Wednesday – Arts & Music, and a Moment in History – June 4 edition, 2014

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Today’s edition has one News Feature, and it’s our “This Day in History” item.

Tonight’s live music and art scene are covered, too, of course. Jump right in and enjoy!

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In this edition…

♪ NEWS FEATURE / THIS DAY IN HISTORY:
. √ Tiananmen Square Uprising Still Speaks to Us;
. Twenty-five years ago today, one man showed us what bravery looks like.

♪ TICKET ALERTS

♪ WEDNESDAY’s MUSIC & ART EVENTS

♪ ONGOING MUSIC & ART EVENTS



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♪ THIS DAY IN HISTORY…
a most notable June 4th event
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TIANANMEN SQUARE UPRISING STILL SPEAKS TO US

by Larry Wines

Twenty-five years ago today, one man showed us what bravery looks like.

I remember how ready I was to join a new "Lincoln Brigade" and emulate the Americans of the 1930s who went to fight the fascists in the Spanish Civil War. It seemed – for one, brief, shining moment – to be China's turn to taste freedom and freely-elect its leaders. Or so we thought.

It was 1989. The Berlin Wall was about to fall. The Iron Curtain that divided Europe was unraveling. The Soviet Union would soon fragment into states ruled by their own inhabitants.

It seemed to be “the new birth of freedom” that Lincoln had anticipated, with governments everywhere that would be of the people, by the people, for the people. But in China, the ruling class had dug-in and fought to retain control.

I have never forgotten how inspired I was by that lone, brave young man who kept moving sideways, back and forth, to remain centered in front of the leading tank, as an entire column of tanks was coming to end free expression. In the midst of the outrage of an unstoppable force of repression stood an immovable object. The actions of that one, lone human unmistakably communicated, “Stop here, or you will have to run me down.” Single-handed, he prevented that column of armor from attacking the student protestors in Tiananmen Square, until he was taken away, never to be heard from again.

Still, in some of the most iconic photos of the twentieth century, those taken by Jeff Widener of the Associated Press, he became "Tank Man." That unknown figure remains a symbol of the solitary man against the enormous machine, of the lone voice opposing injustice in the face of insurmountable odds, of the ability of one individual to take a stand for the rights of the common man against the power elite of a brutal, totalitarian regime.

It all came flooding back when I saw a brief message from musician Christopher Lockett.

Christopher commented, "...most people have not seen the original version of the photo... The uncropped version shows us the true scope of what this man was facing down -- and when you see it, you know just how mighty a statement he made."

Thus, we include that long shot among the images taken by Jeff Widener.

It still speaks to us, but how much more does it say?

It's twenty-five years later. American jobs have been lost by the millions, chiefly to the poorly-paid corporate residential factory work forces of China. There, workers are often kept behind guarded wire, sometimes with anti-suicide nets to catch them when they jump.

And those American jobs that went overseas have likewise been lost to another cause entirely: the greed of multinational (usually Western, sometimes American-flag-flying) corporations. The same corporations who pay tens of millions in bloated compensation packages and bonuses to their execs as rewards for increasing profits, even as those “expenses” are tax-deductions from their US earnings, based on sales of cheaply-made, often environmentally-damaging, Chinese products.

Meanwhile, China has become addicted to the same kind of acquisitive consumerism, and forgotten those who bravely spoke truth to power. There, it's even sadder that the essence of what those brave souls had to say twenty-five years ago, demanding self-determination and standing in front of the tanks, is not considered to be truth in the land of their birth.

Christopher Lockett had more to say, as the memories of 1989 returned. He wrote, "I was in summer school at Clemson. Jerry from Mauldin, SC, a none-too-bright kid down the hall, ran into the room and said: 'Oh man, the Chinese are sending in tanks!' My roommate and I ran down the hall to someone's room with a TV. Jerry got all excited and said: 'Yeah man, f--- those protestors, send in those tanks!' We all stared / glared at him and wondered three things at once:
1. Just how stupid this kid was.
2. How much law and order propaganda he must have been raised with to hold such a view.
3. How the Chinese dissidents protesting for freedom stood a chance if there were more than a few Jerrys in the west."

Indeed, there seem to be more than a few Jerrys on today’s political ;andscape.

A more hopeful experience came from Shannon Wells, remembering Tiananmen, who said, "A few years after that I worked with three physicists from PRC, who were here when that happened. They almost couldn't believe their eyes. They were furious that their own government would do this to its own people, and they truly believed that if the people of China knew about it, they would stand up to the government."

Twenty-five years on. And how culpable are we in China’s continued repression, as we buy so many imported goods that enrich China's power elite, and even borrow and indebt ourselves to them?

At least we, in the world outside China, have Jeff Widener’s "Tank Man" photographs. (You can read "A Conversation with Jeff Widener, who photographed 'Tank Man'," at:
http://petapixel.com/2013/06/21/a-conversation-with-jeff-widener )

In China, Jeff's photos – along with all other images and all mentions and references to the Tiananmen Square Uprising and the other, concurrent demonstrations throughout China – are aggressively and brutally suppressed. In China, those who attempt to publish, post, or even discuss what happened in 1989 are persecuted, prosecuted, and jailed. It's an open question whether they are still subjected to torture.

1989, and its echo today is muted, perhaps even distorted. 1989, the world before Gitmo, before our own shameful suppressions, repressions, jailings without trials, acts of torture, and official justifications for those acts. Oh yes, we were attacked from outside. But China's rulers say they were attacked, too -- from within.

When driven by fear, any society can co-opt its people to aid in censorship and repression, even persecution of their own neighbors. All it takes to make your citizenry into zealots is convincing them – however nebulously and obtusely – that their way of life, or public decency, or anything held dear that’s more emotional that intellectual, is at risk to a marauding enemy.

All of us have a long way to go before we are endowed as members of the human family with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as inalienable rights. And today is a good time to think about that.



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♪ TICKET ALERTS
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√ KEVIN FISHER and PHIL WARD play the monthly "SUNDAY AT THE BOOK STORE" series on Sun, Jun 8, in SFV (Woodland Hills), from 4-6 pm. Presented by Red Rock Concerts at the Crown Book Store, 6100 Topanga Canyon Bl, #1340, inside the mall, next door to Maggiano's Italian Restaurant, in Woodland Hills.
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More, including reservations, at: http://SundayAtTheBookStore.com
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You can find music samples of on their websites:
http://PhilWardMusic.com
http://KevinFisher.me
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No cover, but make a reservation to be sure it happens.


√ HUNTER HAYES with DAN + SHAY, play the Santa Barbara Bowl, on Sun, Jun 15, at 6:30 pm. Tix, $35-$65, at http://sbbowl.com

√ SARAH McLACHLAN plays the Santa Barbara Bowl, on Wed, Jun 25, at 7 pm. Tix, $44.50-$89.50, at http://sbbowl.com

√ RINGO STARR and His All Starr Band featuring Steve Lukather, Richard Page, Greg Rolie, Todd Rundgren, & Greg Bissonette, play the Santa Barbara Bowl, on Sat, Jul 12, at 7 pm. Tix, $99- $39, at http://sbbowl.com

√ JACK JOHNSON with MICHAEL KIWANUKA plays two nights at the Santa Barbara Bowl, on Sun, Aug 31 & Mon, Sep 1, at 6:30 pm. Tix, $69.50-$49.50, at http://sbbowl.com

√ FOR MORE (many more) -- Last WEDNESDAY’s edition was LOADED with ’em. It’s still available, at a separate click.



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♪ WEDNESDAY’s Today/Tonight-Only
MUSIC & ART EVENTS
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Wednesday, June 4, 2014
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Wed, Jun 4, in Burbank:
6-11 pm A full evening with CODIO & THE SWINGING ARMANIS, plus DEBRA PRICE & GUIDO ARMANI’s CLASSICAL HOUR on one stage, and on the other stage, GLEN ROBERTS BIG BAND -- recently named “Best Free Big Band Event” in L.A. Weekly’s prestigious “Best of LA” issue – plus REVEREND MARTINI'S ROCKABILLYHOP ‘N HANG, all at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr (next to L.A. Equestrian Center), Burbank; 818-845-2425 or 818-515-4444; www.vivacantina.com
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√ CODIO & THE SWINGING ARMANIS play at 6 & 8 pm.
√ DEBRA PRICE & GUIDO ARMANI’s CLASSICAL HOUR happens at 7 pm.
√ GLEN ROBERTS BIG BAND at 7 pm, named “Best Free Big Band Event” in LA Weekly’s prestigious “Best of LA” issue.
√ REVEREND MARTINI'S ROCKABILLYHOP ‘N HANG with the Vinyl Record Assoc., at 10 pm.
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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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Wed, Jun 4, in Torrance:
6-8:30 pm ANDY & RENEE, leaders of HARD RAIN, named the Best Band in the South Bay for 2013, play their residency at the Buffalo Fire Dept., 1261 Cabrillo Av, Torrance 90501; 310-320-2332.

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Wed, Jun 4, in Murrieta:
6:30 pm “THE SHAM JAM” OPEN MIC, hosted by HUNTER & SIMON, at the Shamrock Irish Pub & Eatery, 39252 Winchester Rd #145, Murrieta 92563; 951-696-5252; www.theshamrockirishpubandeatery.com

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Wed, Jun 4, in Santa Barbara:
7 pm JAMES TAYLOR plays the Santa Barbara Bowl, 1122 N Milpas St, Santa Barbara 93103; 805-962-7411.
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We've notified you before, in a “Ticket Alert.”
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Tix, $125-$59, if any are left: http://sbbowl.com

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Wed, Jun 4, in South Pasadena:
7 pm Weekly "WINE & SONG" brings a lineup of pre-booked recording artists, plus surprise musical guests, and performing host BRAD COLERICK, all performing all-acoustic, at Firefly Bistro, 1009 El Centro St, South Pasadena 91030; 626-441-2443; www.WineAndSong.com
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No cover for the show, but the venue may try to seat you where you can’t see unless you tell them you’re there for DINNER and the show.

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Wed, Jun 4, in OC (Fullerton):
7 pm STEVE NOONAN & FRIENDS weekly acoustic show at Bourbon Street, 110 E Commonwealth, Fullerton.
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This week’s guests are Dusty B and the Jealous Hand - playing favorites in country from Merle to Buck to Willie.

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Wed, Jun 4, in Santa Monica:
7-11 pm THE GET DOWN BOYS play their every-Wednesday residency at Areal, 820 Main St, Santa Monica.
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$5 cover. More at www.thegetdownboys.com

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Wed, Jun 4, in L.A.:
7-11 pm “IRISH TRAD SESSION” is a structured jam at Tom Bergin's Public House, 840 S Fairfax Av, Los Angeles; 323-936-7151.

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Wed, Jun 4, in VC (Simi):
7:30-11 pm SONGMAKERS twice-monthly “SIMI VALLEY HOOT.” Location and info, www.songmakers.org

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Wed, Jun 4, in OC (Fullerton):
Time tba DAVID SERBY & THE LATEST SCAM play tThe Slidebar Rock N Roll Kitchen in Fullerton.
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David tells us, “If you want to see The Latest Scam (Edward Tree, Gregory Boaz, and Dale Daniel) you better do it tonight, because the next time you see us it ain't gonna be the same thing.”

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Wed, Jun 4, in Santa Barbara:
8 pm KRIS DELMHORST plays SOHo Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State St, Santa Barbara 93101; 805-962 7776.

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Wed, Jun 4, in L.A.:
SOLD OUT: 8 pm “THE DROP: MATISYAHU” is a CD release and live performance-interview event at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Theatre, 800 W Olympic Bl, L.A. 90015; 213-765-6803; www.grammymuseum.org.
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Tix at the Museum Box Office at 213-765-6803 or online at www.grammymuseum.org

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Wed, Jun 4, in SFV (Chatsworth):
8 pm ROB STALEY plays 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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Wed, Jun 4, near LAX:
8 pm Weekly “GUITAROLOGY” showcase at Melody Bar & Grill, 9132 S Sepulveda Bl, Los Angeles 90045; 310-670-1994.



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♪ ONGOING MUSIC & ART EVENTS
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ONGOING at the Getty Villa, through Aug 25, in Malibu:
“HEAVEN AND EARTH: ART OF BYZANTIUM FROM GREEK COLLECTIONS” at the Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu; 310-440-7300; parking, $15.
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Marked by glittering mosaics, luminous icons, and opulent churches, the Byzantine Empire (A.D. 330–1453) flourished for more than one thousand years. Over 170 national treasures from Greece illustrate the development of a mighty empire, from its pagan origins to a deeply spiritual Christian society. This exhibition is presented in conjunction with “Heaven and Earth: Byzantine Illumination at the Cultural Crossroads” at the Getty Center.
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The exhibition was organized by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports, Athens, with the collaboration of the Benaki Museum, Athens, in association with the J. Paul Getty Museum and the National Gallery of Art, Washington. The exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

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ONGOING at the Getty, through Jun 8, in L.A.:
“A ROYAL PASSION: QUEEN VICTORIA & PHOTOGRAPHY” and “HIROSHI SUGIMOTO: PAST TENSE” are two concurrent temporary exhibitions at the Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr, L.A. 90049; 310-440-7300; parking is $15.

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ONGOING at the Getty, through Jun 22, in L.A.:
“HEAVEN AND EARTH: BYZANTINE ILLUMINATION AT THE CULTURAL CROSSROADS” is a new temporary exhibition at the Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr, L.A. 90049; 310-440-7300; parking is $15.



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More, soon, as always.
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♪ The Guide has made some CH-CH-CHANGES – turn, embrace the change – with more to come as spring becomes summer of 2014. There are, and 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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Contents copyright © 2014,
Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks.
All rights reserved.
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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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