"Summer of Love" remembered tonight on PBS. July 25 2017 edition

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It's hard to believe that we first reported on this PBS documentary — inclusive of so much iconic music — TEN years ago. Tonight it returns, and we still recommend it, a decade later.

They still bill this production — about the singular summer of 1967 — as, "Summer of Love — The utopian beginnings of peace and love prevailed, and ended in chaos."

More simply titled "Summer of Love," it's tonight's returning offering in the PBS documentary history series "The American Experience." It re-airs tonight, nationwide, locally on KOCE, aka "PBS SoCal," from 8-9 pm.

The 2007 production is a striking picture of San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district during the summer of 1967. The re-airing after a decade comes becomes that's now fifty years ago this summer. The production explores the music and the mecca of the counter-culture, from "the utopian beginnings when peace and love prevailed, to the chaos, unsanitary conditions, and widespread drug use that ultimately signaled the end."

The film reveals that it was in January 1967 when thousands of young people already in San Francisco descended on Golden Gate Park for a "Human Be-In," and that set the stage. The media had flocked to the event, putting hippies in the national spotlight for the first time. And once the press offered a window into the world of Haight Ashbury, even more young people flooded in.

"The city of San Francisco has been warned of a hippie invasion come summer in numbers almost too staggering to comprehend," declared one TV news reporter of the time.

Which makes us realize that the hyperventilating hyperbole of today's mainstream media isn't a totally new thing, after all.
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Indeed, much of what we deal with today can be traced to those times.

America's "War on Drugs" is still competing with popular demand for legalized marijuana. That theme was a hopeless cause then that has very much taken hold with ballot initiatives in our time. The immediacy of the issue in 1967 seemed to be that the drug culture had brought LSD into mainstream culture, with unintended consequeces.

And it was years before we would learn that CIA money and "mind control" experimentation had everything in the world to do with it.)

What was clear at the time was that a bloody and unnecessary war and an era of shocking assassinations had produced widespread disillusionment after the sudden collapse of JFK's bright promise of a "New Frontier."

Yet somehow, the music of the counter-culture was filled with sunny optimism, every bit as much as with cynical observations about the brutal nature of humankind.

"The Summer of Love" was a fleeting moment in the turbulent history of the 1960s. But its underlying message left an indelible impression on those who witnessed it.
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The show's PBS site offers the following video clips, at:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/summer-of-love/
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1) "Summer of Love: Chapter 1" — Watch the opening scene of "Summer of Love."

2) "Free Love & Free Stuff" — In the summer of 1967, young people flooded into San Francisco and found what one thrill-seeker described as “wonderland.”

3) "Mind-Altering Drugs" — By the mid-1960s in the Haight-Ashbury district, visions of a utopian society took shape, enhanced by a new drug — LSD.

4) "The San Francisco Oracle" — Published in 12 issues from 1966 to 1968, it was THE newspaper that spoke directly to young people's imaginations and concerns, and gave birth to numerous alternative weeklys in various cities that are with us today.

5) "Summer of Love: Trailer" — The series promo short offers a portrait of the Haight Ashbury district at the height of the hippie movement.
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Plus, not obvious on the site are these gems:

"Not all Haight-Ashbury's residents were happy with the hippies..." — this is a great short video look at the "push-back" from the "Donna Reed / Father Knows Best" generation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbbv0JcuxtQ
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And the indispensible song...

MUSIC VIDEO: "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)" recorded by one-hit-wonder SCOTT McKENZIE was 1967's song of the summer and an unofficial hippie anthem of sorts:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/Songs-of-the-summer-1967/
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THE BEST READ BEFORE YOU WATCH...

Buried on their site, PBS offers a highly enlightening story-behind-the-music to accompany the song. Turns out, whatever listeners thought of it, the hand of the corporatocracy was at work.

Here's that story, by Keven McAlester:
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"1967 | San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair) by Scott McKenzie

"From the Collection: 'Songs of the Summer'

"How a commercial became an anthem."

By Keven McAlester

"What’s the worst song that you love? (note 1) For me, among a large and ever-growing lot of candidates, one clearly tops the list: 'San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair),' a 1967 top-ten summer song by Scott McKenzie.

"Look, I’m not proud of this.

"McKenzie, who died in 2012, was a journeyman musician (note 2) whose other claim to fame is co-writing the Beach Boys’ 'Kokomo,' itself frequently named among the worst songs ever recorded, and which I do not love at all. McKenzie had a great voice, and at first blush, 'San Francisco' could be judged, at worst, merely insubstantial — a straightforward folk-rock song with lyrics that have aged about as well as any other hippie cliché. ('If you’re going to San Francisco, you’re gonna meet some gentle people there,' goes one of the lines, and not since the reign of the Sydney Ducks has a trip to The Bay sounded so unappealing.) If the song merely lacked self-awareness and was prone to aging poorly, it would hardly qualify for any list of worsts, and indeed might even be charming. But the thing about 'San Francisco' is, the more you learn about it, the worse it gets.

"Turns out the song wasn’t written by McKenzie, but by his friend JOHN PHILLIPS of the MAMAS AND THE PAPAS — already a crippling fact, if you’re not willing to separate an artist’s personal behavior from judgments about his or her art (after his death, Phillips’ daughter accused him of sexual assault). By his own admission, Phillips wrote the song in 20 minutes, and he didn’t write it because he lived in San Francisco observing or participating in the movement he portrays — during that time, he was mostly hanging out in his Bel Air mansion, buying antiques and snorting cocaine — nor as some writerly exercise of identifying with or trying to understand his subject. No. Instead, it was written and released as a commercial.

"Sometime in the spring of 1967, Phillips and producer/music-business-icon LOU ADLER took over planning of the MONTEREY POP FESTIVAL, a now-storied three-day event inspired by the Monterey Jazz Festival. Pretty quickly, given the two men’s cachet, the festival turned into a big deal. But there was a problem: the landowners and political class of Monterey were terrified of being overrun by tens of thousands of hippies. This led Phillips to conceive the idea of writing a song to promote the festival, in which he would implore attendees to not run wild in the streets. Twenty minutes later, 'San Francisco' was written. Far from an anthemic celebration, it was part ad and part admonition. It’d be like if N.W.A.’s 'F*ck Tha Police' turned out to have been a jingle for a law-enforcement dating service.

"No matter; the song became a massive hit when it was released in May 1967, and ended up becoming a sort of unofficial hippie anthem anyway. According to the small handful of articles and books I just found by googling the song, all of the actual San Francisco underground musicians of the day (JANIS JOPLIN, THE GRATEFUL DEAD, etc.) absolutely hated it. This isn’t hard to imagine. The death of the American countercultural ideal of 1960s has been tied to various events — the SF hippie funeral of October 1967, the assassinations of 1968, the murder at Altamont, Charles Manson — and while those last three quite obviously have the weight and depth of historical tragedy, it’d be hard to find a more poetic starting point than the moment at which a PSA on behalf of the propertied class in Monterey, California became the movement’s unofficial anthem.

"So but wait. How I could write all of that and then claim to even like the song, much less love it? My admittedly ill-conceived answer is: I have no idea. Or perhaps it’s just that none of the above actually matters. (note 3) I could come up with some concrete explanations — the great melody, the surprising key changes, McKenzie’s voice, the fact that I can ignore the lyrics, the tune’s overall haunting wistfulness that gives it an air of regret, as if sung by someone in the distant future looking back at the failed idealism of youth — but none of that will mean anything to you before hearing the song, and probably won’t mean anything after. That’s the great thing about music; the images and emotions a particular song evokes, the meaning one attaches to it, are entirely internal, and different from person to person. You can share general tastes with someone, but why one song hits you and another doesn’t isn’t subject to the niceties of fact or reason. So what do I know? Nothing, it turns out.

"Put another way: I once read an interview with a Vietnam veteran who said that, to American soldiers stationed there at the time, the song was a 'tearjerker,' because San Francisco was a common destination for soldiers en route home. (note 4) In short: in the midst of a grave situation, it gave him hope. And by my insignificant personal standards or any more substantial ones, that qualifies 'San Francisco' not as one of the worst songs ever written, but one of the very best.

"Listen to the complete top ten from the summer of 1967 on Spotify."

[At the link: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/Songs-of-the-summer-1967/]

Notes:
(1) Note that “worst” here does not mean “most amateurish.” The Shaggs’ Philosophy of the World is often cited as “the worst record ever made,” but its greatest sins are poor playing and utter guilelessness—which, it turns out, are also its greatest strengths, making it something like essential listening.
(2) As if fated by God or Terry Southern, one of his first bands was actually called “The Journeymen.”
(3) By which I mean: none of the above backstory actually matters in determining whether you like the song upon first hearing it; clearly recent allegations against Phillips capital-M matter quite a lot.
(4) From the book "Voices from Vietnam."

— KEVEN McALESTER is an Academy Award- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker based in Los Angeles. He has directed two documentary features ("You’re Gonna Miss Me" and "The Dungeon Masters"), produced and written three others, and directed over 30 music videos, short films, and PSAs. His work has premiered at the SUNDANCE, TORONTO, and SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST film festivals; debuted online in such publications as "The New Yorker," "Vice," and "Impose"; and been commissioned by such institutions as PBS, HBO, and the Academy of the Arts, Berlin.


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The Guide will have
a very massively complete
MUSIC NEWS edition,
coming your way soon.

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PLENTY MORE is archived, back to when Lassie was a little bitty puppy dog, Napoleon was a private, and banjos only had four strings.

The entire history and past content of the Guide, since we moved the archival editions to Blogspot years 'n years ago, is searchable at the basic url:

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com

Seriously: Go get lost in acoustica esoterica and memories of past albums, festivals, concerts and events, whenever you're bored with the pop pablum that infests mainstream media.

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See you next time!

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As always, we invite you to join us and to let us know what YOU are listening to, and what artists or bands just sent you swooning and need to be shared with others.

That's your part, so you'll know that a whole lot more is always coming soon — including fresh MUSIC NEWS, PREVIEWS & REVIEWS, and more additions to our massive guide to the MUSIC FESTIVALS of 2017.

Meantime, with everything happening through these festival-packed, arrival-of-summer weekends? Go get tuneful!


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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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Direct to the Guide's current editions /

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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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This Weekend — Update and useful / Tuneful info — July 22 2017 edition

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Here's an overview of good stuff happening this weekend and notable happ'nin's that follow in upcoming days.

First, an update on status: The editor is enmeshed in a history project. Everyone else who's usually found lurking around here is off doing summer things (of the kinetic-in-the-sunshine sort, which, truth be told, the editor wishes he was doing, too).

Much more seriously (and that's an understatement): One of our folks is facing surgery for, well, something serious. So there has been time spent there, as well, for the practical aspects of helping with preparations, and the obvious dimensions of comfort, if not joy.

Thus, the Guide, in all its intended content, is running behind. So we ask that you accept what we're able to do — especially since it DOES contain word on good stuff YOU can do!

And please keep our staffer in your very best thoughts, and prayers if you're so inclined, for her quick and complete recovery, return to health, and ability to rejoin us soon in tuneful pursuits!
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• Herein are recommendations for — and RESOURCES to find more of — good places to go in the next few days.

• Which brings us to havin' to say it once again — we'll be back soon with a very full edition of MUSIC NEWS.

• Meantime, we invite you to come on along on this uncharacteristically brief but "informationally" worthwhile journey!

• Here's the list of what's in this edition. It maps-out what awaits you in the big ol' tunefulnality!

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CONTENTS / IN THIS EDITION...


1) Special Events this Weekend

2) The Guide's Concert Recommendations for this Weekend

3) Resources for More Weekend Concerts, Club Gigs, Outdoor Concerts

4) Music Venue Sites as Resources — updated

5) Grammy Museum Special Exhibitions — JOHN DENVER exhibit ends July 30th!

6) Upcoming Concerts / Events — Reminders from Our Previous Reports

7) More July Music Festivals Ahead — Here, There, 'n Everywhere

Let's get started!

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# 1 news feature...


SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEKEND


Yep. There's one thing that'll let ya, cowboy up, there, pardner.

✔ "NATIONAL DAY OF THE AMERICAN COWBOY" Jul 22 (Norco, CA). The only publicized local expression of this celebratory day, proclaimed in multiple US states and Canadian provinces. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html

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# 2 news feature...


THE GUIDE'S CONCERT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS WEEKEND


We have only what's reprinted here from our June 30th edition. Remember, we don't do just a music calendar anymore, and we tell you about events in advance as part of our feature coverage of MUSIC NEWS. So here's what we previously published for Saturday and Sunday.
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Jul 22; FREE:
7 pm PACIFIC SYMPHONY performs one of its annual FREE concerts for the "SYMPHONY IN THE CITIES" series, this one in Mission Viejo, at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA.
* The program for the series is a delightful excursion:
♪ KEY: The Star Spangled Banner
♪ BERNSTEIN: Overture to Candide
♪ BERNSTEIN: Mambo from West Side Story
♪ MASCAGNI: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
♪ SOUSA: Hands Across the Sea
♪ BRAHMS: Hungarian Dance No. 5
♪ J. STRAUSS: Thunder and Lightning Polka
♪ J. STRAUSS: Blue Danube Waltz
♪ BACH: Air on a G String
♪ BACH: Vivace from Concerto for 2 Violins
♪ WILLIAMS: Superman March
♪ WILLIAMS: E. T. The Extra Terrestrial: Flying Theme
♪ VARIOUS: Armed Forces Salute
♪ WARD: America the Beautiful
♪ BERLIN: God Bless America
♪ SOUSA: Stars and Stripes Forever
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* The night brings quite a lineup, with Carl St. Clair conducting the Pacific Symphony; Danielle and Sarah Liu, violin; Yaya Dance Academy — Yaya Zhang, artistic director; and the Southern California Children’s Chorus.
* The symphony tells us, "It's the perfect way to end a lazy summer day. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and join us for FREE music and family fun! Kick back, relax, crack open a picnic basket and enjoy a warm summer evening with family and friends, as Pacific Symphony sends a swirl of glorious music into the air for 'Symphony in the Cities'!"
* Features a "MUSICAL PLAYGROUND FOR CHILDREN" and "Prelude in the Park" at 4 pm, so plan to get there early to plant your chair or blanket.
* Concert featuring Pacific Symphony begins at 7 pm.
* This performance is supported in large part by the City of Mission Viejo.
* "Each summer, the Symphony, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, takes the opportunity to express its gratitude by traveling throughout Orange County to deliver a little fun and inspirational music to old friends and new." Tonight, it's Mission Viejo's turn.
* Tix: IT'S FREE. Info, 714-755-5799; www.PacificSymphony.org
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Jul 23; FREE:
7 pm PACIFIC SYMPHONY performs one of its annual FREE concerts for the "SYMPHONY IN THE CITIES" series, this one in Irvine, at the Mike Ward Community Park Woodbridge, 20 Lake Rd, Irvine, CA.
* The program for the series is a delightful excursion:
♪ KEY: The Star Spangled Banner
♪ BERNSTEIN: Overture to Candide
♪ BERNSTEIN: Mambo from West Side Story
♪ MASCAGNI: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
♪ SOUSA: Hands Across the Sea
♪ BRAHMS: Hungarian Dance No. 5
♪ J. STRAUSS: Thunder and Lightning Polka
♪ J. STRAUSS: Blue Danube Waltz
♪ BACH: Air on a G String
♪ BACH: Vivace from Concerto for 2 Violins
♪ WILLIAMS: Superman March
♪ WILLIAMS: E. T. The Extra Terrestrial: Flying Theme
♪ VARIOUS: Armed Forces Salute
♪ WARD: America the Beautiful
♪ BERLIN: God Bless America
♪ SOUSA: Stars and Stripes Forever
—
* The night brings quite a lineup, with Carl St. Clair conducting the Pacific Symphony; Danielle and Sarah Liu, violin; Yaya Dance Academy — Yaya Zhang, artistic director; and the Southern California Children’s Chorus.
* The symphony tells us, "It's the perfect way to end a lazy summer day. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and join us for FREE music and family fun! Kick back, relax, crack open a picnic basket and enjoy a warm summer evening with family and friends, as Pacific Symphony sends a swirl of glorious music into the air for 'Symphony in the Cities'!"
* LOCAL MUSIC ACTS and family activities begin at 5:30 pm, so plan to get there early to plant your chair or blanket.
* Pacific Symphony concert starts at 7 pm.
* This performance is supported in large part by the City of Irvine.
* "Each summer, the Symphony, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, takes the opportunity to express its gratitude by traveling throughout Orange County to deliver a little fun and inspirational music to old friends and new." Tonight, it's Mission Viejo's turn.
* Tix: IT'S FREE. Info, 714-755-5799; www.PacificSymphony.org

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# 3 news feature...


RESOURCES FOR MORE WEEKEND CONCERTS, CLUB GIGS, OUTDOOR CONCERTS


It's true that no other source has ever come close to providing EVERYTHING the Guide's events listings have brought you. C'mon now, that's not a "dis," jus' a fact. Each other source has hard workin', conscientious folks who take their own approach to finding what's out there, and deciding what to list. And each of them has compiled plenty of things for you to find. Now, we must defer to them, collectively, as the sources of listings of concerts and club gigs (though our MUSIC NEWS will continue to tell you more about music-related EVENTS than anybody!)

Point is, don't sit home 'n pout, even if finding good stuff will now require diving into multiple sources. Explore! The rewards are in tunefulness, both with the artists 'n bands you know you want to hear, and the discovery of the ones that'll soon be your new favorites!

Here are our recommended source sites, with quick notes on what you'll find at each one.
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✔ The "ALIVE AND PICKING" calendar is focused on traditional Folk-Americana, including acoustic string music, old time, and bluegrass. You can find it at:

http://www.aliveandpicking.org/2014/03/bluegrass-folk-music-calendar.html
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✔ "FOLKWORKS" has a big calendar that includes "world music" with other local live Folk Music events. It has about 40%-60% of what the Guide's events listings covered, and is by far the closest in content to what you could find in the Guide. The Folkworks calendar reaches far into the future, at:

https://folkworks.org/folk-happenings/folkworks-music-calendar
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✔ "DOROTHY'S WEBSITE" is devoted to FREE local live music performances and events in all music genres, including things that happen once and those that recur with different artists/bands to bring variety to audiences of summer series. It's at:

http://www.dorothyswebsite.org

✔ ACOUSTIC MUSIC 101 is an omnibus site that lists some free outdoor concerts, plus venues with addresses, house concerts, acoustic jams and weekly / monthly acoustic series, all with schedules and most with upcoming artists. Its focus is along the geographic spine of the 134 / 101 freeways from Pasadena to Santa Barbara. It's run by the "Russ and Julie's House Concerts" series, and their own house concert offerings (often with bona fide stars) are included, too:
http://www.acousticmusic101.com

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# 4 news feature...


MUSIC VENUE SITES AS RESOURCES — (updated)


No matter where else you turn for news of live music performances, there are some essential Folk-Americana music presenters — the VENUES, some full-time music halls, some establishments of other pursuits (including music stores) that transform themselves into part-time venues, and some house concert and backyard/garden venues. We list them by where you'll find THE MOST live Folk-Americana music.
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♪ THE COFFEE GALLERY BACKSTAGE in Altadena is L.A.'s most prolific presenter of Folk-Americana in a sit-down "listening room" environment. You find big stars here who often play the giant concert halls — but being that they're ol' pals with impresario Bob Stane, they all play his intimate club setting where no seat is more than 20 feet from the stage. There are always five to ten shows a week. Reservations by phone are recommended and are sometimes an absolute necessity:
www.coffeegallery.com
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♪ CODY'S VIVA CANTINA has two stages in different rooms, plenty of honky-tonk music, some bluegrass, and plenty of other Americana-genre performances. Each room boasts a full bar and a big menu in a restaurant/club setting, centering on an abundant offering of Mexican food. More recently, there's an additional affiliated concert hall across the street (where you park free for either venue). All three stages list offerings at:
http://windsorlivemusic.com/
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♪ McCABE'S GUITAR SHOP features top acts in its truly famous weekend concert hall behind the music & instrument store in Santa Monica. Top acts. Not that it needs to be emphasized — McCabe's was THE sit-down folk music venue during the years when nobody could BUY media coverage for Folk-Americana music in L.A. (Buck Owens built his club in Bakersfield so the music could get traction in those days.) McCabe's, despite being just a weekend venue, is legendary:
www.mccabes.com
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♪ THE HOTEL CAFE is the place in Hollywood where rising and established (mostly younger) acoustic folk-pop acts play one-hour sets amongst rock and other artists. There's live music of one kind or another, seven nights a week — sometimes there are entire evenings of acoustic music, including bluegrass or blues. Record label publicists book it as a stop on many national and international tours. The tricks here: (1) early arrival, grab a seat and hold it by placing a food order; a reservation gets you a seat if you do those things, otherwise plan on standing. (2) Paying one cover for an early evening act may or may not let you stay all evening, depending on the night's announced ticket situation. It IS always worth keeping track of what's up there:
www.hotelcafe.com
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♪ ACOUSTIC MUSIC 101 (re-listed from above) is an omnibus site that lists venues with addresses, plus house concerts, some free outdoor concerts, acoustic jams and weekly / monthly acoustic series, all with schedules and most with upcoming artists. Its focus is along the geographic spine of the 134 / 101 freeways from Pasadena to Santa Barbara. It's run by the "Russ and Julie's House Concerts" series, and their own house concert offerings (often with bona fide stars) are included, too:
http://www.acousticmusic101.com
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♪ BOULEVARD MUSIC in Culver City is a music store that magically transforms into a concert hall with a seat for everyone. It's quite notable as a place where many of the world's top guitarists and others of instrumental excellence play for grateful lil' crowds that line-up in advance (you can make a reservation). The store also produces a free outdoor series during the summer:
www.boulevardmusic.com
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♪ THE FRET HOUSE in Covina has a strong weekend concert series a couple times a month. Their concert hall is hidden away: it's a storied basement beneath the music store where some true folk legends have played. Well worth keeping track of their schedule:
www.frethouse.com
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♪ THE FOLK MUSIC CENTER in Claremont is a music store and the place where you can peruse the fun little museum of unusual instruments. Do that anytime, including before you sit down for the occasional weekend concerts that center on trad folk music. They can go "beyond trad," too — Ben Harper grew up here, so the influences are as broad as the festival they produce:
www.folkmusicenter.com

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# 5 news feature...


GRAMMY MUSEUM SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS — JOHN DENVER EXHIBIT ENDS JULY 30th


Be sure you get to the GRAMMY MUSEUM while the delightful multiplicity of special exhibitions is in place through July 30th.

The museum has an unusually large number of wonderful current temporary exhibitions, all at the GRAMMY Museum, 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance on Figueroa), Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213-765-6800; www.grammymuseum.org

Of extra-special note: the JOHN DENVER exhibit is extended to JULY 30th past its originally scheduled June 18th closing. (Yep, the late sweet-singin' songwriter of sooooo much music that joyfully celebrates Mother Earth and our need to practice stewardship to protect it? Well he IS still that popular!) Go see it while the exhibition is still there!

If you go, you'll see:
✔ "RHYMES & REASONS: THE MUSIC OF JOHN DENVER" extended through Jul 30.
✔ "FOR THE GOOD TIMES: THE ARTISTRY OF KRIS KRISTOFFERSON" through Sep 10.
✔ "ELLA AT 100: CELEBRATING THE ARTISTRY OF ELLA FITZGERALD" through Sep 10.
✔ "MARTY STUART'S WAY OUT WEST: A COUNTRY MUSIC ODYSSEY" through Sep 24.
✔ "MONTEREY INTERNATIONAL POP FESTIVAL: MUSIC, LOVE, AND FLOWERS, 1967" through Oct 22.

* See the Guide's complete "# 1 feature story" in the May 28th edition. It has details and insights into each of these special exhibits, at:

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/05/we-found-best-non-festival-destination_28.html

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# 6 news feature...


UPCOMING CONCERTS / EVENTS — REMINDERS FROM OUR PREVIOUS REPORTS


We don't have an alternative source where we can send you for much of what we cover, like accessible classical music and musical theatre. Though we DO have some of that in what's coming up, repeated from the June 30th edition (and the subsequent late additions to it). Other'n the following, we just can't get into anything new that we haven't already reported in those already published write-ups.

Yes, Virginia, there WILL be select upcoming events included when we come back soon with fresh content in our MUSIC NEWS features, as part of our new and very full editions.

Meanwhile, here ya go...

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Aug 19; CONCERT & SCREENING:
8 pm PACIFIC SYMPHONY performs "JURASSIC PARK," the iconic music of JOHN WILLIAMS, in "A soundtrack 65 million years in the making," as part of "New SummerFest at OC Fair" at the Pacific Amphitheatre @ the OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
* Experience the classic film while Pacific Symphony performs John Williams’ thrilling score live.
* The film, masterfully directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the novel by Michael Crichton, transports you to a secluded island where scientists have succeeded in reviving the age of dinosaurs. Until we discover that, as Jeff Goldblum's character says, "Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should."
* Richard Kaufman conducts the Pacific Symphony for the main program.
* Pre-concert entertainment by the ORANGE COUNTY WIND ENSEMBLE from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Plaza Pacifica entrance.
* The gates open at 6 pm for picnicking. Picnic tables are available at the Plaza Pacifica entrance. Or, if you prefer, picnic at your seats (but read the notes below).
* Bring your own food, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages onto the premises, but note that inside the amphitheater itself, glass containers and glassware are not permitted. Outside beer is not allowed anywhere; beer is available for purchase from several onsite vendors.
* The symphony's website offers a "Pre-Order Picnic Menu." Additional food and beverages may be purchased at the concession stands inside the amphitheater.
* $8 general parking, handicap parking available.
* Tix: Box office, 714-755-5799; www.PacificSymphony.org
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Sep 2:
8 pm PACIFIC SYMPHONY performs "HAIL TO THE HEROES" at the new FivePoint Amphitheatre near the OC Great Park in Irvine, CA
* Tix for this concert can be purchased now by phone from the venue, at 714-755-5799.
* "Music has the unique power to unite, to heal and to celebrate. Enjoy timeless classics evoking the best of the human spirit when Pacific Symphony and all of Orange County join for a concert that celebrates U.S. veterans, the heroes who make our community and our country great!"
* Tickets to Pacific Symphony's inaugural concert in the new FivePoint Amphitheatre near the OC Great Park in Irvine may go quickly, because our society values new as novel and desirable. Tix are only available by phone, above.
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Sep 9; CONCERT with FIREWORKS:
8 pm PACIFIC SYMPHONY performs the "TCHAIKOVSKY SPECTACULAR," also with RACHMANINOFF and FIREWORKS, as the closiing performance of "New SummerFest at OC Fair" at the Pacific Amphitheatre @ the OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
* Famous romantic composer Tchaikovsky's greatest hits are on the program, along with Rachmaninoff’s lush "Second Piano Concerto" performed by the freshly minted medal winner of this year’s Van Cliburn Competition. Concluding the evening is Tchaikovsky's electrifying “1812 Overture,” complete with live cannons and brilliant fireworks.
* Carl St. Clair conducts the Pacific Symphony tonight. The program features the 2017 "Van Cliburn Competition" winner on piano.
* Pre-concert entertainment by the Huntington Beach Concert Band from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Plaza Pacifica entrance.
* The gates open at 6 pm for picnicking. Picnic tables are available at the Plaza Pacifica entrance. Or, if you prefer, picnic at your seats (but read the notes below).
* Bring your own food, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages onto the premises, but note that inside the amphitheater itself, glass containers and glassware are not permitted. Outside beer is not allowed anywhere; beer is available for purchase from several onsite vendors.
* The symphony's website offers a "Pre-Order Picnic Menu." Additional food and beverages may be purchased at the concession stands inside the amphitheater.
* Fireworks — Pacific Symphony's annual season-closing bang 'n boom spectacular — completes the program of live music, timed to the "1812 Overture."
* Unlike previous seasons, you will be able to leave the venue immediately after the fireworks show. Fireworks will be shot from a secure location that will not interfere with patrons needing to exit early.
* $8 general parking, handicap parking available.
* Tix: Box office, 714-755-5799; www.PacificSymphony.org
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COMING UP in the 2017-2018 PACIFIC SYMPHONY Season, with tix / season tix / custom pkg series tix / all now available:

♪ "Beethoven's Fifth," Sep 14–16, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Beethoven's Fifth Revealed," Sep 17, 2017, 3 pm.
♪ "An Evening with Joshua Bell," Sep 23, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Beethoven & Schubert," Oct 8, 2017, 3 pm.
♪ "David Foster with special guests," Oct 13–14, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Mozart & Rachmaninoff," Oct 19–21, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Halloween Goes Hollywood," Oct 21, 2017, 10 am & 11:30 am.
♪ "Tribute to Ella," Nov 3–4, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Cathedrals of Sound," Nov 9–11, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Mozart - The Final Concertos," Nov 12, 2017, 3 pm.
♪ "Gershwin's Concerto," Nov 30–Dec 2, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Nutcracker for Kids!" Dec 2, 2017, 10 am & 11:30 am.
♪ "Handel's Glorious Messiah," Dec 3, 2017, 3 pm.
♪ "Celebrate the Holidays with Seth MacFarlane," Dec 22 & 23, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Beethoven's Violin Concerto," Jan 11–13, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Vivaldi's Four Seasons," Jan 21, 2018, 3 pm.
♪ "Brahms & Prokofiev," Feb 1–3, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Fledermaus: The Bat-Man's Revenge - Opera for Kids!" Feb 3, 2018, 10 am & 11:30 am.
♪ "Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2," Feb 4, 2018, 3 pm.
♪ "Chinese New Year — Year of the Dog," Feb 10, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Happy Birthday, Bernstein," Feb 11, 2018, 3 pm.
♪ "Christopher Cross," Feb 16 & 17, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "The Magic Flute," Feb 22–27, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Pinchas Zukerman," Mar 15–17, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Video Game Odyssey," Mar 17, 2018, 10 am & 11:30 am.
♪ "Zukerman Plays Bruch," Mar 18, 2018, 3 pm.
♪ "A Night at the Copa," Mar 23 & 24, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Cirque de la Symphonie," Apr 6 & 7, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Cirque for Kids!" Apr 7, 2018, 10 am & 11:30 am.
♪ "Glass & Shankar," Apr 12–14, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Beethoven's Ninth," Apr 15, 2018, 3 pm.
♪ "Bach & Fauré," Apr 29, 2018, 3 pm.
♪ "Watts Plays Beethoven," May 3–5, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Rach 2," May 31–Jun 2, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Saturday Night Fever - Music of the Bee Gees," Jun 8 & 9, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Sounds of Hollywood," Jun 14–16, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Cinematic Violin," Jun 17, 2018, 3 pm.
* Tix / season tix / custom pkg series tix / now available: Box office, 714-755-5799; www.PacificSymphony.org

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# 7 news feature...


MORE JULY MUSIC FESTIVALS AHEAD — HERE, THERE, 'N EVERYWHERE


Used to be that festivals took the middle of summer off, and returned with vigor in the fall. Maybe year-arond school schedules changed everything so that people really aren't gone for the summer anymore. Or maybe too many years of Big Oil extortion ruined the idea of being away on a summer vacation at all. Or maybe the music itself became "destination tourism." Whatever it is? Nowadays, the festival momentum just keeps rollin' along.
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♪ *** LOCAL FESTIVALS, THIS WEEKEND OR STILL AHEAD IN JULY...


✔ "NATIONAL DAY OF THE AMERICAN COWBOY" Jul 22 (Norco, CA). The only publicized local expression of this celebratory day, proclaimed in multiple US states and Canadian provinces. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ 7th Annual "GUITARFISH FESTIVAL" Jul 27-30 (Joshua Tree, CA) with ♪ lineup not yet announced when the Guide's "Encyclopedia Festivanica" went to press. See the event's website: http://joshuatreemusicfestival.com/index.html
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MORE LOCAL FESTIVALS happening in August and beyond are in the Guide's "ENCYCLOPEDIA FESTIVANICA" (updated regularly) at:

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html

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♪ *** FESTIVALS ELSEWHERE, THIS WEEKEND OR STILL AHEAD IN JULY...


✔ "WANDERLUST SQUAW VALLEY" Jul 20-23 (Squaw Valley, CA). ♪ Lineup not yet announced when the Guide's "Encyclopedia Festivanica" went to press. Check their website: http://squaw.wanderlustfestival.com
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✔ "COUNTRY JAM USA" Jul 20-22 (Eau Claire, WI) with ♪ Dierks Bentley ♪ Cole Swindell ♪ Locash ♪ Kane Brown ♪ Carly Pearce ♪ Miranda Lambert ♪ Gary Allan ♪ Old Dominion ♪ Jana Kramer ♪ Tim Sigler ♪ Luke Bryan ♪ Brett Eldredge ♪ Trace Adkins ♪ High Valley ♪ Cody Johnson. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "SOMERSET FOLK HARP FESTIVAL" Jul 20-23 (Parsippany, NJ) with ♪ Bedside Harp Ensemble directed by Leslie Stickley ♪ Dominique Dodge ♪ Kim Robertson ♪ Alfredo ♪ Martha Gallagher; evening concerts headliners to be announced in June, 2017. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "EDGEWOOD ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL" Jul 26-29 (Edgewood, NM) with ♪ Colorado Blue Canyon Boys ♪ Hot Texas Swing Band (they played the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, in June) ♪ JeeZ LaWeeZ ♪ and 10 more bands on 2 stages. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "FLOYDFEST" Jul 26-30 (Floyd, VA) with ♪ Thievery Corporation ♪ Michael Franti & Spearhead ♪ St. Paul & The Broken Bones ♪ Leftover Salmon ♪ Railroad Earth ♪ Steel Pulse ♪ Shovels & Rope ♪ Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives ♪ White Denim ♪ Turkuaz ♪ Fruition ♪ The Hip Abduction ♪ Larry Keel Experience ♪ Nicola Cruz ♪ Keller Williams/Keller Williams’ KWahtro/Keller & The Keels ♪ Tauk ♪ The Steel Wheels ♪ HoneyHoney ♪ Big Something ♪ Shook Twins ♪ Baskery ♪ Aaron Lee Tasjan ♪ Zach Deputy ♪ That 1 Guy ♪ Jack Broadbent ♪ Davy Knowles ♪ Trae Pierce & The T-Stones ♪ The Lil’ Smokies ♪ People’s Blues Of Richmond ♪ Rebekah Todd & The Odyssey ♪ Hillbilly Casino ♪ Urban Soil ♪ T Sisters ♪ Banditos ♪ Jon Stickley Trio ♪ The Tillers ♪ Alanna Royale ♪ The Stash! Band ♪ Strange Americans ♪ Whiskerman ♪ The Brother Brothers ♪ Honey Island Swamp Band ♪ The Mantras ♪ Edward David Anderson ♪ Dead 27s ♪ McLovins ♪ Hayley Jane & The Primates ♪ The Drunken Hearts ♪ Strange Machines ♪ Kansas Bible Company ♪ Liver Down The River ♪ Broccoli Samurai ♪ Howard Falco ♪ Dixon’s Violin ♪ Oakley The Greenman. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL" Jul 28-30 (Newport, RI) with ♪ Fleet Foxes ♪ Aaron Lee Tasjan ♪ Seratones ♪ Big Thief ♪ Drive-By Truckers ♪ Angel Olsen ♪ Marlon Williams ♪ Rhiannon Giddens ♪ Margaret Glaspy ♪ Choir! Choir! Choir! ♪ Punch Brothers ♪ I’m With Her ♪ Julian Lage ♪ John Prine. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "ROCKYGRASS FESTIVAL" Jul 28-30 (Lyons, CO) with ♪ Sam Bush Bluegrass Band ♪ The Del McCoury Band ♪ Earls of Leicester featuring Jerry Douglas ♪ The Infamous Stringdusters ♪ Tim O’Brien Band ♪ Darrell Scott Bluegrass Band ♪ Peter Rowan ♪ Kruger Brothers with the Kontras Quartet ♪ Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands ♪ Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen ♪ Becky Buller ♪ Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley ♪ Molsky’s Mountain Drifters ♪ Sister Sadie ♪ Front Country ♪ The Lil’ Smokies ♪ Trout Steak Revival ♪ The Lonely Heartstring Band ♪ The Wooks. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "WATERSHED FESTIVAL" Jul 28-30 (George, WA) with ♪ Bailey Bryan ♪ Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots ♪ Chase Rice ♪ Chris Stapleton ♪ Darius Rucker ♪ Eric Paslay ♪ High Valley ♪ Josh Abbott Band ♪ Lauren Alaina ♪ Lee Brice ♪ Luke Bryan ♪ Maddie And Tae ♪ Michael Ray ♪ Old Dominion ♪ Randy Houser ♪ The Cadillac Three ♪ William Michael Morgan. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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MANY MORE FESTIVALS happen all over North America (including Southern Cal) in August, Septober, Octember, Nowonder, beyond (we love that old Stan Laurel joke). See the Guide's "ENCYCLOPEDIA FESTIVANICA" (updated regularly) for many more options on tuneful destinations (and remember, festivals give you the best bang for your buck, oftentimes even with travel figured-in). The whoooole enchilada is at:

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html


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A companion MUSIC NEWS edition will be along shortly.

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PLENTY MORE is archived, back to when Lassie was a little bitty puppy dog, Napoleon was a private, and banjos only had four strings.

The entire Guide, since we moved the archival editions to Blogspot years 'n years ago, is there and searchable at the basic url:

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com

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See you next time!

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Ahead in the Guide...

THE PROGRESSING SUMMER...

We'll keep you updated on MUSIC NEWS, all the festivals that feature Folk-Americana and/or acoustic music, and we'll bring you plenty of feature stories on whose in the studio, who's collaborating or touring with who, and what they're working on. And we'll continue to bring you news of special events, along with some previews, reviews and select "picks" (the recommendations kind, not the kind you use on strings; we've never had any of those printed with our logo, though we would if someone wanted to sponsor that.)

That said... contrary to appearances the last three months or so, we have NOT going back into the daily music calendar bid'ness. But there was SUCH an irresistible bridge of tunefulness between the arrival of all the spring weekends of festivals and when summer heat descended with a vengeance. So we DID provide very full-blown music calendars through the end of the July 4th holiday.

We all know that if you rely on corporate mainstream media for your supposed news, you miss all such things.

Along with 'purt near everything else we bring you.

It certainly does seem like Big Corporate Media only promotes and reports on soundalike pop pablum with incongruously unnecessary vocal gymnastics... we don't do that, and we wouldn't cover that stuff even if they didn't.

But the point is, big corporate media just plain refuses things and then claims those things are "non-commercial." (Which might explain why cable news, exclusively sponsored by Big Pharma ads, is so bad.) Big media certainly refuses to cover real organic acoustic music made without loops of electrocution sound effects — from Frankenstein's lightning storm or wherever they find that annoying stuff.

So just hit the mute button on them and turn here, often. We cover all kinds 'o real acoustic music and offer plenty of links to hear it in our news and reviews features. And, yes, we'll feature some select picks of concerts, etc., as NEWS FEATURES, as we navigate the summer together.
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As always, we invite you to join us and to let us know what YOU are listening to, and what artists or bands just sent you swooning and need to be shared with others.

That's your part, so you'll know that a whole lot more is always coming soon — including fresh MUSIC NEWS, PREVIEWS & REVIEWS, and more additions to our massive guide to the MUSIC FESTIVALS of 2017.

Meantime, with everything happening through these festival-packed, arrival-of-summer weekends? Go get tuneful!


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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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Direct to the Guide's current editions /

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Contents copyright © 2017,
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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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July 20th — A Day We Don't Celebrate, to Our Cultural Disgrace

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This is greatly expanded from the brief (single-paragraph) thought in the July 15th edition.

With the big North American solar eclipse coming August 21st, we turn our thoughts spaceward, to something we desperately need to fix, as a species.

Before we get to the full topic, there are musical dimensions. Not enough songs have been written to propel and galvanize interest about the fundamental human drive behind space exploration. There aren't even enough songs to capitalize on the interest that is certainly out there — interest that's proven by the long lines at the box office every time Hollywood releases a new space epic. Compare today with this: during the heady days of astronauts being launched on Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo, there was FRANK SINATRA singing "Fly Me to the Moon."

We should note that astronaut CHRIS HADFIELD recorded his performance of "Space Oddity" live aboard the International Space Station, and he pays extra homage to DAVID BOWIE where you can watch the well-made video of his singing and guitar-playing while floating in space. [http://chrishadfield.ca/space-oddity/]
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But it's the Moon that figures into a fair number of songs, sometimes overtly, often obtusely, and usually as a reference to romance. (The latter as in BOB WILLS' "San Antonio Rose," for example.)

Here are some essential "Moon Songs":

♪ CAT STEVENS sang “Moon Shadow” on his 1971 album, "Teaser and the Firecat" (“Oh, I’m being followed by a moon shadow, moon shadow, moon shadow / Leapin’ and hoppin’ on a moon shadow, moon shadow, moon shadow.”)

♪ JOHN FOGERTY still performs “Bad Moon Rising,” which he wrote for CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL's 1968 album, "Green River." And he's taken to singing it with misheard lyrics. (“I see a bad moon arising / I see trouble on the way / I see earthquakes and lightnin’ / I see bad times today." And in the chorus, "There's a bad moon on the rise" does indeed become "There's a bathroom on the right.")

♪ VAN MORRISON sang “Moondance” as the title track of his 1970 album. (“Well, it’s a marvelous night for a moondance / with the stars up above in your eyes / a fantabulous night to make romance / ‘neath the cover of October skies.”)

♪ The REM song, “Man on the Moon” is on their 1992 album, "Automatic for the People." (“If you believed they put a man on the moon / man on the moon / if you believe there’s nothing up his sleeve / then nothing is cool.”)

♪ There are two songs that hit the charts titled “Dancin’ in the Moonlight.” One is by KING HARVEST and it's on their 1973 album of the same name. (You'll know the lyrics to that one: “We get it on most every night / when that moon is big and bright / it’s a supernatural delight / everybody’s dancing in the moonlight.”) The other is by THIN LIZZY, off of their 1977 album, "Bad Reputation."

♪ DAVID BOWIE sang “Moonage Daydream” on his 1972 album, "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars." (“Keep your ‘lectric eye on me babe / put your ray gun to my head / press your space face close to mine, love / freak out in a moonage daydream, oh yeah.”)

♪ THE DOORS did “Moonlight Drive” on their 1967 album, "Strange Days." (“Let’s swim to the moon, uh huh / let’s climb through the tide / penetrate the evening that the / city sleeps to hide / let’s swim out tonight, love / it’s our turn to try / parked beside the ocean / on our moonlight drive.”)

♪ CAT POWER sang “The Moon” on her 2006 album, "The Greatest." (“The moon is not only beautiful / it is so far away / the moon is not only ice cold / it is here to stay.”)

♪ BRETT DENNEN did “Just like the Moon” on the 2003 self-titled album that brought him acclaim. (“I believe that you were born during an eclipse / and the stars named you moon child / then you come you rise into my sky / you stepped in front of my sun and it makes the whole world dark / and you light up the night / just like the moon.”)

♪ FLEETWOOD MAC did “Sisters of the Moon” on their 1979 album, "Tusk." (“She asked me / be my sister, sister of the moon / some call her sister of the moon / some say illusions are her game.”)

♪ JANIS JOPLIN sang “Half Moon,” written by John Hall and Johanna Hall, on her 1971 album, "Pearl." (“Half moon, night time sky / seven stars, heaven’s eyes / seven songs on seven seas / just to bring all your sweet love home to me.”)

♪ NEIL YOUNG sang “Harvest Moon” as the title track on his 1992 album. (“Because I’m still in love with you / I want to see you dance again / because I’m still in love with you / on this harvest moon.”)

♪ RADIOHEAD performed “Sail to the Moon” on their 2003 album, "Hail to the Thief." (“I sail to the moon / I spoke too soon / and how much did it cost / I was dropped from the moonbeam / and sailed on shooting stars.”)

♪ The immortal CHUCK BERRY did his song “Havana Moon” as a b-side to his single, “You Can’t Catch Me.” (“Havana moon, Havana moon / me all alone with a jug of rum / me stand and wait for boat to come.”)

♪ And, as we said at the start, “Fly Me to the Moon” is a song famously sung by FRANK SINATRA on his 1964 album, "It Might as Well Be Swing." It was written by BART HOWARD, and is also known as the songwriter titled it, “In Other Words.” (“Fly me to the moon / let me play among the stars / let me see what spring is like / on Jupiter and Mars.”)

There are more "Moon songs" in at article at AXS. [https://www.axs.com/top-40-songs-about-the-moon-57595]

Perhaps our list, and the piece that follows, will get your songwriting impulses launched. Let us know if you come up with something. If we're there at the launch, we'd like to be there when the Eagle lands.

Even if, with all this "austerity" BS while all the wealth flows to the top, it's not looking like any of us will live long enough to see humans land on Mars, or Europa*, or Enceladus*, or even return to the Moon.

* - yes, those are real places, and they're not very far away. read the article and you'll know what those places are.

Now, on to our bit of advocacy for something that really needs to happen.
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(This is a single-topic edition. A full edition of MUSIC NEWS is nearing completion.)

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JULY 20th — A DAY WE DON'T CELEBRATE, TO OUR CULTURAL DISGRACE


By Larry Wines

July 20th. In any other country, if they had accomplished what Americans did on July 20th, today would be a national holiday. It's the day in 1969 that humans first set foot on the Moon.

Issuing the challenge to do it, in his May 25, 1961 speech to a Joint Session of Congress, is, all by itself, why John F. Kennedy got himself listed as a great figure in human history. There has been no parallel to it since.

Instead, we have deluded ourselves into believing Steve Jobs announcing a new i-Phone is a major event, and the average person checks their social media accounts multiple times every hour.

Once there was a time when adventure and exploration did not consist of hunting virtual cartoon creatures on a three inch screen. Fulfilling the potential of the human species was very real, and required taking risks, actually going somewhere, exploring, discovering, learning, reaching beyond all that had ever been done before. And it was the Russians who were doing it.

Kennedy's words to congress in voiced the challenge for America to regain the initiative, not with the kind of regime change foreign policy we see today, not with coups and massive arms deals to dominate oil regions as we have seen for the past 45 years, but through peaceful use of science. President Kennedy said to congress in 1961, "I believe this nation should commit itself, to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important in the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish."

Fourteen months later, as momentum built and imaginations were captured, the promise of his administration's "New Frontier" theme had become real. Kennedy delivered his "We choose to go to the Moon" speech on September 12, 1962, at Rice University in Houston, Texas. It's been acclaimed as "one of the most inspirational and prescient policy speeches in world history."

That address galvanized NASA to reach for the Moon — and they hadn't been at all sure they could do it. Press coverage of the president's address, which the White House had billed as "concerning the nation's efforts in space exploration" fired the public will. In his speech at Rice, President Kennedy cited the necessity for the United States to become an international leader in space exploration and famously stated, "We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard." Taken in its entirety, it's power to stir the imagination — and make us believe we can have a leader in which we can take pride — are both still there. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CprKTyD6rPk]

But it is in the deeds, not the words, that history is made. America overcame its doubts and uncertainties, its voices of timidity and austerity, its calls for military spending instead of "shooting it all up in the air" with NASA. Despite the meat grinder of an insipidly stupid war that tore America apart, the challenge of an assassinated leader was given the funding for Apollo to go to the Moon. In fact, it received just enough priority that six of the intended ten lunar landing missions were achieved before the Nixon administration killed the funding.

While we should remember the utter insanity of defunding the final three launches after all the investment was made — including the fact that the hardware was built and delivered and the crews were trained and ready? Primarily because there is value today in applying that example to the excruciating stupidity of austerity in our time. Still, we should celebrate what we accomplished, and at last seize on that, and build on it to regain and reclaim the dream of reaching beyond our diminishing expectations of what is possible and who we are.

Today should be "National Space & Exploration Day."

But the corporatist capitalists who really run the country are too cheap to allow our government to declare any more holidays. They claim it costs them too much money in "lost productivity." Even though consumer spending is through the roof on any holiday when the stores and amusement parks and eateries are open. Any holiday, regardless of its purpose, produces a spike for the economy.

Yet let's not trivialize the focus. We have always been BIG advocates of making July 20th a holiday, because it needs to be. Really now, how many holidays are about dreaming and reaching and achieving and going beyond anything anyone has ever done before? How many times have humans set foot on a world other than our own? Yeah.

In 2012, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson delivered "an impassioned plea to the U.S. Congress to hoist America from its economic lethargy by boldly reinvesting in a robust space program." Five years later, they are not listening, but his address has more than enough power to motivate anyone else. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlGemHL5vLY]

Politicians have let us down more in terms of the future than anywhere else. Because each time they choose to wallow in a quagmire of our time, they lose sight of where we could be headed. That's even taken the form of lip service to being bold when there is no "there" there, and presidents of both parties share blame.

On July 20, 1989 — three-and-half years after the loss of Space Shuttle Challenger and her seven-member crew, then-President George H.W. Bush held a major address to announce the much anticipated "Space Exploration Initiative." It turned out to be a "bold pledge" that we would "Go to Mars sometime next century." Far from being Kennedy-esque, it was received more with stunned silence than anything else. In fact, its fundamental wimpiness was an invitation for congressional budget hawks to kill the undeveloped idea by declaring that "spending two billion dollars on anything is out of the question." Even though congress has had no problem spending three trillion dollars on endless wars that began with Bush 41's first war on Iraq/first war for petrol dominance.

Democrats may have hoped for renewal of their party's commitment to the space program when Bill Clinton was elected in 1992. After all, John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson had successfully pursued a vigorous program of space science and exploration until Nixon began the many decades of defunding. (Jimmy Carter's four years had seen the stunning images of the planets from the two Voyager spacecraft, which were part of the necessary reliance on much cheaper robots, post Apollo, to go anywhere.) But Clinton merely sustained what was already in motion. There was no challenge to go to Mars within the decade.

And so the '80s, '90s, and double-aughts were all about the Nixon administration's decision to go with a space shuttle instead of NASA's planned Mars program. And in the absence of funding for any clear missions to do anything else, the Space Shuttle Orbiter would be an impressively large, overly sophisticated delivery truck with almost nothing to deliver. Sure, we got the Hubble Space Telescope and gained knowledge with Shuttle mission repair flights to it that were never intended. Otherwise, we justified the shuttle by building the International Space Station (ISS) to replace the Russian Mir, which had replaced the Russian Salyut.

What became the ISS was to have been the American space station "Freedom." But NASA insiders had taken to calling it "Fred," after budget cuts systematically eliminated all intended features — like growing all its own food, in space — and everything else that would have taken it beyond what the Russians had already been doing for two decades.

Some take heart that Americans being cheap is why we got an International Space Station, and cite that there is great value in that. If nothing else, it raises the question that if we can get along with one another in space, why can't we get along down here? Others point out that an international voyage to Mars would extend the point and provide real science and achievement.

The ISS has brought an era when we are stuck in low Earth orbit. We've simply been going around and around and around. And ironically, that's how NASA's own people first characterized things in the post-Apollo 1970s, when the first US space station went aloft. That was the now-forgotten Skylab, which had been cobbed-together from unused Apollo Moon mission hardware, like leftover like ocean liners re-tasked as harbor tugs.

In terms of human presence in space, we're back where we were in 1961 — astronauts go into Earth orbit, but no farther. But we lack the bold challenge JFK gave us in 1961, with a goal and a destination to walk on a world beyond our own.

It's hard to justify much about our national space policy since Apollo. The ISS really hasn't added up to anything. It can't leave orbit, and it's scheduled to be retired, with no way to replace it, in the early 2020s.

Space exploration, once so filled with promise, has given us most of the highest-grossing box-office Hollywood blockbusters, from the "Star Wars" and "Star Trek" franchises (the latter through generations on TV, as well), to films ranging from "Forbidden Planet" to "Alien" to "Contact" to "The Martian."

Along the way, reality went from bold vision to stuck in Earth orbit. Where we tragically lost two entire shuttle crews, as Challenger blew up after launch in 1986 and Columbia broke-up during atmospheric entry in 2003 as a result of a launch accident that was not detected but should have been. The irony is seldom noted that Nixon killed real space exploration by human crews because he feared another Apollo 13 accident, and worried that a second one might not be survivable. So he went with the shuttle as a "safer" Earth-orbit-only vehicle.

Fast forward to April 15, 2010, and the event catalogued as "Barack Obama Proposes a New Course for NASA, Kennedy Space Center." President Obama's unmemorable, uninspiring speech was titled, "Remarks by the President on Space Exploration in the 21st Century." It is worthy of note, because his proposal, which was essentially followed by congress, fundamentally altered NASA's course by ending the Constellation program that would have taken astronauts to the planets, asteroids, and back to the Moon. Granted, it was years behind schedule and billions over budget. But that same reasoning was not applied to the F-35 fighter, which is the most expensive military turkey ever, unless you look at the similarly over-schedule, over-budget US Navy Littoral Ship program.

Constellation never had a chance. It was to have been funded by ending U.S. participation in the ISS by FY 2017, under the G.W. Bush administration's NASA policy of cutting more than his predecessors had cut. By instead ending the Constellation program, the Obama administration decided to extend the ISS "to at least 2020," and "grow a new commercial crew program for delivering astronauts to and from the ISS."

It is in the word "commercial" that the new space paradigm is found. You can read Obama's 2010 speech here. [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-space-exploration-21st-century]

It's really quite amazing that every president seems to embrace NASA, saying something equivalent to Obama's "I think it's cool." In his speech, Obama even noted Kennedy's bold challenge and joked about the TV commercials touting how astronauts drank Tang. He recalled one of his "earliest memories... sitting on my grandfather’s shoulders, waving a flag as astronauts arrived in Hawaii." And then he sold-out space exploration to the goals and intentions of for-profit business.

Last week, NASA quietly acknowledged that its always nebulous goal of sending a human crew to Mars sometime in the 2030s isn't realistic, because there is simply no funding to pursue that goal. At almost the same time, A Time magazine online piece reported that scientists in China "Just Teleported an Object Into Space for the First Time."

No, it isn't Captain Kirk avoiding the freeway commute. It's sending a photon from the ground to an orbiting satellite more than 300 miles up, using a process of new physics known as quantum entanglement, and Time got it from the MIT Technology Review. It’s the farthest distance tested so far in teleportation experiments, and the work was published online on the open access site arXiv. For about a month, the scientists have been beaming-up millions of photons from their ground station in Tibet to the low-orbiting satellite, and were successful in more than 900 cases.

But it's still earth orbit.

Back on November 12, 2014, in "Firsts in Space Require Political Will," I authored a piece on where we are in space exploration. [https://www.laprogressive.com/first-in-space/]

In it, we noted "the descent of NASA from the gold standard to a hollow shell systematically deprived of funding due to America’s 'austerity' era."

In that three-year-old piece, we further opined:

"Any fall from prominence is complete when one’s position is ultimately passed by someone else. Today, it’s the ESA. Next, it will likely be China. Unless Americans rise-up and demand we return to a real, science-and-exploration-based, active and aggressive space program.

"Mars awaits — someone. While Russia and the US are bound by a treaty not to make territorial claims on celestial bodies on which they land, China is not a signator to any such treaty.

"The same goes for Europa, the moon of Jupiter that has more liquid water than the sum total of all the water on Earth. It’s beneath an ice crust, but it’s there, and it’s liquid water. Same thing on a much smaller scale at Enceladus, an ice-crusted liquid-water moon of much more distant Saturn.

"Want to find life somewhere other than Earth? Those are the places to go. Want to make rocket fuel to bring yourself back, or to go farther? Water makes liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, and that’s all the rocket fuel you need.

"We, as a species, are on the cusp of a Star Trek future. But we’re too cheap to go."


Those observations date back to 2014. Now, it seems anyone can tell you we are worse off, in some way or other, or in the sum totality of living in Trump's America. Certainly, we have become worse at remembering our history and drawing meaning from it. At least when it comes to meaning that is free from the context of some minor invocation or obsessive application to current dumbness. Even as it strains itself searching for Watergate allegories, mainstream media lets significant events, past and present, slip by without note. For example, they utterly ignored the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Midway in early June, even though that 1942 "miracle at sea" broke Japanese dominance of the Pacific a mere six months after Pearl Harbor.

Now, the news of the day — according to the singular fixation of 24-hour mainstream media cable — is only about the need for the impending coup. We're not even sure that they still make time for "the need" to celebrate our troops deployed in some endless and ultimately meaningless war du jour that invokes all the hoo-rah with none of the global significance of past wars, like freeing civilization from oppression.

Along the way to this place of hyperventilating Big Media, we have deprived ourselves of the very idea that there are heroes who don't carry guns or blow things up. We are so distant from our heroes of exploration and discovery that we have nearly forgotten that such people can exist. And in so doing, we have denied ourselves the inspiration they could, and should, be giving us.

Simply put, we could have gone to Mars. Instead we went to wars. Endless wars and proxy wars and drone wars and refugee-creating wars and fundamentalist-nutjob-fomenting wars, all aimed at obtaining control of the fossil fuels that are cooking our entire planet. Wars instead of Mars. That really makes a defining comment about our species.

Perhaps it's too late now. Perhaps the aquatic creatures of Europa and Enceladus — the oceanic moons of Jupiter and Saturn — will one day visit the dusty expanses of Earth. If they are a species possessed with irony, their archaeologists may conclude, "How curiously close that lost dominant land civilization came; they were utilizing the power of the sun through radiant energy collection and kinetic air current harvesting; yet, for some reason we'll never understand, they continued to bake their world by burning things."

By the time some exploring race of aliens gets here, perhaps all traces of human presence will be long gone. So their planetary scientists — from within their water-filled rovers, if they are from Europa or Enceladus — simply will think, "This hellishly hot, lifeless expanse could have held an ocean basin, even bigger than the dusty dry basins on the Red World."

At least Earth will die without becoming a Red World, because it's become unacceptable (for the sake of maximizing "defense" sales) to find a way to cooperate with Russia.

Or we could reject that vision of our own extinction and replace it with one of hope. Hope of becoming a spacefaring species that is ever-ready to explore, to discover, to learn, to understand, to advance. So, in that hope, today we'll think of you, Buzz Aldrin, and all your octogenarian (and older) Apollo astronaut colleagues. And Buzz, we'll think of you, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, and those who have left us, including John Glenn, and Neil Armstrong, and Carl Sagan. And we'll think of the continuing voices of advocacy by all of you for return to a robust space program that actually GOES somewhere!

And so we wish you "Happy Space & Exploration Day" everybody. Even if we are subversives for saying it.

You can also explore some thoughts on similar topics by Neil deGrasse Tyson, in "We Stopped Dreaming (Episode 1)" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbIZU8cQWXc].


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A companion MUSIC NEWS edition will be along shortly.

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PLENTY MORE is archived, back to when Lassie was a little bitty puppy dog, Napoleon was a private, and banjos only had four strings.

The entire Guide, since we moved the archival editions to Blogspot years 'n years ago, is there and searchable at the basic url:

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com

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See you next time!

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As always, we invite you to join us and to let us know what YOU are listening to, and what artists or bands just sent you swooning and need to be shared with others.

That's your part, so you'll know that a whole lot more is always coming soon — including fresh MUSIC NEWS, PREVIEWS & REVIEWS, and more additions to our massive guide to the MUSIC FESTIVALS of 2017.

Meantime, with everything happening as summer slips away? Go get tuneful!


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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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Direct to the Guide's current editions /

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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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News, Events, and Resources -- Weekend Edition. July 15 2017

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Unplanned forays out of town have us running behind. But we won't leave you in an empty field with the crickets.

• Herein are some recommendations -- and some RESOURCES to find more of the weekend's best events.

• This is a usefully good edition, though 'tis but a teaser -- we'll be back soon with a very full edition of music news.

• So, we invite you to come on along! First, the list of what's in this edition. Then a quick editorial on a day we disgracefully fail to celebrate. And on to all that awaits you!

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CONTENTS / IN THIS EDITION...


1) Editorial -- A Day We Don't Celebrate, to Our Cultural Disgrace

2) Special Events this Weekend

3) The Guide's Concert Recommendations for this Weekend

4) Resources for More Weekend Concerts, Club Gigs, Outdoor Concerts

5) Music Venue Sites as Resources

6) Grammy Museum Special Exhibitions -- Another Weekend Recommendation

7) More Concerts / Events Coming Soon, from The Guide's Previous Reports

8) July Music Festivals, Here, There, 'n Everywhere

Let's get started!

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# 1 news feature...

EDITORIAL -- A DAY WE DON'T CELEBRATE, TO OUR CULTURAL DISGRACE


JULY 20th... in any other country, if they had accomplished what the US did on July 20th, THIS would be a national holiday. It's the day in 1969 that humans first set foot on the Moon. It should be "National Space & Exploration Day," but the corporatists are too cheap to allow our government to declare any more holidays. They claim it costs them too much money in "lost productivity," even though consumer spending is through the roof on any holiday when the stores and amusement parks and eateries are open. We have always been BIG advocates of making July 20th a holiday. Really now, how many times have humans set foot on a world other than our own? Yeah. So today we'll think of you, Buzz Aldrin, and all your Apollo astronaut colleagues, and Buzz, of your continuing advocacy for returning to a robust space program that GOES somewhere! So "Happy Space & Exploration Day" everybody, even if we are subversives for saying it!

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# 2 news feature...

SPECIAL EVENTS THIS WEEKEND


Two of 'em...

Sat & Sun, Jul 15 & 16:
"BILL PICKETT RODEO — 33 Years of the Greatest Show on Dirt," at the Industry Hills Expo Center, 16200 Temple Av, City of Industry, CA 91744;
* African American cowboys, cowgirls and youngsters will choke dust as fans and novice spectators cheer for hard riding competitors as they battle to be named the best after a season of competition. Spectators cheer for their favorite competitors during thrilling Calf Ropin', exhilarating Bareback Ridin', Bull Doggin, Ladies Barrel Racin', Junior Barrel Racin', Ladies Steer Undecoratin', and gripping Bull Ridin.'
* TIX range from $20-$40; contact Los Angeles Rodeo Coordinator Margo Wade LaDrew at mladrew@billpickettrodeo.com 310.674.6700
* More info: www.billpickettrodeo.com
___

Sat, Jul 15:
3-7 pm 1st annual "CAJUN FOOD & MUSIC CELEBRATION" in Mile Square Park at Fountain Valley Recreation Center & Sports Park, Field D, 16400 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708; www.ocfoodbank.org/Cajun
* TIX include taste samples of food and beverages from vendors: General admission $50; Early-Bird (through June 15) $35; Veterans or current members of US armed forces $30; Non-Drinking Ticket (Designated Driver or Ages 6-20) $25; Early-Bird Non-Drinking Ticket $15; Ages 5 and under, Free.
* CAMPING: No.
* THE SCENE: It's a "Community Action Partnership" fundraiser and helps the OC Foodbank. "The first ever OC Cajun Food and Music Celebration will host a variety of local restaurants, wineries, and breweries highlighting their signature dishes and drinks, all celebrating the amazing cross cultural influences of Louisiana and Orange County. All attendees will have the opportunity to taste samples of food and beverages from vendors, which is all included in the one admission price of your ticket. The event will also feature live zydeco/Cajun bands to create an unforgettable family-friendly experience."
* 2017 LINEUP:
* DENNIS G & THE ZYDECO TRAILRIDERS (opening act).
* LISA HALEY & THE ZYDEKATS headline, starting at 5 pm.

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# 3 news feature...

THE GUIDE'S CONCERT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS WEEKEND


(reprinted here from our June 30th edition)

Sat morning, Jul 15:
11 am TROUT FISHING IN AMERICA and THE GLORIOUS BIRDS play the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena, CA; phone for reservations (10 am-10 pm, 7 days) 626-798-6236.
* Yep, you read that right.
* Venue impresario Bob Stane enthusiastically crows about this show,”I have been waiting for years to book TROUT FISHING IN AMERICA! This is a very big time act that has been limiting their activities to the Southern and Eastern Seaboard and, now, they have a reason to Go West. This is a major booking for any venue and now they are sweeting the pot by bringing in an extra, larger group to open the show. THE GLORIOUS BIRDS. Two outstanding, national touring acts for only $20. We could only get them for a morning show so the morning to matinee extravaganza will begin at 11 am, and end around 1 pm.”
* This'll sell-out VERY quickly, so don't dawdle.
* Tix, $20.
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Sat, Jul 15:
7 pm JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOR BOYS play the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena, CA; phone for reservations (10 am-10 pm, 7 days) 626-798-6236.
* Deservedly klnown as "MERRYMAKERS OF WHOOPEE," the enchanting and effervescent chanteuse Janet Klein with her four-member band, The Parlor Boys, entertain in a lively Speakeasy Jazz Revue style.
* This dapper, multi-talented troupe performs scintillating early hot jazz tunes from the 1920s and '30s with authenticity and verve. Between songs, the band peppers the entertainment with musical and local historical folklore tidbits.
* Tix, $20.
___

Jul 16; FREE: (late addition to the Jun 30 Guide)
7 pm PACIFIC SYMPHONY performs one of its annual FREE concerts for the "SYMPHONY IN THE CITIES" series, this one in Newport Beach, at the Civic Center / Newport Beach Public Library,
* The program for the series is a delightful excursion:
♪ KEY: The Star Spangled Banner
♪ BERNSTEIN: Overture to Candide
♪ BERNSTEIN: Mambo from West Side Story
♪ MASCAGNI: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
♪ SOUSA: Hands Across the Sea
♪ BRAHMS: Hungarian Dance No. 5
♪ J. STRAUSS: Thunder and Lightning Polka
♪ J. STRAUSS: Blue Danube Waltz
♪ BACH: Air on a G String
♪ BACH: Vivace from Concerto for 2 Violins
♪ WILLIAMS: Superman March
♪ WILLIAMS: E. T. The Extra Terrestrial: Flying Theme
♪ VARIOUS: Armed Forces Salute
♪ WARD: America the Beautiful
♪ BERLIN: God Bless America
♪ SOUSA: Stars and Stripes Forever
--
* The night brings quite a lineup, with Carl St. Clair conducting the Pacific Symphony; Danielle and Sarah Liu, violin; Yaya Dance Academy — Yaya Zhang, artistic director; and the Southern California Children’s Chorus.
* The symphony tells us, "It's the perfect way to end a lazy summer day. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and join us for FREE music and family fun! Kick back, relax, crack open a picnic basket and enjoy a warm summer evening with family and friends, as Pacific Symphony sends a swirl of glorious music into the air for 'Symphony in the Cities'!"
* LOCAL MUSIC ACTS and family activities begin at 5:30 pm, so plan to get there early to plant your chair or blanket.
* Pacific Symphony concert starts at 7 pm.
* This performance is supported in large part by the City of Newport Beach.
* "Each summer, the Symphony, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, takes the opportunity to express its gratitude by traveling throughout Orange County to deliver a little fun and inspirational music to old friends and new." Tonight, it's Newport Beach's turn.
* Tix: IT'S FREE. Info, 714-755-5799; www.PacificSymphony.org


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# 4 news feature...

RESOURCES FOR MORE WEEKEND CONCERTS, CLUB GIGS, OUTDOOR CONCERTS


It's true that no other source has ever come close to providing EVERYTHING the Guide's events listings have brought you. That's not a "dis," jus' a fact. Each one takes its own approach, and has plenty of things for you to find. So don't sit home 'n pout. Explore!
___

✔ The "ALIVE AND PICKING" calendar is focused on traditional Folk-Americana, including acoustic string music, old time, and bluegrass. You can find it at:

http://www.aliveandpicking.org/2014/03/bluegrass-folk-music-calendar.html
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✔ "FOLKWORKS" has a big calendar that includes "world music" with other local live Folk Music events. It has about 40%-60% of what the Guide's events listings covered, and is by far the closest in content to what you could find in the Guide. The Folkworks calendar reaches far into the future, at:

https://folkworks.org/folk-happenings/folkworks-music-calendar
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✔ "DOROTHY'S WEBSITE" is devoted to FREE local live music performances and events in all music genres, including things that happen once and those that recur with different artists/bands to bring variety to audiences of summer series. It's at:

http://www.dorothyswebsite.org

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# 5 news feature...

MUSIC VENUE SITES AS RESOURCES


Here are some essential Folk-Americana presenters, listed by where you'll find THE MOST live Folk-Americana music.

♪ THE COFFEE GALLERY BACKSTAGE in Altadena, L.A.'s most prolific presenter of Folk-Americana in a sit-down "listening room" environment, with five to ten shows a week:
www.coffeegallery.com

♪ CODY'S VIVA CANTINA has two stages in different rooms, plenty of honky-tonk music, some bluegrass and other Americana-genre performances, two full bars and a big menu that centers on Mexican food:
http://windsorlivemusic.com/

♪ McCABE'S GUITAR SHOP, with top acts in its famous weekend concert hall in back, in Santa Monica:
www.mccabes.com

♪ THE HOTEL CAFE, where some top (mostly younger) acoustic folk-pop acts play one-hour sets amongst rock and other artists, seven nights a week:
www.hotelcafe.com

♪ BOULEVARD MUSIC in Culver City, where many of the world's top guitarists and others play:
www.boulevardmusic.com

♪ THE FRET HOUSE in Covina, with a strong weekend concert series a couple times a month:
www.frethouse.com

♪ THE FOLK MUSIC CENTER in Claremont, where you can peruse the little music of unusual instruments before the occasional weekend concerts that center on trad folk music:
www.folkmusicenter.com
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# 6 news feature...

GRAMMY MUSEUM SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS -- ANOTHER WEEKEND RECOMMENDATION

Be sure you get to the GRAMMY MUSEUM while the delightful multiplicity of special exhibitions is in place through July 30th.

The museum has an unusually large number of wonderful current temporary exhibitions, all at the GRAMMY Museum, 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance on Figueroa), Los Angeles, CA 90015; 213-765-6800; www.grammymuseum.org

Of extra-special note: the JOHN DENVER exhibit was extended to Jul 30 past a scheduled 6/18 closing.

Go see:
✔ "RHYMES & REASONS: THE MUSIC OF JOHN DENVER" extended through Jul 30.
✔ "FOR THE GOOD TIMES: THE ARTISTRY OF KRIS KRISTOFFERSON" through Sep 10.
✔ "ELLA AT 100: CELEBRATING THE ARTISTRY OF ELLA FITZGERALD" through Sep 10.
✔ "MARTY STUART'S WAY OUT WEST: A COUNTRY MUSIC ODYSSEY" through Sep 24.
✔ "MONTEREY INTERNATIONAL POP FESTIVAL: MUSIC, LOVE, AND FLOWERS, 1967" through Oct 22.

* See the Guide's complete "# 1 feature story" in the May 28th edition. It has details and insights into each of these special exhibits, at:

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/05/we-found-best-non-festival-destination_28.html

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# 7 news feature...

MORE CONCERTS / EVENTS COMING SOON, FROM THE GUIDE'S PREVIOUS REPORTS


We don't have an alternative source where we can send you for much of what we cover, like accessible classical music and musical theatre. Though we DO have some of that in what's coming up, repeated from the June 30th edition. Otherwise, we just can't get into anything now that we haven't already reported in those completed write-ups.

We'll be back soon with plenty more in our MUSIC NEWS features, in very full editions.

___

Jul 20: (late addition to the Jun 30 Guide)
8:15 pm THE B-52s with PACIFIC SYMPHONY, play the Pacific Amphitheatre @ the OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
* Pacific Symphony provides another way to have an exciting musical experience this summer when the orchestra delivers a blast from the past and rocks out with what is known in some quarters as "The World's Greatest Party Band." The B-52s remain one of rock music's most enduring bands.
* Tix: Box office, 714-755-5799; www.PacificSymphony.org
___

Jul 22; FREE: (late addition to the Jun 30 Guide)
7 pm PACIFIC SYMPHONY performs one of its annual FREE concerts for the "SYMPHONY IN THE CITIES" series, this one in Mission Viejo, at the Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA.
* The program for the series is a delightful excursion:
♪ KEY: The Star Spangled Banner
♪ BERNSTEIN: Overture to Candide
♪ BERNSTEIN: Mambo from West Side Story
♪ MASCAGNI: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
♪ SOUSA: Hands Across the Sea
♪ BRAHMS: Hungarian Dance No. 5
♪ J. STRAUSS: Thunder and Lightning Polka
♪ J. STRAUSS: Blue Danube Waltz
♪ BACH: Air on a G String
♪ BACH: Vivace from Concerto for 2 Violins
♪ WILLIAMS: Superman March
♪ WILLIAMS: E. T. The Extra Terrestrial: Flying Theme
♪ VARIOUS: Armed Forces Salute
♪ WARD: America the Beautiful
♪ BERLIN: God Bless America
♪ SOUSA: Stars and Stripes Forever
--
* The night brings quite a lineup, with Carl St. Clair conducting the Pacific Symphony; Danielle and Sarah Liu, violin; Yaya Dance Academy — Yaya Zhang, artistic director; and the Southern California Children’s Chorus.
* The symphony tells us, "It's the perfect way to end a lazy summer day. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and join us for FREE music and family fun! Kick back, relax, crack open a picnic basket and enjoy a warm summer evening with family and friends, as Pacific Symphony sends a swirl of glorious music into the air for 'Symphony in the Cities'!"
* Features a "MUSICAL PLAYGROUND FOR CHILDREN" and "Prelude in the Park" at 4 pm, so plan to get there early to plant your chair or blanket.
* Concert featuring Pacific Symphony begins at 7 pm.
* This performance is supported in large part by the City of Mission Viejo.
* "Each summer, the Symphony, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, takes the opportunity to express its gratitude by traveling throughout Orange County to deliver a little fun and inspirational music to old friends and new." Tonight, it's Mission Viejo's turn.
* Tix: IT'S FREE. Info, 714-755-5799; www.PacificSymphony.org
___

Jul 23; FREE: (late addition to the Jun 30 Guide)
7 pm PACIFIC SYMPHONY performs one of its annual FREE concerts for the "SYMPHONY IN THE CITIES" series, this one in Irvine, at the Mike Ward Community Park Woodbridge, 20 Lake Rd, Irvine, CA.
* The program for the series is a delightful excursion:
♪ KEY: The Star Spangled Banner
♪ BERNSTEIN: Overture to Candide
♪ BERNSTEIN: Mambo from West Side Story
♪ MASCAGNI: Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
♪ SOUSA: Hands Across the Sea
♪ BRAHMS: Hungarian Dance No. 5
♪ J. STRAUSS: Thunder and Lightning Polka
♪ J. STRAUSS: Blue Danube Waltz
♪ BACH: Air on a G String
♪ BACH: Vivace from Concerto for 2 Violins
♪ WILLIAMS: Superman March
♪ WILLIAMS: E. T. The Extra Terrestrial: Flying Theme
♪ VARIOUS: Armed Forces Salute
♪ WARD: America the Beautiful
♪ BERLIN: God Bless America
♪ SOUSA: Stars and Stripes Forever
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* The night brings quite a lineup, with Carl St. Clair conducting the Pacific Symphony; Danielle and Sarah Liu, violin; Yaya Dance Academy — Yaya Zhang, artistic director; and the Southern California Children’s Chorus.
* The symphony tells us, "It's the perfect way to end a lazy summer day. Grab a lawn chair or blanket and join us for FREE music and family fun! Kick back, relax, crack open a picnic basket and enjoy a warm summer evening with family and friends, as Pacific Symphony sends a swirl of glorious music into the air for 'Symphony in the Cities'!"
* LOCAL MUSIC ACTS and family activities begin at 5:30 pm, so plan to get there early to plant your chair or blanket.
* Pacific Symphony concert starts at 7 pm.
* This performance is supported in large part by the City of Irvine.
* "Each summer, the Symphony, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, takes the opportunity to express its gratitude by traveling throughout Orange County to deliver a little fun and inspirational music to old friends and new." Tonight, it's Mission Viejo's turn.
* Tix: IT'S FREE. Info, 714-755-5799; www.PacificSymphony.org
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Aug 19; CONCERT & SCREENING: (late addition to the Jun 30 Guide)
8 pm PACIFIC SYMPHONY performs "JURASSIC PARK," the iconic music of JOHN WILLIAMS, in "A soundtrack 65 million years in the making," as part of "New SummerFest at OC Fair" at the Pacific Amphitheatre @ the OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
* Experience the classic film while Pacific Symphony performs John Williams’ thrilling score live.
* The film, masterfully directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the novel by Michael Crichton, transports you to a secluded island where scientists have succeeded in reviving the age of dinosaurs. Until we discover that, as Jeff Goldblum's character says, "Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should."
* Richard Kaufman conducts the Pacific Symphony for the main program.
* Pre-concert entertainment by the ORANGE COUNTY WIND ENSEMBLE from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Plaza Pacifica entrance.
* The gates open at 6 pm for picnicking. Picnic tables are available at the Plaza Pacifica entrance. Or, if you prefer, picnic at your seats (but read the notes below).
* Bring your own food, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages onto the premises, but note that inside the amphitheater itself, glass containers and glassware are not permitted. Outside beer is not allowed anywhere; beer is available for purchase from several onsite vendors.
* The symphony's website offers a "Pre-Order Picnic Menu." Additional food and beverages may be purchased at the concession stands inside the amphitheater.
* $8 general parking, handicap parking available.
* Tix: Box office, 714-755-5799; www.PacificSymphony.org
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Sep 2: (late addition to the Jun 30 Guide)
8 pm PACIFIC SYMPHONY performs "HAIL TO THE HEROES" at the new FivePoint Amphitheatre near the OC Great Park in Irvine, CA
* Tix for this concert can be purchased now by phone from the venue, at 714-755-5799.
* "Music has the unique power to unite, to heal and to celebrate. Enjoy timeless classics evoking the best of the human spirit when Pacific Symphony and all of Orange County join for a concert that celebrates U.S. veterans, the heroes who make our community and our country great!"
* Tickets to Pacific Symphony's inaugural concert in the new FivePoint Amphitheatre near the OC Great Park in Irvine may go quickly, because our society values new as novel and desirable. Tix are only available by phone, above.
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Sep 9; CONCERT with FIREWORKS: (late addition to the Jun 30 Guide)
8 pm PACIFIC SYMPHONY performs the "TCHAIKOVSKY SPECTACULAR," also with RACHMANINOFF and FIREWORKS, as the closiing performance of "New SummerFest at OC Fair" at the Pacific Amphitheatre @ the OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
* Famous romantic composer Tchaikovsky's greatest hits are on the program, along with Rachmaninoff’s lush "Second Piano Concerto" performed by the freshly minted medal winner of this year’s Van Cliburn Competition. Concluding the evening is Tchaikovsky's electrifying “1812 Overture,” complete with live cannons and brilliant fireworks.
* Carl St. Clair conducts the Pacific Symphony tonight. The program features the 2017 "Van Cliburn Competition" winner on piano.
* Pre-concert entertainment by the Huntington Beach Concert Band from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Plaza Pacifica entrance.
* The gates open at 6 pm for picnicking. Picnic tables are available at the Plaza Pacifica entrance. Or, if you prefer, picnic at your seats (but read the notes below).
* Bring your own food, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages onto the premises, but note that inside the amphitheater itself, glass containers and glassware are not permitted. Outside beer is not allowed anywhere; beer is available for purchase from several onsite vendors.
* The symphony's website offers a "Pre-Order Picnic Menu." Additional food and beverages may be purchased at the concession stands inside the amphitheater.
* Fireworks -- Pacific Symphony's annual season-closing bang 'n boom spectacular -- completes the program of live music, timed to the "1812 Overture."
* Unlike previous seasons, you will be able to leave the venue immediately after the fireworks show. Fireworks will be shot from a secure location that will not interfere with patrons needing to exit early.
* $8 general parking, handicap parking available.
* Tix: Box office, 714-755-5799; www.PacificSymphony.org
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COMING UP in the 2017-2018 PACIFIC SYMPHONY Season, with tix / season tix / custom pkg series tix / all now available:

♪ "Beethoven's Fifth," Sep 14–16, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Beethoven's Fifth Revealed," Sep 17, 2017, 3 pm.
♪ "An Evening with Joshua Bell," Sep 23, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Beethoven & Schubert," Oct 8, 2017, 3 pm.
♪ "David Foster with special guests," Oct 13–14, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Mozart & Rachmaninoff," Oct 19–21, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Halloween Goes Hollywood," Oct 21, 2017, 10 am & 11:30 am.
♪ "Tribute to Ella," Nov 3–4, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Cathedrals of Sound," Nov 9–11, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Mozart - The Final Concertos," Nov 12, 2017, 3 pm.
♪ "Gershwin's Concerto," Nov 30–Dec 2, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Nutcracker for Kids!" Dec 2, 2017, 10 am & 11:30 am.
♪ "Handel's Glorious Messiah," Dec 3, 2017, 3 pm.
♪ "Celebrate the Holidays with Seth MacFarlane," Dec 22 & 23, 2017, 8 pm.
♪ "Beethoven's Violin Concerto," Jan 11–13, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Vivaldi's Four Seasons," Jan 21, 2018, 3 pm.
♪ "Brahms & Prokofiev," Feb 1–3, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Fledermaus: The Bat-Man's Revenge - Opera for Kids!" Feb 3, 2018, 10 am & 11:30 am.
♪ "Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2," Feb 4, 2018, 3 pm.
♪ "Chinese New Year -- Year of the Dog," Feb 10, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Happy Birthday, Bernstein," Feb 11, 2018, 3 pm.
♪ "Christopher Cross," Feb 16 & 17, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "The Magic Flute," Feb 22–27, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Pinchas Zukerman," Mar 15–17, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Video Game Odyssey," Mar 17, 2018, 10 am & 11:30 am.
♪ "Zukerman Plays Bruch," Mar 18, 2018, 3 pm.
♪ "A Night at the Copa," Mar 23 & 24, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Cirque de la Symphonie," Apr 6 & 7, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Cirque for Kids!" Apr 7, 2018, 10 am & 11:30 am.
♪ "Glass & Shankar," Apr 12–14, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Beethoven's Ninth," Apr 15, 2018, 3 pm.
♪ "Bach & Fauré," Apr 29, 2018, 3 pm.
♪ "Watts Plays Beethoven," May 3–5, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Rach 2," May 31–Jun 2, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Saturday Night Fever - Music of the Bee Gees," Jun 8 & 9, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Sounds of Hollywood," Jun 14–16, 2018, 8 pm.
♪ "Cinematic Violin," Jun 17, 2018, 3 pm.
* Tix / season tix / custom pkg series tix / now available: Box office, 714-755-5799; www.PacificSymphony.org

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# 8 news feature...

JULY MUSIC FESTIVALS, HERE, THERE, 'N EVERYWHERE


Used to be that festivals took the middle of summer off, and returned with vigor in the fall. Maybe year-arond school schedules changed everything so that people really aren't gone for the summer anymore. Or maybe too many years of Big Oil extortion ruined the idea of being away on a summer vacation at all. Or maybe the music itself became "destination tourism." Whatever it is? Nowadays, the festival momentum just keeps rollin' along.
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♪ *** LOCAL FESTIVALS, , THIS WEEKEND OR STILL AHEAD IN JULY...

✔ "THE CLASSIC WEST" Jul 15 & 16 (Los Angeles, CA). It's a two-night pseudo festival / mega-concert in Dodger Stadium, two nights, one ticket, with (on Sat) ♪ The Eagles ♪ Steely Dan ♪ The Doobie Brothers; (on Sun) ♪ Fleetwood Mac ♪ Journey ♪ Earth Wind & Fire. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "NATIONAL DAY OF THE AMERICAN COWBOY" Jul 22 (Norco, CA). The only publicized local expression of this celebratory day, proclaimed in multiple US states and Canadian provinces. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ 7th Annual "GUITARFISH FESTIVAL" Jul 27-30 (Joshua Tree, CA) with ♪ lineup not yet announced when the Guide's "Encyclopedia Festivanica" went to press. See the event's website: http://joshuatreemusicfestival.com/index.html
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MORE LOCAL FESTIVALS happening in August and beyond are in the Guide's "ENCYCLOPEDIA FESTIVANICA" (updated regularly) at:

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html

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♪ *** FESTIVALS ELSEWHERE, THIS WEEKEND OR STILL AHEAD IN JULY...

✔ "NORTHWEST STRING SUMMIT" Jul 13-16 (North Plains, OR) with ♪ Yonder Mountain String Band ♪ Greensky Bluegrass ♪ Elephant Revival ♪ Fruition ♪ Shook Twins ♪ California Honeydrops ♪ Chatham County Line ♪ Horseshoes & Hand Grenades ♪ The Del McCoury Band ♪ JJ Grey & Mofro ♪ Turkuaz ♪ Travelin’ McCourys ♪ Blitzen Trapper ♪ Dead Man Winter ♪ Danny Barnes ♪ The Lil’ Smokies ♪ Scott Law & Ross James’ Cosmic Twang ♪ Charlie Parr ♪ Todd Snider & Great American Taxi ♪ Dave Simonett ♪ Sierra Hull ♪ Split Lip Rayfield ♪ Noam Pikelny ♪ Darol Anger ♪ Benny “Burle” Galloway ♪ Sally Van Meter ♪ Sideboob ♪ Rushad Eggleston ♪ Left Coast Country ♪ Asher Fulero Band ♪ The Grant Farm ♪ John Craigie ♪ Alder Street ♪ The Copper Children ♪ Jonathan Warren and The Billy Goats ♪ The Riverside. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "GREAT SOUTH BAY MUSIC FESTIVAL" Jul 13-16 (Patchogue, NY) with ♪ Gov’t Mule ♪ G. Love and Special Sauce ♪ Rusted Root ♪ and 43 more acts announced after the Guide's "Encyclopedia Festivanica" went to press. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "COUNTRY THUNDER WISCONSIN" Jul 13-16 (Twin Lakes, WI) with ♪ Jason Aldean ♪ Keith Urban ♪ Thomas Rhett ♪ Billy Currington ♪ Big & Rich ♪ Old Dominion ♪ Maddie & Tae ♪ Dan + Shay ♪ Tracy Lawrence ♪ Restless Heart ♪ Chase Bryant ♪ Cam ♪ Tucker Beathard ♪ Runaway June ♪ Frankie Ballard ♪ High Valley ♪ Brandon Ray ♪ Dallas Smith ♪ William Michael Morgan ♪ Ryan Hurd ♪ Michael Ray ♪ Dorado Dorado. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ 15th annual "GRAND ENCAMPMENT COWBOY GATHERING" Jul 14-16 (Encampment, WY) with ♪ Cowboy Poet Chuck Larsen ♪ Cowboy Singers Mike Blakely and Almeda Bradshaw ♪ Presentation of Pioneer Award ♪ Campfire Jam Session featuring all entertainers ♪ and more. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "OUTLAW MUSIC FESTIVAL — SYRACUSE" Jul 16 (Syracuse, NY) with ♪ Willie Nelson & Family ♪ My Morning Jacket ♪ Sheryl Crow ♪ Margo Price ♪ plus other artists tba. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "WANDERLUST SQUAW VALLEY" Jul 20-23 (Squaw Valley, CA). ♪ Lineup not yet announced when the Guide's "Encyclopedia Festivanica" went to press. Check their website: http://squaw.wanderlustfestival.com
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✔ "COUNTRY JAM USA" Jul 20-22 (Eau Claire, WI) with ♪ Dierks Bentley ♪ Cole Swindell ♪ Locash ♪ Kane Brown ♪ Carly Pearce ♪ Miranda Lambert ♪ Gary Allan ♪ Old Dominion ♪ Jana Kramer ♪ Tim Sigler ♪ Luke Bryan ♪ Brett Eldredge ♪ Trace Adkins ♪ High Valley ♪ Cody Johnson. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "SOMERSET FOLK HARP FESTIVAL" Jul 20-23 (Parsippany, NJ) with ♪ Bedside Harp Ensemble directed by Leslie Stickley ♪ Dominique Dodge ♪ Kim Robertson ♪ Alfredo ♪ Martha Gallagher; evening concerts headliners to be announced in June, 2017. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "EDGEWOOD ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL" Jul 26-29 (Edgewood, NM) with ♪ Colorado Blue Canyon Boys ♪ Hot Texas Swing Band (they played the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, in June) ♪ JeeZ LaWeeZ ♪ and 10 more bands on 2 stages. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "FLOYDFEST" Jul 26-30 (Floyd, VA) with ♪ Thievery Corporation ♪ Michael Franti & Spearhead ♪ St. Paul & The Broken Bones ♪ Leftover Salmon ♪ Railroad Earth ♪ Steel Pulse ♪ Shovels & Rope ♪ Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives ♪ White Denim ♪ Turkuaz ♪ Fruition ♪ The Hip Abduction ♪ Larry Keel Experience ♪ Nicola Cruz ♪ Keller Williams/Keller Williams’ KWahtro/Keller & The Keels ♪ Tauk ♪ The Steel Wheels ♪ HoneyHoney ♪ Big Something ♪ Shook Twins ♪ Baskery ♪ Aaron Lee Tasjan ♪ Zach Deputy ♪ That 1 Guy ♪ Jack Broadbent ♪ Davy Knowles ♪ Trae Pierce & The T-Stones ♪ The Lil’ Smokies ♪ People’s Blues Of Richmond ♪ Rebekah Todd & The Odyssey ♪ Hillbilly Casino ♪ Urban Soil ♪ T Sisters ♪ Banditos ♪ Jon Stickley Trio ♪ The Tillers ♪ Alanna Royale ♪ The Stash! Band ♪ Strange Americans ♪ Whiskerman ♪ The Brother Brothers ♪ Honey Island Swamp Band ♪ The Mantras ♪ Edward David Anderson ♪ Dead 27s ♪ McLovins ♪ Hayley Jane & The Primates ♪ The Drunken Hearts ♪ Strange Machines ♪ Kansas Bible Company ♪ Liver Down The River ♪ Broccoli Samurai ♪ Howard Falco ♪ Dixon’s Violin ♪ Oakley The Greenman. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "NEWPORT FOLK FESTIVAL" Jul 28-30 (Newport, RI) with ♪ Fleet Foxes ♪ Aaron Lee Tasjan ♪ Seratones ♪ Big Thief ♪ Drive-By Truckers ♪ Angel Olsen ♪ Marlon Williams ♪ Rhiannon Giddens ♪ Margaret Glaspy ♪ Choir! Choir! Choir! ♪ Punch Brothers ♪ I’m With Her ♪ Julian Lage ♪ John Prine. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "ROCKYGRASS FESTIVAL" Jul 28-30 (Lyons, CO) with ♪ Sam Bush Bluegrass Band ♪ The Del McCoury Band ♪ Earls of Leicester featuring Jerry Douglas ♪ The Infamous Stringdusters ♪ Tim O’Brien Band ♪ Darrell Scott Bluegrass Band ♪ Peter Rowan ♪ Kruger Brothers with the Kontras Quartet ♪ Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands ♪ Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen ♪ Becky Buller ♪ Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley ♪ Molsky’s Mountain Drifters ♪ Sister Sadie ♪ Front Country ♪ The Lil’ Smokies ♪ Trout Steak Revival ♪ The Lonely Heartstring Band ♪ The Wooks. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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✔ "WATERSHED FESTIVAL" Jul 28-30 (George, WA) with ♪ Bailey Bryan ♪ Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots ♪ Chase Rice ♪ Chris Stapleton ♪ Darius Rucker ♪ Eric Paslay ♪ High Valley ♪ Josh Abbott Band ♪ Lauren Alaina ♪ Lee Brice ♪ Luke Bryan ♪ Maddie And Tae ♪ Michael Ray ♪ Old Dominion ♪ Randy Houser ♪ The Cadillac Three ♪ William Michael Morgan. Details: http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html
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MANY MORE FESTIVALS happen all over North America (including Southern Cal) in August, Septober, Octember, Nowonder, beyond (we love that old Stan Laurel joke). See the Guide's "ENCYCLOPEDIA FESTIVANICA" (updated regularly) for many more options on tuneful destinations (and remember, festivals give you the best bang for your buck, oftentimes even with travel figured-in). The whoooole enchilada is at:

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2017/04/2017-music-festival-guide-current.html


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A companion MUSIC NEWS edition will be along shortly.

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PLENTY MORE is archived, back to when Lassie was a little bitty puppy dog, Napoleon was a private, and banjos only had four strings.

The entire Guide, since we moved the archival editions to Blogspot years 'n years ago, is there and searchable at the basic url:

http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com

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See you next time!

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Ahead in the Guide...

THE PROGRESSING SUMMER...

We'll keep you updated on MUSIC NEWS, all the festivals that feature Folk-Americana and/or acoustic music, and we'll bring you plenty of feature stories on whose in the studio, who's collaborating or touring with who, and what they're working on. And we'll continue to bring you news of special events, along with some previews, reviews and select "picks" (the recommendations kind, not the kind you use on strings; we've never had any of those printed with our logo, though we would if someone wanted to sponsor that.)

That said... contrary to appearances the last three months or so, we have NOT going back into the daily music calendar bid'ness. But there was SUCH an irresistible bridge of tunefulness between the arrival of all the spring weekends of festivals and when summer heat descended with a vengeance. So we DID provide very full-blown music calendars through the end of the July 4th holiday.

We all know that if you rely on corporate mainstream media for your supposed news, you miss all such things.

Along with 'purt near everything else we bring you.

It certainly does seem like Big Corporate Media only promotes and reports on soundalike pop pablum with incongruously unnecessary vocal gymnastics... we don't do that, and we wouldn't cover that stuff even if they didn't.

But the point is, big corporate media just plain refuses things and then claims those things are "non-commercial." (Which might explain why cable news, exclusively sponsored by Big Pharma ads, is so bad.) Big media certainly refuses to cover real organic acoustic music made without loops of electrocution sound effects — from Frankenstein's lightning storm or wherever they find that annoying stuff.

So just hit the mute button on them and turn here, often. We cover all kinds 'o real acoustic music and offer plenty of links to hear it in our news and reviews features. And, yes, we'll feature some select picks of concerts, etc., as NEWS FEATURES, as we navigate the summer together.
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As always, we invite you to join us and to let us know what YOU are listening to, and what artists or bands just sent you swooning and need to be shared with others.

That's your part, so you'll know that a whole lot more is always coming soon — including fresh MUSIC NEWS, PREVIEWS & REVIEWS, and more additions to our massive guide to the MUSIC FESTIVALS of 2017.

Meantime, with everything happening through these festival-packed, arrival-of-summer weekends? Go get tuneful!


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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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Direct to the Guide's current editions /

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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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