Spotlight Events: Acoustic Americana Music Guide, UPDATED January 25, 2012

.
LATE UPDATE: Tuesday, January 31, 7 pm annual "DANIEL PEARL MUSIC NIGHT" is a multi-artist showcase at the Talking Stick in Venice. Be sure to catch splendid vocalist CAROL McARTHUR. Danny Pearl was a journalist and musician who grew up in Southern California. While reporting from the Middle East, he was kidnapped and brutally murdered by extremists. Each year, musicians gather to remember his life and love of music.
.
.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS ADDED on Saturday, January 28, 2012
.
||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||

SPOTLIGHT EVENTS

from THE ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE

January 25, 2012 edition
UPDATED January 28…

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


After beginning 2012 with a hard drive crash and major loss of data, we’re still in RECONSTRUCTION mode. There’s PLENTY here for you, including things you won’t find anywhere else! (Heee-re, Data! Heeee-re, boy! Whistle-whistle-whistle-whistle…)

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!

The Guide’s NEWS FEATURES will be along soon, in a separate edition…


~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Let's get started...


~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Wednesday, January 25
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Jan 25:
7 pm weekly OPEN MIC every Wednesday at The Talking Stick, 1411 Lincoln Bl, Venice 92091. Signups at 6:45 pm.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Jan 25, in Simi Valley:
7:30 pm SONGMAKERS weekly “SIMI VALLEY HOOT” every Wednesday; info and location at www.songmakers.org.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Jan 25; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm THE WATKINS FAMILY HOUR plays the Largo at the Coronet, 366 N La Cienega Bl, West Hollywood 90048; 310-855-0350.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Jan 25; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm Acoustic guitar virtuoso SHAUN HOPPER plus THE BARON SISTERS at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-798-6236 (10 am-10 pm); venue phone 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. (“the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
SHAUN HOPPER was named in “Best of the Bay – 2009,” as “Most Unassuming Guitar Monster.”
“SHAUN HOPPER was dazzling at this year's annual "All Star Guitar Night," a centerpiece charity event at the massive NAMM Show. Both NAMM and that always memorable concert attract the world's best musicians. Shaun is a standout artist, even in such esteemed company.” -- Larry Wines, Acoustic Americana Music Guide.
“The kid’s got fingers of doom, no two ways about it. A true world-class talent on fingerstyle flat-top acoustic guitar. Hopper effortlessly channels Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel, George Benson and Andre Segovia, blowing minds and dropping jaws everywhere.” - Creative Loafing Magazine.
This vibrant Son-of-the-South brings his prodigious mastery of the fretboard, vivacious wit, haunting melodies and neck-popping originals. Whether you're a guitar enthusiast or not, it matters little; Shaun Hopper always delivers a stunning audio-visual performance which stretches the limits of acoustic guitar...mesmerizing everyone within earshot.
Hopper's repertoire is global in scope, crossing and combining musical genres on the fly. Moving thematically through his set, Hopper takes his audience on a tour from Celtic Imagery and Classical Medley to Soulful Ballads and Jazzy Improvs, all of which he'll counter punch with a Nashville "Hot Licks" session, Fret-tapping original or 70's Pop Song. With listeners caught off balance, he is always able to rouse the crowd with a contagious sing-a-long or two. Expect to hear threads of Bach, Beethoven, Beatles, George Benson, Sting, Segovia, John Mayer, Stevie Wonder, Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel, James Taylor and Queen. Shaun always raises a smile, a glass, and if not.... a standing ovation.
Shaun was hand picked by Chris Martin (C.F. Martin Guitar Co.) and signed by Steve Vai (Favored Nations Records) as one of the finest guitar players in America. More at www.shaunhopper.com
Tix, $15.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Jan 25:
8 pm GOOD LOVELIES play the Smothers Theatre at Pepperdine University Malibu, 24255 P.C.H., Malibu 90265; 310-506-4522.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Jan 25:
8 pm weekly “WINE AND SONG” Acoustic Music Series at Firefly Bistro, 1009 El Centro St, South Pasadena 91030; 626-441-2443.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Jan 25:
8 pm weekly “GUITAROLOGY” at Bar Melody and Grill, 9132 S Sepulveda Bl, L.A. 90045; 310-670-1994.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Jan 25:
8 pm weekly “O'BRIEN'S IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at O'Brien's Irish Pub and Restaurant, 2226 Wilshire Bl, Santa Monica 90403; 310-829-5303.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Jan 25; Jan 21-29, in Ventura:
TED NEELEY AND HIS LITTLE BIG BAND play nine nights at the Rubicon, 1006 E Main St, Ventura; tix, 805-667-2900. A mix of acoustic and electric, a “little yammering,” and, they tell us, “some surprises.”

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Jan 25:
9 pm weekly “ACOUSTIC CORDIALE” at Café Cordiale, 14015 Ventura Bl, Sherman Oaks 91423; 818-789-1985.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Jan 25; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
9:30 pm-1 am MARK “POCKET” GOLDBERG, MATT CARTSONIS, DEBRA DOBKIN, DAVE FRASER & NICK KIRGO, & guests, play a special show for Mark’s birthday at Ireland’s 32, 13721 Burbank Bl, Van Nuys 91401; www.irelands32pub.com; 818-785-4031. No cover charge, great pub food & full bar.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Thursday, January 26
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Jan 26, in T.O:
9:30 am “NEW WEST SYMPHONY / MEET THE ARTIST” at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Countrywide Performing Arts Center, 2100 E Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks; info on this event, 805-776-8400. Before the symphony’s concerts on Jan 27 & 28, this is an opportunity to meet the guest artists. Jan 26 in T.O., Jan 27 in Ventura, and both are free. See concert listing for more info.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Jan 26, in T.O.:
6-8 pm “HAPPY LITTLE UKULELE CLUB OF THOUSAND OAKS” meets some Thursdays at Denny’s Restaurant, 50 E Thousand Oaks Bl, T.O.; 805-418-7332. Bring your own uku. All levels of players and singers welcome. (Check before you go.)

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Jan 26:
6 pm weekly “THURSDAY NIGHT SOFA JAM” every Thursday at Westwood Music, 1627 Westwood Bl, Los Angeles 90024; 310-478-4251.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Jan 26, in T.O; not music, but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:
7 pm “REEL OF JUSTICE FILM SERIES” presents “THE FLAW,” a film documenting the credit bubble that caused the financial crash, screening at Cal Lutheran Univ., Lundring Events Center, 60 W Olsen Rd, Thousand Oaks; info, 805-493-3693. Free.
International award-winning documentarian DAVID SINGTON’s film tells the sordid tale through interviews with Wall Street insiders and victims of the crash, and examines “the toxic combination of forces that nearly destroyed the world economy.” A panel discussion follows. Free.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Jan 26, in OC; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm THE SCARLET FURIES and ALBERT LEE play The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano 92675; 949-496-8927.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Jan 26, in South OC:
7 pm weekly “LORD OF THE STRINGS” series OPEN MIC, every Thursday at Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan St Dana Point 92629; info, www.lordofthestringsconcerts.com; 949-842-2227.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Jan 26; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7:30-9 pm monthly “VIVA CANTINA'S COWBOY MUSIC SERIES” begins tonight with its first show and first headliner, “Harmonicowboy” GARY ALLEGRETTO, a multiple award winner, performing with IAN ESPINOZA, at Viva Cantina in Burbank; 818-845-2425 for dinner & table reservations; http://vivacantina.com.
American Cowboy magazine recently wrote, "Amazing. It's the word that fits the harmonica playing of Gary Allegretto. This good-natured cowboy singer-songwriter blows you away with his talent on that mouth harp. You've never seen - or heard anything like it."
Gary is a 5-time Western Music Association award nominee including Outstanding Entertainer (2010) Outstanding Instrumentalist (2010, 2009) and best Collaboration / Compilation album (2010). He has been honored with a "Best of the West Award" and two Grammy Award considerations for his unique brand of song writing and music.
Gary's performances have captivated audiences at many Western music shows and festivals and carried him to places all around the globe. He's been featured on soundtracks for major motion pictures and television and is endorsed by Hohner, the world's top harmonica manufacturer.
Joining Gary is Ian Espinoza, guitar-slinging singer with original songs. See the two in a live video performance at www.vimeo.com/28376206
New monthly series runs 4th Thursday each month. “It's an easy early show in the front room with no cover charge.” Venue has full bar, serves ala cart and full dinners.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Jan 26; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm Bluegrass stars THE SPECIAL CONSENSUS, presented by the Bluegrass Assoc. of Southern California (BASC) perform at the New Mission Theater at Rancho Cordillera del Norte, 9015 Wilbur Av, Northridge 81324.

Tix, $18 advance (BASC members), $20 advance (non-members), $25 at door.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Jan 26:
8 pm SURFIN’ SAFARI at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-798-6236 (10 am-10 pm); venue phone 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. (“the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
If you like the catalogue of surf music, you’ll hear all the classics from these award-winning veterans of some of the era’s top bands. One of venue impresario Bob Stane’s fave acts. Tix, $18.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Jan 26; Jan 21-29, in Ventura:
TED NEELEY AND HIS LITTLE BIG BAND play nine nights at the Rubicon, 1006 E Main St, Ventura; tix, 805-667-2900. A mix of acoustic and electric, a “little yammering,” and, they tell us, “some surprises.”



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Friday, January 27
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Jan 27, in Ventura:
11 am “NEW WEST SYMPHONY / MEET THE ARTIST” at Unitarian Universalist Church, Ventura; info on this event, 805-776-8400. Before the symphony’s concerts on Jan 27 & 28, this is an opportunity to meet the guest artists. Jan 26 in T.O., Jan 27 in Oxnard, and both are free. See concert listing for more info.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Jan 27, in Oxnard:
NEW WEST SYMPHONY presents “SERENADE TO MUSIC” in Oxnard tonight, and in T.O. tomorrow; tix, 800-NEW-WEST. Conductor STEVEN MERCURIO, guest artist RYLAND ANGEL, with the NEW WEST SYMPHONY CHORUS, perform works by Vaughn Williams, Mercurio, Respighi, and Tchaikovsky. Tix, $29-$114.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Jan 27; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm LUCINDA WILLIAMS plays UCLA Live! in Royce Hall, on the UCLA Campus in Westwood 90095; 310-825-2101 or 310-825-4401.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Jan 27; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm THE COALS at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-798-6236 (10 am-10 pm); venue phone 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. (“the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
THE COALS bring elegant songwriting and heartfelt harmonies as the backbone of their folky sound. A little bit country, a little bit Leonard Cohen, this quintet can stir your spirit and soothe your soul. With its warm blend of upright bass, piano, accordion, and dobro, the band forges a sound that is sweet, sad, and rollicking all at once. Led by the earthy baritone of singer/songwriter Jason Mandell, who was signed to a publishing deal by the Chrysalis A&R man who discovered Ray LaMontagne, The Coals carry the troubadour tradition to some surprisingly beautiful places.
Tix, $15.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Jan 27; Jan 21-29, in Ventura:
TED NEELEY AND HIS LITTLE BIG BAND play nine nights at the Rubicon, 1006 E Main St, Ventura; tix, 805-667-2900. A mix of acoustic and electric, a “little yammering,” and, they tell us, “some surprises.”

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Jan 27:
9:30 pm RICH McCULLEY & DAN JANISCH play The Cinema Bar, 3967 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City. Rich says, “First L.A. show of the year with my amazing band – Carl Byron, Steve Mugalian, Greg Boaz, and Anna Maria Roslaes. We will be splitting the night with Dan Janisch and his amazing band! See you all then!”
Rich McCulley’s new single, "A Little Bit Broken," is at Itunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/a-little-bit-broken-single/id424772436
More at www.richmcculley.com
No cover, bring $ for the tip jar.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Saturday, January 28
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28:
9 am-1 pm RON ELY plays the Upland Farmer’s Market. Location and info, www.myspace.com/ronely or www.reverbnation.com/ronely

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28; FESTIVAL, Fri & Sat, Jan 27 & 28:
Noon-4 pm “FESTIVAL FOR ALL SKID ROW ARTISTS” in Gladys Park, corner of 6th and Gladys Streets in Skid Row, downtown Los Angeles.
The Festival for All Skid Row Artists is two afternoons of performances and visual arts activities by artists who live and work on Skid Row. Neighborhood artists will perform and Los Angeles Poverty Department will collect digital data to create an artists’ registry and an archive of artists work. They will film and photograph art, writing, song and performances of neighborhood residents in Gladys Park. This year’s festival has expanded in several ways: it will take place over two days, a reflection of the depth of artistic activity on Skid Row and a select number of performers and visual artists from outside Skid Row will participate, a reflection of the existing exchange between Skid Row artists and the greater LA arts community.
The Skid Row Arts Fest is produced by Los Angeles Poverty Department with the support from the California Arts Council’s Creating Public Value program and The James Irvine Foundation. CAC’s CPV program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Los Angeles Poverty Department (LAPD; www.lapovertydept.org) creates performances and multidisciplinary artworks that connect the experience of people living in poverty to the social forces that shape their lives and communities. LAPD’s works express the realities, hopes, dreams and rights of people who live and work in L.A.'s Skid Row.
RASPIN STUWART TELLS US, “This promises to be an exciting and inspirational festival and art show displaying the talents of so many of the inhabitants of the area. I am strongly committed to and ardently support the effort to end hunger and homelessness in America and in the world. To that end, I will be performing this weekend, Friday and Saturday, January 27 and 28, 2012 at 12:30 pm. I would be delighted to see you all there and I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the hidden treasures you may find.” More at www.RASPIN.com

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28:
6 pm weekly “BLUEGRASS CONCERT SERIES” at Me N Eds Pizza Parlor, 4115 Paramount Bl, Lakewood 90712; 562-421-8908. Runs every Saturday.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
6:30 pm-1 am “INTERNATIONAL BLUES COMPETITION 2012 KICKOFF PARTY” with SHERRY PRUITT BLUES PROJECT, RON TANSKI, LAURIE MORVAN BAND, LIGHTNIN’ WILLIE & THE POORBOYS, PAUL & BULL, TRIPLE THREAT BLUES BAND, and BOBBY BLUEHOUSE BAND, sponsored by Santa Clarita Blues Society at Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia; www.arcadiabluesclub.com. Doors at 6 pm. All ages show. Advance tix, $10.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm DEBRA DAVIS & THE BAND OF GOLD plus JOHN ZIPPERER & FRIENDS at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-798-6236 (10 am-10 pm); venue phone 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. (“the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
Debra Davis writes hooky Americana-rock songs that hit deep. The singer/songwriter and her Band of Gold are powerfully fun live, and have a big international following of fans who call themselves “debheads.” Debra is a storyteller---her songs make you think and feel…and sing along. Songs from Debra’s 3 CDs have been featured on numerous TV shows and films, and her latest features a duet with 5-time Grammy winner Christopher Cross. She recently wrote the new theme song, “Girl of the World,” for the Global Girl Media organization, and she was featured on “Angel Encounters” (The Nashville Network), which explored the stories behind her songs.
Debra has toured nationwide playing festivals and venues like Summerfest, the Bluebird in Nashville, Bluebird’s stage at Countryfest, House of Blues, the Troubadour, the Coach House, Palm Springs PRIDE, LA Marathon, and Revlon Run/Walk. She’s opened for such artists as Christopher Cross, Edwin McCain, and Collective Soul. Her songs are on several compilation CDs for good causes, including “Artists Against Cancer,“ “It’s About Eve” for breast cancer research, and “Home” for Children International.
Band of Gold members play or have played and recorded with Melissa Etheridge, Christopher Cross, Glenn Frey, Loggins & Messina, The Motels, Nels Kline Trio, Joe Walsh and Wilson Phillips. With Nick Kirgo playing emotive slide on acoustic guitar, Wade Biery on bass and high harmonies, the nimble-fingered Bob Emmet on keys, and Debra’s built-in hubby/drummer Dave Beyer laying down the foundation, Debra’s music will at once take you on a journey of wit and reflection, and feel like a neighborly chat over a picket fence.
John Zipperer & Friends have played all over the country from festivals to House Concerts. Known for their upbeat spin on Acoustic Americana. Their witty lyrics and touching tunes will tug at your heart strings yet, send you away smiling. Their shows are jam packed with energy, humor, fun, and yes even a few tears. Enter the room a stranger and instantly find yourself another one of John Zipperer’s friends. John Zipperer, a former instructor at the world renowned Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Ca., has played with greats such as Tim Bogert (Vanilla Fudge), Dave Sutton (Lucinda Williams, Melissa Ethridge), Doan Perry (Jethro Tull) and Jimmy Scott (Ike Turner, The Four Tops).
Tara Sitser can be heard as a narrator and vocalist in musical cast recordings, audiobooks and radio spots. She has performed with John M, Michael Grate (Molly Zenobia, Renee Myara Quartet), Daniel Glass (Royal Crown Revue) and Jimmy Scott.
Jim Van Booven has performed extensively on the West Coast including a stint with his younger brother, Doug, in a Grand Funk Railroad tribute band.
Eddie “The Spoon-man” Terry has been playing spoons for 78 years. He has appeared with the Horace Heidt Orchestra, won first prize on The Ted Mack Amateur Hour and has the distinction of having appeared on The Gong Show without getting Gonged!
Barrett Tagliarino is currently an instuctor at the Musicians Institute. Barrett has published many guitar instructional books. He also has two excellent solo CDs available.
Tix, $15.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm LUCY KAPLANSKY at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497.
There are still a few tickets left for tonight’s show with “Nu-Folkie” Lucy Kaplansky who returns for a solo show after a year’s touring with RED HORSE (her "supergroup" with ELIZA GILKYSON & JOHN GORKA). Lured away from a promising musical career by the pursuit of a doctorate in psychology, Dr. K eventually rejoined singing partner Shawn Colvin, and started wowing folk audiences all over again. She did more of the same teaming with Richard Shindell and Dar Williams on “Cry, Cry, Cry,” and has since become a favorite at McCabe's. Her most recent solo release, “Over The Hills,” her 6th solo CD, is yet another thrilling and rewarding collection, this time including the musical assistance of friends like Eliza Gilkyson, Buddy Miller, and Jonatha Brooke. Kaplansky always delights on stage, and her music satisfies on many levels.
Tix, $20.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm Nat’l Mandolin Champ RADIM ZENKL performs at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; 310-398-2583; www.boulevardmusic.com. Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide. Tix, $15, on sale Jan 14. Radim does workshops at the venue on Jan 29; see listings.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm “LEGENDS OF THE CELTIC HARP” with PATRICK BALL, LISA LYNNE, & ARYEH FRANKFURTER at the Center for Spiritual Living, 4845 Dunsmore Av, La Crescenta 91214; 818-249-1045.
Legends of the Celtic Harp" with Patrick Ball, Lisa Lynne, and Aryeh Frankfurter.
This is a first! Three brilliant and beloved Celtic Harpers will be on one stage together performing not only exquisite music from ancient to modern times, but legendary stories of this most enchanting instrument and the journey it has taken through the centuries.
Prepare to have your soul stirred by the masterful skill you will hear. We are the first venue in Los Angeles to host this unique show where this rare music is performed seamlessly with tales of wit and enchantment.
"Legends of the Celtic Harp" will take you back in time, and entertain you with spellbinding tales and Celtic music old and new.
They’re playing another local show at the Coffee Gallery Backstage on Mon, Jan 30, if you miss this one tonight.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm SCOTT AINSLIE, Delta Blues guitarist, plays the Ruth Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, on the campus at Whittier College, 6760 Painter Av, Whittier 90601; 562-907-4203.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28, in Claremont; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm THE DUSTBOWL REVIVAL plays the Hip Kitty Jazz and Fondue, 502 W First St, Claremont 91711; 909-447-6700.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28, in Agoura Hills; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm LISA LOEB & JILL SOBULE at The Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills; www.canyonclub.net; 818-879-5016.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28, in Agoura Hills; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm TERESA JAMES & DEBRA DOBKIN play “RUSS AND JULIE’S HOUSE CONCERT SERIES” in Oak Park (Agoura Hills / Westlake Village area); reservations get directions at rsvp@houseconcerts.us or 818-707-2179.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm TRACY NEWMAN & THE REINFORCEMENTS at Westwood Music, 1627 Westwood Bl, L.A. 90024; www.westwoodmusic.com.
Tix, $15.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28, in OC:
Slack Key Guitar specialist JEFF PETERSON plays the “Lord of the Strings” Concert Series at Mission Viejo Civic Center, 100 Civic Ctr Dr, Mission Viejo; 949-842-2227 or 949-244-6656.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28, in Thousand Oaks:
NEW WEST SYMPHONY presents “SERENADE TO MUSIC” in T.O.; tix, 800-NEW-WEST. Conductor STEVEN MERCURIO, guest artist RYLAND ANGEL, with the NEW WEST SYMPHONY CHORUS, perform works by Vaughn Williams, Mercurio, Respighi, and Tchaikovsky. Tix, $29-$114.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Jan 28; Jan 21-29, in Ventura:
TED NEELEY AND HIS LITTLE BIG BAND play nine nights at the Rubicon, 1006 E Main St, Ventura; tix, 805-667-2900. A mix of acoustic and electric, a “little yammering,” and, they tell us, “some surprises.”



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Sunday, January 29
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Jan 29, in San Diego:
10 am weekly “BLUEGRASS BRUNCH” at Urban Solace, 3823 30th St, San Diego 92104; 619-295-6464. Every Sunday.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Jan 29:
11 am RANDY KAPLAN plays a matinee Kid’s show at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. Tix, $10 (kids under age 2 are free).

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Jan 29; an “EVENT-OF-THE-WEEK for artists” pick:
1-2:50 pm WORKSHOP: INTERMEDIATE / ADVANCED MANDOLIN with Nat’l Mandolin Champ RADIM ZENKL at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; 310-398-2583; www.boulevardmusic.com. Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide. Fee, $35. (One of two different workshops today by Radim; there’s a discount if you sign-up for both workshops.) Radim plays a concert at the venue on Jan 28; see listing.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Jan 29; an “EVENT-OF-THE-WEEK for artists” pick:
3-4:50 pm WORKSHOP: BEGINNING TIN (PENNY) WHISTLE with Nat’l Mandolin Champ RADIM ZENKL at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; 310-398-2583; www.boulevardmusic.com. Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide. Fee, $35. (One of two different workshops today by Radim; there’s a discount if you sign-up for both workshops.) Radim plays a concert at the venue on Jan 28; see listing.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Jan 29; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
11th Annual “ROBERT BURNS NIGHT CELEBRATION” sponsored by the Celtic Arts Center at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church & School, 7136 Winnetka Av, Winnetka 91306. It’s a celebration with music, food, dancing and poetry of the life and works of the Great Bard of Scotland. It’ll sell-out. Details and tix at www.celticartscenter.com.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Jan 29; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 & 9 pm RAY WYLIE HUBBARD at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. The 7 pm show is sold-out; tix available for 9 pm at press time. Tix, $20.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Jan 29; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm JOHN McCUTCHEON plays the “Bodie House Concerts at the Library” series at the Grant R. Brimhall Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks 91362; 818-706-8309.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Jan 29, in San Diego; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm LUCY KAPLANSKY plays Anthology, 1337 India St, San Diego 92101; 619-595-0300.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Jan 29; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm ANDY HILL & RENEE SAFIER (from HARD RAIN) at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-798-6236 (10 am-10 pm); venue phone 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. (“the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
As host band of the annual DYLANFEST, you know them even if you don’t realize it.
This award-winning Los Angeles-based duo has made a strong mark on the acoustic/rock scene at home as well as across the US, Canada, Thailand, Ireland and Italy. This duo has it all: great musicianship, outstanding voices and exceptional songs. Andy’s songwriting is original, passionate and sincere. It covers a vast lyrical landscape, bringing to mind Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison. One reviewer said of Renee, “Safier's voice oft drips with an aching sensitivity filtered through delicate beauty and a fragility that would break and disappear in less capable hands”, and another of Andy, “Hill is rapidly becoming a songwriter to watch”.
Andy Hill & Renee Safier’s ten CDs have garnered them awards from Los Angeles Music Awards “Americana Group of the Year" to the International Acoustic Music Awards "Best Duo or Group". Andy and Renee provide a much needed connection with live music to their audiences, whether in an intimate House Concert or at a large festival. For information on their CDs or their extensive performance schedule, go to www.andyandrenee.com
Tix, $15.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Jan 29; Jan 21-29, in Ventura:
TED NEELEY AND HIS LITTLE BIG BAND conclude their nine-night stand at the Rubicon, 1006 E Main St, Ventura; tix, 805-667-2900. A mix of acoustic and electric, a “little yammering,” and, they tell us, “some surprises.”

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Jan 29; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
9 pm RAY WYLIE HUBBARD at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. The 7 pm show is sold-out; tix available for 9 pm at press time. Tix, $20.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Monday, January 30
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Mon, Jan 30:
7:30 pm weekly “VIVA CANTINA BLUEGRASS JAM” at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-515-4444. The BROMBIES play bluegrass on some Mondays on the venue's other stage.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Mon, Jan 30:
7:30 pm weekly “KULAK'S WOODSHED OPEN MIC” at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood 91607; 818-766-9913. Sign-ups at 7 pm.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Mon, Jan 30; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm “LEGENDS OF THE CELTIC HARP” with PATRICK BALL, LISA LYNNE, & ARYEH FRANKFURTER at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-798-6236 (10 am-10 pm); venue phone 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. (“the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
Bob Stane will tell you this is one of his “best acts.”
Legends of the Celtic Harp" with Patrick Ball, Lisa Lynne, and Aryeh Frankfurter.
This is a first! Three brilliant and beloved Celtic Harpers will be on one stage together performing not only exquisite music from ancient to modern times, but legendary stories of this most enchanting instrument and the journey it has taken through the centuries.
Prepare to have your soul stirred by the masterful skill you will hear. We are the first venue in Los Angeles to host this unique show where this rare music is performed seamlessly with tales of wit and enchantment.
If you have never heard the world-renowned award-winning teller of tales Patrick Ball and his wire strung harp, you have not lived. This will be his first performance at Coffee Gallery. Lisa Lynne and Aryeh Frankfurter have performed at several sold out shows at Coffee Gallery, and are masterful on their harps and rare instruments.
"Legends of the Celtic Harp" will take you back in time, and entertain you with spellbinding tales and Celtic music old and new.
This new show will be sure to sell out, so get your tickets now!
Tix, $20.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Mon, Jan 30; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm “AN EVENING WITH JACKIE DeSHANNON” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl, L.A. 90015; 213-765-6803; www.grammymuseum.org.
Singer-songwriter and music pioneer Jackie DeShannon is known for her soulful voice behind two enduring 1960s anthems: Bacharach-David’s “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” and her own, “Put A Little Love In Your Heart.” DeShannon has recorded a diverse range of genres, from rock to folk, R&B, country, gospel and jazz.
Her songs have been performed by Al Green & Annie Lennox, The Byrds, Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen, Cher, The Carpenters and dozens more. She has collaborated with some of the industry’s best songwriters including Randy Newman, Jack Nitzsche, Van Morrison, John Bettis and Jimmy Page. She was awarded the 1982 “Song of the Year” GRAMMY for co-writing “Bette Davis Eyes,” and in 2010 was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Hear DeShannon, with GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, discuss her accomplished career and latest album, "When You Walk In The Room," which features acoustic arrangements of her classic songs. DeShannon will perform a mini-concert with musicians, take questions from the audience and host rare video highlights.
All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum. More info at 213-765-6803 or www.grammymuseum.org.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Friday, January 6, at noon. Public sale begins Monday, January 23, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers receive a special gift.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Mon, Jan 30:
8-11 pm “BLUE MONDAY JAM” hosted by the BERNIE PEARL BLUES BAND at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, 4305 Degnan Bl, Leimert Park; 310-462-1439.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Mon, Jan 30:
8 pm weekly “CELTIC ARTS CENTER IRISH CéILí DANCE & IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at the shared Celtic Arts Center / Theatre Unlimited, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood 91602; info, www.celticartscenter.com; 818-760-8322. Dance at 8, music session at 9 pm. Free.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Tuesday, January 31
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Jan 31:
7 pm weekly “JC HYKE'S SONGWRITERS SERENADE” with different recording artists playing acoustic each week, at Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant & Bar, 145 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006. No cover.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Jan 31; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm “THE DROP: RUTHIE FOSTER” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl, L.A. 90015; 213-765-6803; www.grammymuseum.org.
The GRAMMY Museum welcomes soulful singer Ruthie Foster to celebrate the release of her new album, “Let It Burn.” Her new CD captures her astonishing voice perfectly with a combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel. Recorded in New Orleans, Foster had support from some of that city’s most respected players including the legendary Meters’ bassist George Porter Jr.
“Let It Burn” features a surprisingly eclectic collection of cover songs ranging from Adele to Los Lobos, and the Black Keys to Johnny Cash. There are several original tunes by Ruthie, plus collaborations with legendary gospel singers the Blind Boys of Alabama and soul icon William Bell.
Foster’s accomplished career includes a GRAMMY nomination for her 2009 release, “The Truth According to Ruthie Foster,” Austin Music Award winner for Best Folk Artist in 2004-05, and Best Female Vocalist in 2007-08, and Blues Music Association awards for both Best Contemporary and Best Traditional Female Blues Artist in back-to-back years.
Foster will perform a selection of songs, take questions from the audience and discuss, alongside Vice President of The GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Scott Goldman, how the new album is her most personal journey yet.
More info at 213-765-6803 or www.grammymuseum.org.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $15 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Friday, January 6, at noon. Public sale begins Monday, January 23, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers receive a special gift.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Jan 31, in San Diego; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm ABIGAIL WASHBURN plus THE JAYHAWKS play the Belly Up Tavern, 143 S Cedros Av, Solana Beach (San Diego) 92075; 858-481-9022.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Jan 31:
8 pm weekly “TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at Timmy Nolan's Tavern and Grill, 10111 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake 91602; 818-985-3359.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Jan 31:
8 pm weekly “BOURBON & BLUEGRASS” at South Santa Monica Sports Bar and Grill, 3001 Wilshire Bl Santa Monica 90403; 310-828-9988.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
FEBRUARY – the shortest month will not be short on music!
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Wednesday, February 1
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 1:
7 pm weekly OPEN MIC every Wednesday at The Talking Stick, 1411 Lincoln Bl, Venice 92091. Signups at 6:45 pm.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 1, in Simi Valley:
7:30 pm SONGMAKERS weekly “SIMI VALLEY HOOT” every Wednesday; info and location at www.songmakers.org.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 1; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm EDITED TRIO, just back from their California tour, play a short set at the weekly “WINE AND SONG” Acoustic Music Series at Firefly Bistro, 1009 El Centro St, South Pasadena 91030; 626-441-2443.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 1, in South OC; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm ABIGAIL WASHBURN plus THE JAYHAWKS play The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano 92675; 949-496-8927.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 1:
8 pm weekly “GUITAROLOGY” at Bar Melody and Grill, 9132 S Sepulveda Bl, L.A. 90045; 310-670-1994.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 1:
8 pm weekly “O'BRIEN'S IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at O'Brien's Irish Pub and Restaurant, 2226 Wilshire Bl, Santa Monica 90403; 310-829-5303.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 1:
9 pm weekly “ACOUSTIC CORDIALE” at Café Cordiale, 14015 Ventura Bl, Sherman Oaks 91423; 818-789-1985.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Thursday, February 2
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Feb 2, in Santa Clarita:
6-9 pm “MUSIC NIGHT” at El Trocadero Mesquite Grill and Cantina, 24274 Main St, Newhall 91321.
It’s a bit of an eclectic lineup, but all appears good. From 6-7 pm, Bryan Chan and Dave Gillespie (www.scvblues.org) play Delta Blues. Check them out at www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcrIBv1ug4c
From 7-8 pm, it’s Jimmy Eaton, Cari Caruso, and Carmine Sardo. Jimmy Eaton is a sought-after pedal steel player for stage and studio work, who shows his versatility by playing Dobro tonight. Accompanying him are Cari Caruso on vocals and Carmine Sardo on guitar and vocals. Check out Jimmy Eaton at www.jimeatonmusic.com
From 8-9 pm, it’s Mark Brainard and Jack Thorne. Mark’s father was a big band musician who played with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Mark has played in a classic rock band for 30 years around the L.A. area, and is a singer-songwriter who loves a good hook. He released a folk-pop CD, “Life In Java,” in 2005 with duet partner Tim Russell. He just authored his first book, “A Musician’s Son (lyrics, poems, and memoirs).” Think British folk meets Southern California. More at www.markbrainard.com
Jack Thorne is a singer-songwriter whose passion lies in being a song interpreter. His influences are many; Van Morrison, Nick Drake, and Dylan come to mind. With a musical theater background, he has performed for years in many local venues. His recent project is interpreting The Beatles’ ”Rubber Soul” LP.
Venue has full bar and dinner and a al cart menu; no cover charge.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Feb 2, in T.O.:
6-8 pm “HAPPY LITTLE UKULELE CLUB OF THOUSAND OAKS” meets some Thursdays at Denny’s Restaurant, 50 E Thousand Oaks Bl, T.O.; 805-418-7332. Bring your own uku. All levels of players and singers welcome. (Check before you go.)

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Feb 2:
6 pm weekly “THURSDAY NIGHT SOFA JAM” every Thursday at Westwood Music, 1627 Westwood Bl, Los Angeles 90024; 310-478-4251.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Feb 2, in OC:
6:15 pm twice-monthly “FOUNTAIN VALLEY BLUEGRASS JAM” at Orange County Archery, 18792 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley 92708. Runs first & third Thursdays.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Feb 2, in South OC:
7 pm weekly “LORD OF THE STRINGS” series OPEN MIC, every Thursday at Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan St Dana Point 92629; info, www.lordofthestringsconcerts.com; 949-842-2227.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Feb 2, in Agoura Hills; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
RICHIE FURAY, of POCO, BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD, and the SOUTHER-HILLMAN-FURAY BAND, at The Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills; www.canyonclub.net; 818-879-5016.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Feb 2, in the desert; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm JUDY COLLINS plays the McCallum Theatre, 73000 Fred Waring Dr, Palm Desert 92260; 760-340-ARTS or 866-889-ARTS.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Feb 2; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm MARY FLOWER, folk guitar royalty, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-798-6236 (10 am-10 pm); venue phone 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. (“the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
First and foremost, Mary Flower is a world-class guitarist who swings the blues. Along the way, she’s mastered the intricate, harmonically subtle Piedmont style, with its good-timey, ragtime feel. The Piedmont style forms the foundation of much of her work, but she’s an unrivaled interpreter of Mississippi blues and an ingenious composer in her own right whose tunes take American music into uncharted waters. In the rarefied atmosphere where Mary operates, she’s recognized everywhere as one of the pre-eminent fingerstyle guitarists who continue in the rich acoustic blues tradition. In fact, she’s twice placed in the top three at the prestigious National Finger Picking Championship in Winfield, Kansas–the only woman to do so. That’s remarkable enough, but Flower goes beyond technique. She’s a warm singer who ranges far in the byways of blues, pop and jazz for the kind of down-home yet sophisticated material she feels comfortable with. Mary brings smarts and sublime equipoise to her music–you feel happier after listening to her.
Mary has been nominated in two categories (“Acoustic Artist” and “Acoustic Album”) for a 2012 Blues Music Award presented by the Blues Foundation in Memphis. She's also up for "Best Female Artist" in her own town (Portland Music Awards) and the recipient of the Muddy Award in 2011 by the Cascade Blues Assn. for Best Acoustic Guitar.
Downbeat says of her recent duets CD on Yellow Dog Records, “Superlative… such a high level of proficiency that your heart will beat faster and your blood race. One of the Top 10 roots albums of 2011, no question about it. (4 stars) Twenty years and nine albums into her recording career, Flower is a superlative fingerstyle guitarist square in the Piedmont tradition. She also excels on lap steel. Easy confidence characterizes her singing style.”
Acoustic Guitar says, “Beyond the tight song arrangements, expert musicianship, and crystal clear production, Misery Loves Company’s crowning achievement is reflected in Flower’s ability to capture her musical inspiration—the rural, romantic South—in word and sound. Her unpretentious vocal style, compelling guitar work, and minimalist arrangements perfectly capture the feeling of gently floating down a slowly moving river or strolling down an isolated dirt road. “
Tix, $15.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Feb 2; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
9 pm ABIGAIL WASHBURN plus THE JAYHAWKS play The Music Box Theater, 6126 Hollywood Bl, Hollywood 90028; 323-464-0808.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Feb 2; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm LISA LOEB and JILL SOBULE play Brixton South Bay, 100J W Torrance Bl, Redondo Beach 90277; 310-406-1931.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Friday, February 3
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 3; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm DAVID LINDLEY plays the “Bodie House Concerts in the Library” series at Grant R. Brimhall Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks 91362; 818-621-8309.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 3; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm I SEE HAWKS IN L.A. plus KAREN TOBIN at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-798-6236 (10 am-10 pm); venue phone 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. (“the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
I SEE HAWKS IN L.A. are in the top tier of elite, innovative Americana bands in L.A., or just about anywhere else.
"These freewheeling lords of California psych country approach their music as if it were a portal, an unseen threshold that, once crossed, promises a wholly unpredictable experience. The Hawks' singular style operates on an epic scale, exploring weird panoramas of hallucinatory metaphor with a sound as much traditional hillbilly as it is acceleratedlysergic-rock spontaneity. Any flight taken with I See Hawks In L.A. assures a view to startling new perspectives. Up, up and away."
For extensive descriptive copy, go to: http://www.iseehawks.com
KAREN TOBIN is originally from Pennsylvania, and the powerful, sensitive singer, songwriter is now a veteran of the Los Angeles Music scene and former recording artist with Arista Records - New York, and Atlantic Records - Nashville.
Ms. Tobin has been compared with such luminaries of the female vocalist elite as Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. Karen was nominated for Best Female Vocalist by Los Angeles Music Awards. She is an active producer and writer in the Los Angeles area. She has performed at local venues and internationally.
"Karen sings the heart right out of her chest." "Ms. Tobin wails out a shivering mountain edged soprano that's laced with a powerhouse of control and emotion"-- Cash Box." "Everything she does is wonderful, this woman has so much ability." - Robert Oremann, Music Row Magazine. Karen has had her songs released by Artists in Switzerland, Holland, Japan and the United States. For further info: www.myspace.com/karentobinmusic or contact Karen: karentobinmusic@gmail.com
Tix, $15.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 3; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 & 10 pm JORMA KAUKONEN at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497.
Jorma still maintains his connection with other storied musicians from JEFFERSON AIRPLANE days, and he tours solo, as well, including tonight.
HOT TUNA, JORMA KAUKONEN and JACK CASADY rev up their audiences with groundbreaking music and insightful original songs that keep them a moving musical force. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees from their legendary Jefferson Airplane days, Hot Tuna updates their repertoire always keeping a boisterous sound and a wry sense of humor. Adding depth to the duo are mandolin virtuoso Barry Mitterhoff and drummer Skoota "The Funky" Warner. More at www.hottuna.com.
Catch a fun video of "Hesitation Blues" performed Oct 22, 2011, by JACK CASADY and JORMA KAUKONEN, in a HOT TUNA acoustic duo, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck77EWiiSgU
Great story on Jorma: Jorma Kaukonen and his wife, Vanessa, spoke at a “Rex Foundation” fundraising event in the Appalachians on December 10, 2011. They told how they provided access to music and culture through scholarships, classes and workshops to hundreds of youths in the foundation’s neighboring community. Their work is through Fur Peace Ranch, made possible by a Rex “Ralph Gleason Award.”
"I was inspired by the positive impact of their selfless, meaningful actions," said Sandy Sohcot, Executive Director of “The World As It Could Be Human Rights Education Program.” There’s info on that organization at www.theworldasitcouldbe.org
The Fur Peace Ranch is a center of musical activity. Workshops with Jorma, Jack and many talents occur through out the year. Recent features on them include "Jefferson Airplane Bandmates Teach Guitar to Rock Star Wannabes” – Jim Clash, Bloomberg-BusinessWeek, and "Jefferson Airplane Alumns Run the Real School of Rock" – Sean Edgar, in Paste. Find them at www.hottuna.com
More at www.jormakaukonen.com
Tonight’s 8 pm show is SOLD OUT; tix available for 10 pm at press time. Tix, $32.50.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 3:
8 pm monthly “FIRST FRIDAY SHOW” with this month’s guest, MARK "POCKET" GOLDBERG, plus SEVERIN BROWNE & the “FIRST FRIDAY BAND” of JEFF KOSSACK, DAVID STONE, ALEX DEL ZOPPO, GARY POPENOE, MIKE BISCH, AARON WOLFSON AND CHRIS LACINAK at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood 91607; 818-766-9913; watch online at www.kulakswoodshed.com.
Band plays for free; $10 donation suggested for venue.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 3, in Agoura Hills:
STRAY CAT LEE ROCKER at The Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills; www.canyonclub.net; 818-879-5016.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 3; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
10 pm JORMA KAUKONEN at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497.
See 8 pm listing for full write-up.
Tonight’s 8 pm show is SOLD OUT; tix available for 10 pm at press time. Tix, $32.50.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Saturday, February 4
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 4:
9 am-1 pm RON ELY plays the Upland Farmer’s Market. Location and info, www.myspace.com/ronely or www.reverbnation.com/ronely

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 4; an “EVENT-OF-THE-WEEK for artists” pick:
3-5 pm WORKSHOP: BLUES / RAGTIME with MARY FLOWER at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; 310-398-2583; www.boulevardmusic.com. She is a celebrated Yellow Dog Records recording artist and specialist who seamlessly blends acoustic blues, ragtime, folk-Americana and whatever else tickles her fancy. Downbeat magazine calls her, “a world class fingerstyle and lap-slide guitarist.” Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide. Fee, $35. Mary plays a concert at the venue at 8 pm; see listing.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 4:
6 pm weekly “BLUEGRASS CONCERT SERIES” at Me N Eds Pizza Parlor, 4115 Paramount Bl, Lakewood 90712; 562-421-8908. Runs every Saturday.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Feb 4, in Bakersfield; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
JUNI FISHER, top award-winning cowgirl singer-songwriter, plays a house concert “in the barn” (appropriately enough), in Bakersfield. Reservations get directions. Call or email Lacey, 661-203-0336 or rodeocowgirls@gmail.com
Juni Fisher is:
2011 WMA ENTERTAINER of the Year
2011, WMA Song of the Year
2011, 2009, 2006 WMA Female Performer of the Year,
2009 WMA Album of the Year
2008 Natl. Cowboy Museum Wrangler Award Winner
2008 WMA Songwriter of the Year
Endorsed by Larrivee Guitars, Elixir Strings, Caboots Boots, Montana Peaks Hats. More at www.junifisher.net

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 4; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm “A MUSICAL CONVERSATION WITH LA SANTA CECILIA” and “Paper Fashion with PATSSI VALDEZ” is a special “Pacific Standard Time: Art In L.A. 1945 – 1980” event, co-presented by The GRAMMY Museum and UCLA’s Fowler Museum, at the Fowler Museum on UCLA campus in Westwood; 310-825-4361; info, www.fowler.ucla.edu; or www.grammymuseum.org.
GRAMMY-nominated LA SANTA CECILIA — fronted by belter LA MARISOUL —draws inspiration from a hybrid of Latin culture, rock and world music in passionate performances that mesmerize audiences. After an interview moderated by Josh Kun, curator of the PST / GRAMMY Museum exhibition “Trouble in Paradise: Music and Los Angeles 1945-75,” and director of The Popular Music Project at USC Annenberg’s The Norman Lear Center, La Santa Cecilia will take audience questions and perform a selection of songs.
During the post-concert reception, Asco icon Patssi Valdez leads a crunch-and-fold workshop inspired by Asco’s 1970’s-era public appearances as self-made fashionistas in paper gowns and hats. See Valdez’s work in “Mapping Another L.A.: The Chicano Art Movement,” which will be open at the Fowler.
Reception includes dessert and a cash bar. $10 for Fowler / GRAMMY Museum members and students; $15 general. Tickets go on sale Jan 6 at noon, at 213-765-6803. When picking up program tickets at the Box Office Will Call, you may be required to show ID that matches the credit card used to purchase the ticket.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 4; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm MODAL TEASE STRING BAND plus CLIFF WAGNER & THE OLD #7 at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-798-6236 (10 am-10 pm); venue phone 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. (“the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
Modal Tease and Old Number 7 double headline this bill in celebration of their new CDs, bringing you a not-to-be-missed show that celebrates music from Appalachia, Nashville, and Beyond.
Modal Tease has been serving up sizzling' hot slices of Old Tunes for New Times since 2009. Rooted in America's old time music tradition, they’re adventurous and versatile, contrasting fast-paced breakdowns with moseying blues, archaic crooked fiddle tunes with straight-up square dance numbers, humorous ditties with Carter Family laments, mandolin with fiddle counterpoint, and typical clawhammer banjo with novel applications. What unites their varied tastes is their penchantfor modal tunes, which liberally pepper their performances, giving them an "out of this world" quality often associated with Celtic or Irish music. But rest assured their music is 100% American.
"Belinda Thom (fiddle) and Cliff Latimer (mandolin) belt out tight unison melodies and vocal harmonies, while Jim Hamilton (clawhammer banjo), balances rhythm and melody, and Larry Ullman (standup bass) provides the backdrop. Recently, they won awards at the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Competition and the Goleta Old-Time Fiddlers Convention. They recorded "Aggravatin’ Beauty," which will be unveiled at this special show.
Cliff Wagner & The Old #7 might just be a band like nothing you have never heard. Mixing Bluegrass, Blues and Honky Tonk in a way that has audiences on their feet. Cliff and the other members of The Old #7 are taking American Roots Music to the next level, and the fans are following. This band gained nationwide exposure on FOX TVs “The Next Great American Band”, finishing 7th out of 8,000 bands who originally tried out for the show, defying the judge's expectations that a "Bluegrass" band would not be accepted by the general public. by. The band's release of “Hobo's Lullaby,” which debuted at #35 on the AMA Americana chart and shortly rose to #28, showcased the band’s musicianship, versatility and song writing skills by featuring something for everyone: hard-driving blues- and bluegrass-influenced tunes, country pop, and tender ballads.
This past November, the band released its newest album, "Country Funk," which demonstrates why this band sounds like no other contemporary Bluegrass band playing today. Cliff Wagner & The Old #7 showcases superior musicianship, magical harmonies and an energetic, fresh new sound, which simply must be heard to be believed.
Tix, $20.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 4:
7 pm JAIME MICHAELS plus DAVE MORRISON at the Four Friends Acoustic Music Series, Four Friends Gallery, 1408 Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks 91362; 805-497-4022; info@fourfriendsgallery.com. Promoter Marilyn Babcock cooks dinner for guests at these events; doors open at 6 to eat; music begins at 7 pm. Marilyn adds, “The venue is very accessible seating for 100. Soft drinks free, no host bar. Kids OK. Song circle follows performances, so bring your guitars; amazing piano available.” Emcee is Dave Morrison. Directions from L.A. & the Valley: Take 101 Fwy to Rancho Rd exit; right at Rancho; right on Thousand Oaks Blvd. To venue, two blocks on the right. Parking lot in back.$15 admission each show, and that includes dinner. More info, info@fourfriendsgallery.com; 805-497-4022.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 4; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm MARY FLOWER at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; 310-398-2583; www.boulevardmusic.com. She is a celebrated Yellow Dog Records recording artist and specialist who seamlessly blends acoustic blues, ragtime, folk-Americana and whatever else tickles her fancy. Downbeat magazine calls her, “a world class fingerstyle and lap-slide guitarist.” Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide. Tix, $15, on sale Jan 21. Mary does a workshop at the venue at 3 pm; see listing.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 4; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 & 10 pm JORMA KAUKONEN at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497.
Jorma still maintains his connection with other storied musicians from JEFFERSON AIRPLANE days, and he tours solo, as well, including tonight.
HOT TUNA, JORMA KAUKONEN and JACK CASADY rev up their audiences with groundbreaking music and insightful original songs that keep them a moving musical force. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees from their legendary Jefferson Airplane days, Hot Tuna updates their repertoire always keeping a boisterous sound and a wry sense of humor. Adding depth to the duo are mandolin virtuoso Barry Mitterhoff and drummer Skoota "The Funky" Warner. More at www.hottuna.com.
Catch a fun video of "Hesitation Blues" performed Oct 22, 2011, by JACK CASADY and JORMA KAUKONEN, in a HOT TUNA acoustic duo, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck77EWiiSgU
Great story on Jorma: Jorma Kaukonen and his wife, Vanessa, spoke at a “Rex Foundation” fundraising event in the Appalachians on December 10, 2011. They told how they provided access to music and culture through scholarships, classes and workshops to hundreds of youths in the foundation’s neighboring community. Their work is through Fur Peace Ranch, made possible by a Rex “Ralph Gleason Award.”
"I was inspired by the positive impact of their selfless, meaningful actions," said Sandy Sohcot, Executive Director of “The World As It Could Be Human Rights Education Program.” There’s info on that organization at www.theworldasitcouldbe.org
The Fur Peace Ranch is a center of musical activity. Workshops with Jorma, Jack and many talents occur through out the year. Recent features on them include "Jefferson Airplane Bandmates Teach Guitar to Rock Star Wannabes” – Jim Clash, Bloomberg-BusinessWeek, and "Jefferson Airplane Alumns Run the Real School of Rock" – Sean Edgar, in Paste. Find them at www.hottuna.com
More at www.jormakaukonen.com
Both shows are SOLD OUT; tix available for Friday’s 10 pm show, at press time. Tix, $32.50.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 4; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
10 pm JORMA KAUKONEN at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497.
See 8 pm listing for full write-up. Both shows are SOLD OUT; tix available for Friday’s 10 pm show, at press time. Tix, $32.50.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Sunday, February 5
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Feb 5, in San Diego:
10 am weekly “BLUEGRASS BRUNCH” at Urban Solace, 3823 30th St, San Diego 92104; 619-295-6464. Every Sunday.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Feb 5:
11 am “MATINEE KID’S SHOW” nearly every Sunday at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. Tix, $8 (kids under age 2 are free).

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Feb 5:
T. BROUSSARD plays the Cajun-Zydeco dance series produced by Sidney’s Dances at The Petroleum Club, 3637 Linden Av, Long Beach 90807. Admission, $20.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Feb 5; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm “BRETT PERKINS & FRIENDS” includes a short set by the EDITED trio (BRETT PERKINS, DAVID ZINK, MARK DAVIS), just back from a 22-gig tour; it happens amidst a full evening’s lineup of acoustic musicians, to celebrate Brett’s annual return / concert tour from Europe; at the Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W Sierra Madre Bl, Sierra Madre; 626-355-4318; www.sierramadreplayhouse.com.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Feb 5; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm “ECLECTIC UKUKELE” with LIL’ REV and UKULELE BART at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-798-6236 (10 am-10 pm); venue phone 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. (“the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
"Listen to this! Lil Rev is great!" -PETE SEEGER.
Bartt and Rev will both do their own sets, while also joining one another for some spontaneous magic.
Ukulele Bartt & Lil Rev are international Ukulele stars, who teach and perform at clubs and festivals all over the world. Come and see why these guys are winning new fans where ever they travel.
Lil Rev is a Wisconsin based, award-winning one man music history show. Performing on Ukulele, Harmonica, Mandolin, Banjo and Guitar. Lil Rev sings, tells stories, recites poetry and when not singing his own rooted originals, dives down deep into the bedrock of American Music including blues, jazz, folk, tin pan alley, ragtime and more!
Rev's awards: Voted Best Folksinger in WI-2004. 1996 National Blues Harmonica Champion
Ukulele Bartt Warburton is recognized around the world for his "Fancy Fingers" workshops and his dazzling musical performances. The Los Angeles Times calls him a "modern-day master.”
In addition to his playing prowess, he is equally acclaimed for being as much fun as you can have with four strings. Jim Beloff calls Bartt “a fearless uke player who combines his significant chops and wacky sense of humor to teach uke basics, as well as much more advanced techniques.”
Bartt was honored as "Teacher of the Year" in the 40,000-teacher Los Angeles Unified School District, America's second-largest district. He's also been awarded a commendation from the mayor of Los Angeles. Bartt has released two CDs and an instructional DVD, “Ukulele Bartt’s Ultimate Ukulele,” which can be found across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. His instructional book is on the way.
Bartt’s wide spectrum of musical influences ranges from Flamenco to Beatles to Beethoven and Mozart. As he traverses the planet, he brings home new ideas. You might learn just about anything at his next workshop!
Bartt is the creator of the popular website, "http://www.bartt.net/" Bartt.net, with lessons, chord charts, message boards, and videos for players of all skill levels. More than a million viewers have enjoyed his Internet videos. In addition to his vigorous ukulele career, Bartt also keeps himself busy as a recording engineer in his Los Angeles studio.
Tix, $15.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Monday, February 6
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Mon, Feb 6:
7:30 pm weekly “VIVA CANTINA BLUEGRASS JAM” at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-515-4444. The BROMBIES play bluegrass on some Mondays on the venue's other stage.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Mon, Feb 6:
7:30 pm weekly “KULAK'S WOODSHED OPEN MIC” at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood 91607; 818-766-9913. Sign-ups at 7 pm.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Mon, Feb 6; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm “AN EVENING WITH GLEN CAMPBELL” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl, L.A. 90015; 213-765-6803; www.grammymuseum.org. GRAMMY Award-winning country music star Glen Campbell has enjoyed a remarkable career in show business spanning over 50 years.
He has released 70 albums and sold 45 million records.
In 1967, he made GRAMMY history by winning four awards in both the country and pop categories, and this year, he will be honored with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award.
A 2005 inductee into The Country Music Hall of Fame, Campbell has racked-up 12 RIAA Gold albums, 4 Platinum albums and 1 Double-Platinum album.
While hits like “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” and “I Wanna Live” have helped make him a true country music legend, Campbell gained fame as an actor (in films including “True Grit” with John Wayne) and host of “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.”
After a brief introduction and tribute to his career by GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, Campbell will perform a selection of songs. Guests will hear hits from the past as well as music from Campbell’s latest release, “Ghost On A Canvas.” The album is a top-ten pick in USA Today’s “Best of 2011.”
All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum.
More info at 213-765-6803 or www.grammymuseum.org.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $30 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Wednesday, January 18, at noon. Public sale begins Monday, February 1, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers receive a special gift.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Mon, Feb 6:
8-11 pm “BLUE MONDAY JAM” hosted by the BERNIE PEARL BLUES BAND at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, 4305 Degnan Bl, Leimert Park; 310-462-1439.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Mon, Feb 6:
8 pm weekly “CELTIC ARTS CENTER IRISH CéILí DANCE & IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at the shared Celtic Arts Center / Theatre Unlimited, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood 91602; info, www.celticartscenter.com; 818-760-8322. Dance at 8, music session at 9 pm. Free.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Tuesday, February 7
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Feb 7:
7 pm twice-monthly “WESTERN MUSIC JAM” sponsored by the Western Music Association, California Chapter, at El Trocadero Steak House on Main St in Newhall; http://eltrocaderosteakhouse.net. Runs 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Feb 7:
7 pm weekly “JC HYKE'S SONGWRITERS SERENADE” with different recording artists playing acoustic each week, at Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant & Bar, 145 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006. No cover.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Feb 7; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7:30 pm SONS OF THE PIONEERS at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach; Tickets $25 - $40, www.taabc.org or 714-708-1670. Info on this legendary band is available at sonsofthepioneers.org

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Feb 7; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm “AN EVENING WITH AMERICA” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl, L.A. 90015; 213-765-6803; www.grammymuseum.org.
Iconic, GRAMMY Award-winning folk-rock group AMERICA is currently celebrating their 40th anniversary together. AMERICA founders GERRY BECKLEY and DEWEY BUNNELL have performed approximately 100 shows a year together since their formation in 1970, still delighting fans from back when and making new ones with songs like “Sister Golden Hair” and “Horse with No Name.”
Sons of U.S. Air Force fathers, the band members met in England when they were students at London Central High School.
Their debut album, released in 1971, quickly went Platinum. Five subsequent releases went either Gold or Platinum and their greatest hits compilation reached the four million sales mark.
Hear the band, in discussion about their success as hit writers of enduring rock-folk-pop classics, their celebrated 40th Anniversary Tour, and the release of “Back Pages,” their newest album, a collection of glimmering interpretations of timeless songs.
After the interview, moderated by GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, America will take audience questions and perform an acoustic set.
All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum.
More info at 213-765-6803 or www.grammymuseum.org.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Friday, January 13, at noon. Public sale begins Monday, February 1, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers receive a special gift.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Feb 7:
8 pm weekly “TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at Timmy Nolan's Tavern and Grill, 10111 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake 91602; 818-985-3359.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Feb 7:
8 pm weekly “BOURBON & BLUEGRASS” at South Santa Monica Sports Bar and Grill, 3001 Wilshire Bl Santa Monica 90403; 310-828-9988.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Wednesday, February 8
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 8, in Ventura Co:
6 pm twice-monthly IRISH MUSIC SESSION at Brendan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, 1755 E Daily Dr, Camarillo 93010; 888-811-5818. Held every first & third Wednesday.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 8:
7 pm weekly OPEN MIC every Wednesday at The Talking Stick, 1411 Lincoln Bl, Venice 92091. Signups at 6:45 pm.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 8, in Simi Valley:
7:30 pm SONGMAKERS weekly “SIMI VALLEY HOOT” every Wednesday; info and location at www.songmakers.org.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 8; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm “FUNDRAISER FOR THE COFFEE GALLERY BACKSTAGE” with The SALTY SUITES, plus PHOEBE BRIDGERS opening, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 91001; reservations 626-798-6236 (10 am-10 pm); venue phone 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. (“the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
Salty Suites with Scott Gates, Chelsea Williams and Chuck Hailes will be appearing at “The House of Bob” for a fundraiser “for this venue and this man.” Scott Gates’ publicist says, “We, as artists and fans of live music, love [him] so much! Mark your calendars folks, buy tickets and if and when you can please pay as much as you can. Every penny made goes to the venue, not the artists. We will be rocking the house and bringing good friend Phoebe Bridgers to open. Singer Songwriter Phoebe Bridgers has played her own brand of acoustic folk all over LA, including the Troubador, The El Rey, The Roxy and others. Pasadena calls her a local treasure.”
The Salty Suites are the band on the rise, with Chelsea's new Chevy commercial airing on national TV, Scott's wunderkind mandolin skills, and Chuck's smoking hot bass. This group is filling houses and winning loyal fans wherever they play. Scott adds, “Come spend the night and help a friend at the same time, we will do our part playing our hearts out for you, will you be there?”
Tix, $18; it’s a benefit to help pay for the venue’s new exorbitantly expensive entertainment license.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 8:
8 pm weekly “WINE AND SONG” Acoustic Music Series at Firefly Bistro, 1009 El Centro St, South Pasadena 91030; 626-441-2443.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 8:
8 pm weekly “GUITAROLOGY” at Bar Melody and Grill, 9132 S Sepulveda Bl, L.A. 90045; 310-670-1994.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 8:
8 pm weekly “O'BRIEN'S IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at O'Brien's Irish Pub and Restaurant, 2226 Wilshire Bl, Santa Monica 90403; 310-829-5303.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 8:
9 pm weekly “ACOUSTIC CORDIALE” at Café Cordiale, 14015 Ventura Bl, Sherman Oaks 91423; 818-789-1985.



~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
LATER IN FEBRUARY & BEYOND…
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Feb 9; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8-10 pm WILL RYAN AND THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS play their first-ever dance, presenting their “Cowboy Skiffle” music at Viva Cantina, 900 W Riverside Dr, Burbank; 818-845-2425. (Venue is adjacent to entrance to L.A. Equestrian Center; park free across the street at Pickwick Bowl). Will says, “Not a show - a dance! COWBOY SKIFFLE! (that exciting new form of Western Swing…) The Official Dance Craze of 2017!" Western duds recommended. Venue has full bar, specializes in Mexican food, with full dinner and a la cart menus. No cover.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Feb 10-19, in San Francisco:
13th Annual “SAN FRANCISCO BLUEGRASS AND OLD-TIME FESTIVAL” (SFBOT) presents ten days of “Bluegrass Ruckus, Old-Time Fun and Ass-Kickin' Americana and Roots Music,” bringing more than 30 shows at numerous small clubs around the Bay Area featuring some of the most talented musicians on the Americana and Roots music scene today.
Highlights of this year’s festival includes Bay Area favorites such as The Brothers Comatose, The Crooked Jades, Earl White String Band and the Kathy Kallick Quartet. Also featured are out-of-town bands; Foghorn Stringband, Cahalen Morrison & Eli West, and making their SFBOT debut, The Deadly Gentlemen (epic folk and grasscore out of Boston!). The Deadly Gentlemen consists of band members: Greg Liszt on banjo (from Crooked Still), Mike Barnett (from David Grisman Quintet/toured w/Jesse McReynolds) on fiddle, Dominick Leslie on mandolin, Stash Wyslouch on guitar and Sam Grisman on upright bass (son of mandolinist David Grisman).
For the first time the festival will feature a band contest which will bring out some of the up-and-coming new Northern California Bluegrass and Old-Time bands. There is a lot of excitement about this contest and it is expected to be a regular addition to the festival.
In addition to shows, the festival aims to provide rich experiences through workshops, jam sessions, kids shows, Bluegrass and Old-Time in the Schools and the Saturday night old-time square dance (always a sell-out with over 220 attendees)!
Each year the Festival showcases the best in rising acts from the West Coast and beyond, with a special spotlight on the immense amount of local talent in the Bay Area.
Confirmed 2012 Acts include: Foghorn Stringband, Jeff Kazor & Lisa Berman, Anne and Pete Sibley, Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, The Brothers Comatose, Emily Bonn and The Vivants, Water Tower Bucket Boys, BrownChicken BrownCow StringBand, The Bee Eaters, Cahalen Morrison and Eli West, Stairwell Sisters, Water Tower Bucket Boys, Erik Clampitt, The New Five Cents, Squirrelly Stringband, Evie Ladin, The Juncos, Houston Jones, Susie Glaze and the Hilonesome Band, Family Lines, Kathy Kallick Band Quartet, Taco Jam, Anne & Pete Sibley, The Trespassers, Windy Hill, Snap Jackson & the Knock On Wood Players, Kleptograss, Knuckle Knockers, The Alhambra Valley Band , Redwing, The ONs, Misisipi Mike & the Midnight Gamblers, Mad Cow String Band, Misisipi Rider, Sweetback Sisters, James Nash and the Nomads, SUPERMULE, Belle Monroe and Her Brewglass Boys, Nell Robinson & Jim Nunally, Misner & Smith, Jeanie and Chuck Poling, The Earl Brothers, Henhouse Prowlers, Cahalen Morrison and Eli West, Gayle Schmitt and the Toodala Ramblers, Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack, Evie Ladin, The Blushin' Roulettes, Earl White Stringband, Black Crown Stringband, Jordan Ruyle, Pine Box Boys, The Jugtown Pirates, Hang Jones, Dark Hollow, The Crooked Jades, The Deadly Gentlemen.
The San Francisco Bluegrass & Old-Time Festival is a grass-roots, non-profit, volunteer-run festival dedicated to keeping the tradition of bluegrass and old-time music alive. More info at www.sfbluegrass.org.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 10, in Agoura Hills; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
TERRI CLARK at The Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills; www.canyonclub.net; 818-879-5016.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 10:
8 pm HONEY ISLAND SWAMP BAND brings Cajun-zydeco sounds to The Mint, 6010 W Pico Bl, L.A.; 323-954-9630; www.themintla.com. Doors at 7, show at 8. Adv. tix, $10; $12 day of show (event is 21+).

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 10:
8 pm LAKE STREET DRIVE at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. Tix, $12.50.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 11, in T.O.; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7:30 pm THE SWING DOLLS USO TOUR: “AN EVENING OF MUSIC, DANCE AND COMEDY,” with special guest Comedy Juggler BRYSON LANG, at Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Countrywide Performing Arts Center, 2100 E Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks. Presented by West Coast Performing Arts Presenters.
The Swing Dolls take you on a journey back in time, including the ‘’40s and much more. Experience USO Shows through the decades. This dynamic female vocal trio captivates and entertains with stunning close harmonies, dazzling costumes and stylish choreography. As the show opens, you find yourself in the 1950s enjoying the elegant harmonies of The McGuire Sisters. Then you’ll get hip to the crazy tunes of 1960s Girl Groups, then you’ll boogie down to the 1970s disco beat of ABBA. Swinging into the 1940s, you’ll delight in a show-stopping tribute to The Andrews Sisters, as you arrive back to where it all began, at the birth of the United Service Organization (USO). The Swing Dolls honor our service men & women and entertain today’s audiences while paying tribute to USO entertainment.
The Guide’s editor likes this group and their musical time machine. Watch them in action at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbar1PMhxRk; more at www.theswingdolls.com
Tix, $48; child, senior, group discounts available.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 11:
8 pm JACKSH*T at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. Tix, $17.50.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Feb 12; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
11 am TOM CHAPIN plays the “MATINEE KID’S SHOW” series at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497.
Innovative musical brother of the late HARRY CHAPIN and father of the CHAPIN SISTERS, Tom is well-remembered for his musical hosting of the kid’s TV show, “Make a Wish.” He is a songwriter of the first order, though this show will obviously emphasize his writing for the younger set.
Tix, $15 (kids under age 2 are free).

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Feb 12:
8 pm THE SWELL SEASON at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497.
Booker Lincoln Myerson says, “The Swell Season have a special history with McCabe's, and as they have grown into an internationally acclaimed, award winning act accustomed to playing venues 10 times the size of McCabe's, they still look for opportunities to come back to our small room where magic seems to happen when they take to our stage. We can't thank them enough for that.”
Tix, $40; proceeds go to benefit Camp Cocker and The Batonga Foundation.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Feb 14, in Ventura:
6 pm twice-monthly “VENTURA BLUEGRASS JAM” at Zoey's Café, 185 E Santa Clara St, Ventura 93001; 805-652-0091. Runs second & fourth Tuesday, every month.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Tue, Feb 14:
8 pm twice-monthly OPEN MIC at the Fretted Frog Acoustic Guitar Store, 1200 N Alvarado St, L.A. 90026; 213-353-0734. Runs second & fourth Tuesday, every month.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Thu, Feb 16; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm “AN EVENING WITH MICHELLE PHILLIPS FROM THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl, L.A. 90015; 213-765-6803; www.grammymuseum.org.
Best known for being one of the singers for the Sixties folk/pop group, THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS, which she formed in 1965 with CASS ELLIOT, DENNY DOHERTY and JOHN PHILLIPS, California-born Michelle Phillips is the last-surviving member of the iconic group. Having co-wrote some of the band's biggest hits including "Creeque Alley" and "California Dreamin', Phillips became one of the most-recognizable faces in music. After the group disbanded in 1971, Phillips actively pursued an acting career. She received a Golden Globe nomination for her work in “Dillinger” and got her big TV break in 1987 as Anne Matheson Sumner in the prime-time soap "Knots Landing." Hear Phillips in discussion, along with GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, about her expansive career in show business, as well as current endeavors. After the interview, Phillips will take audience questions and will be available for a fan meet and greet.
All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum.
More info at 213-765-6803 or www.grammymuseum.org.
Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Wednesday, January 18, at noon. Public sale begins Wednesday, February 8, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. American Express ticket purchasers receive a special gift.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 17, in Ventura Co; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7:30 pm SPECIAL EDITION OF THE CAMARILLO CAFÉ CONCERT SERIES, with HOUSTON JONES (including ex-WAYBACKS members), at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo (NE corner, at Carmen).
Houston Jones is a San Francisco-based high octane Americana quintet who’ve been perfecting their collective magic for over ten years. The band performs a strong original repertoire that ranges from bluegrass and folk to blues and gospel.
They’ve been a big hit at every festival they’ve played, including Telluride, Sisters, American River, Mill Pond, Strawberry (where they were voted “best new discovery” and “best vocalist.”
Houston Jones features Glenn Houston (lead guitar), Peter Tucker (drums and percussion), Chris Kee (standup bass, cello and guitar), Travis Jones (lead vocals and acoustic guitar), and Henry Salvia (keyboards and accordion). All five have impressive musical pedigrees; for example, Glenn, Peter and Chris were among the original members of the legendary group THE WAYBACKS.
"As good as any singing and picking I've heard in my thirty years in the music business. Do your friends a big favor, and turn them on to this band!" - Bob Brown, Owner, Rancho Nicasio, and manager, Huey Lewis and the News.
More at www.HoustonJones.com
Evening Schedule:
7:30 pm - Doors open - open mic signups begin
8 pm - Open mic
8:30 pm - Houston Jones
9:20 pm - Break (refreshments and snacks available)
9:40 pm - more Houston Jones!
(All times approximate.)
Although not an actual café, the Camarillo Café is a delightful, intimate coffeehouse-style concert series. Sponsored by Pleasant Valley Recreation & Parks District: Jane Raab, Recreation Supervisor. Produced by Gary and Kathy Lynch. More info, 805-523-2682, email WhatsHappening@CamarilloCafe.com, or go to www.CamarilloCafe.com.
Admission: $15 donation at the door (for this special show).

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 17; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 & 10 pm DAN HICKS & THE HOT LICKS at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497.
Tix, $26.50.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 18:
7 pm “ST. LUKE’S 2nd ANNUAL ZYDECO MASS & MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION” at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 525 E 7th St, Long Beach. It’s “Samedi Gras” if you're from Louisiana or know your French. Price of admission includes dinner and live music provided by The FONTENOT PAPPION OLD STYLE CREOLE BAND; the band will also play during the Zydeco Mass. The events are open to all and the Zydeco Mass (7 pm) is free.
The Fontenot Pappion Old Style Creole Band, featured at the Northwestern SU Creole Heritage Center, Natchitoches, LA, will lively up your soul with their repertoire of Zydeco, Cajun and Creole tunes and songs. Dinner will include such good-for-the-soul foods as Jambalaya, Red Beans & Rice and much more.
Wear your Mardi Gras colors proudly (purple, gold and green), put on a mask, throw on a hat, deck yourself in ribbons and bows... think celebratory! AND, don’t forget your dancing shoes. How else you gonna get them beads swingin' proper?! Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Parking available on Church property on a first come basis; street parking available. For more information email C21TonyLubong@aol.com or call 310-749-3043.
Tickets to the Mardi Gras dinner / dance held in Belliss Hall (, at 8 pm, directly after the mass) are $15 per person at the door; $10 if purchased by February 12th. Children under age 12 are free; special activities are planned for children, starting at 6 pm.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 18; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm DAVID LINDLEY at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. He’s here two nights, Sat & Sun.
Tix, $22.50.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 18; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm RICHARD BERMAN, top-rated singer-songwriter from Massachusetts, plays a house concert in Tujunga. Reservations get directions from Todd and Jo Ann Banks at todd.banks@tjbintl.com
$15 suggested donation.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 18, in Santa Barbara Co; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm PETER FELDMANN & THE VERY LONESOME BOYS celebrate “FIFTY YEARS IN MUSIC” at St. Marks In The Valley, 2901 Nojoqui Av, Los Olivos; advance tix at www.bluegrasswest.com/tickets.htm
One of California's finest bluegrass bands will mark the beginning of Peter’s 50th year in music. THE VERY LONESOME BOYS are TOM LEE, DAVID WEST, PETER FELDMANN & BLAINE SPROUSE. The program will feature bluegrass standards, songs of the West, classic fiddle tunes, and a number of 1920s-30s country songs adapted to the bluegrass format.
A singer and multi-instrumentalist with many years' performing experience throughout California and the West, Peter Feldmann has been presenting bluegrass, folk and string band music since the early 1960s. He is known as the founder of both the Santa Barbara Old Time Fiddler's Convention and the original Bluebird Café in Santa Barbara, a music club highly influential on the Southern California Music scene. Peter's tribute CD to UNCLE DAVE MACON, "Grey Cat On The Tennessee Farm," was named to the nation's “Top Ten Bluegrass albums of 2005” by Dave Ryoko of the Chicago Tribune. In 2008, Peter received the annual "Music Legend Award” in 2008 from the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest organization.
THE VERY LONESOME BOYS band includes bassist TOM LEE, veteran of the CACHE VALLEY DRIFTERS and THE BLUEGRASS CARDINALS. The banjo duties are ably handled by record producer DAVID WEST (Play Ball Productions), known also for his song writing and engineering skills. BLAINE SPROUSE, master bluegrass fiddler, formerly performed WITH BILL MONROE, JIMMY MARTIN, JIM & JESSE, and many other great bluegrass bands. The band has performed throughout Southern and Central California at festivals, clubs, and college concerts.
Advance tickets, priced at $12, are available on-line at the above link or at The Book Loft on Mission Drive in Solvang. Doors open at 7:30 pm for the best seats. Remaining tix at the door, if available, are $15.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Feb 19; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm DAVID LINDLEY at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. He’s here two nights, Sat & Sun.
Tix, $22.50.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Feb 19, in San Diego; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
CRAIG FINN plus MOUNT MORIAH at the Casbah, San Diego. See write-up for Feb 20 L.A. show.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Mon, Feb 20; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
CRAIG FINN plus MOUNT MORIAH at the Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Bl, West Hollywood; www.troubadour.com; 310-276-6168.
He’s just added more U.S. shows supporting his five-star (NY Daily News) solo debut Americana CD, “Clear Heart Full Eyes,” released Jan 24 on the Vagrant label.
CRAIG FINN will be hitting America’s top venues then continuing directly to Europe. The tour includes one show each in San Diego (Feb 19) and L.A. (Feb 20).
Finn recently spoke with the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and GQ about the record, which critics have called "addictive "(The Guardian), "terrific" (Sports Illustrated), and "brilliant" (NY Daily News). He appears on the cover of the new issue of Paste and video of his session for Rolling Stone Live went up earlier this week.
"Finn ruminates on the wages of adulthood, musically enveloped in a cosmic, plaintive version of Americana." - New York Times
"His characters are like the psycho-eyes loners from 'On the Beach' or 'Nebraska,' except strung out on religion." - Rolling Stone
"Finn is a great storyteller, and 'Clear Heart Full Eyes' provides another great opportunity to let his voice shine." - NPR
"Finn sounds just as poignant over pedal-steel guitar as he does over empty bottles and full ashtrays." - Penthouse
"Southern-rock reverie" - Stereogum
Watch Finn's “Rolling Stone Live” session at http://bit.ly/xUORrQ
More Craig Finn on the web at http://steadycraig.tumblr.com and http://twitter.com/steadycraig

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 24; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm I SEE HAWKS IN L.A. play their CD RELEASE SHOW at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. Tix, $15.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 24; a SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK pick:
JACKIE EVANCHO at Nokia Theatre / L.A. Live, 777 Chick Hearn Ct, downtown L.A. 90015; info 213-763-6030. Tix on sale Mon, Dec 5, 10 am.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Feb 24:
9 pm “BIG MARDI-GRAS PARTY” at WLCAC Phoenix Hall, 10950 S Central Av, Los Angeles. Venue is a “new place, very, very nice, very good parking & secured.” Advance tix, $15; at the door, $25. Info, 323-563-5639.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 25:
8 pm GARLAND JEFFRIES at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. Tix, $24.50.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Feb 25:
8 pm “WOMEN IN FOLK MUSIC” with JILL FREEMAN, SANDY ROSS, and the LISAMANIA! TRIO of LISA JOHNSON, LISA O’KANE, & LISA NEMZO, at the Fremont Centre Theatre, 1000 Fremont Av, South Pasadena 91030; reservations, tedromu@earthlink.net or 626-969-0778.
About the artists…
JILL FREEMAN has been a professional singer/songwriter for over 20 years. Her solo album, “Songs about Sex and Depression,” released on Magic Records, received rave reviews and resulted in placement of her songs in several motion pictures. One of these is a featured recording by EMI artists “Once Blue” of her song “Kisses Good” in Touchstone Pictures “Mister Wrong,” starring Ellen Degeneres. Jill’s songs and singing voice have also been heard on television on such shows as Roswell, the Young and the Restless, Christmas Mall, Melrose Place, Chelsea Lately, Better Off Ted, among many others. She enjoyed collaborating with blues guitar legend Robben Ford, for his release, “Keep on Running.” Jill continues to write and perform with her husband, songwriter-producer, JOEL WACHBRIT.
“Jill Freeman’s writing is both dark and friendly. Her lyrics point deep to the soul, speaking unabashedly, yet never losing a warmth that seems native to her spirit. In concert, her charming, earthy stage presence combines with her songs to create a feeling that she has secretly climbed into your heart and is singing to you there.”
SANDY ROSS has been entertaining audiences with her own special blend of contemporary folk and acoustic blues for more than four decades. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, she spent the ‘70s in Los Angeles working as a staff songwriter for Warner/Chappell Music and producing demos on a single-song basis for nine other major song publishers, including Filmways Music, MCA Music, and Screen Gems/EMI. During that decade she had songs recorded by Kim Carnes and Anne Murray at a time when they were at the height of their careers.
In an era when indie releases were unheard of, Sandy released an LP of her own performances, with the premonitory title, “A Lady of a Different Time - 1971.” She has performed as a singer-songwriter and booked other performers of many different genres at various Hollywood live-performance venues, including the lost and legendary “Los Angeles Performing Arts and Folklife Festival” and the internationally renowned, long-gone Bla-Bla Cafe. Sandy released three more indie recordings in the ‘90s and toured the greater U.S. four times, doing 48 live syndicated radio shows and 120 coffeehouse / bookstore performances. To hear MP3s and see videos of Sandy’s music, go to www.sandyross.com. Her music is widely available as MP3s and her CDs are available on her website. Her hardcopy book, “A Place Called the Bla-Bla Cafe,” is available at www.bla-bla-cafe.com, or get it as an ebook for Kindle and Nook through their sites.
LISAMANIA! is LISA JOHNSON, LISA O’KANE, and LISA NEMZO. The trio was an outgrowth of a larger occasional ensemble, “The Lisas,” a performance collaborative based on the odd fact that there are a bunch of women musicians in L.A. all named Lisa. The large cast was great, and so is the trio.
LISA JOHNSON is Philly born and has been likened to a modern-day Laura Nyro / Todd Rundgren combo, with Joni Mitchell-style tunings and rhythmic grooves. She has been named one of Music Connection Magazine’s “Hottest Unsigned Acts in Southern California.” Check out her music and CD, “Whenever the Moon is Full,” at www.myspace.com/lisajohnson
LISA O’KANE grew up in Fish Camp, part of Yosemite. Many find her reminiscent of Emmylou Harris, though not without sass and swing of her own. She jumps easily from the rockin’, up-tempo to mirthful bluegrass, to easy folk, to string-laced elegance. When you can’t cry anymore, Lisa does it for you, with her bittersweet voice.
LISA NEMZO, originally from Newport, RI, is a songwriter of remarkable range, from stunning soul fervor to full-blown rock passion, and is in the vanguard of female artists, who not only sing and write songs, but are also masters of their instrument. She recently produced “Bitter & Sweet” for Marc & The Plattitudes.
LISAMANIA! Sent us some unattributed press quotes: “The blend was something out of heaven’s gate - the musicianship…they were also very naturally genuinely hysterical. The kind of thing that can’t be pre-fabricated.” - ”I want the CD now!” - ”I just heard LisaMania! All I can say is WOW! The songs are tight, perfect! A Kick Ass show.”
More on the trio’s members at www.lisanemzo.com, www.myspace.com/lisajohnson, and www.reverbnation.com/lisaokane
Presented by Tedrow Music is association with Fremont Centre Theatre.
Tix: $15 donation. Limited seating.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Feb 26:
7 pm CATE LE BON, presented by KCRW, at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. Tix, $12.50.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Wed, Feb 29; an “EVENT-OF-THE-WEEK” for artists:
7-8:30 pm “SONGWRITERS & THEIR SONGS” with KAREN BENJAMIN & ALAN CHAPMAN at the Arcadia City Library’s Cay Mortenson Auditorium, 20 W Duarte Rd, Arcadia; 626-294-4808. A fascinating look at what makes theatrical songs tick, musically and dramatically, with performances of songs by Broadway’s greatest writers. The versatile singers are husband and wife team with KAREN BENJAMIN and KUSC host ALAN CHAPMAN. Following the program, you can stay to meet and speak with the musicians. Presented by the Arcadia Public Library Foundation as an offering in their series, “Classical Kaleidoscope.”
Refreshments served, with complimentary coffee from Starbucks.
Free, no reservations taken; seating limited to the first 150 people. Doors at 6:30 pm.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Mar 2; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm BLAME SALLY at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403; tix, 310-828-4497. Tix, $16.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Mar 3; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
MERLE HAGGARD plays the Agua Caliente Casino; info at www.hotwatercasino.com

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Mar 16, in Ventura Co; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7:30 pm JUDE JOHNSTONE & DANA HUBBARD play “THE CAMARILLO CAFÉ CONCERT SERIES,” at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo (NE corner, at Carmen).
Although not an actual café, the Camarillo Café is a delightful, intimate coffeehouse-style concert series. More info, 805-523-2682, or www.CamarilloCafe.com.
More on Jude Johnstone at www.JudeJohnstone.com and Dana Hubbard at www.DanaHubbard.com

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

May 1-6:
“HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL” has opened an office in Universal City and is currently recruiting sponsors and exhibitors. More when we know it.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

May 11, 12, 13, in San Diego:
Annual “GATOR-BY-THE-BAY” FESTIVAL on Mother’s Day weekend in San Diego. Reservations are now available at the Sheraton, next door to the festival site, for the Lanai rooms at $119 + tax per night. Check the web site www.gatorbythebay.com for the schedule of bands. Bands will include Chubby Carrier, Steve Riley, Commander Cody (of “Hot Rod Lincoln” fame) & Bonsoir Catin Cajun Band. More later.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, May 18, in Ventura Co; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7:30 pm EAGLES songwriter JACK TEMPCHIN plus JENI & BILLY play “THE CAMARILLO CAFÉ CONCERT SERIES,” at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo (NE corner, at Carmen).
Although not an actual café, the Camarillo Café is a delightful, intimate coffeehouse-style concert series. More info, 805-523-2682, or www.CamarilloCafe.com.
Info on Jack Tempchin at www.PeacefulEasyFeeling.com and info on Jeni & Billy at www.jeniandbilly.com.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, May 19; a SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK pick:
Annual “DYLANFEST” at St. Anthony School in El Segundo. It's an all-day cavalcade of artists, with each act doing Dylan covers, and no repeats. The house band alone is always worth the price of admission. More details when we have them, but mark your calendar now.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat & Sun, May 26-27:
23rd Annual “SIMI VALLEY CAJUN & BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL” in the park in Simi Valley.
This well-organized festival runs two days of Memorial Day Weekend on an immaculate site, and continues a Southern Cal tradition. It brings music fans a full weekend of nonstop award-winning entertainment, more food choices than you can sample in two days, and activities to keep kids of all ages entertained.
The first stage will feature 9 hours of continuous music each day, featuring international and award winning Cajun, Creole and Zydeco music acts.
The second stage will feature the Delta Groove All-Star Blues Revue on Saturday and world-class blues and roots acts on Sunday.
Both stages feature lots of viewing space plus large dance floors.
In addition, this family-friendly event has a giant kids area featuring bouncers, rock walls, specialty acts, crafts and talent shows. There are also food booths and many crafts and merchandise booths.
Here are a few videos from the 2011 Simi Valley Cajun Blues Festival. Check it out:
ANDRE THIERRY, www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4K-5ftIr7U, and www.youtube.com/watch?v=98NlOnG5pyQ
GREG BENUSA teaching at Simi Valley, www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKPrj4EM0do
PETER OLIVER, KATHY, & BRAD SJOBLOM dancing at Simi Valley 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk7by1oHbWY
It’s a fine time, every year. More at www.simicajun.org

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

MORE COMING, as we get to it and organize it for you…



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


MORE STUFF THE GUIDE OFFERS >>>>>>> Other News, Resources, etc

"NEWS FEATURES” is a fresh edition most each week, with news and reviews from the acoustic music universe, features on folk-Americana and “acoustic renaissance” music and artists, a litlle from the electric side of honky-tonk Americana, the latest tours, recordings and projects, reviews of CDs and live shows, industry news, news for artists, and more.

It’s always available by clicking-through at www.acousticmusic.net
or at
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com

"VENUE DIRECTORY" - The Guide's extensive locator – has address and contact info for OVER 500 acoustic-music-friendly venues in Southern California, from Santa Barbara County to south Orange County, plus a few key spots in San Diego, the deserts, and on the Central Coast.

UPDATES to the Venue Directory are made every few months and a new edition for 2012 is due soon – the 2011 edition of our VENUE DIRECTORY is available at

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


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


The Guide’s weekly News Features and Spotlight Events, in ever-UPDATED EDITIONS will continue to bring you more news of concerts, club gigs, workshops, benefit shows, festivals and more (always more -- as we dig out from beneath the incoming mountains of email telling us about it, so we can organize it and tell YOU about all of it).

We’ll keep covering the world of current acoustic music happenings and bringing you "heads up" notices to buy advance tix for shows likely to sell-out – and lots more.

We’ll continue to tell you what acoustic musicians are doing, in the studio, on the stage, and as activist / artists seeking to improve things for all of us. We’ll tell you about the growing number of radio & TV shows with live acoustic performances (when it’s radio, it’s available mostly on the web, of course, since the Guide is published from acoustic-music-radio-deprived Los Angeles.)

And, as 2012 unfolds, we’ll bring you news and reviews of the many acoustic music FESTIVALS near and far, hither and yon, here, there and everywhere. Thanks for making the journey with us. With your help, the road goes on forever (even if we can’t afford the gas anymore to find out where it goes)!


<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
contents copyright © 2012, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>


Questions? Comments?

Wanna write for the Acoustic Americana Music Guide”?

…or get something published that you wrote? – Like a

CD REVIEW ?
or
LIVE PERFORMANCE REVIEW ?

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...)

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