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There are two new editions today. THIS ONE has all the weekend festivals, recommended events, music and arts news, and — Ground control to Major Tom — news of over 1200 fresh extraterrestrial discoveries(!)
THE OTHER new edition is the Guide's first-ever endorsement for President of the United States. Seriously. It's right here at a separate click and we hope you'll take time to read it.
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Contents / In this edition...
1) FESTIVALS: IMPENDING FUN!
2) CATCH LIVE FOLK CONCERTS ON THE WEB
3) ROOTSY SONGSTRESS SARA PETITE HAS LOCAL DATES
4) RECOMMENDATIONS: A MISCELLANY OF MUSICALITY — CONCERTS, ETC.
5) WORKSHOPS COMING SATURDAY, MAY 21st
6) OUTWEST CONCERT SERIES RETURNS MAY 26
7) CHAMPION COMEDIC BANJO PLAYER HAS UPCOMING L.A. SHOW
8) WANNA MEET EINSTEIN?
9) MUSIC FILM RECOMMENDATION: "RUDDERLESS"
10) GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM: NASA ANNOUNCES 1,284 NEW PLANETS FOUND
Jump right in. The water's fine.
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# 1 news feature...
FESTIVALS: IMPENDING FUN!
There are FOUR festivals this weekend, including Topanga Banjo•Fiddle on Sunday. Here's the lowdown on all the hoedowns.
√ 11th Annual ("11th Ever") "L.A. OLD TIME SOCIAL" runs Thu-Sat, May 12-14, at various venues and with emphases that range from concerts to dances to workshops. It's an immersion in the good time roots music that preceded bluegrass. Details, tix, registration at:
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www.oldtimeisagoodtime.com
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• It kicks off Thu at 8 pm, doubling as the weekly "Honky Tonk Hacienda" at El Cid, 4212 Sunset Bl, Los Angeles 90029. Performances by Echo Mountain String Band, Squirrel Butter, High Life Cajun Band.
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• Fri night's concert, May 13, at 8 pm, is Earl & Adrian White, Tom Marion with Frank Fairfield, The Canote Brothers, and intermission music by Sausage Grinder, at the Velaslavasay Panorama, 1122 W 24th St, Los Angeles 90007.
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• Sat, May 14, brings a huge schedule, noon-11 pm. Workshops run noon-6 pm, for: Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Square Dance Calling, Singing, & Clogging. At 6:30, the Family Dance & Cake Walk happen. Then at 8 pm is the Square Dance with callers Susan Michaels and Charmaine Slaven, and bands Hollywood Boll Weevils, Earl White Stringband, Squirrel Butter, and The Canote Brothers. All Sat events are at American Legion Post 206, 227 N Ave 55, Los Angeles 90042.
√ Annual "JOSHUA TREE MUSIC FESTIVAL" runs Thu-Sun, May 12-15, at Joshua Tree Lake Campground, 2601 Sunfair Rd, Joshua Tree 92252. It used to be Folk-Americana friendly, but not so much anymore. Performances Thu by Dam-Funk & the Light, Gene Evaro Jr., & Tomas de la Noche; on Fri by Dakhabrakha, The Main Squeeze, Adobe Collective, Sunsquabi, Trevor Green, Stone Soul, The Rainbow Girls, Todo Mundo, Denmantau, Bearcoon, & TryStates; on Sat by Empresarios, Little Hurricane, Greener Grounds, Dumpstaphunk, All Good Funk Alliance, Cactus Wine Experience, Royal Jelly Jive, Del Corazon, Dani Bell & the Tarantist, Desert Rhythm Project, & Jim Maloney; on Sun by Hamsa Lila, Dhara World Music, The Accidentals , Wondem, 3rd Ear Experience, Gene Evaro Jr., Vir, Inkx & Evan, Melaena Cadiz, & Megan Hutch.
√ Annual "ELECTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL": Sat, May 14, it's South Pasadena's FREE big one-day fest, on 12 Stages, much of it acoustic music with great sound systems, spread around the charming downtown. Performances by Albert Lee, Doug MacLeod, Barbara Morrison, Rick Shea, Dale LaDuke, Wild Mountain Mystics, Tim Tedrow & John Michael Kaye, Rebecca Stout, Whiskey Sunday, and more. Free. Ride the Gold Line Light Rail and avoid looking for parking.
√ Annual "TOPANGA BANJO•FIDDLE CONTEST & FOLK FESTIVAL" Sun, May 15, 9 am-6 pm, at Paramount Ranch, 2903 Cornell Rd, Agoura Hills 91301; 818-382-4819; in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, near Agoura. For years, the best one-day folk fest anywhere. In addition to being dazzled by the contest competitors, there are scheduled performances on multiple stages by Ragged Union, The Americans, Canote Brothers, Evie Ladin Band, Hollow Trees, Joellen Lapidus, LA Dulcimer Club, Scottish Festival of Los Angeles, Ventucky String Band, G Burns Jug Band, Mike Mahaney & Friends Western Music Roundup, The Sweet Potatoes, Squirrel Butter, and folk "singer-songfighter" Ross Altman. Also, plenty of participatory dance: Clogging, Contra, & Square.
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Full info & advance tix online at:
www.topangabanjofiddle.org
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NEXT WEEKEND...
√ Annual "CLAREMONT FOLK FESTIVAL" Sun, May 22, is already SOLD-OUT.
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WORKSHOPS: 11 am-2 pm, at the Folk Music Center, 220 Yale Av, Claremont 91711.
• Introduction to Banjo: Kent Besocke
• Mountain Dulcimer: Leo Kretzner
• Songs of a Red Diaper Baby Boomer: Ross Altman
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FESTIVAL CONCERTS: 3-10 pm, at the Sontag Greek Theater at Pomona College, 300 E Bonita Av, Claremont 91711.
• 4 pm Quetzal
• 5:15 pm Yuval Ron Ensemble
• 6:30 pm Tom Morello
• 8 pm David Lindley
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909-624-2928
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# 2 news feature...
CATCH LIVE FOLK CONCERTS ON THE WEB
We've reported before on "SONGWRITERS AT PLAY," Steve Key's multivenue series. It has PLENTY of live web simulcasts weeknight evenings and weekends, plus the occasional radio streaming simulcast, all from the Central Coast. Not all these stream online, most do. And we encourage you to attend a concert when you're in the area. Or make a road trip, since some venues are wineries (one with its music hall in the old Southern Pacific Railroad depot!) Details at:
www.songwritersatplay.com
Here's the current schedule (MOST have web simulcasts)...
• Tue, May 10, tune in at 5 pm to hear Gayle Skidmore, Sugar Still, and Winne Brave. Airs on The Krush 92.5 FM, streams free worldwide at www.krush925.com. Repeats Thu, May 12, 9 am.
• Wed, May 11: The Salty Suites, with special guest Phil Lee, at the "Wine Down Wednesday" concert series at Sculpterra. $15 tix available at the door, or at Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo, or online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2527536. Sculpterra Winery, 5015 Linne Rd, Paso Robles; 805-226-8881. Food and wine available for purchase, including half-off the price of selected bottles.
• Thu, May 12: 9 am. Streaming radio repeat of the Tue, May 10, performance by Gayle Skidmore, Sugar Still, and Winne Brave. Airs on The Krush 92.5 FM, streams free worldwide at www.krush925.com.
• Thu, May 12: Dead Frets, plus Nick Brittan, Christiana Newcomb, Oliviero, Shining in the Dark. Show begins at 6:30 pm. Shell Cafe, 1351 Price St, Pismo Beach; 805-773-8300. All ages. Free. Co-production with Madeline Royal of "Love Live Music."
• Fri, May 13: Phil Lee, Ragged Company. Trevor McSpadden opens at 7 pm. Reservations strongly recommended: 805-227-6800. D'Anbino Cellars, 710 Pine St, Paso Robles. $12 cover. All ages OK. D'Anbino has cheese plates & desserts, but OK to bring your own food.
• Sun, May 15: Trevor McSpadden, plus PJ Robertson, Lars Mortensen. 1-4 pm, rain or shine year-round at Sculpterra Winery, 5015 Linne Rd, Paso Robles; 805-226-8881. No cover charge, all ages.
• Mon, May 16: Roy Schneider & Kim Mayfield,plus Stereo Chickens, Karyn Ann, Noach Tangeras, Lars Mortensen. Otter Rock Cafe, 885 Embarcadero, Morro Bay; 805-772-1420. 6:30 pm start. No cover charge, tip bucket for the featured act. All ages. Full dinner menu and great sunset views.
• Tue, May 17: Roy Schneider & Kim Mayfield, plus Craig McNichols, Max MacLaury, Devin Wallace, Lars Mortensen. Starts 6:30 pm, at Bang The Drum Brewery,950 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo; 805-242-8372. No cover charge, all ages.
• May 19: Roy Schneider & Kim Mayfield, plus Jennifer Martin, Amie Richie, Charles Motley. Show begins at 6:30 pm. Shell Cafe, 1351 Price St, Pismo Beach; 805-773-8300. All ages. Free.
• Sun, May 22: Reeves 'n Zat,plus Desiree trio, Rebecca & Gary Parks, Caitlin Anne Webster, Elizabeth Etta. 1-4 pm, rain or shine year-round at Sculpterra Winery, 5015 Linne Rd, Paso Robles; 805-226-8881. No cover charge, all ages.
• Mon, May 23: Reeves 'n Zat, plus Bearcoon, John Nowel, Randall Lamb, Caitlin Anne Webster, Janine Rose. Otter Rock Cafe, 885 Embarcadero, Morro Bay; 805-772-1420. 6:30 pm start. No cover charge, tip bucket for the featured act. All ages. Full dinner menu and great sunset views.
• Tue, May 24: "Bob Dylan Tribute" with Bear Market Riot, James Lee Stanley, The Agreeables, Noach Tangeras, Brian Rozendal, Girls & Boys, Cat Zebron, Ben Justus, Steve Fort. Tickets $12, available at the door; for the best seats, make dinner reservations at 805-962-7776. All ages OK. Doors open 6:30, show begins at 7:30 pm. SOhO Restaurant & Music Club,1221 State Street #205, Santa Barbara.
• May 27, "Bob Dylan Tribute." Starts at 7 pm. Reservations strongly recommended: 805-227-6800. D'Anbino Cellars, 710 Pine St, Paso Robles. $12 cover. All ages OK. D'Anbino has cheese plates & desserts, but OK to bring your own food.
• Jun 8: Jill Knight at the "Wine Down Wednesday" concert series at Sculpterra. $15 tix available at the door, or at Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo, or online at www.brownpapertickets.com. Sculpterra Winery, 5015 Linne Rd, Paso Robles; 805-226-8881. Food and wine available for purchase, including half-off the price of selected bottles.
• Jun 10, new trio Point Conception and Portland's Just People. Starts at 7 pm. Reservations strongly recommended: 805-227-6800. D'Anbino Cellars, 710 Pine St, Paso Robles. $12 cover. All ages OK. D'Anbino has cheese plates & desserts, but OK to bring your own food.
• Tue, Jun 21: Ynana Rose, plus David Trull, Jennifer Martin, Matt Yaki. Starts 6:30 pm, at Bang The Drum Brewery,950 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo; 805-242-8372. No cover charge, all ages.
• Jun 24, "Merle Haggard Tribute." Starts at 7 pm. Reservations strongly recommended: 805-227-6800. D'Anbino Cellars, 710 Pine St, Paso Robles. $12 cover. All ages OK. D'Anbino has cheese plates & desserts, but OK to bring your own food.
• Jul 13: CC Riders with Louie Ortega & Dorian Michael at the "Wine Down Wednesday" concert series at Sculpterra. $15 tix available at the door, or at Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo, or online at www.brownpapertickets.com. Sculpterra Winery, 5015 Linne Rd, Paso Robles; 805-226-8881. Food and wine available for purchase, including half-off the price of selected bottles.
• Aug 10: Bear Market Riot at the "Wine Down Wednesday" concert series at Sculpterra. $15 tix available at the door, or at Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo, or online at www.brownpapertickets.com. Sculpterra Winery, 5015 Linne Rd, Paso Robles; 805-226-8881. Food and wine available for purchase, including half-off the price of selected bottles.
• Sep 14: Jody Mulgrew Band at the "Wine Down Wednesday" concert series at Sculpterra. $15 tix available at the door, or at Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo, or online at www.brownpapertickets.com. Sculpterra Winery, 5015 Linne Rd, Paso Robles; 805-226-8881. Food and wine available for purchase, including half-off the price of selected bottles.
More tributes:
• June 14 Merle Haggard
• July 12 Jackson Browne
• Aug 30 Van Morrison
• Sep 13 Buddy Holly
• Oct 11 John Lennon
• Nov 22 Gordon Lightfoot
Full info and web simulcast links at:
www.songwritersatplay.com
More at:
www.facebook.com/songwritersatplay
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# 3 news feature...
ROOTSY SONGSTRESS SARA PETITE HAS LOCAL DATES
The Guide's founding editor was an early fan of Sara Petite, who has gone on to earn serious music prizes, do national tv, and open for headliners that include Ralph Stanley, Marty Stuart, Dave Alvin, and plenty more.
We like it when other music journalists rave about somebody after we do.
"There is no medical evidence to prove that Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith and Carrie Rodriguez joined forces to mother a fully-grown musician daughter. But if they did, San Diego singer-songwriter Sara Petite would be the likely outcome.” — George Varga, San Diego Union Times.
“She could sing a buzzard off a slop wagon.” — Mojo Nixon.
"A true original, Sara's music does not conveniently fit into any one musical genre or sub-category, but rather traces her influences in country, bluegrass, rock and folk, and emerges into a sound completely her own. As welcome in senior citizen centers as she is in biker bars, nightclub venues and festivals, Sara is as American as apple pie and Harley Davidson. She is gritty, she is wild, she is tender with a soul of a child." — Kim Grant.
Sara Petite is a gifted singer-songwriter who possesses a very real ability to reach the hearts and souls of fans young and old. She has that rare gift of crafting songs that appeal equally to, but are interpreted differently by, fans of diverse perspectives. This is amply evidenced as you watch the audiences at her live performances.
Petite has toured all over the U.S. and Europe. She has some local dates, including a free show in the most intimate of venues, the Cinema Bar in Culver City, at 9 pm on May 25th (1867 N Sepulveda Bl, Culver City. It's the size of a postage stamp, barstool seating is competitive; 21+ venue; come early to get in.) See below for more dates and venues.
Her new album, "The Road Less Traveled," is slated for August 2016 release.
Transplanted to San Diego from a tulip farming town in Washington, she cites her influences as artists as diverse as Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, and June Carter, to Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and John Mellencamp. That'll prepare you a bit for that new record.
Catching her live... Southern Cal. & Central Coast Road Dates:
√ May 10: "Merle Haggard Tribute" night at the Belly Up, Solana Beach.
√ May 12: 7 pm, no cost, at Otter Cafe, 885 Embarcadero, Morro Bay.
√ May 20: 6 pm, no cost, at Wynola Red Barn, 4355 Hwy 78, Julian (inland San Diego Co.)
√ May 25: 9 pm, no cost, at the Cinema Bar, 1867 N Sepulveda Bl, Culver City.
√ May 27 & 28: 8 pm, no cost, at Pappy & Harriet's, 53688 Pioneertown Rd, Pioneertown 92268 (a famous remote venue in the eastern desert, a detour from 29 Palms.)
Sometimes, you can catch Sara Petite & the Sugar Daddies, her full band. Other times, it's her rootsy 3-piece Classic Country, swampy-sounding ensemble, Sara Petite & the Sweet Pea Possums. Or it's Sara and her guitar. All three options are formidable.
Touring as a solo artist, Sara has opened for many greats, including Ralph Stanley, Marty Stuart, Lonestar, Todd Snider, Dave Alvin, Josh Turner, Ol' 97s, John Eddie, Richie McDonald, Trent Tomlinson, Steve Poltz, and more.
Sara Petite's awards and accolades include:
• Winner, 3 times, San Diego’s Best Country/Americana Band
• Grand Prize Winner of Portland’s Songwriting Contest
• San Diego Songwriting Contest Winner
• International Songwriting Finalist
• In 2012, Petite won second place in the prestigious "Chris Austin Songwriting Contest" at the huge "Merlefest."
More info: www.sarapetite.com
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# 4 news feature...
RECOMMENDATIONS: A MISCELLANY OF MUSICALITY — CONCERTS, ETC.
There's a cosmic convergence of musicality these next few days. The concert scene is simply wonderful. These listings are in addition to events discussed in the other features in this edition. We aren't repeating ourselves with parallel listings. So be sure to check the festivals and other features, too.
Here are our recommendations, Thursday through Sunday...
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Thursday, May 12...
√ FORTUNATE SON, acclaimed Creedence tribute band: Thu, May 12, 2 pm matinee, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations (10 am-10 pm, 7 days) at 626-798-6236.
√ EVIE LADIN: Thu, May 12, 7 pm, House Concert in Claremont 91711. Reservations get directions from Don Breyer at 909-626-8666 or debreyer@gmail.com.
√ STORYTELLING CONCERT: TY FANCE & JAMIE BRIDGERS: Thu, May 12, 7:30 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations (10 am-10 pm, 7 days) at 626-798-6236.
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Friday, May 13...
√ BLACK MARKET TRUST: Fri, May 13, 7 pm, at Squashed Grapes, 2351 E Main St, Ventura 93003.
√ EVIE LADIN BAND: Fri, May 13, 7:30 pm, at the "San Diego Folk Heritage" concert series at Templars Hall in Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd, Poway (San Diego Co) 92064; 858-566-4040.
√ JOHN PRINE, JASON ISBELL, & AMANDA SHIRES: Fri, May 13, 7:30 pm, a formidable bill at the Greek Theatre, 2700 N Vermont, Griffith Park, Los Angeles 90027; 213-480-3232.
√ JIM GUSTIN & TRUTH JONES, plus CROOKED EYE TOMMY, and BOBBY BLUEHOUSE: Fri, May 13, 8 pm, at Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia. Fun club, good food (generous portions), full bar, free street parking; bring esrplugs - seriously. Tix, $10, discounted to $5 online advance, at: http://www.arcadiabluesclub.com/schedule.htm
√ DIRK HAMILTON: Fri, May 13, 8 pm,at McCabe’s Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
√ THE LUCKYS: Fri, May 13, 8 pm, at the Camarillo Café Concert Series, 1605 Burnley St, Camarillo 93010.
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Saturday, May 14...
√ QUATTROSOUND: Sat, May 14, 12:30 pm matinee at the Old Ranch Country Club, 3901 Lampson Av, Seal Beach 90740.
√ HOMEMADE JAM: Sat, May 14, 3 pm matinee, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations (10 am-10 pm, 7 days) at 626-798-6236.
√ "ROSS ALTMAN Presents Songs of the ‘60s": Sat, May 14, 3 pm matinee, at the Santa Monica Public Library, 601 Santa Monica Bl, Santa Monica 90401. Sponsored by the Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest, which holds its annual festival tomorrow, May 15th. See festival section.
√ SLIGO RAGS: Sat, May 14, 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations (10 am-10 pm, 7 days) at 626-798-6236.
√ ALICE WALLACE: Sat, May 14, 8 pm. The truly outstanding artist plays "Russ and Julie’s House Concerts" series in Oak Park (Agoura Hills/Westlake Village area). Reservations get directions at 818-707-2179 or rsvp@houseconcerts.us
√ RAGGED UNION, Bluegrass band from Colorado: Sat, May 14, 8 pm, at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583.
√ COCO MONTOYA, plus BOBBY BLUEHOUSE: Sat, May 14, 8 pm, at Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia. Fun club, good food (generous portions), full bar, free street parking; bring esrplugs - seriously. Tix $25, discounted online advance to $20, at: http://www.arcadiabluesclub.com/schedule.htm
√ JANIVA MAGNESS: Sat, May 14, 8 pm, at McCabe’s Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
√ RICHARD THOMPSON: Sat, May 14, 9 pm, plays solo and with his trio, at the Teragram Ballroom, 1234 W 7th St, Los Angeles 90017; 213-689-9100.
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Sunday, May 15...
There are entitely too many truly outstanding possibilities that are perfect for your post-Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Fest on Sunday...
√ PEANUT plays the "Matinee Kids' Show" series: Sun, May 15, 11 am, at McCabe’s Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
√ DUSTBOWL REVIVAL: Sun, May 15, at 6 pm. It's the "Ojai Concert Series" at Dancing Oak Ranch, on Hwy 150 / 4585 Casitas Pass Rd, Ventura 93001; 805-649-5189.
√ "A TRIBUTE TO MERLE HAGGARD": Sun, May 15, 6 pm, at Cody's Viva Cantina , 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-845-2425. Performances by Cody Bryant, Susie Glaze, Tony Gilkyson, Craig Elkins, Cary Park, Lisa Finnie, Ronnie Mack, Tonya Watts, Groovy Rednecks, & Rick Shea. It's this month's installment of "THE MESSAROUND" with a very formidable lineup!
√ RAGGED UNION, Bluegrass band from Colorado: Sun, May 15, 7 pm, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations (10 am-10 pm, 7 days) at 626-798-6236.
√ "SONGWRITER'S SQUARE": Sun, May 15, 7 pm, brings PHIL WARD (delightfully comedic folksinger & Trough Records artist), ERIC KUFS (from folk band COMMON ROTATION), NORMANDIE WILSON (cabaret singer), and host BILL BERRY, for Phil's first post-root-canal concert "despite looking like a chipmunk," at Lyric-Hyperion Theatre & Cafe, 2106 Hyperion Av, Silver Lake (L.A.) 90027. Get $12 tickets at:
www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2545558 using the code word Phil. (The show's at 7 pm, not 7 am, despite what that web site says) Or pay $15 at the door if you mention Phil's name.
√ ROSEMARY BUTLER: Sun, May 15, 7:30 pm, at SOHo Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State St, Santa Barbara 93101; 805-962 7776.
√ DANIEL BACHMAN: Sun, May 15, 7:30 & 9:30 pm, at the Museum of Jurassic Technology, 9341 Venice Bl, Culver City 90232; 310-836-6131; events@mjt.org
√ DARRYL PURPOSE with PAUL ZOLLO: Sun, May 15, 8 pm, at McCabe’s Guitar Shop, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. The Guide just brought you a rave review (May 7) of the brand-new Darryl Purpose new album, with songs written by Paul Zollo. This'll be a big night.
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# 5 news feature...
WORKSHOPS COMING SATURDAY, MAY 21st
A pair of workshops spaced far enough apart you could make both. If you play fiddle and guitar.
√ "CAPE BRETON FIDDLE WORKSHOP" with ANDREA BEATON: Sat, May 21, 11:30 am, at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church, 2902 Montrose Av, La Crescenta 91214. Google it.
√ "FINGERSTYLE GUITAR WORKSHOP" with ADAM MILLER: Sat, May 21, 4 pm, at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583.
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# 6 news feature...
OUTWEST CONCERT SERIES RETURNS MAY 26
Before we talk about who's performing, let's talk a moment about this series. It's in the Old Newhall district of Santa Clarita. It has grown to genuine event status in a comfortable theatre from a start, a few years back, in a western wear store. Along the way, it's gained sponsorship of local cable tv, which does a live shoot of every concert. And it's still put together by that store, which is named OutWest.
If you get your ticket in time for the next concert, happening May 26, you'll enjoy a performance by JENNIFER LIND, a wonderful singer and entertainer. It's at Repertory East Playhouse, 24266 Main St, Newhall. Jennifer blends western and mainstream folk styles. She has two albums out, and is now a member of the NEW CHRISTY MINSTRELS.
Evening begins in the theatre's lounge at 7 pm; concert at 8 pm. Tix are $25. Call 661-255-7087 to reserve your seats.
You owe it to yourself to become familiar with this series and with the living legacy of Western music.
L.A. doesn't offer a lot of real Western music, apart from the annual "Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival" that happened last month. Once in a while, the Autry National Center (Autry Museum of the American West) does something nicely tuneful. And Cody's Viva Cantina in Burbank works a good number of Western Swing bands into their nightly mix. Plus there's the fine lineup at the Coffee Gallery Backstage up in Altadena. And a few times a year, there's this series.
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# 7 news feature...
CHAMPION COMEDIC BANJO PLAYER HAS UPCOMING L.A. SHOW
Bet you think we're talking about Steve Martin. Not this time. We're talking about the winner of the coveted "Three Weeks Award" at Scotland's "Edinburgh Fringe Festival."
We're talking about Daniel Cainer.
"Call him a comedian, a spinner of tales, a homespun philosopher — beneath the rapid-fire delivery there lurks a warm Jewish soul and a quality Jews might call 'heimish', a feeling of comfort, of home. One laughs with, not at, the whimsy. A rare quality."
— Theodore Bikel, the late folksinger and actor.
Cainer has enjoyed sold-out shows around the world. His collection of stories in song reveals a master songwriter and performer.
"He shines light in lots of dark corners, family secrets, feuding tailors making their way from Lodz to London, and much more. You'll laugh, you'll cry. What's not to like?" — Jeannine Frank, event producer.
An "Edinburgh Fringe Festival" (Scotland) favorite each year, Cainer's compositions and topical songs are performed regularly on BBC London.
Check out a review from the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe Festival: "Always Best of the Fest!" --
http://fringereview.co.uk/review/edinburgh-fringe/2015/daniel-cainer-21st-century-jew
Now, the tricky part. You CAN see Daniel perform while he's in L.A. But you need to contact Jeannine to get a ticket. She will even get you a nice discounted ticket. But she is the one with the details, at:
jeannine@frankentertainment.com
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# 8 news feature...
WANNA MEET EINSTEIN?
"It's all relative -- so bring all yours to enjoy EINSTEIN, where humor, history & dazzling equations collide!" That's the clever promo. The rave reviews are more... intelligent:
HUFFINGTON POST: "This is a unique American premiere worth investigating.... Fry's portrait captures iconic mathematician as you might not have imagined him before..."
RANDOM LENGTHS NEWS: "... a glorious evening's entertainment, a personal triumph for Jack Fry and for the reality of science we know so little about."
It's one night only...
Tue, May 24, at 7:30 pm, at the Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St (a few doors S. of Wilshire Bl), Santa Monica.
Tickets $35 ($25 for Guide readers through promoter Jeannine Frank, at: jeannine@frankentertainment.com )
Explore more at:
www.einsteintheplay.com
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# 9 news feature...
MUSIC FILM RECOMMENDATION: "RUDDERLESS"
"RUDDERLESS" (2014) is now playing on Starz cable and Netflix. It doesn't seem to have ever gotten the usual round with critics, and that's too bad. It is an engaging music fable with catchy singer-songwriter material, some developed for full band performances.
It marks the directorial debut of veteran actor William H. Macy, who has a cameo, and it stars Billy Crudup.
The central plot line is handled with a good mix of necessary introspective character development and enjoyable music performances. And that's saying a lot, because the opening incident would be impossibly disturbing, even a deal-breaker, were it not adequately handled by the writing and cast.
The story gives us a skillful weaving of multiple generations, linked by the universality, redemptive power, and escapism of music. Yep, all three.
The moments — and a couple of entire scenes — of awkwardness are characteristic enough of the youth of some of the characters that it narrowly escapes being an eye-roller.
A very folky performance venue — half coffee-house, half bar — and a music store threatened with closing, along with scenes at a lake, all work to create believable surroundings and look like New England. But all are in Oklahoma; the film was made in Guthrie, Edmond, Oklahoma City, and at that lake. Each location becomes comfortably familiar and helps the plot work.
An especially strong reason to watch? Anyone who has ever been in a band (at any age), or worked the goofy jobs necessary to sustain chasing a music career, will relate to the many nicely crafted little "musician moments," perhaps finding them downright reminiscent. That includes a couple of over-the-top, alcohol-fueled parabolic arcs.
Language, and that opening incident and its eventual resolution, make it unsuitable for small fry. Recommended for everyone else. Especially everyone who spends some portion of their life involved in making music.
Co-stars Anton Yelchin; Laurence Fishburne, Felicity Huffman, and Selena Gomez also have roles.
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# 10 news feature...
GROUND CONTROL TO MAJOR TOM: NASA ANNOUNCES 1,284 NEW PLANETS FOUND
The $60 million Kepler Space Telescope mission keeps delivering huge dividends. With the NASA announcement today, May 10, the number of known planets orbiting stars other than our own just increased by a whopping 60 percent.
Already, scientists have determined that nine of those 1,284 planets are "rocky" rather than gaseous or iceballs, and they orbit their suns in the "goldilocks zone."
That refers to the right distance for water to remain liquid without permanently freezing or boiling away into vapor. Of course, the distance of that zone is different with each star, based on how big and how hot it is. And we're observing from distances so great that all this detection capability would have been thought impossible just a few years ago.
Venus could be in our sun's goldilocks zone, if it didn't have a runaway greenhouse effect that keeps it surface hot enough to melt lead. In fact, planetary scientists believe Venus once had oceans of liquid water. Which should give us caution. Not only about those distant rocky worlds. But about the accelerating global warming on our own. It's not wise to abuse mother nature.
Read about those 1,284 newly found planets at:
www.space.com/32850-nasa-kepler-telescope-finds-1284-alien-planets.html
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More music news is in numerous recent editions. More on upcoming FESTIVALS and events is in the April 16 edition, available at a separate click.
Much more, soon, on additional topics.
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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 forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues monumentally large and intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds 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 bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the roots of the blues and where the music is headed now.
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