acoustic concert series.)
     Parking is free underneath City Hall; additional parking is free for the first two hours in designated structures in the downtown area (parking on streets can get you ticketed, so be careful). The courtyard opens at 4:30 pm. No glass containers or alcoholic beverages allowed. More info, call 310-253-5716. Free.
     
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Thu, Jul 28:
7-8:30 pm I SEE HAWKS IN L.A. play the Whittier Summer Concert in the Park series in
Parnell Park, 15390 Lambert Rd, Whittier. Free outdoor concert sponsored by the City of Whittier.
     
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Fri, Jul 29:
7:30 pm LOS LONELY BOYS and LOS LOBOS at the Greek Theatre, , 2700 N Vermont, Griffith Park, L.A. 90027; 213-480-3232.
     
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Fri, Jul 29, festival on the Central Coast:
7:30 pm 11th Annual REDWOOD DULCIMER DAYS begins tonight with a faculty concert oat the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, 125 Canterbury Dr, Aptos. Suggested donation $15 general; $12 student/senior.
     Main festival is Saturday and requires separate tickets; see that listing. Reservations and info, www.redwooddulcimerday.com    
     
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Fri, Jul 29:
8 pm CONJUNTO LOS POCHOS at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations, 626-798-6236. Is it possible to be unhappy when
there's an accordion in the room? While steeped in traditional Tex-Mex Conjunto music, they
are not quite your typical Tex-Mex group. Los Pochos have traversed the folk scene fusing
country and blues, serenading crowds from museums to concert halls, and providing the
mystical, musical ambience for theater productions throughout the United States and Canada.
     The two co-founders of the group met at CalArts and parlayed their degrees in Visual Arts
and Jazz Piano into a lucrative career of banging out traditional Mexican music.
     The group includes Grammy winner Lorenzo Martinez, and the renowned Ernesto Molina, who comes from a lineage of Mariachi royalty. With a punchy accordion and seriously catchy
tunes, Conjunto Los Pochos has brought the traditional conjunto and norteno sounds into
L.A.'s music scene - from East L.A. to the Westside, throughout Southern California and
across the country. They have performed regularly at the Grassroots Music Festivals and the
Tejano Conjunto Festival in San Antonio, Texas and have shared the stage with legendary
musicians Poncho Sanchez, Los Dos Gilbertos, and the renowned Flaco Jimenez.
     Now in their 13th year of performing, Los Pochos delivers a genuine expression of traditional northern Mexican music to a steadily growing roots-music audience that also loves to dance!      Los Pochos lays-down a foot-stompin' polka, dives into whimsical Cumbia, and finesses a
romantic Bolero. Whether singing in English or in Spanish, their music transcends language.
It's a rare intimate opportunity to experience the band in a cabaret-style performance space.
     Tix, $18.
     
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Sat & Sun, Jul 30 & 31:
Noon-10 pm Annual “LONG BEACH CRAWFISH FESTIVAL” with performances today by MARK ST. MARY LOUISIANA BLUES AND ZYDECO BAND, ANDRE THIERRY & ZYDECO MAGIC, BLUESBOX BAYOU BAND, BENNIE & THE SWAMP GATORS, A.J. GIBBS - THE MYDECO KING, THE HIGH STEPPERS NEW ORLEANS BOOGIE BAND, plus dancing and children's activities.
+     
On Sunday, Noon-10 pm, performances by STEP RIDEAU & THE ZYDECO OUTLAWS, LEROY THOMAS, BONNE MUSIQUE ZYDECO, ROYALE GARDEN DIXIELAND BAND, A.J. GIBBS - THE MYDECO KING, THE HIGH STEPPERS NEW ORLEANS BOOGIE BAND, plus dancing and children's activities, all at Rainbow Lagoon, Shoreline Village Dr, Long Beach 90802.
     
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Sat, Jul 30, festival on the Central Coast:
9 am 11th Annual REDWOOD DULCIMER DAYS with performances by LEO KRETZNER, PETER TOMMERUP, NEAL HELLMAN, & RON BEARDSLEE at "Boomeria," 60 Verde Dr, Bonny Doon, CA, in the hills above Santa Cruz, approximately 20 minutes from town. It's an “enchanted outdoor setting among majestic redwood forest. Features a three story castle, catacombs, a swimming pool and a massive working pipe organ.” Reservations and info, www.redwooddulcimerday.com    
     In addition, there's a faculty concert on Friday, July 29, at 7:30 pm at the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, 125 Canterbury Dr, Aptos. Suggested donation $15 general; $12 student/senior.
     It's a full day of instruction, jam sessions, socializing and outdoor relaxation with some of most inspiring instructors available anywhere. Loaner instruments are available at no extra charge. Instruction this year covers a wide variety of styles, including Italian, Scandinavian, early music, French waltzes, Celtic, and American blues. Registration now open, $45 in advance, $55 at the door.
     
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Sat, Jul 30:
1-4 pm FREE COMMUNITY JAM - ALL ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS, co-sponsored by The Living Tradition and Southern California Dulcimer Heritage, at Mo's Music, 121 N Harbor (at Amerige), Fullerton; info, 714-267-4567. Organizers say “Stop by! Bring an instrument! Fretted & hammered dulcimer players welcome!”
     
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Sat, Jul 30:
3 pm RUTHANN FRIEDMAN & special guest JEB LIPSON play a matinee at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations, 626-798-6236.
     She wrote “Windy,” the big hit for THE ASSOCIATION, and Ruthann Friedman remains, as venue impresario Bob Stane says, “an enduring gem, a jewel in the headband of '60s culture.”
     Stane adds, “She radiates a particular color in the rainbow arc and, with a serious clutch of songs, defines an exact space and time. As a determined musician – her smooth and
undulating vocal line is combined with polished stone-washed lyrical poetry. Her legend starts with 'Windy.' The Association took it on and pushed it to the top of the charts in 1967.
     “For Ruthann, Windy was a guy. For The Association, it was Ruthann. Lots of guys really
got it about Ruthann. Some really got it about guys with stormy eyes.”
     Other salty reviews: "Ruthann Friedman wrote the early bubble-pop anthem 'Windy' for The Association while crashed out on Crosby's couch, swung with Zappa's crew, and she almost
got that Jefferson Airplane vocalist slot before bitch goddess Grace slunk in. Ruthann's 1970
LP, 'Constant Companion,' is a recording of sublime beauty and abstract folky ruminations
which should've sent ol' Joni running to Essra Mohawk and Judee Sill for consolation (and
inspiration!) -- but sadly recognition was a long time in coming. Friedman's lone 45, 'Carry On (Glittering Dancer)' is another bit of genius, fleshed out by captivating Van Dyke Parks
arrangements a la 'Smile' or 'Song Cycle.'”
     Guest artist JEB LIPSON joins her. He was “born in the suburbs surrounding a dying auto
industry and subsequently self-educated in the Arizona desert.” Jeb Lipson's style of acoustic music is unique, raw, very real and inviting. An accomplished songwriter and guitar player; Jeb Lipson has been playing on, producing and engineering records for over 20 years. He is
currently writing for and producing Solomon Burke Jr., among others. His original songs are to the point, thought-provoking and often personal. Bob Stane adds, “His solo live show seems to go by way too fast and leave you wanting more.” Tix, $15.
     
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Sat, Jul 30:
4 pm 9 pm “BIG BEAR MOUNTAIN TWILIGHT MUSIC FESTIVAL” with SLIGO RAGS at Big Bear Discovery Center, 40971 North Shore Dr/ Hwy 38, Fawnskin 92333.
     
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Sat, Jul 30:
7 pm BERKLEY HART play their L.A. CD RELEASE SHOW for “Crow,” their 6th studio album, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations, 626-798-6236.
    In some cultures, the crow symbolizes despair and darkness, while in others it is a harbinger of hope and light. This contrast fits the yin and yang of the songs on “Crow,” the new Berkley
Hart album, both musically and lyrically, and thus inspired the title. Among other songs,
listeners will find the playfully dark cover, “Little Boxes,” as well as the moody “Barn Sour
Horses,” which serves as a sequel of sorts to some of the characters you’ve already met in
previous Berkley Hart songs. Longtime fans acclaim Berkley Hart at their best on this album,
while new listeners understand why this incredible duo is so admired. Over their more than 10 years together, San Diego’s Berkley Hart have proven time and again they are worth the price of admission or the cost of a CD. Go to www.berkleyhart.com for more. Venue impresario Bob Stane calls them “A big winner.” Tix, $20.
     
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Sat, Jul 30:
7 pm KEN O'MALLEY & THE TWILIGHT LORDS play the “Concerts in the Park” series in Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Rd, Santa Clarita 91350.
     
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Sat, Jul 30:
8 pm CLIFF WAGNER AND HIS OLD #7 at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583. Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide.
     Their sizzling sound that utilizes bluegrass, blues, and honky tonk combined with modern lyrics preserves the "High Lonesome Sound" of traditional music. Combine that with great harmony singing and exciting instrumentals done with electrifying fiddle, banjo, mando, guitar & bass and you have The Old #7. More at www.oldnumber7.net   
     Tickets at Blvd Music or by phone with a major credit card. A $1 service charge per ticket is added on phone orders. Doors at 7:30 pm for the best seats; those with advance tix get in first. Tickets $15, on sale Jul 16.
     
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Sat, Jul 30:
8 pm THE DUO TONES, play "Acoustic Surf Duo" at The Fret House, 309 N Citrus Av, Covina; 626-339-7020; frethouse@earthlink.net; www.frethouse.com. More at www.pjmoto.com/specialty/duo_tones.php. Tix, $15.
     
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Sat, Jul 30:
8 pm LOS LONELY BOYS and LOS LOBOS play the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio 92203.
     
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Sun, Jul 31:
Noon-10 pm Annual “LONG BEACH CRAWFISH FESTIVAL” concludes with performances by STEP RIDEAU & THE ZYDECO OUTLAWS, LEROY THOMAS, BONNE MUSIQUE ZYDECO, ROYALE GARDEN DIXIELAND BAND, A.J. GIBBS - THE MYDECO KING, THE HIGH STEPPERS NEW ORLEANS BOOGIE BAND, plus dancing and children's activities, all at Rainbow Lagoon, Shoreline Village Dr, Long Beach 90802.
     
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Sun, Jul 31:
7 pm I SEE HAWKS IN L.A., plus AMILIA K SPICER share the bill at Open Borders, 125 W Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks 91360; www.openborders2011.com; email openbordersmedia@gmail.com; 805-497-1018. This new venue is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible and has already booked some first-rate talent. Tix, $15.

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Sun, Jul 31:
7 pm LOS LONELY BOYS and LOS LOBOS play Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego.
     
     
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August, 2011...
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Wed, Aug 3:
8 pm LISA HALEY & THE ZYDECATS play the “Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival” series in the Redlands Bowl, 25 Grant St, Redlands 92373.
     
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Thu, Aug 4:
7 pm 17th annual CULVER CITY SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL brings rock and rockabilly from guitar legend ALBERT LEE, backed by the CARL VERHEYEN BAND in the palm-lined courtyard of Culver City's City Hall, 9770 Culver Bl (at Duquesne Av), downtown Culver City.
     Guitar legend Albert Lee has been voted Guitar Player magazine's “Best Country Guitar Picker” five times and he is the recipient of two Grammy Awards for Best Instrumental (2002 and 2009). Lee has been a member of The Crickets and Emmylou Harris' Hot Band (and others), and he tours on a regular basis with Gerry Hogan’s Hogan’s Heroes and Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings. Backing Lee tonight is the Carl Verheyen Band. Carl became lead guitarist for the band Supertramp in 1985 and is one of L.A.’s top session guitarists and a guitar virtuoso who tours throughout the US, Germany, France, Italy and the UK. The other band members performing tonight are Carl's regulars, Dave Marotta on bass and Walfredo Reyes, Jr on percussion.
     This festival is a series (8 Thursdays, different acts) curated by producer Gary Mandell of Culver City’s Boulevard Music (home of a fine year-round acoustic concert series.) More info, call 310-253-5716. Free.
     
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Fri–Sun, Aug 5-7, in the Gold Rush Country:
37th Annual KINDRED GATHERING is, this year, in Fair Play, CA, near Placerville, as close as it’s likely to be in 2-3 years. Headliners are “A bunch of wonderful players! You!”
    This legendary mountain dulcimer event welcomes hammered dulcimers and all other instruments with open arms. We know of a fretted / hammered / tuba jam a few years back. This is described as “a wonderful, loose, under-the-radar event, which moves to a different site up and down the west coast every year.” Google it or check www.scdh.org for info.
     
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Sat, Aug 6, in Ojai:
7:30 pm THE WICKED TINKERS perform at Dancing Oak Ranch, on Hwy 150, 6 miles
from Hwy 101 (4585 Casitas Pass Rd, Ventura, for GPS locating) Prepare yourself for a wild ride with WICKED TINKERS. Pioneers of the growing Tribal Celtic movement, the
Wicked Tinkers play haunting, heart-pounding bagpipes, Australian didgeridoo & bronze-age Irish horn. Sit back and be transported to an earlier time in Scotland & Ireland when battle cries filled the air and strange, unheard-of creatures roamed the night. Or better
yet, get on your feet and let your body move to ancient rhythms and forgotten sounds.
Tix are $18 in advance or $20 at the gate (under age 16, free).
     
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Sat, Aug 6:
8 pm SNAP JACKSON & THE KNOCK ON WOOD PLAYERS at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583. Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide.
     An acoustic quartet hailing from Stockton blending Americana, bluegrass, soul, and Old Time music to create a unique, fresh, and energetic sound. Banjo, fiddle, guitar, upright bass, uke and even mountain dulcimer. Amazingly gifted with outstanding vocal and instrumental skills. “Energetic, talented, creative” - California Bluegrass Association.
     More at knockonwoodplayers.com.      
     Tickets at Blvd Music or by phone with a major credit card. A $1 service charge per ticket is added on phone orders. Doors at 7:30 pm for the best seats; those with advance tix get in first. Tickets $15, on sale Jul 23.
     
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Sat, Aug 6:
8 pm THE UNTOUCHABLES plus ZOOT SUIT REVUE play the outdoor summer concert series at Pershing Square 532 South Olive St. Los Angeles 90013; www.laparks.org/pershingsquare; 213-847-4970.
     
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Wed, Aug 10:
Noon-1:30 pm PERSHING SQUARE FREE SUMMER LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES brings THE HODADS to Pershing Square 532 South Olive St. Los Angeles 90013; www.laparks.org/pershingsquare; 213-847-4970.
     
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Sat, Aug 13:
11 am THE HOLLOW TREES, an Americana Band with plenty of material for children, does a free performance sponsored by the Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest organization at the Pasadena Public Library, 285 E Walnut Av, Pasadena 91101.
     
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Sat, Aug 13:
7 pm LISA HALEY & THE ZYDECATS play the “Altadena Summer Concert Series” in the amphitheater at Farnsworth Park, 568 E Mount Curb Av, Altadena 91001.
     
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Sat, Aug 13:
7:30 pm THE CACHE VALLEY DRIFTERS play the “Song Tree Concert Series” at Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 820 N Fairview Av, Goleta 93117; info & tix, SongTree@cox.net or 805-403-2639.
     
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Sat, Aug 13:
8 pm LOAFER'S GLORY plays the Caltech Folk Music Society series in Beckman Institute Auditorium, on the campus at California Institute of Technology, Pasadena 91106; 626-395-4652.
     
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Sat, Aug 13:
8-11 pm STAN RIDGWAY & MICHELLE SHOCKED play the outdoor summer concert series at Pershing Square 532 South Olive St. Los Angeles 90013; www.laparks.org/pershingsquare; 213-847-4970.
      MICHELLE SHOCKED received her first international exposure in Europe, with her debut album, The Texas Campfire Tapes which was recorded at the Kerrville Folk Festival on a cassette recorder. Her break into U.S. came with the release of her 1988 album, Short Sharp Shocked on college radio rotations around the country, which was met with strong acclaim from listeners. The songs of Short Sharp Shocked are mostly about what it was like to grow up in rural Texas. Every song on this album is a gem.
     She signed with Mercury in 1987. Captain Swing and Arkansas Traveler were recorded in 1989 and critically acclaimed. Captain Swing's style is not exactly swing, because it's also rock and roll. Arkansas Traveler includes a little swing, a little folk, and a bit of bluegrass.
     Michelle recorded and independently distributed Kind Hearted Woman in 1994 after leaving Mercury. In 1995, she contributed an original song to the soundtrack for the film Dead Man Walking called "Quality of Mercy". In 1996, she released a studio version of an underground release of Kind Hearted Woman.
     Starting in 2002 with the release of Deep Natural, Shocked established her own label, Mighty Sound. On May 12, 2009 she released her newest album, Soul of My Soul, on Mighty Sound. Shocked continues to make music as an independent artist and currently lives in Downtown Los Angeles.
     STAN RIDGWAY, songwriter-guitarist and original Wall Of Voodoo vocalist, has taken a long and influential road. Raised in L.A., Ridgway began his love affair with Southwestern gothic 30 years ago as front man and co-founder of vanguard electro-art punks Wall of Voodoo, who he originally formed with the intention of scoring low-budget horror films.
     Ridgway sang on the band's debut EP and first two albums, Dark Continent and Call of the West (which included the accidental MTV hit "Mexican Radio"). His darkly humorous, and richly cinematic musical tales of the ironies inside the American Dream have been compared to other classic songwriting iconoclasts like Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Johnny Cash and even hard boiled mystery writers like Raymond Chandler and Jim Thompson, as well as twisted film makers like David Lynch and Quentin Tarantino.
     Over the years, Ridgway has performed live on stage with The Cramps, Brian Wilson, U2, Devo, The Pixies, Van Dyke Parks, The Residents, Dave Alvin, Pere Ubu, Peter Case, Bill Frisell, Los Lobos, Ry Cooder, Colin Hay, The Stranglers, The Handsome Family, XTC, The English Beat, Psychedelic Furs, The Clash, The Go Go's, Rickie Lee Jones, Sam The Sham, Johnny Thunders, and many others. 2011 brings his tour in support of his new solo album "Neon Mirage." His stage performance will highlight songs from his deep catalog of past classic solo albums and Wall Of Voodoo favorites. Stan Ridgway’s Pershing Square show will bring song, story and spoken word.
     
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Sat, Aug 13:
8 pm COW BOP at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583. Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide.
     Mix swingin' grooves, thrilling riffs, sweet vocals (Pinto Pam), and tons of fun and you have only begun to describe Cow Bop. Formed in 2003 by acclaimed guitarist BRUCE FORMAN, this jazz and western swing band has toured extensively throughout the country, exciting audiences with their unique brand of American music. More at www.cowbop.com     
     Tickets at Blvd Music or by phone with a major credit card. A $1 service charge per ticket is added on phone orders. Doors at 7:30 pm for the best seats; those with advance tix get in first. Tickets $15, on sale Jul 30.
     
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Sat, Aug 13:
8 pm GYPSY KINGS play the Greek Theatre, 2700 N Vermont, Griffith Park, L.A. 90027; 213-480-3232.
     
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Sun, Aug 14:
3-5 pm “FREE SUMMER CONCERTS AT THE PETER STRAUSS RANCH” brings SABRINA & CRAIG plus TRACY NEWMAN & THE REINFORCEMENTS, two top-notch singer-songwriter-folk groups, for a free performance co-sponsored by the National Park Service and theTopanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest organization at Strauss Ranch, 30000 Mulholland Hwy (2 blks from Troutdale Rd), in Santa Monica Mtns Nat’l Rec Area, near Agoura Hills; 818-382-4819.
    SABRINA & CRAIG (www.SabrinaandCraig.com) won the 2010 vocal competition at the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest. "Excellent musicanship and arrangements... solid songwriting with some of the best two-part harmonies..." - Folkworks.
    their musical tastes vary dramatically, they've found a way to bring that wide array of musical tastes into harmony, creating their own original music and unique arrangements of select cover songs. Sabrina & Craig's signature sound is rooted in their heartfelt connection. They envelop audiences in luscious harmonies anchored by Craig's finely-crafted guitar voicings and award-winning finger-style playing.
    "Sabrina & Craig weave thoughtful stories, people and moments into their songs, sprinkling each observation with intelligence and wit while wrapping them in the cloak of gorgeous, memorable melodies." - Wildy's World.
    TRACY NEWMAN (www.TracyNewman.com) is an Emmy and a Peabody Award-winning TV writer and producer. She started as a staff writer on Cheers. In 1997, she won top awards for co-writing the ground-breaking "Coming Out" episode of . In 2001 she co-created the ABC comedy to Jim, which recently finished its 8th and final season of production. Tracy has been playing guitar and writing songs since she was 14. Her CD, Place in the Sun, enjoys global airplay after its debut on Tied to the Tracks. Her band, The Reinforcements, are Gene Lippmann, Rebecca Leigh, John Cartwright, John O'Kennedy, and Doug Knoll.
     
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Sun, Aug 14:
7 pm INCENDIO plays the LACC Summer Music Concert series at 425 Pennisula Dr, Los Angeles 96367.
     
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Sun, Aug 14:
8 pm GYPSY KINGS play the Greek Theatre, 2700 N Vermont, Griffith Park, L.A. 90027; 213-480-3232.
     
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Mon, Aug 15:
7:30 pm B.B. KING plays Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego 92106; 619-523-1010.
     
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Wed, Aug 17:
Noon-1:30 pm PERSHING SQUARE FREE SUMMER LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES brings award-winning folksinger-songwriter JAMES LEE STANLEY to Pershing Square 532 South Olive St. Los Angeles 90013; www.laparks.org/pershingsquare; 213-847-4970.
     
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Wed, Aug 17:
7:30 pm STEVE MARTIN & THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS play Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego 92106; 619-523-1010.
     
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Thu, Aug 18:
7:30 pm STEVE MARTIN & THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS play the Orange County Performing Arts Center's Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa; 714-556-2787.
     
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Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21:
Annual “BIG BEAR LAKE COWBOY GATHERING” at Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center, 39707 Big Bear Bl, Big Bear Lake 92315.
     
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Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21, festival, in Vista (N San Diego Co):
Annual SUMMERGRASS bluegrass festival at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista. Here's the basic lline-up:
> Friday Aug 19
3 pm Prairie Sky
4 pm Loafer's Glory
5 pm Windy Ridge
6 pm Dinner Break
7 pm Old Town Road
8 pm Loafer's Glory
9 pm Grascals
> Saturday Aug 20
10 am Plow
11 am Sara Petite
Noon Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
1 pm Lunch Break
2 pm Grascals
3 pm Next Generation
4 pm Gone Tomorrow
5 pm Loafer's Glory
6 pm Dinner Break
7 pm Grascals
8 pm Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
9 pm Bluegrass Etc.
> Sunday Aug 21
9 am Sweet Tidings
10 am BladeRunners
11 am Bluegrass Etc.
Noon Kids on Stage
12:30 pm Next Generation
1:15 pm Lunch Break
2 pm Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
3 pm Bluegrass Etc.
4 pm Bladerunners
Tickets, etc, at www.summergrass.net. More info soon.
     
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Fri, Aug 19:
6 pm SLIGO RAGS play Baily's Old Town Temecula, 28699 Old Town Front St, Temecula 92590; 951-676-9567.
     
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Sat & Sun, Aug 20 & 21, in Ventura:
Inaugural VENTURA FOLK FESTIVAL "BOUND FOR GLORY" in Mission Park, 180 E Main St, Ventura 93001. Scheduled to perform (so far) are RAMBLIN JACK ELLIOTT, JOHN DOE, J.D. SOUTHER, PETER CASE, THE WHITE BUFFALO, CHRIS PIERCE, SHANE ALEXANDER, TOM CORBETT, PHIL SALAZAR, JAY NASH, TONY LUCCA, MATT DUKE, B. WILLING, JUSTINE BENNETT, DELANEY GIBSON, TED LENNON, 50 STICKS OF DYNAMITE, PHIL CODY, TALL TALES AND THE SILVER LINING, THE KINFOLK, RINCON RAMBLERS, LEE KOCH, JAMIE DRAKE, DAN WILSON, SETH PETTERSEN, & GARRISON STARR. Organizers say that tickets and info are promised soon. Check www.facebook.com/Venturafolkfestival?sk=info or www.venturarocks.com/index.htm
     
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Sat, Aug 20 (Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21):
Annual “BIG BEAR LAKE COWBOY GATHERING” at Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center, 39707 Big Bear Bl, Big Bear Lake 92315.
     
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Sat, Aug 20 (Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21), festival, in Vista (N San Diego Co):
Annual SUMMERGRASS bluegrass festival at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista. Here's the basic lline-up:
> Friday Aug 19
3 pm Prairie Sky
4 pm Loafer's Glory
5 pm Windy Ridge
6 pm Dinner Break
7 pm Old Town Road
8 pm Loafer's Glory
9 pm Grascals
> Saturday Aug 20
10 am Plow
11 am Sara Petite
Noon Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
1 pm Lunch Break
2 pm Grascals
3 pm Next Generation
4 pm Gone Tomorrow
5 pm Loafer's Glory
6 pm Dinner Break
7 pm Grascals
8 pm Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
9 pm Bluegrass Etc.
> Sunday Aug 21
9 am Sweet Tidings
10 am BladeRunners
11 am Bluegrass Etc.
Noon Kids on Stage
12:30 pm Next Generation
1:15 pm Lunch Break
2 pm Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
3 pm Bluegrass Etc.
4 pm Bladerunners
Tickets, etc, at www.summergrass.net. More info soon.
     
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Sat, Aug 20:
Afternoon WORKSHOP for artists by two-time Grammy winning guitarist LAURENCE JUBER at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583.
     The former lead guitarist for PAUL McCARTNEY's band, WINGS (1978-81) and featured on the hit singles “Goodnight Tonight' and “Coming Up,” Juber won the first “Best Rock Instrumental” Grammy award. Voted #1 Guitarist by the readers of Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine, Juber offers superb arrangements of pop and classic songs. His playing has been featured on the scores of successful films, including “Pocahontas.”
     In addition to today's workshop, he plays a concert here tonight; buy a concert ticket and get $5 off the workshop price. See the venue's website, class and workshop pages, for all info. 
     More at www.laurencejuber.com     
     Concert tix are $17.50, on sale Aug 6.
     
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Sat, Aug 20:
7:30 pm HOUSTON JONES plays “The Living Tradition” series at the Downtown Community Center, 250 E Center St, Anaheim; 949-646-1964.
     
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Sat, Aug 20:
8 PM Two-Time Grammy Winner LAURENCE JUBER at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583. Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide.
     The former lead guitarist for PAUL McCARTNEY's band, WINGS (1978-81) and featured on the hit singles “Goodnight Tonight' and “Coming Up,” Juber won the first “Best Rock Instrumental” Grammy award. Voted #1 Guitarist by the readers of Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine, Juber offers superb arrangements of pop and classic songs. His playing has been featured on the scores of successful films, including “Pocahontas.”
     In addition to tonight's concert, he does a Workshop here this afternoon; see the venue's website, class and workshop pages. (Buy a concert ticket and get $5 off the workshop price.) 
     More at www.laurencejuber.com     
     Tickets at Blvd Music or by phone with a major credit card. A $1 service charge per ticket is added on phone orders. Doors at 7:30 pm for the best seats; those with advance tix get in first. Tickets $17.50, on sale Aug 6.
     
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Sun, Aug 21 (Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21):
Annual “BIG BEAR LAKE COWBOY GATHERING” at Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center, 39707 Big Bear Bl, Big Bear Lake 92315.
     
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Sun, Aug 21 (Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21), festival, in Vista (N San Diego Co):
Annual SUMMERGRASS bluegrass festival at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista. Here's the basic lline-up:
> Friday Aug 19
3 pm Prairie Sky
4 pm Loafer's Glory
5 pm Windy Ridge
6 pm Dinner Break
7 pm Old Town Road
8 pm Loafer's Glory
9 pm Grascals
> Saturday Aug 20
10 am Plow
11 am Sara Petite
Noon Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
1 pm Lunch Break
2 pm Grascals
3 pm Next Generation
4 pm Gone Tomorrow
5 pm Loafer's Glory
6 pm Dinner Break
7 pm Grascals
8 pm Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
9 pm Bluegrass Etc.
> Sunday Aug 21
9 am Sweet Tidings
10 am BladeRunners
11 am Bluegrass Etc.
Noon Kids on Stage
12:30 pm Next Generation
1:15 pm Lunch Break
2 pm Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
3 pm Bluegrass Etc.
4 pm Bladerunners
Tickets, etc, at www.summergrass.net. More info soon.
     
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Tue-Sat, Aug 22-26:
DAVE STAMEY'S BACK-COUNTRY PACK TRIP, led by multiple award-winning western singer-songwriter Dave Stamey, is an annual horse caravan pack trip into the High Sierra, with plenty of music around the campfire every night, Info, www.mammothpack.com     
     
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Wed, Aug 24:
8 pm BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, the legendary Cuban group, plays the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N Highland Av, Hollywood 90068; 323-850-2000 213-480-3232.
     
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Thu, Aug 25:
7:30 pm SLIGO RAGS plays the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W Malven Av, Fullerton 92833; 714-738-6706.
     
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Fri, Aug 26:
8 pm DAVID GRIER at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583. Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide.
Three time winner of the International Bluegrass Association's Guitarist of the Year, Grier has emerged as perhaps the most musically gifted and engaging young guitarist in bluegrass. Also one of the funniest, too. He has also appeared on two Grammy- winning recordings: "True Life Blues-A Tribute to Bill Monroe" and "The Great Dobro Sessions." David will play some tunes from his new CD, Evocative. One of the world痴 finest flatpickers. More at www.davidgrier.com
Tickets at Blvd Music or by phone with a major credit card. A $1 service charge per ticket is added on phone orders. Doors at 7:30 pm for the best seats; those with advance tix get in first. Tickets $17.50, on sale Aug 12.
     
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Sat, Aug 27:
8 pm “FAR-WEST FOLK ALLIANCE BENEFIT” with BORDER RADIO, SUSIE GLAZE & HILONESOME, FUR DIXON & STEVEN WERNER, and MERLIN SNIDER & FRIENDS, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations, 626-798-6236.
     
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Sat, Aug 27:
10 am LISA HALEY & THE ZYDECATS play the “Big World Fun” series at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Bl East, Hollywood 90068; 323-461-3673.
     
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Sat, Aug 27:
7:30 pm LISA HALEY & THE ZYDECATS play Olivas Adobe Historical Park, 4200 Olivas Park Dr, Ventura 92002.
     
     
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September, 2011...
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Thu, Sep 1:
Annual “REMEMBER THE MUSIC” benefit concert with Grammy winner SHELBY LYNNE and PATRICK PARK & BRIAN WRIGHT at the historic Yost Theater in Santa Ana.
     One ticket option includes a three course seated dinner for a limited number of supporters. There are two elevated VIP sections and general admission in front of the stage. Presented by Betty's Foundation (www.bettysfoundation.org) and more info is available at their website or at 310-936-2814. All proceeds benefit Alzheimer’s research and awareness.
    More info at www.rememberthemusic.org    
    Tickets are available now at www.yosttheater.com/calendar/2011/remember-the-music-2011-feat-shelby-lynne  and at http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3791775. More info coming here, soon.      
     
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Sat & Sun, Sep 3 & 4:
10 am 10 pm “ORANGE INTERNATIONAL STREET FAIR” with SLIGO RAGS, and others, at Chapman Av & Glassell St, Orange 92866.
     
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Sat, Sep 3:
3 pm ROSS ALTMAN, Legend Award-winning balladeer, does a free performance sponsored by the Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest organization at the West Valley Regional Library, 19036 Vanowen St, Reseda 91335.
     
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Thu, Sep 8:
7:30 pm JOHN YORK, former BYRD, plays the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W Malven Av, Fullerton 92833; 714-738-6706.
     
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Thu, Sep 8:
8 pm COLIN HAY plays Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach 90254; 310-372-0035.
     
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Sat & Sun, Sep 10 & 11:
“EQUINOX FOLK MUSIC, DANCE AND STORYTELLING FESTIVAL” with MICK MOLONEY, GINNY HAWKER & TRACY SCHWARZ, OLD SLEDGE, LISSA SCHNECKENBERGER BAND, and more, presented by the California Traditional Music Society at Rancho Cordillera del Norte, 9015 Wilbur Av, Northridge 91324.
     
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Sat, Sep 10:
7 pm RICHARD SMITH & JULIE ADAMS play the Slater-Lunsford House Concert Series in Lancaster; info, www.desertsong.com.
     
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Sat, Sep 10:
7:30 pm GREGORY PAGE plays the San Diego Folk Heritage series at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas 92024; 858-566-4040.
     
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Sat, Sep 10:
7:30 pm BERKLEY HART plays the Song Tree Concert Series, at the Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 820 N Fairview Av, Goleta 93117; SongTree@cox.net or 805-403-2639.
     
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Sun, Sep 11:
3-5 pm BEST OF THE 2011 TOPANGA BANJO•FIDDLE CONTESTANTS do a free performance co-sponsored by the National Park Service and the Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest organization at Peter Strauss Ranch, 30000 Mulholland Hwy (2 blks from Troutdale Rd), in Santa Monica Mtns Nat’l Rec Area, near Agoura Hills; 818-382-4819. More info soon.
     
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Thu, Sep 15:
7:30 pm SLAID CLEAVES plays the AMSD Concert Series, 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego 92116; 619-303-8176.
     
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Fri-Sun, Sep 16-18:
Annual “MILLPOND MUSIC FESTIVAL” N of Bishop 93514; info at www.inyo.org or contact InyoArts@Inyo.org or 760-873-8014. This is, reliably, year-after-year, the best “end-of-the-summer” traditional and new acoustic music festival in California. If you can drive to Mammoth to ski, this is closer, up the same road. We recommend it even before we know this year’s line-up.
     
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Fri, Sep 16
7:30 pm MARTIN TAYLOR plays the first of two concerts for the “Lord Of The Strings Concert Series,” this one at the Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan St, Dana Point; 949-842-2227 or 949-244-6656.
     
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Sat, Sep 17:
7 pm MARTIN TAYLOR plays the second of two concerts for the “Lord Of The Strings Concert Series,” this one at Mission Viejo Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Dr, Mission Viejo; 949-842-2227 or 949-244-6656.
     
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Sat, Sep 17:
7:30 pm TRACY GRAMMER plays “The Living Tradition” series at the Downtown Community Center, 250 E Center St, Anaheim; 714-955-3807.
     
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Sat, Sep 17:
7:30 pm SLAID CLEAVES plays the Folk Music Center, 220 Yale Av, Claremont 91711; 909-624-2928.
     
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Sat, Sep 17:
8 pm BLAME SALLY plays Russ and Julie’s House Concerts in Oak Park (Agoura Hills/Westlake Village area); reservations get directions at 818-707-2179.
     
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Tue, Sep 20:
8 pm SIMON PURE plays the monthly “BASC BLUEGRASS NIGHT” at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank; 818-845-2425. Presented by Bluegrass Association of Southern California.
     
Sat, Sep 24, festival:
9 am-8 pm 17th annual HARVEST FESTIVAL OF DULCIMERS at the Culver Palms United Methodist Church; 4464 Sepulveda Bl; Culver City; info, www.scdh.org.    
     
     
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MORE STUFF >>>>>>> Other News, Resources, etc
     
"NEWS FEATURES” is a fresh edition each week, with news and reviews from the acoustic music universe, with features on folk-Americana, the “acoustic renaissance,” latest releases, reviews of CDs and live shows, industry news, news for artists, and more. Always available at www.acousticmusic.net.      
     
"VENUE DIRECTORY" - The Guide's extensive locator – has location and contact info for OVER 500 acoustic-music-friendly venues in Southern California, from Santa Barbara County to south Orange County, plus a few for San Diego, the deserts, and the Central Coast.
     
UPDATES are made every few months – the current edition of our VENUE DIRECTORY is at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/02/venue-directory-from-guide-updated.html      
     
     
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The Guide’s weekly News Features and Spotlight Events UPDATED EDITIONS bring more (always more -- as we have time to organize all of it).
     
We do all we can to bring you news and notices of all the many, many, MANY acoustic music events in and around the Los Angeles region, from the North border of Santa Barbara County to the South border of Orange County, and inland through San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
     
Plus, we tell you about RADIO SHOWS with acoustic music, focusing on those with live acoustic performances. (They're available mostly on the web, of course, since we are in acoustic-music-radio-deprived Los Angeles.)
     
And, we bring news and reviews of the many acoustic music FESTIVALS near and far, hither and yon, here, there and everywhere! With your help, we'll keep doing it!
     
     
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Questions? Comments? Contact us at tied to the tracks (at) Hotmail dot com (remove all the spaces and format it when you type it – we’re trying to reduce spam – you know...)
     
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LATEST EDITION of the Guide, the NEWS FEATURES, THE SCENE, and SPOTLIGHTED EVENTS, covering the world of current acoustic music happenings, including "heads up" notices to buy advance tix for shows likely to sell-out – and lots more – is available 24/7 (& frequently updated!) at
     
               www.acousticmusic.net or at
               www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
     
               - or by following any of many links on the web to get to one of those sites.
     
The Guide’s weekly NEWS FEATURES are published in 16 websites / webgroups!
     
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contents copyright © 2011, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
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