Folk-Americana Mourns, and Celebrates, PETE SEEGER, Jan 28, 2014

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Yes, you’ll find tonight’s music events in this edition. But the theme today is the man whose banjo was emblazoned with the words,

“This machine surrounds hate and forces it to surrender.”

That’s our NEWS FEATURE in this edition, about PETE SEEGER, who left us last night at the age of 94. We had been working on features on the NAMM Show, and the GRAMMYS, and other things. All those can wait.

This edition is for Pete, and it includes the live music around Southern California where those performing will doubtlessly be thinking of him.


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Today in history...

Today marks 28 years since the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded and broke apart 73 seconds after launch at 10:39 a.m. on January 28, 1986. When the shuttle's still-intact crew cabin hit the ocean at over 400 mph, the disaster took the lives of seven crew members, including Christa McAuliffe, who was to have been the first teacher in space.

WCVB Channel 5 Boston posted a photo retrospective tribute, at:

http://on.wcvb.com/1dMh1kg


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In this edition…

♪  NEWS FEATURE ~ remembering PETE SEEGER

♪  ONGOING MUSIC & ART EVENTS

♪  TUESDAY-Only MUSIC EVENTS


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NEWS FEATURE for
Tuesday, January 28
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♪  REMEMBERING PETE SEEGER

There are many obituaries out today. We will not subject you to a repackaging of what you may have read, or can readily find online. There are plenty of places you can read about Pete standing-up to the House Committee on Un-American Activities and telling them that they were conducting a fundamentally un-American activity with their witch hunt. You can easily find written and photographic and video records of Pete opposing the Vietnam War, and the invasion of Iraq, and standing-up for farm workers, and women’s rights, and oppressed workers, and comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.

Instead of another detailed review of all that, we offer you just a few points.

Today, CNN asked, “Is there a singer-songwriter today, now, like Pete Seeger?”

MSNBC’s Al Sharpton remembered Pete’s indispensable role with bringing the soundtrack to the Civil Rights movement, and he played a piece of tape with Pete casually explained bringing the anthem: “I sang a song called ‘We Shall Overcome.’ And afterward, sitting in the back seat, Dr. King said, ‘we shall overcome.’ That really sticks with you, doesn’t it?”

A few years ago, Pete was asked to play a charity benefit in Carnegie Hall. Of course, he accepted immediately. Then the sponsors began to explain the arrangements for his flight and his hotel suite and the banquet for the performers, and Pete interrupted with, “I thought you said this is a benefit for charity?” In short order, he told them he would drive and needed no special airplane, and he had friends in New York City where he could stay for free, and Toshi would pack him a sack lunch, and doing things that way was simply being responsible and would allow the money raised to go to the charity.

Knowing things like that is why the movie poster for “Pete Seeger: The Power of Song” was on our wall since the film was released. Just two weeks ago, we took it down. Such is the enduring and ongoing influence of a man who, at 94, was still a formidable presence.

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If you move in Folk-Americana music circles, you see Pete Seeger’s name everywhere.

The Ash Grove Foundation is active, years after the L.A. music venue named the Ash Grove burned-down. The foundation’s frequent emails include the following about founder of the venue and the foundation, Ed Pearl, who “got his first taste of producing folk music concerts as a student at UCLA in 1954, when he helped produce a Pete Seeger concert on campus. An avid guitar player, he studied with Bess Lomax Hawes -- the daughter of John and sister of Alan Lomax, celebrated folklorist, field recording pioneer, and music collector. Bess was the female member of the ALAMNAC SINGERS along with Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Butch Hawes.”

The Urban Homestead in Pasadena, which includes a music venue, frequently sends mailings that ask, “Do you know the history of the ‘hootenanny?’” to which they answer, “Hootenanny is an Appalachian colloquialism that was used in early twentieth century. During the early 1960s at the height of the Folk Music Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger's newly formed folk-protest group, the Almanac Singers worked out of a loft in New York City hosting regular (Sunday afternoon) concerts called ‘hootenannies,’ a word Pete and Woody had picked up in their cross-country travels.”

The promo for last Friday’s concert by JOHN McCUTCHEON for the Pasadena Folk Music Society at Caltech contained this quote: “Pete Seeger said, ‘John McCutcheon is not only one of the best musicians in the USA, but also a great singer, songwriter, and song leader. And not just incidentally, he is committed to helping hard-working people everywhere to organize and push this world in a better direction.’”

JANN KLOSE, a renowned musician born in Germany, raised in Kenya, South Africa and in Hamburg, will perform three L.A.-area shows in February; his press promo notes, “Jann has shared the stage with artists from all eras of music history including Rusted Root, Vonda Shepard, The Voice’s Rebecca Loebe, Gary (Jeff Buckley, Captain Beefheart) Lucas, Suzanne Vega, Annie Haslam and Renaissance, Brett Dennen, Pete Seeger, and the late Les Paul.”

ELIZA GILKYSON, Grammy-nominated folksinger-songwriter, included the note in her recent bio that she is “a politically minded, poetically gifted singer-songwriter” and celebrated her work with the Woody Guthrie review "Ribbon of Highway-Endless Skyway," alongside the Guthrie Family, Jimmy LaFave, Slaid Cleaves, and special guests Pete Seeger, Jackson Browne and Kris Kristofferson.

Pete was always at the center of things, and loved to perform with song circles of the known and unknown alike.

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Tickets were already being sold for the first-ever “Woody Guthrie Prize” concert and honors on February 22 at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space in New York, and the inaugural prize was to be bestowed on Pete Seeger. Of course, it is a fundraiser, this one for the Woody Guthrie Center. It’s “An intimate evening with Arlo Guthrie, Tony Trischka and other special guests,” and no doubt Pete would have performed.

The event will still go forward, and it will still honor American folk legend Pete Seeger, who will always be the first recipient of the Woody Guthrie Prize. And the prize will go to another deserving person each year, “honoring an artist, activist, or thinker who has made a significant contribution to causes that continue the legacy of Woody Guthrie.” But none will ever be more deserving than its first recipient.

So now, the space behind the hyphen has been filled for Pete Seeger (1919-2014), as it was for Woody Guthrie (1912-1967).

Lights down. Curtain. The echo of applause from all the venues he ever played. And encores left to all of us to perform, all of us who pick up the torch and aspire to continuing his legacy for truth, peace, and justice for all.



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♪  ONGOING MUSIC & ART EVENTS


Ongoing (opened Jan 17),
in Santa Monica:
"CIRQUE DU SOLEIL" presents "TOTEM" opening today under the Big Top at the Santa Monica Pier.
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"TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. The characters evolve on a stage evoking a giant turtle, the symbol of origin for many ancient civilizations. Inspired by many founding myths, TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species. Somewhere between science and legend, TOTEM explores the ties that bind Man to other species, his dreams and his infinite potential." -- the show's promo.
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"Spectacular, artful. Breathtaking and deliciously ironic." -- The Toronto Star.
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"TOTEM is visually ravishing" -- The Boston Globe.
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Tix by phone, at 800-450-1480.
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Tix & info online, at:
http://m.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/totem/americas/usa/california/santa-monica.aspx

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Through January, in L.A.:
"JOHN FOGERTY: WROTE A SONG FOR EVERYONE, " is the wonderful temporary exhibition at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, on display through this month. It features artifacts from his personal collection, and it is named after his current album, hailed by fans and critics alike. John Fogerty’s music was considered rock when he first made it with CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL, but, current and retro, it’s classic roots-rock-Americana now. The album received a rare 5-star lead review in Rolling Stone. Included with regular museum admission, which also includes the temporary exhibition, “RINGO: PEACE & LOVE.”
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At the Grammy Museum, 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance around the corner on Figueroa), L.A. 90015; check for museum hours: 213-765-6803;  HYPERLINK "http://www.grammymuseum.org" www.grammymuseum.org.



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♪  TUESDAY-Only MUSIC EVENTS
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Tuesday, January 28, 2014
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Tue, Feb 28, in T.O.:
5 pm  Monthly “THOUSAND OAKS SONG CIRCLE” at the Greenhouse Café, 652 Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks 91360.

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Tue, Jan 21, in Downey:
5:30-8:45 pm  Monthly “COMMUNITY FOLK MUSIC JAM” led by Bea & Jim Romano is a traditional folk music jam at the Barbara J. Riley Senior & Community Center, 7810 Quill Dr, Downey 90242.
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Bring your acoustic instruments, voices, guests, and join in the music and singing. All levels welcome. Free Event. “Jam” page: www.Celticana.net; 562-861-7049. Happens every 4th Tuesday.

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Tue, Feb 28, in VC (Camarillo):
5:30 pm SONGMAKERS monthly “CAMARILLO SONG CIRCLE.” Info and location at www.songmakers.org

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Tue, Feb 28, in San Diego:
5:30 pm  “SDBS BLUEGRASS NIGHT” sponsored by the San Diego Bluegrass Society at the Boll Weevil Restaurant, 7080 Miramar Rd, San Diego 92117 .

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Tue, Jan 28, in SFV (Studio City):
6-9 pm  “LAWIM WINTER HAPPY HOUR NETWORKING HANG,” sponsored by Los Angeles Women in Music (LAWIM), is a chance to meet other musicians and music industry people, at a FREE event at River Rock Lounge, 12833 Ventura Bl, Studio City 91604; www.riverloungela.com
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Join men and women from all walks of the music industry. Bring a friend and your business cards. Meet new people, re-connect with old contacts, find that new job opportunity…
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HAPPY HOUR pricing is extended to 9 pm just for this event, with $5 well drinks, $7 signature cocktail of the day, $2 off draft beer, $2 off select wine of the day, and a $5 food menu until 7 pm.
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There’s a business card drawing for prizes. Free.

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Tue, Jan 28, in Signal Hill:
6 pm  Weekly “BLUEGRASS SOUP JAM” at Convert-A-Tape, 2420 Gundry Av, Signal Hill 90755.

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Tue, Jan 28, in Santa Monica:
7-8 pm MARINA V plays Sonoma Wine Garden, 395 Santa Monica Pl, Santa Monica 90401.
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She’s touring her latest CD, “Inner Superhero.” Marina delightfully blends nu-folk sensibilities with what acoustic pop should be.
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No cover. Marina says, “Unusual show: no piano!”

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Tue, Jan 28, in Beverly Hills:
7 pm “CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS 100th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION CONCERT” at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Bl, Beverly Hills 90211; 323-655-0111.
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It’s “a celebrity-studded concert and sing-along, held in celebration of the Centennial birthday for The City of Beverly Hills.” The lineup features The Los Angeles Lawyers Philharmonic – Gary S. Greene, Founder & Conductor, and his Big Band of Barristers, along with “numerous surprise celebrity guests and performers.”
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Doors at 5 pm, show at 7. More at www.beverlyhills.org
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Admission is complimentary, but tickets are required, and on a first-served assigned seating basis. Tickets available via a TicketMaster discreet link, which you can obtain by emailing: bh100concert@gmailcom.

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Tue, Jan 28, in Desert Hot Springs:
7 pm  MURIEL ANDERSEN performs with TIERRA NEGRA at Healing Waters Park Community Room, 18131 Langlois Rd, Desert Hot Springs 92241. Reservations by email to: marilyntrail@gmail.com

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Tue, Jan 28, in Arcadia:
7 pm  Weekly “SONGWRITER SERENADE” with guest recording artists and performing host JC HYKE all playing acoustic at Matt Denny’s Ale House, 145 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia.
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No cover. Venue has full menu and full bar. Show is in covered outdoor patio with heaters. Dress accordingly.

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Tue, Jan 28, in SFV (Toluca Lake):
7 pm  Weekly “TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION” is a structured jam at Timmy Nolan's Tavern & Grill, 10111 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake 91602; 818-985-3359.

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Tue, Jan 28, in L.A.:
7:30 pm  “THE BIRTH OF BEATLEMANIA IN AMERICA” is analyzed and celebrated in a FREE program at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl, L.A. 90015; 213-765-6803;  HYPERLINK "http://www.grammymuseum.org" www.grammymuseum.org.
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Bruce Spizer has written eight books on the Beatles and is considered one of the world’s leading experts on the group. His audio / visual presentation covers the convoluted story of how Beatlemania evolved in America over 50 years ago. With multiple images, music and interview clips, he details how and why Capitol Records turned down the Beatles four times, and how the Beatles began in the US on a Chicago-based label specializing in gospel and R&B recordings. He’ll tell you about the first disc jockey to play a Beatles record in America, and what prompted Ed Sullivan to book the Beatles for three shows at a time the group was virtually unknown in America. And, perhaps best of all, how Beatlemania in America was jumpstarted by Walter Cronkite, along with a 15-year-old girl from Maryland and a disc jockey from Washington, DC.
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After the presentation, Spizer will be available for a book signing. Doors at 7 pm. Admission is free; reservations required. Members receive priority seating. To reserve your seats, e-mail programs@grammymuseum.org

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Tue, Jan 28,
Special free comedy night,
in WeHo:
8 pm  “FULL THROTTLE COMEDY” at the Hollywood Improv, 7669 Melrose Av, West Hollywood 90069.
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50 tickets to give away. The last show in this series included special surprise guest DREW CAREY. This time, series presenter Andre says “I am not allowed to promote [the] name [of the special guest], but he has his own show on Comedy Central and is a rare comic to watch in town. Invite all your friends and co-workers I gurantee you will not want to miss this show.”
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You can RSVP up to 10 free tickets, by sending your full name, cell phone number, and number of tix you want (up to 10), at comedymadnessshow.com.

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Tue, Jan 28, in SFV (Chatsworth):
8 pm  An undisclosed “AMERICANA / ALT-COUNTRY / TRAD COUNTRY BAND” plays the Cowboy Palace, 21635 Devonshire St, Chatsworth; 818-341-0166.
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This is L.A.’s last real honky tonk. No cover, full bar, lots of fun. Go early for the nightly free dance lesson.



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More, soon, as always.
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♪  The Guide will be making CH-CH-CHANGES – turn, embrace the change -- in 2014. Some folks will like some, others will not. There will be points of departure to make room (and time) for the new. We’ll do what we can, because as always, we operate with the editor’s motto, “One does what one can.”

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The ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE endeavors to bring you NEWS and views of interest to artists everywhere, more specifically to musicians and the creative community, and music makers and fans of acoustic and Folk-Americana music, both traditional and innovative. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues, and schedules of performances in Southern California venues large and small. We cover workshops and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kids o’ things in the world of acoustic and Americana and accessible classical music. From washtub bass to musical spoons to oboe to viola to banjo to squeezebox, from Djangostyle to new-fangled-old-time string band music, from sweet Cajun fiddle to pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to proto blues.
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