Music News & Interviews; Tuneful TV; Live Performances today & tonight, Jan 31, 2014

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LOTS here. Let’s get started!
 
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Quickie…

Birthdays of note

The Guide has been remiss. Time to play catch-up:

Jan 27 ~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1736)
Jan 27 ~ Lewis Carroll (1832)
Jan 29 ~ The State of Kansas (1861)
Jan 30 ~ Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882)
Jan 31 ~ Franz Peter Schubert (1797)
 
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In this edition…

♪  PICKS for tonight
♪  TICKET ALERTS
♪  NEWS FEATURES
.   √  LAST CHANCE TO OWN A VINTAGE SEAT FROM THE FORD AMPHITHEATRE
.   √  EARLY BIRD RATES END TODAY FOR AMERICANA MUSIC CONFERENCE
.   √  THE INTERVIEW: “MANDOLIN CAFÉ” FOUNDER SCOTT TICHENOR by Annette Siegel
♪  MUSIC ON TV tonight
♪  WEEKEND MUSIC FESTIVALS
♪  Friday’s ONGOING MUSICAL EVENTS
♪  FRIDAY’s Today/Tonight-Only MUSIC EVENTS
 
 
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♪  PICKS for today / tonight

√  THE DOYLE & DEBBIE SHOW brings its lampoon of country music from its long run in Nashville to McCabe’s in Santa Monica, 8 pm.

√  HEART OF THE FIRE (new name for the “Samhain Band”) of skilled Irish players, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, 8 pm.

√  MURIEL ANDERSEN with TIERRA NEGRA bring acoustic guitar artistry to the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, 7 pm.

√  MURALI CORYELL from New York starts a two-night stand at the Arcadia Blues Club, 8 pm.

√  PACIFIC SYMPHONY presents “TORADZE PLAYS SHOSTAKOVICH” with Russian pianist ALEXANDER TORADZE for three nights in Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa, 8 pm.

√  MARINA V finally plays a full evening, at the Baleen in Hotel Portofino in Redondo Beach, 9 pm-midnight.

√  CLIFF WAGNER (Old Number 7) does an “intimate solo performance,” followed by THE GREG FELDEN BAND, at the Cinema Bar in Culver City, 9:30 pm.

√  Aussie SEAN WAYLAND & his QUARTET play Alva's Showroom in San Pedro, 8 pm.

√  ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET presents the North American premiere of “GISELLE” with ballet superstars Gillian Murphy and Qi Huan at the Music Center in downtown L.A., 8 pm.
 
 
 
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♪   TICKET ALERTS

Tix go on-sale today, Friday, January 31, for two shows; early discount ends for one event…


1) Concert is Mar 4, in L.A.:
"ALL FOR THE HALL" featuring VINCE GILL & EMMYLOU HARRIS, with HEART, JASON MRAZ, & special guests, all in a “guitar pull” format, hosted by RITA WILSON, at Club Nokia in L.A. Live complex near Staples Center. Doors at 7 pm. Tix are $49.50, $65, $95, $125, plus applicable fees. Proceeds benefit the Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum. Tix go on sale Jan 31 at 10 am, and can be purchased via www.AXS.com or from 10 am-5 pm, (Mon-Fri) at the Staples Center Box Office at 1111 S Figueroa St, L.A.


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2)  Show is Apr 18, in L.A.:
BILL MAHER brings his acerbic wit and observations on morons in politics, religion, and anywhere else he has found them. At the Nokia Theatre in L.A. Live complex near Staples Center. Doors at 7 pm. Tix $35, $49.50, $65, $79.50, $125, on sale Jan 31 at 10 am.


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3)  Reservations due by 5 pm today, or pay $5 more at-the-door; event is Sat, Feb 1, 11 am-1 pm, in Hollywood. “HOW TO PITCH YOURSELF, Talk to the Media and Network Like a Rock Star” with “author, media and presentational coach and award-winning Hollywood correspondent” GAYL MURPHY, "The Celebritizer." Info at www.lawim.com; tix $25 before 5 pm, $30 thereafter, at reservations@lawim.com
 
 
 
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♪  NEWS FEATURES


√  LAST CHANCE TO OWN A VINTAGE SEAT FROM THE FORD AMPHITHEATRE

Can you beat this for your backyard / house concert series / song circle?

The folks at our favorite L.A. outdoor venue, the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre (or simply, “The Ford”) completed a major part of their thorough renovation and modernization project last year. That included replacement of all the seats.

Now, they report, “Over the summer, we were fortunate enough to find good homes for many of our recently removed amphitheatre seats. Before we send the remaining seats off to the great theatre in the sky, we're giving you all one last chance to own this piece of memorabilia.”

Accordingly, they’re having a “FEBRUARY FIRE SALE -- ALL SEATS MUST GO! Singles $10, Double $15, Triple / Quadruple $25.”

Online advance purchases of vintage seats must be made by today, January 31, 2014. Online purchase info is at  HYPERLINK "http://www.FordTheatres.org" www.FordTheatres.org.

Seats may also be purchased in person one-day ONLY, Saturday, February 1, from 10 am-2 pm. In-person purchases are cash only, no bills larger than $20. All purchased seats must be picked-up ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, by 2 pm. All sales are final. The pick-up location is the County of Los Angeles Parks & Recreation storage facility, located at Veteran's Park, 13000 Sayre St, Sylmar 91342. Questions? Call 323-856-5791.

The John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, across the canyon from the Hollywood Bowl, is quite historic. A seat or two or four might be just what you need for the porch or patio – or your backyard concert series.


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√  EARLY BIRD RATES END TODAY FOR AMERICANA MUSIC CONFERENCE

The 15th annual “Americana Music Festival and Conference” aka “Americanafest,” and the critically-acclaimed Americana Honors & Awards program are the Americana Music Association’s biggest events. The association is a professional not-for-profit trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world, and it produces events throughout the year.

This year’s festival and conference will take place September 17-21, 2014, in Nashville. The event brings together fans and music industry executives alike, offering four days of celebration through seminars, panels and networking opportunities by day and raw, battery–recharging performance showcases each evening – many featuring name-brand music stars. The Americana Honors and Awards Show is the featured performance of the festivities, held at the historic Ryman Auditorium, original home of The Grand Ole Opry. In 2013, that show was broadcast live on AXS TV, and featured on PBS in an edited one-hour version called “ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2013.”

Registration for the 2014 festival / conference events are on-sale now, and the “SUPER Early Bird Rates” expire today, January 31.

Act today to get the $265 for members / $365 non-member rate, a 50% savings of the walk-up price. Register at www.americanamusic.org

After you’ve done that, get your room reservations. The conference is at Nashville’s premier boutique hotel, The Hutton Hotel, which is offering a special rate for Americanafest attendees. Call 615-340-9333 to make your reservation and tell them you are attending the Americana Music Festival & Conference.


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√  THE INTERVIEW: “MANDOLIN CAFÉ” FOUNDER SCOTT TICHENOR

Guide correspondent Annette Siegel sits down with the web’s guru of “all things mandolin.”

by Annette Siegel

NAMM is an exciting, tasking, inventive, musical and noisy experience. It’s also a great opportunity to meet people in person you’ve only emailed or talked with on the phone. Such was the opportunity to meet up with SCOTT TICHENOR, owner and webmaster of the Mandolin Café.  It is home to all things Mandolin.

Scott was kind enough to give the Guide some of his time. He’s taller than I imagined, very sweet, understated, and he brings obvious knowledge to the conversation. Scott was there for “the Café” and the business contacts he meets, and that allows him to report about NAMM from a mandolin point-of-view.

Here’s my interview with Scott while sitting in the busy, crazy, world that is NAMM.

AS - Why did you come to the show this year?

ST - I came to mine information, make contacts and I’m always surprised every time. I come here with low expectations and it’s usually exceeded. For example; the first day, I meet with Mel Bay about some things, cause I’ve never met him in person. I turn around and there’s the person from Wiley Publishing (the “For Dummies” books). So I talked to them, made a contact with a marketing person; it was totally off my radar, I had no idea they were here. I should have [known]… but that’s just an example of the things that happen. He was hanging out with a major mandolin company and I found out some information I didn’t know… it was kind of like, Oh… now I put two-and-two together. That kind of thing.

The other reason I come here is I need to get away from the computer and see the people that I’m dealing with, and it pays dividends, things happen in person that will never happen over the web.

AS - What gave you the idea/inspiration to start the Mandolin Café?

ST - In 1994, I went to the Boston Macintosh conference and I bought the only book that was available in the industry on how to build a website… there was one book, that I knew of. I read it cover-to-cover and started building a website – someone from a music store had asked me to build a website. So I built something for myself, first: the Mandolin Café, and they looked at that and said, ‘Ok, build us a site.’ I was really hooked on it as soon as I saw it, and the only other mandolin website was Dan Beimborn’s “Mandolin Archive” and now we’re working together. He actually disappeared from my life for about 10 years. Once, I was ready to chuck it all, because I’ve been run-off of a bunch of dedicated servers. I was getting a lot of traffic… this was in the old days when you shared servers. And he came in and got me a dedicated server and bailed me out big time. It’s a big site; it needs more than one person working it. I have a couple of people that help me.

AS - The name, Mandolin Café?

ST - The early websites looked like restaurant menus. You had text at the top and you would click on it… they were all text-based. I’m kind of a foodie anyways… so Mandolin Café… there ya go.

AS - How has the Café changed over the years?

ST - We’re user-input now, and an awful lot of the content is by users; which is what website’s need to be. Users, that’s why sites like Yelp and some of those foodie sites work. It’s forum traffic and the classifieds that are the two big functions for the Café.  So that’s content being added by other people. In the early days, you basically presented information and if they liked It, they might come back the next day – and if they didn’t see anything, they probably wouldn’t.

I had a forum in 1998, a lot of people don’t even know that, and it actually got clear-wiped off, data and all the content… everything.  I didn’t even think to save it at the time; it was all an experiment. I wiped it off several times, up until 2002; then I started saving it.

AS - You can still find so much if you do a search.

ST - Yes, there are posts from September 2002, usually be me or a couple of other people.

AS - Were you always a mandolin geek, or afflicted later in life?

ST - I started playing guitar when I was about 6, and played guitar till I was like… 24, when I moved to Kansas City to teach high school. I was trying to get into a band, and they needed a mandolin player… so they gave me a mandolin. I tried-out for a band, played it for a summer, and got hooked.

AS – What’s your background, Scott?

ST - I taught high school for two years. I loved teaching, but I had to coach at the same time. I was an athlete in college on scholarship; long distance runner. But school districts need teachers that can coach. The opening they had was for basketball, which I knew almost nothing about, so we were probably the worst team in the state, 0-18 or something like that. So I had to coach the sports and didn’t really enjoy that. So I left teaching and went into jobs that were IT-related. That led me into desktop publishing, and eventfully into the web.

I was in administrative management in a large corporation, contract manager, so I was managing large contracts and oversaw those services. But I also did a lot of individual supervision, so that kind of got into that H&R thing.

It’s not one of my strengths, dealing with people on the site. Problem people is not my strength, which is why Ted (Eschliman / Jazz Mando) [came on board]. I didn’t have any discipline problem as a teacher. I taught at a real tough Kansas City-based school. The kids that got used to me would actually take my class because they felt safe. It was a school where you could be in physical danger.

AS – Let’s get back to the music. How many mandolins do you have now?

ST - I have a lot of instruments move through my house that I own, but I only have one that I keep and play.

AS - Which is?

ST - It’s a 2001 Nugget Deluxe #233.

AS - So where would you like to see The Mandolin Cafe go in the future?

ST - There’s a new version of the software that runs my forum, the company has a new generation, the blogging’s a little better. So what they’re doing is reaching out more into the social groups; more into blogging, information mining and sharing. At some point, I need to move to that new platform, and I want to take more of the static content and shoehorn into that database. Because I’m not going to live forever, I want be able to have that in some kind of format, so I can hand that off. Because right now, there’s a lot of old geek stuff… you know, hand-done. A lot of the site is. Most of the people think of the Mandolin Café as the forum. A lot of people think that. It’s a fair amount of data, thousands of pages. There’s that, and I’m always looking for writers, people that are industry, journalist, that have newspaper or magazine experience, and people that are musicians that have those skills.

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Before I knew it, our allotted time was up. We parted with mutual thank-yous. It was fascinating to see different dimensions of someone I had known only as the web’s mandolin guru. Scott dashed off to meet another mandolin contact. I was off to see who and what would await around the corner at the NAMM show.
 
 
 
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♪  MUSIC ON TV tonight

Friday nights – all night – have become, by far, TV’s best night for Roots / Americana music.

8-8:30 pm  “BLUEGRASS UNDERGROUND” is a 2013 edition with BAUSOLEIL avec MICHAEL DOUCET, On KLCS. (Repeats 3-3:30 am.)

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8-9 pm  “STORYTELLERS” is the 2012 season opener with JILL SCOTT. On Palladia.

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8:30-9 pm  “JAMMIN’ AT HIPPEE JACK’S” is a 2013 edition with GOOSE CREEK SYMPHONY. On KLCS. (Repeats 3:30-4 am.)

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9-10 pm  “AUSTIN CITY LIMITS” is a 2014 edition with indie rockers PORTUGAL.THE MAN and LOCAL NATIVES. Probably not too folksy this time out. On KLCS. (Repeats 4-5 am.)

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10-11 pm  “LIVE FROM THE ARTISTS DEN” isn’t folksy tonight, either, with THE KILLERS and TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB. On KLCS. (Repeats 5-6 am.)

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11 pm-12:30 am  “LIFE IS GOOD FESTIVAL” from Canton, Massachusetts, in 2013, with HALL & OATES, JACK JOHNSON, DAWES, TRAMPLED BY TURTLES, AMOS LEE, DELTA RAE, and GOOD OLE WAR. On Palladia.

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11:30 pm-midnight  “DOLLY RARTON: SONG BY SONG” is a 2013 episode of the series, this one exploring the provenance of her 1973 hit, “Jolene.” On Ovation.

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Early Sat, 12:30-2 am  “ELVIS: ALOHA FROM HAWAII” is a 1973 TV special. On KOCE, aka PBS SoCal.

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Early Sat, 1:30-2 am  “TAVIS SMILEY” has a new 2014 show with violinist HILARY HAHN. On PBS World.

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Early Sat, 3-5 am  “JOHN MAYER: WHERE THE LIGHT IS” is a 2007 concert at L.A.’s Nokia Theatre. On Palladia.

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Early Sat, 4:30-5 am  “SUN STUDIO SESSIONS” is a new 2014 edition with singer-songwriter WILL SEXTON, joined by AMY LaVERE and ALLISON MOSSHART. On PBS+.

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Early Sat, 5-6 am  “MUSIC CITY ROOTS FROM THE LOVELESS CAFE” is a 2013 edition with ROBIN & LINDA WILLIAMS, SCOTT MILLER, THE WHISKEY GENTRY, TOMI FUJIYAMA, & TILLER’S FOLLY. On PBS+.

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Early Sat, 5-6 am  “CMT CROSSROADS” from 2012 brings JOE WALSH & “FRIENDS” KENNY CHESNEY, BRAD PAISLEY, SARA EVANS, HUNTER HAYES, LUKE BRYAN, & BILLY GIBBONS. On Palladia.
 
 
 
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♪  FRIDAY’S MUSIC SCENE…


♪  WEEKEND MUSIC FESTIVALS
♪  Friday’s ONGOING MUSICAL EVENTS…
♪  FRIDAY’s Today/Tonight-Only MUSIC
 
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♪  WEEKEND MUSIC FESTIVALS
 
 
Fri, Jan 31; Wed-Sat, Jan 29-Feb 1,
FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE,
in Northern Nevada:
♪  30th Annual “NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY GATHERING” in Elko, Nevada, fills all the lodgings for a hundred miles, and brings stage performances, showcases, music and poetry, awards, western art exhibitions, and a lot of saddle pal camaraderie.
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Info at: www.westernfolklife.org/National-Cowboy-Poetry-Gathering-General-Info/national-cowboy-poetry-gathering-home-page.html
 
 
 
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♪  ONGOING MUSIC & ART EVENTS
 
 
Through January, in L.A.:
"JOHN FOGERTY: WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE, " is the wonderful temporary exhibition at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, on display through this month. It features artifacts from his personal collection, and it is named after his current album, hailed by fans and critics alike. John Fogerty’s music was considered rock when he first made it with CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL, but, current and retro, it’s classic roots-rock-Americana now. The album received a rare 5-star lead review in Rolling Stone. Included with regular museum admission, which also includes the temporary exhibition, “RINGO: PEACE & LOVE.”
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At the Grammy Museum, 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance around the corner on Figueroa), L.A. 90015; check for museum hours: 213-765-6803;  HYPERLINK "http://www.grammymuseum.org" www.grammymuseum.org.

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Ongoing (opened Jan 17),
in Santa Monica:
"CIRQUE DU SOLEIL" presents "TOTEM" under the Big Top at the Santa Monica Pier.
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"TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations. Inspired by many founding myths, TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species. Somewhere between science and legend, TOTEM explores the ties that bind Man to other species, his dreams and his infinite potential." -- the show's promo.
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"Spectacular, artful. Breathtaking and deliciously ironic." -- The Toronto Star.
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"TOTEM is visually ravishing" -- The Boston Globe.
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Tix by phone, at 800-450-1480.
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Tix & info online, at:
http://m.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/totem/americas/usa/california/santa-monica.aspx

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Through Feb 13,
Theatre,
in San Pedro:
8 pm  “AN EVENING OF ORIGINAL ONE-ACTS” opens the “Pick of the Vine: Season 12” at the Little Fish Theatre in San Pedro.
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Info & tix at www.littlefishtheatre.org
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Runs Jan 10-Feb 15: Fridays & Saturdays at 8 pm; Sundays, Jan 26-Feb 2 at 2 pm; Thu, Feb 13 at 8 pm.
 
 
 
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♪  FRIDAY’s Today/Tonight-Only MUSIC
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Friday, January 31, 2014
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Fri, Jan 31, in Burbank:
1-3 pm  THE WOODYJAMES BIG BAND plays one of the two stages at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr (next to L.A. Equestrian Center), Burbank; 818-845-2425 or 818-515-4444;  HYPERLINK "http://www.vivacantina.com" www.vivacantina.com.
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More shows here, on one or the other of the venue’s two stages, 5-8 pm and on both stages beginning at 8:30 pm; see listings.
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All shows on both stages are no cover. Venue is known for its Mexican food and full bar. Okay to park free across the street at Pickwick Bowl (free, nearly unlimited parking for Viva patrons).

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Fri, Jan 31, in Burbank:
5-8 pm  THE RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE play one of the two stages at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr (next to L.A. Equestrian Center), Burbank; 818-845-2425 or 818-515-4444;  HYPERLINK "http://www.vivacantina.com" www.vivacantina.com.
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More shows here, on one or the other of the venue’s two stages, 1-3 pm and on both stages beginning at 8:30 pm; see listings.
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All shows on both stages are no cover. Venue is known for its Mexican food and full bar. Okay to park free across the street at Pickwick Bowl (free, nearly unlimited parking for Viva patrons).

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Fri, Jan 31, in Monrovia:
6-10 pm  Weekly “MONROVIA FAMILY FESTIVAL” is a year-’round street fair with live music in venues and on street corners, plenty of it acoustic, in picturesque old downtown Monrovia. It includes the trad-roots-dulcimer-friendly “KATTYWOMPUS CONCERT & JAM” at 7 pm at Dollmakers Kattywompus, 412 S Myrtle Av, Monrovia 91016; info, 626-357-1091.

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Fri Jan 31, in San Diego Co (Carlsbad):
7 pm  MURIEL ANDERSEN performs with TIERRA NEGRA at the Museum of Making Music, 5790 Armada Dr, Carlsbad 92008; 760-438-5996; a division of the NAMM Foundation,  HYPERLINK "http://www.namm.org" www.namm.org.
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Muriel is simply amazing. She’s the only woman ever to have won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. She knows everybody in the world of guitar-playing virtuosity, and she always assembles the best when she tours.
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Tix at: www.museumofmakingmusic.org/events

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Fri, Jan 31, in SFV (Northridge):
7-10 pm  Weekly “FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC SHOWCASE” brings Barry and Melissa Cullison, Bryan Chan,and Brad Swanson to Pho-King Delicious, 9350 Corbin Av, Northridge 91324.
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Lineup, schedule, etc:

♪  7-7:45 pm --- Bryan Chan is “always trying to achieve the goal of giving blues music the heart, soul and respect it deserves.” Catch a You tube video of Bryan at:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcrIBv1ug4c www.jimeatonmusic.com

♪  8-8:45pm--- Barry and Melissa Cullison come from a musical family. Their dad played guitar and sang country music while their mom accompanied him on harmonica and dulcimer and sang harmony. Music was the preferred pasttime and jam sessions with friends were always occupied the weekends. Brother and sister harmony can sometimes sound like a special effect -- when Melissa harmonizes with Barry's music, people seem to enjoy his songs all the more.

♪  9-9:45 pm--- Brad Swanson is a singer songwriter multi-instrumentalist. Many of his songs have been featured in TV shows such as; CSI, Ghost Whisperer, Smallville, Dawson's Creek, and more.
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No cover. Venue offers a variety of noodle dishes, salads, spring rolls, soups and sandwiches, and Vietnamese pho.

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Fri, Jan 31, in San Pedro:
7-9:30 pm  ROB KLOPFENSTEIN & guests joining him at the piano, at the Whale & Ale, 327 W 7th St, San Pedro; 310-832-0363;  HYPERLINK "http://www.whaleandale.com" www.whaleandale.com.
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No cover for bar or dinner patrons. If you sing, you’re invited to join Rob.

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Fri, Jan 31, in WeHo:
7:30 pm  THE WOOD BROTHERS plus AMY HELM play the Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Bl, West Hollywood 90069; 310-276-6168.

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Fri, Jan 31,
live theatre,
in Santa Monica:
7:30 pm  “THE STRANGE UNDOING OF PRUDENCIA HART” plays the Edye Stage at the Broad, at Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St, Santa Monica 90401; 310-434-3200.

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Fri, Jan 31, in Altadena:
8 pm  HEART OF THE FIRE is the new name for the “Samhain Band” of formidable Irish music purveyors CHRIS LOKEN, ZAC LEGER, AEDAN McDONNELL, JOHN McKENNA, & PETER ROMANO, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675.
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What happens when you put together five of the top Irish musicians in L.A.? An explosion of rhythm and sound that has heart and fire. Celtic Rhythms brings to you another spirited evening of Irish and trad music. The evening is sure to be "great craic" (that's fun in Irish), as they combine strong elements of the traditional with their own unique and creative musicality, and perform an exciting array of traditional and contemporary songs and tunes.
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Three years ago, musicians, dancers and actors were hand-picked to give birth to a brand new show: "Samhain, the Story of Halloween." The show was extremely successful and has run the end of October every year since with rave reviews and a growing fan base. Last year's show was so magical, the members of the band decided to take the music of "Samhain" on the road.
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But the name brought questions, since the “Samhain Band” seemed like something you could only hear around Samhain, in October. Their music has heart, and it has fire, and so "Heart of the Fire" was born.
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The band is:
CHRIS LOKEN on fiddle
ZAC LEGER on flute, pipes, banjo, & mandolin
JOHN SOMMERS on fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar
AEDAN McDONNELL on Irish harp, accordion, and dancing
JOHN McKENNA on button accordion, bodhran, and vocals
PETER ROMANO on guitar and vocals
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Here are notes on some of the players.
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Chris Loken masters the fiddle with lyrical drive and style. He began his study of music from a young age on both piano and violin, and found a love of Irish music through the band, Evergreeen, during his high school years. Stints at Duquesne University and Berklee College of Music rounded out Chris' formal training, bringing a wide variety of styles to his playing. Chris can be heard around LA playing with Waking Kate, the Brilliant Gypsies, Speyside and The Ploughboys.
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Zac Léger (Uillean Pipes, Banjo, Flute, Mandolin) Zac Léger has been touring and playing music professionally for over a decade. He holds numerous medals on various instruments from both the U.S. and Ireland, including an All-Ireland piping medal, one of few Americans to hold this prestigious title.
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Aedan MacDonnell (Celtic Harp, Accordion, Step Dance) Aedan is an award-winning harper, a vocalist, dancer and multi-instrumentalist. She began classical piano, tap and ballet at the age of 7, and turned to the Celtic harp as a young adult. She breathes beauty into her music, and glows in the most earthy, personable, fun, giving, and gracious way as she embraces her love for the art, the music, the culture, and her audience. Aedan wrote and produced the Samhain show that got this whole thing rolling.
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John McKenna (Vocals, Button Accordion, Bodhran) John is a BIC: Bronx Irish Catholic born to Irish immigrant parents (Counties Longford and Leitrim). John draws you in with his wit and charm, and brings the Irish magic to his audience through his music. John is also an avid Record collector and actually owns a "Muggle" t shirt.
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Peter Romano (Guitar, Vocals) Peter Romano is an innovator of Celtic Music. Growing the music he first learned and loved in a small village pub in Ireland, he has become known for laying down fiery grooves on guitar to drive these spirited melodies and delivering passionate vocals to meet the intensity of inspired lyrics. In between performing and putting together the next big show, Peter teaches individuals to play instruments and sing, so they can share this love of music.
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Tix, $20. Call for reservations, 626-798-6236 (10 am-10 pm, 7 days).

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Fri & Sat, Jan 31 & Feb 1, in Arcadia:
8 pm  MURALI CORYELL from New York, with ALPHONSE MOUZON on drums, plus THE BOBBY BLUEHOUSE BAND opening, for a rare two-night stand at the Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E Huntington Dr (just E of Santa Anita), Arcadia 91006; 626-447-9349; www.arcadiabluesclub.com
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Doors at 7 pm for the best seats, bar, pool tables, and ordering food (generous portions). Music starts at 8 pm. Fun place, but bring earplugs. Seriously.
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Advance tix online at http://arcadiabluesclub.ticketleap.com

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Fri, Jan 31, in Santa Monica:
8 pm  THE DOYLE & DEBBIE SHOW plays McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
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For McCabe’s this is a rare comedy musical revue. And it brings Nashville's long-running Doyle & Debbie Show. Achieving cult-like status in their Music City hometown, this lampoon of country music's idolization of iconic duos (and the subsequent battle of the sexes) is taking a road trip and coming out west to McCabe's. Bruce Arntson and Jenny Littleton wield the vocals of vintage country stars and the acting chops of Broadway veterans, taking audiences on a freewheeling joyride through a wickedly funny script and a slew of equally hilarious original songs. Conan O'Brien is a fan, and has featured D&D over the last few months. Doyle & Debbie perform "their top hits... to the very best of their ability."
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Tix, $20.

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Fri, Jan 31; Thu-Sat, Jan 30-Feb 1, in OC (Costa Mesa):
8 pm  PACIFIC SYMPHONY presents “TORADZE PLAYS SHOSTAKOVICH” for three nights in Segerstrom Hall at Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa; 714-556-2787;  HYPERLINK "http://www.ocpac.org" \t "_blank" www.ocpac.org.
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Recognized as a masterful virtuoso with deep lyricism and intense emotion, Russian pianist ALEXANDER TORADZE joins Pacific Symphony to introduce a journey into the music of Shostakovich. Music Director Carl St. Clair dives into Symphony No. 10, perhaps the composer's best work, which is at once melancholy and intense.
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Go early for the “Concert Preview” at 7 pm; it’s included with your ticket price.
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Tix at 714-755-5799 or www.PacificSymphony.org

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Fri, Jan 31, in San Pedro:
8 pm SEAN WAYLAND QUARTET plays Alva's Showroom, 1417 W 8th St, San Pedro 90732; reservations, 800-403-3447.
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Sean Wayland was born in Sydney, Australia and now resides in New York. He is well known and respected for his prolific writing and unique harmony and rhythm.
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Sean has worked for a number of internationally renowned musicians including: Allan Holdsworth, Wayne Krantz, David Binney, Madeliene Peyroux, Tim Miller, Ingrid Jensen, Jon Gordon, Dave Smith, Isaac Darche, Jon Iragabon, Dan Pratt, Ike Sturm, Matt Geraghty, The Three Degrees, The Dangit -Bobbys, Moses Patrou, Jay Collins ,Cornell Dupree, Jesse Harris, Sheryl Bailey, Gerald Hayes, Dale Barlow, Justine Clark, Phil Slater, Jackie Orsascky, Steve Hunter, James Muller and Steve McKenna.
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Sean has released 14 critically acclaimed CDs, featuring musicians such as Adam Nussbaum, Dennis Irwin, Seamus Blake, Chad Wackerman, Steve Kirby, Alvester Garnett, Jesse Harris, James Muller, Jochen Rueckert, Matt Penman, Donny McCaslin, Will Vinson, Keith Carlock, Adam Rogers and Tim Lefebvre.
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It's Sean Wayland on piano and keyboards, Ben Eunson on guitar, Josh Davis on bass, Mark Ferber on drums.
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Complimentary coffee, tea, hot cocoa and "Alvas" bottled water are provided. Bring your own food & drinks
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Tix, $20.

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Fri, Jan 31, in L.A.:
8 pm  WHITNEY MONGE plays the acoustic “FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC SERIES” at MUSE on 8th, 759 S La Brea Av, Los Angeles 90036; 323-933-MUSE (6873); www MUSEon8th.com

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Fri, Jan 31, in Huntington Beach:
8 pm  ZACH NYTOMT and LIBBY KOCH play the Huntington Beach Art Center, 538 Main St, Huntington Beach 92648; 714-374-1650; info@songwriterserenade.com

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Fri-Sun, Jan 31-Feb 2, in downtown L.A.:
8 pm  ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET presents the North American premiere of “GISELLE” at the Music Center, 135 N Grand Av, Los Angeles 90012.
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“GISELLE” brings ballet superstars Gillian Murphy and Qi Huan in a critically-acclaimed production, the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s dynamic dancers bring you a “creative and glorious” revisiting of the ballet first performed in Paris in 1841.
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One of the oldest surviving most dramatic and beautiful of all ballets, Giselle brings prima ballerina Gillian Murphy in the title role of a peasant girl in Germany during the Middle Ages who lives for dance despite frail health. Giselle’s heart is broken by a prince (Qi Huan), but her undiminished love saves the man from supernatural forces. "Giselle" harnesses the power of forgiveness and redemption to vanquish the anguish of love and betrayal. The North American premiere features ballet superstars Gillian Murphy and Qi Huan. In Los Angeles for four performances only
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Tix at: 213-972-7211 or  HYPERLINK http://www.musiccenter.org www.musiccenter.org

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Fri, Jan 31, in Sierra Madre:
8 pm  “AN IDEAL HUSBAND,” Oscar Wilde's classic comedy, continues at the Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W Sierra Madre Bl, Sierra Madre 91024.
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Those new to Wilde will understand why he is considered one of the greatest English writers (though born in Dublin) of his time (1854-1900).
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Opening Night Gala performance tonight, followed by Champagne reception and light buffet. Ample free parking behind theatre.
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Runs through Sun, Feb 23. Performance times are Friday and Saturday at 8 pm, Sundays at 2:30 pm; and Sun, Feb 9 at 7 pm and Thursdays, Feb 13 and Feb 20 at 8 pm.
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Tix, $25; seniors and students $22; children age 12 and under $15. Phone, 626 355-4318. Online tickets: www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

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Fri, Jan 31, in SFV (Chatsworth):
8 pm  An undisclosed “AMERICANA / ALT COUNTRY / TRAD COUNTRY BAND” performs at the Cowboy Palace, 21635 Devonshire St, Chatsworth; 818-341-0166.
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This is L.A.’s last real honky tonk. No cover, full bar, lots of fun. Go early for the nightly free dance lesson.

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Fri, Jan 31, in Burbank:
8:30 pm  LATASHA LEE & THE BLACK TIES bring “the classic soul of this Texas vocalist” on one of the two stages at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr (next to L.A. Equestrian Center), Burbank; 818-845-2425 or 818-515-4444;  HYPERLINK "http://www.vivacantina.com" www.vivacantina.com.
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Also starting at 8:30, on the venue’s other stage, it’s the DICK & JANE FAMILY ORCHESTRA, GOLDEN SOMBRERO, and SPINDRIFT.
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More on one or the other stages here 1-3 pm and 5-8 pm. See listings.
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All shows on both stages are no cover. Venue is known for its Mexican food and full bar. Okay to park free across the street at Pickwick Bowl (free, nearly unlimited parking for Viva patrons).

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Fri, Jan 31, in Redondo Beach:
9 pm-midnight  MARINA V plays the Baleen, located in Hotel Portofino, 260 Portofino Wy, Redondo Beach 90277; 310-379-8481; www.hotelportofino.com
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Russian expatriate Marina brings her piano and acoustic guitar prowess and, as the L.A. Times says, her “hauntingly beautiful” voice. She is an award-winning singer-songwriter.
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No cover, all ages. More at www.MarinaV.com

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Fri, Jan 31, in Long Beach:
9 pm  KEN O’MALLEY & THE TWILIGHT LORDS play the Auld Dubliner, 71 S Pine St, Long Beach; 562-437-8300; www.aulddubliner.com

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Fri, Jan 31, in Murrieta:
9 pm  THE AMERICAN WAKE play for their first time at the Shamrock Irish Pub & Eatery, 39252 Winchester Rd #145, Murrieta 92563; www.theshamrockirishpubandeatery.com; 951-696-5252.

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Fri, Jan 31, in Culver City:
9:30 pm  CLIFF WAGNER (Old Number 7) does an “intimate solo performance,” followed by THE GREG FELDEN BAND, at the Cinema Bar, 3967 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City.
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Cliff tells us you will experience his “feminine side.” He adds, “If you haven't seen Greg, you have to hear him and his band. Americana at its finest.”
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More at http://gregfelden.com
and
www.oldnumber7.net
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No cover. Venue is the size of a postage stamp and barstool seating is competitive, but it’s always a good, friendly crowd. Bring $ for the artists’ tip jar.
 
 
 
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More, soon, for the rest of your musical weekend.
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♪  The Guide will be making CH-CH-CHANGES – turn, embrace the change -- in 2014. Some folks will like some, others will not. There will be points of departure to make room (and time) for the new. We’ll do what we can, because as always, we operate with the editor’s motto, “One does what one can.”
 
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CONTACT US / Questions / Comments / SUBSCRIBE to our notices, etc., all at
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Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks.
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The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community, and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules of performances in Southern California venues large and small. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kids o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to proto blues.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. We’re on it.
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