July 3 events, Acoustic Americana Music Calendar & News 2008

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"Tied to the Tracks"
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA
MUSIC CALENDAR & NEWS
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Events for July 3, 2008
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copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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WHY WE’RE ON BLOGSPOT.COM: after a long presence on MySpace, that site suddenly changed parameters to accept only short posts, now requiring a ponderous and VERY time-consuming process to list events in small increments. It’s far too time-consuming. So we began posting the calendar and news on Blogspot. We’ll see how this works, and we welcome your feedback, at tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com .
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FUTURE EVENTS are posted into 2009. We update often, and we add a BUNCH of concerts, festivals, club gigs, workshops, and recurring events as dates arrive.
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LATEST NEWS FEATURES always post separately. The new edition will post July 4; the most recent previous News Features posted June 28; recent editions are available at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com; archived editions are available on the myspace page (www.myspace.com/laacoustic), by using the “View All” button, and if you don’t see what you want, then journey farther back by using the “older entries” button as many times as necessary. You can go all the way back to when acoustic music was made by indigenous natives pounding on hollow logs with rocks.
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THURSDAY, JULY 3
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Today’s anniversaries:
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GEORGE WASHINGTON TOOK COMMAND of the rag-tag Continental Army on this day in 1775, as the American Revolution continued. It was a rebel cause that did not yet have a clear goal. It would be one year and one day more, until the Continental Congress would adopt the Declaration of Independence.
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BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG was decided on this day in 1863, at a horrendous cost in lives. Confederate general Robert E. Lee believed that a huge, decisive attack would break the Union lines and leave his Army of Northern Virginia free to maneuver south and occupy Washington, DC, thus ending the war with a Southern victory. The greatest cannon bombardment in the history of North America was unleashed against the Union line at the point where Lee intended to attack. But nearly the cannot shot went long, and passed over the Union army’s impromptu fortifications atop the aptly-named Cemetery Ridge. When it was time to order the attack, Confederate General Longstreet, seeing impending failure, couldn’t speak, and merely nodded to his subordinate, General Pickett, to send the attack forward. “Pickett’s Charge” would enter the annals of history as a disaster filled with courage and death, akin to The Charge of the Light Brigade in English history.
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Lee had begun the battle with a 75,000 man army. By the time of Pickett’s Charge, the Union’s Army of the Potomac, under General George Meade, had been reinforced to a size of 90,000. Pickett’s Charge, late in the afternoon, sent 24,000 Confederates against a Union line of 19,000 troops. But the charge was across a mile of open ground, exposed to deadly Union cannon and musket fire. Within the hour, 7,000 Confedrate troops lay dead on the battlefield. Three hours later, the battle was over. Total Union casualties, 23,000 killed, wounded or missing in action. Total Confederate casualties, 25,000. Lee’s army successfully retreated into Virginia, and Lincoln criticized Meade for not destroying the Confederates as they withdrew. The truth was, neither army had any more fight left in them. Lee would never again attempt to invade the North.
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On November 19th of the same year, President Lincoln would dedicate the cemetery, just behind the Union line where Pickett’s Charge had been stopped. The stench of death still hung heavy, for miles in every direction. After a long oratory by a renowned speaker of the time, Lincoln took the podium for a speech so short that the photographer had no time to make a photograph while he delivered it. That speech was the Gettysburg Address, one of history’s most famous oratories.
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IDAHO became the 43rd State on this day in 1890. Interestingly, it was the second time the name had been proposed for a state. The first time around, the word was thought to be a fake Indian name, and when no one could document it, that state became Colorado, in 1876.
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After Lewis and Clark first explored it for a US claim in the Louisiana Purchase, te area was eventually settled enough to become Idaho Territory. The south was predominantly Mormon, not far from Salt Lake. The North was predominantly Republican and fiercely anti-Mormon. The Mormons became predominantly Democrats. Idaho statehood was achieved when the Republicans conspired to legally deny the vote to all Mormons, and Idaho entered the Union with solid Republican representation – of a portion of its population.
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“PANTOMIME QUIZ SHOW” HITS NETWORK TV on this day in 1950, after beginning in L.A. in 1947. The show would run on various networks for 13 years. A variation of charades, it was one of the first shows to win an Emmy.
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FEDERAL FLOOD CONTROL program became law with the signature of the Rivers and Harbors Act on this day in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. It had taken two and half years after two declarations of disaster areas, but the effective legislation was a landmark that, unfortunately, was not used as a model after Hurricane Katrina.
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JIM MORRISON, rocker from THE DOORS, died in France on this day in 1971. Official cause of death was heart failure, though it’s generally accepted that a drug overdose had killed him, and it may have been suicide. Often busted for lewd conduct and indecent exposure on stage, he is still regarded as one of the poet laureates of rock and roll. For many years, rumors persisted that he had faked his own death, because he was tired of fame. Unlike the years of “Elvis sightings,” there haven’t been many who have claimed to have seen Morrison after this date. Oliver Stone chronicled him in a highly successful 1991 film, “The Doors.” But the intrigue surrounding Jim Morrison followed him well beyond the grave, when the cemetery lease on his Paris grave expired, and there was controversy over who would claim his remains and where they would go.
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13 CONSECUTIVE GAMES FOR BASEBALL RELIEF PITCHER Mike Marshall, as he pitched in relief of Tommy John for the Dodgers, on this day in 1974, setting an all-time major league record for a pitcher. And yes, the Dodgers won.
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RUDY VALEE died on this day in 1986. He was a singing star and band leader in the 1920s and ‘30s whose name capitalized on the nickname of the late silent film star Rudolph Valentino. Vallee was Yale-educated and had a preppy look that was regarded as smooth and suave. His radio variety show helped launch many careers, including those of Edgar Bergen and Milton Berle.
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UNION PACIFIC’s ABSORPTION OF SOUTHERN PACIFIC was approved by the federal Surface Transportation Board on this date in 1996. The bloated giant railroad has never been as good at serving customers as its separate parts were. Today’s Union Pacific collects money from Amtrak for the passage of its trains, even as it routinely delays Amtrak’s trains for many hours, frustrating rail passengers with whom Amtrak can do little more than sympathize.
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TODAY’S EVENTS:
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THURSDAY, JULY 3
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Thu, Jul 3 (through Sun, Jul 6); in Washington, D.C.:
42nd Annual “SMITHSONIAN FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL” continues on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.; this year brings a Texas emphasis, including performances by ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL, GUY CLARK, JOE ELY, MARSHA BALL, CJ CHENIER, TERRI HENDRIX, THE GILETTE BROTHERS, and THE QUEBE SISTERS, all representing the Lone Star state, and many, many more music acts. Other major themes are a celebration of NASA and space exploration, and the culture of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. Runs Jul 2-6. Info, www.folklife.si.edu/festival/2008/index.html.
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Thu, Jul 3:
Noon-2 pm UNDERCOVER GIRLS bring their classic rock act to the “Pershing Square Lunchtime Concert Series” at Pershing Square, on W 5th St between S Olive St & S Hill St, L.A.; www.laparks.org/pershingsquare/concerts.htm. Ride the Red Line subway to the Pershing Square Station and avoid expensive downtown L.A. parking. Grab a take-out lunch across the street, and enjoy a FREE lunchtime concert downtown.
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Thu, every week:
4:30-5:30 pm SON JAROCHO CLASSES at East Side Café, 5469 Huntington Dr N, L.A.; 323-583-5113.
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Thu, every week; in Santa Barbara:
5:30-7:30 pm THE SALT MARTIANS play bluegrass for Happy Hour at the Tupelo Junction Cafe, 1218 State St, Santa Barbara; 805-899-3900 for dinner reserv. The band is TIM MULLINS, KEN GASTON, AARON DOUGLAS and often MIKE MULLINS. Artists’ info, www.saltmartians.com. Full bar & food. No cover.
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Thu, recurring; in Idyllwild:
6-9 pm SANDII CASTLEBERRY & KEVIN HAMBY at Café Aroma, 54750 N Circle Dr, Idyllwild; 951-659-5212. Acoustic blues, bluegrass, swing, folk, more; Sandii Castleberry with guitar, vocals, harmonica; Kevin Hamby on bass, vocals.
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Thu, Jul 3:
7-10 pm “ONE HAWAI‘I” with KEALI’I REICHEL, NA LEO, WELDON KEKAUOHA and HULA HALAU, play a show as “The 50th State celebrates Independence Day on the Mainland,” at the 24th Annual “SANTA MONICA PIER TWILIGHT DANCE SERIES” presented by Amoeba Music on the Santa Monica Pier; info, www.twilightdance.org; 310-458-8901. This year brings a new 3-hour show format (past years were 2 hrs). Parking near the pier is limited - walk, bike or take the MTA (www.mta.net) or Big Blue Bus (www.bigbluebus.com) or call 310-451-5444 for info. Bike valet starts at 6:30 pm on concert nights, offering safe and convenient parking for thousands of bikes. Santa Monica Pier is wheelchair accessible.
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It’s billed as, “An historic Hawaiian Music and Hula Gathering in Santa Monica.” On the eve of Independence Day, these top Hawai’ian musical groups perform together for the very first time. “ONE HAWAI`I” features KEALI`I REICHEL, Hawai`i's top-selling artist, together with NA LEO, the most popular female group in the history of Hawaiian music. Both KEALI`I REICHEL and NA LEO have sold well over a million recordings and have sold out concerts around the world. Additional performers include Grammy winning slack-key guitarist BRYAN KESSLER, original founder of the HAWAIIAN STYLE BAND, RANDY ALOYA, bassist from Kalapana & guitarist BEN VEGAS. “One Hawai`I” will also include WELDON KEKAUOHA, award-winning HULA HALAUS and special guests. Reichel is known not only for his artistry as a performer, songwriter and recording artist, but also for his work as a teacher of Hawaiian culture to the rest of the world. This is L.A.’s first chance to see the biggest stars in Hawaiian Music on one stage…for free…as an special gift from the 50th State to the Mainland. For Pacific Islanders or anyone that loves Hawai`i, this show is a must, and sponsors will attempt to break the Guinness Book of Records for largest hula dancing gathering ever. Free.
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Thu, every week:
7 pm WEEKLY ZYDECO DANCE in Long Beach, every Thursday at Golden Sails Hotel, PCH Club, 6285 E Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach; 562-596-1631. Come early for Bar Happy Hour with free food, 5-7 pm. Evening costs $5 plus two drink minimum (bottled water, juices, more available). Zydeco dance lesson included, 7-8 pm; raffle 8-8:15; CD dancing 8:15-10 pm or so. Beginners, singles, all ages welcome. (Total cost for the evening is $10 if you buy two bottled waters.)
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Thu, every week:
7-10 pm “POCKET GOLDBERG & FRIENDS SONGWRITER SHOWCASE” with guest artists each week, at Arnie's Café, 6864 Foothill Bl (at Marcus), Tujunga 91042; 818-951-9089; www.myspace.com/arniescafe. DALE LaDUKE (Kaedmon, BeaTunes) tells us, it’s “a new little coffee house that is becoming quite a scene. KAEDMON hosts a night there every 1st & 3rd Monday of the month. JEANNIE WILLETS is hosting a night there once a month (I think) and this bass player-songwriter MARK GOLDBERG hosts a fantastic Americana Songwriter Showcase every Thursday night, many times with name songwriters. I try to go as often as possible, because it's always good.” No cover, donations to artists are welcome.
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Thu, every week:
7 pm CHARANGOA SALSA DANCE at Steven's SteakHouse, 5332 Steven's Pl, City of Commerce; 323-723-9856; Fay@charangoa.com; www.charangoa.com. Every Thu. Includes dance class with Miguel, 7-8 pm; dancing to live music, 9 pm-1:30 am. It’s reported that there are lots of great dancers & surprises. Free.
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Thu, every week:
7-11 pm OPEN MIC NIGHT on “The Main Stage” at Highland Perk Coffeehouse, 5930 York Bl, L.A. The inaugural event was Apr 12. Sponsors say, “This event repeats every Thursday night. Singers, spoken word, guitar players, drum soloists, almost anything that makes the crowd applaud...”
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Thu, every week:
OPEN MIC / SONGWRITER SHOWCASE at Primo Pizza, 28200 Bouquet Cyn Rd, Saugus. Mike Dill hosts. He's a fine fingerstyle blues picker.
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Thu, Jul 3:
7:30 pm THE STOLEN SWEETS at Levitt Pavilion’s “American Music Series,” in Memorial Park, 85 E Holly St, Old Pasadena; www.levittpavilionpasadena.org. Larry Wines says, “THEY WERE DELIGHTFUL LAST NIGHT AT THE COFFEE GALLERY BACKSTAGE. A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SEE A FIRST-CLASS ACT IN A FREE SHOW.” The Portland-based STOLEN SWEETS revive the songs of ‘30s sister act, THE BOSWELL SISTERS. Comprised of vocalists JEN BERNARD, LARA MICHELL & ERIN SUTHERLAND, guitarist-singers PETE KREBS & DAVID LANGENES and bass player KEITH BRUSH, their arrangements are inspired by the Boswells' tight 3-part harmonies, frequent tempo changes and "knowing shrugs and raised eyebrows," as noted by the Portland Oregonian newspaper. The Sweets recently traveled to New Orleans to headline the “Boswell Sisters Centennial.” They’ve also performed their unique brand of vintage jazz in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Slovenia and Germany.
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The Boswell Sisters were popular harmony singers in the late 20s and early 30s, keeping company with the likes of the Dorsey Brothers, Bunny Berigan, and Benny Goodman -- partnerships that provided the jazz world with some of its most influential recordings. The nature of the music was auspicious and good-humored, providing a ray of hope to listeners during a truly dispiriting economic depression.
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Unlike the original Boswell arrangements that featured piano, clarinet, and horns, the Sweets incorporate gypsy jazz accompaniment, reminiscent of Django Reinhardt. Free.
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Thu, Jul 3:
7:30 pm THE HODADS play the “Moorpark Fireworks Extravaganza” at Arroyo Community Park in Moorpark. The Hodads perform prior to fireworks. Info, http://ci.moorpark.ca.us/cgi-bin/htmlos.exe/0029.1.14990252082800017645.
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Thu, every week:
7:30-9:30 pm IRISH SET DANCING CLASSES in Los Feliz area; social dancing for adults every Thursday. Info & location: www.michaelpatrickbreen.com.
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Thu, Jul 3:
8 pm JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOR BOYS plus special guests at The Steve Allen Theater, 4773 Hollywood Bl (2 blks E of Vermont), Hollywood; 800-595-4849 for tix, or www.steveallentheater.com. The night begins, as it does here every month, with vintage animated and musical film shorts brought to you by animation historian, JERRY BECK. Janet asks, “Did you read about the beloved Steve Allen Theater in the L.A. Times?” Here’s the link: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-ca-steve1-2008jun01,0,4710699.story.
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Thu, Jul 3:
8 pm BROOKE RAMEL at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reserv, 626-398-7917. Venue impresario BOB STANE says, “Brooke is another example of The Coffee Gallery landing a big star who can only play a mid week gig.”
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BROOKE RAMEL has released five original albums, selling over 50,000 copies as an independent artist.
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Brooke Ramel is a tireless performer, averaging over 200 shows per year for the past 15 years. She’s opened for MELISSA MANCHESTER, RICHARD MARX, DAVID GATES, SHAWN COLVIN, ROCCO DE LUCA, MARC COHN, DEANA CARTER, DAVID WILCOX and many others. She performs tonight with her tasteful and talented guitarist, IAN ESPINOZA, and her drummer RON MANAOG.
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She has licensed over 50 of her original songs to film and TV shows, including “Dawson’s Creek,” “Charmed,” “Ed,” “Six Feet Under,” and “Gilmour Girls.” Major motion pictures have featured Brooke's music, including “White Oleander”, “Stealing Harvard”, and "Tart," and Brooke recorded two songs for Disney's “Air Bud Spikes Back.” Her song, "Now," was used in a trailer for the DVD of MGM's film, "Kiss the Bride." Her music has also been featured in the independent films “Far on Foot” and “Wednesday's Child.” Her song "Let It Out" will be heard in the upcoming motion picture "Bonneville" starring Jessica Lang, Kathy Bates, Joan Allen, and Christine Baranski.
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Brooke was a guest on the ninth episode of "Branson Jubilee," airing on PBS, performing her songs, "When I Saw You See Me," "Let It Out," and "Landslide." The episode also featured THE DILLARDS and guest star BILL MEDLEY. $15.
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Thu, recurring:
8-11:30 pm RICK SHEA AND THE LOSIN' END at Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006; 626-447-9349; www.arcadiabluesclub.com. Rick and his honky-tonk blues band’s Thursday series, with guests. Rick & co play 8-9, then from 10-12. At 9 is the guest band, different each week. Artists’ info: www.rickshea.com. Venue serves dinner, has drink specials most nights. $5 cover.
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Thu & Fri, every week:
8-10:30 pm THE PLOUGHBOYS play their residency at the Tam O' Shanter, 2980 Los Feliz Bl, Los Feliz. The boys say, “Come down for great music, dancing and a green beer!” Info & directions, www.theploughboys.com.
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Thu, recurring:
8-10 pm ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE, singer-songwriter or band, at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood; 818-766-9913; info / web simulcast at www.kulakswoodshed.com. No cover, artists are unpaid, and a $10 donation to the venue is expected from each participant & audience member.
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Thu; repeats every Thu:
CALJAS ARTISTS WEEKLY JAZZ PERFORMANCE NIGHT at Hip Kitty Jazz / Fondue, 502 W First St (in the Packing House complex), Claremont 91711; www.hipkittyjazz.com; 909-447-6700. It’s a new venue, said to be beautiful, serving food, beer & wine, 25 mins E of Pasadena off the 210 Fwy. The venue is part of the newly-renovated Claremont Packing House. Proprietress Nancy Tessier’s father, Refugio "Coco" Lopez, plays alto, and she wanted her club to feature an array of jazz singers. This led to a fortuitous connection with Dale Boatman, founder and president of the California Jazz Arts Society. CalJAS is a powerful force in bringing some of the best jazz artists in Southern California, especially singers, to restaurants, clubs and other performance spaces in eastern Los Angeles County and the Inland Empire, an area that previously had relatively few opportunities for jazz musicians to perform.
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Thu, Jul 3:
8:17 pm THE CODY SHOW (aka THE CODY BRYANT BAND) at Viva Fresh, 900 W Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-845-2425; www.vivacantina.com. The guys say, “Start your July 4th celebration a day early with us, and join us the day after!” They’re back on Jul 5.
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Thu, every week:
8:30 pm LIVE MUSIC (artists tba) at the Cowboy Palace Saloon, 21635 Devonshire St (Devonshire & Owensmouth), Chatsworth 91311; www.cowboypalace.com; 818-341-0166. Live music 7 nights a week, sometimes acoustic, sometimes electric. Preceded by free line dance lessons with Marie, 7-8:30 pm. Happy hour 4-7 pm, M-F. No cover.
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Thu, every Thu; on web radio:
9 pm “FREIGHT TRAIN BOOGIE” radio show from Northern Cal, on KRCB 90.9 and 91.1 FM on Sonoma County’s only public radio station; features live performance-interviews; simulcast on the web at www.krcb.org/listen/listen.html. You can ask the host or the guests questions or make comments at frater@freighttrainboogie.com.
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Thu, every week:
9 pm BEGINNERS SON JAROCHO CLASS with CESAR CASTRO from VeraCruz, at Cal Poly Downtown Center, 300 2nd St, Pomona (Arts Colony). Learn to play jarana, string instrument from Veracruz; dance Zapateado; sing & compose sones (songs); gain knowledge of Son Jarocho music. For children, teens & adults. Venue has a mic and stage lights. Info, www.myspace.com/besskepp. $3 cover.
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Thu; every Thu:
9:30 pm PRESTON SMITH & THE CROCODILES at Bartwist, 48 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia; www.bartwist.com. Expect a good time and dancing’, from honky-tonk to Elvis. Venue has food and full bar. No cover.
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View more July events at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, as chronological date listings, and longer “looks ahead,” as separate posts. NEWS FEATURES are also there, AND at www.myspace.com/laacoustic. News Features, radio playlists, and other things, are archived on myspace; use the “view all” button, scroll down, and if you don’t find what you want, then use the “older” button and scroll-down, as many times as necessary, all the way back to when acoustic music was made by indigenous natives pounding with rocks on hollow logs.
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copyright (c) © 2008, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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Questions? Comments? Contact us at tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
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