Friday's EARLY stuff... September 14, 2012

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First, if you're by a TV, there are some pleasant diversions from the insipid game shows mind-numbing clangs and bells and silly contestants and the infestation of talking heads beating things to death when they have no more to tell you than they had four hours ago.
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Music on TV:
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11 am-noon "DROPKICK MURPHYS LIVE" is a new, 2012 concert fromat Boston's Fenway park. They're probably the top Celtic punk bsnd out thete now, incorporating trad Irish elements in a lot of raucous and lively entertainment. It's on Paladia.
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Noon-1:30 pm "JACKIE EVANCHO: MUSIC OF THE MOVIES" brings the scary-great 12-year-old vocal phenom dinging at the Orpheum Theatre in L.A. It's on KOCE, aka PBS SoCal, and chopped-up by pledge drive begging.
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A LIVE event you can attend happens today at 2 pm at USC:
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"MUST WE ALWAYS SING OF OURSELVES AS MEN HAVE SUNG: WOMEN, THE ARTS AND MUSIC" is a lecture and performance by CATONI CONLON, international expert in Renaissance poetry and choral music. It happens in Alfred Newman Recital Hall (AHF on campus maps), on the USC Campus in Exposition Park, L.A.
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Dr. Conlon, Professor Emeritus at the University of Colorado at Boulder, explores how women were treated by society, the sometimes debasing texts that have driven or influenced that, and the status now, as it all interacts through music and art. Her presentation is based on her focused study through 40 years as a scholar and choral conductor.
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Open to all, free admission. Info, visionsandvoices@usc.edu
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Some important additions for tonight:
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At 7:30 pm, DANA COOPER and JEFF LINSKY play the delightful "FIRESIDE CONCERT SERIES"in at Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Rd, Newbury Park 91320 (in Ventura County). Info, 805-499-2930. Grownups only, no children. Arrive early for the best seats.
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At 8 pm, THE BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA and the HOLLYWOOD BOWL ORCHESTRA (THOMAS WILKINS, conductor), team-up for the first time to play an evening of swing music. It's the first of three nights they'll play together for the 2012 season "FIREWORKS FINALE" at the Hollywood Bowl; 323-850-2000 or 213-480-3232 or www.hollywoodbowl.com
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Grammy winner and "musician's musician" Brian Setzer, founder of THE STRAY CATS, is one of the key people who returned swing music to the popular consciousness. Boogie on over to the Bowl. Pack your picnic dinner in the time-honored tradition (alcohol is okay); you can go early for a table on the grounds or take it to your seat. Concert times are 8 pm Fri & Sat, 7:30 pm Sun. Tix range from $11 to $162.
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MUCH MORE coming later today, with a HUGE number of weekend FESTIVALS, concerts, club gigs, participatory music events, workshops for artists, music on TV, and believe it or not, even more that THAT!
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Meantime, the most recent full edition of the Acoustic Americana Music Guide 's "Spotlight Events" section is the one published September 6. It's stll available below or in the sidebar at left, depending where you are reading this.
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