Spotlight Events: Acoustic Americana Music Guide, October 22, 2011 edition

     
     
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               SPOTLIGHT EVENTS
     
                         from THE ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE
     
                                                                                          October 22, 2011 edition
     
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THIS is our roundup of concerts, club gigs, workshops, and acoustic music-related events, in a dedicated weekly section of The Guide, and it's called SPOTLIGHT EVENTS.
    
     
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NOTE: We're taking half—week off from The Guide's NEWS FEATURES, so the October 14 edition, is (for now) still the most recent, and can be read in its own section of the Guide, at    
    
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/news-features-acoustic-americana-music_14.html    
    
More news soon... (LOTS to report, review, and describe...)
    
    
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                        Acoustic Americana Music Guide's
    
                                        SPOTLIGHT EVENTS
    
                                          Friday, October 22, 2011       
    
    Weekend “heads-up” – look for additions in the next few days for the coming week
    
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FIRST, the things that are ONGOING, through October
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Daily, through Oct 31, FESTIVAL:
10 am-midnight “HALLOWEEN HARVEST FESTIVAL” has live music (they've been serious about keeping it booked) and lots more, at the Pierce College Farm Center, corner of Victory and Desoto in Woodland Hills. Organizers proclaim the event as “the largest Harvest Festival in all of Southern California,” and they've expanded this year to include a larger festival grounds and an expanded six-acre corn maze.
    The festival opens at 10 am and runs daily and every evening. Sundays-Thursdays, it closes at 10 pm, Fridays & Saturdays, 'til midnight.
    This is a big-deal event, and they've been doing it for years, so they're good at it. In addition to the live music and that giant Corn Maze, activities include a Hay Ride, Giant Slide, Jumpers, Petting Zoo, a Train Ride, Carousel, Pony Rides, Bumper Boats, daytime Haunted House, Cow Train, Bungee, Rock Wall Climb, Gemstone Mining, and there's an “Afterdark FrightFair Screampark” with nighttime Factory of Nightmares Haunted House, Creatures of the Corn Haunted Trail, nighttime Corn Maze, and something they're calling the “Insane Reaction.”
    They offer all kinds of “activity ticket” combinations, but basic admission, which includes entry, the Corn Maze, the Hay Ride, and a couple of activity tickets, is only $5. Anyone who rides the Metro Orange Line gets in free, and the station is just across the street (must show a paper Metro ticket with that day's date).
    There's more info at www.halloweenharvestfestival.com – www.FrightFair.com – www.PierceFarmCenter.com – or call them at 818-999-6300.
     
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Daily, through Oct 31, in Ventura County, FESTIVAL:
“UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARMS HARVEST FESTIVAL” runs weekends with music, weekdays without, and includes the annual “FOLK FESTIVAL”weekend Oct 8 & 9, and the Oct 22 & 23 “WESTERN HERITAGE” weekend, and an unannounced CAJUN & BLUEGRASS WEEKEND Oct 28 & 30, plus a big corn maze, lots of activities for kids, food, and more, all at Underwood Family Farms, in the countryside near Moorpark. More at www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com, or call them at 805-529-3690.
    See the Guide's separate listings, Oct 22 and Oct 29, for schedules and lineups on those weekends.
    Admission, any day, is $12 general, and children under age 2 are free.
     
     
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Saturday, October 22
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Sat & Sun, Oct 22 & 23; FESTIVAL:
Annual “WESTERN HERITAGE” weekend, part of the month-long “UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARMS HARVEST FESTIVAL” runs weekends, Oct 1-31 in Ventura County, at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark. More below, and at www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com, or call them at 805-529-3690.
    SCHEDULE:
    Saturday brings THE CALIFORNIA COUNTRY BAND 10:30 am-2:30 pm, and SWEET COUNTRY from 3:30-5:30 pm.
    The award-winning western music harmony group, THE TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS perform Sunday, 10:30 am-2:30 pm; singing cowboy MICHAEL T. (that's Tcherkasky, for those who know him from previous performances at other festivals) will be on hand as a “singing, strolling cowboy singer” with his guitar on Sunday, 11 am-3 pm. The kid-friendly group, THE HOLLOW TREES do “children's folk” from 3:30-5:30 pm Sunday.
    Both days, it's a sort of old west medicine show, with bullwhip master ANTHONY DeLONGIS, period reenactors doing “Western Sidewalk Swindles” (magic tricks sorta things), a Flea Circus, and other aspects of the Spencer/Lorraine Productions variety show, “Western Music, Magic & Mirth.”
    Admission, any day, is $12 general, and children under age 2 are free.     
     
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Sat & Sun, Oct 22 & 23; FESTIVAL (Daily, through Oct 31):
10 am-midnight “HALLOWEEN HARVEST FESTIVAL” has live music (they've been serious about keeping it booked) and lots more, at the Pierce College Farm Center, corner of Victory and Desoto in Woodland Hills. Organizers proclaim the event as “the largest Harvest Festival in all of Southern California,” and they've expanded this year to include a larger festival grounds and an expanded six-acre corn maze.
    The festival opens at 10 am and runs daily and every evening. Sundays-Thursdays, it closes at 10 pm, Fridays & Saturdays, 'til midnight.
    This is a big-deal event, and they've been doing it for years, so they're good at it. In addition to the live music and that giant Corn Maze, activities include a Hay Ride, Giant Slide, Jumpers, Petting Zoo, a Train Ride, Carousel, Pony Rides, Bumper Boats, daytime Haunted House, Cow Train, Bungee, Rock Wall Climb, Gemstone Mining, and there's an “Afterdark FrightFair Screampark” with nighttime Factory of Nightmares Haunted House, Creatures of the Corn Haunted Trail, nighttime Corn Maze, and something they're calling the “Insane Reaction.”
    They offer all kinds of “activity ticket” combinations, but basic admission, which includes entry, the Corn Maze, the Hay Ride, and a couple of activity tickets, is only $5. Anyone who rides the Metro Orange Line gets in free, and the station is just across the street (must show a paper Metro ticket with that day's date).
    There's more info at www.halloweenharvestfestival.com – www.FrightFair.com – www.PierceFarmCenter.com – or call them at 818-999-6300.
     
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Sat, Oct 22:
7 pm DANA COOPER & DAVID ZINK play a Hose Concert at Casa Vreeland in South Pasadena 91030. Reservations get directions at tvree@socal.rr.com or 323-255-1501.   
     
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Sat, Oct 22:
7 pm RICHARD SMITH & JULIE ADAMS – “Guitar & Cello” at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations, 626-798-6236.
    Richard Smith on guitar, Julie Adams on cello, are a fine duo and a Guide recommendation any time they perform.
    There seems to be no limit to Richard’s ability to quickly master whatever guitar style captures his fancy. The complex styles of many guitar greats including Django Reinhardt, Les Paul, and Lenny Breau have proved to be no impediment to his voracious musical appetite. Richard has toured around the world, surprising audiences everywhere with his genius, showcasing a repertoire spanning an incredible range of musical styles from country, bluegrass, mainstream jazz, modern pop and rock, to classical guitar. Someone wrote somewhere, “Richard Smith is nothing less than a phenomenon. But, words alone are inadequate to describe his guitar wizardry. You may be a doubting Thomas until you’ve witnessed him for yourself. But, once you have, you’ll be a fan for life!”
    Julie Adams is one of the most diverse cellists on the music scene today. Julie has won many competitions and played in a wide variety of musical settings and she has also branched into folk music, playing with well-known fingerstyle guitarist, Muriel Anderson. Julie and Muriel toured extensively throughout the US and released a CD titled "Theme for Two Friends". Julie is also a Nashville session player and has been featured on a wide range of projects from top ten albums to major film scores. She was most recently featured on a track with country legend Suzy Bogguss on "Beautiful Dreamer", which won the 2005 Grammy for Folk Album of the Year.
    More at www.richardsmithmusic.com. Tix, $15.
     
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Sat, Oct 22:
8 pm WILL RYAN & THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS play their West Side CD Release show at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583.
    Whoa up there, pardner. If you're thinking “sounds like another cowboy crooner outfit,” you're taking the wrong fork. This band dazzled a sophisticated industry audience at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Oscars) Theatre, performing live their original soundtrack for the first classic western movie, 1925's “Covered Wagon.” (It was that year's Best Picture, pre-Oscar by two years, chosen by the film-addicted readers of Photoplay as all definitive Best Pictures / Best Actors were at that time.) The film was reassembled from archives around the world; its old soundtrack was lost long ago, and the band's new one included lots of memorable string instrument leads plus plenty of piano themes and signature motifs, and oh yes, horns.
    It's representative of their concerts, a smooth interdisciplinary blend, a sound that's unified with just the right amount of spotlight solos for each player, rather than the product of a superbly talented ensemble – which it is – with '30s-style originals you'll be humming and choruses you'll be singing for days. WILL RYAN'S lyrical songwriting is catchy and delightful, with depth that connects great melodies to our own contemporary sensibilities. Instrumentally, they're adept, more Bob Wills-ish, more bebop jazz and '40s pop than anything from recent country-western. You get virtuoso performances by session and tour string wizard JOHN “PRESTO” REYNOLDS on banjo, guitar, and resophonic; “WESTY” WESTENHOFER on upright bass and tuba; wunderkind CHLOE FEORNAZANO, their young sax / clarinet / mandolin player; lovely big band jazz vet KATIE CAVERA on fiddle and Betty Boopish commentary, and Will's songwriting, guitar and smooth lead vocals. Tix, $15 (on sale now).
     
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Sat, Oct 22:
CALIFORNIA E.A.R. UNIT presents “Sonic Revolution,” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. Don't panic. They are a chamber ensemble that performs music where the ink is still wet. The core of highly acclaimed players include Vicky Ray, Eric Clark and Amy Knoles who strive to reflect Southern California’s unique cultural diversity by acting as L.A.'s new music ambassadors to the world. The evening features works penned especially for the group by Macedonian composer Darija Andovska, Portuguese composer Miguel Azguime, Berlin's Michael Maierhof, New York's Lisa Coons, Rhode Island's Todd Winkler, as well as an offering from Alan Schockley, who is currently residing in Los Angeles.
     
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Sat, Oct 22:
8 pm JOHN BATDORF kicks-off his CD release tour with his L.A.-area show for his new “One Last Wish,” at The Fret House, 309 N Citrus Av, Covina 91723; 626-339-7020. This guy is great! We'd say a LOT more if we had the time, but deadline is upon us... Tix, $15.
     
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Sat, Oct 22:
8 & 10 pm TOM RUSSELL at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
    He has a few local shows in his current “Mesabi Tour of the West.” Tom is playing the West Coast, Nevada, and Calgary, and the Southern Cal dates all appear below. More details are at www.tomrussell.com    
    Oct 20, he plays Riverside; Oct 21 he's in San Diego (see listing); Oct 22 he's in Los Angeles (actually Santa Monica, at McCabe's, see listing) for two shows, 8 & 10 pm; Oct 23 he's in Ojai; then he heads north.
    We also got word that Tom's newest art book, “Blue Horse / Red Desert,” is now available, and the original paintings from it are available at www.rainbowman.com    
    Tom Russell is one of new folk / neo folk's best songwriters, with one foot planted firmly in the lore, traditions and rugged life of the West, and the other one anyplace on the planet he wants to envision kicking-up the dust and sharing its grit and sparkle through his music.
    Tix for the McCabe's shows are $26.50.
     
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Sat, Oct 22:
9 pm “AMERICANA HOUSE PARTY” with MICHAEL ANN, CHRISTOPHER LOCKETT , and THE SKIP HELLER TRIO, at Rafa’s Lounge Gallery, 1836 W Sunset Bl (at the bridge where Sunset crosses Glendale Bl) Echo Park 90026; www.rafaslounge.com;  213-413-4464.  
    Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Christopher Lockett is playing a show with Ozark powerhouse singer-songwriter Michael Ann and the ridiculously talented Skip Heller Trio at Rafa’s Lounge, the best-kept secret in Echo Park. C’mon down to the Americana House Party!
    Michael Ann and Heller have played The Cinema Bar, The Ranch Party and Ronnie Mack’s Barn Dance... and pretty much anyplace with a zip code. Lockett is out playing local dates in advance of his second album, due out in early 2012.
    More at the artists' websites:
http://christopherlockett.com/music    
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skip-Heller- Trio/168857583142705    
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Ann-and-The-Missouri- Rebels/107002192654028   
    Cover, $5.
     
     
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Sunday, October 23
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Sun, Oct 23, FESTIVALS:
See yesterday's listings a pair of festivals this weekend.
     
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Sun, Oct 23:
3 pm CLARENCE TREAT, an Original NEW CHRISTY MINSTREL, plus BUFFALO BILL BOYCOTT & THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN EXPRESS, play a benefit for the the Cathedral Choir, at First United Methodist Church of Glendale, Carlson Fellowship Center, 130 N Kenwood St, Glendale 91206; reservations 818-243-2105 or 818-547-1419.    
    Clarence and Bill performed together in the New Christy Minstrels and recently played their new show to packed houses in Wyoming. It was so much fun Clarence knew he had to share it with his Oxy and church choir friends, hence there's one date at each place, and both are benefit shows.
    “The whole family will love the banjo and fiddle playing, ballads, humorous cowboy poetry, yodeling (not to be missed!), poignant Native American Story Telling and original songs.” - Kemmerer [WY] Gazette, February 3, 2011. Additional quotes:
    “Joanne Orr, Buffalo Bill Boycott and Clarence Treat put on a great show….”
    “A feverish excitement erupted over Hank Williams’ ‘Jambalaya’, moving people to sing along, clapping loudly and tapping their feet.”
    “…entertaining fans with jokes, history lessons, story telling and their own life experiences. The crowd hung on to their every word.”
    "Treat made everyone’s eyes water with heartfelt tracks like 'Lights of Cheyenne' and 'Scarlet Ribbons,' from his album 'Songs I Love to Sing.'”
    They tour a lot, but don't often get to Southern California. Tix: families $50; adults $20; all students $10,
     
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Sun, Oct 23:
5 pm “JAZZ VESPERS” season opener with YELLOWJACKETS founding member, pianist RUSSELL FERRANTE, at All Saints Church, 132 N Euclid Av, Pasadena (Across from City Hall; two blocks N of Colorado Bl); Info, 626-583-2725 (M-F).
    Ferrante is accompanied by MIKE VALERIO on bass and STEVE SCHAEFFER on drums. Christina Honchell offers a meditation.
    All Saints Parishioner Russell Ferrante’s first exposure to music came from his church, where his father was the choir director as well as being a frequent vocal soloist and having a vocal gospel quartet. He began piano lessons at 9 with the expectation that one day he would be the church pianist...but his musical interests took him elsewhere.
    Ferrante says “I’ve been privileged to write with and produced records for: Bobby McFerrin, Michael Franks, Sadao Watanabe, Marilyn Scott, Eric Marianthal, and Sergio Salvatore among others. I’ve also arranged for Take 6, The GRP Big Band, Lee Ritenour, and many others.”
    In addition to working with these fine musicians, Russ is also active in local musical projects of a much smaller scale. One such project was a local production of Really Rosie by children in his community, for which he was the musical director. Russell is also a founding member of the Yellowjackets. More info at www.russellferrante.com    
    Parking available in lot N of the Church and on the street. Held on the Chancel; elevator available for accessibility, but arrive five minutes early. Free, no reservations required. A goodwill offering is accepted. Child care provided.
     
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Sun, Oct 23:
7 pm TRACY NEWMAN & THE REINFORCEMENTS plus opening act SHELBY, TIEG & TARA, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations, 626-798-6236.
    Tracy has agreat band and she's the only singer-songwriter we know with an Emmy and Peabody Award – she's still working on a Grammy to complete the trifecta. Tix, $10 (which venue impresario Bob Stane calls, “an unreal price for this show. Bargain of the year”).
     
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Sun, Oct 23:
7 pm PATTY LARKIN at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. $20.
     
     
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Monday, October 24
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Mon, Oct 24:
8 pm “GREAT GUITARS: STEVE LUKATHER” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance on Figueroa), L.A. 90015; www.grammymuseum.org;  213-765-6803.  
    He's a five-time GRAMMY-Award winner. Best known as the guitarist for TOTO, Lukather remains one of the world’s top session men, having played on over 1,500 records by a wide variety of artists over the years. Lukather started as a teenager in the studios after meeting the PORCARO BROTHERS in high school. After graduation, he joined BOZ SCAGGS’ touring band, which eventually formed officially as TOTO and was singed to Sony Records in 1977.
    While scoring such international hits such as “Rosanna” and “Africa” with the band, he managed to maintain his busy session schedule, playing on albums by PAUL McCARTNEY, MILES DAVIS, HERBIE HANCOCK, QUINCY JONES, CHEAP TRICK, ALICE COOPER, ARETHA FRANKLIN and more.
    Hear Lukather in discussion about his impressive career, with GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Vice President Scott Goldman. After the interview, Lukather will showcase his signature guitar work on stage. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Tickets went on sale Friday, October 7. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum.
     
     
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Tuesday, October 25
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Tue, Oct 25:
8 pm “GREAT GUITARS: STEVE CROPPER” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance on Figueroa), L.A. 90015; www.grammymuseum.org;  213-765-6803.  
    Rock and Roll Hall of Fame soul guitarist Steve Cropper is a GRAMMY-Nominee. His guitar work with BOOKER T. AND THE MG’S was groundbreaking. Cropper likes to say that he’s had “four or five careers,” all of which helped shape and redefine the meaning of the term R&B.
    The latest incarnation, released in August on 429 Records and titled “Dedicated,” features Cropper and a powerful “house band” of brilliant old friends and session greats jamming through selections (some famous, some obscure 'til now) from The “5” Royales catalog with superstar artists from multiple genres and generations: B.B. KING, BUDDY MILLER, BRIAN MAY, STEVE WINWOOD, JOHN POPPER, BETTYE LAVETTE, LUCINDA WILLIAMS, SHARON JONES, SHEMEKIA COPELAND, DELBERT McCLINTON, and WILLIE JONES. Hear Cropper on stage, along with GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Vice President Scott Goldman, talking about his legendary career with The Mar-Keys and Stax Records, what it’s like to be one of the most sought-after session guitarists of all time, his work with OTIS REDDING and how, after 50 years in the business, he manages to “keep it fun.”
    After the discussion, Cropper will take audience questions and participate in a signing. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Public sale of tix ($15 ) begins Tuesday, October 18, at noon. (American Express ticket purchases can be made now, and include a special gift.) All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum.
     
     
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Wednesday, October 26
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Wed, Oct 26:
7:30 pm CELTIC THUNDER at the Greek Theatre, 2700 N Vermont, Griffith Park, L.A. 90027; 213-480-3232.
     
     
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Friday, October 28
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Fri, Oct 28, in San Diego:
7:30 pm “MASTERS OF THE CELTIC HARP: WILLIAM JACKSON & GRÁINNE HAMBLY” play the AMSD Concert Series, 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego 92116; 619-303-8176.
    Caltech Folk co-producers Nick Smith and Rex Meyreis wrote good promo for these musicians, That's included in our Oct 29 listing for the concert in Pasadena.
     
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Fri, Oct 28:
SOLD OUT 8 pm JENNIFER WARNES at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
     
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Fri, Oct 28:
8 pm SUSIE GLAZE & THE HILONESOME BAND plus FUR DIXON & STEVE WERNER at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations, 626-798-6236.
     
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Fri, Oct 28:
8 pm NATHAN McEUEN & MATT CARTSONIS at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. This'll be a fine show. Tix on sale Oct 14; $15.
     
     
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Saturday, October 29
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Sat & Sun, Oct 29 & 30, in Ventura County, FESTIVAL:
CAJUN & BLUEGRASS WEEKEND closes this year's month-long “UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARMS HARVEST FESTIVAL,” which runs weekends with music, weekdays without, including this fine musical closer, plus a big corn maze, lots of activities for kids, food, and more, all at Underwood Family Farms, in the countryside near Moorpark. More at www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com, or call them at 805-529-3690.
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SCHEDULE: Oct 22 & 23 unannounced CAJUN & BLUEGRASS WEEKEND:
    Sat & Sun, Oct 29 & 30 (both days) there's good music. Sat, ACADIANA plays Cajun-zydeco from 10:30 am-2:30 pm, followed by the CATTERWAILERS with bluegrass from 3:30-5:30 pm. Sun, the CATTERWAILERS play 10:30 am-2:30 pm, and ROCKY NECK BLUEGRASS plays 3:30-5:30, to close-out this year's month-long festival.
    Admission, any day, is $12 general, and children under age 2 are free.
     
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Sat, Oct 29:
8 pm DAN NAVARRO & LAWRENCE LEBO at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. This'll be a fine show, with LOWEN & NAVARRO vet Dan Navarro and Bluesy-Americana-Classic Jazzwoman Lawrence “Don't Call Her Larry” Lebo. Tix on sale Oct 15; $15.
     
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Sat, Oct 29:
“THE WHITE HOUSE CONCERT WITH STEVE ERDODY & FRIENDS,” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. This is an interesting concept that relives a musical moment that was, by all accounts, magical. On November 24, 1961, President Kennedy revolutionized arts performances at the White House by presenting the famous but reclusive 84-year-old cellist PABLO CASALS in a recital for 150 of the world’s most famous and influential classical composers, conductors and musicians. To commemorate the anniversary of the historic occasion, Music at the Court is presenting local cello virtuoso STEPHEN ERDODY with an all star ensemble of chamber musicians in a recital replicating the original program from 50 years ago.
     
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Sat, Oct 29:
8 pm WILLIAM JACKSON and GRÁINNE HAMBLY bring their "TWO SIDES OF CELTIC" show just in time for Samhain (the original Celtic Halloween) at the Caltech Folk Music Society series in Beckman Institute Auditorium, on the campus in Pasadena 91106; 626-395-4652. Park in one of the two lots on Michigan Av, S off Del Mar.
    WILLIAM JACKSON, a founding member of the Scottish group OSSIAN, has performed “a couple of outstanding shows” at the series before. This time, he is joined by GRÁINNE HAMBLY, who is from Ireland. The promo from Nick Smith and Rex Meyreis, co-producers of Caltech Folk, is so good that we're simply reprinting it for you, below.
    Their recent recording together, “Music from Ireland and Scotland, is a stunningly beautiful collection of mostly traditional tunes featuring the two of them on harp, along with tin whistle, concertina, and bouzouki. Along with the late, great singer, Tony Cuffe, William was a founding member of the much missed traditional Scottish group, Ossian, who we were lucky enough to have at Caltech back in 1988. Since then, his solo harp career has taken off, and he has become world renowned with touring and with recordings, such as “The Wellpark Suite.” He is equally adept in his interpretations of traditional tunes as he is as a composer. His Land of Light won the international competition in 1999 as the new song for Scotland, announced on the eve of that Parliament convening for the first time in 300 years.
    As impressive as William's two solo appearances at Caltech have been, we are delighted that he will be joined for this show by Gráinne (pronounced "GRAWN-yuh") Hambly, from County Mayo, Ireland. Gráinne has 3 solo recordings and two song book collections to her credit. Finton Vallely wrote that her CD, Between the Showers, is "an altogether beautiful harp album that takes on the full gamut of traditional dance music and airs as well as three Carolan pieces that include the unusual Madge Malone and two versions of Turlough MacDonough." The interplay of these two master musicians promises a truly memorable evening of music.
    Listen to them on Youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR8mXsQY-KY.     
    The web page for their CD is www.harpagency.com/artist1.htm    
    Their individual web sites are www.wjharp.com and www.grainne.harp.net.     
    Tickets for this show are $15 for adults and $5 for Caltech students and children, and they can be ordered by calling the Ticket Office at 626-395-4652, visiting the Ticket Office, or purchased for cash at the door (if it doesn't sell-out). The Ticket Office is open noon to 5 pm Monday through Friday.
     
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Sat, Oct 29:
SOLD OUT 8 pm JENNIFER WARNES at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
     
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Sat, Oct 29:
8 pm CLIFF WAGNER & THE OLD #7 bring bluegrass to the Folk Music Center & Museum, 220 Yale Av, Claremont 91711; 909-624-2928; www.folkmusiccenter.com.  Tix, $10.   
     
     
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Sunday, October 30
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Sun, Oct 30, FESTIVALS:
See yesterday's listings for a pair of festivals this weekend, and check-out “SAMHAIN” below...
     
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Sun, Oct 30:
3 & 7 pm “SAMHAIN” Irish Song, Dance & Story, with optional traditional Samhain dinner, brings the story of the original Halloween and a celebration of the Celtic New Year, with SLUGGER O'TOOLE, BARRY LYNCH, ACS DANCERS, ADAM KIRK, CHRIS LOKEN, AEDAN MacDONNELL, STEVE PRIBYL, & LINEA SOLEDAD, sponsored by the Celtic Arts Center at the Burbank Moose Lodge, 1901 W Burbank Bl, Burbank 91506. Two shows, 3 pm or 7 pm, tix for either are $18; 5 pm dinner tix are $15; show + dinner, $30. Tix will sell-out early; info & advance tix, www.CelticArtsCenter.com/Samhain.    
    HALLOWEEN, aka HALLOWE’EN, or ALL HALLOWS EVE, or ALL SOULS EVE, or ALL SAINTS DAY has a more colorful history than you may know. So there’s much more to tell.
    It wasn’t always a day for dentists to drool, anticipating all the kid’s candy-fed cavities they’d soon be drilling.
    Halloween began as the Celtic “Samhain,” which actually means, "November." ADRIEN RAIN BURKE, from the Celtic Arts Center, explained it all to the Guide back in 2008, and it's so good we reprinted here.
    “'Samhain' (pronounced to rhyme with 'plowin') means 'November' in Gaelic, which was the first month of the year for the ancient Celts. So, October 31, which has come down to us as 'Halloween,' was the CELTIC NEW YEAR'S EVE and the beginning of the Dark Half of the year.
    “It was dangerous in those times, as the Celts believed in fairies and ghosts and 'things that go bump in the night' - and those bumpety things were for some reason especially prone to walk abroad during Celtic holidays - and they weren't very nice. In fact, to meet them usually ended in disaster for the hapless human. Jack O'Lanterns [carved from turnips in those pre-Columbian, pumpkin-less times – ed.] were lit and set in strategic places to scare away unwanted and unnatural visitors. Of course, one might be able to buy them off with treats.”
    When Christianity came to the British Isles and Ireland, The Church decided - as it often did - to keep the holiday and rename it to blend with the new faith. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. So Samhain became known as All Souls Eve, All Hallows Eve, and All Saints Day.
    Adrian adds, “And the scary fun went on. People love ghost stories by firelight, and probably always will, and kids love putting on a costume and going door-to-door for treats.But New Year’s Eve was moved to December 31 - the Roman New Year - because you have to draw the line somewhere.”
She concludes, “We at the Celtic Arts Center feel that the benefit of living in a multicultural society is the number of New Year's celebrations one can attend. So all are invited to ours.”
    We can't help but note that, nowadays, most of the month of October is given over to Samhain's descendant, Halloween – which is very odd, because Samhain still means November.
     
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Sat, Oct 30:
7 pm THE BATTLEFIELD BAND brings a suitably (and classically) Celtic evening performance for Samhain at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Tix, $24.50.
     
     
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BEYOND OCTOBER...
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Fri, Nov 4:
8 pm MARLEY'S GHOST, a wonderfully Celtic / Americana flavored outfit, performs at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Oct 21; $17.50.
     
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Fri, Nov 4:
8 pm WILLY PORTER at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Tix, $22.50.
     
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Fri, Nov 4:
“OH COSMONAUT!” presented by the Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883.
     
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Sat, Nov 5:
8 pm DREAM STREET at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Oct 22; $17.50.
     
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Sat, Nov 5:
VOX FEMINA presents “AND JUSTICE FOR ALL,” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. Expect an inspiring evening about love and equality, as the mighty voices of Vox Femina explore the issues of equality and immigration, and their passion for fairness, proving that all men and women are created equal. The highlight of the concert will be Mark Koval’s work “We the People,” the story of the fight for marriage equality in narration and song.
     
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Sat, Nov 5:
8 & 10 pm GRAHAM PARKER at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. 8 pm is sold out. Tix, $24.50.
     
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Sun, Nov 6:
10:30 am JUSTIN ROBERTS & THE NOT READY FOR NAPTIME PLAYERS play the Kids Concert at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Tix, $17.
     
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Sun, Nov 6
7 pm JOHN WESLEY HARDING & The KING CHARLES TRIO plus THE MINUS FIVE at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Tix, $22.50.
     
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Fri, Nov 11:
8 pm AL STEWART plays McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Still famous for his fine songs, “Time Passages” and “Year of the Cat,” he's here for two nights, the 11th and 12th. Tix, $24.50
     
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Fri, Nov 11:
ILIANA ROSE BAND: “HOT NIGHTS IN HAVANA!” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. Romantic melodies, voluptuous poetry, and pulsing rhythms of Cuban Salsa abound. Hailed as a spirited and vibrant presence on and off stage, Iliana's voice is pure, warm, sensual and beautiful, captivating audiences in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
     
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Sat, Nov 12:
8 pm THREE MUSCKETEERS (Three mUSCketeers) at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Oct 29; $15.
     
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Sat, Nov 12:
RICHARD PEARSON THOMAS: “SONGS FROM NEW YORK,” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. With “the heart and soul of the quintessential New York musician,” Thomas has received praise from the likes of Audra McDonald, Sanford Sylvan, Lauren Flanagan and Kurt Ollmann. Richard will perform an eclectic selection of his music with his brilliant TRILLIUM ENSEMBLE collaborators, California based soprano PATRICIA PRUNTY and New York based baritone BRUCE RAMEKER.
     
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Sat, Nov 12:
8 pm AL STEWART plays McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Still famous for his fine songs, “Time Passages” and “Year of the Cat,” he's here for two nights, the 11th and 12th. Tix, $24.50
     
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Fri, Nov 18:
8 pm “A FAMOUS BRITISH TRIBUTE BAND” at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Even the venue won't tell you who yet, citing their “Don't strum, don't tell” policy.” Big reveal is Oct 22. Tix on sale Nov 4; $17.50.
     
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Sat, Nov 19:
“ORPHEUS AND EURIDICE” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. This artful production explores what happens when Orpheus gives up his mythic lyre for a clarinet. Find out in an innovative staging of award-winning American composer RICKY IAN GORDON’s reimagining of the classic love story. Graceful and dramatic is the beloved Euridice as created by up-and-coming soprano superstar ALEXANDRA LOUTSION. World renowned pianist ALAN SMITH provides the vibrant keyboard landscape that supports the longing voice of masterful clarinetist JAMES SULLIVAN’s poignant Orpheus.
    
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Sun, Nov 20:
8 pm monthly “VARIETY NIGHT” with featured artists CALI ROSE & CRAIG BRANDAU and the sign-up-in-advance OPEN MIC, at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. Open Mic signups limited to the first eight, and are taken beginning Nov 6 at 1 pm at the venue. Tix, $4.
    
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Fri, Dec 2:
8 pm ROB ICKES & JIM HURST at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Nov 18; $17.50.
    
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Sat, Dec 3:
8 pm LOAFER'S GLORY at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Nov 19; $20.
    
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Sat, Dec 10:
8 pm JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOR BOYS at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Nov 26; $17.50.
    
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Sat, Dec 17:
8 pm THE WITCHER BROTHERS bring dynamite bluegrass to Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Dec 4; $15.
    
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Sun, Dec 18:
7 pm Annual “FREE HOLIDAY SHOW” at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. An established tradition here, with entertainment provided by the teachers (recording stars / session players all) at the venue / music store. Cookies and baked confections are always anticipated at this event, too. More details in the near future. Free.
    
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MUCH MORE COMING SOON!
     
     
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MORE STUFF >>>>>>> Other News, Resources, etc
     
"NEWS FEATURES” is a fresh edition each week, with news and reviews from the acoustic music universe, with features on folk-Americana, the “acoustic renaissance,” latest releases, reviews of CDs and live shows, industry news, news for artists, and more. Always available at www.acousticmusic.net.      
     
"VENUE DIRECTORY" - The Guide's extensive locator – has location and contact info for OVER 500 acoustic-music-friendly venues in Southern California, from Santa Barbara County to south Orange County, plus a few for San Diego, the deserts, and the Central Coast.
     
UPDATES are made every few months – the current edition of our VENUE DIRECTORY is at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/02/venue-directory-from-guide-updated.html      
     
     
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The Guide’s weekly News Features and Spotlight Events UPDATED EDITIONS bring more (always more -- as we have time to organize all of it).
     
We do all we can to bring you news and notices of all the many, many, MANY acoustic music events in and around the Los Angeles region, from the North border of Santa Barbara County to the South border of Orange County, and inland through San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
     
Plus, we tell you about RADIO SHOWS with acoustic music, focusing on those with live acoustic performances. (They're available mostly on the web, of course, since we are in acoustic-music-radio-deprived Los Angeles.)
     
And, we bring news and reviews of the many acoustic music FESTIVALS near and far, hither and yon, here, there and everywhere! With your help, we'll keep doing it!
     
     
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Questions? Comments? Contact us at tied to the tracks (at) Hotmail dot com (remove all the spaces and format it when you type it – we’re trying to reduce spam – you know...)
     
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LATEST EDITION of the Guide, the NEWS FEATURES, THE SCENE, and SPOTLIGHTED EVENTS, covering the world of current acoustic music happenings, including "heads up" notices to buy advance tix for shows likely to sell-out – and lots more – is available 24/7 (& frequently updated!) at
     
               www.acousticmusic.net or at
               www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
     
               - or by following any of many links on the web to get to one of those sites.
     
The Guide’s weekly NEWS FEATURES are published in 16 websites / webgroups!
     
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NEWS FEATURES, Acoustic Americana Music Guide, October 14 edition

    
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    Here's the latest news – the new edition of The Guide's NEWS section.
    
The section with ALL THE EVENTS, the concerts, club gigs, workshops, festivals, and more – the Guide's SPOTLIGHT EVENTS section – UPDATED SATURDAY MORNING(!) - is a click away, at
    
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/spotlight-events-acoustic-americana_14.html  
   
   
Here's the NEWS, so let's get started!
   
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        Welcome to the  
      
    Tied to the Tracks  
    
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          ACOUSTIC
                    AMERICANA
                              MUSIC GUIDE
                                        NEWS FEATURES
                                         
                                                       October 14, 2011 edition
    
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THIS WEEK’S NEWS FEATURES    
    
  1) Festivals & Semi-Annual “Art Night” in Pasadena this Weekend  
  2) Blues Bands Perform in International Finals, Saturday in Arcadia
  3) May the Fork Be with You – “Ride-the-Fork” Music Party Saturday, Raise “The Fork
    in the Road” next Friday, at Altadena & Pasadena Events
  4) West Valley Music Launches Concert Season Saturday with Performing Songwriters &
    Touring Artists JAMES HURLEY, LISA NEMZO, RASPIN STUWART  
  5) SONGSALIVE! Hosts Annual Music Picnic this Sunday  
  6) JUDY COLLINS and AMERICA to headline GRAMMY Museum in early November  
  7) October at GRAMMY Museum Bringing Live Music, Big Names, Substance
  8) “SQUEAKY WHEEL TOUR” Live Acoustic Show, to Help Bring Home Missing People,
    Monday, October 17 in West L.A.
  9) TIM GRIMM, musician / actor / top folk-Americana Music Award-Winner, plus
    THE SWEET POTATOES, play Wednesday, October 19 in Altadena  
10) Whoa! More on WILL RYAN & THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS –
    CD release October 21 at “International Fork Day” Concert  
11) TOM RUSSELL “Mesabi Tour of the West” in L.A. for Two Shows, October 22
12) ALEX BEATON, Musician Paralyzed in Accident, Regaining Movement   
13) HUGE RESPONSE to last week's feature, “Artists Join 'OCCUPY WALL STREET'
    as Unemployment, Economy Worsen,” and how YOU can respond
    
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       Here are this week's news feature stories, listed above...    
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Our # 1 Story
    
FESTIVALS & SEMI-ANNUAL “ART NIGHT” IN PASADENA THIS WEEKEND
    
    It's a “gee whiz” weekend of FIVE arts / music festival events in Pasadena, all weekend, and it's all free. Each aspect has its own website (listed with each event below) and there's a master site and info phone for the whole shebang, at www.PasadenaArtWeekend.com and 800-307-7977. 
    
    It starts Friday, October 14, from 6 to 10 pm, with “ARTNIGHT PASADENA,” as fifteen major museums and cultural venues in the Crown City open their doors to provide free-of-charge access and presentations. It includes heavyweights like the Norton Simon, with its renowned collection of Renaissance paintings by the great masters. Live music and theatrical performances, special displays just for the event, and ongoing exhibitions and gallery collections are all available to savor, free. Best of all, there are free shuttle buses to take you between and among the 15 venues – that's a big deal, if you've ever experienced the parking charges in Old Town or congested parking around some arts venues. Get the whole schedule of offerings at www.ArtNightPasadena.org, and keep reading here for the OTHER FOUR free events this weekend in Pasadena.(Oh, and since ARTNIGHT ends rather early, hop on the 134 a short way west to go catch pianist MARC BOSSERMANN at the Left Coast Wine Bar & Gallery, where he invites vocalists to sit-in and “There is percussion at every table if you're so inclined,” at 117 E Harvard, Glendale; Marc starts at 8:30 and plays 'til late.)    
    
    SATURDAY brings THREE festival events in Pasadena. Starting at 11 am, there are two art fairs / street festivals with live music, and there's one more in early evening.
    
    From 11 am to 4 pm, catch free performances by DUSTBOWL REVIVAL, THE JESSICA FICHOT BAND, and ORGONE, at the “ART OF FOOD / TASTE OF SOUTH LAKE FESTIVAL” on South Lake Avenue in Pasadena, a few blocks south of the 210 Freeway. In addition to the live music, there's food, live cooking demos, a wine and beer garden, and raffle prizes. It's a showcase, with food booths in the street, of South Lake's restaurants and businesses; it looks very much like the early years of the “Taste of Encino / Taste of Folk Music” event. Access to the whole enchilada is free, beyond that, it's pay-as-you-eat. More details on the South Lake website at www.southlakeavenue.org    
    
    Simultaneously in Pasadena's Playhouse District, southeast of Old Town, enjoy the “ARTWALK” Saturday from 11 am-5 pm. This one features more live music, an open-air art fair, hands-on activities, a gallery walk, and more, all along El Molino. Schedules at www.PlayhouseDistrict.org/artwalk    
    
    Saturday evening, 5 to 9 pm, brings “ARTRHYTHM” to Paseo Colorado, Pasadena's indoor/outdoor shopping/eating complex. It's a world-music celebration of drumming traditions from Japan to Africa, and you can dance under the stars (well, the lights, anyway) in the samba and salsa concert finale. Details at www.PaseoColoradoPasadena.com    
    
    (Saturday evening in nearby Altadena, there's the big “RETURN OF THE FORK” music party, and that's free, too. See the separate News Feature for info on that one.)
    
    Sunday in Pasadena, 1 to 6 pm, brings “ARTPERFORMANCE: OLD PASADENA'S CULTURAL DANCE FESTIVAL.” It's dance and cuisine from around the globe, featuring dance from Russia, East India, the Himalayan region, Polynesia, Mexico, and more. Details at www.OldPasadena.org    
    
    If you don't mind spending a little money for tickets, there are some fine concerts in the same area this weekend. The Arcadia Blues Club hosts the “International Blues Challenge” Saturday, starting at noon with the TITANIC DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND (see the separate News Feature). At the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, Friday at 8 pm brings CLARK BURROUGHS, tenor lead singer of the HI-LOS vocal group and vocal arranger for the ASSOCIATION; Saturday at 7 pm is INCENDIO; Sunday at 7 pm is San Francisco Bay Area vocalist-songwriter-guitarist KAYE RODDEN. A few miles east at the Fret House in Covina, Saturday at 8 pm brings GRAMMY-winning guitar icons STEVE TROVATO and CARL VERHEYEN.
    
    Of course, in addition to these events and the ongoing October festivals, there are even MORE acoustic concerts spread hither and yon all over the region. Some of the best are detailed in our other News Features in this edition. Everything that fits is in our Spotlight Events section.
    
    
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Our # 2 Story
    
BLUES BANDS PERFORM IN INTERNATIONAL FINALS, SATURDAY IN ARCADIA
    
    It's quite a coup, landing the finals for the International Blues Challenge. And while it may not – yet – have built the heavyweight rep of the great blues palaces in Memphis, the Arcadia Blues Club, just east of Pasadena, regularly books the same acts when they tour, plus first-rate West Coast blues acts.
    
    This Saturday, they're starting at noon with the TITANIC DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND, and the “International Battle of the Bands Finals” competition gets underway at 6 pm.
    
    Proprietor BOBBY BLUEHOUSE and his club have a loyal Friday and Saturday night following, and any given weekend, you need to book dinner reservations to get a table (current bar specials are $2 PBR, and $2 and $3 shots).
    
    Upcoming shows, some still to be announced, include new or return engagements with JAMES INTVELD, PHIL ALVIN, BB CHUNG KING & THE BUDDAHEADS, ERIC SARDINAS, ANDY WALO (WHO PLAYS HERE FRIDAY NIGHT), SIN TWINS, DAVID BENNETT COHEN, COREY STEVENS, ROD PIAZZA & THE MIGHTY FLYERS, KETTLEBLACK, FINIS TASBY, DON & DEWEYS, RON ELLINGTON SHY, KAYE BOHLER, IGNITE THE BOREALIS, KING TIME, THE AMERICANS, KINGTIME, RENO JONES, KAL DAVID, and SUGAR BLUE.
    
    The Arcadia Blues Club is located at 16 East Huntington Drive, Arcadia 91006. Their phone is 626-447-9349. You can buy advance tickets online (for this Saturday or any of their shows – full calendar on their site) and save the $5 ticket fee, at www.arcadiabluesclub.com.  There's more at www.facebook.com/ArcadiaBluesClub  
    
    
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Our # 3 Story
    
MAY THE FORK BE WITH YOU – “RIDE-THE-FORK” MUSIC PARTY SATURDAY, RAISE “THE FORK IN THE ROAD” NEXT FRIDAY, AT ALTADENA & PASADENA EVENTS
    
    It's The Great Fork, Charlie Brown, just in time for the pumpkins. The iconic “Fork In The Road,” a giant silver fork sculpture, got global media attention following its guerrilla installation and six months' display at the forking intersection of St. John’s Place and Pasadena Avenue, near Bellefontaine in Pasadena.
    
    The Fork is on the verge of permanent return and enshrinement, and there is an appropriate amount of accompanying hoopla.
    
    It begins this Saturday, October 15, from 4 to 9 pm at David Smith Construction, 2353 Kellogg Court, in Altadena. (Near Fair Oaks & Woodbury, just west of Altadena Cemetery; the same place has another address, at 2353 Fair Oaks). There will be food, drink, and live music supplied by The Coffee Gallery Backstage.
    
    Forkian guru BOB STANE adds, “In the spirit of 'barn raising,' guests are asked to bring a covered dish to add the the festivities. Burgers and hot dogs supplied by the hosts. Forks included. Bring a camera as photo ops of folks riding The Fork will be obvious. The Fork will have a saddle and be horizontal. The good times never end.”
    
    To add to the art theme, internationally known artist ZOFIA KOSTYRKO has designed a T-shirt to memorialize the event. And yes, Bob & Ken will autograph the shirts as requested.
    
    Who, you ask, is Ken? He's the artist and former owner of the Coffee Gallery bistro, the guy who originally designed and built The Fork as a birthday surprise for his Coffee Gallery Backstage partner, Bob Stane. Approximately 18 vertical feet of silvery glory, the Fork mysteriously appeared on Bob’s birthday two years ago, towering over traffic at what will soon be re-designated as Fork Plaza.
    
    Seems Bob had once mused to Ken, when coming to a fork in the road, definitely take one path, and that a fork in the road deserved a FORK in the road to identify it, like a Warner Brothers cartoon. That was all it took to secretly get Ken started. Before long, unknown thousands of drivers had their daily commutes enlightened by Ken's outsized realization of Bob's casual remark.
    
    The original installation followed the old adage that it's better to ask forgiveness than permission, and the Fork's instant celebrity created a cult of Forkians who quickly broke local records by holding a Thanksgiving food drive for the needy at the Fork. It became too politically hot for the city to pull it down. Still, issues of public safety were invariably cited, despite thye Fork's hefty concrete base, clandestinely poured in the middle of the night.
    
    The Fork did come down, with a promise the city would find a way to put it back. Not everyone was pleased. Some recalled similar promises from Los Angeles when the Angel's Flight inclined railway was dismantled and sat in storage for a generation, then when it was returned, only to be “temporarily” taken out of service for nearly a decade.
    
    Pasadena politicians happily did much better. The Fork was removed and refurbished to meet the engineering standards of the city. A new concrete footing was installed. As Bob says, “After a year’s vacation in Oz, where it was brushed and polished by Munchkins and milk maids until it gleamed,” the Fork will rise again.
    
    This time, “It has the blessings of the entire city government of Pasadena, which has embraced public art with enthusiasm,” says Bob, adding, “The gigantic piece of table cutlery returns to its rightful place at the [same] intersection, now known as Fork Plaza.”
    
    Ken says, “It is now permitted and has the blessings of all. Hats off to the City Of Pasadena and its government.”
    
    Bob smiles, “Art, with tongue-in-cheek, lives in The Crown City.”
    
    Saturday's music party and Gathering of the Forkians is free. Bob says, “There will be a sly fund raising to cover future expenses of The Fork, but all donations are low key and voluntary. Feel free to bring a beverage in a bottle to help launch The Fork into posterity. The entire Fork In The Road Gang will be at the party, wearing name tags. They are available to answer questions about their part in The Great Fork Adventure.”
    
    Last we knew, Bob was still looking for a saddle and reins for Saturday's “Ride the Fork” photo op. See if he found one, find pictures of the Fork, and learn more in the detailed “show and tell” at www.theforkintheroadgang.com. (Questions, call Ken Marshall at 626-712-9620.) 
    
    You'll also find info on the free “Fork Raising” event that will happen Friday, October 21 at 11 am, at Fork Plaza. Musician / Actor / “Official Singing Cowboy of Burbank” WILL RYAN has (somehow) procured a proclamation from the League of Nations (via time machine, no doubt) declaring it to be “International Fork Day.” Will and his band, THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS, play their CD release show that night at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, and if you bring and “show your fork” that night, you get a $3-per-ticket discount. (And you thought the spoon was the most valuable piece of silverware.) May the Fork be with you.
    
    
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Our # 4 Story
    
WEST VALLEY MUSIC LAUNCHES CONCERT SEASON SATURDAY WITH PERFORMING SONGWRITERS & TOURING ARTISTS JAMES HURLEY, LISA NEMZO, RASPIN STUWART
    
    This weekend brings the opening of the new season of JEFF GOLD's live music series at West Valley Music Center in the SFV's West Hills. As Trough Records chair MARK HUMPHREYS observes, “Jeff presents some of the best local and touring singer-songwriters in an excellent, laid back listening room setting.”
    
    Saturday's season opener brings three headliners to share the evening.
    
    JAMES HURLEY tours almost constantly and enjoys airplay on many indie and college radio stations. His originals have depth and his voice and guitar are both superior.
    
    Touring artist LISA NEMZO – or rather, her smashed guitar – have been featured the past few months on the opening page of acousticmusic.net. (The utter destruction of her expensive signature instrument at the hands of American Airlines is presented in horrifying photos, and the operators of tin birds and the truck that ran over her supposedly bombproof case have yet to make good on their wanton negligence.)
    
    Joining James and Lisa is RASPIN STUWART, the artist who recently performed with bluesman HUGH LAURIE (TV's Doctor “House”); Raspin is the former longtime publisher of Boulevard Magazine, and he's building a solid rep of late as a formidable musician.
    
    JEFF GOLD, the venue's proprietor and booker, is a renowned musician who co-wrote with the late KENNY EDWARDS and performed as a member of LINDA RONSTADT's band.
    
    West Valley Music Center is located at 24424 Vanowen Street, in West Hills, just half a block west of Valley Circle Blvd., three miles north of the Ventura Freeway. Their phone is 818-992-4142. Details of the show, their new season's concert schedule and their open mics is at www.westvalleymusiccenter.com.  Saturday's show is $15 per person, and refreshments are included.    
    
    
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Our # 5 Story
    
SONGSALIVE! HOSTS ANNUAL MUSIC PICNIC THIS SUNDAY
    
    This Sunday from noon to 3 pm, members of Songsalive!, other musicians, and their friends and families, will meet to eat and make music in Sherman Oaks. Songsalive! - their name includes the exclamation point – is an international nonprofit created by and for songwriters and performing musicians. In addition to their annual conference and co-sponsorship of many industry events, their monthly seminars and performance events in many places around the world, they have a lot of fun performing with and for each other. This Sunday is their annual Los Angeles-area “SONGSALIVE! SONG-MUSIC CIRCLE FALL PICNIC” where musicians and songwriters can get together and have a casual music and song circle. They add, “Others welcome of course.”
    
    Gilli Moon, Songsalive! President, and Dave Harvey, the organization's Executive Director, issued a joint statement saying, “This is where we can jam together, present live songs and lock into making relationships with others in our group. Also a great way to ask questions about Songsalive! and how we can help you with your songs.”
    
    Founded in 1997, Songsalive! (www.songsalive.org) has become the largest international non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing, support, education and promotion of songwriters and composers, with worldwide chapters and a new social network.
    
    The Picnic is sponsored by Noisy Planet (www.noisyplanet.net), an indie artist showcase and music career development site, who is donating a Premium Artist Package to a lucky Songsalive! member who attends the Picnic. The package includes a dedicated showcase page on noisyplanet.net, digital distribution of one album to top online retailers including iTunes, plus 100 full-color promo cards and guaranteed spins on internet radio.
    
    Bring your own picnic lunch and food to share, picnic blankets, instruments (no power at the stage). Guitars, percussion, voices are the emphasis, and all are welcome.
    
    The music picnic is at Sherman Oaks Park, 14201 Huston Street (off Hazeltine), Sherman Oaks 91423. Look for the Songsalive! banner under a shady tree near the Pool/Main entrance off Huston Street. There's a map at http://tinyurl.com/directionsshermanoakspark    
    
    
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Our # 6 Story
    
JUDY COLLINS AND AMERICA TO HEADLINE GRAMMY MUSEUM IN EARLY NOVEMBER
    
    Her impressive career has spanned more than five decades, and folk legend JUDY COLLINS' unique blend of interpretative folk songs and contemporary themes has thrilled audiences worldwide. This time around, she's doing a benefit, and all proceeds go to the GRAMMY Museum on November 1 at 8 pm.
    
    Public sale of tickets for her performance-interview begin at noon on Friday, October 14. American Express is the exclusive payment method for advance tickets.
    
    Enjoying a career full of accolades, including a GRAMMY and an Academy Award nomination, JUDY COLLINS continues to perform globally and almost constantly at age 72, while still making time for social activism. In addition to her music, she is the author of several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Collins’ singing voice, says the museum, “grows more powerful with age, and her iconic sound soars in her newest record.”
    
    Her new CD, “Bohemian,” was released on October 18 on Wildflower Records. On November 1, Collins will join GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli on stage to discuss the release of the new album, as well as her revealing memoir, “Sweet Judy Blue Eyes.” (Collins will be appearing in Los Angeles again on February 11, 2012 at The Walt Disney Concert Hall.)
    
    On November 1, doors open at 7:30 pm. Advance tickets are $25 and it's a sure sell-out.
    
    A few nights later, the GRAMMY Museum hits the road to co-present an event in San Diego.
    
    “AN EVENING WITH AMERICA,” performing an acoustic set, happens Friday, November 4 at 8 pm. It's “a special event” in conjunction with “Pacific Standard Time: Art In L.A. 1945 – 1980,” presented by The GRAMMY Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, and this one happens at the beautiful Sherwood Auditorium at MSASD in La Jolla.
    
    The iconic, GRAMMY Award-winning folk-rock group AMERICA is currently celebrating their 40th anniversary together. America founders GERRY BECKLEY and DEWEY BUNNELL have performed approximately 100 shows a year together since their formation in 1970.
    
    Sons of U.S. Air Force fathers, the band members met in England when they were students at London Central High School. Their debut album, released waaay back in 1971, quickly went Platinum. Five subsequent releases went either Gold or Platinum and their greatest hits compilation reached the four million sales mark. Band members will discuss their success as hit writers of enduring rock-folk-pop classics, their celebrated 40th Anniversary Tour, and the release of “Back Pages,” their newest album, a collection of glimmering interpretations of timeless songs. After the interview, moderated by GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, AMERICA will take audience questions and will perform an acoustic set.
    
    Doors open at 7 pm for the November 4 La Jolla event. Tickets are $15 for MCASD and GRAMMY Museum Members and $20 General Admission, and are now on sale. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. For more information on these and other performance-interview events, see the Guide's companion News Feature (the next feature, below) or check the museum's website.
    
    For tickets to either the L.A. or San Diego event, call the GRAMMY Museum Box Office at 213-765-6803 or buy online at www.grammymuseum.org    
    
    
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Our # 7 Story
    
OCTOBER AT GRAMMY MUSEUM BRINGING LIVE MUSIC, BIG NAMES, SUBSTANCE
    
    The GRAMMY Museum and its Clive Davis Theatre (which began as the museum's “Sound Stage”) continue to bring first-rate performance-interviews to the best series of its kind in L.A. In a town so filled with superlatives that it's hard to make headlines with anything positive, we are grateful to Museum Executive Director BOB SANTELLI and his staff for ongoing reasons to report their events, including the two News Features in this edition, covering a pair of November events (above) and a very full schedule of October events, here.
    
    After all, where else do you learn of musical connections between NATALIE MacMASTER and THOMAS DOLBY? (Except in the Guide, telling you what the GRAMMY Museum is doing...)
    
    Monday, October 17, at 8 pm is “AN EVENING WITH THOMAS DOLBY.” He's the iconic '80s star whose hits “She Blinded Me With Science” and “Hyperactive” helped define the MTV generation/revolution. The five-time Grammy-nominated British artist quit the music business in the early ’90s and spent many years in Silicon Valley. Dolby will break his 20-year silence with a new release titled “A Map of the Floating City.” The album, featuring appearances by special guest artists MARK KNOPFLER, REGINA SPEKTOR, NATALIE MacMASTER, BRUCE WOOLLEY and IMOGEN HEAP, will be available on October 25 on Lost Toy People Records as a regular and hi-res download, physical CD and in a special Deluxe Edition featuring a second disc of instrumentals and bonus tracks. Hear Dolby in discussion about his celebrated career, current success and his newest album. After an interview with GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, Dolby will take audience questions and perform a selection of songs from the new CD. Advance tickets are $25; doors at 7:30 pm.
    
    Tuesday, October 18, 7:30 pm, the museum's “Reel to Real” seriesseason debuts the intriguing new documentary “The Original 7ven” in the Clive Davis Theater. Admission is $10 and all proceeds benefit The GRAMMY Museum. (The Original 7ven will be live in concert at Club Nokia on October 19.)
    
    Wednesday, October 19, 8 pm, is “AN EVENING WITH STEVIE NICKS,” in a special benefit for the GRAMMY Museum and the GRAMMY Foundation, presented by American Express. Multi- GRAMMY Award -winning STEVIE NICKS has been acclaimed as “Rock and roll's greatest poet by CYNTHIA FOX of KLOS. As a member of the legendary FLEETWOOD MAC as well as her extraordinary solo career, Nicks is one of the world’s most influential and inspiring artists of the last three decades. For an audience of 200 in the Clive Davis Theater, Nicks will converse with GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli about her history-making career and her current CD, “In Your Dreams,” her first studio album in a decade. After the discussion, Nicks will take audience questions and perform a few songs. Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express advance tickets are $50 and can be purchased at the Museum Box Office starting Thursday October 13 at noon. (American Express ticket purchasers receive a special gift.) Public sale begins Saturday, October 15, at noon.
    
    Thursday, October 20, 7:30 pm, The Songwriters Hall of Fame, in association with the GRAMMY Museum, presents a “SONGWRITING LEGENDS-IN-THE-ROUND” event at the Museum's Clive Davis Theater. An intimate audience of 200 will hear a stellar gathering of “Songwriters Hall of Fame” inductees discussing their careers and performing their songs. They are JEFF BARRY (“Chapel Of Love,” ”I Honestly Love You,” “Be My Baby”), CHARLES FOX ("Killing Me Softly,” “Happy Days,” “Ready To Take A Chance Again”), ALBERT HAMMOND ("It Never Rains In California,” “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before”) and BILL WITHERS ("Lean On Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Just The Two Of Us”). Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman and inductee JIMMY WEBB will kick off the evening with welcoming remarks. Doors open at 7 pm. Admission is $20. Tickets can be purchased online now at Ticketmaster.com. All proceeds benefit The GRAMMY Museum and The Songwriters Hall of Fame.
    
    Monday, October 24, at 8 pm is “GREAT GUITARS: STEVE LUKATHER.” He's a five-time GRAMMY-Award winner. Best known as the guitarist for TOTO, Lukather remains one of the world’s top session men, having played on over 1,500 records by a wide variety of artists over the years. Lukather started as a teenager in the studios after meeting the PORCARO BROTHERS in high school. After graduation, he joined BOZ SCAGGS’ touring band, which eventually formed officially as TOTO and was singed to Sony Records in 1977. While scoring such international hits such as “Rosanna” and “Africa” with the band, he managed to maintain his busy session schedule, playing on albums by PAUL McCARTNEY, MILES DAVIS, HERBIE HANCOCK, QUINCY JONES, CHEAP TRICK, ALICE COOPER, ARETHA FRANKLIN and more. Hear Lukather in discussion about his impressive career, with GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Vice President Scott Goldman. After the interview, Lukather will showcase his signature guitar work on stage. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Tickets went on sale Friday, October 7. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum.
    
    Tuesday, October 25, at 8 pm, it's “GREAT GUITARS: STEVE CROPPER.” Rock and Roll Hall of Fame soul guitarist Steve Cropper is a GRAMMY-Nominee. His guitar work with BOOKER T. AND THE MG’S was groundbreaking. Cropper likes to say that he’s had “four or five careers,” all of which helped shape and redefine the meaning of the term R&B. The latest incarnation, released in August on 429 Records and titled “Dedicated,” features Cropper and a powerful “house band” of brilliant old friends and session greats jamming through selections (some famous, some obscure 'til now) from The “5” Royales catalog with superstar artists from multiple genres and generations: B.B. KING, BUDDY MILLER, BRIAN MAY, STEVE WINWOOD, JOHN POPPER, BETTYE LAVETTE, LUCINDA WILLIAMS, SHARON JONES, SHEMEKIA COPELAND, DELBERT McCLINTON, and WILLIE JONES. Hear Cropper on stage, along with GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Vice President Scott Goldman, talking about his legendary career with The Mar-Keys and Stax Records, what it’s like to be one of the most sought-after session guitarists of all time, his work with OTIS REDDING and how, after 50 years in the business, he manages to “keep it fun.” After the discussion, Cropper will take audience questions and participate in a signing. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Public sale of tix ($15 ) begins Tuesday, October 18, at noon. (American Express ticket purchases can be made now, and include a special gift.) All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum.
    
    The Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage is located at 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance is on Figueroa) L.A. 90015; 213-765-6803. Info and tix purchases can be made by calling the museum's box office at 213-765-6803 or online at www.grammymuseum.org    
    
    And then comes November at the GRAMMY Museum. Geeez, Louise! See the preceding News Feature.
    
    
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Our # 8 Story
    
“SQUEAKY WHEEL TOUR” LIVE ACOUSTIC SHOW, TO HELP BRING HOME MISSING PEOPLE, MONDAY, OCTOBER 17 IN WEST L.A.
    
    Kidnap survivor ELIZABETH SMART to join musicians on a music tour with a message for a West L.A. event.
    
    Soon after her musician sister vanished after a gig – without a trace – musician JANEL RAPP founded a nonprofit organization and a concert tour with ever-changing artists, called the “SQUEAKY WHEEL TOUR.” It's an obvious reference to the old cliché that the squeaky wheel gets the grease – or the attention. Janel's organization, “Gina for Missing Persons,” is credited with a key role in bringing thousands of missing persons back to their loved ones. The concert tour is its chief instrument.
    
    About once a year, sometimes every other year, the tour lands in L.A. for a date. It always brings different artists and bands, some local, some from elsewhere in the nation or the world, and almost always with Janel among them. This time, the musicians will share the stage with brave kidnap survivor ELIZABETH SMART, who was stolen in Utah from her bedroom as a young teen. Elizabeth has made limited appearances since getting her life back and returning to her family – who never gave up searching for her and keeping the public aware to look for her. She is articulate and compelling, as you know if you have heard her speak.
    
    The tour has one L.A. date, Monday, October 17, 7 to 9 pm, at West L.A. Music, 11345 Santa Monica Bl, L.A. 90025; 310-477-1945; www.westlamusic.com. If you plan to attend, RSVP so you're guaranteed to get in: www.westlamusic.com/squeakywheel    
    
    
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Our # 9 Story
    
TIM GRIMM, MUSICIAN / ACTOR / TOP FOLK-AMERICANA MUSIC AWARD-WINNER, PLUS THE SWEET POTATOES, PLAY WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19 IN ALTADENA
    
    TIM GRIMM was named 2000’s “Best Discovery in Roots/Americana Music” by The Chicago Sun-Times, and “2004 Male Artist of The Year” by the Freeform American Roots Deejays. Tim's recording, “The Back Fields,” was named “Best Americana Album” in the 2006 “Just Plain Folks Music Awards” in Los Angeles (the largest and most diverse music awards in the world). His songs and performances have established him as a unique voice in Americana music.
    
    Tim has toured and recorded with his friend, RAMBLIN’ JACK ELLIOTT, appeared with HARRISON FORD in the film “Clear and Present Danger,” and has shared the stage with writer and poet WENDELL BERRY.
    
    Each of TIM GRIMM's past four recordings have reached the top of the Folk or American-roots charts. Grimm walks the fine line between folk and country, while maintaining a strong footing in tradition. We hear the rural rumblings that have shaped his life, but we are also invited to share a bigger picture, as evident in so much of his work. Critics searching for comparisons most often cite Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie and (“Nebraska” era) Bruce Springsteen. Tim is not only an award-winning songwriter, but an award-winning actor on stage and screen.
    
    Tim's discography includes “Heart Land” (2000), “Coyote’s Dream” (2003), “Names” (2004), “The Back Fields” (2005), “Holding Up The World” (2008) and “Farm Songs” (2010).
    
    As a highly successful actor, Tim has filmed three major motion pictures this past year, including “The Express” with Dennis Quaid. And he still makes time to tour and perform his music.
    
    OPENING ACT and special guests are THE SWEET POTATOES, the duo of LAURA HALL & KELLY MacLEOD. Laura is best known as the improvisational pianist on NPR's “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” Kelly was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana and has spent the last 20 years in L.A. where she recorded two albums with Warner Brothers, produced by EDDIE VAN HALEN. The two started singing together at their church, and on various studio and live projects. Their musical collaboration really began when Laura’s husband, Rick, was putting together his indie film, “Slice of Pie,” He cast Kelly as the female lead, and had Laura compose the score and they clicked. THE SWEET POTATOES are currently recording their first CD.
    
    The show is Wednesday, October 19 at 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; info, www.coffeegallery.com; reservations number is 626-798-6236. TIxs are $15.
    
    
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Our # 10 Story
    
WHOA! MORE ON WILL RYAN & THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS – CD RELEASE OCTOBER 21st AT “INTERNATIONAL FORK DAY” CONCERT
    
    Last week, we let you know about WILL RYAN & THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS, and their triumph in the Oscars Theater (Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences) playing their new original score for the 1925 classic silent film (the first epic western), “The Covered Wagon.”
    We told you about their fine musicianship, top awards, a few of their many top awards and credits, and their upcoming debut on the West Side, at Boulevard Music on Saturday, October 22. We ventured our suspicion that they just might have a few copies of their just-finished CD for sale at that show.
    
    What we did not yet know to report is that the CD RELEASE SHOW is the night before (on Friday October 21), at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. The show at Boulevard will be the West Side CD release show.
    
    But there's more than a mere release of a very fine album. Enough to warrant a News Feature, two weeks in a row. If you read, in this edition, about the return of The Fork in the Road – an 18-foot-tall sculpture of shining cutlery, literally a fork in the road where the routes divide in Pasadena – then you may be on to it already.
    
    Musician / Actor / official Singing Cowboy of Burbank WILL RYAN has (somehow) procured a proclamation from the League of Nations (via time machine, no doubt) declaring it to be “International Fork Day.” Will and his band, THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS, play their CD release show that night at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, and if you bring and “show your fork” that night, you get a $3-per-ticket discount. (And you thought the spoon was the most valuable piece of silverware.) May the Fork be with you.
    
     WILL RYAN & THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS play their CD release shows on Friday, October 21 at 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675;, more info, www.coffeegallery.com  and reservations number, 626-798-6236; and on on the West Side on Saturday, October 22, at 8 pm at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.boulevardmusic.com; 310-398-2583. The latter venue’s web site has a helpful local dining guide.
    
    Either place, expect a highly entertaining show and songs you'll be humming the next day.
    
    
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Our # 11 Story
    
TOM RUSSELL “MESABI TOUR OF THE WEST” IN L.A. FOR TWO SHOWS, OCTOBER 22
    
    Received at press time, we scrambled to add this. Tom Russell is making his “Mesabi Tour of the West,” playing the West Coast, Nevada, and Calgary, and the Southern Cal dates are this coming week. Please check all details on www.tomrussell.com    
    
Oct 20, he plays Riverside; Oct 21, he's in San Diego; Oct 22, he's in Los Angeles (actually Santa Monica, at McCabe's) for two shows, 8 & 10 pm; Oct 23, in Ojai; then he heads north.
    
    We also got word that Tom's newest art book, “Blue Horse / Red Desert,” is now available, and the original paintings from it are available at www.rainbowman.com    
    
    Tom Russell is one of new folk / neo folk's best songwriters, with one foot planted firmly in the lore, traditions and rugged life of the West, and the other one anyplace on the planet he wants to envision kicking-up the dust and sharing its grit and sparkle through his music.
    
    
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Our # 12 Story
    
ALEX BEATON, MUSICIAN PARALYZED IN ACCIDENT, REGAINING MOVEMENT
    
    There's much better news than we brought you in our September 15's #1 News Feature (still available at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/09/news-features-acoustic-americana-music.html ).    
    
    Long one of the signature voices of Celtic-themed guitar music, Alex keeps his worldwide fan base shares notes on his amazing recovery. When he let us know he was off the ventilator for good, we cheered. When he told us he had some movement of three fingers of his right hand, we were amazed. Now, he reports increasing movement of fingers and some movement of his right hand.
    
    He's doing so well that he was allowed a “field trip” from the top physical rehabilitation facility in Atlanta, where his recovery is taking place. He and other progressing patients were carefully put in wheelchairs and taken to a movie theater!
    
    Of course, Alex was not there to headline this year's Seaside Highland Games, last weekend in Ventura. But his presence was felt. There were tributes to him from the stage. The sound man had vowed that “Only Alex Beaton's CDs will be played for the audience between acts,” and he kept that pledge. And Alex's usual booth was set-up, selling his CDs and taking donations to help with the enormous costs of his medical care and recovery.
    
    To learn more, order his CDs, or make a contribution, go to his website, www.alexbeaton.com    
    
    Send Alex a card with an encouraging message. His mailing address at the hospital is:
Alex Beaton
c/o The Shepherd Center
2020 Peachtree Road NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
    
    
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Our # 13 Story
    
  HUGE RESPONSE TO LAST WEEK'S FEATURE, “ARTISTS JOIN 'OCCUPY WALL STREET' AS UNEMPLOYMENT, ECONOMY WORSEN,” AND HOW YOU CAN RESPOND
    
    If anyone doubts that today's folk-Americana artists are not passionate about politics as it pertains to our future, we are prepared to tell the skeptics that the answer is, au contrare.
    
    We have received so many replies and comments that we just didn't have time to format them, and it was quickly apparent that the original feature (from last week) needed its own specific url where the responses could appear with the original piece.
    
    We know we won't be able to post, all at once, ALL the reader comments we've received so far, because we first must moderate them for profanities, etc, to keep our site's “family friendly” rating. But we WILL be able to post all the moderated comments with last week's feature story – the story and your continuing comments in one place, by themselves.
    
    Of course, we invite YOU to participate in the dialog! The Guide's feature piece, “Artists Join 'OCCUPY WALL STREET' as Unemployment, Economy Worsen,” as it originally appeared, and soon to be joined by a wealth of intelligent, thoughtful comments, is by itself at
    
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/artists-join-occupy-wall-street-as.html  
    
    
    
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MORE STUFF >>>>>>> Resources, etc
    
Our VENUE DIRECTORY    
  
...with OVER 500 acoustic-music-friendly venues in Southern California, is available at   
  
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/02/venue-directory-from-guide-updated.html   
  
  
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RECENT EDITIONS of The Guide's NEWS FEATURES are still available!  
  
    Just check our archive! Read the contents bar on the left side of the page at www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com and click the appropriate month.   
    
    
The MOST RECENT past editions (last 30 days) are easy to find HERE:
    
    
October 7 edition is available at
    
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/news-features-acoustic-americana-music.html  
                       and the stories are:
  
  1) A Festival-Crazy Weekend  
  2) “Show-of-the-Week” Concerts this Weekend  
  3) Chicago Folk Duo SMALL POTATOES Plays this Saturday In Pasadena   
  4) STEVE JOBS, iPod Inventor, Tech Guru, Has Logged-Off  
  5) Artists Join “OCCUPY WALL STREET” as Unemployment, Economy Worsen  
  6) WORKSHOP: “Country Blues with ALICE STUART & PAT TENNIS,” October 15  
  7) “Tracking Film & TV Music” with LEE HOLDRIDGE & JON BURLINGAME,” Oct 16  
  8) WILL RYAN & THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS to Follow OSCARS Theatre Triumph
    with October 22 Concert  
    
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September 30 edition is available at
    
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/09/news-features-acoustic-americana-music_30.html   
                       and the stories are:
  
  1) World's Oldest Musician Releases New CD, with Party this Saturday  
  2) GLEN CAMPBELL is on his Farewell Tour; he Means it, and Why  
  3) SIMON LYNGE Returns to L.A. with Hits in Europe; Plays this Weekend  
  4) BUTCH HANCOCK, from THE FLATLANDERS, to Play Altadena Monday Night  
  5) Musical Revue of American History – in Song & Story, this Tuesday  
  6) WORKSHOPS are part of “WORLD FESTIVAL OF SACRED MUSIC,” October 1st-16th  
  7) INVITATION TO ARTISTS: 30th annual “Los Angeles Holiday Caroling” Festivities –   
    (or participate in YOUR city...)  
  8) GIG OPPORTUNITY: Wanna Play Southern California's Largest Harvest Festival?  
  9) “WATER IS RISING: Music & Dance Amid Climate Change,” by Pacific Island Artists,   
    will have World Premiere in L.A. and Two Local Performances  
10) “Moody Bluegrass Two...Much Love” with VINCE GILL, RICKY SKAGGS, SAM BUSH, &  
    More, Gets Critical Acclaim  
11) Highlights of the Coming Week (and Beyond): Welcome to Acoustic Rocktober!  
    
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September 23 edition is available at
    
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/09/news-features-acoustic-americana-music_23.html   
                       and the stories are:
  
  1) 17th annual “HARVEST FESTIVAL OF DULCIMERS” this Saturday in Culver City  
  2) All-Star Lineup for “BLUEGRASS CONCERT AT THE FORD,” September 25  
  3) This Weekend's Festival Scene Brings a Hodge-Podge of Music – Catch
    THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA, DAVID LINDLEY, FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS, more  
  4) Cajun Music from Grammy Nominee Headlines “CASTAIC DAYS FESTIVAL,” Saturday  
  5) “AMERICANAFEST,” Oct 12-15, is "Nashville's Best Music Festival" says Southern Living
    Magazine
  6) Arts Commission Workshops Start September 26
  7) Pasadena's Boston Court Announces Fall Music Series  
  8) SEPTEMBER's Best Remnants – A Quick Roundup – Newly Updated 
  9) OCTOBER - First Look at an Acoustic Rocktober's Impending Events
    
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September 15 edition is available at
    
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/09/news-features-acoustic-americana-music.html  
                       and the stories are:
  
  1) Musician ALEX BEATON Paralyzed from Accident  
  2) Innovative Ways to Sell Your CDs
  3) Stuff that Works: Musicians' Comedic Press Release of the Month  
  4) “MILLPOND MUSIC FESTIVAL” Brings Finale to Summer Fests, this Weekend  
  5) 8th Annual “CELTIC CONCERT” at the Ford Brings the Craic, this Sunday  
  6) Grand Ole Echo Brings “GRAMATHON” this Sunday
  7) FUR & STEVE Invite You to Recording Sesh for their Live CD, this Sunday
  8) All-Star Lineup for “BLUEGRASS CONCERT AT THE FORD,” September 25  
  9) Of Autoharps, Jobs Bills, and a Vision for Our Future (or the Lack of it)  
 10) “SEASIDE HIGHLAND GAMES” Coming October 8 & 9 in Ventura  
 11) 40th annual “OLD TIME FIDDLER'S CONVENTION & FESTIVAL” is Sunday, October 9
 12) KEN GRAYDON Memorial Concert Brings Fitting Adios  
 13) SEPTEMBER MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS – The Guide's Quick Roundup  
    
    
    
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Questions? Comments? Contact us at   
  
                          tied to the tracks (at) Hotmail (dot) com  
  
(We're trying to cut-down spam. Please help – just remove all the spaces and type the "@" and the ".")  
  
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The LATEST EDITION of THE GUIDE, the NEWS FEATURES, THE SCENE, SPOTLIGHTED EVENTS, & THE VENUE DIRECTORY– what it takes to bring you the world of current acoustic music happenings, including "heads up" notices to buy advance tickets for shows likely to sell-out.   
  
Plus VENUES TO HEAR MUSIC OR CONTACT TO GET GIGS, and lots more   
  
    – is available 24/7 (& frequently updated!) at ~  
  
             www.acousticmusic.net or at   
             www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com    
  
- or follow any of the links in the fifteen web sites and web groups that carry the Guide’s weekly News Features.  
  
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 Entire contents copyright (c) 2011, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.  
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Spotlight Events: Acoustic Americana Music Guide, October 14, 2011 edition

     

SATURDAY's Late Edition UPDATE!
   
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               SPOTLIGHT EVENTS
     
                         from THE ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC GUIDE
     
                                                                                          October 14, 2011 edition
     
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    Southern California – the region of our core coverage – has THE MOST live acoustic music performances of anyplace in the world! (Not a brag, just a FACT.)
    
That's amply demonstrated every week in THIS SECTION of the Guide,
our SPOTLIGHT EVENTS.
    
     
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PLUS, remember to check THIS WEEK’S NEWS FEATURES, October 14 edition, in its own section of the Guide!    
    
It's only a click away, at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/10/news-features-acoustic-americana-music_14.html     
    
    
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  
    
YES! This IS the late edition, with MUCH more...
    
        This edition of SPOTLIGHT EVENTS had to post before all the late-arriving events (a whole ARMADA of 'em) could be added. That held the url for THIS Saturday morning, October 15, update.
     
    
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                        Acoustic Americana Music Guide's
    
                                        SPOTLIGHT EVENTS
    
                                          Saturday, October 15 , 2011       
                                                      Late Edition, with many late Additions
    
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Ongoing, through October
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Daily, through Oct 31, FESTIVAL:
10 am-midnight “HALLOWEEN HARVEST FESTIVAL” has live music and lots more, at the Pierce College Farm Center, corner of Victory and Desoto in Woodland Hills. Organizers proclaim the event as “the largest Harvest Festival in all of Southern California,” and they've expanded this year to include a larger festival grounds and an expanded six-acre corn maze.
    The festival opens at 10 am and runs daily and every evening. Sundays-Thursdays, it closes at 10 pm, Fridays & Saturdays, 'til midnight.
    This is a big-deal event, and they've been doing it for years, so they're good at it. In addition to the live music and that giant Corn Maze, activities include a Hay Ride, Giant Slide, Jumpers, Petting Zoo, a Train Ride, Carousel, Pony Rides, Bumper Boats, daytime Haunted House, Cow Train, Bungee, Rock Wall Climb, Gemstone Mining, and there's an “Afterdark FrightFair Screampark” with nighttime Factory of Nightmares Haunted House, Creatures of the Corn Haunted Trail, nighttime Corn Maze, and something they're calling the “Insane Reaction.”
    They offer all kinds of “activity ticket” combinations, but basic admission, which includes entry, the Corn Maze, the Hay Ride, and a couple of activity tickets, is only $5. Anyone who rides the Metro Orange Line gets in free, and the station is just across the street (must show a paper Metro ticket with that day's date).
    There's more info at www.halloweenharvestfestival.com – www.FrightFair.com – www.PierceFarmCenter.com – or call them at 818-999-6300.
     
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Daily, through Oct 31, in Ventura County, FESTIVAL:
“UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARMS HARVEST FESTIVAL” runs weekends with music, weekdays without, and includes the annual “FOLK FESTIVAL”weekend Oct 8 & 9, and the Oct 22 & 23 “WESTERN HERITAGE” weekend, plus a big corn maze, lots of activities for kids, food, and more, all at Underwood Family Farms, in the countryside near Moorpark. More at www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com, or call them at 805-529-3690.
     
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Through Oct 16, various venues throughout L.A.; FESTIVAL:
Annual “WORLD FESTIVAL OF SACRED MUSIC” (www.festivalofsacredmusic.org) includes concerts as well as workshops for artists. Though most of it is “world music” that's rather “out there,” and not especially of interest to folk-Americana fans, the workshops are of broader interest. (A few that we think will interest you are in the Guide's listings on the days they occur; check the festival's site for the full offerings.) Plus, there are two fine concerts you should definitely consider: (1) Sat, Oct 8, 1 pm at the Autry Museum, and (2) Sat, Oct 15, at 7 pm at UCLA's Royce Hall; these shouldn't be lost in the deluge of the festival's 16-day, 32-event, 832-artist fare. See the Oct 8 & Oct 15 listings.    
     
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Through Oct 16, various venues throughout Pasadena; FESTIVAL:
Biennial “AxS FESTIVAL” (www.axsfestival.org) this time explores the themes of “Fire & Water” with two weeks of art, music, dance, theater, performance and “provocative conversation.” It's art and some very cool, very accessible science. (See the October 14 NEWS FEATURES for much more.)
     
     
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Saturday, October 15
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    SATURDAY brings THREE festival events in Pasadena. Starting at 11 am, there are two art fairs / street festivals with live music, and there's one more in early evening.
     
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Sat, Oct 15:
11 am to 4 pm, catch free performances by DUSTBOWL REVIVAL, THE JESSICA FICHOT BAND, and ORGONE, at the “ART OF FOOD / TASTE OF SOUTH LAKE FESTIVAL” on South Lake Avenue in Pasadena, a few blocks south of the 210 Freeway. In addition to the live music, there's food, live cooking demos, a wine and beer garden, and raffle prizes. It's a showcase, with food booths in the street, of South Lake's restaurants and businesses; it looks very much like the early years of the “Taste of Encino / Taste of Folk Music” event. Access to the whole enchilada is free, beyond that, it's pay-as-you-eat. More details on the South Lake website at www.southlakeavenue.org    
     
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Sat, Oct 15:
11 am-5 pm “ARTWALK” in Pasadena's Playhouse District, southeast of Old Town, along El Molino, in Pasadena. This one features live music, an open-air art fair, hands-on activities, a gallery walk, and more, all Schedules at www.PlayhouseDistrict.org/artwalk    
     
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Sat, Oct 15:
Noon-late “INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE FINALS” starts at noon with the TITANIC DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND, followed by the “International Battle of the Bands Finals” at The Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006; 626-447-9349.
    It's quite a coup, landing the finals for the International Blues Challenge. And while it may not – yet – have built the heavyweight rep of the great blues palaces in Memphis, the Arcadia Blues Club, just east of Pasadena, regularly books the same acts when they tour, plus first-rate West Coast blues acts.    
    This Saturday, they're starting at noon with the TITANIC DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND, and the “International Battle of the Bands Finals” competition gets underway at 6 pm.     
    Proprietor BOBBY BLUEHOUSE and his club have a loyal Friday and Saturday night following, and any given weekend, you need to book dinner reservations to get a table (current bar specials are $2 PBR, and $2 and $3 shots).     
    Upcoming shows, some still to be announced, include new or return engagements with JAMES INTVELD, PHIL ALVIN, BB CHUNG KING & THE BUDDAHEADS, ERIC SARDINAS, ANDY WALO (WHO PLAYS HERE FRIDAY NIGHT), SIN TWINS, DAVID BENNETT COHEN, COREY STEVENS, ROD PIAZZA & THE MIGHTY FLYERS, KETTLEBLACK, FINIS TASBY, DON & DEWEYS, RON ELLINGTON SHY, KAYE BOHLER, IGNITE THE BOREALIS, KING TIME, THE AMERICANS, KINGTIME, RENO JONES, KAL DAVID, and SUGAR BLUE.
    You can buy advance tickets online (for this Saturday or any of their shows – full calendar on their site) and save the $5 ticket fee, at www.arcadiabluesclub.com.  There's more at www.facebook.com/ArcadiaBluesClub  
    
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Sat, Oct 15:
5 to 9 pm “ARTRHYTHM” at Paseo Colorado, Pasadena's indoor/outdoor shopping/eating complex, adjacent to Old Town Pasadena on Colorado Bl. It's a world-music celebration of drumming traditions from Japan to Africa, and you can dance under the stars (well, the lights, anyway) in the samba and salsa concert finale. Details at www.PaseoColoradoPasadena.com    
     
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Sat, Oct 15:
4 to 9 pm “RETURN OF THE FORK” music party at David Smith Construction, 2353 Kellogg Court, in Altadena. (Near Fair Oaks & Woodbury, just west of Altadena Cemetery; the same place has another address, at 2353 Fair Oaks). There will be food, drink, and live music supplied by The Coffee Gallery Backstage.
    Reprinted below is the News Feature from this week's edition of the Guide's news:
    It's The Great Fork, Charlie Brown, just in time for the pumpkins. The iconic “Fork In The Road,” a giant silver fork sculpture, got global media attention following its guerrilla installation and six months' display at the forking intersection of St. John’s Place and Pasadena Avenue, near Bellefontaine in Pasadena.    
    The Fork is on the verge of permanent return and enshrinement, and there is an appropriate amount of accompanying hoopla.  
    It begins this Saturday, October 15. There will be food, drink, and live music supplied by The Coffee Gallery Backstage.    
    Forkian guru BOB STANE adds, “In the spirit of 'barn raising,' guests are asked to bring a covered dish to add the the festivities. Burgers and hot dogs supplied by the hosts. Forks included. Bring a camera as photo ops of folks riding The Fork will be obvious. The Fork will have a saddle and be horizontal. The good times never end.”    
    To add to the art theme, internationally known artist ZOFIA KOSTYRKO has designed a T-shirt to memorialize the event. And yes, Bob & Ken will autograph the shirts as requested.  
    Who, you ask, is Ken? He's the artist and former owner of the Coffee Gallery bistro, the guy who originally designed and built The Fork as a birthday surprise for his Coffee Gallery Backstage partner, Bob Stane. Approximately 18 vertical feet of silvery glory, the Fork mysteriously appeared on Bob’s birthday two years ago, towering over traffic at what will soon be re-designated as Fork Plaza.     
    Seems Bob had once mused to Ken, when coming to a fork in the road, definitely take one path, and that a fork in the road deserved a FORK in the road to identify it, like a Warner Brothers cartoon. That was all it took to secretly get Ken started. Before long, unknown thousands of drivers had their daily commutes enlightened by Ken's outsized realization of Bob's casual remark.     
    The original installation followed the old adage that it's better to ask forgiveness than permission, and the Fork's instant celebrity created a cult of Forkians who quickly broke local records by holding a Thanksgiving food drive for the needy at the Fork. It became too politically hot for the city to pull it down. Still, issues of public safety were invariably cited, despite thye Fork's hefty concrete base, clandestinely poured in the middle of the night.     
    The Fork did come down, with a promise the city would find a way to put it back. Not everyone was pleased. Some recalled similar promises from Los Angeles when the Angel's Flight inclined railway was dismantled and sat in storage for a generation, then when it was returned, only to be “temporarily” taken out of service for nearly a decade.     
    Pasadena politicians happily did much better. The Fork was removed and refurbished to meet the engineering standards of the city. A new concrete footing was installed. As Bob says, “After a year’s vacation in Oz, where it was brushed and polished by Munchkins and milk maids until it gleamed,” the Fork will rise again.    
    This time, “It has the blessings of the entire city government of Pasadena, which has embraced public art with enthusiasm,” says Bob, adding, “The gigantic piece of table cutlery returns to its rightful place at the [same] intersection, now known as Fork Plaza.”    
    Ken says, “It is now permitted and has the blessings of all. Hats off to the City Of Pasadena and its government.”     
    Bob smiles, “Art, with tongue-in-cheek, lives in The Crown City.”    
    Saturday's music party and Gathering of the Forkians is free. Bob says, “There will be a sly fund raising to cover future expenses of The Fork, but all donations are low key and voluntary. Feel free to bring a beverage in a bottle to help launch The Fork into posterity. The entire Fork In The Road Gang will be at the party, wearing name tags. They are available to answer questions about their part in The Great Fork Adventure.”    
    Last we knew, Bob was still looking for a saddle and reins for Saturday's “Ride the Fork” photo op. See if he found one, find pictures of the Fork, and learn more in the detailed “show and tell” at www.theforkintheroadgang.com. (Questions, call Ken Marshall at 626-712-9620.)  
    You'll also find info on the free “Fork Raising” event that will happen Friday, October 21 at 11 am, at Fork Plaza. Musician / Actor / “Official Singing Cowboy of Burbank” WILL RYAN has (somehow) procured a proclamation from the League of Nations (via time machine, no doubt) declaring it to be “International Fork Day.” Will and his band, THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS, play their CD release show that night at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, and if you bring and “show your fork” that night, you get a $3-per-ticket discount. (And you thought the spoon was the most valuable piece of silverware.) May the Fork be with you.
     
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Sat, Oct 15:
3-5 pm Workshop: “COUNTRY BLUES WITH ALICE STUART & PAT TENNIS” at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. Learn some of the fingerpicking techniques blues great Alice Stuart uses with her superb fingerstyle blues. Plus, Pat Tennis will teach you tips on how to bach up and support the lead player. Alice has played with Van Morrison, Zappa, and Bloomfield, and toured the national and international circuits. She blends blues and good country music (not the Nashville pop junk) and she performs with style, finesse, and great humor. Alice also does an 8 pm concert tonight at the venue; see listing. Workshop fee, $35.
     
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Sat, Oct 15:
6 pm-late “INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE FINALS” at The Arcadia Blues Club, 16 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006; 626-447-9349.
    It's quite a coup, landing the finals for the International Blues Challenge. And while it may not – yet – have built the heavyweight rep of the great blues palaces in Memphis, the Arcadia Blues Club, just east of Pasadena, regularly books the same acts when they tour, plus first-rate West Coast blues acts.    
    This Saturday, they're starting at noon with the TITANIC DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND, and the “International Battle of the Bands Finals” competition gets underway at 6 pm.     
    Proprietor BOBBY BLUEHOUSE and his club have a loyal Friday and Saturday night following, and any given weekend, you need to book dinner reservations to get a table (current bar specials are $2 PBR, and $2 and $3 shots).     
    Upcoming shows, some still to be announced, include new or return engagements with JAMES INTVELD, PHIL ALVIN, BB CHUNG KING & THE BUDDAHEADS, ERIC SARDINAS, ANDY WALO (WHO PLAYS HERE FRIDAY NIGHT), SIN TWINS, DAVID BENNETT COHEN, COREY STEVENS, ROD PIAZZA & THE MIGHTY FLYERS, KETTLEBLACK, FINIS TASBY, DON & DEWEYS, RON ELLINGTON SHY, KAYE BOHLER, IGNITE THE BOREALIS, KING TIME, THE AMERICANS, KINGTIME, RENO JONES, KAL DAVID, and SUGAR BLUE.
    You can buy advance tickets online (for this Saturday or any of their shows – full calendar on their site) and save the $5 ticket fee, at www.arcadiabluesclub.com.  There's more at www.facebook.com/ArcadiaBluesClub  
    
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Sat, Oct 15:
7 pm INCENDIO plays the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations, 626-798-6236.
    INCENDIO is an acclaimed world-guitar-fusion trio. in both Italian and Spanish means “fire” and this moniker is fitting for a musical group whose sound is all about energy, exploration, and passion. At the heart of INCENDIO’s sound is the Latin or Spanish guitar which can conjure up romantic as well as powerful and bold images – they refer to their style as “Latin Guitar World Fusion”.
    Averaging over 150 concerts a year for the last four years, INCENDIO’s live show has become an explosive improvisatory journey, garnering tremendous audience response in such diverse venues as the Strawberry Music Fest in Yosemite, the Sundance Film Festival, Verizon Music Festival, Catalina Jazztrax, California World Festival, and many more. Their four previous CD’s have enjoyed international radio airplay and critical acclaim.
    Their new live DVD and CD, “Dia Y Noche”, captures a daytime show at the Strawberry Festival 2004 and a nighttime show at the Countrywide Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Center and was released internationally on December 2, 2005. INCENDIO is Jim Stubblefield (guitar), Liza Carbe (bass and guitar), and Jean-Pierre Durand (guitar). Tix, $20.
    
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Sat, Oct 15, in Pasadena:
7-10 pm “BRAD COLERICK'S WINESTYLES REUNION SHOW” at Heritage Wine Co., 155 N Raymond Av, Pasadena (next to The Armory); a city parking lot is just to the north of Heritage with 90 minutes free. Appetizers and light menu items available.
    Brad says, “This Saturday, October 15 – so many reasons to celebrate, my head may explode! Go for an early dinner at Firefly then hop on the Metro to Old Town Pasadena (Memorial Park station) and join us for the fun.
•  WineStyles reunion show with Kathy & Mark.
•  2 year celebration of the Wine & Song series with many W&S alums performing.
•  Debut of the new Wine & Song - Volume 1 compilation CD. - Advance orders wil be taken.
•  Welcoming Léal Vineyards back as our official Wine & Song sponsor.
•  A weekend show for those of you who can't make it out mid-week.
No cover, free show. Brad adds, “Advance purchase of the CD is encouraged but not mandatory. CDs are $10 but if you contribute $25 you'll get a "special thanks to..." in the credits. If you want to contribute but can't make it to the show, go to:  http://wineandsong.com/cd  And thanks for the support. “ - Brad.    
    
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Sat, Oct 15:
“WEST VALLEY MUSIC CONCERT SERIES” season opener, with performing songwriters & touring artists JAMES HURLEY, LISA NEMZO, RASPIN STUWART, at West Valley Music Center, 24424 Vanowen St, West Hills (half a block W of Valley Circle Bl, 3 miles N of the Ventura Fwy.); 818-992-4142.
West Valley Music Center in the SFV's West Hills. As Trough Records chair MARK HUMPHREYS observes, “Jeff presents some of the best local and touring singer-songwriters in an excellent, laid back listening room setting.”    
    Saturday's season opener brings three headliners to share the evening. JAMES HURLEY tours almost constantly and enjoys airplay on many indie and college radio stations. His originals have depth and his voice and guitar are both superior.
    Touring artist LISA NEMZO – or rather, her smashed guitar – have been featured the past few months on the opening page of acousticmusic.net. (The utter destruction of her expensive signature instrument at the hands of American Airlines is presented in horrifying photos, and the operators of tin birds and the truck that ran over her supposedly bombproof case have yet to make good on their wanton negligence.)
    Joining James and Lisa is RASPIN STUWART, the artist who recently performed with bluesman HUGH LAURIE (TV's Doctor “House”); Raspin is the former longtime publisher of Boulevard Magazine, and he's building a solid rep of late as a formidable musician.    
    JEFF GOLD, the venue's proprietor and booker, is a renowned musician who co-wrote with
    Details of the show, including show time, their new season's concert schedule, and their open mics is at www.westvalleymusiccenter.com.  Saturday's show is $15 per person, and refreshments are included.    
    
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Sat, Oct 15:
8 pm ALICE STUART plays Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. She's played with Van Morrison, Zappa, and Bloomfield, and toured the national and international circuits. She blends blues and good country music (not the Nashville pop junk) and she performs with style, finesse, and great humor. She also does a 3-5 pm workshop today at the venue; see listing. Concert tix, $15.
     
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Sat, Oct 15:
8 pm GRAMMY-winning guitar icons STEVE TROVATO and CARL VERHEYEN at the Fret House, 309 N Citrus Av, Covina; 626-339-7020; www.frethouse.com.  
     
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Sat, Oct 15, in OC:
“LORD OF THE RINGS IN CONCERT” is a big-deal, full symphonic production at the Honda Center, 2695 E Katella Av, Anaheim 92806; www.hondacenter.com; tix 714-704-2500. (Note: Parking here is $15-$40.) In the manner of the “Stars Wars in Concert” tour, this one performs the music of the “Rings” trilogy. While the films were silly, the soundtracks were quite good, so this should make for a fine evening – if you can take the fanatics dressed like characters from the stories.
     
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Sat, Oct 15:
OPERAWORKS brings “THE NEWEST RECITAL IN THE WORLD,” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. The OperaWorks ensemble will invent a custom recital right in front of your eyes, with made-to-order music, at your request. It's entirely improvised, with arias, duets, trios, and scenes with improvised accompaniment, all performed without any prepared or printed music.
     
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Sunday, October 16
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Sun, Oct 16:
11 am PETER ALSOP plays a Kids Matinee concert at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497;
    
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Sun, Oct 16:
Noon-3 pm “SONGSALIVE! ANNUAL MUSIC PICNIC” at Sherman Oaks Park, 14201 Huston Street (off Hazeltine), Sherman Oaks 91423. Look for the Songsalive! banner under a shady tree near the Pool/Main entrance off Huston Street. There's a map at http://tinyurl.com/directionsshermanoakspark    
    Members of Songsalive!, other musicians, and their friends and families, will meet to eat and make music in Sherman Oaks. Songsalive! - their name includes the exclamation point – is an international nonprofit created by and for songwriters and performing musicians. In addition to their annual conference and co-sponsorship of many industry events, their monthly seminars and performance events in many places around the world, they have a lot of fun performing with and for each other. This Sunday is their annual Los Angeles-area “SONGSALIVE! SONG-MUSIC CIRCLE FALL PICNIC” where musicians and songwriters can get together and have a casual music and song circle. They add, “Others welcome of course.”    
    Gilli Moon, Songsalive! President, and Dave Harvey, the organization's Executive Director, issued a joint statement saying, “This is where we can jam together, present live songs and lock into making relationships with others in our group. Also a great way to ask questions about Songsalive! and how we can help you with your songs.”    
    Founded in 1997, Songsalive! (www.songsalive.org) has become the largest international non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing, support, education and promotion of songwriters and composers, with worldwide chapters and a new social network.    
    The Picnic is sponsored by Noisy Planet (www.noisyplanet.net), an indie artist showcase and music career development site, who is donating a Premium Artist Package to a lucky Songsalive! member who attends the Picnic. The package includes a dedicated showcase page on noisyplanet.net, digital distribution of one album to top online retailers including iTunes, plus 100 full-color promo cards and guaranteed spins on internet radio.    
    Bring your own picnic lunch and food to share, picnic blankets, instruments (no power at the stage). Guitars, percussion, voices are the emphasis, and all are welcome.
     
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Sun, Oct 16:
1-6 pm “ARTPERFORMANCE: OLD PASADENA'S CULTURAL DANCE FESTIVAL” in Old Town Pasadena. It's dance and cuisine from around the globe, featuring dance from Russia, East India, the Himalayan region, Polynesia, Mexico, and more. Details and venues at www.OldPasadena.org    
     
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Sun, Oct 16:
3 pm TISHTONES & SYLVIA COTTON SINGERS perform as part of the “WORLD FESTIVAL OF SACRED MUSIC,” with this show at Beth Shir Shalom, 1827 California Av, Santa Monica 90403; 310-453-3361.
    
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Sun, Oct 16:
5-9 pm “MESSAROUND” is an eclectic hodge-podge, today featuring the atmospheric aural acrobatics of Dick Deluxe's GOTHIC SOUTH, high-voltage E.L.A. teen R&B-punk thrillers THE SHAG RATS, garage trash thugs THEE TEEPEES and high-falutin' honky-tonk rockers THE CHEATIN' KIND, plus THE MESSAROUND TABERNACLE CHOIR, plus special guests, all at Viva Cantina, 900 W Riverside Dr, Burbank; www.vivacantina.com;  818-845-2425. No cover, no age limit.  
    
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Sun, Oct 16:
7 pm KAYE RODDEN plays the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations, 626-798-6236.
    
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Sun, Oct 16:
SOLD OUT: 7 pm JENNY LEWIS at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
    
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Sun, Oct 16, in Lakeside:
7:30 pm TERRY HOLDER, the Alaska-based singer-songwriter, plays the Dark Thirty House Concert Series in Lakeside 92040; reservations get directions at 619-443-9622.
    
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Sun, Oct 16:
“TRACKING FILM AND TELEVISION MUSIC: AN AFTERNOON WITH LEE HOLDRIDGE & JON BURLINGAME,” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. World renowned author and lecturer JON BURLINGAME helps to see and hear this astonishing and precise world when he and Emmy and Grammy award winning composer LEE HOLDRIDGE (the late JOHN DENVER's orchestra leader and collaborator) discuss, from the composers perspective, music composed for the big and little screens. Live musical performances and selected clips from Mr. Holdridge’s extensive catalogue of his film and television scores are interspersed throughout this fascinating, behind the scenes look at the music behind the magic.
    
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Sun, Oct 16:
8 pm CLIFF WAGNER & THE OLD #7 play “dead-on bluegrass in honor of Charles Saltzman's Birthday” at the Cinema Bar, 3967 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City; www.thecinemabar.com. No cover, but contribute to the artists' tip jar. More at www.oldnumber7.net    
    
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Sun, Oct 16:
8 pm monthly “VARIETY NIGHT” with featured artists SABRINA & CRAIG and the sign-up-in-advance OPEN MIC, at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. SABRINA & CRAIG won the 2010 Topanga Banjo Fiddle Singing competition. Open Mic signups limited to the first eight, and are now being taken at the venue. Tix, $4.
    
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Sun, Oct 16, in San Marcos:
8 pm SARAH McQUAID plays the Frogstop House Concert series in San Marcos 92078.
     
     
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Monday, October 17
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Mon, Oct 17:
7-9 pm “SQUEAKY WHEEL TOUR” LIVE ACOUSTIC SHOW at West L.A. Music, 11345 Santa Monica Bl, L.A. 90025; 310-477-1945; www.westlamusic.com. The tour has one L.A. date. If you plan to attend, RSVP so you're guaranteed to get in: www.westlamusic.com/squeakywheel    
    Kidnap survivor ELIZABETH SMART joins musicians on a music tour with a message for a West L.A. event. The tour and the organization behind it are all about bringing home missing people.    
    Soon after her musician sister vanished after a gig – without a trace – musician JANEL RAPP founded a nonprofit organization and a concert tour with ever-changing artists, called the “SQUEAKY WHEEL TOUR.” It's an obvious reference to the old cliché that the squeaky wheel gets the grease – or the attention. Janel's organization, “Gina for Missing Persons,” is credited with a key role in bringing thousands of missing persons back to their loved ones. The concert tour is its chief instrument.    
    About once a year, sometimes every other year, the tour lands in L.A. for a date. It always brings different artists and bands, some local, some from elsewhere in the nation or the world, and almost always with Janel among them. This time, the musicians will share the stage with brave kidnap survivor ELIZABETH SMART, who was stolen in Utah from her bedroom as a young teen. Elizabeth has made limited appearances since getting her life back and returning to her family – who never gave up searching for her and keeping the public aware to look for her. She is articulate and compelling, as you know if you have heard her speak.
     
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Mon, Oct 17:
7:30 pm “BLUEGRASS NIGHT” with THE BROMBIES and CORNSTAR at Viva Fresh Cantina, 900 W Riverside Dr, Burbank; www.vivacantina.com; 818-845-2425.
    Rosin up your bow for this happy hootenanny, featuring a set from CORNSTAR, plus open jams in the Cantina and on both patios, plus plenty of tempting food and drink specials, 8 pm.
    In the Riverside Rancho Room, there's more choice bluegrass courtesy of renowned local favorites THE BROMBIES, 7:30 pm. No Cover, no age limit, acres of free parking across the street at Pickwick Gardens.
     
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Mon, Oct 17:
8 pm “AN EVENING WITH THOMAS DOLBY” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance on Figueroa), L.A. 90015; www.grammymuseum.org;  213-765-6803.   
    He's the iconic '80s star whose hits “She Blinded Me With Science” and “Hyperactive” helped define the MTV generation/revolution. The five-time Grammy-nominated British artist quit the music business in the early ’90s and spent many years in Silicon Valley. Dolby will break his 20-year silence with a new release titled “A Map of the Floating City.”
    The album, featuring appearances by special guest artists MARK KNOPFLER, REGINA SPEKTOR, NATALIE MacMASTER, BRUCE WOOLLEY and IMOGEN HEAP, will be available on October 25 on Lost Toy People Records as a regular and hi-res download, physical CD and in a special Deluxe Edition featuring a second disc of instrumentals and bonus tracks.
    Hear Dolby in discussion about his celebrated career, current success and his newest album. After an interview with GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli, Dolby will take audience questions and perform a selection of songs from the new CD. Advance tickets are $25; doors at 7:30 pm.
     
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Tuesday, October 18
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Tue, Oct 18:
7-10 pm SPECIAL ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW for the weekly “J.C. HYKE'S SONGWRITERS SERENADE” showcase at Matt Denny's Ale House Restaurant & Bar, 145 E Huntington Dr, Arcadia 91006. Different recording artists take part in an invitational showcase.
     
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Tue, Oct 18:
7:30 pm “REEL TO REAL” series season debut with the intriguing new documentary “THE ORIGINAL 7VEN” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance on Figueroa), L.A. 90015; www.grammymuseum.org;  213-765-6803.   
    Admission is $10 and all proceeds benefit The GRAMMY Museum. (The Original 7ven will be live in concert at Club Nokia on October 19.)
     
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Tue, Oct 18:
8 pm SUSAN WERNER plays the Smothers Theatre at Pepperdine Univ., Malibu, 24255 P.C.H., Malibu 90265; 310-506-4522.
     
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Tue, Oct 18:
8 pm “WATER IS RISING: MUSIC AND DANCE AMID CLIMATE CHANGE” performed by artists from the Pacific atolls of Kiribati, Tokelau, & Tuvalu, at University Theatre, UC Riverside, 400 Humanities, Riverside 92521. With 36 artists from these Pacific atols presenting song and dance, it's safe to say, If you enjoy Hawaiian music, you'll love this. And it will bring you face-to-face with the reality of climate change and rising sea levels. This show may sell-out. Info, www.waterisrising.com
     
Tue, Oct 18:
8 pm weekly “TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at Timmy Nolan's Tavern and Grill, 10111 Riverside Dr, Toluca Lake 91602; 818-985-3359.
     
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Tue, Oct 18:
8 pm weekly “BOURBON AND BLUEGRASS” at South Santa Monica Sports Bar and Grill, 3001 Wilshire Bl, Santa Monica, 90403; 310- 828-9988.
     
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Tue, Oct 18:
8 pm weekly “BLUEGRASS JAM” at Viva Fresh Cantina, 900 Riverside Dr, Burbank 91506; 818-515-4444.
     
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Wednesday, October 19
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Wed, Oct 19:
7:15 pm PAUL SIMON and THE SECRET SISTERS play the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City 91602; 818-622-4440.
     
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Wed, Oct 19:
8 pm TIM GRIMM and THE SWEET POTATOES play the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations, 626-798-6236.
    TIM GRIMM was named 2000’s “Best Discovery in Roots/Americana Music” by The Chicago Sun-Times, and “2004 Male Artist of The Year” by the Freeform American Roots Deejays. Tim's recording, “The Back Fields,” was named “Best Americana Album” in the 2006 “Just Plain Folks Music Awards” in Los Angeles (the largest and most diverse music awards in the world). His songs and performances have established him as a unique voice in Americana music.
    Tim has toured and recorded with his friend, RAMBLIN’ JACK ELLIOTT, appeared with HARRISON FORD in the film “Clear and Present Danger,” and has shared the stage with writer and poet WENDELL BERRY.     
    Each of TIM GRIMM's past four recordings have reached the top of the Folk or American-roots charts. Grimm walks the fine line between folk and country, while maintaining a strong footing in tradition. We hear the rural rumblings that have shaped his life, but we are also invited to share a bigger picture, as evident in so much of his work. Critics searching for comparisons most often cite Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie and (“Nebraska” era) Bruce Springsteen. Tim is not only an award-winning songwriter, but an award-winning actor on stage and screen.     
    Tim's discography includes “Heart Land” (2000), “Coyote’s Dream” (2003), “Names” (2004), “The Back Fields” (2005), “Holding Up The World” (2008) and “Farm Songs” (2010).     
    As a highly successful actor, Tim has filmed three major motion pictures this past year, including “The Express” with Dennis Quaid. And he still makes time to tour and perform his music.    
    OPENING ACT and special guests are THE SWEET POTATOES, the duo of LAURA HALL & KELLY MacLEOD. Laura is best known as the improvisational pianist on NPR's “Whose Line Is it Anyway?” Kelly was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana and has spent the last 20 years in L.A. where she recorded two albums with Warner Brothers, produced by EDDIE VAN HALEN. The two started singing together at their church, and on various studio and live projects. Their musical collaboration really began when Laura’s husband, Rick, was putting together his indie film, “Slice of Pie,” He cast Kelly as the female lead, and had Laura compose the score and they clicked. THE SWEET POTATOES are currently recording their first CD.
    TIxs are $15.
     
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Wed, Oct 19:
8 pm “AN EVENING WITH STEVIE NICKS,” in a special benefit for the GRAMMY Museum and the GRAMMY Foundation, presented by American Express, at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance on Figueroa), L.A. 90015; www.grammymuseum.org;  213-765-6803.   
    Multi-GRAMMY Award-winning STEVIE NICKS has been acclaimed as “Rock and roll's greatest poet by CYNTHIA FOX of KLOS. As a member of the legendary FLEETWOOD MAC as well as her extraordinary solo career, Nicks is one of the world’s most influential and inspiring artists of the last three decades. For an audience of 200 in the Clive Davis Theater, Nicks will converse with GRAMMY Museum Executive Director Bob Santelli about her history-making career and her current CD, “In Your Dreams,” her first studio album in a decade. After the discussion, Nicks will take audience questions and perform a few songs. Doors open at 7:30 pm. American Express advance tickets are $50 and can be purchased at the Museum Box Office (American Express ticket purchasers receive a special gift). Public sale begins Saturday, October 15, at noon.
     
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Wed, Oct 19:
6:30 pm “BRENDAN'S IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at Brendan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, 1755 E Daily Dr, Camarillo 93010; 888-811-5818. Runs first & third Wednesday, every month.
     
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Wed, Oct 19:
7 pm weekly OPEN MIC at the Talking Stick, 1411 Lincoln Bl, Venice 92091. Signups at 6:45 pm.
     
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Wed, Oct 19, in Ventura County:
7:30 pm Songmakers weekly “SIMI VALLEY HOOT at a private residence in Simi Valley; contact Songmakers for location, at www.songmakers.org    
     
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Wed, Oct 19:
8 pm “GUITAROLOGY” weekly showcase and open mic, at Bar Melody and Grill, 9132 S Sepulveda Bl, Los Angeles 90045; 310-670-1994.
     
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Wed, Oct 19:
8 pm weekly “IRISH MUSIC SESSION” at O'Brien's Irish Pub and Restaurant, 2226 Wilshire Bl, Santa Monica 90403; 310-829-5303.
     
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Wed, Oct 19:
9 pm weekly “ACOUSTIC CORDIALE” showcase, with different recording artists each week, playing acoustic, at Café Cordiale, 14015 Ventura Bl, Sherman Oaks 91423; 818-789-1985.
     
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Thursday, October 20
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Thu, Oct 20, in Riverside:
TOM RUSSELL plays All Saints' Episcopal Church, 3847 Terracina Dr, Riverside 92506. Info and reservations, FrConrad@gmail.com   
    
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Thu, Oct 20:
7:30 pm “SONGWRITING LEGENDS-IN-THE-ROUND” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance on Figueroa), L.A. 90015; www.grammymuseum.org;  213-765-6803.   
    The Songwriters Hall of Fame, in association with the GRAMMY Museum, presents a “SONGWRITING LEGENDS-IN-THE-ROUND” event at the Museum's Clive Davis Theater. An intimate audience of 200 will hear a stellar gathering of “Songwriters Hall of Fame” inductees discussing their careers and performing their songs. They are JEFF BARRY (“Chapel Of Love,” ”I Honestly Love You,” “Be My Baby”), CHARLES FOX ("Killing Me Softly,” “Happy Days,” “Ready To Take A Chance Again”), ALBERT HAMMOND ("It Never Rains In California,” “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now,” “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before”) and BILL WITHERS ("Lean On Me,” “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Just The Two Of Us”). Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman and inductee JIMMY WEBB will kick off the evening with welcoming remarks. Doors open at 7 pm. Admission is $20. Tickets can be purchased online now at Ticketmaster.com. All proceeds benefit The GRAMMY Museum and The Songwriters Hall of Fame.
    
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Thu, Oct 20:
8 pm DRIFTWOOD FIRE plays the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations, 626-798-6236.
    This pair of women won “first place in this year's Merle Fest Chris Austin Songwriting contest, first place in the International Narrative Song Contest, Suggested Artists” status in VH-1’s “Song of the Year” contest, and an Honorable Mention at the Telluride Troubadour Contest.
    Nick Smith, co-producer of the Caltech Folk Music Society series says, “If you haven’t heard them perform live yet, I highly recommend this show. The ONLY reason I’m not going and paying to hear them again is that I will already be at the FAR-West conference up in Eugene. Their guitar-banjo accompaniment on modern originals is fascinating, and their vocals are exceptionally clean. Good songwriting, too, and you know what my standards are like.”
    They recently got a big write up, and photo, in “Pasadena Now.” DRIFTWOOD FIRE, says venue impresario BOB STANE, “is a rarity in today’s media mad world – an organically creative female duo whose vivid songwriting and prodigious playing skills display uncommon artistry.”     Others observe that they are, “Striking for their balance of variety and seamlessness, and for exceptional storytelling/”
    The duo's captivating live performance have propelled them to the stages of the National Women’s Music Festival, the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest, Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists showcase and Far-West Folk Alliance Premier showcases.
    “We love writing and performing and want to give people an experience that slows down time a bit and encourages them to sit back and catch their breath” says Scharf, “and maybe find a part of themselves in this music, like we did.” Tix, $15.
     
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Friday, October 21
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Fri, Oct 21:
7:30 pm CLARENCE TREAT, an Original NEW CHRISTY MINSTREL, plus BUFFALO BILL BOYCOTT & THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN EXPRESS, play a benefit for the Occidental College Choral Department presented by the college's Alumni Association, at Occidental College in Herrick Chapel, 1600 Campus Rd, L.A. 90042; reservations, 323-259-2601 or http://alumni.oxy.edu/glee_club_benefit2011.    
    Clarence and Bill performed together in the New Christy Minstrels and recently played their new show to packed houses in Wyoming. It was so much fun Clarence knew he had to share it with his Oxy and church choir friends, hence there's one date at each place, and both are benefit shows.
    “The whole family will love the banjo and fiddle playing, ballads, humorous cowboy poetry, yodeling (not to be missed!), poignant Native American Story Telling and original songs.” - Kemmerer [WY] Gazette, February 3, 2011. Additional quotes:
    “Joanne Orr, Buffalo Bill Boycott and Clarence Treat put on a great show….”
    “A feverish excitement erupted over Hank Williams’ ‘Jambalaya’, moving people to sing along, clapping loudly and tapping their feet.”
    “…entertaining fans with jokes, history lessons, story telling and their own life experiences. The crowd hung on to their every word.”
    "Treat made everyone’s eyes water with heartfelt tracks like 'Lights of Cheyenne' and 'Scarlet Ribbons,' from his album 'Songs I Love to Sing.'”
    They tour a lot, but don't often get to Southern California. Tix: adults $20; all students $10,
     
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Fri, Oct 21, in San Diego:
7:30 pm TOM RUSSELL plays the AMSD Concert Series, 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego 92116; 619-303-8176.
    Received at press time, we scrambled to add this. Tom Russell is making his “Mesabi Tour of the West,” playing the West Coast, Nevada, and Calgary, and the Southern Cal dates are this coming week. Details on www.tomrussell.com    
    Oct 20, he plays Riverside; Oct 21 he plays this show in in San Diego; Oct 22 he's in Los Angeles (actually Santa Monica, at McCabe's) for two shows, 8 & 10 pm; Oct 23 in Ojai; then he heads north.
    We also got word that Tom's newest art book, “Blue Horse / Red Desert,” is now available, and the original paintings from it are available at www.rainbowman.com    
    Tom Russell is one of new folk / neo folk's best songwriters, with one foot planted firmly in the lore, traditions and rugged life of the West, and the other one anyplace on the planet he
     
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Fri, Oct 21:
8 pm WILL RYAN & THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS play their CD Release show tonight for the “INTERNATIONAL FORK DAY” CONCERT at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; more info, www.coffeegallery.com ;  reservations number, 626-798-6236.    
    In the Guide's October 7 edition of News Features, we let you know about WILL RYAN & THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS, their GRAMMY and EMMY Award-winning leader, and their triumph in the Oscars Theater (Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences) playing their new original score for the 1925 classic silent film (the first epic western), “The Covered Wagon.”
    We told you about their fine musicianship, top awards, a few of their many top awards and credits, and their upcoming debut on the West Side, at Boulevard Music on Saturday, October 22. We ventured our suspicion that they just might have a few copies of their just-finished CD for sale at that show.    
    What we did not yet know to report is that the CD RELEASE SHOW is the night before (on Friday October 21), at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena. The show at Boulevard will be the West Side CD release show.    
    But there's more than a mere release of a very fine album. Enough to warrant a News Feature, two weeks in a row. If you read, in the October 14 edition of the Guide's News Features, about the return of The Fork in the Road – an 18-foot-tall sculpture of shining cutlery, literally a fork in the road where the routes divide in Pasadena – then you may be on to this already.    
    Musician / Actor / official Singing Cowboy of Burbank WILL RYAN has (somehow) procured a proclamation from the League of Nations (via time machine, no doubt) declaring it to be “International Fork Day.” Will and his band, THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS, play their CD release show that night at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, and if you bring and “show your fork” that night, you get a $3-per-ticket discount. (And you thought the spoon was the most valuable piece of silverware.) May the Fork be with you.    
    WILL RYAN & THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS play their CD release shows on Friday, October 21 at 8 pm at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena, and on on the West Side on Saturday, October 22, at 8 pm at Boulevard Music in Culver City (see that listing). Either place, expect a highly entertaining show and songs you'll be humming the next day.
     
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Fri, Oct 21:
8 pm “THE NEW SOUND OF SILENT FILM: CLASSIC SILENT FILM 'NOSFERATU' WITH LIVE SCORE BY BASSIST TOM PETERS,” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. Peters provides a newly conceived, live musical score for the classic silent film “Nosferatu.” Director F.W. Murnau’s “Nosferatu” (1922) stands as one of the most important films to come out of pre-World War II Germany. After almost 90 years, it still delivers chills.
     
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Fri, Oct 21:
8 pm CATIE CURTIS and MELISSA FERRICK at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
     
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Saturday, October 22
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Sat & Sun, Oct 22 & 23:
Annual “WESTERN HERITAGE” weekend, part of the month-long “UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARMS HARVEST FESTIVAL” runs weekends, Oct 1-31 in Ventura County, at Underwood Family Farms, 3370 Sunset Valley Rd, Moorpark. More later, or check www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com, or call them at 805-529-3690.
     
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Sat, Oct 22:
8 pm WILL RYAN & THE CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS play their West Side CD Release show at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583.
    Whoa up there, pardner. If you're thinking “sounds like another cowboy crooner outfit,” you're taking the wrong fork. This band dazzled a sophisticated industry audience at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Oscars) Theatre, performing live their original soundtrack for the first classic western movie, 1925's “Covered Wagon.” (It was that year's Best Picture, pre-Oscar by two years, chosen by the film-addicted readers of Photoplay as all definitive Best Pictures / Best Actors were at that time.) The film was reassembled from archives around the world; its old soundtrack was lost long ago, and the band's new one included lots of memorable string instrument leads plus plenty of piano themes and signature motifs, and oh yes, horns.
    It's representative of their concerts, a smooth interdisciplinary blend, a sound that's unified with just the right amount of spotlight solos for each player, rather than the product of a superbly talented ensemble – which it is – with '30s-style originals you'll be humming and choruses you'll be singing for days. WILL RYAN'S lyrical songwriting is catchy and delightful, with depth that connects great melodies to our own contemporary sensibilities. Instrumentally, they're adept, more Bob Wills-ish, more bebop jazz and '40s pop than anything from recent country-western. You get virtuoso performances by session and tour string wizard JOHN “PRESTO” REYNOLDS on banjo, guitar, and resophonic; “WESTY” WESTENHOFER on upright bass and tuba; wunderkind CHLOE FEORNAZANO, their young sax / clarinet / mandolin player; lovely big band jazz vet KATIE CAVERA on fiddle and Betty Boopish commentary, and Will's songwriting, guitar and smooth lead vocals. Tix, $15 (on sale now).
     
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Sat, Oct 22:
CALIFORNIA E.A.R. UNIT presents “Sonic Revolution,” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. Don't panic. They are a chamber ensemble that performs music where the ink is still wet. The core of highly acclaimed players include Vicky Ray, Eric Clark and Amy Knoles who strive to reflect Southern California’s unique cultural diversity by acting as L.A.'s new music ambassadors to the world. The evening features works penned especially for the group by Macedonian composer Darija Andovska, Portuguese composer Miguel Azguime, Berlin's Michael Maierhof, New York's Lisa Coons, Rhode Island's Todd Winkler, as well as an offering from Alan Schockley, who is currently residing in Los Angeles.
     
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Sat, Oct 22:
8 & 10 pm TOM RUSSELL at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
    Received at press time, we scrambled to add this. Tom Russell is making his “Mesabi Tour of the West,” playing the West Coast, Nevada, and Calgary, and the Southern Cal dates are this coming week. Details on www.tomrussell.com    
    Oct 20, he plays Riverside; Oct 21 he's in San Diego (see listing); Oct 22 he's in Los Angeles (actually Santa Monica, at McCabe's) for two shows, 8 & 10 pm; Oct 23 in Ojai; then he heads north.
    We also got word that Tom's newest art book, “Blue Horse / Red Desert,” is now available, and the original paintings from it are available at www.rainbowman.com    
    Tom Russell is one of new folk / neo folk's best songwriters, with one foot planted firmly in the lore, traditions and rugged life of the West, and the other one anyplace on the planet he wants to envision kicking-up the dust and sharing its grit and sparkle through his music.
    Tix for the McCabe's shows are $26.50.
     
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Sat, Oct 22:
9 pm “AMERICANA HOUSE PARTY” with MICHAEL ANN, CHRISTOPHER LOCKETT , and THE SKIP HELLER TRIO, at Rafa’s Lounge Gallery, 1836 W Sunset Bl (at the bridge where Sunset crosses Glendale Bl) Echo Park 90026; www.rafaslounge.com;  213-413-4464.  
    Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter Christopher Lockett is playing a show with Ozark powerhouse singer-songwriter Michael Ann and the ridiculously talented Skip Heller Trio at Rafa’s Lounge, the best-kept secret in Echo Park. C’mon down to the Americana House Party!
    Michael Ann and Heller have played The Cinema Bar, The Ranch Party and Ronnie Mack’s Barn Dance... and pretty much anyplace with a zip code. Lockett is out playing local dates in advance of his second album, due out in early 2012.
    More at the artists' websites:
http://christopherlockett.com/music    
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Skip-Heller- Trio/168857583142705    
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Ann-and-The-Missouri- Rebels/107002192654028   
    Cover, $5.
    
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Sunday, October 23
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Sun, Oct 23:
3 pm CLARENCE TREAT, an Original NEW CHRISTY MINSTREL, plus BUFFALO BILL BOYCOTT & THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN EXPRESS, play a benefit for the the Cathedral Choir, at First United Methodist Church of Glendale, Carlson Fellowship Center, 130 N Kenwood St, Glendale 91206; reservations 818-243-2105 or 818-547-1419.    
    Clarence and Bill performed together in the New Christy Minstrels and recently played their new show to packed houses in Wyoming. It was so much fun Clarence knew he had to share it with his Oxy and church choir friends, hence there's one date at each place, and both are benefit shows.
    “The whole family will love the banjo and fiddle playing, ballads, humorous cowboy poetry, yodeling (not to be missed!), poignant Native American Story Telling and original songs.” - Kemmerer [WY] Gazette, February 3, 2011. Additional quotes:
    “Joanne Orr, Buffalo Bill Boycott and Clarence Treat put on a great show….”
    “A feverish excitement erupted over Hank Williams’ ‘Jambalaya’, moving people to sing along, clapping loudly and tapping their feet.”
    “…entertaining fans with jokes, history lessons, story telling and their own life experiences. The crowd hung on to their every word.”
    "Treat made everyone’s eyes water with heartfelt tracks like 'Lights of Cheyenne' and 'Scarlet Ribbons,' from his album 'Songs I Love to Sing.'”
    They tour a lot, but don't often get to Southern California. Tix: families $50; adults $20; all students $10,
     
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Sun, Oct 23:
5 pm “JAZZ VESPERS” season opener with YELLOWJACKETS founding member, pianist RUSSELL FERRANTE, at All Saints Church, 132 N Euclid Av, Pasadena (Across from City Hall; two blocks N of Colorado Bl); Info, 626-583-2725 (M-F).
    Ferrante is accompanied by MIKE VALERIO on bass and STEVE SCHAEFFER on drums. Christina Honchell offers a meditation.
    All Saints Parishioner Russell Ferrante’s first exposure to music came from his church, where his father was the choir director as well as being a frequent vocal soloist and having a vocal gospel quartet. He began piano lessons at 9 with the expectation that one day he would be the church pianist...but his musical interests took him elsewhere.
    Ferrante says “I’ve been privileged to write with and produced records for: Bobby McFerrin, Michael Franks, Sadao Watanabe, Marilyn Scott, Eric Marianthal, and Sergio Salvatore among others. I’ve also arranged for Take 6, The GRP Big Band, Lee Ritenour, and many others.”
    In addition to working with these fine musicians, Russ is also active in local musical projects of a much smaller scale. One such project was a local production of Really Rosie by children in his community, for which he was the musical director. Russell is also a founding member of the Yellowjackets. More info at www.russellferrante.com    
    Parking available in lot N of the Church and on the street. Held on the Chancel; elevator available for accessibility, but arrive five minutes early. Free, no reservations required. A goodwill offering is accepted. Child care provided.
     
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Sun, Oct 23:
7 pm PATTY LARKIN at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. $20.
    
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Monday, October 24
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Mon, Oct 24:
8 pm “GREAT GUITARS: STEVE LUKATHER” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance on Figueroa), L.A. 90015; www.grammymuseum.org;  213-765-6803.  
    He's a five-time GRAMMY-Award winner. Best known as the guitarist for TOTO, Lukather remains one of the world’s top session men, having played on over 1,500 records by a wide variety of artists over the years. Lukather started as a teenager in the studios after meeting the PORCARO BROTHERS in high school. After graduation, he joined BOZ SCAGGS’ touring band, which eventually formed officially as TOTO and was singed to Sony Records in 1977.
    While scoring such international hits such as “Rosanna” and “Africa” with the band, he managed to maintain his busy session schedule, playing on albums by PAUL McCARTNEY, MILES DAVIS, HERBIE HANCOCK, QUINCY JONES, CHEAP TRICK, ALICE COOPER, ARETHA FRANKLIN and more.
    Hear Lukather in discussion about his impressive career, with GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Vice President Scott Goldman. After the interview, Lukather will showcase his signature guitar work on stage. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Tickets went on sale Friday, October 7. All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum.
    
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Tuesday, October 25
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Tue, Oct 25:
8 pm “GREAT GUITARS: STEVE CROPPER” at the Grammy Museum’s Clive Davis Sound Stage, 800 W Olympic Bl (entrance on Figueroa), L.A. 90015; www.grammymuseum.org;  213-765-6803.  
    Rock and Roll Hall of Fame soul guitarist Steve Cropper is a GRAMMY-Nominee. His guitar work with BOOKER T. AND THE MG’S was groundbreaking. Cropper likes to say that he’s had “four or five careers,” all of which helped shape and redefine the meaning of the term R&B.
    The latest incarnation, released in August on 429 Records and titled “Dedicated,” features Cropper and a powerful “house band” of brilliant old friends and session greats jamming through selections (some famous, some obscure 'til now) from The “5” Royales catalog with superstar artists from multiple genres and generations: B.B. KING, BUDDY MILLER, BRIAN MAY, STEVE WINWOOD, JOHN POPPER, BETTYE LAVETTE, LUCINDA WILLIAMS, SHARON JONES, SHEMEKIA COPELAND, DELBERT McCLINTON, and WILLIE JONES. Hear Cropper on stage, along with GRAMMY Foundation and MusiCares Vice President Scott Goldman, talking about his legendary career with The Mar-Keys and Stax Records, what it’s like to be one of the most sought-after session guitarists of all time, his work with OTIS REDDING and how, after 50 years in the business, he manages to “keep it fun.”
    After the discussion, Cropper will take audience questions and participate in a signing. Doors open at 7:30 pm. Public sale of tix ($15 ) begins Tuesday, October 18, at noon. (American Express ticket purchases can be made now, and include a special gift.) All proceeds benefit the GRAMMY Museum.
    
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Wednesday, October 26
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Wed, Oct 26:
7:30 pm CELTIC THUNDER at the Greek Theatre, 2700 N Vermont, Griffith Park, L.A. 90027; 213-480-3232.
     
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Friday, October 28
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Fri, Oct 28, in San Diego:
7:30 pm “MASTERS OF THE CELTIC HARP: WILLIAM JACKSON & GRÁINNE HAMBLY” play the AMSD Concert Series, 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego 92116; 619-303-8176.
     
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Fri, Oct 28:
SOLD OUT 8 pm JENNIFER WARNES at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
     
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Fri, Oct 28:
8 pm SUSIE GLAZE & THE HILONESOME BAND plus FUR DIXON & STEVE WERNER at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena 92675; reservations, 626-798-6236.
     
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Fri, Oct 28:
8 pm NATHAN McEUEN & MATT CARTSONIS at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. This'll be a fine show. Tix on sale Oct 14; $15.
     
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Saturday, October 29
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Sat, Oct 29:
8 pm DAN NAVARRO & LAWRENCE LEBO at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. This'll be a fine show, with LOWEN & NAVARRO vet Dan Navarro and Bluesy-Americana-Classic Jazzwoman Lawrence “Don't Call Her Larry” Lebo. Tix on sale Oct 15; $15.
     
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Sat, Oct 29:
“THE WHITE HOUSE CONCERT WITH STEVE ERDODY & FRIENDS,” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. This is an interesting concept that relives a musical moment that was, by all accounts, magical. On November 24, 1961, President Kennedy revolutionized arts performances at the White House by presenting the famous but reclusive 84-year-old cellist PABLO CASALS in a recital for 150 of the world’s most famous and influential classical composers, conductors and musicians. To commemorate the anniversary of the historic occasion, Music at the Court is presenting local cello virtuoso STEPHEN ERDODY with an all star ensemble of chamber musicians in a recital replicating the original program from 50 years ago.
     
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Sat, Oct 29:
8 pm WILLIAM JACKSON and GRÁINNE HAMBLY bring their "TWO SIDES OF CELTIC" show just in time for Samhain (the original Celtic Halloween) at the Caltech Folk Music Society series in Beckman Institute Auditorium, on the campus in Pasadena 91106; 626-395-4652. Park in one of the two lots on Michigan Av, S off Del Mar.
    WILLIAM JACKSON , a founding member of the Scottish group OSSIAN, has performed “a couple of outstanding shows” at the series before. This time, he is joined by GRÁINNE HAMBLY, who is from Ireland. The promo from Nick Smith and Rex Meyreis, co-producers of Caltech Folk, is so good that we're simply reprinting it for you, below.
    Their recent recording together, “Music from Ireland and Scotland, is a stunningly beautiful collection of mostly traditional tunes featuring the two of them on harp, along with tin whistle, concertina, and bouzouki. Along with the late, great singer, Tony Cuffe, William was a founding member of the much missed traditional Scottish group, Ossian, who we were lucky enough to have at Caltech back in 1988. Since then, his solo harp career has taken off, and he has become world renowned with touring and with recordings, such as “The Wellpark Suite.” He is equally adept in his interpretations of traditional tunes as he is as a composer. His Land of Light won the international competition in 1999 as the new song for Scotland, announced on the eve of that Parliament convening for the first time in 300 years.
    As impressive as William's two solo appearances at Caltech have been, we are delighted that he will be joined for this show by Gráinne (pronounced "GRAWN-yuh") Hambly, from County Mayo, Ireland. Gráinne has 3 solo recordings and two song book collections to her credit. Finton Vallely wrote that her CD, Between the Showers, is "an altogether beautiful harp album that takes on the full gamut of traditional dance music and airs as well as three Carolan pieces that include the unusual Madge Malone and two versions of Turlough MacDonough." The interplay of these two master musicians promises a truly memorable evening of music.
    Listen to them on Youtube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR8mXsQY-KY.     
    The web page for their CD is www.harpagency.com/artist1.htm    
    Their individual web sites are www.wjharp.com and www.grainne.harp.net.     
    Tickets for this show are $15 for adults and $5 for Caltech students and children, and they can be ordered by calling the Ticket Office at 626-395-4652, visiting the Ticket Office, or purchased for cash at the door (if it doesn't sell-out). The Ticket Office is open noon to 5 pm Monday through Friday.
     
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Sat, Oct 29:
SOLD OUT 8 pm JENNIFER WARNES at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497.
     
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Sat, Oct 29:
8 pm CLIFF WAGNER & THE OLD #7 bring bluegrass to the Folk Music Center & Museum, 220 Yale Av, Claremont 91711; 909-624-2928; www.folkmusiccenter.com.  Tix, $10.   
     
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Sunday, October 30
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Sun, Oct 30:
3 & 7 pm “SAMHAIN” Irish Song, Dance & Story, with optional traditional Samhain dinner, brings the story of Halloween and a celebration of the Celtic New Year, with SLUGGER O'TOOLE, BARRY LYNCH, ACS DANCERS, ADAM KIRK, CHRIS LOKEN, AEDAN MacDONNELL, STEVE PRIBYL, & LINEA SOLEDAD, sponsored by the Celtic Arts Center at the Burbank Moose Lodge, 1901 W Burbank Bl, Burbank 91506. Two shows, 3 pm or 7 pm, tix for either are $18; 5 pm dinner tix are $15; show + dinner, $30. Tix will sell-out early; info & advance tix, www.CelticArtsCenter.com/Samhain.    
     
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Sat, Oct 30:
7 pm THE BATTLEFIELD BAND at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Tix, $24.50.
     
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BEYOND OCTOBER...
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Fri, Nov 4:
8 pm MARLEY'S GHOST at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Oct 21; $17.50.
     
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Fri, Nov 4:
8 pm WILLY PORTER at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Tix, $22.50.
     
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Fri, Nov 4:
“OH COSMONAUT!” presented by the Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883.
     
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Sat, Nov 5:
8 pm DREAM STREET at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Oct 22; $17.50.
     
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Sat, Nov 5:
VOX FEMINA presents “AND JUSTICE FOR ALL,” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. Expect an inspiring evening about love and equality, as the mighty voices of Vox Femina explore the issues of equality and immigration, and their passion for fairness, proving that all men and women are created equal. The highlight of the concert will be Mark Koval’s work “We the People,” the story of the fight for marriage equality in narration and song.
     
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Sat, Nov 5:
8 & 10 pm GRAHAM PARKER at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. 8 pm is sold out. Tix, $24.50.
     
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Sun, Nov 6:
10:30 am JUSTIN ROBERTS & THE NOT READY FOR NAPTIME PLAYERS play the Kids Concert at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Tix, $17.
     
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Sun, Nov 6
7 pm JOHN WESLEY HARDING & The KING CHARLES TRIO plus THE MINUS FIVE at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Tix, $22.50.
     
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Fri, Nov 11:
8 pm AL STEWART plays McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Still famous for his fine songs, “Time Passages” and “Year of the Cat,” he's here for two nights, the 11th and 12th. Tix, $24.50
     
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Fri, Nov 11:
ILIANA ROSE BAND: “HOT NIGHTS IN HAVANA!” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. Romantic melodies, voluptuous poetry, and pulsing rhythms of Cuban Salsa abound. Hailed as a spirited and vibrant presence on and off stage, Iliana's voice is pure, warm, sensual and beautiful, captivating audiences in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
     
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Sat, Nov 12:
8 pm THREE MUSCKETEERS (Three mUSCketeers) at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Oct 29; $15.
     
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Sat, Nov 12:
RICHARD PEARSON THOMAS: “SONGS FROM NEW YORK,” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. With “the heart and soul of the quintessential New York musician,” Thomas has received praise from the likes of Audra McDonald, Sanford Sylvan, Lauren Flanagan and Kurt Ollmann. Richard will perform an eclectic selection of his music with his brilliant TRILLIUM ENSEMBLE collaborators, California based soprano PATRICIA PRUNTY and New York based baritone BRUCE RAMEKER.
     
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Sat, Nov 12:
8 pm AL STEWART plays McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; 310-828-4497. Still famous for his fine songs, “Time Passages” and “Year of the Cat,” he's here for two nights, the 11th and 12th. Tix, $24.50
     
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Fri, Nov 18:
8 pm “A FAMOUS BRITISH TRIBUTE BAND” at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Even the venue won't tell you who yet, citing their “Don't strum, don't tell” policy.” Big reveal is Oct 22. Tix on sale Nov 4; $17.50.
     
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Sat, Nov 19:
“ORPHEUS AND EURIDICE” at the Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N Mentor Av, Pasadena 91106; tix and info, including discount and bonus packages, are available at www.bostoncourt.com or 626-683-6883. This artful production explores what happens when Orpheus gives up his mythic lyre for a clarinet. Find out in an innovative staging of award-winning American composer RICKY IAN GORDON’s reimagining of the classic love story. Graceful and dramatic is the beloved Euridice as created by up-and-coming soprano superstar ALEXANDRA LOUTSION. World renowned pianist ALAN SMITH provides the vibrant keyboard landscape that supports the longing voice of masterful clarinetist JAMES SULLIVAN’s poignant Orpheus.
    
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Sun, Nov 20:
8 pm monthly “VARIETY NIGHT” with featured artists CALI ROSE & CRAIG BRANDAU and the sign-up-in-advance OPEN MIC, at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. Open Mic signups limited to the first eight, and are taken beginning Nov 6 at 1 pm at the venue. Tix, $4.
    
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Fri, Dec 2:
8 pm ROB ICKES & JIM HURST at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Nov 18; $17.50.
    
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Sat, Dec 3:
8 pm LOAFER'S GLORY at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Nov 19; $20.
    
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Sat, Dec 10:
8 pm JANET KLEIN & HER PARLOR BOYS at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Nov 26; $17.50.
    
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Sat, Dec 17:
8 pm THE WITCHER BROTHERS bring dynamite bluegrass to Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. More details in the near future. Tix on sale Dec 4; $15.
    
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Sun, Dec 18:
7 pm Annual “FREE HOLIDAY SHOW” at Boulevard Music, 4316 Sepulveda Bl, Culver City 90230; 310-398-2583. An established tradition here, with entertainment provided by the teachers (recording stars / session players all) at the venue / music store. Cookies and baked confections are always anticipated at this event, too. More details in the near future. Free.
    
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MUCH MORE COMING SOON!
     
     
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MORE STUFF >>>>>>> Other News, Resources, etc
     
"NEWS FEATURES” is a fresh edition each week, with news and reviews from the acoustic music universe, with features on folk-Americana, the “acoustic renaissance,” latest releases, reviews of CDs and live shows, industry news, news for artists, and more. Always available at www.acousticmusic.net.      
     
"VENUE DIRECTORY" - The Guide's extensive locator – has location and contact info for OVER 500 acoustic-music-friendly venues in Southern California, from Santa Barbara County to south Orange County, plus a few for San Diego, the deserts, and the Central Coast.
     
UPDATES are made every few months – the current edition of our VENUE DIRECTORY is at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2011/02/venue-directory-from-guide-updated.html      
     
     
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The Guide’s weekly News Features and Spotlight Events UPDATED EDITIONS bring more (always more -- as we have time to organize all of it).
     
We do all we can to bring you news and notices of all the many, many, MANY acoustic music events in and around the Los Angeles region, from the North border of Santa Barbara County to the South border of Orange County, and inland through San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
     
Plus, we tell you about RADIO SHOWS with acoustic music, focusing on those with live acoustic performances. (They're available mostly on the web, of course, since we are in acoustic-music-radio-deprived Los Angeles.)
     
And, we bring news and reviews of the many acoustic music FESTIVALS near and far, hither and yon, here, there and everywhere! With your help, we'll keep doing it!
     
     
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Questions? Comments? Contact us at tied to the tracks (at) Hotmail dot com (remove all the spaces and format it when you type it – we’re trying to reduce spam – you know...)
     
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LATEST EDITION of the Guide, the NEWS FEATURES, THE SCENE, and SPOTLIGHTED EVENTS, covering the world of current acoustic music happenings, including "heads up" notices to buy advance tix for shows likely to sell-out – and lots more – is available 24/7 (& frequently updated!) at
     
               www.acousticmusic.net or at
               www.acousticamericana.blogspot.com
     
               - or by following any of many links on the web to get to one of those sites.
     
The Guide’s weekly NEWS FEATURES are published in 16 websites / webgroups!
     
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contents copyright © 2011, Lawrence Wines & Tied to the Tracks. All rights reserved.
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