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Early March musical wonderment amongst the madness of our place in time and space...
Folk legend JOHN McCUTCHEON is producing a series for the Pasadena Folk Music Society, starting this Sunday, March 6th. (See UPDATE: Live Music, out 'n about...)
Two WEDNESDAY night, March 2, music live streams. Both HIGHLY recommended; one remains on-demand.
+ News & more.
Journey within, pilgrim. And welcome!
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Contents...
♧ Wednesday stream option #1: Stellar musicians JOYCE ANDERSEN & HARVEY REID, live from Maine
♧ Wednesday stream option #2: FREEBO streams his birthday show tonight with MARIA MULDAUR, CHRIS SMITHER, JACK WILLIAMS, & ALICE HOWE (plus we have their see-'em-in-the-venues shows this month)
♧ Bettman & Halpin: splendid new music vid
♧ "No Depression" magazine feature story explores "5 Ways Instructors Are Including Anti-racism in Roots Music Studies"
♧ "Songs of Conscience, Sounds of Freedom" at the GRAMMY Museum
♧ OSCAR WEEK Events
♧ Thoughts that resonate, from Kiki Wow
♧ Song from Ukraine: a musician in a flak jacket
♧ How to help those escaping Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine♧ Reality Check: cluelessly exploiting war and human suffering
♧ UPDATE: Live Music, out 'n about...
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Wednesday stream option #1:
Stellar musicians JOYCE ANDERSEN & HARVEY REID, live from Maine
CONCERT LINK: https://youtu.be/p2YH2t32Mos
(They tell us, "Please share the link anywhere you like.")
"Join us again (Joyce Andersen & Harvey Reid) this WEDNESDAY at 5 pm Pacific / 8 pm EST as we broadcast a concert from the Puffin & Loon Studio in YouTube Village, Maine. We’re excitedly working on dozens of songs old and new that we are planning to include in upcoming livestreams, and we’ll have a bunch of fresh ones right off the vine this Wednesday.
"Your donations, comments, cheerleading and cards & letters are fuel for our musical fire and for our rickety old house. Your thumbs-up “Likes” and subscribing to our channel on YouTube also help. We also welcome your suggestions of things you’d like to hear, or even questions we might answer on camera.(Though maybe hold off on criticism till the weather and the world get a little warmer.)
"FYI: We have switched to Wednesday evenings to be more present for our teenagers on Fridays. We’ll continue to send an email announcement a few days before each show as a reminder, and so you’ll have the concert link in your inbox. Puffin & Loon subscribers can choose to get notified by YouTube also. Streams will continue to appear on our new YouTube channel “ThePuffinandLoon” which you can easily search out on YouTube, though we plan to also post some things soon on our individual channels.
THE PUFFIN AND LOON: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThePuffinandLoon
JOYCE’S CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/c/JoyceAndersen
HARVEY’S CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/user/GreatSadRiver
"Please SUBSCRIBE to all our YouTube channels."
~ Harvey Reid & Joyce Andersen
More partic'lars from Joyce 'n Harvey...
◇ Send ' TIPS HERE: [Thanks immensely for your donations. They have allowed us to stay afloat in these difficult times.]
PAYPAL/CREDIT CARD: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=UKGJFB7R52EDL&source=url
◇ VENMO: @Joyce-Andersen-2
◇ 2020 livestream concert archive: watch most of those anytime for free on Joyce’s channel (below).
◇ INDIVIDUAL VIDEO LINKS TO SONGS WE'VE DONE: http://joyscream.com/livestream/setlists.html
◇ Dedicated home page for their livestreams -- past & future live streams, plus other info, links & donations:
http://www.joyscream.com/livestream/
◇ Joyce says: "In the event of an internet glitch, we will stop streaming, record the concert and upload it as soon as possible. The new link will be posted at the P&L channel, on our web site home pages, and subscribers will probably get a YouTube notification."
http://www.woodpecker.com/
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Wednesday stream option #2:
FREEBO's birthday show streaming tonight with MARIA MULDAUR, CHRIS SMITHER, JACK WILLIAMS, & ALICE HOWE
Upcoming in-person live shows this month are listed, too
The age-defying legendary multi-instrumentalist tells us, "http my birthday show is TONIGHT, WEDNESDAY, March 2nd, 8 PM Eastern, 5 PM Pacific on Facebook and Youtube:
Facebook: https://fb.me/e/1inxRYOjI
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owaDTr2QEfI
Freebo tells us, "I’m so excited to have some very special musical guests who will be joining me, MARIA MULDAUR, CHRIS SMITHER, & JACK WILLIAMS, and I’ve decided to make the theme about remaining creative in your 70s. These iconic artists are all good friends, all well into their 70s, and all still making music as well as they ever have. Each will join me in Cyberspace as they share some of their songs and talk about the aging process, how it has effected their lives, how they approach their craft at this point in their lives, and how the joy of making music keeps them young."
He continues, "Speaking of young, ALICE HOWE will also be joining us, live in studio with me, singing some of her own beautiful songs, joining me on some of mine with harmonies and duets, playing some fretless bass, and sharing her thoughts on music and aging from a much younger perspective."
Freebo adds, "All in all, I think you will be entertained and inspired by these long-time friends and amazing creative souls. We all share many years together in and out of the proverbial trenches, so please join us TONIGHT, 8 PM Eastern, 5PM Pacific, WEDNESDAY MARCH 2nd on Facebook or Youtube. Here are the links:"
That's not all.
If you know Freebo, you expect him to be irrepressible. So you are not surprised that he has more to tell us:
"Alice’s next show is in L.A. on SATURDAY MARCH 19th at HOTEL CAFE, a trio show with J.T. Thomas on keys and myself on fretless bass… details below.
"We have several shows (Alice Howe & Freebo) coming up in California…SANTA BARBARA, SOLVANG, BERKELEY (opening for CHRIS SMITHER), and a house concert in ATASCADERO…all details below.
"MY shows will be FREEBO & his FABULOUS FRIENDS, where I play acoustic guitar and sing, backed by a band of incredible musicians who color my songs with tasty instrumentation, and when called upon, solo beautifully while often leading into extended jams. I’ve always been a “band guy,” and to have great musicians take my songs to another level is one of the great joys of my life. At this point, I can only play with the band in Southern California because of the expense, but I hope to expand further across the country as opportunities present themselves. My next FREEBO & his FABULOUS FRIENDS show will be in a few weeks at a very funky bar in LA, Tarzana actually, on MONDAY MARCH 21st at MAUI SUGAR MILL. Details are below.
"In April, Alice and I will be traveling to the East Coast for several weeks of show, some HERS and some OURS."
Concert deets...
Tonight, March 2nd, online; above.
Then...
• Sat, Mar 19, 7 pm, ALICE HOWE with FREEBO & J.T. THOMAS
Hotel Cafe, 1623 N. Cahuenga Bl, Hollywood CA
Tix, $15.
• Mon, Mar 21, 9 pm, "FREEBO & his FABULOUS FRIENDS” (come early for an 8 pm opening act)
Maui Sugar Mill, 18389 Ventura Bl, Tarzana CA
Tix, $10 donation
Freebo (lead vocals, acoustic guitar & bass),
John Molo (drums),
Fuzzbee Morse (guitar),
J.T. Thomas (keys),
Chad Watson (bass),
Special Guest singer, Alice Howe,
Plus surprises
Res/info: 323-377-5291 for VIP seats
• Wed, Mar 23, 7:30 pm, FREEBO & ALICE HOWE w/ Maitland Ward & Eddie Tuduri
Soho, 1221 State St. #205, Santa Barbara, CA 93101; www.sohosb.com
Tix, $15
Reservations: 805-962-7776
• Thu, Mar 24, 7:30 pm, FREEBO & ALICE HOWE (acoustic)
Lost Chord Guitar Shop, 1576 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang, CA. 93436
Tix, $10
• Fri, Mar 25, 8 pm, FREEBO & ALICE HOWE opening for CHRIS SMITHER
Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, CA.
Tix, $30
• Sat, Mar 26, 7:30 pm, FREEBO & ALICE HOWE
Musica Del Rio House Concert, Atascadero, CA
$20 Sugg. Donation
Res/Info: fred@musicadelrio.org
• Then they play the East Coast and NYC...
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Bettman & Halpin: splendid music vid
Acoustic string duo (fiddle, mandolin, guitar) Stephanie Bettman and Luke Halpin have just released a new music video for their song "A Million Hearts." It's from their 6th CD, "1000 Miles" and it's a compellingly melodic mix of charm and poignancy, illustrated by excellent line drawings.
They tell us it is "inspired by the volunteer work we did with kids in crisis at The Tennyson Center For Children here in Denver. Please check it out! Feel free to share [to social media, etc] if you feel so moved, or comment or like the video. If you hate it, please keep it to yourself. ; )"
No chance of that last part, Steph.
View/listen link (full url for easy sharing):
https://m.youtube.com/watch?mc_cid=8eca618c19&mc_eid=4484f3df99&v=Pye3kENYFtA&feature=youtu.be
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No Depression magazine story explores "5 Ways Instructors Are Including Anti-racism in Roots Music Studies"
Most of our readers are familiar with two banjo stars, Laura Love and Dom Flemons, both persons of color who are thrilling live performers, accomplished recording artists, music scholars and historians. The music of each is inclusive of -- sometimes focused on -- historical songs and tunes that seem shockingly racist to our modern sensibilities. Both will tell you many reasons why they believe it is important that we keep these songs from dying, not simply as part of the context of black history, but because they are integral to the American experience.
Many of The Guide's readers perform or enjoy Folk-Roots-Americana and can benefit from considering the reach of implications.
This month, "No Depression," one of folk music's flagship magazines, explores the broader context of inclusivity and consciously handling racial issues in American roots music.
ND's assistant editor, Stacy Chandler, says:
"Some bluegrass and string band instructors at colleges across the US are working to incorporate anti-racism into their courses, paying close attention to the people, songs, and stories they’re highlighting and the musical landscape their students will be entering and someday shaping. Their lessons have something to teach listeners, too, and I hope you’ll take a moment to read the essay below with concrete tips for making roots music more inclusive, more harmonious, and more welcoming to all who would create and enjoy it."
The feature story's writers all have credentials in music instruction and academia. They are Lee Bidgood, Sophia Enriquez, Shana Goldin-Perschbacher, Tatiana Hargreaves, Ben Krakauer, Jordan Laney, and Mark Y. Miyake, and they add:
"We present these insights not as solutions, but as departure points for further discussions within the broader bluegrass and string band community. We hope that other musicians, teachers, and listeners will join us in this work to recognize ways to deal honestly with the problematic histories of roots and string music, and to seek new and exciting relationships as we celebrate the musical experiences that bring us together."
No question these are culturally fraught times, with screaming in some quarters over "critical race theory" -- the screaming, being done, it seems, by people who cannot tell you what the term actually means. Suddenly, that is seen in tandem with newly resurgent book-banning, spoken and written phrase-banning, and the wholly-new laws that enable bounty-collecting for turning-in teachers who make your kid uncomfortable by covering things too inclusively. It seems clear that "cancel culture" is something conservatives try to do, while claiming that it is anti-freedom "liberal" menace.
Amidst it all, some in academia are taking the initiative to include anti-racism in their Roots Music Studies courses and beyond.
Read the full piece here at No Depression.
https://www.nodepression.com/5-ways-instructors-are-including-anti-racism-in-roots-music-studies/
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"Songs of Conscience, Sounds of Freedom" at the GRAMMY Museum
The power of music is, of course, irrepressible, inspirational, and undeniable. Since America’s origins, socially and politically conscious songs have motivated the masses to achieve common goals. They’ve been sung in churches, fields, and factories. They’ve resonated in the streets of South Central, in the nation's and the states' capitols, on our college campuses, and in our union halls.
"Songs of Conscience, Sounds of Freedom" is an exhibit that takes you through the story of American music as it wrestles with issues and ideologies that run counter to the spirit and soul of our nation.
This museum experience charts a path from spirituals sung by enslaved people alongside the sounds of the American Revolution. It ranges from the mass movements of music and art that helped stir up action during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, to the songs that champion LGBTQ+ rights. It brings the soundtracks of the Chicano Movement and Los Angeles Riots/Los Angeles Uprising, to the continued fight for racial justice in America today with the Black Lives Matter movement.
This exhibit spans generations and genres, featuring artists like H.E.R., Dave Specter, and Mickey Guyton to tell the stories of music’s role as a catalyst for social change.
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OSCAR WEEK Events
from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, March 22 - 26
Get tix right away. These sell-out.
Limited tickets go on sale Friday, March 4 at 10 am PT, HERE.
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Thoughts that resonate, from Kiki Wow
Remember Kiki Wow? These days, aka Kiki Edenfield. She was the founding host of radio's "The Dylan Hour," and longtime host of the multicamera global webcast show from Kulak's Woodshed in North Hollywood, CA. Kiki writes, today, March 2nd:
"I've been thinking a lot about how vulnerable we are and feeling great empathy for the innocent victims of war. It's hard to concentrate on much of anything else and I find myself uncertain about what I should be putting my time into. It's kinda like that feeling you have after an earthquake and you're not sure what to do next.
"I can't believe how fast everything has changed. I got an Emergency Container together with water, canned goods, first aid items, etc. and filled up my tank for the generator and car - Gas is up to $3.29 here and I can only imagine Cali prices. It was $1.89 when I arrived [to live in Missouri] a year ago. I suppose we need to carry on as usual and just be prepared, alert and say lots of prayers!"
She closes her latest edition with this thought:
"The brook would lose its song if God removed the rocks."
~ Kiki continues to write her long-running weekly e-blast covering live acoustic, Americana, singer-songwriter and band performances on California's Central Coast. These days, she includes her own and other gigs wherever she is playing, mid-continent and beyond. Get on her mailing list, free, or just say hello to her, at kikiwow@mac.com
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LATE ADDITION, Thursday morning...
Song from Ukraine: a musician in a flak jacket
Ukranian artist Svyatoslav "SLAVA" VAKARCHUK leads the band OKEAN ELZY. Based in Lviv, Ukraine, they are often acoustic, but received the FUZZ Magazine music award for "Best Rock Act" in April 2007. Okean Elzy (okeanelzy.com) formed in 1994, is big in their country of 40 million people. They've performed stadium concerts there.
At the end of our story, we have a link for one of their especially poignant songs with captioned lyrics in English.
Singing a Capella and wearing a flak vest, Slava is now going out in streets strewn with rubble, helping to rally and inspire Ukranian defenders to stand against invading Russian troops.
On a CNN live segment, he spoke of seeing the same stadiums now in ruin where his band had played to happy crowds. That felt eerily and chillingly reminiscent of a few years back, seeing Sarajevo's Olympic Stadium defiled by war and atrocities after it had hosted opening and closing ceremonies and Olympic medal presentations for the world's greatest athletes, gathered peacefully for The Games.
Coverage from Ukraine has likewise shown the Russian invaders' destruction of WW II memorials to those killed in the Holocaust. There have even been live shots with Jewish survivors of the concentration camps, gathered in their wheelchairs to curse Putin and tell the Russians to go home and leave them alone.
Even as images of new horror can evoke those of the past, there is always the potential to find inspiration and fortitude, to risk everything to make the future better.
Slava the musician demonstrated those things, his face lighting up with joy when he spoke of his love for the people of his country. He also showed something else we have seen happen quickly over the past seven days: the ability of people of diverse backgrounds to adapt to things they never expected.
So here was the rock musician showing he can comprehend and speak coherently about the need for specific air defense systems to stop the ballistic and cruise missiles that are destroying his nation's cities. A week ago, jarringly incongruous. Suddenly understandable as human resiliency, and our species adaptability. Which should occasion other considerations once we have faced and survived immediate threats to existence.
In America, we expect our artists to be voices for peace. Indeed, the few individuals in music and the arts who have talked in terms of militarism have always been ridiculed. That's been easy to do, since invariably they have been "chicken hawks" who, while never having worn our nation's uniform, gleefully pontificate about how nobody better be messin' with 'Murica while they sing with oblivious bravado from pampered surroundings about kicking somebody's collective ass.
Point being, our safe world built on instant gratification and disposable consumerism suddenly seems revealed in the arrogance we have had. At last we see that our smugness cannot blind us to realities others face. In Somalia. In Yemen. And now in Ukraine. Because in America, it is well to remember that we have not faced a foreign invader destroying our cities since the War of 1812.
So, what path for artists? Certainly as voice and conscience. And not necessarily in the overt confrontational lyrics of the labor songs against the murderous oligarch bosses of those struggles. Perhaps not even in the classic folk anthems of the Civil Rights movement, like "We Shall Overcome." Sometimes it is enough to conjure the images of our common humanity, both the fragility and the enduring strength of our common dreams, our common need for safety for children to grow up confident and strong and loving to assure a better future and the only legacy worth leaving.
We said we have Slava singing one of OKEAN ELZY's especially poignant acoustic songs.
It's titled "Obiymy" ("Hug me"), lyrics with English translation, with its lines, "When war is over," and "Let your spring come." Be prepared: if you have seen news footage of Ukraine in recent days, the video will make you cry:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xz_PZ2LggTQ
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How to help those escaping Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine
We invite you (or if it helps, we challenge you) to donate to each of the following organizations, as we did today.
Vladimir Putin's armed forces continue their unprovoked, unlawful attack on Ukraine, so thousands of Ukrainains are fleeing their homes in hope of safety and shelter. Some are heading to neighboring countries. Others have taken refuge from Russian bombs in subway stations. Increasingly more are sheltering in place among the rubble, without electricity or access to food and medical supplies. And it is COLD in Ukraine, especially at night, especially for those whom war has left without heat, or shelter, or warm clothing, or food.
You can support the humanitarian efforts that the organizations below are undertaking to assist refugees and others suffering during this horrific time:
■ Americares is preparing to deliver medicine, medical supplies, and emergency funding to help families access essential health care services.
https://www.americares.org/emergency-program/conflict-in-ukraine/
■ The International Rescue Committee is working to rush critical aid to displaced families.
https://www.rescue.org/
■ World Central Kitchen, headed by chef and humanitarian José Andrés, is on the ground in Poland providing meals for the many refugees pouring into that country.
https://wck.org/
■ The International Fund for Animal Welfare has had a presence in Ukraine since 2014. Staff has remained in place and have continued to care for their animals.
https://www.ifaw.org/action/ukraine-emergency-aid-update
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Meanwhile... If you have been getting all your "news" from social media, the MoveOn organization compiled a reading list you should look at:
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Reality Check: cluelessly exploiting war and human suffering
All that bipartisan standing and applauding during the State of the Union? If you thought it was weird that people were dressed like the flag of Ukraine, after they were applauding Putin less than ten days ago, it doesn’t stop there.
So now we have a new Gopper Big Lie: it's from Kevin McCarthy, claiming his party has “a plan.”
If congressional Republicans have a plan to do ANYTHING, why didn’t they tell New Hampshire’s Republican Gov. Chris Sununu when he went to Washington? He was considering running for the US Senate. He changed his mind when they told him all they were doing was blocking anything Biden wanted to do.
Plus, Mitch McConnell has been asked what Republicans will do if they take back both houses of Congress. He said, “Ask me after the election.”
Considering the GOP at its most recent National Convention became the first-ever political party in this country’s history to refuse to adopt a “Party Platform” document — which lays-out what positions its candidates are running on, and what they will do in office as representatives of their party, if elected?
If there’s a plan hiding somewhere, they have the American people calling, “Buehler. Buehler. Buehler.” In fact, the answer given when their national party chair was asked why there was no platform? “It’s whatever Trump wants.” And we saw where that led, on January 6th.
So, Mister wannabe-Speaker McCarthy? Where IS that “plan” you are dangling like a plastic carrot from the end of your shtick?
Or do we need to wait ‘til after the election? Or next January?
See below.
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Today, Congressman Kevin McCarthy offered the following statement after the State of the Union address:
“President Biden’s State of the Union was out of touch. He painted a rosy picture of our nation while failing to fully acknowledge the challenges that our communities are facing created by his failed policies. In California, we have felt these challenges directly: record-high gas prices that are rising every week, violent crime, and our ports are backlogged causing a supply chain crisis that is keeping our farmers from selling the food they grow. And while students in California are only now being allowed to return to normalcy in the classroom, the very legislators who have failed to follow the science have also consistently broken the rules set forth for everyone else.
“Our country is in a crisis.
“But House Republicans have a plan to support families, keep our communities safe, and get our country back on track. That starts with producing more Californian-made energy to reduce our energy prices, securing our border, and allowing our children to learn alongside other students inside the classroom.
"Today serves as a snapshot of where we are as a country and it is clear that there is a lot of work to be done. I won’t ever stop fighting to ensure that we deliver better opportunities for the American people.”
Office of Congressman Kevin McCarthy
Matt Sparks, Brittany Martinez
661-327-3611
kevinmccarthy.house.gov
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Oh, wait! Maybe THIS is the Republican "plan"...
Two Republican members of Congress, Madison Cawthorne and Matt Rosendale, introduced a bill today that would BAN U.S. aid to Ukraine "until the U.S. southern border with Mexico is secure"... and it would "limit the number of American troops in Ukraine to less than those deployed on the U.S. southern border."
Can you say "obsessed wackos"-? I KNEW you could!
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UPDATE: Live Music, out 'n about...
Yesterday was indeed MARDI GRAS. But it was quiet. The spreadnecks, maskholes, science-deniers and assorted Branch Covidians have kept the damn virus going and mutating in the U.S., so we are not yet free of its impacts.
Still, a number of fine venues are open for the fully vaxxed and boostered, presenting live music by talented folks who are barely able to contain their enthusiasm at the prospect of playing for you as part of their live audience. So get in on these mutual appreciation societies before it all seems to get back to being a normal, take-it-for-granted thing that we are surrounded by fabulous talent.
We gave you an extensive rundown of LOTS of music in our previous edition, and most of those concerts and club gigs have not yet happened. So in addition to perusing our added dates, below, with excited anticipation, be sure to CHECK THE LISTINGS in the edition just before this one -- we don't routinely repeat stuff anymore. Not even good stuff.
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ADDED SHOWS...
At the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena CA
Phone for Reservations, 10 a-10p, 7 days: 626-798-6236
Venue impresario Bob Stane says, "Please remember, Vaccination cards, paper or on your phone are required. No exceptions. I will be wearing a mask. Let us be overly cautious and live to tell about it. We are almost there. Help me. Help you."
Fri, Mar 4, 8 pm. Tickets: $20
Jack Landrón and Mitch Greenhill
Sat, Mar 5, 7 pm, $20
THE SUSIE GLAZE NEW FOLK ENSEMBLE
Sun, Mar 6, MATINEE 2 pm, evening show 6 pm;| $25, either. Almost sold out!
LED ZEPAGAIN
Thu, Mar 10, 8 pm, $20
LOVE DOLLY (AND HER BIG BAND).
Fri, Mar 11, 8 pm, $20
SCOTT COOK - A TRAVELING DUO
Sat, Mar 12, 7 pm, $20
INCENDIO
Sun, Mar 13, 3 pm MATINEE, $20
THE TALL MEN….TALL MEN GROUP’S TRIBUTE TO JIMMY YESSIAN
Bob Stane says: Always sells out. This is a tribute to their late handmade and his music.
Sun, Mar 13, 7 pm, $20
THE McMAMMALS / THE MacMAMMALS
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At the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Ticket / info links in show titles.
Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra | MAR 11, 7:30PM
Elīna Garanča, mezzo-soprano | MAR 15 at 7:30PM
Nat Geo Live: Invisible Wonders | MAR 17-18 at 7:30PM
Takács Quartet with Julien Labro | MAR 19 at 7:30PM
Simone Dinnerstein | MAR 27 at 4PM
Ephrat Asherie Dance: ODEON | APR 1-2 at 7:30PM
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SPECIAL NOTE: the GRAND ANNEX / WARNER GRAND phone number has been temporarily changed. Call 310-833-3504 to reach them Wednesday. They expect their regular number should be working by Thursday. If not, we gotcha covered...
Playing Saturday, March 5, 8 pm, GILL LANDRY, former Grammy-winning Old Crow Medicine Show member. He plays a mix of bluesy Americana. His critically acclaimed albums have featured Americana stars Laura Marling and Brandi Carlile.
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At the Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
The 51st Annual "Festival of Whales" kicks-off Friday, March 4 with a sunset welcoming ceremony by members of the local Acjachemen Nation and a surfers’ paddle out at the Marine Protected Area beach behind the Ocean Institute. It runs through the weekend with many events: https://oceaninstitute.org/event/festival-of-whales/
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Returning Sunday, March 6, with their first show since the 2020 pandemic shutdown, this excellent series brings star power to all four of their first online shows.
The producers tell us:
"After a two-year lapse, we're happily back in the concert business by teaming with John McCutcheon and other wonderful musicians for a series of four special online concerts beginning Sunday, March 6. , with "Fifty Years of Traditional Music" at 4 p.m. Pacific Time.
The other performers to follow include Alastair Frasier & Natalie Haas, Crys Matthews and Darrell Scott. The other three dates are April 3, April 10 and May 7.
"If the 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. start times are not convenient, you'll appreciate that ticket-buyers will get 48 hours of access to each show.
Tickets for the first event, the March 6 show may be purchased at this link.
Each of the other three shows has its own ticketing page: April 3, April 10, May 7.
Tickets are $20 each, providing 48 hours of access. You can get a special four-show pass for $65 at a link from any of the four date's ticketing pages. There's also a 'family/household' four-show pass for $95.
"McCutcheon is a master instrumentalist and powerful singer-songwriter who has delighted Pasadena Folk Music Society concert audiences often over the years, most recently in 2018. Take it from Pete Seeger himself: 'John McCutcheon is not only one of the best musicians in the USA, but also a great singer, songwriter and song leader.'
"McCutcheon's 41st album, Bucket List, includes Zilphia's Piano, about the first keyboard to play We Shall Overcome. It follows his 2020 album of pandemic-inspired songs, Cabin Fever, which includes When All of This Is Over. He has written some popular songs for children and the classic 1984 ballad about a World War I truce, Christmas in the Trenches.
McCutcheon organized this online concert series, recruited other musicians to join him for some of the shows, and has partnered with PFMS for folk-music fans in Southern California.
The producing/presenting organization uses several venues on the Caltech campus. "PFMS concerts went on pause after our March 7, 2020, Patrick Ball show. Our share of income from ticket sales through this link will help with arranging future live concerts when venue restrictions ease. We're still working on a couple of obstacles to resuming live, in-person concerts."
John McCutcheon.
The four upcoming online concerts
1) Sun, Mar 6, 4 pm Pacific:
"Fifty Years of Traditional Music." McCutcheon's roots tap into folk tradition. He traveled the Appalachians in his 20s, apprenticing himself to some of the greats of the region's traditional music. This concert is an homage to his mentors. It will include some of his field recordings from the 1970s housed at the Library of Congress and, McCutcheon says, "some very special surprises."
2) Sun, Apr 3, 4 pm Pacific:
"Songwriters in the Round." McCutcheon is joined by three of his favorite songwriters: Darrell Scott, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Crys Matthews, performing songs and discussing how they write them. Scott's songs, including You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive and It's a Great Day to Be Alive, have been recorded by dozens of performers, ranging from Dave Alvin to Faith Hill. Chapman's songs, including Sand and Water and Happy Girl, have also been recorded by diverse artists who know a good song when they hear one, such as Willie Nelson and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Matthews, an award-winning songwriter who has performed at New York's Lincoln Center and Washington's Kennedy Center, drew this praise on the Pride Source website: "In the great tradition of folk music, Matthews brings listeners in with sweet sounds that grab them by the heart, and just as they are cradled in her soulful voice and her deft handling of an acoustic guitar, it's as if Matthews says, 'Now that you're here, we've got some things to talk about.'" Check out her Changemakers.
3) Sun, Apr 10, 4 pm Pacific:
"Instrumentalists in the Round." McCutcheon is, himself, a whiz, on dulcimer, banjo, fiddle, autoharp and some other instruments. For this show, he'll bring on Muriel Anderson, a master of harp guitar and classical guitar; Howard Levy, who pushes boundaries on harmonica, ocarina and other instruments; cellist Natalie Haas and Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser. Anderson has played guitars with Doc Watson, Les Paul and Chet Atkins. Hear her gracefully summon the multi-octive range of the harp guitar when playing Here Comes the Sun. Levy has accompanied Bela Fleck, Kenny Loggins, Paul Simon and Dolly Parton. Try to imagine playing harmonica and piano at the same time, as he does on Autumn Leaves. Haas and Fraser have toured and recorded together for two decades, including a 2017 PFMS concert at Caltech. A Boston Globe reviewer wrote, "While his fiddle dances, her cello throbs darkly or plucks puckishly... Their sound is as urban as a Manhattan midnight and as wild as a Clackmannan winter." See if that's what you hear in their 2020 performance of a reels medley of The Hut on Staffin Island, The Barrowburn and Jack Daniel's.
4) Sat, May 7, 5 pm Pacific:
"The Story Behind the Song." McCutcheon's spoken introductions to songs built into his reputation as a skilled storyteller. In this concert, he'll talk about his inspiration for various songs, the historical research that he uses for some, the references behind particular lines, and other yarns. Ticket holders will have an opportunity to submit requests and questions in advance.
Series web site / email signup: pasadenafolkmusicsociety.org
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Shows at McCABES, the Hollywood Bowl, and MANY other venues are in our previous edition. Go look!
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More'll be along directly, to assist you navigatin' your 2022.
So remember to MERGE ONTO THIS LIL' CYBER VECTOR THROUGH SPACE/TIME. It's where the sounds of string instruments and melodic voices waft in at the sweet spots on the dial, between the crazy static from Jupiter. (Seriously. That's what those squawks, squeals and pulses are over on AM radio. You know: the stuff that's more fun to listen to on AM than all those blathering talk-show wingnut conspiracy spreaders...)
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