Spotlight Events: Acoustic Americana Music Guide, with IRISH FAIR, and more, UPDATED March 9, 2012

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We once knew someone who said, “Go into the out of doors.” A propos.

FESTIVAL SEASON begins this weekend, with ~
* tonight’s “ARTNIGHT PASADENA”
* the weekend’s major-league “IRISH FAIR” at Fairplex, the L.A. County Fairgrounds in Pomona, with more than 2,000 performers in more than 60 shows(!)

* Other special events include tonight’s all-acoustic BENEFIT CONCERT FOR MUSICCARES
* PLUS, you can make the case that ST. PATRICK’S DAY is arriving a weekend early, and there’s a WHOLE LOT more!

SPRING is nearly here, and this weekend’s weather proves that! (Yeah, yeah, we know: as if you can tell the difference in Southern California. But you can. Really.).

So, venture forth from your winter hibernation and ENJOY SOME LIVE ACOUSTIC MUSIC!


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SPOTLIGHT EVENTS

from THE ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE

March 9, 2012 edition

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Welcome to SPOTLIGHT EVENTS – the LATEST UPDATE to the Guide's chronological, day-by-day listings and descriptions of live acoustic and Americana performances and festivals, plus workshops for artists and much more!

A new and complete edition of The Guide’s NEWS FEATURES will be along soon…

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Let's get started!

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Friday, March 9
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Fri, Mar 9; an “EVENT-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
6-10 pm semiannual "ARTNIGHT PASADENA" with lots of free music and free admission to twelve major museums and galleries in Pasadena. We recommend you schedule some time for BUDDY ZAPATA, playing at the Armory Center for the Arts, 145 N Raymond Av; 626-792-5101. Free shuttle buses connect it all. Info and schedules for the entire event are at www.artnightpasadena.org.

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Fri, Mar 9; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7-10 pm All-acoustic benefit show for MUSICCARES with KELLY'S LOT, MANDA MOSHER, MARINA V, THE CONLONS, and ATHENA MARIE, at The Talking Stick, 1411 Lincoln Bl, Venice 90291. Some sites have details under the title, “AFFECT THE EFFECT.”
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MusiCares is a stellar organization dedicated to helping musicians in crisis. Check it out at www.grammy.org/musicares and consider supporting this organization. The Los Angeles Times ran an article talking about Whitney Houston and the importance of MusiCares' mission in assisting artists who struggle with addiction; read it at www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-whitney-houston-20120308,0,3178088.story

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Fri, Mar 9, in Tehachapi; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7 pm ALASDAIR FRASER & NATALIE HAAS at St. Jude’s Anglican Church, 1200 Curry St, Tehachapi 93561; 661-823-9994. Presented by Fiddler's Crossing.

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Fri, Mar 9; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm BELA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES play The Orpheum Theatre, 842 S Broadway, Los Angeles 90014; 213-749-5171. BELA FLECK is an undisputed master of the banjo, in styles you can’t even imagine. Tix at livenation.com or 800-745-3000.

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Fri, Mar 9; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm JAMES HURLEY and SEVERIN BROWNE, two top-rated singer-songwriters who have each “been there, done that,”play the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations, 626-798-6236. Tix, $15.

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Fri, Mar 9; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
8 pm DUSTBOWL REVIVAL plus THE CALIFORNIA FEETWARMERS play McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Tix, $15.

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Fri, Mar 9, in South OC:
8 pm DAVID LINDLEY, KK MARTIN, & THE DOGS play The Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano 92675; 949-496-8927.

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Fri, Mar 9, in Ventura:
8 pm I SEE HAWKS IN L.A. play electric tonight at Yolie's Fresh Mexican Grill, 138 E Main St, Ventura 93001; 805-652-0338.

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Fri, Mar 9:
“TEBOT BACH PRESENTS: AN EVENING OF DREAMS,” with music by BLACKBIRD BALLADS – musicians ANDY HILL, RENEE SAFIER, DAVE BATTI and MARTY RIFKIN and poetry readings from DAVID ST. JOHN and BRIAN MICHAEL TRACY, at Beyond Baroque, 681 N Venice Bl, Los Angeles 90291. Brian reads from his latest book from Tebot Bach, “Opaque Traveler: A Dream Sequence in Verse.” The readings are followed by live performances of music and poetry. Admission $7, students/seniors/children $5, members free, free street parking.

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Fri, Mar 9:
8 pm monthly “FRETTED FROG OLD TIME JAM” at Fretted Frog Acoustic Guitar Store,
1200 N Alvarado St, Los Angeles 90026; 213-353-0734. Runs second Friday, every month.

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Fri, Mar 9:
8 pm KATTYWOMPUS performs and jams with all comers every week at Dollmakers’ Kattywompus, 412 S Myrtle Av, Monrovia 91016; 626-357-1091.

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Fri, Mar 9:
9:30 pm CLIFF WAGNER & THE OLD #7 at the Cinema Bar in Culver City, aka “The World’s Smallest Honky-Tonk.”
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Cliff Wagner & The Old #7 mix bluegrass, blues and honky-tonk, and they’ve taken American Roots Music to FOX TVs “The Next Great American Band”, finishing 7th out of 8,000 bands who originally tried out for the show. They defied the judge's expectations that a "Bluegrass" band would not be accepted by the general public. The band's release of “Hobo's Lullaby,” debuting at #35 on the AMA Americana chart before quickly rising to #28, showcased their musicianship, versatility and songwriting skills by featuring something for everyone: hard-driving blues- and bluegrass-influenced tunes, country pop, and tender ballads. This past November, the band released its newest album, "Country Funk," which demonstrates why this band sounds like no other contemporary Bluegrass band playing today. Cliff Wagner & The Old #7 showcases superior musicianship, magical harmonies and an energetic, fresh new sound.
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No cover, bring $ for the artists’ tip jar.


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Saturday, March 10
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Sat & Sun, Mar 10 & 11; an “EVENT-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
10 am-6 pm Annual “IRISH FAIR & MUSIC FESTIVAL” at Fairplex, Pomona, with multiple stages and plenty of traditional Irish and Celtic music and Celtic rock. Full info at www.la-irishfair.com
Exceptionally wonderful two-day festival, with more than 2,000 performers in more than 60 shows! Saturday with KRIS COLT, TWILIGHT LORDS, WRATH OF MCGRATH, PLOUGH BOYS, BRIAN TRAVIS BAND, BRILLIANT GYPSIES, poets, storytellers, dancers, GREAT food, much more; second day runs 10 am-6 pm, with TWILIGHT LORDS, ANITA & THE YANKS, PADDY’S PIG, KRIS COLT, MEET THE BREED, BRILLIANT GYPSIES, poets, storytellers, dancers, more. $18 general admission / $28 two-day pass. Go!

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Sat, Mar 10:
2 & 6:30 pm “A CELTIC DREAM” --An Irish Girl’s Dream brought to life through Dance and Music. Two performances at 2pm and 6.30pm at Cal Poly Pomona Theater. Special Group Rate Tickets $10 per person. Info: www.larsonirishdance.com. Tickets—tickets@larsonirishdance.com or call 951 203 9111

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Sat, Mar 10:
2 pm monthly “CELTIC & TRADITIONAL MUSIC JAM” at Lake Inn Restaurant, 33241 Green Valley Lake Rd, Green Valley Lake 92341. Runs second Saturdays.

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Sat, Mar 10:
3 pm THE DUO TONES bring their award-winning acoustic surf music to a matinee at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations, 626-798-6236.

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Sat, Mar 10:
6 pm “THE LOS ANGELES POLICE EMERALD SOCIETY’S ST. PATRICK’S PARTY” at Maggie’s Pub, 11900 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs. Irish dinner, Irish dancers, Emerald’s Pipes & Drums etc. $30 per person. Email: esociety2@ gmail.com or telephone: 424 218 6216

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Sat, Mar 10:
6-11pm “TRADITIONAL IRISH DINNER & DANCE” at St Anthony’s 2110 N. San Antonio Ave, Upland 91784. Dinner is Leo’s Irish ham, colcannon, cabbage etc. Bagpipes, Irish tenor, Irish dancers and the DAVE MIRON BAND. Cost $20 per person. Call Leo at 909 981 3469 for reservations.

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Sat, Mar 10:
6 pm ANDY HILL, RENEE SAFIER, DAVE BATTI and MARTY RIFKIN play a house concert in Redondo Beach 90277. Renee says, “We'll be performing 2 sets of music from our award-winning CDs, sharing some good snacks and spending some fun time with friends! If you've never been to a House Concert, come see what you've been missing!
Doors open at 6 pm, Concert starts at 7 pm. BYOB. $15 donation requested. If you'd like to bring a dish to share...please do!” Reservations get directions from reneesafier@hotmail.com

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Sat, Mar 10:
7 pm JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOR BOYS play Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations, 626-798-6236. Tix, $20.

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Sat, Mar 10:
7-10 pm JEANNIE WILLETS performs at Big Buddha Lounge, 530 Ventura Av, Oak View 93022; info, 805-649-2832; http://bigbuddhalounge.com/lounge. No cover.

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Sat, Mar 10, in Encinitas (San Diego):
7 pm COSY SHERIDAN plays the San Diego Folk Heritage series at San Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas 92024; 858-566-4040.

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Sat, Mar 10:
7:30 pm SCOTTISH FIDDLERS OF LOS ANGELES “31st Annual Spring Concert” at the Hermosa Beach Playhouse, 710 Pier Av, Hermosa Beach. Info, www.Scottishfiddlers.org
With ANDREA BEATON, THE TAPPAN SISTERS, and more,.
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Sat, Mar 10, in Goleta:
7:30 pm TOM BALL AND KENNY SULTAN play the Song Tree Concert Series at Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 820 N Fairview Av, Goleta 93117; 805-403-2639 or SongTree@cox.net.

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Sat, Mar 10:
8 pm THE PUNCH BROTHERS plus AOIFE O'DONOVAN play the El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Bl, L.A. 90036; 323-936-6400. Tix at goldenvoice.com.

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Sat, Mar 10:
8 pm THE AMERICANS play McCabe's, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. $12.50.

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Sat, Mar 10:
8 pm SLIGO RAGS play Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583.

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Sat, Mar 10:
8 pm TOM HYNES plays the Fret House, 309 N Citrus, Covina 91723; 626-339-7020.

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Sat, Mar 10, in San Diego Co:
8 & 10 pm THE DUSTBOWL REVIVAL plays two shows at the New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St, Carlsbad 92008; 760-433-3245.


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Sunday, March 11:
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Sun, Mar 11; Sat & Sun, Mar 10 & 11; an “EVENT-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
10 am-6 pm Annual “IRISH FAIR & MUSIC FESTIVAL” at Fairplex, Pomona, with multiple stages and plenty of traditional Irish and Celtic music and Celtic rock. Full info at www.la-irishfair.com
Exceptionally wonderful two-day festival, with over 2,000 performers in more than 60 shows! First day (Sat, 10 am-6 pm) with KRIS COLT, TWILIGHT LORDS, WRATH OF MCGRATH, PLOUGH BOYS, BRIAN TRAVIS BAND, BRILLIANT GYPSIES, poets, storytellers, dancers, more; second day runs 10 am-6 pm, with TWILIGHT LORDS, ANITA & THE YANKS, PADDY’S PIG, KRIS COLT, MEET THE BREED, BRILLIANT GYPSIES, poets, storytellers, dancers, more. $18 general admission / $28 two-day pass.

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Sun, Mar 11:
10 am THE PRATIES play the Santa Monica Farmers Market, 2640 Main St, Santa Monica 90405.

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Sun, Mar 11:
11 am GUSTAFER YELLOWGOLD plays the Matinee Kids' Show series at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.

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Sun, Mar 11:
3 pm and 7 pm LED ZEPAGAIN plays two shows today at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations, 626-798-6236.

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Sun, Mar 11:
4 pm ANDREA BEATON, Cape Breton Fiddler, plays the Hancock Park House Concert series in Los Angeles 90036. Reservations get directions at 740-361-8374 or danae@fastmail.fm

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Sun, Mar 11:
7 pm “JOHN SHLOCKER AND LARRY BROWN MEMORIAL CONCERT” featuring GREY EAGLE BAND (with Bob Applebaum), SOUTHLAND (with Dennis Fetchit and Ross Landry), HILL & HOUSE, THE ALL-STAR BAND, and more, at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.

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Sun, Mar 11, in San Diego:
7:30 pm EVE SELIS BAND plays Anthology, 1337 India St, San Diego 92101; 619-595-0300.



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FARTHER AHEAD… assorted events worth planning to attend…

Wed, Mar 14:
7 pm monthly “LOS ANGELES WOMEN IN MUSIC (LAWIM) SHOWCASE” at the M Bar & Restaurant , 1253 N Vine St (at Fountain), Hollywood 90038. Free admission to LAWIM members, $10 entrance for general public, plus $10 food minimum for all (delicious food). Valet or free street parking. Proceeds go to LAWIM, a non-profit organization helping women in music. No need to reserve for dinner. First come first serve. Always fun and good networking before the performances. More at www.lawim.com.

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Thu, Mar 15:
8 pm TRIPLE CHICKEN FOOT plays a Benefit for the West Hollywood Bicycle Coalition at the Little Bar, 757 S La Brea, Los Angeles 90036. $5 / $10 suggested donation.

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Fri, Mar 16, in Ventura Co; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7:30 pm JUDE JOHNSTONE & DANA HUBBARD play “THE CAMARILLO CAFÉ CONCERT SERIES,” at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo (NE corner, at Carmen).
Although not an actual café, the Camarillo Café is a delightful, intimate coffeehouse-style concert series. More info, 805-523-2682, or www.CamarilloCafe.com.
More on Jude Johnstone at www.JudeJohnstone.com and Dana Hubbard at www.DanaHubbard.com

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Sat, Mar 17:
9 pm “ST. PADDY'S SQUARE DANCE” with TRIPLE CHICKEN FOOT and a set by RT N' THE 44's, presented by “NEW LOS ANGELES FOLK FESTIVAL,” with SUSAN MICHAELS calling the dance, at Center for the Arts, 2225 Colorado Bl, Eagle Rock 90041. $ 10, all ages.

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Mon, Mar 19, in Ventura:
MICHELLE SHOCKED plays Zoey's Café in Ventura. She’s launched a major, 28-city, US tour with a theme of “Roccupy.” Michelle explains, “Roadworks returns to the US West Coast, Pacific Northwest and Midwest. We will rawwk. We will jam with special guests; sum>parts. We will also host a People's Assembly on the foreclosure crisis. Bring tent.” Other local dates: Mar 20 in santa Monica (Los Angeles show) at McCabe’s; Mar 21 in Ojai, at Ojai Valley Women's Club; Mar 22 in San Diego at Oasis House.

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Sun, Apr 29:
7 pm BENEFIT FOR FOLKWORKS with LISA HALEY, KEN O’MALLEY & THE NEER DUWELS, NEVENKA, and KB SOLOMON, at Santa Monica YWCA, 2019 14th St, Santa Monica 90405. FolkWorks is presenting a benefit concert in support of itself, an important e-zine, with a representation of the folk community that FolkWorks promotes / supports (world music and folk-Americana).
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GRAMMY Nominee LISA HALEY and her trademark blue fiddle were nominated for “Cajun/ Zydeco Album of the Year," and in her live performance, Lisa is "Joyful, exotic... a la the bluesy moans of Janis Joplin..." says the Los Angeles Times. Lisa Haley & the Zydekats are acclaimed as “The most joyful Americana / Cajun / Zydeco act on tour today!” She is fiddler, dancer, vocalist, and songwriter, serving-up heart-moving Louisiana bayou rhythms, traditional stylings and original songs speaking to all ages.
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KEN O’MALLEY & THE NEER DUWELS – KEN, PAT D’ARCY, & BRYAN DOBBS. Ken O’Malley is a musician, singer, writer and producer. The Irish News has called him "the single most enduring, influential and proficient of all Irish musicians in Southern California". Well-known throughout the western United States and Ireland, he's been a member and leader of many musical groups in Los Angeles including Blended Spirits, The Mulligans and The Twilight Lords. He also enjoys a successful career as a solo artist in the bardic tradition of Irish storyteller and musician.
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NEVENKA is the premier Los Angeles-based women's folk chorus that performs songs from Eastern Europe with spellbinding harmonies.
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KB SOLOMON brings “the warm, treacle sounds of Lou Rawls or Barry White stirred into a dark, mouthwatering gateau. Mix in an authentic helping of blues and soul, spiced with a zest of operatic pedigree - and the recipe comes alive.”
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Tickets can be purchased in advance by sending a check for $20 general / $25 for reserved front rows. Send to FolkWorks, PO Box 55051, Sherman Oaks, CA 91413. They tell us, “Online ticketing will be soon.”

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May 1-6:
“HOLLYWOOD INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL” has opened an office in Universal City and is currently recruiting sponsors and exhibitors. More when we know it.

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May 11, 12, 13, in San Diego:
Annual “GATOR-BY-THE-BAY” FESTIVAL on Mother’s Day weekend in San Diego. Reservations are now available at the Sheraton, next door to the festival site, for the Lanai rooms at $119 + tax per night. Check the web site www.gatorbythebay.com for the schedule of bands. Bands will include Chubby Carrier, Steve Riley, Commander Cody (of “Hot Rod Lincoln” fame) & Bonsoir Catin Cajun Band. More later.

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Thu-Sat, May 17-19:
“7th Ever LOS ANGELES OLD TIME SOCIAL” is an annual three days of Old Time music concerts and workshops, ending with a cakewalk, family dance and square dance. Produced by TRIPLE CHICKEN FOOT. Details to come.

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Fri, May 18, in Ventura Co; a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick:
7:30 pm EAGLES songwriter JACK TEMPCHIN plus JENI & BILLY play “THE CAMARILLO CAFÉ CONCERT SERIES,” at the Camarillo Community Center, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo (NE corner, at Carmen).
Although not an actual café, the Camarillo Café is a delightful, intimate coffeehouse-style concert series. More info, 805-523-2682, or www.CamarilloCafe.com.
Info on Jack Tempchin at www.PeacefulEasyFeeling.com and info on Jeni & Billy at www.jeniandbilly.com.

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Sat, May 19; a SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK pick:
Annual “DYLANFEST” at St. Anthony School in El Segundo. It's an all-day cavalcade of fine musicians, with each act doing Dylan covers, and no repeats. The house band alone is always worth the price of admission. More details when we have them, but mark your calendar now.

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Sun, May 20:
Annual “TOPANGA BANJO FIDDLE CONTEST & FOLK FESTIVAL” at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills. Details to follow. We proclaim it each year as “The best one-day festival anywhere.”

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Sat & Sun, May 26-27:
23rd Annual “SIMI VALLEY CAJUN & BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL” in the park in Simi Valley.
This well-organized festival runs two days of Memorial Day Weekend on an immaculate site, and continues a Southern Cal tradition. It brings music fans a full weekend of nonstop award-winning entertainment, more food choices than you can sample in two days, and activities to keep kids of all ages entertained.
The first stage will feature 9 hours of continuous music each day, featuring international and award winning Cajun, Creole and Zydeco music acts.
The second stage will feature the Delta Groove All-Star Blues Revue on Saturday and world-class blues and roots acts on Sunday.
Both stages feature lots of viewing space plus large dance floors.
In addition, this family-friendly event has a giant kids area featuring bouncers, rock walls, specialty acts, crafts and talent shows. There are also food booths and many crafts and merchandise booths.
Here are a few videos from the 2011 Simi Valley Cajun Blues Festival. Check it out:
ANDRE THIERRY, www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4K-5ftIr7U, and www.youtube.com/watch?v=98NlOnG5pyQ
GREG BENUSA teaching at Simi Valley, www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKPrj4EM0do
PETER OLIVER, KATHY, & BRAD SJOBLOM dancing at Simi Valley 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk7by1oHbWY
It’s a fine time, every year. More at www.simicajun.org

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MORE COMING, as we get to it and organize it for you…



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MORE STUFF THE GUIDE OFFERS >>>>>>> Other News, Resources, etc

"NEWS FEATURES” is a fresh edition most each week, with news and reviews from the acoustic music universe, features on folk-Americana and “acoustic renaissance” music and artists, a litlle from the electric side of honky-tonk Americana, the latest tours, recordings and projects, reviews of CDs and live shows, industry news, news for artists, and more.

It’s always available by clicking-through at www.acousticmusic.net
or at
www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com

"VENUE DIRECTORY" - The Guide's extensive locator – has address and contact info for OVER 500 acoustic-music-friendly venues in Southern California, from Santa Barbara County to south Orange County, plus a few key spots in San Diego, the deserts, and on the Central Coast.

UPDATES to the Venue Directory are made every few months and a new edition is due soon – the 2011 edition of our VENUE DIRECTORY is available at

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/02/venue-directory-from-guide-updated.html


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The Guide’s weekly News Features and Spotlight Events, in ever-UPDATED EDITIONS will continue to bring you more news of concerts, club gigs, workshops, benefit shows, festivals and more (always more -- as we dig out from beneath the incoming mountains of email telling us about it, so we can organize it and tell YOU about all of it).

We’ll keep covering the world of current acoustic music happenings and bringing you "heads up" notices to buy advance tix for shows likely to sell-out – and lots more.

We’ll continue to tell you what acoustic musicians are doing, in the studio, on the stage, and as activist / artists seeking to improve things for all of us. We’ll tell you about the growing number of radio & TV shows with live acoustic performances (when it’s radio, it’s available mostly on the web, of course, since the Guide is published from acoustic-music-radio-deprived Los Angeles.)

And, as Spring and the 2012 FESTIVAL SEASON arrive, we’ll bring you news and reviews of the many acoustic music festivals happening near and far, hither and yon, here, there and everywhere.

As always, thanks for making the journey with us. With your help, the road goes on forever (even if we can’t afford the gas anymore to find out where it goes)!


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contents copyright © 2012, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
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Questions? Comments?

Wanna write for the Acoustic Americana Music Guide”?

…or get something published that you wrote? – Like a

CD REVIEW ?
or
LIVE PERFORMANCE REVIEW ?

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...)

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