Acoustic Americana Music Guide, March 13 to 21 (and beyond)
UPDATED! Acoustic Americana Music Guide, March 13 to 21 (and beyond)
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Tied to the Tracks
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA
MUSIC GUIDE & NEWS
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MARCH 13 through 21 events (and much more, through 2010)
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A Salute to the “Recurring Event”…
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We’re taking this opportunity to celebrate the wonderfully vast offerings of “recurring events” on the acoustic music scene. Whether recently-launched or long-running, remember that all of them need your support to continue. Any good venue is continuously tempted to dislodge a recurring event in favor of something else that may attract more clientele or revenue for the night (or the morning or afternoon). Your support is what makes the difference.
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In the Los Angeles region this weekend – in addition to the rich offerings of one-night-only concerts – the recurring monthly and weekly events include “Sabrina & Craig’s Acoustic L.A.,” Mark Islam’s “Grassroots Acoustica,” and Lawrence Lebo’s new “Sunday Nite Live,” each of these a multi-artist showcase. Plus there are numerous scheduled jam sessions that welcome musicians and listeners alike.
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Other recurring highlights each month are the “Bluegrass at the Braemar” series in the hills above the San Fernando Valley, “The Living Tradition” series in Anaheim, the “Ojai Concert Series” above Ventura, Severin Browne’s “First Fridays” and Lauren Adams’ “Americana Music Circle,” Mark “Pocket” Goldberg’s showcase, The L.A. Women in Music Showcase (formerly the “Soiree”), and of course, there are many, many more.
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On any given night of the week, there are a fine variety of artist residencies and a bunch of open mics. And there’s Americana / alt-country music and dancing seven nights a week at the Cowboy Palace in Chatsworth – L.A.’s last real honky-tonk, and live music every night – mostly Americana – at the world’s smallest honky-tonk, the Cinema Bar in Culver City. And the Coffee Gallery now has an active “Front Stage” most nights with free (usually interactive) entertainment most nights, in addition to the professional shows in the Backstage.
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When you can afford concerts and club shows with the best acoustic acts, both touring and local, you’ll find no better options than the vast possibilities in Southern California. But remember the recurring events, residencies, and series, as well. They warrant your interest and deserve your support.
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NEWS FEATURES:
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1) ST. PATRICK’S DAY IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17…
We know, Chicago and Boston are the American cities most renowned for St. Paddy’s Day celebrations. But L.A. has a parade and plenty of revelry.
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So, Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Think you know all about it? Some of the facts are quite surprising! Here they are, along with a list of likely places to find very musical celebrations in the Los Angeles region.
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March 17 is a national holiday in Ireland, and it has been celebrated in America since 1737, when a group of Irish Protestants (yep, Protestants, not Catholics) met in Boston to honor St. Patrick and found the Charitable Irish Society.
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Ready for another surprise? Saint Patrick, who is something of a legend, was born in Wales or perhaps Western England in the early fourth century A.D. (England? Blimey!) But no one knows exactly when or where he was born.
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At age 16, he was captured by Irish raiders who carried him to slavery in Ireland. After six years, he escaped. He then entered an English monastery and eventually became a bishop. Patrick returned to Ireland as a missionary, dedicated to converting the Irish to Christianity.
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St. Patrick’s Day’s celebrations and parades mark the date of his death in 492 A.D. Hence, it’s an annual Irish wake. Learn more in “Shamrocks, Harps, and Shellelaghs: The Story of Saint Patrick’s Day Symbols” by Ursula Arndt (Clarion, 1977).
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Here in Southern California, there are some key events, plus you’ll be able to find the makings of your own celebration in any Irish-friendly establishment. Accordingly, we expect plenty of music and good times! Here are our recommendations:
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Saturday, March 13, (a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick), at 7 pm, is the “ST PATRICK’S CELEBRATION” with the FABULOUS MULLIGANS and the award-winning CLEARY SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE, hosted by The Irish Center at the Hilton Hotel in Glendale.
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Sunday, March 14 (a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick), 2-7 pm is the annual “ST. PATRICK’S FEST” at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood.
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Wednesday, March 17 (a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick) is the 8 pm “IRISH HOOLEY” for ST. PATRICK’S DAY with PADDY HOMAN, LAURA TURNER, SHEELAGH CULLEN, PATRICK D’ARCY, BELLA ISSAKOVA, KERI LYNN ZWICKER, WILLIAM COULTER, JOEY ABARTA, THE KERRY DANCE TROUPE, JESSICA OLSON, KATELYN ARCHER, DEVIN NELSON, & AIDAN HALIKIS, at The Barclay Theatre, on the campus at UC Irvine.
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And elsewhere (all over the region) on St. Patrick’s Day, expect music and good times at
~ Auld Dubliner, 71 Pine Av, Long Beach; 562-437-8300; www.aulddubliner.com.
~ Brennan’s Irish Pub, 4089 Lincoln Bl, Marina Del Rey; www.brennanspub-la.com; 310-821-6622.
~ Casey’s Irish Bar, 613 S Grand Av, downtown L.A., 90017; 213-629-2353; www.bigcaseys.com.
~ Celtic Arts Center, shared location, Theatre Unlimited, 10943 Camarillo St, North Hollywood 91602; 818-760-8322; www.celticartscenter.com.
~ Clancy’s, in East Arts Village, 803 E Broadway, Long Beach 90802; 562-437-1836; www.clancyslb.com.
~ Finn McCool, 2702 Main St, Santa Monica; 310-452-1734.
~ Fitzgerald’s, 19171 Magnolia St, Huntington Beach; 714-968-4523.
~ Ireland’s 32, 13721 Burbank Bl, Van Nuys; 818-785-4031; www.irelands32pub.com.
~ Killian’s Pub & Grill, 3944 Sepulveda Bl, Torrance; 310-373-1218.
~ Maeve’s Residuals, 11042 Ventura Bl, Studio City 91604; 818-761-8301; www.residualsbar.com; venue is 21+.
~ McGs Irish Pub & Grill, 21356 Devonshire St, Chatsworth; 818-734-7056.
~ McMurphy’s, 72 N Fair Oaks Av, Pasadena; 626-666-1445.
~ The Mint, 6010 W Pico Bl, L.A.; 323-954-9630; www.themintla.com.
~ Molly Malone’s, 575 S Fairfax Av, L.A. 90036; www.mollymalonesla.com; 323-935-1577.
~ Muldoon’s, 202 Newport Ctr Dr, Newport Beach; 949-640-4110.
~ Nadine’s Irish Mist, 16655 Pacific Coast Hwy, Sunset Beach; www.nadinesirishmist.com.
~ O’Brien’s Irish Pub, 2941 Main St, Santa Monica; www.obriensonmain.com; 310-396-4725.
~ O’Malley’s on Main, 140 Main St, Seal Beach 90740; 562-430-0631; www.omalleyssealbeach.com. (Jim McDonough of the “Irish News” says, “best pub in the South Bay… a multi-year winner of the Guinness Perfect Pint Award.”)
~ Shamrock Social Club, 9026 W Sunset Bl, West Hollywood; 310-271-9664.
~ Tam O’Shanter, 2980 Los Feliz Bl, L.A.; 323-664-0228.
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Erin Go Braugh, wear your green, and drink responsibly!
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2) AZTEC CALENDAR’S NEW YEAR: A TIME OF MUSIC, CONTEMPLATION, MORE
We’ve all heard the hoopla over the movie “2012,” and it’s ominous assertion that the ancient Aztec calendar has already doomed us with some kind of proclamation of the end of time. Turns out the observance of the “Mexica New Year,” which arrives Friday, March 12 at 6 am, according to that ancient calendar, is a very spiritual and reflective time, and a musical one. It all begins on March 12 with five days of reflection, food, and contemplation, and then March 12 and the weekend that follows are given to celebration.
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On Sunday, March 21, 5-7 pm, MEXICA presents “Sounds of Ancient Mexico” at Alva’s Showroom, organized by Martin Espino. Martin says, “MEXIKA will perform a set of healing, energizing music with ancestral instruments like clay multiple flutes, conch shells, drums, water drums, log drums, indigenous songs and actual shamanic chants (we will teach you these so you can sing along with us). We even invite the audience to join in with us on a vast array of native percussion that we’ll bring! Alva’s is a state of the art venue, with excellent sound and lighting as well as a very professional looking yet relaxed environment. Come celebrate the coming of Spring with MEXIKA.” Details at www.discoversound.com/events/event/show?id=2819290:Event:8345&xgi=0hXpSOOsREGOUL&xg_source=msg_invite_event. Refreshments provided. Tix, $20.
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L.A.-based musician and expert on the subject MICHAEL HERALDA has performed excerpts from his compelling “Aztec Stories” presentation on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” including music on original and traditional Native American instruments. On Saturday, March 13, at 10:30 am, Michael is a guest on a weekly 30-minute radio show on KTEP 88.5 FM from El Paso, Texas, simulcast worldwide at www.ktep.org. It’s “STATE OF THE ARTS” hosted by Monica Gomez. The next day is the big annual celebration of the event in El Paso, with Michael among the performers.
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Michael always presents a compelling and informative performance, and his written piece on the Mexica New Year is fascinating, spiritual, and a must-read for cultural literacy. It’s our guest editorial, by Michael, at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2010/03/aztec-calendars-new-year-time-of-music.html
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Here are a couple of excerpts:
“…coming together as a group (Tloke Nahuake – Together and United) to honor something is very important. As a group we create a very powerful energy field that affects things around you. In addition, honoring something on a singular and personal level is also powerful medicine. However you decide to honor and celebrate this very important event do it with your heart.”
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And, “Do you have personal items (things) that have lived past their usefulness? If so, make some time to sit down (with them) and recall what they represent to you, how were they used and what memories, fond or sad, are associated with them. Did you learn things from them? Did they advance your life in a positive or negative way? It is not as important to recall only the good memories, but also those that became markers in your life – good or bad. It is because of these associations that we learn and advance. If your personal belongings have served their purpose and usefulness, then these may be good candidates to discard or break (it is not necessary to discard more than one object, only those or a item that needs replacing). Remember, our ancestors understood that by giving away something important it made room for something else (maybe more important) to take its place.”
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You can find more at www.flickr.com/photos/familyheralda/4363793892/sizes/l and www.aztecstories.com in addition to Michael’s full guest editorial piece at its own URL in the Guide.
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3) TIME, AND THE WHYS AND WHEREFORES OF IT…
It isn’t just that Saturday night brings the return to Daylight Savings Time. Sure, it’ll cost you an hour’s sleep when you “spring forward,” and in return, you’ll get an extra hour of daylight at the end of each day until well into the autumn. (Yeaaaaah!)
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It’s downright ironic that Standard Time ends almost as Saturday ends, because March 13 is the anniversary of the day that Standard Time was first established in 1884, bringing us our familiar time zones (Eastern, Central, Mountain, Pacific, etc). Before that, every town reckoned its own time from local noon, when the sun reached its zenith over that town. Why the standardization in 1884, long before TV and radio? It was a matter of safety, with trains running in opposite directions on single tracks. Accurate time was the only way to keep schedules that prevented “cornfield meets” – the railroader’s term for head-on collisions. Yep, the railroads brought us our time zones, on their own initiative.
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As for Daylight Savings Time? That was an idea born in World War I, to save energy on the home front. During World War II, England operated on Double Daylight Savings Time. Won’t be long that you can play tennis and barbecue after work, or write a song at 7 pm under your favorite tree…
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4) MUSIC SHOWS ON PBS? MUST BE PLEDGE-DRIVE TIME…
It’s an Andy Rooney moment: “Ever notice how the only time they have music shows on public television is during pledge drives? Why is that?”
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The obvious answer to part of it is that music programs are pledge-drive cash cows for L.A.’s PBS affiliates. The past week, both KCET and KOCE have aired a bunch of live music performance specials, sometimes in head-to-head competition at the same times. We’ve gotten splendid shows starring the late Chet Atkins with Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Mark Knopfler, and we got the late Roy Orbison with Bruce Springsteen and a slew of music stars, and the new shows with the Celtic Tenors and the ever-popular Celtic Women. And, as is the case with every pledge drive, and only during every pledge drive, we got to see even more music. Of course, all of it was constantly interrupted by the phone-jangling begging of pledge-drive breaks.
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If you’re in L.A. and good music is on TV, the impending pledge break is imminent.
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As for the rest of the story, it seems to us that KCET and KOCE using music to raise money is tantamount to false advertising, since neither of those TV stations airs any music programming on a regular basis. They limit their offerings of music shows to pledge drive time, when they trot-out everything in the PBS music stable, and interrupt the hell out of it to beg for money.
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So, our question for the local PBS affiliates is simple: if music shows are so popular that you depend on them for pledge-drive revenues, then why aren’t music shows popular enough to deliver during your regular seasons? Taking just one example, where is “Austin City Limits” on your schedules? Of course the answer is, it isn’t there, on either of those PBS stations. But thankfully, it is available on the Los Angeles City School District’s public TV station – KLCS – albeit a half-season behind the current episodes seen by the rest of the country.
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Sadly, it’s all quite consistent in L.A. The center of the filmmaking and episodic television world, with its population of 14 million, continues to lag far behind every medium-sized city in the country when it comes to diversity of music programming available on radio and television. In L.A., there simply isn’t any – except during pledge-drives. And all that is so out-of-touch with the astonishing number and variety of live music performances each week in venues large and small across the Los Angeles region.
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5) ANOTHER HAITI RELIEF BENEFIT SHOW, MARCH 19
It’s a benefit and a “SHOW-OF-THE-WEEK” pick on Fri, March 19, at 8 pm, when The CALIFORNIA COWBOY BAND plus CHRIS & THOMAS opening, perform at the Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N Lake Av, Altadena; info www.coffeegallery.com; reservations, 626-398-7917.
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Steve Deming of the CALIFORNIA COWBOY BAND tells us, “We have made arrangements with the owner, Bob Stane, to contribute half of our fee for the evening to the Haiti Relief Fund. If you don’t have our new CD yet, now is the time to purchase one through CD Baby.com, as we, and they have agreed to send a dollar of each purchase to the Haiti relief as well.”
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CALIFORNIA COWBOY BAND’s new CD, “Riding Catalina Again,” is somethin’ special, and in the Top 20 in the Western Music Chart. (Your editor heard the the final mixes when the band first heard them, and immediately predicted success.) The band recently recorded a performance for “The Heart of Western Music” for airing on nationwide cable TV on April 1.
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CHRIS & THOMAS are favorites at McCabe’s who have played the CGB before, and they impress audiences everywhere. Tix, $18.
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6) OTHER NEWS?
Egads. The editor is neck-deep in emails, many of them telling us about gigs and upcoming events. Meanwhile, all of us are following the news from DC about health care reform, and the teabaggers vs. everyone else. For now, our news here covers the special days coming up soon, then our focus is all about our newly-updated listings and descriptions of the concerts, shows and showcases, club gigs, radio shows, rapidly-approaching festivals, and other places that musicians are making acoustic music. And that is QUITE a lot. Enjoy.
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RECENT NEWS FEATURES:
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Did you see our GUEST EDITORIAL in February 2010 by award-winning musician FREEBO? He wrote an essay on climate change that’s worth a read, and we presented it in the Guide. It’s entertaining and thoughtful, and takes it to the “deniers” in right-wing media. It’s at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2010/02/climate-change-by-freebo-special-to.html
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The Feb 23 edition’s News Features are available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2010/02/acoustic-americana-music-guide-feb-23.html
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Entire contents copyright (c) © 2010, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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Recurring events are included through Sunday, March 21, with updated listings of all kinds o’ things happening through the rest of 2010.
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Where, oh where can find all that information, you ask (no doubt with breathless anticipation)? Our electrons will lead your electrons by their little subatomic hands to the Guide, and its abundance of acoustic music performances in the L.A. region, plus acoustic music radio shows (broadcast & web) and much more, at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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