STUFF TO DO, THINGS TO HEAR, TIX TO GET, NAMM IMMINENT - Jan 12 edition 2017

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For starters, TONIGHT, THURSDAY, January 12, there's a fine FREE live concert on the web. A four-camera affair, no slouches. Starts at 8 pm Pacific. Details within.

Of course, there's the best mainstay of acoustic music anywhere in L.A., even though it isn't quite in L.A. It's the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, just up the hill above downtown Pasadena. Check their schedule at www.coffeegallery.com

The contemporary singer-songwriter scene, with a good mix of acoustic acts, reins at The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood.

And there are always good roots-Americana weekend shows in the legendary concert hall behind the store at McCabe's in Santa Monica. Their goings on are at: www.mccabes.com

It's always worth calling Cody's Viva Cantina next to the L.A. Equestrian Center in Burbank to see who's scheduled there (their web presence is sorta elusive). We do know that tonight, Thursday, Jan. 12, is the wonderful RICK SHEA.

Other Folk-Americana mainstays of most, but not all, Saturday nights are Boulevard Music in Culver City and the Fret House in Covina. Less often, but equally tuneful are concerts at the Folk Music Center in Claremont. All three are easily findable on the web.

That brings our lil' opening greeting full circle.

Check out the deets on tonight's webcast concert, and peruse what's happening at any of the venues we just listed above, because as you know, we no longer do that enormous live music calendar, and we do NOT have the info on the above venues scheduled shows in this edition.

Then come on back to the "Contents / In This Edition" listed just below. There, you'll see all the good things we DO have in store for you, at the touch of your scrolling finger.

Or, now that you're here, forget being all structured and methodical and just wander around and explore. Kick the tires. Fluff the pillows on the couch. Stare at the tropical fish. Whatever makes ya happy, we're good with it.

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CONTENTS / IN THIS EDITION

1) Free Live Webcast Concert Tonight: Banjo, Fiddle, Vocals from Seattle

2) R.I.P.: The Great TOMMY ALSUP TAKES his Final Ride into the Western Sunset

3) "UNSIGNED ONLY" Music Competition now Open, Announces 2017 Judges

4) Award-Winning Local Plays Pasadena Folk Music Society this Saturday

5) AMANDA ABIZAID & Friends At Genghis Cohen For Three Tuesdays

6) "Music without Borders" Concert Celebrates Cultural Diversity Jan. 20th

7) L.A. CHORALE: Beethoven’s "Missa Solemnis" This Sat & Sun At Music Center

8) NAMM Show Nears, as Gear Makers Beckon

9) HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN Marks 20 Years, Heads for Southern Cal Gig with ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL

10) Favorite Operatic Arias & Duets this Friday, Plus "Romeo et Juliet" Next Month

11) Warner Grand & Grand Annex Delight San Pedro with Winter Schedule

12) VIGNES ROOFTOP REVIVAL to play Valentine’s Concert at Sierra Madre Playhouse, February 12

13) Broadway Stars MEGAN HILTY & BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL to Perform with PACIFIC SYMPHONY

Let's get started!

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# 1 news feature...


FREE LIVE WEBCAST CONCERT TONIGHT: BANJO, FIDDLE, VOCALS FROM SEATTLE


Tune in tonight at 8 pm Pacific as "The Roots Channel" presents a FREE webcast from Seattle's Empty Sea Studios, featuring ALLISON De GROOT & TATIANA HARGREAVES on banjo, fiddle and vocals. This show is available free of charge to view on your favorite screen -- including in your living room if you have a Roku player.

"With four-camera video and CD-quality sound, this is an immersive concert experience from the comfort of your home," says Michael Thomas Connolly, founder & CEO of The Roots Channel.

ALLISON & TATIANA brings together two women on the forefront of American traditional acoustic music. In their new duo, clawhammer banjo innovator ALLISON de GROOT (MOLSKY'S MOUNTAIN DRIFTERS) and fiddler TATIANA HARGREAVES (LAURIE LEWIS, DAVE RAWLINGS MACHINE) join forces to explore the boundaries of Appalachian stringband music.

Having both studied with such musicians as BRUCE MOLSKY and DAROL ANGER in addition to more traditional masters, Allison and Tatiana share a musical vocabulary that reflects on tradition while also utilizing new techniques and sounds. Allison has toured all over the world with various groups, performing at such venues as Trafalgar Square in London, the "Newport Folk Festival," and other major festivals across the US and Canada. She combines love and passion for old-time music, technical skill and a creative approach to the banjo. Allison has immersed herself in American roots music through festivals that include the "Appalachian String Band Festival" in West Virginia, making pilgrimages to musical communities in North Carolina and participating in the acoustic music scene in Boston, MA.

Since releasing her first solo album, "Started out to Ramble," in 2009, (produced by BRUCE MOLSKY and featuring SARAH JAROSZ, MARK SCHATZ, ALEX HARGREAVES, and more), Tatiana has toured with musicians from DAVE RAWLINGS and GILLIAN WELCH to LAURIE LEWIS and DAROL ANGER. From being the second woman to win First Place at the "Clifftop Appalachian Fiddle Contest" in 2009, to her 2012 and 2013 participation in the "Acoustic Music Seminar" in Savannah Georgia, Tatiana is dedicated to respecting and preserving oldtime and bluegrass traditions while simultaneously seeking her own musical voice and approaching these styles in new ways.

The live webcast show is Thursday, Jan. 12 (Tonight) at 8 pm Pacific.

Watch it online at:

https://www.therootschannel.com/media/allison-de-groot-and-tatiana-hargreaves


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# 2 news feature...


R.I.P.: THE GREAT TOMMY ALSUP TAKES HIS FINAL RIDE INTO THE WESTERN SUNSET


We've written too many obits and final goodbyes of late. We'll allow the Recording Academy® Statement (the GRAMMY organization) to speak for us:

Jan. 12, 2017

"TOMMY ALLSUP was one of western swing and rockabilly music’s finest. The Oklahoma native and GRAMMY® winner was admired by his peers and fans alike—heralded by PAUL McCARTNEY as one of the finest guitar players in the world. Probably best known for working with BUDDY HOLLY, Tommy later went on to produce and work with the likes of Merle HAGGARD, BOB WILLS AND HIS TEXAS PLAYBOYS, and WILLIE NELSON, earning him a spot in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Our deepest condolences go out to Tommy’s family, friends, and creative collaborators."

-- Neil Portnow,
President/CEO,
The Recording Academy


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# 3 news feature...


"UNSIGNED ONLY" MUSIC COMPETITION NOW OPEN, ANNOUNCES 2017 JUDGES


$150,000 in Cash and Prizes Shared Among 28 Winners; Prizes include a Grand Prize of $20,000 cash (US) plus mentoring by record label executives.

Unsigned Only is designed for solo artists, bands, and singers all over the world who are unsigned to a major label record deal. Limiting the competition to unsigned artists levels the playing field for entrants because they are not competing with well-known artists, with Grammy winners, or artists with a major label machine behind them.

The Grand Prize winner is awarded $20,000 (US) in cash, plus additional prizes, and one-on-one mentoring by an elite group of record company executives. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to directly network with top record company professionals and get advice, guidance, feedback, and networking opportunities. Prizes are also awarded to First and Second Place winners in each category.

Categories include Americana, Folk/Singer-Songwriter, AAA (Adult Album Alternative), AC (Adult Contemporary), Christian, Country, EDM, R&B/Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop/Top 40, Screen Shot (songs suitable for placement in film/TV/advertising/gaming); Teen (artists 18 years old or younger) and Vocal Performance.

Unlike other contests, Unsigned Only accepts original AND cover songs in all categories except Screen Shot, which requires original music.

Judges include Aimee Mann, Sammy Hagar, Delbert McClinton, Montgomery Gentry, Anthony DeCurtis (contributing editor, Rolling Stone), Michael Molenda (Editor-In-Chief, Guitar Player magazine), Josh Jackson (co-founder and Editor-In-Chief, Paste Magazine), Kyle Anderson
(senior writer, Entertainment Weekly), Zach Long (Associate Editor, Time Out Chicago), Lindsey Parker (Managing Editor, Yahoo Music), Caine O'Rear (Editor-In-Chief, American Songwriter), Jed Gottlieb (Music & Theater Writer, Boston Herald), Suzanne Cadgene (Publisher, Elmore Magazine), Kevin McNeese (President, NewReleaseToday), Sarah Jones (Editor, Electronic Musician Magazine), MercyMe, Phantogram, David Crowder, K.T. Tunstall, O.A.R., Bone Thugs N Harmony, Melanie Fiona, and more.

For the first time ever, Unsigned Only Music Competition is offering a special promotion that offers free entries. Enter two songs, and get a third entry for free. Enter four songs, and get two additional free entries. Keep entering more songs, and get a free entry for every two entries you submit. This represents an opportunity to affordably enter many songs and show Unsigned Only the depth of your talent and who you are as an artist.

This promotion lasts only until January 20, 2017, so enter soon (the url is below).

Unsigned Only is sponsored by: Folk Alliance International; Americana Rhythm Magazine; Berklee College Of Music; Cari Cole; Celebrity Access; D'Addario; D'Angelico Guitars; Disc Makers; Eventric; Groove 3; Illinois Entertainer; Lurssen Mastering; Magix; Radio Airplay; PRA Audio Systems; StarNow; Symphonic Distribution; Valve Industries; and Zedd Records.

Full info and contest entry at 615-251-4441 or www.unsignedonly.com


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# 4 news feature...


AWARD-WINNING LOCAL PLAYS PASADENA FOLK MUSIC SOCIETY THIS SATURDAY


Saturday, January 14 at 8 pm, BRAD COLERICK, joined by musical pals GUILLERMO GUZMAN on bass and TIM FLEMING on pedal steel, plays the prestigious Pasadena Folk Music Society series at Caltech. It's a rather unusual event when a local plays this series, which can pick and choose from touring musicians for any of its shows. But booking Brad Colerick was something they wanted to do for a long time.

The show is in Beckman Institute Auditorium (aka "Little Beckman.") Parking is free, in either lot off the south end of Michigan Av, south off Del Mar, in Pasadena.

Brad tells us, "I've been making good progress in the studio. My new album will be called 'Nine Ten Thirty' for the zip code here in my town of South Pasadena. It is being made entirely with musicians, artists, studios and engineers here in South Pas — a real community effort. Release date is set for May 6 with a CD release show planned at the South Pasadena Theatre Workshop. That's set for 2 pm, prior to the start of the annual 'ECLECTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL' which happens this year on that day, May 6th. Can't wait to share this new batch of songs with you."

Brad adds, "In the meantime, for those near Caltech in Pasadena, I'm playing this show and I'd really love to see you there."

Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for children and Caltech students. You can call the Caltech Ticket Office at 626-395-4652, Monday-Friday between 9 am & 4 pm, or buy online at:

http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?pid=8314413


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# 5 news feature...


AMANDA ABIZAID & FRIENDS AT GENGHIS COHEN FOR THREE TUESDAYS


The Guide does not cover "world music," since most of the genres associated with that categorical title are anathema to Folk-Americana tastes and interests, if not to sensibilities.

But some artists and bands are transcendent in their styles and performances, and we enjoy alerting readers since you may not come across these artists otherwise.

Such an artist is AMANDA ABIZAID. She is performing a short residency with some musical friends this month at Genghis Cohen, 740 N Fairfax Av, Hollywood 90046; 323-653-0640.

Her residency is Tuesdays, January 17th, 24th, & 31st, 2017, from 7-10:30 pm.

American-Lebanese singer-songwriter AMANDA ABIZAID performs a journey of her songs reaching from her first EP, "The Great Plan Vol I," to her latest single, "One Love." You'll experience the range of her music and its styles, from Pop, Rock, Neo Soul, and World, and some of that will sound pretty damn folky.

For the January 17th residency show, Amanda will be accompanied by A-list musicians LINDSAY GILLIS, JON O'HARE and STEWART JEAN, along with guest A-list singer songwriters SHANE SOLOSKI, MORTY SHALLMAN, and MERETHE SOLTVEDT with MIKE DATZ She promises "An eclectic night of music."

Arrive at 7 pm to meet Amanda and the artists of the night, and plan to enjoy a Chinese meal and drinks at this famous Hollywood restaurant. There is limited seating, and these shows will be sold out.

Tix at the door - cash only, $10.

Facebook Event Page with artist information:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1826868544268276/


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# 6 news feature...


"MUSIC WITHOUT BORDERS" CONCERT CELEBRATES CULTURAL DIVERSITY JAN. 20th


Theatre Raymond Kabbaz, that delightful venue at the French school in L.A., proclaims, "On January 20, Let's Celebrate Cultural Diversity with BRIDGE TO EVERYWHERE!"

From harp and string quartet, to oud and electric guitar, the sixteen-piece ensemble BRIDGE TO EVERYWHERE strives to create new connections between instruments, genres, cultures and people. This “Music without Borders” concert features five world-premieres of original works by composer-conductor DERRICK SPIVA JR., inspired by traditional music from Ghana, India, Mexico, Eastern Europe and beyond.

L.A.-based composer-conductor DERRICK SPIVA JR. and BRIDGE TO EVERYWHERE, a chamber ensemble dedicated to performing music by diverse composers, celebrate cultural diversity through interwoven musical traditions.

Tix and full info:

http://wwwlyceela.org>


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# 7 news feature...


L.A. CHORALE: BEETHOVEN’S "MISSA SOLEMNIS" THIS SAT & SUN AT MUSIC CENTER


Beethoven’s "Missa Solemnis" is inarguably one of the top five pillars of the orchestral and choral repertoire and has become a specialty of the L.A. Master Chorale. This pair of performances are in the incomparable Walt Disney Concert Hall.

At the end of his career – completely deaf at the time – Beethoven was on a prolific roll, premiering both his renowned signature "9th Symphony" and the "Missa Solemnis" in the same year. Audiences had heard nothing like it before – not only did he create a new musical language for himself, he also set the bar for an entire era of Romantic composers who had to wrestle with the weight of his achievements.

The schedule seems backwards, with a 2 pm Saturday matinee and a 7 pm Sunday performance, but those are the correct times.

Grant Gershon, conductor
Raquel González, soprano
Allyson McHardy, mezzo soprano
Arnold Livingston Geis, tenor
Rod Gilfry, bass
120 singers
guest soloists
orchestra

GO EARLY for the "ListenUp!" Pre-concert talk, 1 pm Sat., 6 pm Sun.
Performance Length: 90 min.
Intermission: No
English Supertitles: No
Student Rush: Yes

Box Office: Tickets can be purchased by phone at 213-972-7282 or in-person at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Box Office Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm. On concert days, box office staff can be reached at 213-972-7282 beginning at 10 am and the Disney Hall Box Office will be open for will-call and sales beginning at 12 noon for matinees and 5 pm for evening concerts. You may also leave a message, and your call will be returned. Tickets can be purchased online 24/7, at links below.

Saturday, January 21 at 2 pm
Sunday, January 22 at 7 pm

Tix:
For Sat, 2 pm: https://tickets.lamc.org/single/SYOS.aspx?p=4038
For Sun, 7 pm: https://tickets.lamc.org/single/SYOS.aspx?p=4039


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# 8 news feature...


NAMM SHOW NEARS, AS GEAR MAKERS BECKON


There's far more to see at the annual NAMM Show than anyone can, even with four days to do it. This year's show, January 19-22, is nearly upon us. It takes over the entire Anaheim Convention Center, including the basketball arena, and fills the meeting and convention spaces in all the surrounding hotels. An "industry only" event, it is NOT open to the public.

Here at the Guide, we always do our best to keep our readers appraised of what's there that's new, what debuts that's interesting and innovative, what signature models of guitars or other acoustic instruments are out, and who blows us away with their performances for the most knowledgeable and demanding audiences anywhere in the world.

That's what's ahead with our coverage. But we're starting now with a feature on some new gear, just announced, that we're looking forward to checking-out, "up close and personal," as a sports reporter always said in a time long ago.

Of course, this particlar manufacturer is giving their primary mojo to pushing their new line of three new analog overdrive pedals. But being acousticats, we 'spect you're most inclined to learn about things in the sequence we're using here.

NEW: EBS PREMIUM GOLD FLAT PATCH CABLES being released at NAMM 2017. Estimated street price starting at $6.95.

We all know that all cables are not created equal. That's especially important when it comes to keeping the electrical continuity with the plugs, and the manufacturer's choice of metals means everything. It's also true when it comes to having the right length so you won't come to end of your leash, as well as not making loops on stage that snare your band members like unwary rabbits. These guys are addressing all that.

They start off proclaiming, "Essential when building a pedalboard. With the new premium gold flat patch cables, EBS pushes the limits of how much space the choice of patch cables can save. The tiny contact housing* is made of 24 Carat Gold plated die cast Zink wrapped in a PVC sleeve for optimal protection and isolation."

* Only 0.85 x 0.41 x 0.2 inches / 21.5 x 10.5 x 5.0 mm

Available in four lengths, 10, 18, 28 & 58 cm.

These flat angular double shielded cables are touted as "super flexible while wrapping the leads safely," and their "Very low resistance and capacitance keeps your sound clean without signal loss."
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On to their new line of pedals.

EBS INTRODUCES THREE NEW ANALOG OVERDRIVE PEDALS AT NAMM 2017

All in their brand new "Blue Label" pedal line. These pedals are developed for guitar and support the low frequencies of a bass, too.

They gave them sexy names.

’BLACK HAZE’, ’DRIVE ME CRAZY’ and ’THE DRIVE’ offer significantly different drive characters and are designed and developed by EBS with input from several top Swedish session guitarists.

Black Haze
The Black Haze is a beautiful drive with some darkness to it to make it interesting and irresistible. This pedal features a three-level character switch to boost or cut certain frequencies, dual drive engines and low-range compensation for improved performance with bass.

Drive Me Crazy
The Drive Me Crazy turns any nice clean guitar combo amp into a full force high gain stack. This pedal features a three-level character switch to boost or cut certain frequencies, dual drive engines and low-range compensation for improved performance with bass.

The Drive
The Drive gives you that extra boost you need to emphasize your tone and make it stand out. The kind of device you might leave on without thinking about it, but miss dearly when you turn it off.

All three pedals features controls for Drive, Tone and Volume. The Drive Me Crazy and Black Haze pedals also feature a character switch that can be set to Thin, Normal or Deep.

FOR PEDALBOARD AFFICIANADOES
A new compact housing design includes recessed jacks to reduce space between pedals on a pedal board, and a comfortable angle of the pedal that offers smoother switching with your foot.

When you want to explore beyond normal sound ranges of your instrument, these new pedals add more flavors of distortion to the famous EBS pedal portfolio and serves both guitarists’ and bass players’ needs.

Estimated street price from: $119
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Also from EBS, and at the NAMM Show:
There's the new Reidmar 500 lightweight bass amp (to replace the previous Reidmar 470). This new model is reduced in size by 10%.


Plus, EBS will introduce a 2017 edition of the Session combos - all with the benefit of reduced size and weight.

More info at:
www.ebssweden.com

Their whole product line is in NAMM Show Booth # 5391


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# 9 news feature...


HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN MARKS 20 YEARS, HEADS FOR SOUTHERN CAL GIG WITH ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL


ELANA, WHIT & JAKE (and Eva), aka HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN, that travelin' band from Austin, Texas, is sending a happy New Year message that celebrates their own milestone of time.

"Our 20th anniversary begins this year!" they say, adding, "Yes, believe it or not, it's our china and platinum anniversary. We formed the Hot Club of Cowtown in 1997 and released our first album in 1998. Some of you are brand new to us and some of you have been with us for such a very long time -- either way, it's incredible to have so many friends and fans along for the ride (especially since so many of you joined us many years ago when you were nine :). )"

The best of all the revival bands that play classic Western swing from BOB WILLS & HIS TEXAS PLAYBOYS to hits from all the combos of the 1930s, they seamlessly mix DJANGO REINHARDT and STEPHANE GRAPPELLI signatures from LE HOT CLUB DE PARIS with obscure grabbers and their own fine originals. Along the way to their 20th year, ELANA was the fiddle player for BOB DYLAN in his 'round the world tour, and each has individual accomplishments. But it's always been together that they win the hearts and dancin' feet of Folk-Americana and Western Swing crowds.

To begin the celebration of their 20th year, the band is starting out with shows in Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois and Pennsylvania this month. They've also been adding summer festival dates, including two they call "fantastic ones" in July -- the "RED ANTS PANTS FESTIVAL" in White Sulphur Springs, Montana, and the "OSSIPEE VALLEY MUSIC FESTIVAL" in Hiram, Maine.
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SOUTHERN CAL fans will be thrilled to know they're playing a local concert in Glendora, Cal, on June 3, 2017. It's a 7:30 pm show with

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL and HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN

at the Haugh Performing Arts Center, at Citrus College. It's this wonderful venue's "end of season party." Before the concert, Route 66 restauranteurs will be selling their delicious wares beginning at 5 pm outside the theatre, Tix are available NOW (they will sell-out SOON) at:

http://tickets.haughpac.com/single/SYOS.aspx?p=1363
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You'll also want to know about THIS:

RIDERS IN THE SKY plays Glendora on May 7th

RIDERS IN THE SKY, the only active Western band with two Grammy® Awards and an enduring favorite of families, is playing the same Haugh PAC in Glendora. This is the band that has written and performed music for major motion pictures, including "Woody's Roundup" from Toy Story 2. They play a 2 pm matinee on Sunday, May 7, 2017. Get tix now, before it sells-out:

http://tickets.haughpac.com/single/EventListing.aspx
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Back to HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN

You can find all their upcoming tour dates (they're adding more, all the time), at:

http://www.hotclubofcowtown.com/tour/

Their online gift shop still has all our stuff, and they tell us it's "the only place where you can buy our exclusive merchandise and we actually get paid for it (awesome)."

Hot Club of Cowtown sent a nice little photo album with pics of their early days. One from a KGSR Live SXSW Radio broadcast from the Four Seasons with Kevin Connor, Austin, Texas, 1998; one from backstage at the Grand Ole Opry with Riders in the Sky, Nashville, Tennessee c. 2000; one from the Molokai Rodeo, Molokai, Hawaii, 1998; and even one of a lunch break somewhere along the road, sometime last century. Find those and more on their website.

More, and all their links, at: http://www.hotclubofcowtown.com


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# 10 news feature...


FAVORITE OPERATIC ARIAS & DUETS THIS FRIDAY, PLUS "ROMEO ET JULIET" NEXT MONTH


Center Stage Opera and Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church present an evening of favorite operatic arias and duets featuring SHIRA RENEE THOMAS, CHRISTINA ROSZHART, and DYLAN F. THOMAS this Friday, January 13 at 7 pm. The evening presents beloved favorites from the operatic stage, with the ensemble singing works by PUCCINI, GOUNOD, VERDI, and other celebrated operatic composers. The venue is Emerson UUC, 7304 Jordan Av, Canoga Park 91303. For info on the show, call Emerson UUC at 818-224-9091. Learn about the San Fernando Valley's own opera company at www.centerstageopera.org. Tickets for Friday's show are $15, available at the door, or get better seats in advance at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/opera-in-canoga-park-tickets-30592781834?aff=es2
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The opera is also selling tickets for "ROMEO ET JULIET," running for two performances next month, on Sat., Feb 11 at 7:30 pm and Sun, Feb. 12 at 3 pm. Charles Gounod's timeless classic opera of thwarted lovers, Romeo et Juliette is fully-staged and features the Center Stage Opera Orchestra. It's sung in French with English translation projected above the stage. Those tix are available at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2581189


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# 11 news feature...


WARNER GRAND & GRAND ANNEX DELIGHT SAN PEDRO WITH WINTER SCHEDULE


Two affiliated theatres in downtown San Pedro are the result of a successful community mobilization. First, they saved the town's grand movie palace, appropriately renamed The Warner Grand. But a venue that big requires booking events with an economy of scale. So, the nonprofit organization, having save the big theatre and repurposed it for concerts and other live performances, saw the need to add a smaller companion stage. The result was the Grand Annex, two doors down. The latter, in particular, has become home to plenty of touring Folk-Americana and singer-songwriter performances over the years, and the traditions continue for both theatres this winter.

✔ First up are ANDY & RENEE and their full band, HARD RAIN, the award-winning outfit that began as a Dylan tribute project and grew from there. On Saturday, Jan 21, at 8 pm, the Grand Annex hosts ANDY HILL & RENEE SAFIER in what's become an annual return engagement with the Hard Rain Band and a horn section. The ensemble will play the latest of their "full-length album concerts," doing the live version of all you hear on their latest CD, "A River is Gone."

✔ "SGT. PEPPERS TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES" follows on Saturday, Jan 28 at 8 pm at the Grand Annex. You can enjoy classic Beatles hits from 1962's "Love Me Do" to 1970's "Let It Be." Played on the same kinds of vintage instruments the Beatles used - recreating the original vibe so widely loved.

✔ CELTIC MUSIC fans will thrill to THE FIRE on Friday, Feb 3 at 8 pm at the Grand Annex. It's high energy Scottish music with world class fiddling, bagpipes, guitar, bodhran, whistle & bouzouki. Piper DAVID BREWER, guitarist ADAM HENDEY, Scottish Fiddle Champion REBECCA LOMNICKY, and guest singer CHRISTA BURCH.

✔ "THE BELLE OF AMHERST" is a special event on Sunday, Feb 26 at 2 pm at the Grand Annex. Actress MELANIE JONES becomes EMILY DICKINSON in this mesmerizing one-woman play. Followed by Afternoon Tea with scones, sandwiches & desserts. This is a benefit performance for "Meet the Music."

✔ The annual "GATHERING FOR THE GRAND" this year brings the theme of “Some Enchanted Evening” on Saturday, March 18, at CRAFTED at the Port of LA. The theme is "South Pacific" and honors SCOTT DONNELLY of PDM CPAs & DR. WADE NISHIMOTO. The event benefits the Warner Grand & Meet the Music, the local FREE music program for 1,500 children in Wilmington & San Pedro.

✔ FILM BUFFS and ENVIRONMENTALISTS alike are anxiously awaiting the "WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL" on Sunday, Jan 22 at 4 pm at the Warner Grand. Palos Verdes Land Conservancy presents the festival, celebrating the wonder and majesty of nature. Admission: $10 adults, while age 18 and under are admitted FREE. full info and titles and schedules of films being screened are at: www.pvplc.org

✔ FOLKLORICO SABOR DE MEXICO rounds-out the announced schedule, performing Saturday, Feb 4 at 7 pm at the Warner Grand. This southland folklorico company presents a journey of discovery with glittering costumes, fantastic young dancers, and familiar music & dances from Mexico. Tix are $10 - $20 at gruposabordemexico@yahoo.com or 310-489-3463.

Grand Vision Foundation is located at 434 W 6th St, San Pedro 90731. That address is within two doors of both theatres. Advance tix are recommended for all shows, as Grand Annex events often sell-out. Full info at www.grandvision.org


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# 12 news feature...


VIGNES ROOFTOP REVIVAL TO PLAY VALENTINE’S CONCERT AT SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE, FEBRUARY 12


Okay, so the real Valentine’s day is February 14. Something all women know and most guys forget. But who wants to fight traffic on a school night to meet your sweetie at a concert? Not the VIGNES ROOFTOP REVIVAL. That's why this show is on Sunday, two days early. This concert is presented by the Sierra Madre Playhouse and Sierra Madre Music.

Born on the roof of an artist loft in Downtown Los Angeles, The VIGNES ROOFTOP REVIVAL serves up an exciting mix of classic jazz, Gypsy jazz, blues, and Americana. Their music incorporates a lively and diverse set of influences, from the classic French swing of DJANGO REINHARDT to the vocal standards of ELLA FITZGERALD and the Brazilian samba music of DORIVAL CAYMMI. They are one of the area's busiest and most "local" bands -- they perform 3-8 shows a week within the LA area. They are excited to perform a special Valentine’s Day inspired set of music on February 12th, featuring the smooth jazzy vocals of AMBER NAVRAN and the sweet sounds of flute, trumpet, clarinet, guitar, and bass as performed by band members PATRICK TORREZ, BERGEN MOORE, ERIK MIRON, RUMI, and CAPITAL.

If you like what you hear, you can find them performing weekly downtown residencies at Eat.Drink.Americano (Mondays), Cafe Gratitude (Tuesdays), and GROW (Wednesdays), and monthly residencies at 3 Clubs, and Casey's Irish Pub. The Vignes Rooftop Revival performs frequently at private parties and has has played venues that include L.A. Live, Villain's Tavern, OSSO DTLA, The 1642, Angel City Brewery, SIP Speakeasy, The Paradise Bar, The Spring Street Arcade, and The Escondite.

But you can avoid standing up, having your view blocked by bar patrons, and getting elbowed by the crowd if you take advantage of this intimate theatre, where everyone has a seat, and its listening room concert environment.

The concert is Sunday, February 12, at 7 pm, at the Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre 91024. That's just northeast of Pasadena. There is ample free parking in a lot behind the Playhouse. Tix: Adults $20, youth $15. Reservations, 626-355-4318; online ticketing at www.sierramadreplayhouse.org


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# 13 news feature...


BROADWAY STARS MEGAN HILTY & BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL TO PERFORM WITH PACIFIC SYMPHONY


The Costa Mesa-based symphony announced today this late change to the 2016-17 "Pops" line-up, for a pair of concerts of "Broadway hits and timeless standards," April 21-22
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COSTA MESA, CA (Jan 12, 2017). Pacific Symphony announced late today that award-winning Broadway superstars MEGAN HILTY and BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL will join the orchestra’s 2016-17 Pops season, replacing previously scheduled JASON ALEXANDER, who was forced to cancel due to an unforeseeable conflict.

With stunning voices and booming careers on Broadway and television and concert stages, Hilty and Mitchell join forces with the 88-piece orchestra to deliver an evening of soaring, feel-good music, led by guest conductor ALBERT-GEORGE SCHRAM, April 21-22, at 8 pm in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the OC Performing Arts Center.

Together, the talented performers will bring fresh insight to a program of Broadway hits and unforgettable melodies that have become timeless standards — including music from COLE PORTER, DUKE ELLINGTON, and GEORGE GERSHWIN.

Tickets are $35-$167 ($195 Box Circle). For more information or to purchase tickets, call 714-755-5799 or online at www.PacificSymphony.org


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Stay tuneful! See you next time!

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LEGALESE, CONTACTING US, 'N SUCH...

Boilerplate? Where's the main pressure gauge? And the firebox?

What "boilerplate"? Who came up with that goofy term for the basic essential informational stuff...
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Pssst – Hey, kid. Yeah, YOU: It won't be so "basic" when we add all the links for the global network of music news / music education sites that we're joining; THAT'LL be here very soon, as an ESSENTIAL COMPONENT of the Guide returning to being a MUSIC NEWS journal!
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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. That includes both traditional and innovative forms. From the deepest roots to today’s acoustic renaissance, that’s our beat. We provide a wealth of resources, including a HUGE catalog of acoustic-friendly venues (now undergoing a major update), and inside info on FESTIVALS and select performances in Southern California in venues from the monumentally large to the intimately small and cozy. We cover workshops, conferences, and other events for artists and folks in the music industry, and all kinds 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 bluegrass and pre-bluegrass Appalachian mountain music to all the swamp water roots of the blues and the bright lights of where the music is headed now.
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The Acoustic Americana Music Guide. Thanks for sittin' a spell. The porch'll be here anytime you come back from the road.

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