Spotlight Events: Acoustic Americana Music Guide, UPDATE August 17, 2011

     
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      
     
NOTE: additional events added August 18 & 19...
     
||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||
     
               SPOTLIGHT EVENTS
     
                         from THE ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE
     
                                                                                          August 17, 2011 edition
     
||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||
     
     
Welcome!
NEED SOMETHING FAST?
     
     Go to the Guide's SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK Picks, the shows we recommend, August 17 through Labor Day!
    
That's a click away, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/08/show-of-week-picks-august-17-labor-day.html     
       
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~     
     
THIS WEEK’S NEWS FEATURES, August 17 edition...    
    
are a click away, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/08/acoustic-americana-music-guide-news_17.html     
    
    
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  
    
    
THIS is the COMPLETE PRESENTATION of MANY shows and events!
     
        SPOTLIGHT EVENTS is the LATEST UPDATE to the Guide's chronological, day-by-day listings and descriptions of live acoustic and Americana performances, festivals, workshops and more. We cover music indoors and out, across and around L.A., from the north border of Santa Barbara County to the south border of Orange County, inland to the deserts, and some key events in San Diego and beyond. The region of our core coverage has THE MOST live acoustic music of anyplace in the world.
    
    And remember to check-out the Guide's other content – our new (August 17) edition of the Guide's NEWS FEATURES at
    
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/08/acoustic-americana-music-guide-news_17.html     
    
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~     
    THIS is
                                        SPOTLIGHT EVENTS...
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~     
    
Here are ALL the details of many, many, MANY wonderful possibilities!   
    
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Wednesday, August 17
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Wed, Aug 17:
Noon-1:30 pm “PERSHING SQUARE FREE SUMMER LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES” brings award-winning folksinger-songwriter JAMES LEE STANLEY to Pershing Square, 532 S Olive St, downtown L.A. 90013; info, www.laparks.org/pershingsquare; 213-847-4970.    
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Wed, Aug 17:
7 pm PARACHUTE EXPRESS plays the FREE Children's concert series at Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts – Pasadena, 85 E Holly St, Pasadena 91103; 626-683-3230. Bring picnics (no alcohol allowed) and beach chairs or blankets. This is one of the very few children's music groups that entertains adults with their clever lyrics, melodies and song structure.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Wed, Aug 17:
7:30 pm STEVE MARTIN & THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS play Humphrey's Concerts By The Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego 92106; 619-523-1010.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Wed, Aug 17:
7:30 pm ANNY CELSI, RICH McCULLEY, CARL BYRON, & IVAN PYZOW play The Standard, 8300 Sunset Bl, West Hollywood 90069.
Schedule:
7:30 IVAN PYZOW (of Hazel)
8:30 RICH McCULLEY & CARL BYRON
9:30 ANNY CELSI (Rich, Carl, and Ivan are playing with Anny, too)
Venue is 21+. No cover.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Wed, Aug 17, on web radio:
6:30-8:30 pm (Pacific) CHE ZURO does a performance-interview panel on “NIGHTS AT THE ROUND TABLE” live in web radio. Listen at http://nightsatthesoundtable.com or www.ustream.tv/channel/laradiostudio. Che says it's “People who love music talking about the thing they LOVE!”
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Wed, Aug 17:
8 pm JIM CONNOR at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations number (NEW, May 2011) is 626-798-6236. (“The venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
    Most famous for writing the song “Grandma’s Feather Bed,” and personal friend of John Denver who made it a hit, JIM CONNOR has performed with many stars, including BARBARA STREISAND, LINDA RONSTADT, and the late JOHN DENVER. Jim is likewise known as “king of old-time 5-string banjo players” and as a member of the NEW KINGSTON TRIO from 1965 through 1974. He appeared as half of the duo RICHARD & JIM on TV's “Hootenanny” Show.
    The great EARL SCRUGGS called JIm “The finest living traditional banjo player, and perhaps the best that ever lived...”
    Jim, an Alabama Music Hall of Fame inductee, brings his own special brand of music from that state's Sand Mountain. (The music of Sand County, Alabama, has been especially celebrated for decades, including a PBS special about the music and its adherent musicians.)
    Jim Connor learned the art of old-time banjo from UNCLE ARTHUR KUYKENDALL on Sand Mountain. Quickly, Jim developed his own style and artistry. Whether you call Jim’s banjo style frailing or claw hammer, he is a celebrated practitioner, one deeply immersed in the rich musical culture that is so much a part of the folklife of his community.
    Jim's music has taken him from his humble home on the mountain to concert venues all over the world. In fact, he wrote “Grandma’s Feather Bed” in a moment of homesickness for his own real grandmother back home. When John Denver recorded the song on his multi-platinum album “Back Home Again,” it became iconic.
    Proficient on many instruments, including guitar, harmonica, the bones, and his trademark banjo, this versatile and entertaining performer brings stories and songs from a long and varied musical career. Tix, $15.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Wed, Aug 17:
8 pm BRYAN CHAN is the featured artist at the open mic, at Guitar Merchant, 7503 Topanga Canyon Bl, Canoga Park.Bryan plays blues / slide guitar, 8-8:30 pm. To sign up for the open mioc, be there at 6:30 pm.
      
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Wed, Aug 17:
8:30 pm THE WEEPIES play The Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Bl, West Hollywood 90069; 310-276-6168.
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Thursday, August 18
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 18 on the radio:
11 am SHAPE NOTE SINGING ON THE RADIO as “Singing Shape” co-organizer Renee Petropoulos plays examples of Shape Note singing with host John Schneider on “Global Village” on KPFK, 90.7 FM.
    It promotes shape note events on Saturday and Sunday, both at 1 pm. See listings.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 18:
5 pm SLIGO RAGS plays the Enderle Center Music Series, 14081 S Yorba St, Tustin 92780; 714-731-2911.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 18, in Tehachapi:
6 pm Annual TEHACHAPI MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL's Rodeo Committee dinner in Centennial Park, Tehachapi, with TONY VICE performing. Festival is this weekend.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 18:
7 pm DAVE ALVIN & THE GUILTY ONES play the Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Bl, West Hollywood 90069; 310-276-6168.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 18:
7 pm LAS CAFETERAS play the Levitt Pavilion – MacArthur Park, 2230 W 6th St, L.A. 90057; 213-384-5701.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 18:
7:30 pm STEVE MARTIN & THE STEEP CANYON RANGERS play the Orange County Performing Arts Center's Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa; 714-556-2787.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 18:
8 pm SECRET SISTERS play the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts – Pasadena, 85 E Holly St, Pasadena 91103; 626-683-3230.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 18:
8 pm 4 WAY STREET, plus TOM SWEENEY & HEART OF GOLD opening, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations number (NEW, May 2011) is 626-798-6236. (“The venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
    It's the music of CROSBY, STILLS NASH AND YOUNG from 4 WAY STREET, plus the music of NEIL YOUNG from TOM SWEENEY & his band, HEART OF GOLD. Tix, $20.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 18:
8 pm THOMAS MAPFUMO & THE BLACKS UNLIMITED bring world music to the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N Sepulveda Bl, L.A. 90049; 310-440-4578. Free show, parking costs.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 18:
9 pm TERRY OKEY, with JEZZEBELLE from Dublin, Ireland, at Sonny McClean's, 2615 Wilshire Bl, Santa Monica; 310-449-1811. Preview at www.totunes.com and www.jezzebellemusic.com.     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 18:
9:30 pm-1 am RICK SHEA & THE LOSIN END at the Cinema Bar, 3967 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230.
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Friday, August 19
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21:
Annual “BIG BEAR LAKE COWBOY GATHERING” at Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center, 39707 Big Bear Bl, Big Bear Lake 92315.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21, festival, in Vista (N San Diego Co):
Annual SUMMERGRASS bluegrass festival at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista. Here's the basic line-up:
> Friday Aug 19
3 pm Prairie Sky
4 pm Loafer's Glory
5 pm Windy Ridge
6 pm Dinner Break
7 pm Old Town Road
8 pm Loafer's Glory
9 pm Grascals
> Saturday Aug 20
10 am Plow
11 am Sara Petite
Noon Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
1 pm Lunch Break
2 pm Grascals
3 pm Next Generation
4 pm Gone Tomorrow
5 pm Loafer's Glory
6 pm Dinner Break
7 pm Grascals
8 pm Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
9 pm Bluegrass Etc.
> Sunday Aug 21
9 am Sweet Tidings
10 am BladeRunners
11 am Bluegrass Etc.
Noon Kids on Stage
12:30 pm Next Generation
1:15 pm Lunch Break
2 pm Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
3 pm Bluegrass Etc.
4 pm Bladerunners
Tickets, etc, at www.summergrass.net. More info soon.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19; free lunchtime show, downtown L.A:
Noon I SEE HAWKS IN L.A. play Grand Performances at California Plaza, 350 S Grand Av, L.A. 90071; 213-687-2020.
    "I See Hawks is the city's premier roots band. Their sound is pure and progressive in spirit, with songs about hippies' children, fatal attractions and other meaty topics." - Richard Cromelin, L.A. Times.
    "The Hawks have updated Southern California country rock. Their music is sinewy yet poetic--more nihilistic than decadent, with an urban-desert poetry all its own." - Richard Gehr, Village Voice.
    “The Hawks continue to display versatility, variety and power, with an intriguing dystopian science-fictional bent in the lyrics.” - Ken Barnes, USA Today.
    More at www.iseehawks.com and www.grandperformances.org    

     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19, in Tehachapi:
5-8 pm Annual TEHACHAPI MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL brings a performance by TONY VICE at the Apple Shed, downtown Tehachapi.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19:
6 pm SLIGO RAGS play Baily's Old Town Temecula, 28699 Old Town Front St, Temecula 92590; 951-676-9567.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19, in Ventura:
6 pm “CELEBRATE KENNY EDWARDS, 'BY THE OCEAN HE LOVED SO MUCH'” at the Beach in Ventura. A bonfire and musical celebration in honor of the late musician and record producer KENNY EDWARDS happens tonight. Organizer RENEE BODIE tells us, “To help us celebrate his life and music at the one-year anniversary of his passing, we thought it would be a wonderful idea to have a song circle and bonfire at the beach, since he loved the ocean so much. Please join us at the end of Seaward in Ventura at 6 pm. We'll watch the sunset, then light the fire. Please bring some firewood, beach chairs, food (smores are good!) , and drinks to share... and instruments and voices! It could get chilly, so bring blankets to wrap yourselves in. Can't wait to see you all! Pass this to anyone you feel needs to know.”
    If you need info, check www.BodieHouseMusic.com or contact Renee Bodie of Bodie House Music, Inc., at Renee@bodiehousemusic.com or by phone at 818-621-8309.    
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19:
7 pm KEN O'MALLEY brings his solo show of authentic and original Irish music to the Novel Cafe, 1713 E Colorado Bl, Pasadena 91106; 626-683-3309; www.novelcafe.com    
All ages venue with delightful salads, sandwiches and pasta. The cafe is known for live music.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19:
7 pm MARIACHI LOS REYES play the Levitt Pavilion – MacArthur Park, 2230 W 6th St, L.A. 90057; 213-384-5701.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19, in San Diego:
7 pm HOUSTON JONES plus PLOW at New Expression Music, 4434 30th St, San Diego 92116; 619-280-9035.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Aug 19, in Tehachapi:
7 pm STACEY EARLE & MARK STUART return to Fiddlers Crossing, 206 East F St (at Robinson St), Tehachapi 93561; www.grungehobbit.com; 661-823-9994.     
    Fiddlers Crossing will celebrate this weekend's “Tehachapi Mountain Festival” with a Friday concert featuring the down-home Americana music of Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart. This husband-wife duo delighted Tehachapi audiences twice before when they played Mama Hillybeans. With their lovely Everly-Brothers-style harmonies, terrific and clever acoustic guitar playing on their big old Gibsons, and autobiographical songwriting from the American Heartland, they captivate their audiences immediately with their warmth and charm.
    Based out of Tennessee, Earle and Stuart draw from blues, pop, country, rock, and more in their heartfelt music. The years of touring the folk/Americana circuit (playing 170 concerts a year) have given them a knack for reaching out to the audience in an intimate "come in to my living room" fashion.
    Stacey Earle began her musical career playing rhythm guitar in her brother's band, Steve Earle & the Dukes, on "The Hard Way" tour in 1990. After a year and a half on the road with the band, she returned to Nashville to start her own career as a country-folk singer-songwriter.
    Mark grew up listening to his dad play fiddle and his uncle play guitar. By age 15, he was playing in the Nashville Honky Tons with his Dad's band. A few years later he was on the road as lead guitar and vocalist for Freddy Fender and others.
    Since meeting in 1992 and marrying in late 1993, the partners have toured the USA, Canada, and Europe repeatedly. They left the environment of pursuing a major label deal in Nashville in 1998 to target small intimate venue crowds in theaters, coffeehouses, festivals, clubs, and house concerts. This has become their home and they are a recognized fixture on the music trail they blaze. Stacey and Mark own their own record label, Gearle Records, and have made 8 CDs over the years.
    Tickets available next door at Mountain Music or at The Apple Shed, or with a credit card by calling 661-823-9994 ($1 added to each ticket for credit card use through Mountain Music). Tickets are $15, and as always, coffee and goodies are included. Doors open at 6:30 pm
    Note: Some shows here sell out, so buy your tickets ahead of time.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19:
8 pm THE WATKINS FAMILY HOUR plays the Largo at the Coronet, 366 N La Cienega Bl, West Hollywood 90048; 310-855-0350.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19:
8 pm JOEY ABARTA plus THE IVY LEAF play the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations number (NEW, May 2011) is 626-798-6236. (“The venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
    2009 “All Ireland Champion” and major US award-winning musician JOEY ABARTA is one you may remember from CIUNAS. These days, he is "The Last of the Traveling Uilleann Pipers" (Irish Bagpipes). Joey is making his way back home for an evening of great traditional Irish piping. A wonderful performer, teacher, and keeper of the old style, Joey, along with some special guests aim to make it a night to remember. By the age of twenty-five he has already traveled to most of Continental Europe, the United States, Canada, and Asia, performing and sharing the traditional music of Ireland. Come hear stories of his travels as he shares with you great old tunes and songs from the past masters of Traditional Irish Music.
    Joey Abarta began playing music at the young age of fifteen. Since that time, he has made Irish traditional music his life’s passion, so it not a surprise that soon he would be touring the world playing this music as his trade.
Joey is a multi-instrumentalist performing on the uilleann pipes and tin whistle, as well as bodhrán and other percussion instruments.
    In 2009, Joey took first place in both uilleann pipes and bodhran at the National Competition held annually in the mid-west and east coast regions of the United States. This gave him the great opportunity to compete in the August, 2009, international forum for traditional music in Tullamore, Ireland where Joey became The All Ireland Champion. Then, he placed second at the Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann (The World Championships of Irish Music) for his performance on the uilleann pipes.
    Check out his sound clips and tour schedules at www.myspace.com/joeyabarta    
Plus,
    THE IVY LEAF is a young traditional Irish quartet that formed through the hot Boston session scene. Featuring fiddles, flute & whistle, concertina, vocals, and bouzouki and guitar accompaniment, the group’s influences are a blend of the old and new, taking on centuries-old dance music and giving it a modern vigor. Following a short tour and recording session in California, the Ivy Leaf’s first EP is due out this fall. The Ivy Leaf are ARMAND AROMIN, DAN ACCARDI, CAROLINE O'SHEA , & LINDSAY STRAW. Tix, $15.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19:
JIMI NELSON plays the CD Release show for “Hangovers and Heartaches” at the Cowboy Palace, 21635 Devonshire St, Chatsworth; 818-341-0166. No cover.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19:
8:30 pm GRANDEZA MEXICANA FOLK BALLET COMPANY plays the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Bl East, Hollywood 90068; 323-461-3673.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19:
9 pm TRACY NEWMAN & THE REINFORCEMENTS play Genghis Cohen, 740 N Fairfax Av, L.A. 90046; www.genghiscohen.com; 323-653-0640. Tracy says, “Make reservations! You can pay for the show ($10) in advance, get your hand stamped, go eat, then come into the show room by 9 pm. New songs! Really. No kidding. And we'll do 'Diane Wants a Man' from my old CD.”
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 19:
9:30 pm CLIFF WAGNER & his new band THE SWAMP COOLERS play “as swampy and steamy as it gets, roots like you never heard before” at the Cinema Bar, 3967 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.thecinemabar.com. Cliff assures us, “Don't worry, Old Number 7 is still alive and well!” but tonight, “We will tear up some electrified swamp music . If you like Lazy Lester, Leadbelly, and Jerry Reid you are in for a real treat! Come thirsty for some great cocktails!” No cover, bring $ for the tip jar. More at www.oldnumber7.net   
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Saturday, August 20
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20; workshop for artists:
9:30 am-4 pm “HANDS-ON SONGWRITING – COPYWRITES AND COPYWRONGS” presented by HAL SPENCER of Manna Music at Autry National Center / Autry Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, L.A. 90027; 323-667-2000; www.theautry.org.     
    Gency Brown of the Western Music Association tells us, “Hal has sent ahead the material he'll be handing out and yes, I peeked. It looks like we're in for some great information from someone who has been in the business all his life. If you write and / or perform... don't miss this fun and interactive day.” Reservations, 818-365-8709; fee, $20.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat & Sun, Aug 20 & 21, in Ventura:
POSTPONED INDEFINITELY*: Inaugural VENTURA FOLK FESTIVAL "BOUND FOR GLORY" in Mission Park, 180 E Main St, Ventura 93001. Scheduled to perform are JIM MESSINA, RAMBLIN' JACK ELLIOT, PETER CASE (Plimsouls), THE WHITE BUFFALO, JOHN DOE (X, The Knitters) with DEAD ROCK WEST, JAMIE DRAKE, JUSTINE BENNETT, B WILLING JAMES, THE LONESOME TRAVELER CAST, SHANE ALEXANDER, TED LENNON, MATT DUKE, JAY NASH, TONY LUCCA, CHRIS PIERCE, DELANEY GIBSON, LEE KOCH, JOEL ECKELS, THE RINCON RAMBLERS, TALL TALES & THE SILVER LINING, PHIL SALAZAR & THE KINFOLK, GARRISON STARR, 50 STICKS OF DYNAMITE. (Note that others, previously announced, are not included in the latest festival info, but DO appear in other media sources. They are: J.D. SOUTHER (Souther Hillman Furrey Band, hit songwriter), TOM CORBETT, PHIL CODY, DAN WILSON, SETH PETTERSEN).
    This is a benefit for Food Share and The Harmony Project.
    Gene Rubin of the Ventura Bluegrass Jam tells us, “Fun in the sun! Bring your blanket and low back chair to lounge on the large grassy area in front of two performance stages. Lots of shade too under the parks huge 120 year old fig tree!”
    Gene reports the festival says, “Let us feed and water you - we've hand selected amazing food, beer and wine vendors for your enjoyment so please leave your coolers at home. Spend the afternoon not only listening to great music but meet local artisans as they display their beautiful wares for sale. Kids are welcome to bring their laughter and wonder. Volunteers needed, gets you in free!”
    The best late info may be at Gene's site, http://home.earthlink.net/~generubinaudio    
    Organizers DO have ticket info available on their own site, though the schedules and lineups had not been released at press time, an the event's Facebook page was blank; the other site is a referral to the facebook page, so go to the link for tickets to get more info:
    Tickets are $25 for one day or $40 for 2 day pass. Kids under 12 are free with a paid adult.
VIP ticket (which includes a one day admission and a beer/wine tasting lunch) is $50. Buy tickets online at http://www.venturafolkfestival.eventbrite.com.     
    More info by email, Lollypol@aol.com or call 805-652-1137.
    Other sites, still not very helpful at press time, are www.facebook.com/Venturafolkfestival and www.venturarocks.com/index.htm    
+    
* - The Guide received word Wednesday morning, August 17, that the festival will NOT happen this weekend. Check the two great shows at Zoey's if you're already set to be in Ventura for the weekend.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20 (Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21):
Annual “BIG BEAR LAKE COWBOY GATHERING” at Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center, 39707 Big Bear Bl, Big Bear Lake 92315.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20, in Tehachapi:
Annual TEHACHAPI MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL in Phillip Marx (aka Central) Park, and in Tehachapi Moose Lodge, and other venues throughout Tehachapi. TONY VICE performs on the park stage, 11:30 am-12:15 pm; music all day.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20 (Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21), festival, in Vista (N San Diego Co):
Annual SUMMERGRASS bluegrass festival at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista. Here's the remaining days' line-up:
> Saturday Aug 20
10 am Plow
11 am Sara Petite
Noon Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
1 pm Lunch Break
2 pm Grascals
3 pm Next Generation
4 pm Gone Tomorrow
5 pm Loafer's Glory
6 pm Dinner Break
7 pm Grascals
8 pm Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
9 pm Bluegrass Etc.
> Sunday Aug 21
9 am Sweet Tidings
10 am BladeRunners
11 am Bluegrass Etc.
Noon Kids on Stage
12:30 pm Next Generation
1:15 pm Lunch Break
2 pm Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
3 pm Bluegrass Etc.
4 pm Bladerunners
Tickets, etc, at www.summergrass.net. More info soon.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat & Sun, Aug 20 & 21: (late addition)
9 am-5 pm “WINGS OVER CAMARILLO” Airshow and Live Saturday night '40s-radio-show-style dinner dance, at Camarillo Airport, Camarillo Wings Association
79 Daily Drive #265, Camarillo 93010; www.WingsOverCamarillo; 805-551-0983.
    Seven Pilots from around the world race wing tip to wingtip around a closed pylon obstacle course. The pilots are some of the best precision stunt and demonstration pilots in the world and include multiple Aviation World Record Holders.
    Featuring home built experimental airplanes flying a Slalom course, all jockeying for position at the same time, makes this edge of your seat excitement - like NASCAR with airplanes. Race Pilot Dave Riggs, who lead the American Team to victory in the 2010 China UARC races says, "This is Air Racing on steroids. It’s no longer the guy with the biggest engine who wins. It’s the pilot with the skill and daring that comes away with the gold;
    This year, the 474th Fighter Group Association (pilots who flew P-38’s in WW-II) will join regional volunteers to support the Wings Over Camarillo airshow. An expanded flight demonstration program features ever popular aerobatic routines; Chuck Aaron in his fully aerobatic (Red Bull) helicopter, John Collver flying his beautiful SNJ, Rob Harrison, “The Tumbling Bear” performing breath-taking maneuvers. Over 80 aircraft will fly including the Goodyear Blimp, vintage planes, and WWII fighters, bombers and transports. The Grand Finale plans a spectacular display of about 30 planes in formation flight over an amazed crowd.
    Feature of the Camarillo Airshow is the accessibility of the planes, pilots and crews to the public. Walk among the planes, take photos and ask questions of the pilots and airshow volunteers.
    Airshow and daytime activities tix, $15, either day; kids under age 12 are free.
+    
SATURDAY EVENING MUSIC EVENT:
    Pete Jacobs’ “WARTIME RADIO REVIEW” live in the museum hangar follows the Airshow on Saturday, August 20, from 6-10 pm. It's presented by the Commemorative Air Force's Southern Cal Wing, based in Camarillo.
    Pete Jacobs’ Wartime Radio Review plays the hits of the thirties and forties, interspersed with late-breaking news-stories from the war-years, plus some 1940-style radio commercials and even original songs in the style of the period. Listening to this band will be as close as you can get to going back in time or attending U.S.O. tours of the era. The show brings three young female vocalists, a hot, driving rhythm section, and an eight-piece horn section. The “classic-swing” sound is both full and authentic. It will be a fun evening’s entertainment for performers and guests at the weekend's airshow. Proceeds from the evening support the So Cal Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and Wings over Camarillo.
    Evening music event requires separate ticket; check the event website.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Aug 20:
GRAMMY CAMP® brings AMOS LEE for “SOUNDCHECK BACKSTAGE PASS” presented by the GRAMMY FOUNDATION® and GRAMMY MUSEUM® for high school students at the Grammy Museum, 800 W Olympic Bl, L.A. 90015; 213-765-6803; www.grammymuseum.org.   
    Blue Note Records recording artist Amos Lee, special guest Joey Burns of the acclaimed band Calexico, the GRAMMY Foundation®, the GRAMMY Museum® and 150 students from colleges, high schools and nonprofit organizations around Los Angeles will attend GRAMMY Camp®. SoundCheck Backstage Pass with Amos Lee will offer high school students the unique opportunity to experience a sound check rehearsal with an up-and-coming artist, followed by an interactive and candid question-and-answer discussion. GRAMMY Camp® – SoundCheck provides young people with a glimpse into the realities of music careers by inviting them to attend rehearsals and concert soundchecks of major artists. It's intended to engage students in conversation with the artists and their touring staff about the specifics of their careers and the necessary preparation for success. Advance registration required.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20, in Idyllwild:
11 am “SINGLE TRACK SUMMIT” BBQ lunch with TERRY OKEY performing at The Hub Cyclery, 54425 N Circle Dr, Idyllwild 92549; 951-659-4070. Terry tells us, “I have been picked to play the BBQ lunch party! This is a fun event put on by the wonderful people of The Hub Cyclery of Idyllwild. There will be all kinds of bikes, trail rides, demonstrations and even a movie! I will be playing from 11-1 pm at The Hub. Hope to see you on the downhill!” Preview at www.totunes.com     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
1-7 pm “SOUND AT THE KINGS ROAD PARK PAVILION: SINGING SHAPE,” a free SHAPE NOTE SINGING event at Kings Road Park Pavilion, 1000 N Kings Rd, West Hollywood 90069.
    Singing Shape is an exploration of Shape Note singing (also known as Sacred Harp singing), a tradition associated with the deep south and introduced by itinerant music teachers to make the melodies and harmonies accessible to those with no formal musical training. The participants are arranged in a square based on four part harmony for this exclusively a capella form. The result is a wall of vocal sound that is powerful and compelling.
    A free workshop led by Jessica Catron kicks off this day long participatory event which also features a traditional sing facilitated by Laura Boyd and Rick Russell and an alternative sing with compositions by Ezra Buchla, Joyce Lightbody, Laura Steenberge, Stephanie Taylor and Joe Potts. Presented in conjunction with West Hollywood's Summer Sounds series.
    Schedule:
1 pm Singing Shape workshop lead by Jessica Catron.
3 pm Traditional Sing facilitated by Laura Boyd and Rick Russell.
5:30 pm Alternative Sing.
6 pm Potluck dinner in the park.
Free admission. Parking is available at the public structure at the northeast corner of Kings Road and Santa Monica Boulevard.
Free workshop lead by Jessica Catron and group traditional and alternative sings make up day long event
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
2 pm “JOAN BAEZ: HOW SWEET THE SOUND” film screening at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N Sepulveda Bl, L.A. 90049; 310-440-4578.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
Afternoon WORKSHOP for artists by two-time Grammy winning guitarist LAURENCE JUBER at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583.
     The former lead guitarist for PAUL McCARTNEY's band, WINGS (1978-81) and featured on the hit singles “Goodnight Tonight' and “Coming Up,” Juber won the first “Best Rock Instrumental” Grammy award. Voted #1 Guitarist by the readers of Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine, Juber offers superb arrangements of pop and classic songs. His playing has been featured on the scores of successful films, including “Pocahontas.”
     In addition to today's workshop, he plays a concert here tonight; buy a concert ticket and get $5 off the workshop price. See the venue's website, class and workshop pages, for all info. 
     More at www.laurencejuber.com     
     Concert tix are $17.50, on sale Aug 6.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
3 pm matinee & 8 pm evening show THE FOLK COLLECTION at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations number (NEW, May 2011) is 626-798-6236. (“The venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
    Venue impresario Bob Stane says, “Two shows. Popular act. Been here a dozen times. Always sells out so we are having two shows. There are always folks, with guests, who need to come in the afternoon.”
    This band takes you on a trip down memory lane in the footsteps of The Kingston Trio, Peter Paul & Mary, John Denver and The Limeliters with songs like "This Land Is Your Land, " "Blowin' In The Wind," and the “MTA.” This is a family show that works for all ages, full of singalongs and good, clean humor. They were a big hit a few years back when they performed live on radio's “Tied to the Tracks.” Matinee tix $18, evening show, $20.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
4:30 pm DAVE MORRISON BAND plus LORIN HART & FRIENDS play a house concert at the home of Patrick Hare in Eagle Rock (Los Angeles). It's Dave's last local show for several months.
    Gather around 4:30, music starts about 5:30 pm. $15 donation (Dave adds, “As always, if yer busted, come anyway.”) Reservations get directions at dmorrisonmusic@gmail.com. More at www.davemorrisonmusic.com.     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
7:30 pm CAL PHIL presents “THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT” for its final “Festival on the Green” concert at the L.A. County Arboretum, 100 N Baldwin Av, Arcadia. Maestro VICTOR VENER always brings accessible classical music and recently admitted to his love of The Beatles. This is the philharmonic's last season here; it moves to Santa Anita Racetrack next year. Gates open at 5:30 pm for dining – bring a picnic, including your own bottle of wine or whatever, or buy food from the gourmet caterer if they have enough beyond their advance orders; mealtime gets live jazz entertainment. Cal Phil concert at 7:30. Tix are $20 for lawn seating, or single tix for seats are $25-98; tables for 6 to 16 people go for $318-980. Tix & info, www.calphil.org; 626-300-8200.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20. in Palmdale:
7 pm JOHN M plays Butler’s Coffee, 40125 10th St West, Palmdale 93551; 661-272-9530.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
7:30 pm RICK SHEA “Solo Acoustic” plus DAVID SERBY opening, at Folk Music Center, 220 N Yale, Claremont 91711. Venue is, as Rick says, “[A] very cool music store / acoustic concert room, featured on Huell Howser's “California's Gold.” RICK SHEA is a longtime Southern Cal favorite; DAVID SERBY just did a dynamite set with his new all-star band last weekend at “Roots Roadhouse.”
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
7:30 pm THE GRATEFUL DUDES with special guest, master fiddler PHIL SALAZAR, at the Dudes weekly bluegrass-and-beyond residency at Vincenzo's Pizza, 24500 Lyons Ave, Newhall; 661-259-6733. (Lyons exit, just off I-5); 661-259-6733.
    Plus, top fiddler PHIL SALAZAR tells us, “I've got two rare gigs this week. It's been a few years since I've played with the GRATEFUL DUDES and about a year or more since the RINCON RAMBLERS have played!” The latter is Sunday evening at Zoey's in Ventura.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
7:30 pm HOUSTON JONES plays “The Living Tradition” series at the Downtown Community Center, 250 E Center St, Anaheim; 949-646-1964.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20, in Victorville:
7:30 pm “MANDO MONSTERS” EVAN MARSHALL & SCOTT GATES together at High Desert Center for the Arts, 15615 Eighth Av (between D & C St), Victorville 92393; 760-243-7493.
    Show reunites teacher (Marshall) and former student (Gates). Mandolin master Evan Marshall, whose wizardry is unbelievable to watch, will bring his mastery of the instrument to the High Desert. Evan J. Marshall is the world’s premier solo mandolin virtuoso. By himself, he sounds like several of the world’s finest mandolinists performing together. His stylistic signature is classical, with strong influences from the Italian and American Folk traditions. Country guitar legend Chet Atkins called Evan “One of the few great musicians of our time.”
Inspired by Atkins and violinist Jascha Heifetz, Evan has created a uniquely recognizable approach to solo mandolin performance that combines bass lines, chords, rhapsodic runs and tremolo melodies. He started Classical violin studies at age seven, and added the mandolin at age 14.
    In addition to solo performances throughout the country, Evan has been a Featured Guest Artist in Pops concerts with a number of Symphony Orchestras, including Houston, Phoenix, Long Beach, Grand Rapids, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Jacksonville, and Pensacola.
    Two of his solo mandolin recordings have been released by Rounder Records: Evan Marshall Is the Lone Arranger, which the Washington Post labeled "truly dazzling," the Raleigh-Durham Independent called "superhuman," and the Fresno Bee called "mind-boggling"; and Mandolin Magic, which the St. Paul Pioneer Press applauded for "a stunning mastery of interpretation." Evan also has recorded three solo CDs for his own label, Mandolin Conservatory.
    In 1995, Evan made his first appearance on A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. Between 1993 and 2005 Evan was a Featured Soloist at Disneyland, performing his signature William Tell Overture: Finale for about two million visitors to the famous Golden Horseshoe Theater during the course of 10,000 shows. He has performed and taught at numerous regional and international conferences for mandolinists, who hold Evan in particularly high regard; Don Stiernberg has referred to Evan as “The Michael Jordan of the mandolin.”
    His student and now Mandolin Phenom Scott Gates is 19 years old and has taken the mandolin world by storm. Scott Gates is as close to a musical Prodigy on the mandolin as you will ever meet. Scott has been a mainstay at Bluegrass festivals for many years and holds a special place in his heart for these festivals and the people he sees year after year. This especially holds true for the kids he meets with that same fire to play music in their eyes that he had as a young boy.
    Having performed all over the country and with artists as varied as John and Nathan McEuen, Steve Martin, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kenny Loggins and a virtual who's who of bluegrass players, Scott has started writing music of his own. Scott appeared last year on the Ellen Show with Steve Martin and he recorded with Kenny Loggins on his soon-to-be-released family album, which was picked up by Disney. Scott recently appeared on an episode of the FX Channel hit tv show Justified opposite Actor Timothy Olyphant . Having started on piano at 3 years of age and mandolin at the age of 8, Scott had studied under Evan Marshall for 6 years, David Grisman, Chris Thile and a host of others learning the Bluegrass, Celtic, Rock, Classical, Jazz and Blues styles from the masters themselves.
    Scott formed his first band Pacific Ocean Bluegrass at the age of 13. He then performed with his own Scott Gates band for several years and then became a member of the touring "Nathan McEuen Band. Most recently Scott has formed the Salty Suites, a roots and bluegrass band and has been playing originals and standards to appreciative audiences all over the Southwest. A three time winner at the prestigious Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest as well as a two time National IBMA youth all star, Scott is also in great demand as a session player through out the country and all this by the ripe old age of 19.
    Tix, $15 adults, $5 kids under age 12.
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20: (late addition)
7:30-10:30 pm SIERRA HIGHWAY plays the Sweetwater Cafe, 33310 Agua Dulce Canyon Rd, Agua Dulce 91350; 661-268-1213. See the band with Larry Schallert, Frank Hoppe, Richard and Catherine Espinoza, and Eric Swanson. Free admission, great food and drink, perfect atmosphere for the band. A rare chance to see Sierra Highway close up and with free admission.
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
8 pm JIM KWESKIN, pioneer of the '60s jug band revival, at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. $20.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
8 pm Two-Time Grammy Winner LAURENCE JUBER at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583. Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide.
     The former lead guitarist for PAUL McCARTNEY's band, WINGS (1978-81) and featured on the hit singles “Goodnight Tonight' and “Coming Up,” Juber won the first “Best Rock Instrumental” Grammy award. Voted #1 Guitarist by the readers of Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine, Juber offers superb arrangements of pop and classic songs. His playing has been featured on the scores of successful films, including “Pocahontas.”
     In addition to tonight's concert, he does a Workshop here this afternoon; see the venue's website, class and workshop pages. (Buy a concert ticket and get $5 off the workshop price.) 
     More at www.laurencejuber.com     
     Tickets at Blvd Music or by phone with a major credit card. A $1 service charge per ticket is added on phone orders. Doors at 7:30 pm for the best seats; those with advance tix get in first. Tickets $17.50, on sale Aug 6.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
8 pm THE FOLK COLLECTION at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations number (NEW, May 2011) is 626-798-6236. (“The venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
    Venue impresario Bob Stane says, “Two shows [a 3 pm matinee and this 8 pm show]. Popular act. Been here a dozen times. Always sells out so we are having two shows. There are always folks, with guests, who need to come in the afternoon.”
    This band takes you on a trip down memory lane in the footsteps of The Kingston Trio, Peter Paul & Mary, John Denver and The Limeliters with songs like "This Land Is Your Land, " "Blowin' In The Wind," and the “MTA.” This is a family show that works for all ages, full of singalongs and good, clean humor. They were a big hit a few years back when they performed live on radio's “Tied to the Tracks.” Tix, $20.
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
   
Sat, Aug 20: (late addition)
8 pm PHRANC plus PETER CASE (Plimsouls)play Grand Performances at California Plaza, 350 S Grand Av, L.A. 90071; 213-687-2020. Free show, and the final folk offering of the season here.
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
   
Sat, Aug 20:
8 pm CHRIS VALENTI, comedic singer-songwriter / award-winning filmmaker, plays Genghis Cohen, 740 N Fairfax Av, Los Angeles 90069. Chris says, “It's the kind of show I do out on the road. Except this time it's here in Los Angeles! You don't have to go to the airport, pay for 6 days of car storage in Lot C, then change planes in Vegas or Phoenix, just to see my full show in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, or New Mexico. I'm not saying that wouldn't be worth it - it would. But, parking at Genghis Cohen is free. The cover is only $8. Good Chinese food. Good friends. New friends. New material. Drinks after the show. And free parking. Coming to this show will demonstrate your fiscal responsibility.”
    More at www.ChrisValentiMusic.com and www.funnyordie.com/chrisvalenti    
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20:
8 pm JODY MULGREW plays his digital album release show at The Complete Actors Place, 13752 Ventura Bl, Sherman Oaks 91423. Jody says, “ For the modest price of a $15 ticket, you get 3 great acts in an intimate setting - appetizer buffet and non-alcoholic beverages included AND a digital copy of my new album 'Rocket Ship.' This offer is only good for tickets purchased online in advance of the show. Arrive early and get a good seat. seats about 100 people and they have wonderful state-of-the-art sound and lighting.”
    Performing with Jody: DOWN 4 THE COUNT, a 5-person vocal ensemble based in Los Angeles. They perform original arrangements in a variety of styles, from jazz to rock to folk to country, and more. Down 4 The Count members have worked with or shared the stage with the Four Freshmen, Rockapella, Inga Swearingen, Moira Smiley and VOCO, Phil Collins, Chaka Khan, Dave Koz, The Tower of Power Horns, Ringo Starr, Mellisa Etheridge, Indigo Girls, Kevin Mohogany, Gretchen Parlato, Judy Collins, Lionel Loueke, Louie Bellson, Kitty Margolis, Ani DiFranco, Ladysmith Blackmambazo, and Page Cavanaugh.
    Tix and info, www.jodymulgrew.com  
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 20: (late addition)
8-9:30 pm “RANCH PARTY” with MICHAEL-ANN & THE MISSOURI REBELS at EB's Wine and Beer Bar, 3rd & Fairfax in the old Farmers Market at the Grove (outside, behind Johnny Rockets). MICHAEL-ANN says, “We'll be doing some of our 'old' favorites and new favorites at this show (some great classic covers as well)...please come and enjoy over an hours worth of music...NO COVER!” We'd love to see some friendly faces, shake hands and kiss babies!”

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Aug 20:
8:30 pm MATT SLOCUM TRIO with JOSH NELSON & DAN LUTZ plays “THE JAZZ BAKERY AT THE COURT” series at Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; 626-683-6883; www.bostoncourt.org     
    "One of his generation's most highly regarded drummers ... Matt Slocum is more than a rising star drummer--he is a composer of startling melodic sophistication." - Jazz Polica
    "With this excellent premiere, Slocum steps out of the box as the full package." - All About Jazz-New York.
    "He's a great drummer, Slocum, with splendid timing, dynamics and ideas. He's a master of the current sense of swing." - LA Weekly.    
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Sunday, August 21
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21
Noon-5 pm “ROSE PARK BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL” with FRANK FAIRFIELD, LONESOME OTIS BLUEGRASS BAND, THE SIGNAL HILL BILLYS, WRECK N SOW, in Rose Park, 800 Orizaba Av, Long Beach 90804.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21 (Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21):
Annual “BIG BEAR LAKE COWBOY GATHERING” at Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center, 39707 Big Bear Bl, Big Bear Lake 92315.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21; Sat & Sun, Aug 20 & 21, in Ventura:
POSTPONED INDEFINITELY*: Inaugural VENTURA FOLK FESTIVAL "BOUND FOR GLORY" in Mission Park, 180 E Main St, Ventura 93001. Scheduled to perform (so far) are RAMBLIN JACK ELLIOTT, JOHN DOE, J.D. SOUTHER, PETER CASE, THE WHITE BUFFALO, CHRIS PIERCE, SHANE ALEXANDER, TOM CORBETT, PHIL SALAZAR, JAY NASH, TONY LUCCA, MATT DUKE, B. WILLING, JUSTINE BENNETT, DELANEY GIBSON, TED LENNON, 50 STICKS OF DYNAMITE, PHIL CODY, TALL TALES AND THE SILVER LINING, THE KINFOLK, RINCON RAMBLERS, LEE KOCH, JAMIE DRAKE, DAN WILSON, SETH PETTERSEN, & GARRISON STARR. Organizers say that tickets and info are promised soon. Check www.facebook.com/Venturafolkfestival?sk=info or www.venturarocks.com/index.htm
+    
* - The Guide received word Wednesday morning, August 17, that the festival will NOT happen this weekend. Check the two great shows at Zoey's if you're already set to be in Ventura for the weekend.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21, in Tehachapi:
Annual TEHACHAPI MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL in Phillip Marx (aka Central) Park, and in Tehachapi Moose Lodge, and other venues throughout Tehachapi. TONY VICE performs on the Moose Lodge stage, 1-4 pm; music all day.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21 (Fri-Sun, Aug 19-21), festival, in Vista (N San Diego Co):
Annual SUMMERGRASS bluegrass festival at the Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in Vista. Here's the final day's line-up:
> Sunday Aug 21
9 am Sweet Tidings
10 am BladeRunners
11 am Bluegrass Etc.
Noon Kids on Stage
12:30 pm Next Generation
1:15 pm Lunch Break
2 pm Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa
3 pm Bluegrass Etc.
4 pm Bladerunners
Tickets, etc, at www.summergrass.net. More info soon.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21:
Noon-2 pm “MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS” with TIM TEDROW & TERRY VREELAND with vocal support from JOEY VREELAND and the REVEREND MARK on bass, play the outdoor series at Adam’s Pack Station at Chantry Flats above Sierra Madre in the San Gabriel Mountains. Take the 210 freeway to Santa Anita Ave, go North (toward the mountains) up into the canyon a few miles until you reach the parking lot. Free show, but the Forest Service charges to park in the woods. Come up and enjoy the music in a beautiful mountain setting. Food and drink available for purchase.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21:
Noon SONGSALIVE! LOS ANGELES SONGWRITER'S WORKSHOP with CLAY DRAYTON, Award winning Motown songwriter / producer, at The Finnish Center, 10701 Magnolia Bl, North Hollywood.
    Topic is "Casting THE HOOK." The Hook is the most important part of catching a fish. The fish is your audience. You will learn how to cast a hook that will catch the listeners and never let them go.
    An award winning Motown songwriter & producer, his career includes work with The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, Bette Midler, David Ruffin, Lenny Williams, and more. His aim is to teach others how to write "Hot music that won't burn your ears". He is a voting member for the Grammy Association & the author of the book, "THE HOOK" and is a highly sought after speaker for songwriter organizations and schools. More at www.claydrayton.com    
    Free for Songsalive! Pro Members. Non-members pay a donation of $10.
    More info and RSVP for this event at www.songsalive.org/events.htm    
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21:
1-5 pm KEN O'MALLEY IS MASTER OF CEREMONIES FOR SISTER CITIES CULTURAL DAY SUNDAY, a cultural extravaganza featuring music and dance from around the world, at The Grove, 3rd & Fairfax, Los Angeles, adjacent to Farmer's Market. Ken performs solo between the various performing groups. More info at www.bit.ly/siscities   
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21 (Sat & Sun, Aug 20 & 21), in Ventura County: (late addition)

11 am-6 pm "HUENEME BEACH FESTIVAL" - 13th Annual Celebration of the Toni Young event, sponsored by the City of Port Hueneme, at Hueneme Beach Park, 550 E Surfside Dr, Port Hueneme 93041; www.huenemebeachfest.org.

Billed as "the hottest beach party in Southern California," with fun in the sun, food and music, an expanded children's area with rides, games and attractions for kids of all ages.

Lineup:

Sgt. Pepper, Sunday, 1 pm; bringing music by the Beatles and other British Invasion artists, they perform throughout California at festivals, corporate events, colleges & night clubs.
Soul City Survivors, Sunday, 4 pm; bhilled as "Southern California's top show band." Classic soul with five piece brass, three singers, dancing.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Aug 21:
1-3 pm monthly “WESTERN MUSIC ASSOCIATION JAM” invites all western musicians and cowboy poets, at the Autry National Center / Museum of the American West (formerly Autry Museum), 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, L.A.; 323-667-2000. All participating performers get free admission, all day, to the museum, so come early.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21:
1-4 pm SASSAS – the Society for the Activation of Social Space through Art and Sound – presents its last SoundShoppe this Summer, at Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Bl, Eagle Rock 90041. Load in at 12:30 pm. As always, soundShoppe is free.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21:
2 pm CONJUNTO JARDIN and CIRO HURTADO play the “Ash Grove Summer Series” (3rd Sunday of each month series) at Tropico Nopal Gallery's back patio, 1665 Beverly Bl (at Union) E of Alvarado, W of downtown L.A.
    The Ash Grove celebrates the exciting son jarocho of Veracruz, Mexico with CONJUNTO JARDIN, one of its finest performers. Led by the sibling vocals and hard-charging jarana and requinto of LIBBY & CINDY HARDING, and the sparkling keyboard harp simulations of GARY JOHNSON, the group brings out the music’s African roots and Caribbean connections. Also on the bill is Peruvian guitarist CIRO HURTADO, described in the L.A. Times as "a guitarrista extraordinaire, evoking flamenco flourishes and jazzy runs with consummate ease."
    Tickets and information at www.Ashgrovemusic.com or 310-391-5794.    
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21:
2 pm CAL PHIL presents “THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT” for its season closer at the Walt Disney Concert Hall at the L.A. Music Center, 135 N Grand Av, L.A. (downtown) 90012; 213-972-7211; www.musiccenter.org. .
    This is the same program presented last night for the final “Festival on the Green” concert at the L.A. County Arboretum, 100 N Baldwin Av, Arcadia. Maestro VICTOR VENER always brings accessible classical music and recently admitted to his love of The Beatles. This is the philharmonic's last season outdoor season here; they move to Santa Anita Racetrack next year. Tix & info, www.calphil.org; 626-300-8200.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21:
2:30-4:30 pm SALTY SUITES play Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-845-2425. The band does two sets in the new Back Room Stage. $10 cover.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21:
3 pm “FATHER'HOOD: A STAGE PLAY” at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations number (NEW, May 2011) is 626-798-6236. (“The venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
    Venue impresario BOB STANE is really big on this one. He tells us it's “Back by popular demand! For the 3rd time!” Written and performed by Tyrone Fance, Steve Bruner and Stan Sellrs. Reservations required. Reserve tix at thefatherhoodreservations@gmail.com    
Tix, $10.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21: (late addition)
5 pm GWENDOLYN, plus BEN VAUGHN, and ROSE'S PAWN SHOP, at this week's “GRAND OLE ECHO” show at The Echo, 1822 W Sunset Bl, Echo Park 90026. All ages, no cover.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Aug 21:
6 pm WALKER HAYES plays the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts – Pasadena, 85 E Holly St, Pasadena 91103; 626-683-3230.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21:
7 pm STACEY EARLE & MARK STUART play McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
    It's the down-home Americana music of Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart. This husband-wife duo brings lovely Everly-Brothers-style harmonies, terrific and clever acoustic guitar playing on their big old Gibsons, and autobiographical songwriting from the American Heartland. They captivate their audiences immediately with their warmth and charm.
    Based out of Tennessee, Earle and Stuart draw from blues, pop, country, rock, and more in their heartfelt music. The years of touring the folk/Americana circuit (playing 170 concerts a year) have given them a knack for reaching out to the audience in an intimate "come in to my living room" fashion.
    Stacey Earle began her musical career playing rhythm guitar in her brother's band, Steve Earle & the Dukes, on "The Hard Way" tour in 1990. After a year and a half on the road with the band, she returned to Nashville to start her own career as a country-folk singer-songwriter.
    Mark grew up listening to his dad play fiddle and his uncle play guitar. By age 15, he was playing in the Nashville Honky Tons with his Dad's band. A few years later he was on the road as lead guitar and vocalist for Freddy Fender and others.
    Since meeting in 1992 and marrying in late 1993, the partners have toured the USA, Canada, and Europe repeatedly. They left the environment of pursuing a major label deal in Nashville in 1998 to target small intimate venue crowds in theaters, coffeehouses, festivals, clubs, and house concerts. This has become their home and they are a recognized fixture on the music trail they blaze. Stacey and Mark own their own record label, Gearle Records, and have made 8 CDs over the years.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21:
7 pm HOUSTON JONES BAND plus FREEBO at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations number (NEW, May 2011) is 626-798-6236. (“The venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).     
    Bob Stane says, “What an incredible display of musicianship last time. The audience left absolutely stunned and glassy eyed. You must see and hear Houston Jones.”
    HOUSTON JONES is a California based high octane Americana quintet. Formed in 2001, the band performs a mostly original repertoire that ranges from bluegrass and folk to blues and gospel. The band features Glenn Houston (lead guitar), Travis Jones (lead vocal, rhythm guitar), Henry Salvia (keyboard, accordion), Chris Kee (standup bass, cello, acoustic guitar), and Peter Tucker (drums).
    “A wonderful gem of a band…truly exceptional music…wonderful original tunes…some brought tears to our eyes. These guys are a rare treat!” – Billboard.com
    "No one delivers the goods quite like Houston Jones....Houston Jones remains one of the West Coast's most talented and entertaining bands." - Dirty Linen Magazine
    It's worth noting that Chris, Peter and Glenn are all alumni of the Waybacks. The band was voted as “best discovery” and Travis Jones voted as “best vocalist” of the Fall 2005 Strawberry Music Festival. Glenn has been given the award "Best Guitarist” for 2009 by the Northern California Bluegrass Society.
    A quote from venue regular, Peggy: “Houston Jones, they are electric! they run the range from blues to jazz to rock to bluegrass to folk to heart-jamming rhythm - I was bouncing throughout their entire set! I love 'em - first saw 'em at your place. Then saw them at FAR-West Folk Alliance - their harmonies are creative and tight, their musicianship is stellar, they're funny, and I loved 'em. cheers - Peggy.”
    FREEBO is an award-winning singer-songwriter (2008 Posi Award for “Best Song” in The Most Uniting Category, The '07 Los Angeles Music Awards “Best Folk Artist”, Winner '07 South Florida Songwriting Contest, finalist in 2009 The Great American Songwriting Contest, Finalist in 5 different categories of JPF Awards), but he is probably best known as a Folk-Rock-Blues Icon.
    For 30 years, Freebo played bass on recordings and toured with some of the great artists of our time, including BONNIE RAITT (10 years), JOHN MAYALL & THE BLUESBREAKERS, CSN, MARIA MULDAUR, RINGO STARR, MICHELLE SHOCKED, NEIL YOUNG, LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III, DR. JOHN, and many others. He has also appeared on “Saturday Night Live,” “Midnight Special,” “Muppets Tonight,” and in concert with the legendary SPINAL TAP. It was his yearning for more creative expression, however, that drove Freebo to begin a process of deep inner discovery, and this has led to his successful transition as a singer-songwriter. Freebo's songs embrace stylistic elements from all the musical genres he's played throughout his career, but they are uniquely his own. He even has an entire CD of dog songs (“DOG PEOPLE”). And in his live shows, performed on acoustic guitar, Freebo creates an intimate and inclusive atmosphere with his audience. Tix, $18.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 21, in Ventura:
7 pm The RINCON RAMBLERS, featuring PHIL SALAZAR, JON WILCOX, ALAN THORNHILL, BILL FLORES, & DAN WILSON, at Zoey's Café, 185 E Santa Clara St, Ventura 93001; café 805-652-1137; concert reservations, 805-652-0091. op fiddler PHIL SALAZAR tells us, “I've got two rare gigs this week. It's been a few years since I've played with the GRATEFUL DUDES [Saturday night in Newhall] and about a year or more since the RINCON RAMBLERS have played!” More at www.philsalazarcalendar.com    
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Monday, August 22
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Mon-Fri, Aug 22-26:
DAVE STAMEY'S BACK-COUNTRY PACK TRIP, led by multiple award-winning western singer-songwriter Dave Stamey, is an annual horse caravan pack trip into the High Sierra, with plenty of music around the campfire every night, Info, www.mammothpack.com     
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Tuesday, August 23
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Tue, Aug 23:
6 pm SUSIE GLAZE & HILONESOME play the FREE Pasadena Senior Center Summer Concert Series (all ages welcome) outdoors in the Memorial Park Bandshell (aka Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts – Pasadena), 85 E Holly St, Pasadena 91103. These concerts are NOT listed with the Levitt offerings. This series offers cheap eats for sale. Bring picnics (no alcohol allowed) and beach chairs or blankets. This is one of California's top bluegrass bands, with Susie's soaring voice and plenty of instrumental brilliance on board. it's a rare chance to see them perform for free.
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Wednesday, August 24
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Wed, Aug 24:
8 pm BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, the legendary Cuban group, plays the Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N Highland Av, Hollywood 90068; 323-850-2000 213-480-3232.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Wed, Aug 24:
8 pm MIKE MARSHALL and CATERINA LICHTENBERG play a house concert in Altadena; slight possibility that CHRIS THILE will show up. Reservations get directions from Gayle at gsmashey@buffaloheadproductions.com or 310-845-9118. Sponsored by Buffalo Head Productions; $24 requested donation per person for the artists. To confirm your reservation, mail a check to Buffalo Head Productions, 4189 Jackson Av, Culver City CA 90232. Include your phone number and email address with your check. A confirmation email will be sent to you, providing the location and directions. Info, call Gayle at 310-845-9118 or email gsmashey@buffaloheadproductions.com.
  "My son, Michael , and I, spent a week with Mike Marshall, Caterina Lichtenberg and Chris Thile at Mandolin Symposium in Santa Cruz. These musicians are mind blowing. This concert is sure to be special and in David's home, what could be better! "- Gene Rubin.
    
         
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Thursday, August 25
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 25:
7:30 pm SLIGO RAGS plays the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W Malven Av, Fullerton 92833; 714-738-6706.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 25:
7 pm MIA DOI TODD plays the free series at the Levitt Pavilion - MacArthur Park, 2230 W 6th St, L.A. 90057; 213-384-5701.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Aug 25:
8 pm MR. VALLENATO plays the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N Sepulveda Bl, L.A. 90049; 310-440-4578.
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Friday, August 26
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 26:
6:30 pm “ZYDECO DANCE” is this week's free offering in the summertime “Dance Downtown at the Music Center Plaza” series, 135 N Grand Av, downtown L.A. 90012; 213-972-7211.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 26, in Hemet:
7-10 pm “HEMET ELKS BLUEGRASS JAMBOREE BARN DANCE” at Golden Village Palms RV Resort, 3600 W Florida Av, Hemet 92545; 951-223-1455. Kicks-off the festival that starts tomorrow; see listing.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 26:
8 pm DAVID GRIER at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583. Venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide.
Three time winner of the International Bluegrass Association's Guitarist of the Year, Grier has emerged as perhaps the most musically gifted and engaging young guitarist in bluegrass. Also one of the funniest, too. He has also appeared on two Grammy- winning recordings: "True Life Blues-A Tribute to Bill Monroe" and "The Great Dobro Sessions." David will play some tunes from his new CD, Evocative. One of the world's finest flatpickers. More at www.davidgrier.com
Tickets at Blvd Music or by phone with a major credit card. A $1 service charge per ticket is added on phone orders. Doors at 7:30 pm for the best seats; those with advance tix get in first. Tickets $17.50, on sale Aug 12.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 26:
8 pm VICKI GENFAN at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations number (NEW, May 2011) is 626-798-6236. (“The venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).
    Using 29 alternate tunings and the percussive technique she calls 'slap-tap', Vicki creates waves of sound with two hands and her voice. Drawing from folk, jazz, pop, soul and world music, whether covering the tunes of others or presenting her own compositions, Vicki has a distinctive style that is pushing the boundaries of the singer/songwriter genre. “I understand completely why the audience applauds and whistles so wildly...this is fiery, living music.” - IndieMusic.com.
    She has been featured at the International Montreal Jazz Festival, Germany’s Open Strings Guitar Festival and Italy’s Soave Guitar Festival. Luna Guitars has unveiled the Vicki Genfan model (created by master luthier Gray Burchette) with all the bells and whistles that Vicki’s playing requires, including a Jumbo body which lends itself to the full tones she needs for her percussive style.
    "I forgive myself for forgetting what a great singer she is; it's no wonder...her voice moves inside me as only something that comes from inside can." - Frank Goodman, Pure Music
Sometimes the revolution begins quietly and only later does the full impact sink in. That’s how it was when Vicki Genfan won the title of Guitar Superstar in the 2008 competition sponsored by Guitar Player Magazine. Jim Fusilli of the Wall Street Journal said, “It's a stunning victory, a barrier shattered. Guitar Player is a male-dominated domain -- tThe magazine is often a tribute to speed, power, volume and gear. Ms. Genfan plays an acoustic guitar without effects."
    Vicki has joined the world’s greatest guitarists and musicians at festivals such as The International Montreal Jazz Festival, Germany’s Open Strings Guitar Festival and Italy’s Soave Guitar Festival. In 2005, she was a featured artist on “La Guitara”, the first compilation CD featuring female guitarists from around the globe, released by Vanguard Records. She is in demand for guitar workshops, master classes, clinics and dealer demos.
    “After witnessing her mind-blowing performance of an original composition entitled ‘Atomic Reshuffle,’ a panel of guitardom’s elite dubbed Vicki Genfan 2008 Guitar Superstar. Contained within the 3:57 acoustic tour-de-force was a combination of playing techniques that produced not just chords and melodies, but also bell-like harmonics and percussive rhythms. Genfan’s approaches to composition and playing stem from her desire to capture dense harmonic ingredients, her affinity for open tunings, and her dream to groove like Earth, Wind & Fire’s Verdine White.” ~ Chris Buono, Guitar Player Magazine.
    Tix, $18.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 26:
8 pm JESSICA FICHOT, the delightful French-Americana accordion chanteuse, plays a free show at the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena, 85 E Holly St, Pasadena 91103. More at http://www.levittpavilionpasadena.org     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Aug 26:
8 pm JONATHAN McEUEN & NATHAN McEUEN together at the Bodie House Concert Series at the Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks 91360; bodiehpuse@aol.com. These celebrated musical siblings, offspring of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founding member JOHN McEUEN, don't get together that often anymore since Nathan moved to the East Coast. They always deliver a delightful show when they're together. This'll sell-out.
Throughout his life NATHAN McEUEN has been immersed in music on many levels. His heritage (being a son of John McEuen and nephew to film/record producer William E. McEuen) influences his enthusiasm for and pursuit of artistic originality. He has created his own footprint in music through a unique style of singing, songwriting, playing, performing, and producing that is distinctively his. Currently, Nathan is in his 15th year of performing... As a solo performer, fronting various bands and supporting other acts he has logged over 2,000 live concerts, hundreds of radio performances and dozens of television appearances worldwide. Some of Nathan’s performance highlights include: American Idol Season 8 Finale (w/ The Steve Martin Band), The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (w/ Hanna-McEuen), and The Grand Ole Opry. Beyond performing, Nathan founded his own indie record label (Lint Records) in 2005, and to date has released three full length CDs, Grand Design (2005), Festival (2007), and Scrapbook Sessions (2010). With over 80 songs penned, Nathan describes himself mainly as a guitar playing singer-songwriter with good looks, a bit of charm and whole lot of modesty. In addition to the Guitar, Nathan has been featured on stage playing Drums, Marimba, Vibes, Banjo, Piano, Bass, Omni-chord, Mouth-Trumpet, and Beat Boxing. With his impressive musical talent, stunning vocals, original songs, and a dash of humor, Nathan can wow audiences at every show. His passion for live shows is infectious and his energy can only best be experienced in person.
JONATHAN McEUEN is, among many other things, another son of well-known star banjo picker John McEuen. "Jonathan McEuen," it has been said, "was born to sing and play." Good genes and a star-studded extended musical family definitely work to his advantage - Crowds respond enthusiastically to Jonathan's extraordinary voice and guitar playing whenever he performs.
Jonathan has always known life on the road - first by playing guitar and singing with his family, as well as singing background and playing guitar for other world class artists including Dwight Yoakam, Dave Mason, and Robben Ford, to name a few. Co-fronting his own band with cousin Jamie Hanna (son of Jeff Hanna from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), he was signed to the major record label MCA Nashville, (a division of Universal Music Group). That experience confirmed he was ready to move forward and create music outside the confines of his influences or a specific genre. Jonathan has performed on Jay Leno, at the Grand Ol’ Opry, and at Red Rocks in Colorado.
Though Jonathan’s tremendous skill on guitar is clear, playing music without limitations is his commitment. He enjoys crossing genre lines and breaking molds by fusing musical traditions in his own, inspired way. Armed with a quick wit and personal charm, Jonathan moves fluidly in and out of folk, rock and bluegrass /country influences, making delightfully eclectic music for everyone along for the ride.
Tix, $20, includes appetizer / dessert buffet. Reservations strongly recommended at email address above. (These two have another show together, Sun, Aug 28, 7:30 pm, at Zoey's in Ventura - see listing.)

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Fri, Aug 26:
9:30 pm KEN O'MALLEY brings authentic and original Irish music to Ireland’s 32, 13721 Burbank Bl, Van Nuys 91401; 818-785-4031.
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Saturday, August 27
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27, FESTIVAL, in Hemet:
Annual “HEMET ELKS BLUEGRASS JAMBOREE” with LOST & FOUND, SALTY SUITES, LONESOME OTIS, THE WIMBERLYS, BLUEGRASS BRETHREN, FAULT LINE, WILDWOOD VALLEY BOYS, III GENERATION, at Golden Village Palms RV Resort, 3600 W Florida Av, Hemet 92545; 951-223-1455.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27:
10 am Grammy nominees LISA HALEY & THE ZYDECATS, just back from a world tour, play the “Big World Fun” family series at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Bl East, Hollywood 90068; 323-461-3673.
    Lisa talks about and plays Cajun & zydeco music at www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbYuHlI2xxA.    
    Michael Lucas of the Los Angeles Times calls Lisa-Hayley and the Zydekats’ music "a pop approach to Louisiana's sound...one-of-a-kind cornbread voice."
    We call her marvelous, a world-class talent with a splendid and powerfully joyous voice. With her band, just back from a world tour that included the South Pacific Music Festival on Borneo (no kidding!), they play authentic, high-energy Americana / Louisiana / Pop / Folk music that is fun to sing along. It's an infectious repertoire, ranging from contemporary Louisiana music to 120-year-old traditional Cajun and zydeco songs, and they blend education with rollicking entertainment, teaching all ages about the rich history of Louisiana/Americana migration.
    Lisa Haley & the Zydekats includes the talents of Gigi Rabe “Accordion Diva”, Chuck Alvarez, Andy Anders, and fine drummer Maria Martinez. In addition to live performance and recordings, they have collaborated on major motion pictures, including "Where the Red Fern Grows," “The Muppet Movie,” “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” and "Man in the Moon."
    Arrive at 9:00 a.m. for the pre-show activity, creating alligator puppets with the help of the Art 2 Go staff. Designed for the enjoyment of children ages 4 to 10, parents and grandparents, the hour-long Big!World!Fun! performances take place in the Ford’s shaded outdoor amphitheatre.
    Free for children, $5 for adults. Parking is $1 per vehicle.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27:
Noon DON McLEAN (famous for his song, “American Pie”) performs in concert in a two-part show called “BELIEVE ONLY IN LOVE,” with the other part a new musical, “THE REAL LOVE,” at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E Green St, Pasadena; www.thepasadenacivic.com.    
    Schedule: Art Exhibition & Refreshments / Celebrity Red Carpet, at noon; program (concert & musical) at 2 pm; banquet at 5 pm.      
    “The Real Love” musical brings a 40 member cast, a 20 piece orchestra, and stars Tony Award winners and nominees JOANNA AMPIL, DAISY EAGAN, CADY HUFFMAN, ADAM PASCAL, ROBERT TORTI; directed by CHRIS SHELTON. Emcees include ED BEGLEY, JR. (6-time Emmy winner) and CLORIS LEACHMAN (Oscar & 9-time Emmy winner). Special guests include SHIRLEY JONES (Oscar winner). Composers of the musical are BILL CONTI (Oscar & 5-time Emmy winner), AL KASHA (2-time Oscar winner), DOUG KATSAROS (Emmy nominee), DON PIPPIN (Tony & Emmy winner), and DAVID SHIRE (Oscar & 2-time Grammy winner).
    Tix are $35 / 45 / 55, and a complimentary banquet; tix & info, www.theRealLoveMusic.com; www.SupremeMasterTV.com; 626-449-7360 or 626-623-2225.     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27:
POSTPONED ON AUG 17, UNTIL APRIL... 2 pm “WOODY GUTHRIE / GRAPES OF WRATH,” acclaimed one-man show by ROSS ALTMAN, Topanga Banjo Fiddle “Legend” Award winner, is reprised today at the Institute for Musical Arts' Ray G. Clark Theater, 3210 W 54th St, L.A. 90043; 323-300-6578.
    Al Martinez of the L.A. Times wrote of Ross’s performance of Guthrie’s anthem, “This Land Is Your Land,” that “When everyone sang with him about America, they were singing to one another, not just about mountains and rivers but about freedom and goodwill.”
    It took John Steinbeck 250 pages to get the Joad Family to California, in his novel, The Grapes of Wrath. It took Woody Guthrie one line. "The Ballad of Tom Joad" is Woody's masterpiece of condensed storytelling, translating Steinbeck's huge novel into 17 compact verses, so "folks" who couldn't afford to buy the book or see the movie, wouldn't miss out. It is also the title song of Storyteller, Folk Singer and Songwriter Ross Altman's one-man show, which he originally produced in 2002, to celebrate the Steinbeck Centennial celebration of the novel.
    As a college professor, Ross had adapted Steinbeck's novel into a 20 page script which his students performed at speech festivals in Illinois. He later wove Guthrie's Dust Bowl Ballads into that prose script. The resulting show “The Ballad of Tom Joad: Woody Guthrie and The Grapes of Wrath” combines humor, hard times and hope.
    Ross says, "It's one thing to sing Woody's songs at a folk music club, where they feel as comfortable as an old pair of shoes........What a thrill it is to be able to bring Woody to new audiences - both in age and locale - and to see in their excitement and appreciation the same feelings I had when I first fell in love with these songs forty years ago.....Call it a second honeymoon - for a great novel and a great body of song...... These performances remind me why I became a folk singer in the first place—to carry it on, to make the dead past a part of the living present, and to share the treasures of some of America’s most distinctive voices with people who may not be folk music fans, but who definitely are the folk.”
    Dawn Clark-Johnson, Executive Director of the host venue, the Institute of Musical Arts, said in a statement, “On the eve of the Woody Guthrie 2012 Centennial, Ross will reprise his one-man show at the IMA's Ray G. Clark Theater. Please don't miss this afternoon of song and story. We'd love to have you share in the festivities and enjoy an afternoon of great entertainment. As is our custom at the Institute of Musical Arts, a reception will follow the performance.”
    Tickets are available online at http://tomjoad.eventbrite.com or at the venue's website, www.imalosangeles.com or you can pay by cash, check or credit card at the IMA office if you hurry. IMA cautions, “Ours is a small, intimate theater, and we do expect that this concert will sell out. So please, purchase your tickets for a suggested donation of $15 today.” For additional information call 323-300-6578.
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27, workshop, in San Diego:
3 pm “FLATPICKING WORKSHOP “with DAVID GRIER at New Expression Music, 4434 30th St, San Diego 92116; 619-280-9035.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27, in San Diego:
7 pm DAVID GRIER concert at New Expression Music, 4434 30th St, San Diego 92116; 619-280-9035.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27:
7 pm BANNA BEAG MALL plus WHEN PIGS FLY! at Dollmakers, 412 S Myrtle Av, Monrovia; 626-357-1091. Sponsored by Kattywompus.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27:
“ERNIE KOVACS TRIBUTE” at AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE at the Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Bl, Hollywood 90028; www.americancinematheque.com. Event includes panel, “IN KOVACSLAND: A TRIBUTE TO ERNIE KOVACS (1919-1962)” which will include screenings of Kovacs’ work; he was a comedian whose brand of humor transformed television’s early era into an age of creativity never before seen. Info, www.americancinematheque.com; Ediad Productions, www.edieadams.com; www.erniekovacs.com.     
    Harry Shearer, musician / actor / producer, known for “This Is Spinal Tap” and “The Simpsons,” will moderate the panel that will include “Mr. Show with Bob and David” and “Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!” co-creator and performer Bob Odenkirk; “Laugh-In” creator George Schlatter; Kovacs cast member Jolene Brand, humorist and writer Merrill Markoe and Kovacs curator Ben Model. The discussion will focus on the impact Kovacs had on television during his heyday and long after his death in 1962. A rare opportunity for anyone interested in the pioneer days of television and one of its signature creative geniuses.
Tickets, $11 general admission, $9 student/senior, $7 American Cinematheque members; on sale now at www.fandango.com/egyptiantheatre_aaofx/theaterpage     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27:
7:30 pm PASADENA POPS with new conductor, MARVIN HAMLISCH, closes their season with a program of “Marvin Does Movies,”on the Rose Bowl Events Lawn, in then Arroyo Seco, next to the Rose Bowl, Pasadena.
    Renowned composer Hamlisch has all the top awards: 3 Music Oscars, 4 Music Emmys, 4 Grammys, and a Tony Award (for Broadway). Together with RICHARD ROGERS, MARVIN HAMLISCH is the only person ever to win at least one of each of those top awards plus win a Pulitzer Prize. This'll be SOME program. Gates at 5:30 pm. Tix range from $25 on the lawn, or get a seat from $56-90; tables for six to ten people, in prime spots, go for $336-900. Tix & infowww.pasadenasymphony-pops.org; 626-793-7172.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27, in Ventura:
7:30 pm LISA HALEY & THE ZYDECATS play Olivas Adobe Historical Park, 4200 Olivas Park Dr, Ventura 92002.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27, in San Diego:
7:30 pm HIGHLAND WAY, a fine and fun Celtic band, plays the San Diego Folk Heritage concert series at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas 92024; 858-566-4040.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27, in San Diego:
7:30 pm SHAWN PHILLIPS plays the AMSD Concert series, 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego 92116; 619-303-8176.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27:
8 pm “FAR-WEST FOLK ALLIANCE BENEFIT” with BORDER RADIO, SUSIE GLAZE & HILONESOME, FUR DIXON & STEVE WERNER, and MERLIN SNIDER & FRIENDS, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations number (NEW, May 2011) is 626-798-6236. (“The venue named in FolkWorks as L.A.’s best intimate acoustic listening room venue”).     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27, in OC:
8 pm THE DEL McCOURY BAND plays the Orange County Great Park series, at Sand Canyon & Marine Way, Irvine 92618; 949-724-6247.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27, in OC:
8 pm JOHN BATDORF plays Trinity Backstage Coffee House, 1500 State St, Santa Barbara 93101; 805-962-2970.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Aug 27:
8 pm JOHN TRUDELL plus JOEL RAFAEL with MARK SHARK, at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583.
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Sunday, August 28
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 28:
Annual “HEMET ELKS BLUEGRASS JAMBOREE” concludes today; see Saturday's write-up for details.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 28:
Noon & 2 pm “WE TELL STORIES” storytelling from around the world at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N Sepulveda Bl, L.A. 90049.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 28: (late addition)
2-9 pm “LOREY’S BLUES FOR HOPE” benefit with performances by R&B BOMBERS, THE SCORCH SISTERS, BLUES STRAIGHT UP, KELLY'S LOT, THE DELGADO BROTHERS, TERESA JAMES, & WUMBLOOZO, at Joe’s Great American Bar & Grill, 4311 W Magnolia, Burbank 91505; 818-729-0805. Tix, $10. More in our next edition.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Aug 28:
7:30 pm JONATHAN McEUEN & NATHAN McEUEN together at Zoey’s Cafe, 185 E Santa Clara St, Ventura 93001, with some shows at “The Lodge,” 11 S Ash St, Ventura; advance tix & info, www.zoeyscafe.com; 805-652-1137 or 805-652-0091. These celebrated musical siblings, offspring of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founding member JOHN McEUEN, don't get together that often anymore since Nathan moved to the East Coast. They always deliver a delightful show when they're together. This'll sell-out.
Throughout his life NATHAN McEUEN has been immersed in music on many levels. His heritage (being a son of John McEuen and nephew to film/record producer William E. McEuen) influences his enthusiasm for and pursuit of artistic originality. He has created his own footprint in music through a unique style of singing, songwriting, playing, performing, and producing that is distinctively his. Currently, Nathan is in his 15th year of performing... As a solo performer, fronting various bands and supporting other acts he has logged over 2,000 live concerts, hundreds of radio performances and dozens of television appearances worldwide. Some of Nathan’s performance highlights include: American Idol Season 8 Finale (w/ The Steve Martin Band), The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (w/ Hanna-McEuen), and The Grand Ole Opry. Beyond performing, Nathan founded his own indie record label (Lint Records) in 2005, and to date has released three full length CDs, Grand Design (2005), Festival (2007), and Scrapbook Sessions (2010). With over 80 songs penned, Nathan describes himself mainly as a guitar playing singer-songwriter with good looks, a bit of charm and whole lot of modesty. In addition to the Guitar, Nathan has been featured on stage playing Drums, Marimba, Vibes, Banjo, Piano, Bass, Omni-chord, Mouth-Trumpet, and Beat Boxing. With his impressive musical talent, stunning vocals, original songs, and a dash of humor, Nathan can wow audiences at every show. His passion for live shows is infectious and his energy can only best be experienced in person.
JONATHAN McEUEN is, among many other things, another son of well-known star banjo picker John McEuen. "Jonathan McEuen," it has been said, "was born to sing and play." Good genes and a star-studded extended musical family definitely work to his advantage - Crowds respond enthusiastically to Jonathan's extraordinary voice and guitar playing whenever he performs.
Jonathan has always known life on the road - first by playing guitar and singing with his family, as well as singing background and playing guitar for other world class artists including Dwight Yoakam, Dave Mason, and Robben Ford, to name a few. Co-fronting his own band with cousin Jamie Hanna (son of Jeff Hanna from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), he was signed to the major record label MCA Nashville, (a division of Universal Music Group). That experience confirmed he was ready to move forward and create music outside the confines of his influences or a specific genre. Jonathan has performed on Jay Leno, at the Grand Ol’ Opry, and at Red Rocks in Colorado.
Though Jonathan’s tremendous skill on guitar is clear, playing music without limitations is his commitment. He enjoys crossing genre lines and breaking molds by fusing musical traditions in his own, inspired way. Armed with a quick wit and personal charm, Jonathan moves fluidly in and out of folk, rock and bluegrass /country influences, making delightfully eclectic music for everyone along for the ride.
Limited seating. Dinner reservations get a table at 805-652-1137. Tix, $12 adv, $15 at the door if any remain. (These two have another show together, Fri, Aug 26, 8 pm, at the Bodie House Music Series at the Thousand Oaks Library - see listing.)    
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 28:
7:30 pm PALADINO headlines, preceded by KIMBLE COUNTRY KILLERS & UP ALL NIGHT, at Old Towne Pub, 66 N Fair Oaks Av, (Down The Alley off 22 Holly St), Pasadena 91103.
    PALADINO is a new psych/folk/country/punk band offering an interesting slant on a lot of country, alt country, punk, roots folk and old time Americana themes. Members come from different bands based in LA and NYC, maybe most notably former members of The Mooney Suzuki, Grand Mal, the Adam Green band, and, locally, Amanda Jones and Michelle Vidal.
    Paladino at 9:30 pm; Kimble Country Killers at 7:30 pm; Up All Night at 8:30. Venue is 21+. Cover, $5.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Aug 28:
8 pm Annual BENEFIT CONCERT to support next year's FREE Summer Concert Series outdoors at Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts – Pasadena, 85 E Holly St, Pasadena 91103. Uhh, like most of their series this year, tonight's concert is anything but folk-friendly. You may want to support them and let them know you want folk-Americana music emphasized next year (or at least included, as it was prior to this season).
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Tuesday, August 30
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Tue, Aug 30:
6 pm LISA HALEY & THE ZYDEKATS play the FREE Pasadena Senior Center Summer Concert Series (all ages welcome) outdoors in the Memorial Park Bandshell (aka Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts – Pasadena), 85 E Holly St, Pasadena 91103. These concerts are NOT listed with the Levitt offerings. This series offers cheap eats for sale. Bring picnics (no alcohol allowed) and beach chairs or blankets. California's top Cajun & zyedco band, they usually spend the entire summer playing the circuit of big European festivals. Lisa's trademark blue fiddle combines with accordion and rubboard and plenty of happy feet take flight, on stage and off. It's a rare chance to see them perform for free.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Tue, Aug 30, in Riverside:
8 pm JESSICA FICHOT, the delightful accordion chanteuse, plays at La Sierra University in Riverside.
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
Wednesday, August 31
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Wed, Aug 31:
8 pm “THE DROP: JOHN DOE” at Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl, L.A. 90015; 213-765-6803; www.grammymuseum.org. Celebrated singer, songwriter and actor John Doe, just one day after the release of his new CD. Hear Doe in discussion about his new solo album “Keeper,” his first record since 2007’s acclaimed “A Year in the Wilderness.” Produced alongside long-time collaborator Dave Way (Fiona Apple, Macy Gray) at Los Angeles’ The Way Station and New Monkey Studios, the record also features vocals by Patty Griffin, Jill Sobule and Cindy Wasserman. In addition to an inside-look at the new album, Doe will also discuss his role as a founding member of the seminal L.A. punk rock outfit X, his country spin-off band The Knitters and his several television and movie appearances, including playing the role of Jeff Parker in the television series Roswell. Moderated by GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, an exclusive performance will follow.
    Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express presale tickets are $20 and can be purchased online by American Express Card members starting Friday, August 12, at noon. Public sale is Wednesday, August 24, at noon. American Express is the exclusive payment method for presale tickets. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum. More info at www.grammymuseum.org or 213-765-6803.    
     
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
September, 2011...
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Sep 1:
Annual “REMEMBER THE MUSIC” benefit concert with Grammy winner SHELBY LYNNE and PATRICK PARK & BRIAN WRIGHT at the historic Yost Theater in Santa Ana.
     One ticket option includes a three course seated dinner for a limited number of supporters. There are two elevated VIP sections and general admission in front of the stage. Presented by Betty's Foundation (www.bettysfoundation.org) and more info is available at their website or at 310-936-2814. All proceeds benefit Alzheimer’s research and awareness.
    More info at www.rememberthemusic.org    
    Tickets are available now at www.yosttheater.com/calendar/2011/remember-the-music-2011-feat-shelby-lynne  and at http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3791775. More info coming here, soon.      
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Sep 2:
8 pm LAUREN ADAMS BAND Show / Birthday Party at Mare'ka, 12747 1/2 Ventura Bl, Studio City 91604; 818-509-1664. $5 cover, venue is 21+. Lauren says, "Yep...another year older and deeper in debt! " The Lauren Adams Band fis an all-star affair, featuring Nick Kirgo (Guitar), Debra Dobkin (Percussion), Mark "Pocket" Goldberg (Bass) and Phil Parlapiano (Keyboards/Accordion) and for Lauren's B-day, maybe some special guests, too.
    "One listen and I was hooked. Superb, intelligent, thought-provoking songs. Real songs for real people wrapped in melodies that, promise to capture, inspire and pull the listener in again and again. Songwriters of Lauren Adams' level are few and far between. - Laurie Joulie, Take Back Country Magazine.
    "Lauren Adams has A CD here that is infectious, the lyrics and sweet melodies along with some sweet slide work make you want to keep listening, a very well done recording." - Jim Moulton, Country Stars Online.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri-Sun, Sep 2-4; Best Out-of-Town Festival, in Rhode Island:
Annual “RHYTHM & ROOTS FESTIVAL” in Ninigret Park, 4890A Old Post Rd (just off Rt 1), Charlestown, Rhode Island 02813.
    Check this lineup:
Red Stick Ramblers (Host band, Fri-Sun)
Steve Earle & the Dukes (& Duchesses) featuring Allison Moorer (Sat)
Richard Thompson (Sat)
Marcia Ball (Fri)
Delbert McClinton (Sun)
Raul Malo Band (Sat)
7 Walkers (Sun)
Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys (Sat, Sun)
Mitch Woods & his Rocket 88’s (Sun)
Nation Beat (Sun)
Sarah & the Tall Boys (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble (Fri, Sat)
Occidental Gypsy Jazz Band (Sat, Sun)
Swamp Cabbage (Fri, Sat)
Harper & the Midwest Kind (Fri, Sat)
Corey Ledet & his Zydeco Band (Fri, Sat, Sun)
Jesse Lege, Joel Savoy & Bayou Brew (Sat, Sun)
Greely Savoy Duo (Sat, Sun)
Preston Frank, Ed Poullard & Friends (Sat, Sun)
    The publicist tells us, “We actually do have a few folks who travel out from California, especially the zydeco dancers. It has lots of Americana, blues and other roots genres as well.”
    While many people look at Labor Day weekend as the end of summer, thousands look forward to the date as the time for an annual mardi gras style celebration in New England where people from all over the United States gather in Rhode Island to listen to a wide spectrum of roots music, dance to a variety of rhythms, and feast on gourmet food and drink in a truly festive setting with a wide variety of musical styles such as Zydeco, Cajun, blues, New Orleans R&B, swing, Americana, folk and roots music.
    Held each year at beautiful Ninigret Park in the oceanside community of Charlestown, Rhode Island and drawing approximately 10,000 people over the course of the weekend, the popular Rhythm & Roots Festival returns for its 14th year with another sizzling lineup of roots music. The multi-faceted Red Stick Ramblers, with their eclectic mix of zydeco, country, bluegrass and swing, play host band this year and help to kick things off on FRIDAY with boogie woogie piano queen, Marcia Ball, and some rockin' zydeco from Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble.
    In addition to being renowned for its impressive lineup of artists, Rhythm & Roots is known for its wide array of food and drink in a wonderfully festive setting. Vendors offer a variety of delicacies ranging from Cajun & Creole cuisine to southern style barbecue, Greek and Middle Eastern foods and fresh native seafood, a variety of beverages plus gourmet coffee and desserts. Merchant vendors have hard to find recordings, authentic handcrafted instruments, vintage posters and other festive items on hand. The festival features camping with showers, a swimming area, on site kiddie park, and free parking.
    Runs Fri, 5 pm-midnight, and Sat & Sun, noon-midnight. Info, 888-855-6940; www.rhythmandroots.com; office@rhythmandroots.com. Tickets, gate, $35-$175; children age 12 and under are free; tix available by phone or website. Free parking.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat & Sun, Sep 3 & 4:
10 am-10 pm “ORANGE INTERNATIONAL STREET FAIR” with SLIGO RAGS and others, at Chapman Av & Glassell St, Orange 92866.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Sep 3:
3 pm ROSS ALTMAN, Legend Award-winning balladeer, does a free performance sponsored by the Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest organization at the West Valley Regional Library, 19036 Vanowen St, Reseda 91335.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Sep 4:
2 pm twice monthly “SONGWRITER SANCTUM,” this time with a theme of “Before and After...songwriters on a journey” and the lineup of LISA SANDERS, JAMES HURLEY, GARRET SWAYNE, & ANNA MONTGOMERY, at the Church in Ocean Park, 235 Hill St, Santa Monica; 310-399-1631. Series runs 1st & 2nd Sundays. Free, donations for artists welcome, and there's always a food / drink potluck.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Sep 4:
7:30 pm “USA ACOUSTIC ALARM TOUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 1981-2011” brings MIKE PETERS of THE ALARM with ARI SHINE to the El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Bl, L.A.; 323-936-4790; www.theelrey.com. Doors at 7 pm. Tix, $22, on sale now, at www.goldenvoice.com.   
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Tue, Sep 6:
6 pm THE GREAT AMERICAN SWING BAND closes the season of FREE Pasadena Senior Center Summer Concert Series (all ages welcome) outdoors in the Memorial Park Bandshell (aka Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts – Pasadena), 85 E Holly St, Pasadena 91103. These concerts are NOT listed with the Levitt offerings. This series offers cheap eats for sale. Bring picnics (no alcohol allowed) and beach chairs or blankets.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Sep 8:
7:30 pm JOHN YORK, former BYRD, plays the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W Malven Av, Fullerton 92833; 714-738-6706.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Sep 8:
8 pm COLIN HAY plays Saint Rocke, 142 Pacific Coast Hwy, Hermosa Beach 90254; 310-372-0035.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat & Sun, Sep 10 & 11:
2nd annual “EQUINOX FOLK MUSIC, DANCE AND STORYTELLING FESTIVAL” with MICK MOLONEY, GINNY HAWKER & TRACY SCHWARZ, OLD SLEDGE, LISSA SCHNECKENBERGER BAND, and more, presented by the California Traditional Music Society.
    Saturday is an evening Celtic Concert at Throop Church in Pasadena.
    Sunday is the multi-stage, multi-workshop all-day festival at Rancho Cordillera del Norte, 9015 Wilbur Av, Northridge 91324.
    Altogether, it's 43 world-class “traditional” performers (with more to be added), 70 workshops, 12 hours of dance and an all day children’s area.
    Performers include:
Legendary Irish musician Mick Moloney
Old-time fiddle and banjo icon Dan Gellert
World-class New England fiddler and singer Lissa Schneckenburger and Band
Outstanding Appalachian singer Ginny Hawker
Multi-instrumentalist and former New Lost City Rambler Tracy Schwarz
Old Sledge, some of the brightest new generation of Appalachian performers
Champion buckdancer Thomas Maupin
16-year-old banjo prodigy Daniel Rothwell
with more to come!
Other activities include:
Live Music at the Dance Area!
A participatory folk dance tent with live music
Dozens of workshops on everything from shape note singing to spoons to song-writing to storytelling.
Jam sessions (yes! Absolutely bring your instrument!)
Family area including dance, music, games and crafts
An expo of local folk arts non-profits
Craft and food vendors
    CTMS tells us, “The Fall Equinox Folk Music, Storytelling and Dance Festival is a two-day, teaching arts festival that exemplifies CTMS' guiding principles. CTMS believes that through sharing and celebrating traditional arts, we can better know ourselves, our neighbors, and can become more compassionate citizens of the world. Through artistic interaction, we create opportunities to dissolve misunderstandings, break down stereotypes and increase respect for one another.”
    Advance tix (purchased by Sep 8) are $25 for the entire day Sunday. Students with ID (verified at the gate) are $10 and children age 10 and under are free. Two-day Advance tix, available now, include the Saturday evening concert in Pasadena, and “are an even greater value.” Purchase tickets at http://equinox2011.eventbrite.com    
    If you're broke, you can become a volunteer, commit to 3 hours, and your admission is free. Contact Wyatt Stone at http://ctmsfolkmusic.org/getinvolved/festivalvolunteer.html before all the choice volunteer time slots are filled. Visit www.ctmsfolkmusic.org/getinvolved for the actual job descriptions. The Workshop schedule will posted soon on the CTMS sitey so you can make plans to volunteer and be free to attend what you most want to see. More info, www.ctmsfolkmusic.org; 818-817-7756.
 
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Sep 10, in Thousand Oaks:
7 pm DAN NAVARRO plus MATT CARTSONIS at the Four Friends Acoustic Music Series, Four Friends Gallery, 1408 Thousand Oaks Bl, Thousand Oaks 91362; 805-497-4022; info@fourfriendsgallery.com. Promoter Marilyn Babcock cooks dinner for guests at these events; doors open at 6 to eat; music begins at 7 pm. Marilyn adds, “The venue is very accessible seating for 100. Soft drinks free, no host bar. Kids OK. Song circle follows performances, so bring your guitars; amazing piano available.” Emcee is Dave Morrison. Directions from L.A. & the Valley: Take 101 Fwy to Rancho Rd exit; right at Rancho; right on Thousand Oaks Blvd. To venue, two blocks on the right. Parking lot in back.$15 admission each show, and that includes dinner. More info, info@fourfriendsgallery.com; 805-497-4022.   
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Sep 10:
7 pm RICHARD SMITH & JULIE ADAMS play the Slater-Lunsford House Concert Series in Lancaster; info, www.desertsong.com.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Sep 10:
7:30 pm GREGORY PAGE plays the San Diego Folk Heritage series at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas 92024; 858-566-4040.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Sep 10:
7:30 pm BERKLEY HART plays the Song Tree Concert Series, at the Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 820 N Fairview Av, Goleta 93117; SongTree@cox.net or 805-403-2639.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sun, Sep 11: (late addition)
2 pm RUSTY RICHARDS (SONS OF THE PIONEERS) and MARY KAYE, plus performing emcee, cowboy poet and musician STEVE DEMING at the Autry National Center (Autry Museum) Wells Fargo Theater,
    Most recognized as a former member of The Sons Of The Pioneers, today WMA Hall of Famer Rusty brings his own songwriting and song styling to each of his exciting performances across the West.
    Opening the afternoon is WMA Female Artist for 2010, Mary Kaye. Her powerful yet sweet vocals add the real west to the lyrics she pens straight from her heart.
    Info and advance tix, 818-365-8709 or wmacc2000@yahoo.com. Reserve your seats early. Special pricing for seniors. Youth, age 14 and under, are admitted free.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sun, Sep 11:
3-5 pm BEST OF THE 2011 TOPANGA BANJO•FIDDLE CONTESTANTS do a free performance co-sponsored by the National Park Service and the Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest organization at Peter Strauss Ranch, 30000 Mulholland Hwy (2 blks from Troutdale Rd), in Santa Monica Mtns Nat’l Rec Area, near Agoura Hills; 818-382-4819. More info soon.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Mon, Sep 13:
“ALL FOR THE HALL” with ZAC BROWN, SHERYL CROW, VINCE GILL & EMMYLOU HARRIS at Club Nokia, 777 Chick Hearn Ct, downtown L.A. 90015; www.nokiatheatrelalive.com. Doors at 7 pm. Tix, $65, $100, $125, $250; on sale August 20 at 10 am. (Emmylou is back in L.A. at the Greek Theatre on Sep 27, with here RED DIRT BOYS plus PATTY GRIFFIN & BUDDY MILLER...)
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu, Sep 15:
7:30 pm SLAID CLEAVES plays the AMSD Concert Series, 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego 92116; 619-303-8176.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri-Sun, Sep 16-18:
Annual “MILLPOND MUSIC FESTIVAL” N of Bishop 93514; info at www.inyo.org or contact InyoArts@Inyo.org or 760-873-8014. This is, reliably, year-after-year, the best “end-of-the-summer” traditional and new acoustic music festival in California. If you can drive to Mammoth to ski, this is closer, up the same road. We recommend it even before we know this year’s line-up.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Sep 16
7:30 pm MARTIN TAYLOR plays the first of two concerts for the “Lord Of The Strings Concert Series,” this one at the Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan St, Dana Point; 949-842-2227 or 949-244-6656.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Fri, Sep 16: (late addition)
8 pm CHRIS STUART & JANET BEAZLEY (both of BACKCOUNTRY) plus RACHEL SEDACCA, celebrated singer-songwriter, play a double-bill at the “CAMARILLO CAFÉ CONCERT SERIES,” at Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E Burnley St (NE corner, Carmen & Burnley), Camarillo. Open mic precedes the featured acts (signups start at 7:30); info, 805-523-2682, email WhatsHappening@CamarilloCafe.com and website, www.CamarilloCafe.com. Sponsored by Pleasant Valley Recreation & Parks District. Produced by Gary & Kathy Lynch.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~

Sat, Sep 17:
7 pm MARTIN TAYLOR plays the second of two concerts for the “Lord Of The Strings Concert Series,” this one at Mission Viejo Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Dr, Mission Viejo; 949-842-2227 or 949-244-6656.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Sep 17:
7-10 pm “INTERNATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY WEEKEND” brings THERE BE PIRATES! to the Whale and Ale, 327 W 7th St, San Pedro; www.whaleandale.com; 310-832-0363.  
    The globally-touring THERE BE PIRATES! is acoustically based, frequently breathing new life into 200 year old sea shanties, sea songs, and pirate ballads.
    California's premiere pirate jam band, There Be Pirates!, based, of all places, in Joshua Tree, is in their sixth year as swashbuckling musical buccaneers. They tell us, “There Be Pirates! has performed far and wide, with two UK tours under arrgghhhhhh belts, headlining festivals such as Scarborough's SeaFest (twice), and Liverpool's On the Waterfront festival (50,000 in attendance), as well as playing venues from the Merseyside Maritime Museum (Liverpool), the Ryedale Folk Museum (Hutton-le-Hole), and the Queen Mary. Arrrrgghhhhh albums have been well reviewed, and arrrgghhhhh CD release party fer Pirates in the Desert was held at Danby Castle last summer. There's much more at www.therebepirates.net    
    “ITLPD” is September 19, which is Monday, so the musical pirates “arrrrgghhhhh” celebrating today and tonight. This will be the largest International Talk Like a Pirate Day celebration in Southern California, so the pirates “recommend getting reservations prior to the date, and coming for dinner as The Whale & Ale has superb food, as well as a great selection of British beers. It will be a special performance for arrrgghhhh band as we will be featuring FIDDLER FRANCIS from arrgghhhhh first album, 'Drink & the Devil,' and the Right Good REVEREND BILL CHURCH who provided the trumpet for arrgghhhhhh second album, 'Pirates in the Desert.'”
    Small cover charge, dinner & drinks available, prizes for best costume/ regalia, and more.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Sep 17:
7:30 pm DON HENLEY (Eagles) plus LUCINDA WILLIAMS at the Greek Theatre, 2700 N Vermont Ave in Griffith Park, L.A.; Greek Theatre hotline, 323-665-1927; tix, 213-480-3232; www.greektheatrela.com. Tix went on sale Aug 13; prices range from $50-$155.    
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Sep 17:
7:30 pm TRACY GRAMMER plays “The Living Tradition” series at the Downtown Community Center, 250 E Center St, Anaheim; 714-955-3807.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Sep 17:
7:30 pm SLAID CLEAVES plays the Folk Music Center, 220 Yale Av, Claremont 91711; 909-624-2928.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Sep 17:
8 pm KRISTINA OLSEN in concert at the Caltech Folk Music Society series in Beckman Institute Auditorium on the Caltech Campus in Pasadena. Free parking is off Michigan Av, south of Del Mar. More on the show, the artist, and the series, at http://folkmusic.caltech.edu including info on upcoming shows.
    
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Sep 17:
8 pm BLAME SALLY plays Russ and Julie’s House Concerts in Oak Park (Agoura Hills/Westlake Village area); reservations get directions at 818-707-2179.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Tue, Sep 20:
8 pm SIMON PURE plays the monthly “BASC BLUEGRASS NIGHT” at Viva Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank; 818-845-2425. Presented by Bluegrass Association of Southern California.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Thu-Sun, Sep, 22-25, in Illinois:
FARM - Folk Alliance Region Midwest Conference, in Bolingbrook, Illinois.
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Sat, Sep 24, festival:
9 am-8 pm 17th annual HARVEST FESTIVAL OF DULCIMERS at the Culver Palms United Methodist Church; 4464 Sepulveda Bl; Culver City; info, www.scdh.org.    
     
~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~
     
Tue, Sep 27:
7:30 pm EMMYLOU HARRIS & her RED DIRT BOYS plus PATTY GRIFFIN & BUDDY MILLER at the Greek Theatre, 2700 N Vermont Ave in Griffith Park, L.A.; Greek Theatre hotline, 323-665-1927; tix, 213-480-3232; www.greektheatrela.com. Get advance tickets on Thursday, August 18, from 10 am-10 pm, at www.ticketmaster.com/event/09004704C3415946?artistid=732792&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=2&brand=greektheatre&camefrom=cfc_ndrcon_grk_August17; you'll need to enter the password: HARDBARGAIN. (Public sale begins Friday, Aug 19, at 10 am.)
     
     
||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||
     
     
MORE STUFF >>>>>>> Other News, Resources, etc
     
"NEWS FEATURES” is a fresh edition each week, with news and reviews from the acoustic music universe, with features on folk-Americana, the “acoustic renaissance,” latest releases, reviews of CDs and live shows, industry news, news for artists, and more. Always available at www.acousticmusic.net.      
     
"VENUE DIRECTORY" - The Guide's extensive locator – has location and contact info for OVER 500 acoustic-music-friendly venues in Southern California, from Santa Barbara County to south Orange County, plus a few for San Diego, the deserts, and the Central Coast.
     
UPDATES are made every few months – the current edition of our VENUE DIRECTORY is at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/02/venue-directory-from-guide-updated.html      
     
     
||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||
     
     
The Guide’s weekly News Features and Spotlight Events UPDATED EDITIONS bring more (always more -- as we have time to organize all of it).
     
We do all we can to bring you news and notices of all the many, many, MANY acoustic music events in and around the Los Angeles region, from the North border of Santa Barbara County to the South border of Orange County, and inland through San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
     
Plus, we tell you about RADIO SHOWS with acoustic music, focusing on those with live acoustic performances. (They're available mostly on the web, of course, since we are in acoustic-music-radio-deprived Los Angeles.)
     
And, we bring news and reviews of the many acoustic music FESTIVALS near and far, hither and yon, here, there and everywhere! With your help, we'll keep doing it!
     
     
||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||
     
Questions? Comments? Contact us at tied to the tracks (at) Hotmail dot com (remove all the spaces and format it when you type it – we’re trying to reduce spam – you know...)
     
||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||>o<||
     
     
LATEST EDITION of the Guide, the NEWS FEATURES, THE SCENE, and SPOTLIGHTED EVENTS, covering the world of current acoustic music happenings, including "heads up" notices to buy advance tix for shows likely to sell-out – and lots more – is available 24/7 (& frequently updated!) at
     
               www.acousticmusic.net or at
               www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
     
               - or by following any of many links on the web to get to one of those sites.
     
The Guide’s weekly NEWS FEATURES are published in 16 websites / webgroups!
     
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>
contents copyright © 2011, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>-<^>