Jan 31-Feb 2 Weekend Update, Acoustic Americana Music Guide 2009

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NOTE: The complete February Guide, and the early-look-ahead for March through August, will post on Super Bowl Sunday. If you just can’t wait, you can see the most recent editions for February through August from back in December, by clicking the tabs for 2008. then for December.
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There are more ACOUSTIC AMERICANA / ACOUSTIC RENAISSANCE music performances EVERY week in the Los Angeles area than the COMBINED TOTAL of ALL OTHER KINDS OF MUSIC!
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“Tied to the Tracks”
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA
WEEKEND UPDATE
MUSIC GUIDE
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January 31, 2009 events
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Updated January 31, 2009; all events, including recurring events are featured in this edition through Monday, February 2.
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YOUR EDITOR ATTENDED THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION AND ONE OF THE OFFICIAL INAUGURAL BALLS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.!
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We’ll tell you all about it very soon - watch for it! (And yes, that is why everything here is behind schedule…)
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
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Sat, Jan 31 (runs Wed-Sat); in Elko, Nevada & LIVE ON THE WEB:
25th Annual “NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY GATHERING” in Elko, NV. This 25th anniversary gathering is quite special. It is the event that “got the whole thing goin’” for western music theme-festivals. You can listen to the events on the web at www.westernfolklife.org
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Sat, repeats every week:
11 am-12:30 pm “PACIFIC SONGWRITERS WORKSHOP” with G. F. MLELY, at Theater & Cabaret, 1535 Termino Av, Long Beach 90804. Info, Billie Kalua, songwriters@jazcraft.net or 562-494-9627. Ongoing, began Mar 31, 2007. $15 per workshop, minimum 4 workshops payable in advance; pre-registration required.
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Saturdays, on web radio:
Noon-1 pm “UNSIGNED MUSIC SHOW” on WPMD with TEE-M and MIKE STARK is “a genre-busting show, where the UNsigned Revolution is on.” On the web at http://wpmd.org. Mike and TEE-M spin CDs 11 am-noon “from cutting-edge indie artists and bands,” (acoustic and electric) then welcome guests at noon, usually for all-acoustic live performances. The show rebroadcasts through the week; check site for details.
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Saturdays, on web radio:
1-3 pm “CONTINENTAL DRIFT” Celtic and British Isle folk show, on KUSP in Santa Cruz, includes live performance-interviews with host CINDY ODOM on her long-running show. From the highlands of Scotland to the midlands of England and beyond, it’s traditional and contemporary music from Ireland and the other British Isles, with Celtic lore and Celtic-influenced folk and ethnic music from Europe and North America. Info, playlists, and web simulcast at www.kusp.org.
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Sat, Jan 31:
2 pm “ROYCE HALL ORGAN & FILM” brings organist TOM TRENNEY accompanying one of the great comedies of the silent film era, Harold Lloyd’s “Speedy” (1928), at “UCLA Live” in Royce Hall, UCLA campus at Royce Dr between Westwood Bl and Hilgard Av, West L.A. UCLA ticket office: 310-825-2101 or www.uclalive.org. Shot on location in Manhattan and featuring shots of the old Yankee Stadium and Coney Island's Luna Park, Lloyd’s last silent film is packed with brilliant sight gags and includes a cameo by baseball legend Babe Ruth. Co-presented with the UCLA Film & Television Archive. It’s a popular family event, so get tix early.
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“One of the enduring valentines to New York City from Hollywood.” - Andrew Sarris, New York Observer. Master organist Tom Trenney plays along to Harold Lloyd’s last silent film, “Speedy,” a film that packs as many great gags per minute as any Lloyd film, and also has one of his sweetest love stories.
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Lloyd's character Harold "Speedy" Swift, is an upbeat young man whose fatal attraction for baseball always causes him to lose his jobs. After his latest firing, he impulsively spends a day at Coney Island with his sweetheart, Jane Dillon (Ann Christy). Ann's grandfather, Pop Dillon (Bert Woodruff), meanwhile, has a dilemma -- he runs the last horse-drawn trolley in New York City, and the railway magnates desperately want his route. Since Pop won't sell it to them, they hire thugs to stop him from making his rounds at least once every 24 hours. Speedy hears about this plan and takes over the route to protect the old man. When the magnates then steal the trolley, Speedy's dash to get it back to its route in time leads to a frenzied finale, as Harold races Gotham’s last horse-drawn trolley right through Washington Square Arch!
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Filmed on location in New York City, “Speedy” features the most extensive Manhattan location shots of its time. Many of the historically interesting sites include Coney Island's Luna Park, with some wonderfully hair-raising (and understandably obsolete) rides, Columbus Circle and Wall Street as they were in 1928. In the film's climax, the trolley has a spectacular crash at the Brooklyn Bridge -- this accident was not planned, but was left in the film anyhow. Baseball legend Babe Ruth has a cameo role, playing himself as a very harassed fare when Speedy is working as a cabbie. Their wild ride ends at the old Yankee Stadium, and the film captures one of the Bambino's record-setting 60 home runs from the 1927 campaign.
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At the time of the film’s release, Lloyd was a top box-office draw, a bigger moneymaker than Charlie Chaplin (whose releases during the '20s was infrequent) and Buster Keaton (whose quirky comedy wouldn't be fully appreciated for several decades). While Lloyd made some fairly amusing sound films, he never again matched the quality of his silent work.
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“No filmmaker had ever made such flamboyant use of New York.” – Kevin Brownlow. "Speedy is a very significant film for Lloyd's career. It is not only his last silent film and the climax to his "golden age," but it also evidenced a mellowing of character...He is a devil-may-care likeable chap, somewhat altruistic, still sharp and witty, but most important, he is confident -- confident in himself, in his time, in his values and ideals." – Adam Riley
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“SPEEDY,” 1928, 35mm, silent, 86 min. (24 f.p.s.)
Directed by Ted Wilde
Cinematography: Walter Lundin
Screenplay: John Grey, Lex Neal, Howard Emmett Rogers, Jay Howe
Cast: Harold Lloyd, Ann Christy, Bert Woodruff, Brooks Benedict
Producer: John L. Murphy.
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Gen’l $25; $15 for children under age 12 and for UCLA students.
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Saturdays, alternate Saturdays, on web radio:
2 pm (Pacific) “ACOUSTIC HARMONY,” hosted by Mark Michaelis, from WGDR at 91.1 FM in the Green Mountains of Vermont, simulcast at www.wgdr.org. Mark sometimes hosts folk and acoustic renaissance artists in-studio for all-acoustic performance-interviews. He says, “The focus is on contemporary and traditional folk, singer-songwriters and local artists, but a little of anything and everything might creep-in. Whether it's Celtic, bluegrass, world music or even rock or blues, as long as it's got beautiful harmonies and melodies you might here it here on a Saturday afternoon.” More info, playlists, and archived performance-interviews at www.acoustic-harmony.com.
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Saturdays, on web radio:
3-5 pm (Pacific) “A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION” always features live performances and skits and stories with host GARRISON KEILLOR, a regular cast of recording artists, and guests, whether broadcasting from various live venues across America, or from its home base in Minnesota. This initial “live” broadcast tiume each weekend is standard everywhere, though repeat times vary by station. In L.A., the show is broadcast on KPCC 89.3 FM, and repeats Saturday night, 6-8 pm and Sunday Noon-2 pm. But if you’re in L.A., it’s much better to find a web simulcast from somewhere; that’s because KPCC has no other music shows and they do not know how to control the levels for music performances, causing frequent peaking and signal cut-out.
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Sat, Jan 31, 2009; film screening:
4 & 7:30 pm “HOW THE WEST WAS SHOT: SIX WESTERNS, SIX DECADES” film series at the Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium, 1200 Getty Center Dr, L.A. 90049; 310-440-7300; tix are free, parking is $10. Advance reservations strongly advised.
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Films remaining in the series, and times and dates are:
“BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK” (1955, MGM) dir. John Sturges; Jan 31, 4 pm.
“PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID” (1973, MGM) dir. Sam Peckinpah; Jan 31, 7:30 pm.
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It’s a theme of “Romance, rough riding, and railroads,” as the series celebrates six classic westerns with compelling stories and stunning cinematography in a series of films that sample great westerns from the 1920s to the 1970s, complementing the exhibition “Dialogue among Giants: Carleton Watkins and the Rise of Photography in California,” in the Getty gallery.
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The Getty’s promo observes, “The western landscape has long provided a raw and encouraging palette seemingly created for the artist. Just as photographer Carlton Watkins evidenced its majesty in the late 1800s, filmmakers a few years later would insert characters and epic stories into its environs. John Ford's ‘The Iron Horse’ (1924) and Raoul Walsh's ‘The Big Trail’ (1930) laid the groundwork for the concerns of filmed westerns for years to come: the treacherous building of the transcontinental railroad and the pioneering move west. In time, most great filmmakers would try their hand at a western; for some, it would prove a distinct and mythic genre.”
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TODAY’S FILM:
“BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK” (1955, MGM) dir. John Sturges. It’s the western as allegory for blacklisting in '50s Hollywood. The western can be a beautiful thing: it can be the setting for the hero, the bad guy, and the horse; or it can be a film that uses western signifiers and settings as allegory for the social circumstances of the day. Here, Sturges brilliantly utilized western tropes, the one-armed stranger versus the town of hostile ruffians, as an allegory for the blacklisting blazing through '50s Hollywood.
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TONIGHT’S FILM:
“PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID” (1973, MGM) dir. Sam Peckinpah. One of the last great westerns, made fifty years after John Ford initially celebrated the birth of the west. Sam Peckinpah, a true lover of the west and the western, here elegizes it half a century into the development of the film genre. “Progress” as depicted in the film equals the dehumanizing takeover of the wilderness and the end of the way of life inherent to the western. James Coburn, in his character of Pat Garrett claims, "This country's getting old and I'm getting old with it." Not, however, without a fight.
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ONE SCREENING of each film. Series runs Fridays & Saturdays, January 23 & 24 and 30 & 31. Admission is FREE; a separate reservation is required for EACH film (hence, a “double feature” requires two sets of reservations). Use the "Make Reservation" buttons at www.getty.edu/visit/events/western_film_series.html?cid=egetty085 or call 310-440-7300. (Note that you will need to go on, off, and back on to the reservations page to obtain more than a total of four free tix. You CAN make reservations for free tix for the full series, but not all at once.)
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Sat, recurring:
4-6 pm SHAPE NOTE / SACRED HARP, “The Learners Group” in Santa Monica. Call Laura for location: 310-450-3516.
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Sat, Jan 31; in the OC:
5:30 “BENEFIT FOR THE OCEAN INSTITUTE CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS” with a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner and a jazz concert by JEFF GOLUB with JEFF LORBER & RICK BRAUN, at the Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point 92629; 949-496-2274, events, x412; www.ocean-institute.org. Cocktail reception & auction is 5:30-7:30 pm, dinner & concert is 7:30-10:30 pm. Tix $500. (There was a less-expensive benefit here last night, wine reception & concert; see Fri 6:30 pm listing.)
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Sat, every week:
6:30-10:30 pm Weekly BLUEGRASS CONCERT at Me n’ Ed’s Pizza Parlor, 4115 Paramount Bl (at Carson), Lakewood; 562-421-8908.
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Sat; repeats on alternate Saturdays:
6:30 pm Bluesman BERNIE PEARL solo at Iva Lee's in San Clemente for a new alternate Friday night gig. Bernie continues there with DWAYNE SMITH (on piano) the second Sat of each month, and Bernie plays solo on alternate Saturdays. Artist info, www.berniepearl.com.
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Sat, Jan 31:
7 pm JIM KWESKIN & FRIENDS at the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue - The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; reserv 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. JIM KWESKIN was the originator, in the 1960s of THE JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND that launched the careers of GEOFF MULDAUR, MARIA MULDAUR, MEL LYMAN, BILL KEITH and RICHARD GREENE, among others. He has recorded and released dozens of tracks. He specializes in finger picking the guitar and singing songs from the great American songbook of pop, folk and swing. Venue impresario BOB STANE says, “We are betting on some good stories and a lot of familiar music. Join Jim and all of us for some fun and serious going down that nostalgic road. A fine band with JIM KWESKIN leading.” JIM KWESKIN brings “friends” TIM EMMONS on bass and JEAN SUDBURY (from the Tumbling Tumbleweeds, named among “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” artists in FolkWorks) on fiddle. Jim promises, “Everyone will have a good time.”
To read about the venue’s award and the rest of the “Best of 2008 / Top Ten,” go to www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166. Advance tix $22; $25 at door.
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Sat, Jan 31:
7 pm MARINA V at the Hotel Café, 1623 N Cahuenga Bl, Hollywood; 323-461-2040; www.hotelcafe.com. Marina, who just returned from performing in Washington, DC, is named among “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” artists in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166.
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Sat, recurring:
7-9 pm JUST PLAIN FOLKS ORANGE COUNTY Group Singing; for info & loc, go to www.JPFolks.org.
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Sat, every week; in Tehachapi:
7 pm ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE at Mama HillyBeans Coffee & Community, 426 E Tehachapi Bl, Tehachapi; www.mamahillybeans.com; 661-822-BEAN. Venue has great ambience, and food "made from scratch and about 95% organic." Traveling acts have varying admission prices; check venue's web site.
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Sat, Jan 31:
7:30 pm MOIRA SMILEY & VOCO at Blvd Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583. VOCO has performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks” and at venues coast-to-coast and overseas. They are exciting live, with their closely choreographed body percussion and marvelous harmonies. They are named among “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” artists in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166. Venue website has a local dining guide. Tix on sale Jan 17. $15.
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Sat, Jan 31, 2009; film screening:
7:30 pm “HOW THE WEST WAS SHOT: SIX WESTERNS, SIX DECADES” film series concludes at the Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium, 1200 Getty Center Dr, L.A. 90049; 310-440-7300; tix are free, parking is $10. Advance reservations strongly advised.
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Tonight’s finale is the film, “PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID” (1973, MGM) dir. Sam Peckinpah. See 4 pm listing for details.
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Sat, every week:
7:30-10:30 pm GRATEFUL DUDES weekly bluegrass concert at Vincenzo’s Pizza, 24500 Lyons Ave, Newhall; 661-259-6733. (Lyons exit, just off I-5.) This a long-running series, often, with very impressive performing guests.
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Sat; every Sat:
7:30 pm “RANCH PARTY” evening of country & Americana roots music performances, on the West Patio Stage, Original Farmers Market, 3rd & Fairfax, L.A. Presented by EB’s Beer & Wine Bar. New in April, 2008. Performers have included DAVID SERBY, GRANT LANGSTON, 29 MULES, BOB WOODRUFF, OLD BULL, PSYCHEDELIC COWBOYS, PAUL CHESNE, NICOLE GORDON, and BUCKSWORTH. Parking: 2 hours free with validation from EB’s Beer & Wine Bar. $3 for the third hour; $1 for each additional 20 minutes; $15 max. Addt’l parking at The Grove, next door. Get validation for their structure from Grove merchants. No cover.
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Sat, Jan 31, 2009; in Encinitas (San Diego):
7:30 pm TERRI HENDRIX with LLOYD MAINES play the San Diego Folk Heritage series at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas; 858-566-4040; SDFH@san.rr.com. When Terri Hendrix walked away from her opera scholarship in college, it was only because she found the classical music path too narrow for her free spirit.
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But there was just no shaking her love of music. Armed with the Mississippi-John-Hurt-style guitar chops she learned from mentor and philanthropist Marion Williamson - in exchange for milking goats on Williamson’s Wilory Farm - Hendrix began hauling her own P.A. in the back of her beat-up pick-up to gigs throughout the Texas Hill Country.
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From her native San Antonio to the live music hotbed of Austin and every small town honky-tonk and coffee shop in Texas, it wasn’t long before the fans started adding-up, and Hendrix had to recruit some of them to help keep up with her mailing list. All this in the pre-email / web site dark ages of the early ’90s. By the time she got around to recording her debut album, 1996’s “Two Dollar Shoes,” Terri Hendrix did what most artists still did at the time, and shopped around for a record label. She was turned down by three, none of which are still in business. She released the record independently, and never looked back.
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Now, nine self-released albums later, Terri Hendrix is still thriving — and grateful she made the fateful decision more than a dozen years ago to not only follow her own path through her music career, but to ultimately “own her own universe.” Artist info, www.terrihendrix.com. Adv tix, www.ticketweb.com; $18 gen’l, $15 mbrs.
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Sat, every Sat:
MISS MICKEY CHAMPION at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel bar, 1401 S Oak Knoll Av, Pasadena; 626-568-3900. L.A.’s legendary blueswoman plays an every-Fri & Sat residency. Artist info: www.mickeychampion.net. Start time varies; call venue.
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Sat, Jan 31:
8 pm THE NEVILLE BROTHERS at the Haugh Performing Arts Center, at Citrus College 1000 W. Foothill Bl, Glendora 91741; www.haughpac.com. There is no question that the Neville Brothers are the first family of music in New Orleans, the United States, and possibly the world. Individually, their recording history spans over 40 years. As a group, the Neville Brothers have been together and recording since 1978. Their music defies classification: bayou funk, rhythm and blues, bebop, soul are inadequate labels for their unique, never-duplicated sound. Each of the four brothers has discovered his own musical identity; as a family, these “blood brothers” have created some of the funkiest sounds the world has ever heard, combining half a century of New Orleans music into one family unit. Artists info, www.nevilles.com. Tix $45 & $40, students & srs $43 & $38.
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Sat, Jan 31:
8 pm STAN RIDGWAY at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403. McCabe’s concert booker, Lincoln Myerson, tells us, “When it comes to writing songs about ghostly marines, strippers with broken arms, and other dark, strange subjects, Ridgway is the best there is. Through the musical pictures that he's been painting for 30 years now, the singer-songwriter and guitarist has emerged as a singular voice in contemporary song. He's written songs for film with STEWART COPELAND, written and orchestrated music for the surrealist paintings of Mark Ryden, recorded and performed for uber-producer Hal Willner, and produced FRANK BLACK, among other projects. His songs carry listeners to the edge of their seats, while perfectly balancing his sometimes-untrustworthy narrator's voice from the twilight zone. This show will feature Ridgway and his acoustic quartet playing favorites as well as new songs from his soon to be released 10th solo album. Pull up a chair.” Tix purchased online or by phone, add $4 svc chg, per order (not per ticket) to price shown. $17.50.
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Sat, Jan 31:
8 pm JONATHAN McEUEN performs at the Thousand Oaks Library as part of the Bodie House Music series, at the Grant R. Brimhall Library, 1401 E Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks 91362. Jonathan McEuen was born to play music and bring joy to those listening. Good genes and a star-studded "extended musical family" are great (his father is famous rock star banjo picker John McEuen, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, with whom Jonathan has played), but when people respond to Jonathan's extraordinary voice and guitar playing, it's obvious he's more than "just another son of a star." He’s spent his youth - and now his young adult life - on the road, doing what he loves most, playing guitar and singing with the family, playing electric and acoustic guitar and singing background for a number of world class artists, and fronting his own bands.
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Most recently, he put in serious time as half the duo with HANNA McEUEN on a major label. That experience confirmed he was ready to move forward and create music outside the confines of his influences or a specific genre. With more shows behind him than he can count (Jay Leno, Grand Ol' Opry, and Red Rocks among them), Jonathan is taking audiences to new places. Playing music without limitations, he creates new genres, breaking some molds and fusing musical traditions in his own, inspired way. Though sponsored by the Bodie House Music series, this show is at the Thousand Oaks Library. More at www.jonathanmceuen.com and www.BodieHouse.com. $15.
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Sat, Jan 31:
8 pm PETER SPRAGUE at the Fret House, 309 N Citrus Av, Covina; 626-339-7020; www.frethouse.com. Artist info, www.petersprague.com. $15.
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Sat, every week:
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 - named for “Best Web Simulcast” in “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166. All artists donate their performances; venue is supported by donations, and asks $10 per attendee in lieu of a cover charge.
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Sat, fifth Sat of the month (when there is one):
8 pm-midnight SONGMAKERS “TAKE THE FIFTH HOOT” in Studio City; for location, contact Rich & Jo Lewis, Takethe5thHoot@songmakers.org; www.songmakers.org.
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Sat, every week:
9 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 / couple dance lessons with Charlotte, 7-9 pm. No cover.
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Sat, Jan 31:
10 pm “CANS FOR COMEDY NIGHT” at The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info & reservations, 626-398-7917; www.funkylittlecoffeehouse.com (though their website may not be updated to include this). Admission is a small bag / small armload of canned goods for the local food bank. This more-or-less-monthly charity benefit series has both professional and up-and-coming comics. It is a separate event, and IN ADDITION TO the 7 pm music performance in the Coffee Gallery Backstage.
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Sat, every week; on TV:
11 pm-12 am "AUSTIN CITY LIMITS" on KLCS (check your cable co.; broadcast TV Ch. 58). Recent editions have happily featured classic Americana artists, rather than the dearth of alt rockers who dominated for several months.
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FEBRUARY 2009 (First two days’ events)
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Recurring events are included in this edition through Monday, February 9.
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1
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Sun, recurring:
9 am-1 pm “CLAREMONT FARMER'S MARKET” has live acoustic music in downtown Claremont. RON ELY plays songs of the sea and more on 2nd St between Yale Av and Indian Hill, in old downtown Claremont. Artist’s info, www.myrecordlabel.net/ronely .
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Sun, every week:
10 am-2 pm LIVE MUSIC at WEST L.A. FARMERS MARKET, 11360 Santa Monica Bl (at Corinth); www.westlafarmersmarket.com. Includes free raffle for Farmers Market fresh food. A nice, permanent band shell stage and good sound system distinguish this one. Usually the first act performs from 10 or 10:30 am-noon, there’s a second act noon-1 pm, a break for the raffle of market goodies, and the final act performs 1:15-2 pm. This is a well-structured event. Free wifi at the farmers market and throughout the West L.A. Civic Center Plaza, and Free kids crafts table operated by volunteers 9 am-2 pm, both sponsored by West L.A. Neighborhood Council www.wlanc.com. When you are on the plaza with your laptop, select wlancwifi as your free wireless network. Free event. Map to free parking, www.westlafarmersmarket.com/Location.htm.
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Sun, every week:
10 am & 1 pm “GOSPEL BRUNCH” at House of Blues Sunset Strip, 8430 Sunset Bl, West Hollywood; 323-848-5100.
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Sun, every week:
10 am & 1 pm “GOSPEL BRUNCH” at House of Blues Anaheim, 1530 S Disneyland Dr, Anaheim; 714-778-2583.
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Sun, every week:
12:30 pm families; 1:30 pm adults only COMMUNITY DRUM CIRCLES at Rock Rose Gallery/Productions & Arroyo Books, 4108 N Figueroa St, Sycamore Grove; 323-222-4740; rockroseart@yahoo.com; www.rockrosegallery.com. Every Sun; 12:30 pm families, 1:30 pm adults only. Bring your own drum or percussion instrument to the drum circle or use one of those provided by the gallery. Taught by Mr Blue, a versatile artist from New York.
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Sun, every week:
1-6 pm “BRUNCH AMERICANA” Show hosted by Hillbilly DJ Jeff at The Redwood Bar, 316 W 2nd St, downtown L.A. 90012. It’s a four-act musical afternoon. David Serby has played it, and he tells us, “Get there early for great food and drinks. [It’s] live, independent Western Country Music in Los Angeles!”
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Sun; 1st Sun, every month:
1-5 pm “1ST SUNDAYS BLUEGRASS JAM” at El Camino College, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance; first Sun, every month. Bill Elliott 909-678-1180; Ron Walters 310-534-1439.
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Sun, 1st Sun, every month:
1 pm Monthly “CTMS OLD TIME JAM” at the Center for Folk Music, 16953 Ventura Bl, Encino; 818-817-7756. Free.
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Sun, recurring:
1:30 pm WELSH CHOIR, for location, contact Rutthy: 818-507-0337.
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Sun; first Sun every month; in Nipomo:
2 pm WILD RIVER RAMBLERS bring bluegrass to Santa Maria Brewing Co, 112 Cuyama Ln (1/2 blk W of the 101), Nipomo; 805-349-2090. Features JULIO BOYSENBERRY on banjo. “2 PM to whenever.”
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Sun, recurring:
3-5:30 pm JAZZ COMPOSERS WORKSHOP at Rock Rose Gallery/Productions & Arroyo Books, 4108 N Figueroa St, Sycamore Grove; 323-222-4740; rockroseart@yahoo.com; www.rockrosegallery.com. Every Sunday.
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Sun, recurring:
3-5:30 pm SHAPE NOTE/SACRED HARP meets in West L.A.; call Pat Keating for info & loc, 310-557-1927.
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Sun, every week:
4-7 pm “IRISH MUSIC SESSION” weekly at Finn McCool, 2702 Main St, Santa Monica; 310-452-1734.
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Sun, every week:
4-7 pm “IRISH MUSIC SESSION” weekly at Auld Dubliner, 71 S Pine Av, Long Beach; 562-437-8300; www.aulddubliner.com.
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Sun, every week:
4-6 pm “BEGINNERS IRISH MUSIC SESSION” weekly at Celtic Arts Center at Theatre Unlimited, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood; 818-760-8322; www.celticartscenter.com.
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Sun, every week:
5 pm LIVE MUSIC (artists tba) and WEEKLY COMPLIMENTARY BBQ at the Cowboy Palace Saloon, 21635 Devonshire St (Devonshire & Owensmouth), Chatsworth 91311; www.cowboypalace.com; 818-341-0166. (BBQ changed to 5-8 pm, effective July 4.) Live music 7 nights a week, sometimes acoustic, sometimes electric. Preceded by free line dance lessons with Bonnie, 4-6 pm. Every Sunday they “light up the 'ol barbie and throw on anything from marinated tri-tip beef to good 'ol hamburgers. Every BBQ is served with all the fixin's, like baked beans, vegetables, rice, cole slaw, potato salad and more.” They tell us, “If you're looking for something really fun and different to do on Sundays, then head on down to The Cowboy Palace Saloon for dance lessons at 4, mouthwatering BBQ at 5, and a hot country band starting at 6!” No cover.
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Sun, every week; on web radio:
5 pm (Pacific) “MOUNTAIN STAGE,” the long-time NPR roots music show with live performances, hosted by Larry Groce, from the West Virginia University Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, WV. No L.A. broadcast station carries this incredibly popular show (or any other NPR syndicated folk-Americana performance-interview show) but you can find a simulcast from any of many other stations at www.mountainstage.org or get info at 304-293-SHOW.
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Sun; first Sun every month; in Santa Margarita:
5:30-8:30 pm SANTA MARGARITA JAM (bluegrass & more) at "The Porch" (formerly Solomon's Café), 22322 El Camino Real (Rt 58), Santa Margarita. First 1/2 hour is a free music lesson for anyone getting started; remainder of evening is an open jam for all pickers. Bluegrass / trad / old time oriented. Info, siminoff@siminoff.net.
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Sun, every week:
6-8 pm CLIFF WAGNER & THE OLD NUMBER 7 play a new “Sunday Happy Hour” residency at the Cinema Bar, 3967 Sepulveda Bl (between Washington & Venice), Culver City 90230; 310-390-1328; music series hotline 310-250-1317; www.myspace.com/thecinemabar. Venue is 21+. No cover, bring $ for the tip jar. You’ve seen them on TV, as final-round finalists on “America’s Next Great Band,” and they made it to #29 on the Americana charts at the close of 2008. Bluegrass-Americana music and drink specials on the West Side. More at www.oldnumber7.net.
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Sun, Feb 1:
7 pm KEN O’MALLEY brings authentic and original Irish music to the venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue - The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; reserv 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. KEN O' MALLEY, The Twilight Lord, without his band of that name, plays a rare solo show in L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue. Dublin born Ken O’Malley's rich, resonant voice and engaging stage presence have delighted audiences for over thirty years. In this unique solo performance, Ken transports his audience to his beloved Ireland through heartfelt singing and vivid storytelling. Find out why the Irish News calls this consummate entertainer “without question, …the single most enduring, influential and proficient of all Irish musicians in Southern California.” It’s a magical evening of songs in both English and Irish Gaelic, accompanied by Ken’s remarkable talent on guitar and mandolin. “Dust-free and polished to perfection, each song is performed with authenticity, and the care one might use when handling a valuable family heirloom” - Lisa Elaine Scott, Music Connection Magazine. To read about the venue’s award as the Best of 2008, go to www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166. Tix for tonight are $18.
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Sun, Feb 1; world dance & music:
7 pm “KESHET FOR LIFE: 25 YEARS AND COUNTING,” as Keshet Chaim Dance Ensemble celebrates 25 years with a program of new works and company favorites, at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Fred Kavli Theater, 2100 E Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks 91362; 818-986-7332; www.kcdancers.org. “Keshet Chaim” is Hebrew for "Rainbow of Life.” The premier American-Israeli contemporary dance troupe in the US commemorates its evolution from 1983 to the present, combining the public premiere of five new works with a retrospective of company favorites. From adventurous choreography reflecting the contemporary Israeli dance scene to exhilarating folk dances inspired by Jewish life in many lands, “Keshet for Life” promises an evening rich with Israeli culture. Middle Eastern drums performed live by NAKED RHYTHM, aka percussionists ALEX SPURKEL & AVI SILLS, accompany the dancers. In addition to the choreography of Rozenfeld, the evening will showcase works by Eytan Avisar, Tsion Marciano, Ilana Cohen (from Israel's seminal Inbal Dance Theatre) and Erica Goldman.All dancers who are alumni of the company will be called on stage for the finale, and there will be a post-concert reunion reception.
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Keshet Chaim executive director Genie Benson says, "In 2008, we were commissioned to create nine new works including a premiere at the Kodak Theatre in honor of Israel's 60th Anniversary, two new pieces for a concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall, five new works for a star-studded event at Paramount studios and a dance celebrating Chanukah that was included in a PBS special." Under the direction of artistic director Eytan Avisar and Benson, “Keshet for Life” takes the audience on a journey transcending generations of Jewish thought and culture. A rich array of costumes created by Nili Glazer completes an exciting mosaic of dance, music and color. More at www.kcdancers.org. Tix, $35-$75.
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Sun, every Sun:
7-8 pm JES HUDAK plays her weekly residency at Café Muse, 6547 Santa Monica Bl, Hollywood 90038; www.cafemusela.com; 323-464-MUSE (6873). JES HUDAK is a singer/songwriter living in Los Angeles. Her weapons of choice are the piano and her voice, and she has been known to wield a guitar from time to time. Her live performance “takes her audience on a journey through laughter and love and sadness and heartbreak. Her voice is powerful and soulful, and her songs are original, emotional, and real.” Artist info, www.jes-hudak.com and www.myspace.com/jeshudak
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Venue serves vegan & omnivore “comfort food,” fruit smoothies and organic coffee & tea beverages. Entertainment (of various kinds) every night, usually beginning 9:30-10 pm, after the shows in the surrounding theatre district. Venue has a beautiful piano and a house guitar for musician use, or bring your own instrument. They say, “We welcome people to come by and play anytime - you never know when the Muses might appear!” They tell us, “We are always looking for piano players & musicians to accompany the singers and spoken word artists (or to come in and jam with us).” Email them to be added to their roster, at TheMuses@CafeMuseLA.com. Early arrival recommended; $5 minimum for table service requested, otherwise, no cover.
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Sun, recurring:
7-9 pm BLUEGRASS JAM at The Ugly Mug Café, 261 N Glassell, Orange; 714-997-5610 or 714-524-0597.
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Sun, every week:
7 pm PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP WITH MARC PLATT at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood; 818-766-9913; www.kulakswoodshed.com. Must be a member in advance to gain entry. Limit 10 performers per week. Info, www.kulakswoodshed.com/workshop.shtml. Each week's workshop is $20, with all proceeds to the venue.
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Sun, every week, on radio and web radio:
7-9 pm “FOLKSCENE” is a long-running folk music show from Los Angeles, hosted by ROZ LARMAN on KPFK 90.7 FM in Los Angeles, 98.7 FM in Santa Barbara, and simulcast at www.kpfk.org. Each edition features a long-form performance-interview, recorded live, with a guest recording artist. The show celebrated its 37th year on the air in February 2008. Info on the show and guests, playlists, and tributes to the late co-host HOWARD LARMAN, at www.folkscene.com.
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Sun, every week, on web radio:
7 pm “FLAT CAT RADIO,” hosted by DAVE STRAUSS, features live on-air performance-interviews at www.myspace.com/flatcatradio. It’s a weekly live web-only show focused on Los Angeles-based songwriters of all genres, but the live segment is generally an acoustic performance.
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Sun, Feb 1:
8 pm “FOREVER FLAMENCO!” series continues every first, third and occasional fifth Sunday of the month in 2009, at The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Av (at Normandie), L.A. 90029; 323-663-1525; www.FountainTheatre.com. With only 80 seats in four rows, The Fountain Theatre is the perfect place to view Flamenco. Each show features a roster of world-class Flamenco dancers, singers and musicians drawn from the rich pool of Flamenco artists in Southern Cal, with additional guest artists brought from San Francisco, Albuquerque and Spain.
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Upcoming dates are all Sundays, at 8 pm: Feb 15; Mar 1, 15, 29; Apr 5 & 19; May 3, 17, 31; Jun 7 & 21; Jul 5 & 19; Aug 2, 16, 30; Sep 6, 13, 27; Oct 4 & 18; Nov 1, 15, 29; Dec 6 & 20.
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Tix $30; secure, on-site parking is $5.
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2
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Today is Groundhog Day. While we can all watch to see if the “official” groundhog, Punxsutawny Phil, sees his shadow, the tradition goes all the way back to Germany in the Middle Ages. Now as then, if the groundhog sees his shadow today, the sunshine is curiously the harbinger of a long winter, and the groundhog returns to hibernation for another six weeks. If it is cloudy, the groundhog stays up, predicting an early end to winter.
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Mon, every week:
2-4 pm “HEAR, HERE” at the Lost Souls Café, 124 E 4th St (down the gated alley), downtown L.A.; 213-617-7006; www.lostsouls.com. A weekly live benefit event of “whatever” kind of music, by and for www.killradio.org, which has daily internet radio and live webcasts on Fridays, Noon-2 pm. The “Kill Radio” webcast is a submission show; send them your CDs or mp3s for “guaranteed” airplay. All the info for that is at www.myspace.com/hear_here.
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Mon, every Mon, on the web:
3:59-5:15 pm (Pacific time) “WOODSONGS OLD TIME RADIO HOUR” live simulcast from Lexington, Kentucky. Those near Lexington are invited to attend the show live; the rest of us can watch and listen live on the web, or download the podcast later, at www.woodsongs.com. The host is folksinger MICHAEL JOHNATHON, and both he and many of his guests have performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.”
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Michael’s “WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour” is a multi-media celebration of grassroots Americana music, heard worldwide in radio syndication (except in L.A.) and seen and heard on the web. Every Monday evening, Michael and his guests perform folk and bluegrass, and the show explores songwriting, new artists, literature, worldwide radio, television and concerts. WoodSongs is the world first multi-camera, weekly series broadcast on the Internet. Online viewers worldwide can watch the behind-the-scenes production heard by over 900,000 radio listeners on over 491 radio stations each week. Here’s the weekly schedule, adjusted to Pacific time: 4 pm - watch the 60 minute show live as it happens; 5:03 pm - join the audience as they record the promo for the just-completed show; 5:05 pm - enjoy the guest artist's encore performances, not heard on the radio broadcast.
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Each show is later archived on line, for free 24/7 viewing in various media formats, and available streaming and as a podcast.
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Mon; every Mon:
6-10 pm MARC BOSSERMAN plays his residency at Parkway Grill, 510 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena 91105; reserv recommended, 626-795-1001 (or hang out at the bar). He delivers fine piano and vocals. Info, www.marcbosserman.com.
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Mon, recurring, on web radio:
6 pm (Pacific) “RALPH’S BACK PORCH” broadcast from Texas, usually has live in-studio western music guests; call-in number to chat with Ralph and guests, 347 215 8849; catch the show at www.blogtalkradio.com/ralphsbackporch.
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Mon; 1st (and 3rd) Mon, every month:
7:45-10 pm JAMES HURLEY, UKULELE BART, and SEPTUM play the DALE LaDUKE & FRIENDS play a twice-a-month singer-songwriter showcase night, with different guests each time, at Arnie's Café, 6864 Foothill Bl (at Marcus), Tujunga 91042; 818-951-9089; http://arniescafe.com; www.myspace.com/arniescafe. DALE LaDUKE (Kaedmon, BeaTunes, Five Wheel Drive) tells us, it’s “a new little coffee house that is becoming quite a scene.” Dale gets major-league songwriters; a recent edition featured HAROLD PAYNE, & FREEBO. No cover, donations to artists are welcome.
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Mon, every week:
“PRO BLUES JAM” at Cozy's Bar & Grill, 14058 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks; 818-986-6000 www.cozysblues.com.
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Mon, every week:
“ALL STAR PRO JAM” (blues, R&B, jazz, soul, etc.) every Monday at Harvelle's, 1432 Fourth St, Santa Monica; 310-395-1676.
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Mon; repeats every first Mon:
7:30-9 pm “LAMN JAM” at The Scene, 806 E Colorado St (x-st Everett), Glendale 91205; 818-241-7029. L.A. Music Network Jam is billed as a place where “artists, musicians, singers and songwriters play for the pros.” Only LAMN Members perform by registering at 818-769-6095 or tara@lamn.com. Info: www.lamn.com. Performers receive constructive criticism in the areas of music, lyrics and performance. No cover.
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Mon, every week:
7:30 pm OPEN MIC at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood; 818-766-9913; Web simulcast at www.kulakswoodshed.com. This is named as the “Best Acoustic Open Mic” in L.A. AND the “Best Web Simulcast,” in “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166. Kulak’s provides all necessary connections for acoustic stage, plus a baby grand piano. Hosted by LISA TURNER. Sign-ups 7-7:15 pm, show at 7:30 pm. Performers may choose (in advance) to purchase a multi-camera DVD of their performance. One (max length 3-4 minute) song per performer. Info, www.kulakswoodshed.com/openmic.shtml. All artists donate their performances; venue is supported by donations, and asks $10 per attendee in lieu of a cover charge.
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Mon, Feb 2:
8 pm RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE, named L.A.’s best acoustic band of 2008, play L.A.’s most successful monthly residency at the venue named as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue - The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; reserv 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. Just named in FolkWorks as the best band in the “Best of 2008 / Top Ten” feature, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166 , the Riders of the Purple Sage routinely sell-out this residency six weeks in advance, BUT, they played a special two-night extra booking here last week, opening some of the spots that are otherwise ALWAYS sold-out. (Even if you call and are told it’s sold-out, get on the waiting list and be there; you’ll likely get in, this time only!) It’s the best chance you’ll have to catch them performing their formidable acoustic show here, without planning way ahead for that six-week waiting list. And yes, they are phenomenal, often performing with symphony orchestras all over the country. $20.
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Mon, every week:
8 pm “BLUE MONDAYS” brings NEW ORLEANS WEST and featured blues performers to Club Fais Do Do, 5257 W Adams Bl, L.A. 90016; www.faisdodo.com; 323-215-5212; (Adams & Cloverdale; exit La Brea S from 10 Fwy). Free red beans & rice with BBQ chicken.
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Mon, every week:
8 pm “KILLING CASSANOVA'S SALOON MONDAYS” series at The Bordello, 901 E First St, L.A 90012; www.bordellobar.com; 213-687-3766. Event info, scheduled performers, www.myspace.com/saloonmonday. Always a lineup of alt-country and roots bands, often with names you recognize and already know you want to go see. The Bordello is the oldest bar and brothel in downtown Los Angeles, reflecting its legendary status as the theater of the unusual and provocative, and it is now the venue for “Killing Cassanova’s Saloon Mondays.” $3 cover.
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Mon, every week:
8 pm “ACOUSTIC MONDAYS” in-the-round showcase, guided by singer-songwriter JAY NASH, with different guest artists each week, at Room 5, 143 N LaBrea Av (2nd floor, above Amalfi Ristorante), L.A. 90036; 323-938-2504. Upscale, cozy atmosphere with affordable food. Full bar and menu.
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Mon, every week:
8 pm “IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at the Celtic Arts Center at Theatre Unlimited, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood; 818-760-8322; www.celticartscenter.com.
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Mon, every week:
ON HIATUS: 8-11 pm blues legend BERNIE PEARL has long hosted the weekly BLUES JAM at M'Dear's, 78th & Western, L.A. But, the series is on hiatus because the venue is remodeling. We’ll let you know when it returns. Artist info, www.berniepearl.com.
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Mon, every Mon:
8:30 pm “TALENT NIGHT” hosted by CHAD WATSON BAND at the Cowboy Palace Saloon (Devonshire & Owensmouth), Chatsworth 91311; www.cowboypalace.com; 818-341-0166. Cash prizes, and some winners have gone on to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. Free dance lessons 7-8:30 pm, "Two-Step with Ed." No cover.
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Mon, every week:
8:30 pm OPEN MIC at the Rainbow Bar and Grill, 9015 W Sunset Bl, West Hollywood; 310-278-4232. Sign-ups at 8, show at 8:30 pm.
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Mon, every Mon:
8:30 pm OPEN-MIC hosted by Gordon Gilges at Café Muse, 6547 Santa Monica Bl, Hollywood 90038; www.cafemusela.com; 323-464-MUSE (6873). The venue tells us, ”There's a piano & guitar you are welcome to use, the rest is up to you. Bring your music, your own instruments, your friends!” Sign-ups are at 8 pm. Comedy is now from 7:30-8:30 pm, with those sign-ups at 7:30 pm. They add, “We are trying to create a community of artists who support each other, so participants are encouraged to come early and stay as long as you can to show the love to your fellow open-mic-ers. You may even get to go up a second time. The night may even turn into a big music jam, so be prepared for anything! There's a piano and guitar you are welcome to use, the rest is up to you.”
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Venue serves vegan & omnivore “comfort food,” fruit smoothies and organic coffee & tea beverages. Entertainment (of various kinds) every night, usually beginning 9:30-10 pm, after the shows in the surrounding theatre district. Venue has a beautiful piano and a house guitar for musician use, or bring your own instrument. They say, “We welcome people to come by and play anytime - you never know when the Muses might appear!” They tell us, “We are always looking for piano players & musicians to accompany the singers and spoken word artists (or to come in and jam with us).” Email them to be added to their roster, at TheMuses@CafeMuseLA.com. Early arrival recommended; $5 minimum for table service requested, otherwise, no cover.
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Mon, every week:
9-11:30 pm "IRISH MUSIC SESSION" weekly at Celtic Arts Center’s new shared location, Theatre Unlimited, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood 91602; 818-760-8322; www.celticartscenter.com. Schedule every week is Irish language workshop at 7 pm, followed by the Irish céilí dance workshop at 8 pm, then comes Southern California's longest running traditional Celtic music seisiún, from 9-11:30 pm. Free.
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Mon; most Mondays:
10 pm PRESTON SMITH plays solo acoustic at The Bridge, 3256 Caheunga Bl (at Barham), Universal City / Hollywood area, one mile N of the Hollywood Bowl. Romantic, loungy, acoustic room. Preston sings “blues & beyond,” soul and jazz. "Preston is a singing, guitar and harmonica playing virtuoso of blues and jazz, which makes him a great fit. His stuff is upbeat, intelligent and classy, He's known for his widespread appeal to a variety of audiences and some say his music knows no boundaries. While Smith's songwriting skills have received a big thumbs up from critics all over the map, his live gigs are legendary." - John Sollenberger July 28, ‘06 Pasadena Weekly.
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Preston sang for Barbra Streisand's wedding, and he’s performed for Steven Spielberg, Bruce Willis, Aaron Spelling, Brad Grey, the cast of The Soprano's, and the late Sonny Bono. He appeared on "The Tonight Show" with the late Jimmy Stewart. Roseanne Cash recorded his song "Black and White," then she included it in her greatest hits CD that went to gold. More at www.myspace.com/prestonsmithmusic and www.prestonsmith.com
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Mon, every week:
10:30 pm “BLUES JAM” with MISS MICKEY CHAMPION at Babe's and Ricky's Inn, 4339 Leimert Bl, L.A.; 323-295-9112; www.bluesbar.com.. L.A.’s legendary blueswoman plays an every-Monday residency. Artist info: www.mickeychampion.net. Event info, Info, info@bluesbar.com. No cover.
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[More to come on Super Bowl Sunday, including the complete new edition of the Guide for February.]
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View more events at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, as chronological date listings, and longer “looks ahead.” The Acoustic Americana Music Calendar updates often, and News Features post weekly.
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Current chronological date listings, to August, 2009, are available for
(1) Los Angeles-area acoustic Americana / acoustic renaissance music events, and,
(2) festivals and other events of great note throughout the US and Canada (and sometimes beyond) included in the Guide and in our occasional presentation of “Best-Out-of-Town (Beyond L.A.) Events,” as we update it. THIS Guide edition contains the most current listings, as of the date it was published.
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If you used a specific url to reach this edition of the Guide, THERE MAY BE A MORE RECENT EDITION. Use the basic url - http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com - and check the side bar on the left, to see if more recent editions have been published.
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If you explore our Myspace page and you’re interested in what’s available there, you’ll probably need to use the “view all” button and scroll, then use the “older” button as many times as needed to explore the archives.
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The MOST RECENT EDITIONS - both the event calendars with descriptive write-ups, AND the Acoustic Americana Music News Features - live at
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http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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News of the “Tied to the Tracks” radio & TV shows is at www.myspace.com/laacoustic.
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Questions? Comments? Contact us at tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
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As always, more to come, as we (believe it or not) continue to make updates to all the months of 2009 in the “long look ahead” posts.
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…So many truly fine shows, so few evenings and weekends to see them. With a new spirit of HOPE in America, why not celebrate by going out for a tunefully good time?
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View more events at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, where all is presented as chronological date listings, for today/tonight, this week, this month, and longer “looks ahead.” The Acoustic Americana Music Guide updates often, and News Features post weekly.
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Current chronological date listings are available for
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(1) Los Angeles-area acoustic Americana / folk-Americana / acoustic renaissance music events, and,
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(2) festivals and other events of great note featuring acoustic Americana and acoustic renaissance music, THROUGHOUT THE US & CANADA (and sometimes beyond), are included in the Guide, and listed separately in our presentation of “Best-Out-of-Town (Beyond L.A.) Events,” which we publish here from time to time.
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If you don’t see the dates you need in the content bar at left, just scroll it, OR CLICK THE MOST RECENT PAST MONTH for a list of what was published during that month. If you are exploring the ancient “Acoustic Music Calendar & News” archives on our Myspace page, use the “view all” button and scroll, then use the “older” button as many times as needed to explore into the paleozoic.
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If you’re trying to explain this thing to someone who likes real music, just tell ‘em that the Guide’s MOST RECENT EDITIONS as well as our NEWS FEATURES - that’s both the Guide with its event calendars with descriptive write-ups, AND the separately-published News for-and-about acoustic musicians and music - can be found conveniently at
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http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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News of the “Tied to the Tracks” radio & TV shows is at www.myspace.com/laacoustic.
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copyright (c) © 2009, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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LINKS:
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If you are considering a vacation to Mexico, here's an informative and fun site for you: www.mexicovacationtravels.com
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“There’s nothing as quiet as night without music, as dark as a night without stars...” - from “THE FIDDLER,” learned from Guy Carawan
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There are more ACOUSTIC AMERICANA / ACOUSTIC RENAISSANCE music performances EVERY week in the Los Angeles area than the COMBINED TOTAL of ALL OTHER KINDS OF MUSIC!
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January's remaining events, Acoustic Americana Music Guide, Jan 26, 2009

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GUESS WHAT?
There are more ACOUSTIC AMERICANA / ACOUSTIC RENAISSANCE music performances EVERY week in the Los Angeles area than the COMBINED TOTAL of ALL OTHER KINDS OF MUSIC!
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NOTE: for the most recent February-and-after edition, click tabs for 2008 / December (new editions for February and the months beyond is coming soon).
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“Tied to the Tracks”
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA
MUSIC GUIDE
♪ ♪
January, 2009 events
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Updated January 26, 2009; recurring events included through January 31.
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YOUR EDITOR HAS RETURNED FROM THE PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION AND ONE OF THE OFFICIAL INAUGURAL BALLS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.!
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We’ll tell you all about it very soon - watch for it!
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WELCOME! And after reading this little section of relevant stray facts, if you feel lost or mystified about any of this, write to us at tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
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THIS is the place for acoustic music that’s REAL MUSIC, from blues-to-bluegrass-to-borderlands, Cajun-to-cowboy-to-Celtic-to-Cape-Breton-to-Quebecois, new-old-trad-alt-post folk, and the exciting artists of today’s acoustic renaissance! People who love real music tend to love all real music. So, yes, we do include listings for many classical music performances. (When is a fiddle a violin? We’ll leave that to you.)
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We are, of course, true to the nature of live acoustic music, “keeping it real.” So, if you’re looking for that Britney Lohan sh-thump-thud, revolving-door-rehab, pop-tart-du-jour junk that infests the radio and is recorded one note at a time, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
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Here you will find news of live performances of acoustic music and musicians, events that we know you’ll enjoy attending. We include festivals everywhere, and provide a comprehensive guide to concerts, club gigs, coffeehouse performances, and more in the Los Angeles region, from Santa Barbara to Orange County. The Guide includes musicians’ workshops, music conferences, seminars, panel discussions, and more.
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This is half of what we publish. The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE and the ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC NEWS post separately.
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You will need to use the tabs (at left) for 2008, and specific months, to find anything posted before January 1, 2009.
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IF YOU USED A SPECIFIC URL to reach this edition of the Guide, and more than a few days have passed since the date it posted, THERE MAY BE A NEWER EDITION. Use the basic url - http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com - and check the side bar on the left to look for more recent editions with additional and updated events.
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THE MOST RECENT GUIDE, with its detailed calendar of events, is identifiable by the date it was posted at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com.
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FUTURE MONTHS are published separate from the current month, so the next time you come to the site to find “long looks ahead,” remember that they may get buried under updates to the current month; use the list and tabs to the left for guidance. And we occasionally post a Guide / calendar of “Best-Out-of-Town (Beyond L.A.)” events, for those great festivals and special happenings in other parts of the country, and to help everyone include music with travel plans.
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THE MOST RECENT NEWS FEATURES, as well as other recent news posts that are often still relevant, are always available at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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WHAT’S IN THE NEWS THAT WE COVER? Our latest news features always include things of interest to acoustic music fans AND artists (musicians and songwriters). Topics include trends in the industry, radio, internet radio, music conferences, artists who have recently won awards and recognitions, charity benefits, festival lineups and booking information, our picks for on-line music videos, music-related books, things that are fun to know, and more – but NEVER any “who’s-sleeping-with-who” gossip crap. (That’s YOUR business, and it’s not the public’s business just because you work in show biz.) Current and recent news editions are found at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com. Old archived editions are on the myspace page (www.myspace.com/laacoustic), accessible by using the “View All” and the “older entries” button and scrolling all the way back to when acoustic music happened because dinosaurs got rambunctious.
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UPDATES TO THE CURRENT MONTH’S GUIDE / CALENDAR are made at least weekly, because MORE acoustic and folk-Americana music events get booked into a vast number of venues, with more added all the time. And, we include events as we learn of them from artists, presenters, venues, festivals, workshop presenters, etc.
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FUTURE EVENTS are currently posted past mid-2009, and will soon go farther than that.
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RECURRING EVENTS include residencies, series, showcases, and open mics, and all these are numerous in the Southern California acoustic music universe. We generally add them to the Guide’s calendar one week at a time, as dates approach, because there are so many of them, AND because it gives us a chance to learn who is playing.
Recurring events included in this edition through Sat, Jan 31.
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GETTING YOUR GIG LISTED: We welcome your feedback, and news of your acoustic Americana music shows (send us gig notices in our format, please; see any listed show for an example) please DON’T expect us to re-type info that you have locked into a jpg – send us plain text, so we can work with it! Send to us at tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com.
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WE’RE ON BLOGSPOT.COM after a long presence on MySpace, because that site now accepts only short posts. The Guide is waaaay too comprehensive to fit anywhere that imposes limitations. We began posting to Blogspot in early 2008.
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Our MYSPACE PAGE (www.myspace.com/laacoustic) has current news of the syndicated “Tied to the Tracks” radio show, and what’s happening with its TV counterpart. And it’s where you can find archived Acoustic Americana Music News editions published prior to Spring, 2008.
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PLEASE DO COMMUNICATE WITH US about anything related to the Acoustic Americana Music Guide and / or the Acoustic Americana Music News, at tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com.
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PLEASE DON’T send us anything through myspace email. It’s esoteric, it cannot be auto-forwarded into a “real” email account, and we just can’t keep up with it. (Myspace “friends” are great, and we DO welcome you there!) But, communicate through email only at the above address. And, yes, we get HUNDREDS of emails every week, so please give us as much advance notice as possible for your event!
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Entire contents copyright (c) © 2009, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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JANUARY 2009 events
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Recurring events are included in this edition through Saturday, Jan 31.
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MONDAY, JANUARY 26
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Mon, Jan 26-Mar 9:
1-4 pm “WINTER WATERCOLOR ART CLASS” at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr, La Canada; 818-949-7980; www.descanosgardens.org. Capture seasonal beauty in watercolor art in this six-week class. $105 gen’l, $95 Descanso mbrs; plus $12 materials fee.
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Mon, every week:
2-4 pm “HEAR, HERE” at the Lost Souls Café, 124 E 4th St (down the gated alley), downtown L.A.; 213-617-7006; www.lostsouls.com. A weekly live benefit event of “whatever” kind of music, by and for www.killradio.org, which has daily internet radio and live webcasts on Fridays, Noon-2 pm. The “Kill Radio” webcast is a submission show; send them your CDs or mp3s for “guaranteed” airplay. All the info for that is at www.myspace.com/hear_here.
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Mon, every Mon, on the web:
3:59-5:15 pm (Pacific time) “WOODSONGS OLD TIME RADIO HOUR” live simulcast from Lexington, Kentucky. Those near Lexington are invited to attend the show live; the rest of us can watch and listen live on the web, or download the podcast later, at www.woodsongs.com. The host is folksinger MICHAEL JOHNATHON, and both he and many of his guests have performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.”
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Michael’s “WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour” is a multi-media celebration of grassroots Americana music, heard worldwide in radio syndication (except in L.A.) and seen and heard on the web. Every Monday evening, Michael and his guests perform folk and bluegrass, and the show explores songwriting, new artists, literature, worldwide radio, television and concerts. WoodSongs is the world first multi-camera, weekly series broadcast on the Internet. Online viewers worldwide can watch the behind-the-scenes production heard by over 900,000 radio listeners on over 491 radio stations each week. Here’s the weekly schedule, adjusted to Pacific time: 4 pm - watch the 60 minute show live as it happens; 5:03 pm - join the audience as they record the promo for the just-completed show; 5:05 pm - enjoy the guest artist's encore performances, not heard on the radio broadcast.
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Each show is later archived on line, for free 24/7 viewing in various media formats, and available streaming and as a podcast.
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Mon; every Mon:
6-10 pm MARC BOSSERMAN plays his residency at Parkway Grill, 510 S Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena 91105; reserv recommended, 626-795-1001 (or hang out at the bar). He delivers fine piano and vocals. Info, www.marcbosserman.com.
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Mon, recurring, on web radio:
6 pm (Pacific) “RALPH’S BACK PORCH” broadcast from Texas, usually has live in-studio western music guests; call-in number to chat with Ralph and guests, 347 215 8849; catch the show at www.blogtalkradio.com/ralphsbackporch.
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Mon; repeats every 4th (& 2nd) Mon; in Corona:
7-10 pm CORONA BLUEGRASS JAM at Crossroads Christian Church, 2331 Kellogg Av (at Ontario Av), Corona. Info, contact Todd Holtkamp, 951-347-2597 or onetoad@adelphia.net. Todd says, “Open Jam, all levels welcome. Having a good time is mandatory. If the weather is good we will be outside in front of the main building. If the weather is bad we will be inside.”
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Mon, every week:
“PRO BLUES JAM” at Cozy's Bar & Grill, 14058 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks; 818-986-6000 www.cozysblues.com.
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Mon, every week:
“ALL STAR PRO JAM” (blues, R&B, jazz, soul, etc.) every Monday at Harvelle's, 1432 Fourth St, Santa Monica; 310-395-1676.
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Mon, every week:
7:30 pm OPEN MIC at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood; 818-766-9913; Web simulcast at www.kulakswoodshed.com. This is named as the “Best Acoustic Open Mic” in L.A. AND the “Best Web Simulcast,” in “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166. Kulak’s provides all necessary connections for acoustic stage, plus a baby grand piano. Hosted by LISA TURNER. Sign-ups 7-7:15 pm, show at 7:30 pm. Performers may choose (in advance) to purchase a multi-camera DVD of their performance. One (max length 3-4 minute) song per performer. Info, www.kulakswoodshed.com/openmic.shtml. All artists donate their performances; venue is supported by donations, and asks $10 per attendee in lieu of a cover charge.
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Mon & Tue, Jan 26 & 27:
8 pm RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE at The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; reserv 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. Just named in FolkWorks as the best band in the “Best of 2008 / Top Ten” feature, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166 the Riders of the Purple Sage have had the most successful monthly residency in L.A. here, routinely selling-out six weeks in advance. This is a special, short-notice, two-night extra booking, and maybe the best chance you’ll have to catch them performing their formidable acoustic show - without planning way ahead for that six-week waiting list. $18.
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Mon & Tue, Jan 26 & 27:
8 pm SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY, with MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS, conductor, presented by the L.A. Philharmonic, at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 135 N Grand Av, L.A.; 213-972-7211. Michael Tilson Thomas brings his phenomenal orchestra to L.A. with music ranging from Tchaikovsky to Tilson Thomas himself. Info & tix, www.laphil.com/tickets/performance_detail.cfm?id=3655
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Mon, every week:
8 pm “BLUE MONDAYS” brings NEW ORLEANS WEST and featured blues performers to Club Fais Do Do, 5257 W Adams Bl, L.A. 90016; www.faisdodo.com; 323-215-5212; (Adams & Cloverdale; exit La Brea S from 10 Fwy). Free red beans & rice with BBQ chicken.
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Mon, every week:
8 pm “KILLING CASSANOVA'S SALOON MONDAYS” series at The Bordello, 901 E First St, L.A 90012; www.bordellobar.com; 213-687-3766. Event info, scheduled performers, www.myspace.com/saloonmonday. Always a lineup of alt-country and roots bands, often with names you recognize and already know you want to go see. The Bordello is the oldest bar and brothel in downtown Los Angeles, reflecting its legendary status as the theater of the unusual and provocative, and it is now the venue for “Killing Cassanova’s Saloon Mondays.” $3 cover.
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Mon, every week:
8 pm “ACOUSTIC MONDAYS” in-the-round showcase, guided by singer-songwriter JAY NASH, with different guest artists each week, at Room 5, 143 N LaBrea Av (2nd floor, above Amalfi Ristorante), L.A. 90036; 323-938-2504. Upscale, cozy atmosphere with affordable food. Full bar and menu.
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Mon, every week:
8 pm “IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at the Celtic Arts Center at Theatre Unlimited, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood; 818-760-8322; www.celticartscenter.com.
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Mon; every 4th (and 2nd) Mon every month:
8-9 pm “MONDAY NIGHT POETRY” at the Santa Catalina Branch Library, 999 E Washington Bl, Pasadena 91104 ; info, www.home.earthlink.net/~mondaynightpoetry/; contact Don Kingfisher Campbell, mondaynightpoetry@earthlink.net or 626-744-7272. Featured poets and open readings; sign-up by 8 pm. They say, “This is your chance to share your poetry with the public and to hear professional poets performing their newest creations.” Accessible to people with disabilities, and handicapped parking available. Adults, free.
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Mon, every week:
ON HIATUS: 8-11 pm blues legend BERNIE PEARL has long hosted the weekly BLUES JAM at M'Dear's, 78th & Western, L.A. But, the series is on hiatus because the venue is remodeling. We’ll let you know when it returns. Artist info, www.berniepearl.com.
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Mon, every Mon:
8:30 pm “TALENT NIGHT” hosted by CHAD WATSON BAND at the Cowboy Palace Saloon (Devonshire & Owensmouth), Chatsworth 91311; www.cowboypalace.com; 818-341-0166. Cash prizes, and some winners have gone on to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. Free dance lessons 7-8:30 pm, "Two-Step with Ed." No cover.
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Mon, every week:
8:30 pm OPEN MIC at the Rainbow Bar and Grill, 9015 W Sunset Bl, West Hollywood; 310-278-4232. Sign-ups at 8, show at 8:30 pm.
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Mon, every Mon:
8:30 pm OPEN-MIC hosted by Gordon Gilges at Café Muse, 6547 Santa Monica Bl, Hollywood 90038; www.cafemusela.com; 323-464-MUSE (6873). The venue tells us, ”There's a piano & guitar you are welcome to use, the rest is up to you. Bring your music, your own instruments, your friends!” Sign-ups are at 8 pm. Comedy is now from 7:30-8:30 pm, with those sign-ups at 7:30 pm. They add, “We are trying to create a community of artists who support each other, so participants are encouraged to come early and stay as long as you can to show the love to your fellow open-mic-ers. You may even get to go up a second time. The night may even turn into a big music jam, so be prepared for anything! There's a piano and guitar you are welcome to use, the rest is up to you.”
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Venue serves vegan & omnivore “comfort food,” fruit smoothies and organic coffee & tea beverages. Entertainment (of various kinds) every night, usually beginning 9:30-10 pm, after the shows in the surrounding theatre district. Venue has a beautiful piano and a house guitar for musician use, or bring your own instrument. They say, “We welcome people to come by and play anytime - you never know when the Muses might appear!” They tell us, “We are always looking for piano players & musicians to accompany the singers and spoken word artists (or to come in and jam with us).” Email them to be added to their roster, at TheMuses@CafeMuseLA.com. Early arrival recommended; $5 minimum for table service requested, otherwise, no cover.
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Mon, every week:
9-11:30 pm "IRISH MUSIC SESSION" weekly at Celtic Arts Center’s new shared location, Theatre Unlimited, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood 91602; 818-760-8322; www.celticartscenter.com. Schedule every week is Irish language workshop at 7 pm, followed by the Irish céilí dance workshop at 8 pm, then comes Southern California's longest running traditional Celtic music seisiún, from 9-11:30 pm. Free.
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Mon; most Mondays:
10 pm PRESTON SMITH plays solo acoustic at The Bridge, 3256 Caheunga Bl (at Barham), Universal City / Hollywood area, one mile N of the Hollywood Bowl. Romantic, loungy, acoustic room. Preston sings “blues & beyond,” soul and jazz. "Preston is a singing, guitar and harmonica playing virtuoso of blues and jazz, which makes him a great fit. His stuff is upbeat, intelligent and classy, He's known for his widespread appeal to a variety of audiences and some say his music knows no boundaries. While Smith's songwriting skills have received a big thumbs up from critics all over the map, his live gigs are legendary." - John Sollenberger July 28, ‘06 Pasadena Weekly.
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Preston sang for Barbra Streisand's wedding, and he’s performed for Steven Spielberg, Bruce Willis, Aaron Spelling, Brad Grey, the cast of The Soprano's, and the late Sonny Bono. He appeared on "The Tonight Show" with the late Jimmy Stewart. Roseanne Cash recorded his song "Black and White," then she included it in her greatest hits CD that went to gold. More at www.myspace.com/prestonsmithmusic and www.prestonsmith.com
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Mon, every week:
10:30 pm “BLUES JAM” with MISS MICKEY CHAMPION at Babe's and Ricky's Inn, 4339 Leimert Bl, L.A.; 323-295-9112; www.bluesbar.com.. L.A.’s legendary blueswoman plays an every-Monday residency. Artist info: www.mickeychampion.net. Event info, Info, info@bluesbar.com. No cover.
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TUESDAY, JANUARY 27
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Tue, every week; in Loma Linda:
9-11:30 am “LOMA LINDA UKULELE STRUMMERS” welcomes all, every Tuesday at the Loma Linda Senior Center, 25541 Barton Rd (behind the Civic Center), Loma Linda. (Sr Center at the far end of the parking lot.) Info, www.lomalindaukestrummers.org. Contact, Ginny Stone, 909 795 3841 or harryginny@hotmail.com.
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Tue, every week:
4:30-6 pm SON JAROCHO CLASSES at East Side Café, 5469 Huntington Dr N, L.A.; 323-583-5113. Learn to play Jarana, a string Instrument from Veracruz; dance Zapateado; sing & compose Sones-songs; gain knowledge of Son Jarocho music; work sound & lights. Open to adults, children and teens. No cover, donations are accepted.
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Tue, every week:
6 pm Weekly BLUEGRASS JAM at Curley’s Café, 1999 E Willow (at Cherry), Signal Hill; 562-424-0018.
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Tue, every week:
6-8 pm ARANA MUSIC LESSONS at IMIX Bookstore, 5052 Eagle Rock Bl, Eagle Rock; 323-257-2512; www.imixbooks.com. For beginners to experts music lessons focusing on the arana and Son Jarocho, presented by Caesar Castro, El Jarochelo.
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Tue, every week; in Menifee:
6-8:30 pm SANDII CASTLEBERRY & RON DAIGH, folk fest faves, at Giovanni's, Pizza, Pasta & More, 26900 Newport Rd #112, Menifee 92584; 951-672-8080. Info, www.sandiicastleberry.com.
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Tue, every Tue:
6:30-11 pm “SOUP JAM,” Don Rowan’s country & bluegrass jam, at 3240 Industry Dr, Signal Hill 90755. Info, contact Don, 562-883-0573. Acoustic instruments only, floating mic for voice; soup, donuts, coffee & tap water served. Loc is 1 mile S of 405 Fwy, 1.2 mi S of Long Beach Airport. Lakewood Bl South exit from 405, immediate right onto Willow for 1 mi (W), left on Redondo for 3/4 mile (S), right onto Industry Dr for 0.2 mi (W), building is 1st entrance for last building on the left; a fair-sized industrial building with high ceilings.
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Tue, Jan 27; every week:
7 pm “MAIN STREET SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE” brings MATT PEREYRA plus JEFF MANN to this week’s show at Café Bellissimo, 22458 Ventura Bl, Woodland Hills; 818-225-0026. It’s a nice format, always with two recording artists, each doing a half-hour set, and a few songs from performing host GARRET SWAYNE. The two featured artists are followed by an open mic; info, www.garretswayne.com.
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MATT PEREYRA, says MSSS host Garret Swayne, presents “a musical diary of youthful angst.” Garret continues, “Starting out with simple pop jingles, the musical odyssey of Matt Pereyra has carried him through the phases of indie/rock, r&b, folk, and electronica. The songs he has written in these various genres have become his musical diary. Events are ‘true,’ the emotions are real, and the only explanations needed are contained within the songs themselves. Listeners can relate to the common subjects that everyone has felt at one time or another. Matt has a young, perhaps idealized outlook on life, but his mature lyrics explore the complex implications of even the simplest situations. He writes and performs from the belief that any experience can be a catalyst for soul searching and self-discovery. If anything, he writes and plays for his own therapeutic purposes. If other people can enjoy and share the experiences with him, that's all the better. Matt is definitely grateful for his inspirations and loves to share them with anyone who will listen.” More at www.myspace.com/mattpereyra
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JEFF MANN, says Garret, is a “B-side dinosaur [who] plays an eclectic mix of music, heavily influenced by jam bands like the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers, The Band, and Hot Tuna. Jeff’s been playing in local bands for years, currently fronting a band called TOUCH OF GREY--more for the age of the members than a nod to the Grateful Dead. Recently Jeff felt compelled to step back from the band and start doing his own thing. He began to record and perform his own material, and that endeavor led him into the MSSS one night maybe 6 months ago. He began playing the [MSSS] Open Mike and it was obvious that here was a major talent. Jeff has a powerful voice and a very distinctive style on the guitar. We’re very pleased to present him this week for the first time as a featured artist at the MSSS. Check out some of his tunes at www.myspace.com/89758078 “
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MSSS patrons get half-price drinks, 6:30-7:30, and special discount on award-winning pizza all evening. No cover, but venue expects a minimum $5 food / drink purchase (and that’s half their former expectation).
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Tues; every 4th Tue:
7-8:30 pm “COMMUNITY FOLK MUSIC JAM” led by Bea Romano & Jim, it’s a traditional folk music jam at the Barbara J. Riley Center, 7810 Quill St, Downey 90242; 562-904-7226. Bring your acoustic instrument(s) and join in. Bea says, “It's a lovely facility. We hope you will enjoy playing / listening to music. Bring your acoustic instruments and join in the fun. There are plenty of armless chairs. Best of all, it's free!”
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Tue, last Tue, every month:
7-8:45 pm GILLI MOON plays her monthly residency and “SONGSALIVE! SHOWCASE” at Genghis Cohen, 740 N Fairfax Av, L.A. 90046; 323-653-0640. It’s a mostly-acoustic event with guest artists. Gill says, “It features 'moi,' plus a couple of cool cats from Songsalive! - and we all perform in the round on stage. It's really a wonderful night, and starts early, 7 pm stage time.” Venue is known for its Chinese food; call for dinner reserv. Plenty of parking, $7 cover.
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Tue, every week:
7-10 pm OPEN MIC - Music, Comedy, Spoken Word, at Synergy Café Lounge, 4437 Sepulveda Bl (just S of Culver Bl), Culver City; www.synergycafelounge.com; 310-482-3490. An eclectic open mic night. Bring your instruments, poetry, comedy, and anything else you'd like to share during your 8-10 minute set. Great atmosphere, excellent opportunity to see and meet other performers. No cover, food / drink purchase expected. Info, contact MC Jackie, jackielievense@yahoo.com.
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Tue, every week; in Tehachapi:
7-10 pm “ACOUSTIC JAM” at Mama HillyBeans Coffee & Community, 426 E Tehachapi Bl, Tehachapi; 661-822-BEAN; www.mamahillybeans.com. They welcome "All unplugged acoustic players." Venue has great ambience, food "made from scratch and about 95% organic." No cover.
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Tue, recurring:
7:30 pm Weekly OPEN MIC at Hallenbeck’s General Store, 5510 Cahuenga Bl, North Hollywood; 818-985-5916; www.hallenbecks.com. Venue offers sandwiches, coffeehouse fare. No cover.
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Tue, Jan 27:
8 pm RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE at The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; reserv 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. Just named in FolkWorks as the best band in the “Best of 2008 / Top Ten” feature, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166 the Riders of the Purple Sage have had the most successful monthly residency in L.A. here, routinely selling-out six weeks in advance. This is a special, short-notice, two-night extra booking (Jan 26 & 27), and maybe the best chance you’ll have to catch them performing their formidable acoustic show - without planning way ahead for that six-week waiting list. $18.
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Tue, Jan 27:
8 pm SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY, with MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS, conductor, presented by the L.A. Philharmonic, at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 135 N Grand Av, L.A.; 213-972-7211. Michael Tilson Thomas brings his phenomenal orchestra to L.A. with music ranging from Tchaikovsky to Tilson Thomas himself. (Also here Mon, Jan 26.) Info & tix, www.laphil.com/tickets/performance_detail.cfm?id=3655
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Tue, every week:
8-9:30 pm “TUESDAY NIGHT MUSIC CLUB” weekly series with KACEE and MICHAEL DOMAN, with different musical guests each week, at Molly Malone's, 575 S Fairfax Av, L.A. 90036; 323-935-1577; www.mollymalonesla.com. Began Jul 8, 2008. Michael says, “Tuesdays just got a whole lot better.”
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Tue; repeats every 2nd and 4th Tue:
8 pm OPEN MIC at El Cid, 4212 Sunset Bl, Silver Lake 90029; www.elcidla.com. Hosted by MICHAEL MCCARTHY the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, every month. A&R staff from “My Record Label” is on-site recruiting artists based on their original performances. Selected artists will receive an artist page on www.myrecordlabel.net along with a free 3-camera video shoot and professional audio mix of their performance. Sign ups at 7 pm, show at 8 pm. You can sign-up in advance online at www.myspace.com/openmicatelcid .
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Tue, every week:
8 pm OPEN MIC at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank; www.vivacantina.com; 818-515-4444.
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Tue, every week:
8 pm OPEN MIC at Sierra Cup, 409 S Myrtle Av, Monrovia 91016; 626-301-4214; www.sierracup.com. Sign-ups at 7:30 pm.
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Tue, Jan 27; in the OC:
8-11 pm BETH FITCHET WOOD’s weekly “SONGWRITER'S SHOWCASE” tonight with the DENNIS ROGER REED BAND, at the Marine Room, 214 Ocean Av, Laguna Beach; 949-494-3027. Every Tue, with different featured artists. More at www.dennisrogerreed.com
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Tue, every Tue:
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 swing dance lessons with Ed, 7-8:30 pm. No cover.
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28
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Wed-Sat, Jan 28-31; in Elko, Nevada & live on the web:
25th Annual “NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY GATHERING” in Elko, NV. This 25th anniversary gathering is quite special. It is the event that “got the whole thing goin’” for western music theme-festivals. You can listen to the events on the web at www.westernfolklife.org
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Wed; every Wed; in Yucaipa:
12:30 pm “YUCAIPA UKERS,” THE YUCAIPA UKULELE GANG, an ‘off-shoot’ of the Loma Linda Ukulele Strummers (LLUS), meets every Wed (recently changed; was 10:30 am). Info, loc, www.lomalindaukestrummers.org.
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Wed, every Wed:
ON HIATUS: 3-7 pm “ROOTS MUSIC JAM SESSION” with TOM SAUBER at the Sierra Madre Farmers' Market, in the parking lot behind the shops on the south side of Sierra Madre Blvd., just west of Baldwin Av, in Sierra Madre. Take Baldwin Av exit N from 210 Fwy. Turn W off Baldwin onto Mariposa and you'll see the tents. Tom tells us, “It won't take the place of Frank & Joe’s [the long-gone Wed night jam] and I know it's not convenient for most, but it's something as long as the weather's nice.” Info, masaw48@earthlink.net
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Tom tells us, “It won’t be meeting again until the weather warms up.”
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Wed; 2nd & 4th Wed every month; in Lancaster:
6 pm UKULELE CLUB at Nicks Pizza, 43755 15th St West, Lancaster. Uke players begin arriving about 5 pm, meeting starts at 6 pm. Newcomers welcome.
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Wed, 4th Wed, every month:
6:45 pm “GILLI MOON & J.WALKER'S SONGSALIVE! SHOWCASE” at Genghis Cohen, 740 N Fairfax Av, L.A. Gilli is co-founder of the global Songsalive! songwriters organization. She books different guests, and herself performs each month. More at www.songsalive.org
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Wed, Jan 28:
7 pm “THE STRINGS OF COMEDY” dinner-concert show is a monthly evening of musical comics at the M Bar, 1253 Vine St (at Fountain), Hollywood 90038; 323-856-0036. Performing host CHRIS VALENTI has been a guest on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” and he he cites for us, “the growing popularity of this show and the fusion of music, humor, and new media.”
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Tonight’s performers constantly tour the nation, have made numerous television appearances, and have been seen in some popular feature films. Each has a video posted on www.StringsOfComedy.com
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NICK THUNE has been on the “Tonight Show” with JAY LENO two times. Comedy Central presented a half hour of Nick’s ‘world class’ stand up comedy, and paid Nick to make a series of short films for iThunes. Nick played a memorable role in the film, 'Knocked Up.' More at www.NickThune.com
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MATT BAETZ has headlined clubs all over the country and has been on late night comedy talk shows many times. CRAIG FERGUSON likes him so much he books Matt regularly, and hired him as the booker for all the comics for the CBS “Late, Late Show”. More at www.MattBaetz.com
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ERIC SCHWARTZ tours the country as a favorite at folk music festivals everywhere. He is a talented musician with a killer wit and a stunning sense of humor. Chris Valenti adds, “You will be pleasantly shocked and dazzled. His song and video ‘Clinton Got a Blowjob,’ which compares the 'crimes' of the last two American presidents, was an internet sensation that received millions of views and placed him on panels with the likes of Janet Reno, among others.” More at www.EricSchwartz.com
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ODED GROSS, “generally speaking,” says Chris, “is a pretty open guy. Except when it comes to people who are different than him, then his tolerance wanes. Truthfully, Gross has little tolerance for those with little tolerance. Oded became an internet titan twice. His hilarious, but very poignant videos, ‘It's All Because The Gays Are Getting Married’ and ‘Just Found a Rod Sock in the Laundry’ could not have been released in a more controversially fitting year than 2008, with its themes of homophobia and racism.” More at www.myspace.com/odedgross
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PHIL JOHNSON communicates to the audience that no matter what problems they're having, there's always someone even more screwed-up than them. Phil Johnson is, in fact, a raging optimist. And better yet, it's all set to music. More at www.RoadsideAttraction.com
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CHRIS VALENTI has performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” He takes his romantic failures and frustrations personally and pours them out to you straight from his guitar and wry, twisted heart. More at www.ChrisValentiMusic.com
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ALISON BLOCK is a stand-up comic with a guitar, or a musician with a sense of humor. Her songs mix the wild and witty with the feminine tenderness found in themes about gay ex-boyfriends and male gynecologists. www.AlisonBlock.com
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Doors open for dinner at 7 pm, the show starts at 7:30 pm. $10 cover, plus $10 food minimum.
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Wed, every Wed:
7-9 pm ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC, hosted by ALLAN COMEAU, at Santa Monica Bar & Grille, 3321 Pico Bl, Santa Monica. It’s now weekly. SEVERIN BROWNE says, “For those of you who like a good open mic night, my friend Allan Comeau is hosting… not far from McCabe’s. And the food is good.” 6:45 pm sign-ups.
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Open mic is followed on 1st & 3rd Wed of every month, same place, by “WESTSIDE SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND” – see that listing.
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Wed, every Wed:
7-10 pm weekly OPEN MIC at the Talking Stick, (new location), 1411 Lincoln Bl, Venice 92091; www.thetalkingstick.net. Alternating hosts TOM & BYRON or ELLEN. Sign-ups at 6:45 pm. Venue has coffeehouse fare and good sandwiches. All ages, no cover.
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Wed, every Wed:
7-10 pm (started Jan 7) “KULAK'S WEDNESDAY NIGHT SONGWRITERS WORKSHOP” at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood; 818-766-9913; info and live webcast at www.kulakswoodshed.com. Marc Platt wrote, for Music Connection, “Your Wednesday Nights will never be the same after participating in this Group Workshop. The weekly cost is $20, which goes to Kulak’s to help pay the rent. The Workshop… is open to the public for the first four weeks. We will then set our 12-person group writing roster until the end of March. The workshop will be limited to 12 writers. We will break up into groups and work on many styles, genres and topics. You will find it challenging and exhilarating. You can bring instruments and will need to have your own small recording device, as well as a pen and notepad. Marc Platt (from the Sunday Night Performance Workshop) will facilitate with help from Steve Schalchlin. Marc has written music for TV Shows like ‘Queer Eye For The Straight Guy’ and others for many years. Steve Schalchlin ran similar workshops for the NAS (National Academy of Songwriters) in the 1990s and is a very accomplished songwriter. His ‘New World Waking’ show is currently running in San Francisco. If you are interested, please email Marc Platt at rotn60@aol.com.”
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Replaces the DISCONTINUED “ACOUSTIC JAM” night.
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Wed, 2nd & 4th Wed, every month; in Lompoc:
7-9 pm “BLUEGRASS JAM” at Southside Coffee Co, 105 S "H" St, Lompoc. Info, call Bill, 805-736-8241.
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Wed, every Wed; in Tehachapi:
7-10 pm OPEN MIC at Mama HillyBeans Coffee & Community, 426 E Tehachapi Bl, Tehachapi; 661-822-BEAN; www.mamahillybeans.com. They welcome "musicians, poets, writers, thinkers, and audiences." Venue has great ambience, food "made from scratch and about 95% organic." No cover.
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Wed, every Wed:
7:30-10:30 pm “SINGER-SONGWRITER NIGHT” with STRUFF & TERRY, and Musical Guests at Tango D'Amore, 19524 Nordhoff St #3, Northridge 91324; shared parking with Guitar Center; 818-727-7399; www.tangodamore.com. Lineup always includes hosts Struff & Terry (www.struffandterry.com) and others, sometimes unknown, sometimes rather well-known. $5 cover.
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Wed, every Wed:
7:30-10 pm OPEN MIC at Guitar Merchant, 7503 Topanga Cyn Bl, Canoga Park 91303; 818-884-5905. Every Wednesday, hosted by Melinda Gibson. 7 pm sign-ups. Get your set recorded on CD for $10 (optional). Snacks and drinks available. No cover, tip jar for artists.
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Wed, every Wed; in Simi Valley:
7:30-11:30 pm SONGMAKERS “SIMI VALLEY HOOT” jam session in Simi Valley; for location, contact M. Gregory, info@songmakers.org or 805-579-6416. More at www.songmakers.org/hoots/simi_valley_hoot.htm.
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Wed, every Wed:
MISS MICKEY CHAMPION at Harvelle's, 1432 Fourth St, Santa Monica; 310-395-1676. L.A.’s legendary blueswoman plays an every-Wednesday residency. Artist info: www.mickeychampion.net. $3-7 cover. Start time varies; call venue.
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Wed, Jan 28:
8 pm COW BOP at The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; reserv 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. This is musical virtuosity, excitement, and splendid technique. They’ve performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” crossed America performing the “Route 66 Challenge,” played prestigious venues and festivals. They mix swingin’ grooves, thrilling riffs, sweet and hot vocals, bebop jazz, acoustic western sensibilities, and tons of fun. Led by internationally acclaimed guitarist and USC Artist-in-Residence BRUCE FORMAN, they thrill audiences with their unique brand of uniquely American music. Their debut CD, “Swingin’ Out West,” rocketed to the top of the charts in four different genres. Their new CD, “Route 66,” (released April 2008) features Monty Alexander and Dan Hicks and is a celebration of their having won the Route 66 Challenge three times. Check out Bruce's playing, featured in Clint Eastwood's award-winning “Million Dollar Baby.” $15.
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Wed, Jan 28:
8 pm L.A. PHILHARMONIC presents “A TRIBUTE TO RAY BROWN” in the Walt Disney Concert Hall, 135 N Grand Av, L.A.; 213-972-7211. Featured Artists are Christian McBride, musical director; John Clayton, bass; Benny Green, piano; Russell Malone, guitar; Greg Hutchinson, drums’ Ernie Andrews, vocalist; Barbara Morrison, vocalist; Karriem Riggins, drums; Geoff Keezer, piano. The late, great Ray Brown, who performed with such recording legends as Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson and Peggy Lee, was also a great influence on young musicians and mentor to our own Christian McBride. Join Christian with Ray's former band mates and friends to pay homage to this beloved jazz giant. Info & tix at www.LAPhil.com. Program page at www.laphil.com/tickets/performance_detail.cfm?id=3657
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Wed, last Wed, every month:
8-10 pm “HOBO SOUP” monthly folk music evening with performing host “BANJO FRED” STARNER, usually joined by PHIL VAN TEE and KAREN KRANTZ, at the Lost Souls Café, 124 E 4th St, in the Old Bank District, downtown L.A.; 213-617-7006; www.lostsouls.com. The venue is the big lobby of a 1905-era bank building. Fred says it has “a fine sound system, and a no-alcohol good vibe.” FRED STARNER is the officially-named “GRAND DUKE OF HOBO MINSTRELS” by the National Hobo Convention in Britt, Iowa. Musical funnyman PHIL VAN TEE has taken his homemade cookie-tin banjo to stages everywhere, opening for nearly all the big-name country music acts. Previous guests have included JILL FENIMORE, ORGANIC DEMO, and DADDY BONE. Artist info, www.hobobanjofred.com. Venue is just down the gated alley between Main and Broadway; it’s a coffeehouse that serves coffee drinks and tasty light fare.
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Wed, every Wed:
8 pm “ACOUSTIC CORDIALE” SERIES at Café Cordiale, 14015 Ventura Bl, Sherman Oaks; 818-789-1985. One recent lineup included Heather Waters & Duane Jarvis and Micheal Ann & Alexandra Bustamante. Manda has played the series, as well. Hosted by singer-songwriter DONOVAN LYMAN (Blue Meridian) performing a song or two between each act. Dinner served all evening; plenty of private tables. All ages, free parking, no cover.
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Wed, every Wed:
8 pm OPEN MIC at The Talking Stick, 1630 Ocean Park Bl, Santa Monica; www.thetalkingstick.net.
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Wed, recurring:
8 pm OPEN MIC at The Pig 'n Whistle, 6714 Hollywood Bl, Hollywood 90028; www.pignwhistle.com. Sign-ups at 7:30, show at 8 pm.
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Wed; every Wed:
8 pm OPEN JAZZ JAM at Hip Kitty Jazz / Fondue, 502 W First St (in the Packing House complex), Claremont 91711; www.hipkittyjazz.com; 909-447-6700. Beautiful venue, serves food, beer & wine, 25 mins E of Pasadena off the 210 Fwy.
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Wed, every Wed:
DISCONTINUED: 8 pm ACOUSTIC JAM at Kulak's Woodshed, 5230-1/2 Laurel Canyon Bl, North Hollywood; 818-766-9913; www.kulakswoodshed.com. All artists donate their performances; venue is supported by donations, and asks $10 per attendee in lieu of a cover charge.
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Tonight is now a songwriter workshop night, hosted by Marc Platt. (See listing.)
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Wed,: 4th Wed every month:
8:30 pm “FESTIVAL OF THE EGG” the monthly all-female musicians’ event, at the Universal Bar & Grill, 4093 Lankershim Bl, North Hollywood; 818-766-2114. $7.
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Wed, every Wed:
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 Kathy, 7-8:30 pm. No cover.
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Wed, every Wed:
8:30 pm-midnight “JAZZ JAM SESSION” at The Smokehouse Restaurant, 4420 W Lakeside Dr (at Barham), Burbank 91505; www.smokehouse1946.com; 818-845-3731. New home for the long-running weekly series formerly at the Sportsman’s Lodge; hosted by CATHY SEGAL-GARCIA, President of the California Pop & Jazz Council (www.capopandjazzcouncil.org). Event info, www.cathysegalgarcia.com. No cover.
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Wed, Jan 28:
9 pm MOIRA SMILEY & VOCO, plus THE COLES (formerly the U.S. MAIL BAND), at Largo at the Coronet, 366 N La Cienega Bl, L.A. 90048; http://largo-la.com; 310-855-0350; (Largo’s beautiful new theater on La Cienega). The ladies of VOCO tell us, “We just arrived home from a great tour of NY and New England, but now we're back in the CA sunshine (& sprinkle) and ready to sing some old goodies for you.” VOCO has performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks” and at venues coast-to-coast and overseas. They are exciting live, with their closely choreographed body percussion and marvelous harmonies. They are named among “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” artists in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166.
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THE COLES are a sweet Americana songwriting duo, formerly known as US Mail Band. $15 at the door.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 29
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Thu, Jan 29 (runs Wed-Sat); in Elko, Nevada & live on the web:
25th Annual “NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY GATHERING” in Elko, NV. This 25th anniversary gathering is quite special. It is the event that “got the whole thing goin’” for western music theme-festivals. You can listen to the events on the web at www.westernfolklife.org
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Thu, every week:
11 am-2 pm “VAN NUYS FARMER'S MARKET” with live music performances, in the Van Nuys Civic Center behind the Los Angeles City Hall annex building and in front of the City Library, 14410 Sylvan St, Van Nuys 91401.
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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, Jan 29:
7 & 9:30 pm “NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS” brings MASTERPIECE, plus THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN, OLD SCHOOL, and international champion guest artists, three headline acts in all, from the Mid-Winter convention of “CHAMPION A Cappella Barbershop” to play two shows at The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; reserv 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN headline both shows. Venue impresario BOB STANE says, “This is absolutely an extremely special event. The musical talent is stunning. The humor outstanding. This is an extrordinary night of champions. Well worth $22.50 for each show.”
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First show (7 pm): MASTERPIECE and THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN plus surprise guests. MASTERPIECE is four International quartet champions from three different foursomes: tenor ROB MENAKER and bass BRETT LITTLEFIELD sang with the 1996 International Champion quartet NIGHTLIFE; lead MARK HALE sang with the 2001 International Quartet Champion MICHIGAN JAKE. Baritone ALAN GORDON sang with the 2004 International Quartet Champion quartet GOTCHA! Plus, THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN, with “stunning music and outstanding humor. A perfect night's entertainment.” Together they have woven a wonderfully precise sound and stage personae into a truly exciting and winning combination, having captured the title of “Far Western District Champions” for 2008-2009 in their first attempt.
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Second show (9:30 pm): OLD SCHOOL and THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN (with different songs and costumes than the 7 pm show) plus surprise guests!
OLD SCHOOL has taken on the look and feel of quartets from the Barbershop Harmony Society's past and put it back into play on the contest and show stage. “They have incorporated big and bold chords, swipes, key-changes and hellacious tags that can peel paint at 20 yards.” Tenor RICK TAYLOR formerly of RIPTIDE holds down the full-voice tenor notes. Lead JOE "AWESOME" CONNELLY holds the title as the only man to own three International Gold medals, having won with THE INTERSTATE RIVALS in 1987, KEEPSAKE in 1992, and PLATINUM in 2000. Baritone JACK PINTO has sung in various quartets on the international contest stage, and brings “plenty of vigor.” Bass JOE KRONES has a “voice the size of Texas.”
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THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN anchor both shows, with “the best of music and the funniest of comedy.” Bob Stane calls them, “A stunning exhibit,” continuing, “I can give you a hint about THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN in a paragraph I wrote to some other venues. Here it is:
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“THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN are perfect. They sing, they are funny, they are smooth, they make it look easy, they are in costume and they just ‘wow’ the audience. They sold out every seat during their first engagement and I expect nothing less during the next two shows at my bistro. Fabulous musical talent and enviable stagecraft. My suggestion to any venue is: ‘GRAB THEM.’ Don't delay, just offer them your next available spot. You will be as delighted as I was, especially when your audience tells you that you are a booking genius. Yes, THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN will make you look brilliant. And you will be.”
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Bob Stane suggests, strongly, that you grab one of these shows, adding, “Stay up late on a school night.” $22.50, either show.
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Thu, Jan 29:
7-10 pm “POCKET GOLDBERG & FRIENDS SONGWRITER SHOWCASE” this week is a “Birthday Bash” for its host, with MARCY LEVY (Eric Clapton’s band), and JEFF PARIS (Bill Withers, Keb' Mo, Billy Preston), at Arnie's Café & Ristorante Italiano, 6864 Foothill Bl (at Marcus), Tujunga 91042; 818-951-9089; www.arniescafe.com. Tonight offers a very notable show, with two big-league musicians, and it’s FREE. 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:
DISCONTINUED; ENDED IN NOVEMBER: 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. Info, Karen, 562-438-1255, karinovations@verizon.net.
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Thu; every week; in Lancaster:
7-10 pm “CEDAR OPEN MIC” at Cedar Center, 44345 Cedar Av (at Lancaster Bl), Lancaster 93534; www.myspace.com/cedarcenteropenmic. Hosted by Ms. Shell Marie and Cleen. It’s open to all ages, however there is no censorship rule. It welcomes poets, spoken word, “freestylers,” and acoustic musicians. Free.
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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, 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, Jan 29; in Santa Barbara:
LEDWARD KA'APANA & MIKE KAAWA at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club, 1221 State St, Santa Barbara; 805-962 7776; www.sohosb.com.
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Thu, Jan 29; not music, but cool:
8 pm MATTHEW BOGDANOS: “THIEVES OF BAGHDAD: THE JOURNEY TO RECOVER THE WORLD'S GREATEST STOLEN TREASURES” in Beckman Auditorium on the Caltech campus, 322 S Michigan Av, Pasadena; 626-395-4652, or toll-free 888-2CALTECH (1-888-222-5832); this event, http://events.caltech.edu/events/event-5841.html. Presented by the Caltech Committee on Institute Programs, in the “Voices of Vision” series. (Originally scheduled for Oct 9, 2008.) When Baghdad fell, Colonel Matthew Bogdanos was in southern Iraq, tracking down terrorist networks through their financing and weapons smuggling—until he heard about the looting of the museum. Immediately setting out across the desert with an elite group chosen from his multiagency task force, he risked his career and his life in pursuit of Iraq's most priceless treasures.
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“Thieves of Baghdad” takes you from his family's flight to safety at Ground Zero on 9/11, to his mission to hunt down al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan, and into the war-torn streets of Baghdad on the trail of antiquities. Colorful characters and double-dealing are the norm as Bogdanos tries to sort out what really happened during the chaos of war. We see his team going on raids and negotiating recoveries, blowing open safes and mingling in the marketplaces, and tracking down leads from Zurich and Amman to Lyons, London, and New York. In an investigation that led to the recovery of more than 5,000 priceless objects, complex threads intertwine, and the suspense mounts as the team works to locate the most sensational treasure of all, the treasure of Nimrud, a collection of gold jewelry and precious stones often called "Iraq's Crown Jewels."
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A mixture of police procedural, treasure hunt, wartime thriller, and cold-eyed assessment of the connection between the antiquities trade and weapons smuggling, Thieves of Baghdad exposes sordid truths about the international art and antiquities market. It explores the soul of a man who is equal parts hardened Marine, dedicated father, and passionate scholar. Most of all, it demonstrates that, in a culture as old as that of the Middle East, nothing is ever quite what it seems.
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Matthew Bogdanos has been an assistant district attorney in Manhattan since 1988. A colonel in the Marine Reserves, middleweight boxer, and native New Yorker, he holds a degree in classics from Bucknell University, a law degree and a master's degree in Classical Studies from Columbia University, and a master's degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College. Recalled to active duty after September 11, 2001, he received a Bronze Star for counterterrorist operations in Afghanistan, and then served two tours in Iraq. Released back into the Reserves in October 2005, he plans to return to the DA's Office to head up New York's first antiquities task force. FREE; no tickets or reservations required
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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; www.lawrysonline.com/tamoshanter_gen_info.asp; 323-664-0228. Venue serves ale & sandwiches. Band member Mark Romano says, “Great food, drinks, dancing, and of course, music!” More at www.theploughboys.com. All ages, no cover.
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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 - named for “Best Web Simulcast” in “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166. All artists donate their performances; venue is supported by donations, and asks $10 per attendee in lieu of a cover charge.
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Thu, last Thu, every month:
8-10 pm SONGSALIVE! SHOWCASE at The Talking Stick, (new location), 1411c Lincoln Bl, Venice 92091; www.thetalkingstick.net. A full evening of entertainment from local songwriters, hosted by MAUREEN DOHERTY. Songsalive is now booking for various dates in 2007, and seeking singer-songwriters to perform; info: hotline at 310-238-0359 or email usa@songsalive.org; www.songsalive.org. No cover, $5 donation requested.
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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, 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, Jan 29:
9:30 pm “NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS” brings MASTERPIECE, plus THE PERFECT GENTLEMEN, OLD SCHOOL, and international champion guest artists, three headline acts in all, from the Mid-Winter convention of “CHAMPION A Cappella Barbershop” to play two shows at The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; reserv 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. Second of two shows; see 7 pm write-up.
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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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FRIDAY, JANUARY 30
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Fri, Jan 30 (runs Wed-Sat); in Elko, Nevada & live on the web:
25th Annual “NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY GATHERING” in Elko, NV. This 25th anniversary gathering is quite special. It is the event that “got the whole thing goin’” for western music theme-festivals. You can listen to the events on the web at www.westernfolklife.org
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Fri, every week, on web radio:
5 pm (Pacific) “RALPH’S BACK PORCH” broadcast from Texas, usually has live in-studio western music guests; call-in number to chat with Ralph and guests, 347 215 8849; catch the show at www.blogtalkradio.com/ralphsbackporch.
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Fri, every week:
5:30-10 pm “MONROVIA FAMILY FESTIVAL” along Myrtle Av, in old downtown Monrovia. It’s year-round and weekly, a street festival and farmers market, that’s been running 17 years. KATTYWOMPUS STRING BAND plays at 412 S Myrtle Av; contact Jennifer Ranger, 877-365-5744. RON ELY does authentic and original maritime songs most weeks, usually at Myrtle Av & Colorado or Myrtle Av and Lemon Av, on the North end of the festival. Artist’s info, www.myrecordlabel.net/ronely. There’s lots of other music throughout old town Monrovia, several acoustic performers each week – singer-songwriters, duos or bands – plus specialty vendors, lots of food, and local merchants. Event is large during the summer when it includes a carnival (rock climbing wall, balloon man, bubble man, petting zoo, pony rides, etc.) It scales-down from 4 blocks to 2 blocks during winter months, following the Christmas holidays. Myrtle Av exit, N of 210 Fwy, free parking, free event.
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Fri, every week:
6-9 pm DAVE OSTI and DEANNA COGAN jam-out on acoustic classic rock tunes every Friday at the Mayan Bar, 311 W Foothill Bl, Monrovia.
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Fri, every week:
6-8 pm OPEN MIC at Fendi's Café, 539 East Bixby Rd (near Atlantic), Long Beach; 562-424-4774.
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Fri, Jan 30; in the OC:
6:30 pm “BENEFIT FOR THE OCEAN INSTITUTE CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS” with a wine reception and a jazz concert by JEFF GOLUB with JEFF LORBER & RICK BRAUN, at the Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point 92629; 949-496-2274, events, x412; www.ocean-institute.org. Wine reception is 6:30-7:30 pm, concert is 7:30-9:30 pm. Tix $95 & $125. (There is another benefit tomorrow night, and it includes dinner; see Sat 5:30 pm listing.)
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Fri, every week; in Tehachapi:
7 pm ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE at Mama HillyBeans Coffee & Community, 426 E Tehachapi Bl, Tehachapi; www.mamahillybeans.com; 661-822-BEAN. Venue has great ambience, and food "made from scratch and about 95% organic." Traveling acts have varying admission prices; check venue's web site.
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Fri, every Fri:
MISS MICKEY CHAMPION at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel bar, 1401 S Oak Knoll Av, Pasadena; 626-568-3900. L.A.’s legendary blueswoman plays an every-Fri & Sat residency. Artist info: www.mickeychampion.net. Start time varies; call venue.
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Fri, Jan 30 (& 31) 2009; film screening:
7:30 pm (Fri) “HOW THE WEST WAS SHOT: SIX WESTERNS, SIX DECADES” film series at the Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium, 1200 Getty Center Dr, L.A. 90049; 310-440-7300; tix are free, parking is $10. Advance reservations strongly advised.
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Films remaining in the series, and times and dates are:
“ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST” (1968, Paramount) dir. Sergio Leone; Jan 30, 7:30 pm.
“BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK” (1955, MGM) dir. John Sturges; Jan 31, 4 pm.
“PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID” (1973, MGM) dir. Sam Peckinpah; Jan 31, 7:30 pm.
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It’s a theme of “Romance, rough riding, and railroads,” as the series celebrates six classic westerns with compelling stories and stunning cinematography in a series of films that sample great westerns from the 1920s to the 1970s, complementing the exhibition “Dialogue among Giants: Carleton Watkins and the Rise of Photography in California,” in the Getty gallery.
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The Getty’s promo observes, “The western landscape has long provided a raw and encouraging palette seemingly created for the artist. Just as photographer Carlton Watkins evidenced its majesty in the late 1800s, filmmakers a few years later would insert characters and epic stories into its environs. John Ford's ‘The Iron Horse’ (1924) and Raoul Walsh's ‘The Big Trail’ (1930) laid the groundwork for the concerns of filmed westerns for years to come: the treacherous building of the transcontinental railroad and the pioneering move west. In time, most great filmmakers would try their hand at a western; for some, it would prove a distinct and mythic genre.”
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TONIGHT’S FILM:
“ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST” (1968, Paramount) dir. Sergio Leone. Man battles man, and landscape, in Leone's classic. Like its fairy tale title, Leone's operatic ode to the west captures a period of time both current, the "civilization" of the wilderness through the railroad and commerce, and mournful, and simultaneously serves as a parable of the death of the western. Gathering up influences of westerns past, Leone etches his own vision of the myth, as the grizzled human face stands equal with the fading scrubrush of the land, both destined to fade into the sunset.
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ONE SCREENING of each film. Series runs Fridays & Saturdays, January 23 & 24 and 30 & 31. Admission is FREE; a separate reservation is required for EACH film (hence, a “double feature” requires two sets of reservations). Use the "Make Reservation" buttons at www.getty.edu/visit/events/western_film_series.html?cid=egetty085 or call 310-440-7300. (Note that you will need to go on, off, and back on to the reservations page to obtain more than a total of four free tix. You CAN make reservations for free tix for the full series, but not all at once.)
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Fri, Jan 30:
8 pm LOWEN & NAVARRO plus STONEHONEY at The Mint, 6010 W Pico Bl (at Crescent Heights), L.A.; 323-954-9400. Lowen & Navarro are two of the greatest songwriters of our time. Their best-known songs include the global hit, “We Belong,” as recorded and performed by PAT BENATAR. Known to their fans as “L&N,” they have performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” where Eric Lowen first went public about his battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Though Eric no longer plays his myriad of string instruments, the pair delivers a fine show. Go. More at www.lownav.com.
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STONEHONEY is moving to Austin, so this is their farewell to Southern Cal show. More at http://lownav.c.topica.com/maamMayabNA2tbPhQnzbaehoil/
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Fri, Jan 30:
8 pm LAURENCE JUBER at The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; reserv 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. PAUL McCARTNEY hand-picked him to become lead guitarist for WINGS. Close your eyes and you'll hear 3 guitarists. Open them and you'll see one inspired solo player. Laurence Juber is acclaimed as one of the leading acoustic guitarists of our generation. His masterful fingerstyle playing combines elements of jazz, blues, rock, and folk, with a distinctive voice that transcends musical boundaries. This is a show for all musical tastes. “Guitar Player” magazine wrote, "The moods he can pull out of a single Martin acoustic are pretty astounding." “Acoustic Guitar” magazine calls him, "One of the most gifted and versatile fingerstyle guitarists on the scene," and Fingerstyle Guitar cites his "Stunning fretwork." Even the L.A. Times, notorious for ignoring acoustic music, says he brings "A provocative guitar perspective" Buy tix early. $25.
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Fri, Jan 30:
8 pm Hawaiian slack key masters LEDWARD KAAPNA & MIKE KAAWA at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403. Tix prices tba; purchased online or by phone, add $4 svc chg, per order (not per ticket) to price shown.
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Fri, Jan 30:
8 pm DOUG INGOLDSBY and PETER GALLWAY at Russ & Julie's House Concert series in Oak Park (Thousand Oaks area); www.myspace.com/russjuliehouseconcerts; www.houseconcerts.us. Reserv & directions at houseconcerts@jrp-graphics.com.
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This is a VERY late booking. Russ & Julie tell us, “After a quick scramble and finding that neither Crosby Stills & Nash nor Loggins & Messina were available, we managed to get the next best thing to fill in for our Friday date. DOUG INGOLDSBY - whose CD includes backup by David Crosby, Graham Nash, Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina - has agreed to a return visit here at Russ & Julie's House Concerts. (Doug Ingoldsby and Kenny Loggins had a band together back in their college days.) Doug's show here back in June 2000 was among the highlights of our series and we've been hoping we could get him back here someday.” More at www.kdoug.com
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PETER GALLWAY joins Doug for this show. Peter is a producer, songwriter, guitarist and singer who communicates humanity and passion through his rich, artful approach to making music. He has been called "a master of free verse" in the Boston Globe and "a star in the making" in the New York Post. Peter has produced over 50 albums and special projects showcasing uniquely creative voices in all forms of contemporary music. From the Grammy nominated "Bleecker Street: Greenwich Village In The 60’s" featuring Chrissie Hynde, to "Time And Love: The Music Of Laura Nyro", to Laura Nyro’s own "Angel In The Dark", he is a musicians’ musician, a songwriters’ songwriter and a producers’ producer. More at www.petergallway.com
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Features coffee & dessert buffet, to which contributions are welcome. Doors at 7:30 pm. All proceeds go to the artist. Check for price of each concert. More at www.terrihendrix.com
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Note: TERRI HENDRIX and LLOYD MAINES will NOT perform tonight, as previously scheduled, due to an illness in Terri’s immediate family. More at www.terrihendrix.com
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Fri, every week:
8-10:30 pm THE PLOUGHBOYS play an every-Friday residency at the Tam O'Shanter, 2980 Los Feliz Bl, Los Feliz 90039; www.lawrysonline.com/tamoshanter_gen_info.asp; 323-664-0228. Venue serves ale & sandwiches. Band member Mark Romano says, “Great food, drinks, dancing, and of course, music!” More at www.theploughboys.com. All ages, no cover.
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Fri, every week:
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 - named for “Best Web Simulcast” in “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166. All artists donate their performances; venue is supported by donations, and asks $10 per attendee in lieu of a cover charge.
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Fri, Jan 30; in Lancaster:
8 pm THE NEVILLE BROTHERS at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, 750 W Lancaster Bl, Lancaster; 661-723-5950; www.lpac.org. Groove to the hybrid mix of blues-soaked jazz, funk, soul, gospel and Southern street music created by “The First Family of Funk.” Brothers ART, CHARLES, AARON. & CYRIL NEVILLE proudly carry the torch of their native New Orleans' rich R&B legacy around the world and into downtown Lancaster. www.nevilles.com. Tix $56 & $49.
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Fri, Jan 30; in Denver, Colorado:
8 pm CHRIS HILLMAN, JOHN McEUEN, HERB PEDERSON, at Colfax Events Center, Denver, CO. John McEuen is the multi-instrumentalist who is a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; he taught Steve Martin to play banjo, and he’s performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” CHRIS HILLMAN & HERB PEDERSON are arguably the pioneers of the genre known as "Country Rock." Hillman has carved a permanent niche in the history of contemporary American music through his work with such notable bands as The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers and the Desert Rose Band. All ages. Tix $32 advance, $35 at door.
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Fri, every week:
9 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, 7-9 pm. No cover.
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Fri, recurring:
9 pm-1 am KEN O’MALLEY AND THE TWILIGHT LORDS at Ireland’s 32 Irish Pub, 13721 Burbank Bl, Van Nuys 91401; 818-785-4031. MOST FRIDAYS, so call ahead. No cover.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
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Sat, Jan 31 (runs Wed-Sat); in Elko, Nevada & live on the web:
25th Annual “NATIONAL COWBOY POETRY GATHERING” in Elko, NV. This 25th anniversary gathering is quite special. It is the event that “got the whole thing goin’” for western music theme-festivals. You can listen to the events on the web at www.westernfolklife.org
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Sat, repeats every week:
11 am-12:30 pm “PACIFIC SONGWRITERS WORKSHOP” with G. F. MLELY, at Theater & Cabaret, 1535 Termino Av, Long Beach 90804. Info, Billie Kalua, songwriters@jazcraft.net or 562-494-9627. Ongoing, began Mar 31, 2007. $15 per workshop, minimum 4 workshops payable in advance; pre-registration required.
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Saturdays, on web radio:
Noon-1 pm “UNSIGNED MUSIC SHOW” on WPMD with TEE-M and MIKE STARK is “a genre-busting show, where the UNsigned Revolution is on.” On the web at http://wpmd.org. Mike and TEE-M spin CDs 11 am-noon “from cutting-edge indie artists and bands,” (acoustic and electric) then welcome guests at noon, usually for all-acoustic live performances. The show rebroadcasts through the week; check site for details.
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Saturdays, on web radio:
1-3 pm “CONTINENTAL DRIFT” Celtic and British Isle folk show, on KUSP in Santa Cruz, includes live performance-interviews with host CINDY ODOM on her long-running show. From the highlands of Scotland to the midlands of England and beyond, it’s traditional and contemporary music from Ireland and the other British Isles, with Celtic lore and Celtic-influenced folk and ethnic music from Europe and North America. Info, playlists, and web simulcast at www.kusp.org.
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Sat, Jan 31:
2 pm “ROYCE HALL ORGAN & FILM” brings organist TOM TRENNEY accompanying one of the great comedies of the silent film era, Harold Lloyd’s “Speedy” (1928), at “UCLA Live” in Royce Hall, UCLA campus at Royce Dr between Westwood Bl and Hilgard Av, West L.A. UCLA ticket office: 310-825-2101 or www.uclalive.org. Shot on location in Manhattan and featuring shots of the old Yankee Stadium and Coney Island's Luna Park, Lloyd’s last silent film is packed with brilliant sight gags and includes a cameo by baseball legend Babe Ruth. Co-presented with the UCLA Film & Television Archive. It’s a popular family event, so get tix early.
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“One of the enduring valentines to New York City from Hollywood.” - Andrew Sarris, New York Observer. Master organist Tom Trenney plays along to Harold Lloyd’s last silent film, “Speedy,” a film that packs as many great gags per minute as any Lloyd film, and also has one of his sweetest love stories.
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Lloyd's character Harold "Speedy" Swift, is an upbeat young man whose fatal attraction for baseball always causes him to lose his jobs. After his latest firing, he impulsively spends a day at Coney Island with his sweetheart, Jane Dillon (Ann Christy). Ann's grandfather, Pop Dillon (Bert Woodruff), meanwhile, has a dilemma -- he runs the last horse-drawn trolley in New York City, and the railway magnates desperately want his route. Since Pop won't sell it to them, they hire thugs to stop him from making his rounds at least once every 24 hours. Speedy hears about this plan and takes over the route to protect the old man. When the magnates then steal the trolley, Speedy's dash to get it back to its route in time leads to a frenzied finale, as Harold races Gotham’s last horse-drawn trolley right through Washington Square Arch!
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Filmed on location in New York City, “Speedy” features the most extensive Manhattan location shots of its time. Many of the historically interesting sites include Coney Island's Luna Park, with some wonderfully hair-raising (and understandably obsolete) rides, Columbus Circle and Wall Street as they were in 1928. In the film's climax, the trolley has a spectacular crash at the Brooklyn Bridge -- this accident was not planned, but was left in the film anyhow. Baseball legend Babe Ruth has a cameo role, playing himself as a very harassed fare when Speedy is working as a cabbie. Their wild ride ends at the old Yankee Stadium, and the film captures one of the Bambino's record-setting 60 home runs from the 1927 campaign.
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At the time of the film’s release, Lloyd was a top box-office draw, a bigger moneymaker than Charlie Chaplin (whose releases during the '20s was infrequent) and Buster Keaton (whose quirky comedy wouldn't be fully appreciated for several decades). While Lloyd made some fairly amusing sound films, he never again matched the quality of his silent work.
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“No filmmaker had ever made such flamboyant use of New York.” – Kevin Brownlow. "Speedy is a very significant film for Lloyd's career. It is not only his last silent film and the climax to his "golden age," but it also evidenced a mellowing of character...He is a devil-may-care likeable chap, somewhat altruistic, still sharp and witty, but most important, he is confident -- confident in himself, in his time, in his values and ideals." – Adam Riley
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“SPEEDY,” 1928, 35mm, silent, 86 min. (24 f.p.s.)
Directed by Ted Wilde
Cinematography: Walter Lundin
Screenplay: John Grey, Lex Neal, Howard Emmett Rogers, Jay Howe
Cast: Harold Lloyd, Ann Christy, Bert Woodruff, Brooks Benedict
Producer: John L. Murphy.
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Gen’l $25; $15 for children under age 12 and for UCLA students.
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Saturdays, alternate Saturdays, on web radio:
2 pm (Pacific) “ACOUSTIC HARMONY,” hosted by Mark Michaelis, from WGDR at 91.1 FM in the Green Mountains of Vermont, simulcast at www.wgdr.org. Mark sometimes hosts folk and acoustic renaissance artists in-studio for all-acoustic performance-interviews. He says, “The focus is on contemporary and traditional folk, singer-songwriters and local artists, but a little of anything and everything might creep-in. Whether it's Celtic, bluegrass, world music or even rock or blues, as long as it's got beautiful harmonies and melodies you might here it here on a Saturday afternoon.” More info, playlists, and archived performance-interviews at www.acoustic-harmony.com.
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Saturdays, on web radio:
3-5 pm (Pacific) “A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION” always features live performances and skits and stories with host GARRISON KEILLOR, a regular cast of recording artists, and guests, whether broadcasting from various live venues across America, or from its home base in Minnesota. This initial “live” broadcast tiume each weekend is standard everywhere, though repeat times vary by station. In L.A., the show is broadcast on KPCC 89.3 FM, and repeats Saturday night, 6-8 pm and Sunday Noon-2 pm. But if you’re in L.A., it’s much better to find a web simulcast from somewhere; that’s because KPCC has no other music shows and they do not know how to control the levels for music performances, causing frequent peaking and signal cut-out.
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Sat, Jan 31, 2009; film screening:
4 & 7:30 pm “HOW THE WEST WAS SHOT: SIX WESTERNS, SIX DECADES” film series at the Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium, 1200 Getty Center Dr, L.A. 90049; 310-440-7300; tix are free, parking is $10. Advance reservations strongly advised.
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Films remaining in the series, and times and dates are:
“BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK” (1955, MGM) dir. John Sturges; Jan 31, 4 pm.
“PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID” (1973, MGM) dir. Sam Peckinpah; Jan 31, 7:30 pm.
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It’s a theme of “Romance, rough riding, and railroads,” as the series celebrates six classic westerns with compelling stories and stunning cinematography in a series of films that sample great westerns from the 1920s to the 1970s, complementing the exhibition “Dialogue among Giants: Carleton Watkins and the Rise of Photography in California,” in the Getty gallery.
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The Getty’s promo observes, “The western landscape has long provided a raw and encouraging palette seemingly created for the artist. Just as photographer Carlton Watkins evidenced its majesty in the late 1800s, filmmakers a few years later would insert characters and epic stories into its environs. John Ford's ‘The Iron Horse’ (1924) and Raoul Walsh's ‘The Big Trail’ (1930) laid the groundwork for the concerns of filmed westerns for years to come: the treacherous building of the transcontinental railroad and the pioneering move west. In time, most great filmmakers would try their hand at a western; for some, it would prove a distinct and mythic genre.”
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TODAY’S FILM:
“BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK” (1955, MGM) dir. John Sturges. It’s the western as allegory for blacklisting in '50s Hollywood. The western can be a beautiful thing: it can be the setting for the hero, the bad guy, and the horse; or it can be a film that uses western signifiers and settings as allegory for the social circumstances of the day. Here, Sturges brilliantly utilized western tropes, the one-armed stranger versus the town of hostile ruffians, as an allegory for the blacklisting blazing through '50s Hollywood.
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TONIGHT’S FILM:
“PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID” (1973, MGM) dir. Sam Peckinpah. One of the last great westerns, made fifty years after John Ford initially celebrated the birth of the west. Sam Peckinpah, a true lover of the west and the western, here elegizes it half a century into the development of the film genre. “Progress” as depicted in the film equals the dehumanizing takeover of the wilderness and the end of the way of life inherent to the western. James Coburn, in his character of Pat Garrett claims, "This country's getting old and I'm getting old with it." Not, however, without a fight.
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ONE SCREENING of each film. Series runs Fridays & Saturdays, January 23 & 24 and 30 & 31. Admission is FREE; a separate reservation is required for EACH film (hence, a “double feature” requires two sets of reservations). Use the "Make Reservation" buttons at www.getty.edu/visit/events/western_film_series.html?cid=egetty085 or call 310-440-7300. (Note that you will need to go on, off, and back on to the reservations page to obtain more than a total of four free tix. You CAN make reservations for free tix for the full series, but not all at once.)
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Sat, recurring:
4-6 pm SHAPE NOTE / SACRED HARP, “The Learners Group” in Santa Monica. Call Laura for location: 310-450-3516.
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Sat, Jan 31; in the OC:
5:30 “BENEFIT FOR THE OCEAN INSTITUTE CHILDREN’S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS” with a cocktail reception, silent auction, dinner and a jazz concert by JEFF GOLUB with JEFF LORBER & RICK BRAUN, at the Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point 92629; 949-496-2274, events, x412; www.ocean-institute.org. Cocktail reception & auction is 5:30-7:30 pm, dinner & concert is 7:30-10:30 pm. Tix $500. (There was a less-expensive benefit here last night, wine reception & concert; see Fri 6:30 pm listing.)
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Sat, every week:
6:30-10:30 pm Weekly BLUEGRASS CONCERT at Me n’ Ed’s Pizza Parlor, 4115 Paramount Bl (at Carson), Lakewood; 562-421-8908.
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Sat; repeats on alternate Saturdays:
6:30 pm Bluesman BERNIE PEARL solo at Iva Lee's in San Clemente for a new alternate Friday night gig. Bernie continues there with DWAYNE SMITH (on piano) the second Sat of each month, and Bernie plays solo on alternate Saturdays. Artist info, www.berniepearl.com.
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Sat, Jan 31:
7 pm JIM KWESKIN & FRIENDS at The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; reserv 626-398-7917; info www.coffeegallery.com. JIM KWESKIN was the originator, in the 1960s of THE JIM KWESKIN JUG BAND that launched the careers of GEOFF MULDAUR, MARIA MULDAUR, MEL LYMAN, BILL KEITH and RICHARD GREENE, among others. He has recorded and released dozens of tracks. He specializes in finger picking the guitar and singing songs from the great American songbook of pop, folk and swing. Venue impresario BOB STANE says, “We are betting on some good stories and a lot of familiar music. Join Jim and all of us for some fun and serious going down that nostalgic road. A fine band with JIM KWESKIN leading.” JIM KWESKIN brings “friends” TIM EMMONS on bass and JEAN SUDBURY (Tumbling Tumbleweeds, named among “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” artists in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166) on fiddle. Jim promises, “Everyone will have a good time.” Advance tix $22; $25 at door.
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Sat, Jan 31:
7 pm MARINA V at the Hotel Café, 1623 N Cahuenga Bl, Hollywood; 323-461-2040; www.hotelcafe.com. Marina, who just returned from performing in Washington, DC, is named among “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” artists in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166.
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Sat, recurring:
7-9 pm JUST PLAIN FOLKS ORANGE COUNTY Group Singing; for info & loc, go to www.JPFolks.org.
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Sat, every week; in Tehachapi:
7 pm ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE at Mama HillyBeans Coffee & Community, 426 E Tehachapi Bl, Tehachapi; www.mamahillybeans.com; 661-822-BEAN. Venue has great ambience, and food "made from scratch and about 95% organic." Traveling acts have varying admission prices; check venue's web site.
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Sat, Jan 31:
7:30 pm MOIRA SMILEY & VOCO at Blvd Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583. VOCO has performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks” and at venues coast-to-coast and overseas. They are exciting live, with their closely choreographed body percussion and marvelous harmonies. They are named among “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” artists in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166. Venue website has a local dining guide. Tix on sale Jan 17. $15.
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Sat, Jan 31, 2009; film screening:
7:30 pm “HOW THE WEST WAS SHOT: SIX WESTERNS, SIX DECADES” film series concludes at the Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium, 1200 Getty Center Dr, L.A. 90049; 310-440-7300; tix are free, parking is $10. Advance reservations strongly advised.
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Tonight’s finale is the film, “PAT GARRETT AND BILLY THE KID” (1973, MGM) dir. Sam Peckinpah. See 4 pm listing for details.
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Sat, every week:
7:30-10:30 pm GRATEFUL DUDES weekly bluegrass concert at Vincenzo’s Pizza, 24500 Lyons Ave, Newhall; 661-259-6733. (Lyons exit, just off I-5.) This a long-running series, often, with very impressive performing guests.
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Sat; every Sat:
7:30 pm “RANCH PARTY” evening of country & Americana roots music performances, on the West Patio Stage, Original Farmers Market, 3rd & Fairfax, L.A. Presented by EB’s Beer & Wine Bar. New in April, 2008. Performers have included DAVID SERBY, GRANT LANGSTON, 29 MULES, BOB WOODRUFF, OLD BULL, PSYCHEDELIC COWBOYS, PAUL CHESNE, NICOLE GORDON, and BUCKSWORTH. Parking: 2 hours free with validation from EB’s Beer & Wine Bar. $3 for the third hour; $1 for each additional 20 minutes; $15 max. Addt’l parking at The Grove, next door. Get validation for their structure from Grove merchants. No cover.
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Sat, Jan 31, 2009; in Encinitas (San Diego):
7:30 pm TERRI HENDRIX with LLOYD MAINES play the San Diego Folk Heritage series at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas; 858-566-4040; SDFH@san.rr.com. When Terri Hendrix walked away from her opera scholarship in college, it was only because she found the classical music path too narrow for her free spirit.
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But there was just no shaking her love of music. Armed with the Mississippi-John-Hurt-style guitar chops she learned from mentor and philanthropist Marion Williamson - in exchange for milking goats on Williamson’s Wilory Farm - Hendrix began hauling her own P.A. in the back of her beat-up pick-up to gigs throughout the Texas Hill Country.
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From her native San Antonio to the live music hotbed of Austin and every small town honky-tonk and coffee shop in Texas, it wasn’t long before the fans started adding-up, and Hendrix had to recruit some of them to help keep up with her mailing list. All this in the pre-email / web site dark ages of the early ’90s. By the time she got around to recording her debut album, 1996’s “Two Dollar Shoes,” Terri Hendrix did what most artists still did at the time, and shopped around for a record label. She was turned down by three, none of which are still in business. She released the record independently, and never looked back.
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Now, nine self-released albums later, Terri Hendrix is still thriving — and grateful she made the fateful decision more than a dozen years ago to not only follow her own path through her music career, but to ultimately “own her own universe.” Artist info, www.terrihendrix.com. Adv tix, www.ticketweb.com; $18 gen’l, $15 mbrs.
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Sat, every Sat:
MISS MICKEY CHAMPION at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel bar, 1401 S Oak Knoll Av, Pasadena; 626-568-3900. L.A.’s legendary blueswoman plays an every-Fri & Sat residency. Artist info: www.mickeychampion.net. Start time varies; call venue.
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Sat, Jan 31:
8 pm THE NEVILLE BROTHERS at the Haugh Performing Arts Center, at Citrus College 1000 W. Foothill Bl, Glendora 91741; www.haughpac.com. There is no question that the Neville Brothers are the first family of music in New Orleans, the United States, and possibly the world. Individually, their recording history spans over 40 years. As a group, the Neville Brothers have been together and recording since 1978. Their music defies classification: bayou funk, rhythm and blues, bebop, soul are inadequate labels for their unique, never-duplicated sound. Each of the four brothers has discovered his own musical identity; as a family, these “blood brothers” have created some of the funkiest sounds the world has ever heard, combining half a century of New Orleans music into one family unit. Artists info, www.nevilles.com. Tix $45 & $40, students & srs $43 & $38.
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Sat, Jan 31:
8 pm STAN RIDGWAY at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl (Pico at 31st), Santa Monica; www.mccabes.com; 310-828-4403. McCabe’s concert booker, Lincoln Myerson, tells us, “When it comes to writing songs about ghostly marines, strippers with broken arms, and other dark, strange subjects, Ridgway is the best there is. Through the musical pictures that he's been painting for 30 years now, the singer-songwriter and guitarist has emerged as a singular voice in contemporary song. He's written songs for film with STEWART COPELAND, written and orchestrated music for the surrealist paintings of Mark Ryden, recorded and performed for uber-producer Hal Willner, and produced FRANK BLACK, among other projects. His songs carry listeners to the edge of their seats, while perfectly balancing his sometimes-untrustworthy narrator's voice from the twilight zone. This show will feature Ridgway and his acoustic quartet playing favorites as well as new songs from his soon to be released 10th solo album. Pull up a chair.” Tix purchased online or by phone, add $4 svc chg, per order (not per ticket) to price shown. $17.50.
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Sat, Jan 31:
8 pm JONATHAN McEUEN performs at the Thousand Oaks Library as part of the Bodie House Music series, at the Grant R. Brimhall Library, 1401 E Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks 91362. Jonathan McEuen was born to play music and bring joy to those listening. Good genes and a star-studded "extended musical family" are great (his father is famous rock star banjo picker John McEuen, founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, with whom Jonathan has played), but when people respond to Jonathan's extraordinary voice and guitar playing, it's obvious he's more than "just another son of a star." He’s spent his youth - and now his young adult life - on the road, doing what he loves most, playing guitar and singing with the family, playing electric and acoustic guitar and singing background for a number of world class artists, and fronting his own bands.
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Most recently, he put in serious time as half the duo with HANNA McEUEN on a major label. That experience confirmed he was ready to move forward and create music outside the confines of his influences or a specific genre. With more shows behind him than he can count (Jay Leno, Grand Ol' Opry, and Red Rocks among them), Jonathan is taking audiences to new places. Playing music without limitations, he creates new genres, breaking some molds and fusing musical traditions in his own, inspired way. Though sponsored by the Bodie House Music series, this show is at the Thousand Oaks Library. More at www.jonathanmceuen.com and www.BodieHouse.com. $15.
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Sat, Jan 31:
8 pm PETER SPRAGUE at the Fret House, 309 N Citrus Av, Covina; 626-339-7020; www.frethouse.com. Artist info, www.petersprague.com. $15.
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Sat, every week:
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 - named for “Best Web Simulcast” in “The Best of 2008 / Top Ten” in FolkWorks, at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166. All artists donate their performances; venue is supported by donations, and asks $10 per attendee in lieu of a cover charge.
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Sat, fifth Sat of the month (when there is one):
8 pm-midnight SONGMAKERS “TAKE THE FIFTH HOOT” in Studio City; for location, contact Rich & Jo Lewis, Takethe5thHoot@songmakers.org; www.songmakers.org.
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Sat, every week:
9 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 / couple dance lessons with Charlotte, 7-9 pm. No cover.
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Sat, Jan 31:
10 pm “CANS FOR COMEDY NIGHT” at The Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info & reservations, 626-398-7917; www.funkylittlecoffeehouse.com (though their website may not be updated to include this). Admission is a small bag / small armload of canned goods for the local food bank. This more-or-less-monthly charity benefit series has both professional and up-and-coming comics. It is a separate event, and IN ADDITION TO the 7 pm music performance in the Coffee Gallery Backstage.
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Sat, every week; on TV:
11 pm-12 am "AUSTIN CITY LIMITS" on KLCS (check your cable co.; broadcast TV Ch. 58). Recent editions have happily featured classic Americana artists, rather than the dearth of alt rockers who dominated for several months.
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[As always, more to come…]
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View more events at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, as chronological date listings, and longer “looks ahead.” The Acoustic Americana Music Calendar updates often, and News Features post weekly.
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Current chronological date listings, to August, 2009, are available for
(1) Los Angeles-area acoustic Americana / acoustic renaissance music events, and,
(2) festivals and other events of great note throughout the US and Canada (and sometimes beyond) included in the Guide and in our occasional presentation of “Best-Out-of-Town (Beyond L.A.) Events,” as we update it. THIS Guide edition contains the most current listings, as of the date it was published.
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If you used a specific url to reach this edition of the Guide, THERE MAY BE A MORE RECENT EDITION. Use the basic url - http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com - and check the side bar on the left, to see if more recent editions have been published.
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If you explore our Myspace page and you’re interested in what’s available there, you’ll probably need to use the “view all” button and scroll, then use the “older” button as many times as needed to explore the archives.
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The MOST RECENT EDITIONS - both the event calendars with descriptive write-ups, AND the Acoustic Americana Music News Features - live at
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http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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News of the “Tied to the Tracks” radio & TV shows is at www.myspace.com/laacoustic.
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Questions? Comments? Contact us at tiedtothetracks@hotmail.com
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As always, more to come, as we (believe it or not) continue to make updates to all the months of 2009 in the “long look ahead” posts.
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…So many truly fine shows, so few evenings and weekends to see them. With a new spirit of HOPE in America, why not celebrate by going out for a tunefully good time?
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View more events at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com, where all is presented as chronological date listings, for today/tonight, this week, this month, and longer “looks ahead.” The Acoustic Americana Music Guide updates often, and News Features post weekly.
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Current chronological date listings are available for
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(1) Los Angeles-area acoustic Americana / folk-Americana / acoustic renaissance music events, and,
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(2) festivals and other events of great note featuring acoustic Americana and acoustic renaissance music, THROUGHOUT THE US & CANADA (and sometimes beyond), are included in the Guide, and listed separately in our presentation of “Best-Out-of-Town (Beyond L.A.) Events,” which we publish here from time to time.
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If you don’t see the dates you need in the content bar at left, just scroll it, OR CLICK THE MOST RECENT PAST MONTH for a list of what was published during that month. If you are exploring the ancient “Acoustic Music Calendar & News” archives on our Myspace page, use the “view all” button and scroll, then use the “older” button as many times as needed to explore into the paleozoic.
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If you’re trying to explain this thing to someone who likes real music, just tell ‘em that the Guide’s MOST RECENT EDITIONS as well as our NEWS FEATURES - that’s both the Guide with its event calendars with descriptive write-ups, AND the separately-published News for-and-about acoustic musicians and music - can be found conveniently at
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http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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News of the “Tied to the Tracks” radio & TV shows is at www.myspace.com/laacoustic.
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copyright (c) © 2009, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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LINKS:
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If you are considering a vacation to Mexico, here's an informative and fun site for you: www.mexicovacationtravels.com
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“There’s nothing as quiet as night without music, as dark as a night without stars...” - from “THE FIDDLER,” learned from Guy Carawan
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