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MANY events are being added this week, some last-minute and worth your consideration. So, you can check the last edition for additional days beyond this, but HERE are all the updated events for Tuesday & Wednesday.
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“Tied to the Tracks”
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA
MUSIC GUIDE
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JUNE 9 and 10, 2009 “QUICKIE UPDATE” EDITION
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Updated June 9, 2009; recurring events are included.
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Yes, it’s true -
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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(And that doesn’t even take the dozens of electric Americana shows into account!)
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WELCOME!
Without question, the Los Angeles region now has the greatest number of live acoustic performances of anyplace in America, and possibly in the world. Much of it is simply WONDERFUL, including club and coffeehouse gigs, performing arts center and theater concerts, indoor and outdoor shows, and a steady parade of festivals that include a healthy acoustic music presence. In addition, for those planning travel and our readers elsewhere, the Guide always includes a vast variety of acoustic music festivals all over the planet. And unique to the Guide, descriptions are included in our extensive listings, rather than simple calendar listings where you need to recognize a performer’s name to know the genre of acoustic music. (Lots of places tell you who, where, and when. We tell you that, plus the all-important “what.”) Yep, we “Guide” you through the live acoustic music scene.
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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.
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RADIO SHOWS that regularly feature live acoustic performances are included, provided there is a way to hear them in Los Angeles. With precious few exceptions, hearing these in L.A. requires internet listening, and we give you the necessary URLs.
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GETTING YOUR GIG LISTED: We welcome your feedback, and news of your acoustic Americana and acoustic renaissance 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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WHERE TO FIND WHAT WE DO…
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WE’RE ON BLOGSPOT.COM where the format allows us to present the massive content of the Guide in easy-to-index published form. The Guide is waaaay too comprehensive to fit anywhere that imposes size limitations (yep, size matters). We began publishing on Blogspot in early 2008.
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WE’RE ON NO DEPRESSION as a new presence, and enjoying that site. Find us there at http://community.nodepression.com/profile/TiedtotheTracks
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WE’RE IN FOLKWORKS with the latest of the “Somewhere Out There” column, published May 1 and available online at www.folkworks.org/content/view/35941/3176. (We had already received over 16 pages of compiled feedback about the current column, before May 9!) We contribute occasional reviews or feature stories to FolkWorks. You can read the work of many good writers there, and you can sign-up for a free FolkWorks e-newsletter, too, all at www.FolkWorks.org
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Our MYSPACE PAGE has news of the syndicated “Tied to the Tracks” radio show. After a long presence on MySpace with the Guide’s predecessor publication, we had to move on, because that site now accepts only short posts. But it’s where you can find archived Acoustic Americana Music News editions published prior to Spring, 2008. (We don’t update the Myspace site very often, or even check its esoteric, myspace-only email. So please DON’T email us through that site. Myspace “friends” are welcome!) You can find what we have there at www.myspace.com/laacoustic
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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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JUNE 9 and 10 EVENTS “QUICKIE UPDATE”
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More is coming very soon.
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IN THIS EDITION: Look for our popular “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks!
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TUESDAY, JUNE 9
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Tuesday’s “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks are both at 8 pm. In Altadena, catch The Bobs, and in L.A., it’s Crosby Tyler with his “Ten Songs of America” US tour.
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LOS ANGELES-area acoustic music events:
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Tue, Jun 9, 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, Jun 9, 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, Jun 9, 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, Jun 9, 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, Jun 9, 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, Jun 9, 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 first entrance for last building on the left; a fair-sized industrial building with high ceilings.
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Tue, Jun 9, 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, Jun 9; in Palmdale:
7 pm “OPEN MIC” at Butler's Coffee, 40125 10th St West, Suite I, Palmdale 93551; 661-272-9530; www.butlerscoffee.com/music.html. Formerly in Simi Valley and now moved to Palmdale, they have resumed their crowd-pleasing and unique brew of risqué lounge and hillbilly jazz, asking you to “Imagine the illegitimate love-child offspring of The Sons of the Pioneers and Cheech and Chong.” They feature Saturday night shows with booked acts, and an open mic series, with additional events to be added (keep an eye on their website, if you’re in that area).
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As for tonight, they tell us, “Like Peter Frampton once said, ‘C'mon, babe, let's do it again!’ If you feel like we do, pick up your guitar, your tambourine, your best poem, whatever, and head on down to Butler's for our notorious Open Mic Night. Once more you'll have ten minutes to strut your stuff. You can sing, dance, juggle, recite incredibly bad poetry, whatever. But you've got ten minutes, and ten minutes only. We'll actually time you. Or, more precisely, Sparky the Faithful Egg Timer will time you. The usual rules apply. No profanity, no firearms, no human sacrifice. We're basically doing this on a first-sign-up, first-gets-to-play basis, so if you're interested, sign-up begins at 6 pm the night of the show.” More, including all the Open Mic rules, are on Butler's web site.
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Tue, Jun 9, every week: ON HIATUS, PENDING VENUE’S BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS:
7 pm “MAIN STREET SONGWRITERS SHOWCASE” 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. 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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Tue, Jun 9, every week; in the Inland Empire:
7 pm “LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY OPEN JAM” at Loma Linda University College Market Patio Pantry, 24905 Anderson St, (at Mound & Anderson St, near US Post Office, behind other buildings), Loma Linda. Every Tue in 2009.
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Tue, Jun 9, 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, Jun 9, second Tue, every month:
7:30 pm AMY RAASCH headlines a night that includes BILL DOBBINS, CHARLES WARD, ANDY CATT, JACQUELINE BECKER, ELYSE HAREN AND THE AFTERMATH, playing the monthly “SONGSALIVE L.A. / SHOUT IT OUT SONGWRITER SHOWCASE” music industry showcase, at Genghis Cohen, located at 740 N Fairfax Av, in the Fairfax District of L.A. Hosted by Bob Leggett. Four performers in a song circle, each plays three songs in a round. Music industry icon BILL DOBBINS (www.billdobbinsmusic.com) opens at 7:30, followed by CHARLES WARD (www.charleswilliammusic.com) and singer-songwriter and Lobate Scarpbassist ANDY CATT (www.myspace.com/andyquotcattquotjermstad). JACQUELINE BECKER (www.myspace.com/jacquelinebeckermusic) plays at 8:45 pm, followed by the alt rock of ELYSE HAREN AND THE AFTERMATH (www.myspace.com/elyseandtheaftermath) at 9:30 pm.
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The evening will close with the special songwriting talents and fine vocals of the “52 songs in 52 weeks” artist and past “Tied to the Tracks” performing guest AMY RAASCH (www.amyraasch.com) at 10:15 pm.
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Venue is noted for its Chinese food and reasonably-priced drinks. Industry members may attend free of charge with exchange of a business card. More at www.songsalive.org/losangeles. Cover for the entire evening is $8.
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Tue, Jun 9, 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, Jun 9; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm THE BOBS 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.
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This show has a few seats available, based on cancellations after first being called sold-out. So call the venue right away if you want to go.
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Grammy-nominated vocal acrobats (and certifiable nutjobs), THE BOBS are celebrating their 26th year of skewering the classics, breaking all the rules and clear-cutting their own unique path in the world of vocal music. Known for their witty, adventurous original songs (multiple ASCAP award winners) and breathtaking vocal reinterpretations of everything from classic rock to classics that rock, The Bobs have played everywhere from Lincoln Center to L.A.'s Universal Amphitheater to Berlin's Passionkirche. Together since 1981, the original "band without instruments," has toured the world several times, released 14 albums and several concert DVDs, appeared on the Emmy Awards (with Jason Alexander as the fifth Bob), and lent their voices to countless commercials and films. A documentary about the band, “Sign My Snarling Movie: 25 Years Of The Bobs,” was released by Coldfoot Films in 2007. Their most recent CD, “Get Your Monkey Off My Dog,” was released in 2007.
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The Bob's endurance is trumped only by their unrivaled creativity as they continue to infect audiences with their humor and musicality. To quote a recent review, "At an age when most surviving pop groups grind out a living with warmed over retreads of greatest hits, the Bobs still shine, breaking new ground each time they tunnel out of the sanitarium. The twin keys to the group's creative safe deposit box are unflagging dedication to vocal excellence and utter disregard for everything else. The Capitol Steps are occasionally as funny, and the Roches and the Mockingbirds sometimes achieve similar a capella excellence." Tix, $27.50.
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Tue, Jun 9; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm “CROSBY TYLER'S 10 SONGS OF AMERICA” acoustic solo tour arrives at Room 5, 143 N La Brea Bl (2nd Floor, above Amalfi Ristorante), L.A.; 323-938-2504; www.amalfiristorante.com. His music debuted on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” and now his success is enabling him to take his show on the road. With dates in three states, Canada and the UK, Crosby has a few tour stops in Southern Cal.
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Indeed, Crosby Tyler’s band includes PETER CASE, DJ BONEBRAKE, AMY FARRIS, SHELDON GOMBERG, PHIL PARLAPIANO, MIKE FORTUNATO, JEFF TURMES, the late DUANE JARVIS was a member, and Crosby’s CD was produced by PETER CASE.
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CROSBY TYLER’s first recorded tracks were heard on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks.” He’s been touring relentlessly, opening for the great PETER CASE (Plimsouls), twice a guest on “TttT.” Crosby has been filling-in for Peter’s bookings since February, when Peter needed emergency open heart surgery.
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Paul Kerr, writing in “Americana UK,” says of Crosby Tyler, "Performing solo, the quality of his writing, his way with a tune and his engaging presence made for a fine night. Tyler was able to produce a set of songs that tapped into American folk sources with touches of humor and, at times and in a more serious vein looked at the underbelly of American society."
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Rob Adams, in “The Herald” (Scotland) says, "A guitar and harmonica rack aside, the red nose is Tyler's only prop in a show that reveals the soft-hatted, careworn voiced Los Angeleno to be as much theatre director as troubadour, marshalling a rich cast of characters, including the clowns, drunkards and crazies of the Tex-Mex flavored Payasos Borrachos Y Locos, war veterans, fugitives, refugees, hobos, bozos and sundry bluesmen, and making them all come alive."
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Amidst his coming and goings, you can catch him Jun 27, at 9:30 pm, at The Gypsy Den in Santa Ana; Aug 8, at 7 pm, at Mama Hillybeans in Tehachapi; and Aug 22, at 9 pm at the Ranch Party in L.A. More at www.crosbytyler.com and www.myspace.com/crosbytyler10songsofamericatoday.
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Tue, Jun 9, 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, Jun 9, second and fourth Tue, every month:
8 pm OPEN MIC at El Cid, 4212 Sunset Bl, Silver Lake 90029; www.elcidla.com. Hosted by MICHAEL MCCARTHY the second and fourth 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; you can sign-up in advance at www.myspace.com/openmicatelcid .
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Tue, Jun 9, every week:
8 pm OPEN MIC at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank; www.vivacantina.com; 818-515-4444.
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Tue, Jun 9, 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, Jun 9, every week; in Laguna Beach:
8 pm weekly “SONGWRITER SHOWCASE” features guest artists and BETH FITCHET WOOD, who plays the opening set each week, at the The Marine Room Tavern, 214 Ocean Av, Laguna Beach; 949-494-3027.
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Tue, Jun 9, 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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Tue, Jun 9:
9 pm “FOLK NIGHT” brings ANDRE COMEAU to The Airliner, 2419 N Broadway, L.A. 90031. More at www.andrecomeau.com
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Tue, Jun 9, every Tue:
9 pm-12:30 am “BLUES ROCK JAM” night at Music Club Shadow, 351 N Fairfax Av, L.A. 90048; www.mogul.am; reservations, 323-428-8471. Open for dinner at 7 pm; those not there by 9 pm lose priority seating. Venue has a capacity of 250, with ample free parking (wonderful news in this part of town!) and full dinner menu including exotic Russian cuisine and lighter fare, and full bar. Big patio for those still afflicted with smoking. Their goal is to present “great, energizing live music, local artists and bands as well as international acts.” They note, “As can be seen from the 2009 Grammy Awards, half the winners were indie artists. Club Shadow supports this trend.”
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Each night brings different styles and genres:
Monday - Singer-Songwriter "Create" night, 8 pm-12:30 am
Tuesday - “Pro-Jam, Tribute/Cover Bands night,” 9 pm-12:30 am
Wednesday - “Platinum Divas Live!” night, 8 pm-12:30 am
Thursday - “Blues, Blues/Rock, Funk night,” 8 pm-12:30 am
Sunday - “Pop, Rock, Indie Rock, World Music” night, 8 pm-11:30 am
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All shows are $10 cover.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
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Wednesday’s “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” picks are unusually rich and multitudinous, beginning with a 3-5 pm taping for Tokyo TV of 2 of the 3 members of “Monsters of Shamisen” in Altadena; at 7 pm is the L.A. Women in Music “Best of” Soiree, dinner-and-a-show in Hollywood with a fine lineup and your editor as guest emcee; at 7:30 in Hermosa Beach is the “South Bay Beat Songwriter Showcase,” with 2009 Kerrville “New Folk” winner Ernest Troost in the lineup; back in Altadena at 8 pm is a double-bill of the Rhythm Angels and 15-time Academy of Country Music (ACM) award-winner Archie Francis, with his 3-piece Cornpop Orchestra. So, don’t sit home tonight!
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LOS ANGELES-area acoustic music events:
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Wed, Jun 10; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
3-5 pm Wednesday matinee / Japanese TV taping of a “TSUGARU SHAMISEN CONCERT” with two-thirds of the “MONSTERS OF SHAMISEN” team, KEVIN KMETZ & MIKE PENNY, plus taiko drum master TOM KURAI, 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.
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This is “Dynamic Japanese percussive lute,” and venue impresario Bob Stane adds, “We really don't know what will happen except for some good music.”
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They are the only non-Japanese ever to win in the top three for the coveted Japanese National Champion title as the top samisen player in Japan, and they are, obviously, the most acclaimed players of the instrument in America and two of the best young Tsugaru shamisen players in the world. Kevin Kmetz and Mike Penny are back in L.A. to do this special for Tokyo Television. Come experience traditional and contemporary music on this astounding instrument of the past and future. The show features TOM KURAI, taiko drum director of Taiko Center of Los Angeles. Kevin and Mike are members of the MONSTERS OF SHAMISEN with fellow Japanese National Champion player Masahiro Nitta.
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Kevin and Mike are back at the local venue after a successful 6-week concert tour in Japan. The two artists recently placed second and third, respectively, in the annual Tsugaru shamisen competition held in Japan. It was the first time any foreigner had placed so high in the competition. These musicians have been gaining recognition in Japan as well as in the US for both their traditional and newly-cultivated styles of playing which implements techniques from a variety of music styles. The shamisen is a 3-stringed lute played with a large plectrum. It comes from the region known as Tsugaru in Aomori prefecture. The Tsugaru style of shamisen is very percussive and has been incorporated in almost every type of music ranging from traditional folk to hard rock. Their performance here a few months ago was a revelation to many American music fans. Tix are $10.
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Wed, Jun 10, every Wed:
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 meets when the weather is warm.”
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Wed, Jun 10, (Wed & Thu), every week; near Santa Barbara:
4 pm-late New “PARADISE STORE TWICE-WEEKLY BLUEGRASS / MOUNTAIN MUSIC JAM” at Paradise Store, N of Santa Barbara on Hwy 154 for 9.5 mi; right on Paradise Rd, 1/2 mile to the store. Directions, www.paradisestoresb.com/directions.asp
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Wed’s include BBQ; Thu’s are a “Mountain Fiddle Hootenanny.” Both hosted by MARK LEWIS. More at www.paradisestoresb.com/entertainment.asp?cmth=2&cyer=2009
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Wed, Jun 10, every Wed:
5-8 pm New “CLAREMONT WEDNESDAY GREEN MARKET” features acoustic music with RON ELY doing seafaring songs and more, inside the Packing House in the new West Claremont Center, 532 W First St, Claremont 91711; www.claremontpackinghouse.com/home.htm . Ron tells us, “It's all about ‘going GREEN,’ and should be promoted and supported. They are going to expand with a Farmer's Market each Wednesday evening. That will be outside this same venue, The Packing House, a fully rehabilitated old building, a real packing house, Historical Landmark. It's put-on by the non-profit ‘Claremont Forum,’ (www.claremontforum.org) that sponsors the "Prison Library Project," sending books to those incarcerated.”
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Wed, Jun 10, 2nd & 4th Wed every month; in Lancaster:
6 pm UKULELE CLUB at Nick’s 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, Jun 10, second (& fourth) Wed every month:
6:30 pm “TWICE-A-MONTH BLUEGRASS JAM” new for ’09, at Robano's Italian Pizza Kitchen, 10057 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake 91602. (It’s S of Magnolia, W of Buena Vista, E of Cahuenga.) Jam is in the room behind the bar area. Hosted by Paddy Hill, who wants us to tell you, “All players welcome. Please plan to buy a beer or appetizer (from $5) to get the owner enthusiastic, or better still, a full meal from $9.” Info, contact Paddy Hill at paddyh036@gmail.com. First date for event is Feb 11. No cover.
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Wed, Jun 10, 2nd Wed every month; “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7-10:30 pm “LAWIM ‘BEST OF’ SOIREE” as Los Angeles WoMen in Music presents a special edition of their monthly evening of music and a buffet supper, at the M Bar, 1253 Vine St (at Fountain), Hollywood 90038; 323-856-0036. Info, info@lawim.com. Even without the special edition’s “Best of” showcase tonight, this event is co-winner of the “BEST MONTHLY LISTENING ROOM” in FolkWorks “Best of 2008 / Top Ten” (www.folkworks.org/content/view/35788/166).
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This month is special, FEATURING THE TOP PERFORMERS from Spring, 2009:
JANE BOLDUC, NICOLE GORDON, KAREN HART, GABY MORENO, JANEL PARRISH, KAT PARSONS, SALLY ZITO, plus 2007-2008 “Soirée CD Compilation” artist JOY GRAYSEN, and SPECIAL GUEST HOST LARRY WINES, host of radio's award-winning "Tied to the Tracks."
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Info on tonight’s performers:
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JANE BOLDUC won “Best Female Vocalist” at the “Talent America” competition in New York City and she’s performed in Carnegie Hall. Jane brings originals in styles than span a hybrid roots-rock-pop-country-folk reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt to the gritty blues of Etta James. The LA Weekly describes Jane as a performer "with a voice like a prairie tornado." She’s won awards for her vocal and writing talents, including songwriting competitions sponsored by Wildflower Music Festival, Berklee College of Music, the Virginia Organization of Composers and Lyricists, and The Portland Songwriter's Association. More at http://janebolduc.com
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NICOLE GORDON has performed multiple times on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks” doing both her originals and those written with music partner Marty Axelrod for their “SONGS OF SHILOH” thematic project. Nicole often works with Emmy winner Ernest Troost, who just won the prestigious Kerrville New Folk competition. Nicole does session work, film soundtrack voices, and she was the singing voice of “Madison” on TV’s “Everwood” for 4 episodes. More, http://nicolegordon.net
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KAREN HART sang at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II, has opened for Stevie Wonder, performed at the new Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, was the singing voice of Sigourney Weaver in the remake of “Snow White,” has performed live on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” and has many other accomplishments. Her songs for motion pictures received critical acclaim from the L.A. Times, Variety, The New York Times, and People Magazine. She won the 2008 “Song of the Year” from the West Coast Songwriters for her haunting ballad, “Mirabelle,” and in 2005, she won the Barry Manilow/Concord Records Scholarship for "Writing Lyrics That Succeed and Endure." Three world premiers of her music have happened in the L.A. Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and her award winning choral works are performed world wide. More, http://karenhartmusic.com
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GABY MORENO, from Guatemala, writes and performs in English and Spanish, and her music is “acoustic / soul indie.” The Austin Chronicle, known nationally for its music coverage, wrote, “…Gaby Moreno turned in one of the festivals’ breakout performances her second time in town,” writing of that city’s annual ‘Pechanga Fest.” She’s been featured on NPR and locally, on KCRW. Catch her music, including the dreamy piano-vocal “Amapola,” at www.myspace.com/gabymoreno
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JANEL PARRISH was, at age 6, on Broadway and in the National Touring Company of "Les Miserables." She split that experience with growing-up in Hawaii. In L.A. for 6 years, she’s done TV roles on "Zoey 101," "The Bernie Mac Show," "The O.C.," and "Heroes," and “Bratz: The Movie” is her first big screen production, playing the role of “Jade.” The video for her song "Rainy Day" plays as the film’s credits roll, and is on the movie soundtrack. More at www.myspace.com/janelparrish
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KAT PARSONS is a delightful singer-songwriter who has performed worldwide (truly worldwide, including places like Borneo) and on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” and she’s been a “cover girl” on Music Connection Magazine. As far back as 2005, The multiple-award-winning one-woman indie musical dynamo performed separate CD release shows coast-to-coast in four cities where she has cultivated sizeable fan bases. Those fans are multi-genre and cross-generational, as evidenced by stories on Kat in everything from Campus Circle, to Billboard to FolkWorks to The Boston Globe. More at www.katparsons.com
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SALLY ZITO began her music career at age 4, performing classical piano concerts. These days, the Berklee College of Music grad writes and performs jazz-inflected music, much of it piano-based. Her brother, San Francisco Giants pitcher Barry Zito, performs the guitar tracks on her CDs. The talent-laden family is easier to understand when you learn that their father, Joseph Zito, was composer-arranger for Nat King Cole. Sally and her band, THE SALLY ZITO PROJECT, have been featured nationally on TV’s “Extra” and “Living Large,” and received ink in USA Today, the New York Times, the Boston Herald, and the San Francisco Chronicle. Sally’s music gets radio airplay across the US and in Canada. More at http://sallyzito.com
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JOY GRAYSEN has something that’s been missing for a long time in pop music: she brings great vocal chops and an understanding of how and when to apply them to fit the lyrics in her songs. The beautiful Valley Village-based singer-songwriter has a sparse myspace page; you can catch one song there. More at www.myspace.com/joygraysen
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This is a fine monthly event, even when it isn’t the special “Best Of Soiree.” It always includes an all-you-can-eat buffet, a respectful “listening room” environment is provided for the performances, and there are plenty of industry networking opportunities before and after the performance showcase. "An invigorating evening that proves there is art in Los Angeles after all." - Tom Kidd, Music Connection Magazine. Usually hosted by multi-platinum songwriter-recording artist HARRIET SCHOCK, but tonight’s guest emcee is LARRY WINES. Valet Parking $4.50, or free street parking, if you can find it. Full bar available, BUFFET DINNER INCLUDED in admission, available 7-8:30 pm; showcase, in respectful “listening room” atmosphere, is 8-10 pm. Reservations are no longer taken; just get there promptly for a seat. $10 mbrs, $20 gen’l public, includes dinner.
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Wed, Jun 10, 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, Jun 10, every Wed:
7-9 pm “JILL SHARPE PRO-BLUES JAM” local blues favorite Jill Sharpe jams with her band at Sacred Grounds, 468 W 6th St, San Pedro 90731. More at www.myspace.com/jillsharpe. No cover.
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Wed, Jun 10, every Wed:
7-10 pm “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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Wed, Jun 10, 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, Jun 10, 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, Jun 10; “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7:30-10 pm “SOUTH BAY BEAT SONGWRITER SHOWCASE” series tonight presents “JODI SIEGEL & ALFRED JOHNSON AND FRIENDS” with 2009 “KERRVILLE ‘NEW FOLK’ WINNER” ERNEST TROOST, plus WENDY CONRAD, & JEFF TURMES, at Club 705 / Ardmore Restaurant, 705 Pier Av, Hermosa Beach 90254; 310-372-9705; www.club705.com. This is consistently a strong series with musicians who have played all over the world, sharing stages with big names in the music biz. Tonight, the always wonderful ERNEST TROOST, who has performed multiple times on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” is performing his winning song from Kerrville.
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Kerrville is one of the longest running folk festivals in the country, and past “New Folk” winners include STEVE EARLE, LUCINDA WILLIAMS, NANCI GRIFFITH, LYLE LOVETT, and ROBERT EARL KEEN.
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Ernest tells us, “To be included in the Kerrville New Folk Competition is a songwriter’s dream come true. There are 32 finalists, picked from the 800 entries, and each of the finalists come to Kerrville to perform their two submitted songs for the festival judges and an audience of around five hundred. Six winners are picked from the finalists, and they each perform a full set in the New Folk concert the following weekend.”
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Ernest Troost hosts his own music series, “Ernest Troost’s Juke Joint Gang,” the first Saturday of each month at the Talking Stick Coffeehouse in Venice, California. You can always find details at www.ernesttroost.com
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Tonight’s show in Hermosa Beach is all ages, no cover.
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Wed, Jun 10, 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, Jun 10, 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, Jun 10, 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, Jun 10, 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, Jun 10; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm THE RHYTHM ANGELS plus ARCHIE FRANCIS & THE CORNPOP ORCHESTRA, 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.
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This is a "two headliner" show.
ARCHIE FRANCIS & CORNPOP ORCHESTRA are a 3-piece band “which is a blend of sophisticated, traditional, not always country humor” led by 15-time Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award-winner Archie Francis on guitar, washboard, and vocals. Some folks say he looks at life a little too funny. His life is just chock-full of good music and great musicians. Archie has been playing drums in bands most of his life, and those bands include those of Roger Miller, Freddy Fender, Johnny Rodigues, Hank Thompson, and many, many more. Archie has 11 ACM awards for "Best Drums" and 4 more ACM awards for "Best Non-Touring Band."
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THE RHYTHM ANGELS are the duet of CELESTE KRENZ & REBECCA FOLSOM and their seamless harmonies and smart lyrics, both earthy and transcendent. As happens with traveling troubadours, careers found the two solo artists circling around each other for years. Celeste hails from the ranch country of North Dakota, while Rebecca comes from the mountains of Colorado. Their individual accomplishments are extensive and impressive.
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CELESTE KRENZ's album “Slow Burning Flame” reached #11 on the Gavin American Chart, and landed her in the top 100 selling artists on Amazon.com, along with placing second in the 2007 CMT/NSAI song contest.
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REBECCA FOLSOM earned “Best of BBC Radio and Television” and was in the top 5 finalists at the “Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist Showcase.” Together, as a duo, their track record includes performances at Colorado’s famed Red Rocks Amphitheater, the Gerald Ford Amphitheater, Nashville’s “Summerlights Festival,” and the Boulder Theater, and they’ve held-down spots on the main stage at venues that include the “Rocky Mountain Folks Festival” in Colorado, Texas’ renowned “Kerrville Folk Festival,” California’s “Strawberry Festival,” the “Sweet Pea Festival” in Montana, and many more. Tix, $15.
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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, Jun 10, 2nd Wed every month:
8 pm HOLLYWOOD HOT-SHOTS bring charming music of the ‘20s & ‘30s, to the Steve Steve Allen Theatre, 4773 Hollywood Bl (x-from Barnsdale Park), Hollywood; 323-666-4268; www.steveallentheater.com. Get tix at 800-595-4-TIX, and there’s more about this monthly show at www.steveallentheater.com/hotshots. It’s JOHN REYNOLDS and his washboard playing brother, RALF REYNOLDS, plus an always surprising assortment of guests for an evening of "upstairs" hot jazz, with plenty of Django-style jazz. Guests include performers who have previously worked with THELONIOUS MONK and BENNY GOODMAN. $10.
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Wed, Jun 10, 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, Jun 10, every Wed:
8 pm OPEN MIC at The Talking Stick, 1630 Ocean Park Bl, Santa Monica; www.thetalkingstick.net.
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Wed, Jun 10, 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, Jun 10, 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, Jun 10, 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, Jun 10, 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, Jun 10, every Wed:
9 pm-midnight “PRO BLUES JAM SESSION” hosted by 21st CENTURY BLUES band, at the Azteca Restaurant and Bar, 717 S San Gabriel Bl, San Gabriel 91776; 626-287-4645. (New Mar 11, 2009.)
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[Updated editions with more (always more -- as we have time to organize all of it), and all the many, many, acoustic music events to come in JUNE and beyond - in and around Los Angeles, plus the many, many, many upcoming acoustic music FESTIVALS, near and far, here, there and everywhere! It’ll all be here, soon.]
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The MOST RECENT EDITIONS - both the GUIDE’s event calendars with descriptive write-ups, AND the Acoustic Americana Music News Features – are available at
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http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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News of the “Tied to the Tracks” radio show is at www.myspace.com/laacoustic and on No Depression, at http://community.nodepression.com/profile/TiedtotheTracks
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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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copyright (c) © 2009, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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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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CAJUN PROVERB OF THE MONTH “The sign of a true friend: when he can forgive your success!” -- from www.bluefiddle.com, which supplies us and the Gator Gazette.
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Yes, it’s true -
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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(And that doesn’t even take the dozens of electric Americana shows into account!)
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If you have trouble believing that assertion, then print this out and see how many pages you’ll need just for the events for the days covered in this edition!
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Check it yourself: take any edition of the L.A. Times Calendar Section and any edition of the LA Weekly, count-up all the live music shows (you won’t even need to subtract-out the acoustic shows in those two publications, since they hardly list any, anyway) and add them up. THEN, count the number of live acoustic music performances for the same days in the Acoustic Americana Music Guide. We have yet to find a week when the TOTAL of all those other genres of music performances equals the number of live performances of acoustic music in the L.A. area! (Even though you can’t hear the music on the radio here, or read about it in the biggest newspapers, it seems people DO want acoustic music and they will find and support it anyway!
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