News & Events, Acoustic Americana Music Guide, Oct 15, 2012 edition

.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN THIS EDITION…
.
A few timely News Features are up front, then we get to the concerts / club gigs / workshops / showcases / jams / open mics / and music-on-TV listings for Monday and Tuesday, and key events beyond.
.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
NEWS FEATURES…
.
=+=+=+=+=+=
.
Our #1 story…
THE 18-FOOT HIGH “FORK-IN-THE-ROAD” MEETS A SIX-TON IDAHO POTATO, TUESDAY
.
[LATE UPDATE, 3:55 pm, Tuesday: Coffee Gallery Backstage impresario BOB STANE was interviewed this morning by L.A. news teams from channels 4, 7, and 11, and by reporters from the L.A. Times and Pasadena Star News. Look for the story on TV tonight and in the papers (including newspaper web editions) on Wednesday.]
.
[Here's our original story...]
.
Yep, and you’re invited to the festivities. Bring your camera, but leave the sour cream and chives at home. It happens at 11 am, and the display lasts until 6 pm. Turn it into a lunch outing, but bring your own potato. (Or if you’re Dan Quayle, your own potatoe.)
+
The brobdignagian combination is not simply for novelty and silliness. It is a charity benefit event, too.
+
Bob Stane of The Coffee Gallery Backstage is giddy about the 6 Ton Potato and the 18 foot high Fork in the Road being “Together again, for the first time, for romance and vaudeville and to share their HUGE story.” Spend a little time around the Forkians and you understand things like that. Bob does admit it will all take place “amongst endless potato jokes,” and he promises “enough visual gags to please any viewer or reader.”
+
Bob explains, “The Idaho Potato Commission, in a moment of insanity, fabricated a 6 ton potato and had a special 18 wheeler especially built to campaign it around our great nation to promote Idaho potatoes. And that is exactly what they have been doing. Relentlessly and with good humor.”
+
Upon learning of that construct, the Coffee Gallery Backstage contacted the spud folks and invited them to pair “The Big Potato” with the gigantic “Fork in the Road” in Pasadena, as a benefit for Union Station -- food for the hungry -- and Meals On Wheels -- the main, and national, beneficiary of the Potato’s national tour.
+
Bob’s venue just hosted Chicago-based folk duo SMALL POTATOES, and that doesn’t hurt the credibility, either.
+
Tuesday’s event has blossomed into a morning and evening potato and fork fest of outsized visual and auditory delights at FORK PLAZA in Pasadena, the small park at the intersection of Pasadena Avenue and St. John’s Place, at, you guessed it, the fork in the road. Belleforntaine is the street across the top, where you can park. The actual address is 200 Bellenfontaine, Pasadena 91105.
+
Enjoy the sculptures side by side, for photo opportunities and general amazement. Meet Forkians Phillip Coombes, sculptor Ken Marshall, and Bob Stane. Hear tales of adventures and “how and why” from the drivers and crew of the huge custom truck. Where else will you meet a potato chauffeur?
+
Bob adds it’s for charity and “the delight of folks of all ages and those who might pay good money at a carnival to view the two headed snake.” He adds, “This, fortunately, will happen only once. Feast on the over kill.”
+
The event and display are free. Visitors are encouraged to bring non-perishable foods and yes, potatoes, for the benefit of Union Station. And dust-off your potato and fork gags.
+
Bob is unstoppable. Now he wants us to tell you, “Those dressed in potato sacks will be given special attention, appreciation and ridicule. To truly, ‘dig’ your potatoes, bring a garden fork designed to free tubers from the ground. ‘Show and Tell’ is encouraged as are all sight gags.”
+
Finally, Bob says you can find “Color, excitement and visual silliness” to “give you an idea of what is in store for you,” at https://www.facebook.com/FamousIdahoPotatoTour/app_57675755167
+
Lots of free street parking for trucks and cars.
+
The Big Idaho Potato has its own websites, which include www.idahopotato.com and www.mowaa.org
+
For a video of the truck crew who services Mr. Potato Head, go to https://www.facebook.com/FamousIdahoPotatoTour/app_57675755167
+
A BIG deal warrants some fun stats:
+
The Great Big Idaho® Potato would take more than 10,000 years to grow.
+
The Potato weighs six tons (12,130 pounds), which is equal to 32,346 medium-sized Idaho® potatoes. It is 1,102 times heavier than the largest potato ever grown, which weighed 11 pounds. The Potato would take 2 years and 9 months to bake. It would make 30,325 servings of mashed potatoes. It could make more than 1.4 million (1,455,570) average-sized fries. The truck debuted at Bronco Stadium, the home field of the Boise State University (BSU) Broncos, for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on December 17, 2011. The tour commenced in spring 2012, visiting outdoor venues around the country.
+
The Potato carrier is a 48-foot-long flatbed trailer featuring a 28-foot long, 12-foot wide and 11.5-foot tall “Idaho® potato” specially “cultivated” in honor of the Idaho Potato Commission’s 75th anniversary year in 2012. The truck, alone, took more than a year to build.
+
There is both a national and a local charity partner for Tuesday’s event. To help celebrate their 75th anniversary, the Idaho Potato Commission is sponsoring the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), a national organization that serves over one million meals every day to seniors across the country. Union Station Homeless Services is the local charity, based in Pasadena.
+
May The Fork be with you.
.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
.
Our #2 story…
FOLK ALLIANCE FAR-WEST CONFERENCE ARRIVES THIS WEEK
.
Thursday through Sunday, October 18-21, the West Coast’s largest meeting of folk musicians of the year happens at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. It includes dozens of showcase performances, seminars, workshops, panel discussions, presentations, “Best of the West” awards, and more.
+
It’s a Guide “EVENT-of-the-WEEK” for ARTISTS pick, one that we’ve listed for months.
+
“Official” showcases present performances by DARRYL PURPOSE, BARRY McGUIRE, SMALL POTATOES, JOHNSMITH, BATDORF & STANLEY, SUGAR IN THE GOURD, MICHAEL McCARTY, GREG TROOPER, TRIPTYCH, FOLDING MR. LINCOLN, MELISSA GREENER, SEVERIN BROWNE, HARD ROAD TRIO, and PATRICK LANDEZA.
+
This annual event roams up and down the West coast year-by-year, and always features performances in “official” and “guerilla” showcases (the latter are sanctioned, too, and included in the event program), plus master classes, and new this year, a contra dance.
+
Registration gets more expensive the longer you wait. Volunteer opportunities might still get you in free; contact FAR-West promptly about that.
+
The “FOLK ALLIANCE REGION WEST FAR-WEST CONFERENCE” happens at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Rd, Irvine 92614; hotel, 949-975-1234. Schedules, registration, contact info, details, at www.far-west.org.
.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
.
Our #3 story…
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL PRODUCER SUFFERS MASSIVE STROKE
.
DON TUCKER, producer of the annual "Huck Finn Jubilee," has had a devastating cerebral hemorrhage, aka, a stroke.
.
Don and his wife Barbara produce the wonderful, top award-winning bluegrass festival in Mojave Narrows Regional Park, held each year over Father's Day weekend, in June.
.
A message from their daughter, Bree, appeared on her father's "Don V Tucker" Facebook page, and was quickly redistributed. Bree said her father is unable to hear or speak, and the family is asking for your prayers and / or positive thoughts that visualize Don fully recovered.
.
The couple have long been a smiling presence at many concerts, festivals and other music events.
.
They are delightful folks. The Guide was "sponsor booth" next-door neighbors to Don and Barbara and their Huck Finn booth at last year's Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest.
.
We join our readers and the larger folk-americana music community in sending our best to Don and his family, and we'll keep you posted.
.
.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
.
ONGOING EVENTS: Some quick daily notes, and two month-long festivals…
+
SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR is safely in its new L.A. home at the Science Center, and opens to visitors October 30. The BATTLESHIP IOWA, which arrived in July, is open daily for visitors at its new museum display berth in San Pedro. The GRAMMY MUSEUM is open daily in the L.A. Live complex. The FOLK ALLIANCE CONFERENCE is in OC starting Thursday. What a country!
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Daily, continuing through Oct 31:
Annual “HALLOWEEN HARVEST FESTIVAL” with multiple stages of music at the sprawling Pierce Farm Center on the Pierce College campus in Woodland Hills; 818-999-6300; events@piercefarmcenter.com.
+
Enjoy live music, venture through the “Adventure Corn Maze,” or maybe take a spooky journey into the Haunted House or along the Haunted Trail. There are plenty of kids activities every day. For those looking for something more extreme, the festival assumes a more sinister persona after dark as “Fright Fair Scream Park,” featuring the "Factory of Nightmares" Haunted House, and "Creatures of the Corn" Haunted Trail.
+
The festival features live music, farm grown pumpkins, kid's activities and rides, farm animals, adventure corn maze, factory of nightmares haunted house, creatures of the corn haunted trail, hay ride, and more. Festival hours are 10 am-10 pm Sun-Thu, 10 am-midnight Fri & Sat.
+
Festival admission $5; children under 3 years of age are free. Admission is included in advance tix purchase for the corn maze, the Daytime Multi pass, or activity booklet of 10 purchases. Adult daytime Corn Maze ticket $10, child, $8 (includes festival admission and Corn Maze); Daytime Multi-Pass Ticket, adult $14, child $12 (includes admission, Corn Maze, Hay Ride, and two activity tickets). Activity tickets required for additional activities, including Giant Slide, Bounce Houses, Pumpkin Maze, Petting Zoo, Tractor Trail, Bouncing Bukaroo (Jumping Pillow), Train, Carousel, Pony Rides Closes at 8pm, Bumper Boats, Hay Ride, Cow Train, Pirate Ship, Craft Tent, Pumpkin Picture, Rock Wall, Gemstone Mining, Bungee, Corn Maze, and The Beast (150 ft inflatable).
+
Live music and entertainment on main stage: they are now scheduling entertainment. If you are interested in performing, contact Carolyn at Ent@piercefarmcenter.com.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Various days, throughout October, FESTIVAL, at various venues:
Annual “NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH” celebrations happen citywide, in commemoration of Native American Indian history, heritage, and tradition in Los Angeles. The celebration acknowledges Native American Indian contributions in the areas of education, religion, the arts, culture, and the humanities. Events include community gatherings, educational programs, gallery exhibits, and several music, theater, and dance performances, throughout October. Do a browser search to find the events.
.
.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
Now, for Monday’s and Tuesday’s kaleidoscopes of things to do…
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Monday, October 15
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Monday’s sections:
.
1) Music on TV today / tonight
2) CONCERTS, club gigs, and other “go-and-do” events
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
1) On TV today / tonight…
.
Mon, Oct 15, on TV:
6:30-7 pm “UNPLUGGED” airs a 2012 performance by LITTLE BIG TOWN, doing songs from their CD, “Tornado.” On Paladia, cable and satellite.
.
+=+
.
Mon, Oct 15, on TV:
7-8 pm JOE WALSH & FRIENDS perform on “CMT CROSSROADS” on Paladia, cable and satellite.
.
+=+
.
Mon, Oct 15, on TV:
7-8 pm “CUBA MIA / ALL-WOMAN ORCHESTRA” is a 2003 documentary that explores the personal and professional challenges faced by members of the CAMERATA ROMEU, an all-female chamber orchestra group from Cuba. Repeats 1-2 am. On KLCS, the L.A. City School District PBS station.
.
+=+
.
Mon, Oct 15, on TV:
10:30-11 pm “GROWING BOLDER” has a segment on retired music educator BILL NEMOYTEN, who takes his “Hornman Show” to schools, libraries, and retirement homes. On KLCS, the L.A. City School District PBS station.
.
+=+
.
Mon night / Tue AM, Oct 15 / 16, on TV:
1-2 am BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN does a performance-interview on a 2005 edition of “STORYTELLERS.” Includes “Blinded by the Light.” On Paladia, cable and satellite.
.
+=+
.
Mon night / Tue AM, Oct 15 / 16, on TV:
2-3 am RAY LaMONTAGNE does a performance-interview on a 2011 edition of “STORYTELLERS” on Paladia, cable and satellite.
.
.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
2) Monday’s CONCERTS, club gigs, and other “go-and-do” events
.
Mon, Oct 15:
6-10 pm pianist MARC BOSSERMAN plays the Parkway Grill, 510 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena 91105; www.theparkwaygrill.com; 626-795-1001.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Mon, Oct 15, not music, but cool, and FREE:
7 pm “A STATE OF THE UNION CONVERSATION: AN EVENING WITH FRANK RICH AND FRAN LEBOWITZ” is a “Visions and Voices Signature Event” at Bovard Auditorium, on the USC campus in University Park.
+
No topic will be off limits when distinguished authors and journalists Frank Rich and Fran Lebowitz share the stage for a rare and stimulating conversation exploring our pre-election state of the union. Hear their thoughts on everything from the economy to gay marriage to foreign policy in what promises to be a smart, lively and provocative look at the 2012 presidential election.
+
FRAN LEBOWITZ, the cultural satirist whom many call the heir to Dorothy Parker, is the author of two classic books of essays, “Metropolitan Life and Social Studies,” and the unapologetically opinionated subject of the Martin Scorsese film, “Public Speaking.”
+
FRANK RICH, following a distinguished career at the New York Times, now writes monthly on politics and culture at New York magazine. His best-selling books include “The Greatest Story Ever Sold: The Decline and Fall of Truth in Bush’s America” and “Ghost Light: A Memoir.”
+
FREE, but reservations required, and this will fill-up; go now to http://web-app.usc.edu/ws/eo2/calendar/113/event/897812
+
Info on entire series at www.usc.edu/visionsandvoices.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Mon, Oct 15:
7:30 pm THE BROMBIES play their weekly bluegrass residency at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-515-4444. Venue has full bar, serves Mexican food. Free parking across the street at Pickwick Bowl (same owners). No cover.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Mon, Oct 15, in Ventura:
7:30 pm “ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC” at Zoey’s Café, 185 E Santa Clara St, Ventura 93001; advance tix & info, www.zoeyscafe.com; 805-652-1137 or 805-652-0091.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Mon, Oct 15:
8 pm weekly “TALENT CONTEST” with CHAD WATSON, who also performs, at the Cowboy Palace, 21635 Devonshire St, Chatsworth; 818-341-0166. This long-running contest for country / alt country / honky-tonk musicians has great prizes and has opened doors for many of its winners. Plus, the place and this event are always fun. Preceded by free two step dance lessons for beginners and intermediate levels with Ed at 7 pm. No cover.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Mon, Oct 15:
7:30 pm weekly “OPEN MIC” at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood 91607; 818-766-9913. Sign-ups at 7 pm. Officially, it’s no cover, but venue expects a donation. Watch on the web if you can’t go, at www.kulakswoodshed.com.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Mon, Oct 15:
8 pm weekly “IRISH CéILí DANCE & IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at the Celtic Arts Center’s shared location at Theatre Unlimited, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood 91602; 818-760-8322; www.celticartscenter.com.
+
Dancing at 8, music jam session at 9. No cover, donations appreciated. Always fun and a wonderful place to meet people who are into the Celtic scene.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Mon, Oct 15:
CANCELLED: 8 pm weekly “BLUE MONDAY JAM” with the BERNIE PEARL BLUES BAND no longer happens at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, Leimert Park, 4305 Degnan Bl, Los Angeles 90008. Fun while it lasted!
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Mon, Oct 15:
8:30 pm THE HOT CLUB plays their every-Monday residency at the Cinema Bar, 3967 Sepulveda Bl (between Washington & Venice), Culver City 90230; 310-390-1328; www.thecinemabar.com; www.myspace.com/thecinemabar; music series hotline 310-250-1317. Venue is 21+, the size of a shoebox, and known as “the world’s smallest honky-tonk.” Barstool seating is competitive. No cover, bring $ for artists’ tip jar.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
NOTE to set your recording device tonight…
EARLY Tue AM, Oct 16, on TV:
5-6 am “BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY: LONG ROAD” documents the 469-mile road through the length of Appalachia, the secret deal between FDR and congressmen to get it built, conflicts and impacts, and it’s done with an Appalachian mountain music soundtrack. On KCET, the independent public TV station in L.A.
.
.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Tuesday, October 16
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tuesday’s sections:
.
1) Music on TV today / tonight
2) CONCERTS, club gigs, and other “go-and-do” events
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
1) On TV today / tonight…
.
EARLY Tue, Oct 16, on TV:
5-6 am “BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY: LONG ROAD” documents the 469-mile road through the length of Appalachia, the secret deal between FDR and congressmen to get it built, conflicts and impacts, and it’s done with an Appalachian mountain music soundtrack. On KCET, the independent public TV station in L.A.
.
+=+
.
Tue, Oct 16, on TV:
6-7:30 pm 2nd “2012 PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE” airs live, Pacific Daylight Time, on all the networks, all the cable news channels, and on Pox. That should allow time to watch (or listen on the radio) and still get to your favorite venue to decompress with some live music. Or, if your trip to the venue (or your sound check) keeps you from catching it live, the debate repeats. It’s on CNN 9-11 pm & midnight-2 am, and on MSNBC 10-11:30 pm; it does not re-air on Fox, where, instead, O’Reilly and Hannity take turns critiquing select segments of it.
.
+=+
.
Tue, Oct 16, on TV:
9-10 pm “MARIACHI HIGH” documents an academic year in the life of MARIACHI HALCON, a top-ranked high school mariachi ensemble from Zapata HS in Zapata, Texas. A new 2012 documentary. Repeats 4-5 am. Broadcast on KLCS, the L.A. School District PBS station.
.
+=+
.
Tue, Oct 16, on TV:
12:30-1 pm SILVERSUN PICKUPS perform on a 2009 edition of “UNPLUGGED” on Paladia, cable and satellite.
.
+=+
.
Tue, Oct 16, on TV:
2-4 pm MUMFORD & SONS are among the performers at the “ROCKNESS FESTIVAL 2012” from the banks of Loch Ness in Scotland. We’re not sure what Nessie thought of the rowdy rock acts that also played. On Paladia, cable and satellite.
.
+=+
.
Tue, Oct 16, on TV:
6-8 pm “HANGOUT FESTIVAL 2012” from Alabama with performances by WILCO, THE DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, ALABAMA SHAKES, DISPATCH, GARY CLARK JR., DAWES, and more. On Paladia, cable and satellite.
.
+=+
.
Tue night / Wed AM, Oct 16 / 17, on TV:
2-3 am “SARA BAREILLES AT THE FILLMORE” is a 2008 live performance on Paladia, on cable and satellite.
.
.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
2) Tuesday’s CONCERTS, club gigs, a workshop, and other “go-and-do” events
.
Tue, Oct 16, in Ventura:
6-10 pm weekly “TALENT NIGHT” acoustic open mic, at Golden China Restaurant, 760 S Seaward Av (at 101 Fwy), Ventura; www.goldenchinaventura.com; 805-652-1188.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tue, Oct 16, WORKSHOP for ARTISTS, in Claremont:
6:30-8 pm “BEGINNING UKULELE WORKSHOP” at the Folk Music Center & Museum, 220 Yale Av, Claremont 91711; 909-624-2928; www.folkmusiccenter.com. info@folkmusiccenter.com.
+
This single-evening workshop is billed as “learn how to play the uke in one night.” Beginners will learn how to tune, hold, and strum the ukulele, and the basic chords. “Within minutes you’ll be playing and singing lots of easy songs,” the promo says. Fee is $20.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tue, Oct 16, in San Diego:
6:30 pm “SDBS OPEN MIC & JAM / BLUEGRASS SLOW JAM” at New Expression Music, 4434 30th St, San Diego 92116; 619-280-9035. Sponsored by San Diego Bluegrass Society.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tue, Oct 16, in Tehachapi:
7 pm SARAH McQUAID plays Fiddler's Crossing, 206 East F St, Tehachapi 93561; 661-823-9994.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tue, Oct 16:
7 pm weekly “JC HYKE'S SONGWRITERS SERENADE” brings a different line-up each week of recording artists playing acoustic sets, at Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant & Bar, 145 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006. Venue is a restaurant, serves alcohol. All ages. No cover.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tue, Oct 16, not music, but cool (a late addition):
7 pm Free screening of the documentary film, "AS GOES JANESVILLE," about the effects, economics, and politics, of the closing of a GM plant. At the Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro. Free.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tue, Oct 16, in Ventura Co:
7 pm SONGMAKERS monthly “ME N ED’S PIZZA SONG CIRCLE” at Me n’ Ed’s Pizza, Camarillo 93010. Location and info at www.songmakers.org.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tue, Oct 16:
7 pm “BEACH CITIES FOLK CLUB” meets at the Wayland House in Manhattan Beach 90266; location and info, 310-376-8760.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tue, Oct 16:
7 pm weekly “BLUEGRASS SOUP JAM” at Convert-A-Tape, 2420 Gundry Av, Signal Hill 90755.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tue, Oct 16:
7:30 pm monthly "BASC BLUEGRASS NIGHT"at brings JAMES REAMS & THE BARNSTORMERS to play the Bluegrass Association of Southern California's fete in the Rancho Room at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-845-2425. Venue is all-ages, has good Mexican food and full bar. Okay to park free across the street at Pickwick Bowl.
+
James Reams & The Barnstormers play old-school bluegrass music. What do they teach you in the Old-School? The Three E's,of course: Keep it edgy, emotional and exciting.
+
Stephanie P. Ledgin wrote in her book "Homegrown Music: Discovering Bluegrass" (Praeger Publishers 2004): "James Reams & The Barnstormers rely on early country material and originals written in authentic style. The results are a virtual history of the music and its roots, played in a clean, heartfelt manner that is somewhere between Monroe's and the Stanleys'." And Richard D. Smith wrote in Bluegrass Unlimited: "There are few vocalists as natural as Reams. He doesn't have to try to sound down-home,he's there at each turn in the song."
+
The band plays traditional bluegrass music with an old-time country edge,and a sound that's very much their own. It features driving rhythm and hard-edged harmonies that take you back to a time before bluegrass was smoothed out for the uninitiated,the ill-prepared or the faint of heart.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tue, Oct 16:
8 pm An ALT COUNTRY / COUNTRY / AMERICANA band plays the Cowboy Palace, 21635 Devonshire St, Chatsworth; 818-341-0166. Preceded by free swing dance lesson with Ed at 7 pm. No cover.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tue, Oct 16:
8 pm weekly “TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at Timmy Nolan's Tavern and Grill, 10111 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake 91602; 818-985-3359.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Tue, Oct 16:
9 pm THE GET DOWN BOYS play Villains Tavern, 1356 Palmetto St, Los Angeles 90013; 323-613-0766. The place is “A steampunk bar.”
.
.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
COMING SOON !
(and farther in the future…)
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
Wed, Sep 17:
7:30 pm “DESERT NIGHTS AT THE STANDARD” brings sets by I SEE HAWKS IN L.A., TUMBLEWEED WONDERERS, and DAWN MITSCHELE, to The Standard, 8300 Sunset Bl, Hollywood 90069; 323-650-9090. Hawks go on stage at 9:30. Hosted by KCRW deejay Valida (Huh? Wait a minute. Since WHEN did somebody at KCRW discover roots-Americana music? We’re glad, of course, but stunned, since their penchant is “whatever-it-is-alternative” music.)
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Wed, Sep 17:
“ST. PRACTICE DAY” on the 17th of every month (except March) brings a night of live Irish music and more to O'Brien's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 2941 Main St, Santa Monica; www.obriensonmain.com; 310-396-4725. Contact venue to learn who is performing and what time they start.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Thu-Sun, Oct 18-21, CONFERENCE, in OC,
an “EVENT-of-the-WEEK” for ARTISTS pick:
“FOLK ALLIANCE REGION WEST FAR-WEST CONFERENCE” arrives at the Hyatt Regency Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Rd, Irvine 92614; hotel, 949-975-1234. It includes dozens of showcase performances, workshops, seminars, panels, awards, and more. Schedules, registration, contact info, details, at www.far-west.org. Volunteer opportunities can get you in free; contact FAR-West promptly about that. See the full story in this edition’s NEWS FEATURES before the event listings.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Thu, Oct 18, in Agoura Hills:
8 pm LEON RUSSELL plus PAUL KENNY at The Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills; www.canyonclub.net; 818-879-5016.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Fri, Oct 19:
8 pm-1 am BERNIE PEARL with BIG TERRY, plus THE BOBBY BLUEHOUSE BAND, play the Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006; www.arcadiabluesclub.com; 626-447-9349. Tix, $7 & 12.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Fri, Oct 19, in Ventura:
8 pm I SEE HAWKS IN L.A. play Yolie’s, 138 W Main St, Ventura; 805-652-0338. Presented by Hi Hat Entertainment.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sat, Oct 20, FESTIVAL:
10 am-4 pm annual “MAR VISTA COMMUNITY FALL FESTIVAL” includes community entertainment, food, arts and crafts booths and activities for kids, at the Mar Vista Recreation Center, 11430 Woodbine Av, Los Angeles; www.marvistacc.org. To volunteer or inquire about taking part, contact MarVistaFestival@marvista.org, or 310-301-1551. Free event.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sat, Oct 20, a “SHOW-of-the-WEEK” pick:
7:30 pm “COUNTRY ROADS: A JOHN DENVER CELEBRATION” with tribute artist JIM CURRY and original John Denver band members JOHN SOMMERS, JIM CONNOR, & RICHIE GARCIA, at the Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Countrywide Performing Arts Center, 2100 E Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks; www.CivicArtsPlaza.com; 805-449-ARTS (2787). Tix, $45 adults, $43 seniors, $41 children, all +$4 facility fee for advance orders.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sat, Oct 20:
8-11 pm monthly “CONTRA DANCE” with music by LES AMIS, the band with DANIEL SLOSSBERG on fiddle, JIM SCHEEL on guitars, MARK BURRILL on accordion and foot percussion, and NED BOYER on harmonica and recorders, at the South Pasadena Woman’s Club, 1424 Fremont Av, South Pasadena. Series brings a different band each month. Come early for the dance lesson at 7:30 pm. $10 at door.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sun, Oct 21, in OC:
10 am-12:30 pm “MORNING BREEZE MUSIC CRUISE” aboard the RV Sea Explorer, sailing from the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point 92629; www.ocean-institute.org; 949-496-2274. Enjoy live music during a sea cruise while searching for encounters with sea lions, dolphin, and other sea life on a 2 1/2 hour voyage. Runs every-other month, summer and fall. While you’re there, be sure to tour the Ocean Institute (separate admission charge, cheap and very worthwhile).
+
Musicians are singer-songwriter-composer and multi-instrumentalist JOHN LUTRELL and violinist-environmentalist-artist DOV. Hosted by KSBR radio “Morning Breeze” deejay Donna Jo Thornton. $35 adults, $22 children (age 4-12); substantial discounts for Ocean Institute members.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sun, Oct 21, in the San Gabriel Mtns above Arcadia:
Noon-5:30 pm “AN AFTERNOON OF ACOUSTIC MUSIC PERFORMANCES” brings THE SUBS, BELIND THOM of Modal Tease, and BRYAN CHAN, at Adams Pack Station; 626-447-7356; www.Adamspackstation.com.
+
Directions: from the 210 Freeway, go N on Santa Anita Av all the way up into the mountains. The Pack Station is at road's end, three miles past the Nat’l Forest entrance gate. Drive through the middle parking lot at Chantry Flat, around left, through the upper lot and down the dirt driveway. Follow the signs. Parking requires a Nat’l Forest “Adventure Pass,” aka a parking pass. They cost $5 during the week, and $10 Saturday, Sunday & holidays, and are available at the venue. So go early or stay late to hike a mountain trail, and get your money’s worth. Venue has award-winning pulled-pork sandwiches at their Sunday BBQ.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sat, Oct 27, a “SHOW-of-the-WEEK” pick:
8 pm CATHY BARTON & DAVE PARA play the “CALTECH FOLK MUSIC SOCIETY” series in Beckman Institute Auditorium, 400 S Wilson Av, on the Caltech campus in Pasadena; 626-395-4652. The Missouri-based, autoharp-playing traditional music duo has a huge following in Southern Cal, so get your tix early. Park free at the end of Michigan Av, south off Del Mar.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sun, Oct 28, a “SHOW-of-the-WEEK” pick:
3 pm RAY JESSEL, award-winning witty cabaret artist “and Einstein doppelganger,” performs “ON A HUMOROUS NOTE: AFTERNOONS WITH THE WORLD'S WITTIEST SONGWRITERS,” at Cornerstone Music Conservatory, 12121 W Pico Bl (one door w. of Bundy), L.A. 90064. Venue is on the 2nd floor, next to The Party Store. Presented by Parlor Performances.
+
Ray Jessel is renowned among entertainment’s elite. He’s been called "the millennium Noel Coward!" by MICHAEL FEINSTEIN. The great CARL REINER says, "...you'd be foolish if you missed Ray when he's performing in your town." \
+
The last lyricist to work with RICHARD RODGERS, Jessel was co-composer / lyricist of the Broadway Sherlock Holmes musical "BAKER STREET." His songs are on records by LOUIS ARMSTRONG, JIMMY DURANTE, SAMMY DAVIS JR., MICHAEL FEINSTEIN, and others.
+
Making his debut (at age 72!) as a cabaret artist at the Gardenia fully ten years ago in 2002, Ray has since performed throughout North America and the U.K. When he played New York's Town Hall, he "brought down the house," raved the Hollywood Reporter . Ray is the recipient of several MAC (national cabaret) awards. His CD, "Ray Jessel - The First 70 Years," will be available for purchase at the show.
+
For reservations, contact Jeannine@FrankEntertainment.com, or call 310-476-6735. Plenty of free parking in the lot. Tix $25, cash or check at the door, or $20 with a reservation by Oct 15.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Wed-Sun, Oct 31-Nov 4, in Colorado:
Annual “DURANGO COWBOY GATHERING” with IAN TYSON and champion poet DORIS DALEY.
.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
NOVEMBER EVENTS…
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
Sun, Nov 4, a “SHOW-of-the-WEEK” pick:
RAVI SHANKAR, master of the sitar and more, plays the Center Theater, Long Beach.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sat, Nov 10, in Agoura Hills:
8 pm THE LITTLE RIVER BAND, plus BEN BABYLON BAND and SOUTHBOUND BLUES, at The Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills; www.canyonclub.net; 818-879-5016.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sun, Nov 11:
5-9 pm “LOUISIANA SUNDAYS” zydeco dance series brings BENNIE & THE SWAMP GATORS to the Golden Sails Hotel, PCH Club, 6285 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach 90803. Dance lesson at 4:30 pm, band plays 5-9 pm. Info, www.LouisianaDanceLA.com, or call dance instructor Karen, 562-708-8946. $10 this time, at the door.
+
Free beginners' dance lesson 4:30-5 pm; band plays 5-9 pm. Free gumbo (donations appreciated). Tasty food also available in the hotel restaurant, opens at 5 pm. More info, call Dempsey Pappion at 562-396-1132 or David Sousa at 909-527-0926.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sat, Nov 17, a “SHOW-of-the-WEEK” pick:
8 pm LUNASA plays the Caltech Public Events Concert Series in Beckman Auditorium (“Big Beckman”), on the Caltech campus in Pasadena; 626-395-4652. Park free at the end of Michigan Av, south off Del Mar, if you arrive early enough to get a space.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sat, Nov 17, in Agoura Hills:
8 pm DAVE MASON, plus KARMA DEALERS and PAUL KENNY, at The Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills; www.canyonclub.net; 818-879-5016.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sun, Nov 25:
5-9 pm ANDRE THIERRY & ZYDECO MAGIC play a “SPECIAL THANKSGIVING EVENT” for the “LOUISIANA SUNDAYS” zydeco dance series at the Golden Sails Hotel, PCH Club, 6285 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach 90803. Dance lesson at 4:30 pm, band plays 5-9 pm. Info, www.LouisianaDanceLA.com, or call dance instructor Karen, 562-708-8946. $15 at the door.
.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
DECEMBER EVENTS…
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
Sun, Dec 9:
5-9 pm LEROY THOMAS & THE ZYDECO ROADRUNNERS play a “CELEBRATE LEROY'S BIRTHDAY & HOLIDAY DANCE” for the “LOUISIANA SUNDAYS” zydeco dance series at the Golden Sails Hotel, PCH Club, 6285 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach 90803. Dance lesson at 4:30 pm, band plays 5-9 pm. Info, www.LouisianaDanceLA.com, or call dance instructor Karen, 562-708-8946. $15 at the door.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Wed, Dec 12, a “SHOW-of-the-WEEK” pick:
8 pm CHRIS ISAAK at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W Lancaster Bl, Lancaster 93534; www.lpac.org; 661-723-5950. Tix $100, $75, $70.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sat, Dec 15:
7:30 pm JACKIE EVANCHO, the way-beyond-prodigy great 12-year-old vocal phenom, performs “SONGS FROM THE SILVER SCREEN” with the Santa Barbara Symphony, at the Granada Theatre, 1214 State St, Santa Barbara 93101; www.granadasb.org; 805-899-2222. Get tix early, this will likely sell-out. Tix range from $47.50 to $175.50. (A $200 pledge to KOCE, aka PBS SoCal, gets you an Orchestra ticket while they last.)
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sat, Dec 15:
8 pm Third Annual “BIG BAND CHRISTMAS SHOW” at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W Lancaster Bl, Lancaster 93534; www.lpac.org; 661-723-5950. Tix $24 & $19.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sun, Dec 16:
3 pm “CHRISTMAS WITH THE CELTS” at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W Lancaster Bl, Lancaster 93534; www.lpac.org; 661-723-5950. Tix $29 & $19.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Mon, Dec 17:
7:30 pm JACKIE EVANCHO, the way-beyond-prodigy great 12-year-old vocal phenom, brings her “SONGS FROM THE SILVER SCREEN” show to Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa; 714-556-2787; www.ocpac.org. Get tix early, this will likely sell-out. Tix range from $37.50 to $139.50. (A $200 pledge to KOCE, aka PBS SoCal, gets you an Orchestra ticket while they last.)
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Sat, Dec 29, in Agoura Hills:
8 pm DONAVON FRANKENREITER at The Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills; www.canyonclub.net; 818-879-5016.
.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
2013 ~ Way, way ahead, in the far-off future…
(assuming the Mayans didn’t get it right…)
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
Feb 2 & 3, 2013, FESTIVAL, in Elko, NV,
a “SHOW-of-the-WEEK” pick:
Annual “NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY FESTIVAL” with lots of top award-winning western music and, yep, cowboy poetry. Acts known so far include TOM RUSSELL, doing two concerts and a songwriting workshop, and “a hundred great cowboy acts” including RAMBLIN’ JACK ELLIOTT, and PAUL ZARZSYKSI. There are “tons of exhibits on the West” and much more at this depth-of-winter indoor festival. It’s important to book early, because lodgings fill-up for a hundred miles or more. Info at www.westernfolklife.org/National-Cowboy-Poetry-Gathering-General-Info/national-cowboy-poetry-gathering-home-page.html.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Fri, Feb 8, 2013, a “SHOW-of-the-WEEK” pick:
8 pm THE CAMPBELL BROTHERS play the Smothers Theatre, on the campus at Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu; 310-506-4522.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Feb 15, 2013, in Agoura Hills, a “SHOW-of-the-WEEK” pick:
8 pm OTTMAR LIEBERT, one of the planet’s greatest guitarists, plus LUNA NEGRA, at The Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Dr, Agoura Hills; www.canyonclub.net; 818-879-5016.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Mar 30, 2013, a “SHOW-of-the-WEEK” pick:
8 pm CRAICMORE at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W Lancaster Bl, Lancaster 93534; www.lpac.org; 661-723-5950. Tix $32 & $27.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Apr 14, 2013, a “SHOW-of-the-WEEK” pick:
3 & 7 pm (two shows) MICHAEL FLATLEY’S LORD OF THE DANCE at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W Lancaster Bl, Lancaster 93534; www.lpac.org; 661-723-5950. Tix $52 & $47.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Apr 18, 2013:
8 pm TWO CELLOS at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W Lancaster Bl, Lancaster 93534; www.lpac.org; 661-723-5950. Tix $29 & $19.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Apr 27, 2013, a “SHOW-of-the-WEEK” pick:
8 pm BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W Lancaster Bl, Lancaster 93534; www.lpac.org; 661-723-5950. Tix $47 & $42.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
May 4, 2013:
8 pm “BIG BAND BLOWOUT” at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W Lancaster Bl, Lancaster 93534; www.lpac.org; 661-723-5950. Tix $24 & $19.
.
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
.
Jun 1, 2013:
8 pm JUICE NEWTON plays the season’s closing show at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W Lancaster Bl, Lancaster 93534; www.lpac.org; 661-723-5950. Tix $32 & $27.
.
.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
The GUIDE endeavors to bring you news and views of interest to artists, musicians, the creative community, and fans of acoustic and Americana music, both traditional and innovative. Together with that, we provide schedules of performances and events reaching waaay into the future. Thanks for making the journey with us.
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
For more events FUTURE and PAST, or to CONTACT US or SUBSCRIBE, read on…
.
The Guide is always available as both a mobile-device-friendly edition and as part of a full-feature website; bring-up “view web version” on your mobile to see more features, or go to the full site for lots more content!
.
Direct-to-the-current-edition /
MOBILE-DEVICE-FRIENDLY edition loads quickly at
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com .
.
FULL WEB EDITION with additional features is at
www.acousticmusic.net .
.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.
CONTACT US / Questions / Comments / SUBSCRIBE to our notices, etc., all at
.
tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
..
. .
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
Contents copyright © 2012,
Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks.
All rights reserved.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
.