Free In L.A.

Just check the Event Calendar.

2006-09-14T20:30:00.000-07:00

Event Calendar

You don't want to hear what I have to say anyway.

Jamie Lidell at the Getty, Friday 9/1, 6 pm

2006-08-31T18:26:00.000-07:00

Free, $7 parking. LINK

This is my second post for Lidell, because I think he is so talented. I'm too old to appreciate his techno stuff, but Multiply is an incredible song. It's scheduled until 9 pm, so I would guess that there has to be some kind of opening act. Small picnic baskets are welcome, no alcohol, but you can buy beer and wine there.

Here's the write-up from the Getty:

Groove to the jaw-dropping vocal talent of Jamie Lidell, a boundary-smashing techno master who's shaking up the electonic music scene with a gleefully twisted version of R&B, doo-wop, and disco. Sure, he's got a voice Sly Stone (his hero) might envy, but how many soul greats live-loop their own vocals and create beats by stomping shopping carts full of junk? Don't miss Lidell's "one-man funk tornado"—retro soul with an irreverent attitude, served up in a whirlwind of cinematic, cabaret-inspired showmanship.

Multiply:

Gerald Clayton at Hollywood & Highland, Tuesday 8/29, 7 pm

2006-08-28T22:53:00.000-07:00

Free, $2 parking with validation. LINK

If you've attend many jazz concerts - at least the straight-ahead variety - you may reach the conclusion that the average age of the fans is...deceased. There's blue hair everywhere, and lots of widows tilting to the music, reliving earlier times and loves.

It may sound ageist, but it's nice to finally have a jazz pianist with dreads. Maybe it will help attract that younger, under 65 demographic.

For $10 you get two glasses of wine and a salad, and it's a nice place for music. Arrive early if you want to sit.

Yes, this YouTube video is a repeat. Watch it, the kid is incredible:

This week's highlights: 8/28 - 9/3

2006-08-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

Gerald Clayton at the wine and jazz thing at Hollywood & Highland on Tuesday.
Jewel at the Grove in L.A. on Wednesday.
David Grisman at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday.
Jamie Lidell at the Getty on Friday.
Cleo Laine and John Dankworth (pdf) in Marina del Rey on Saturday.

For more free events, check the Event Calendar.

Gerald Clayton on piano:

Eric Burdon & the Animals in Woodland Hills, Sunday 8/27, 6 pm

2006-08-26T09:30:00.001-07:00

Free, free parking about three blocks away. LINK

Bring sunscreen, picnic baskets, blankets or chairs, dogs.

House of the Rising Sun (1964):

We Gotta Get Out of This Place (1966):

Jamie Lee Curtis, Bob Newhart, Peter Falk, and Tracey Ullman...

2006-08-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

...will be making free book store appearances in the next few months, and details are in the Event Calendar. As you can see, the Tracey Ullman book is actually about knitting. But if you want it autographed, you have to buy it at the store, not from Amazon.

Book signings can be very entertaining. The author usually speaks for a half hour or so and then answers a few questions. The indie stores that host most of these events are Vroman's in Pasadena, Book Soup in West Hollywood and Costa Mesa, and Dutton's in Brentwood and Beverly Hills. Barnes & Noble and Borders have author appearances too, but they make it difficult to find events on their sites.

Around here, the mother of all book events is the L.A. Times Book Festival at UCLA every April.

Whoops, David Grisman performs on Thursday the 31st, NOT the 24th

2006-08-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

...at the Santa Monica Pier. Sorry about that!

On the 24th, it's Kiran Ahluwalia, with whom I am unfamiliar.

Kiran Ahluwalia:

Tyler Hilton at the Grove in L.A. on Wednesday 8/23, 7 pm

2006-08-21T20:42:00.000-07:00

Free, free parking. LINK

I mean if you can't hate someone just because their named is Tyler Hilton, then what are snap judgements for? When his name first popped up on Launchcast, I didn't wait more than one or two beats to click delete. Besides, I figured he might even be related to her.

But then I saw his very brief performance in Walk the Line as a young Elvis, which was quite good. He also appears on One Tree Hill. Because his voice is an octave below your average boy-band member, he's being compared to John Mayer, but unfortunately he's more Richard Marx. The folks allmusic are skeptical about his future, because Hilton is too MOR, neither hip nor hip hop.

The entire show is scheduled for only an hour, and Hilton shares the bill with Robin Thicke. Don't expect more than four or five tunes.

This week's highlights: 8/21 to 8/27

2006-08-20T01:54:00.000-07:00

Tommy Chong sells his new book in Pasadena on Monday at 7 pm.
Francisco Aguabella's latin jazz with wine at Hollywood and Highland on Tuesday at 7 pm.
Tyler Hilton and Robin Thicke at the Grove in L.A. on Wednesday at 8 pm.
David Grisman at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday at 7:30 pm.
Beijing LDTX Modern Dance in downtown L.A. on Thursday through Sunday at 8 pm.
Fiesta La Ballona in Culver City Friday through Sunday.
Eric Burdon and the Animals in Woodland Hills on Sunday at 6 pm.

For many more freebies, check out the Event Calendar.

Eric Burdon 9/16/66

Friday Nights at the Getty: Reservations Thursday 8/24 at 9 am

2006-08-19T17:31:00.000-07:00

Free, $7 parking.

If you want to see Vashti Bunyan or David Ornette Cherry in September, call (310) 440-7300 Thursday morning.

Tommy Chong in Pasadena, Monday 8/21, 7 pm

2006-08-19T14:36:00.000-07:00

Free, free parking. LINK

Tommy Chong wrote The I Chong: Meditations From The Joint about his bust in 2003 and the repercussions for selling drug paraphernalia, mostly water pipes. The Feds busted over fifty others in the same investigations, but Chong was one of the few that received a prison sentence. He agreed to nine months in the joint in return for his wife and son escaping prosecution.

Don't expect any of the old routines because this is a book event, not a club, and besides he's been Cheechless for over 20 years. But Chong has little bitterness toward his prosecutors and persecutors, so it should be fun.

Update: Tommy Chong will be also be selling books, not bongs, at the Westwood Borders on Friday 8/27, at 7 pm.

Potcast:

Inside the Creole Mafia downtown on Saturday 8/19, 8 pm

2006-08-18T16:59:00.000-07:00

Free, $5 parking. LINK

Finally, a free play that's not Shakespeare. Inside the Creole Mafia received an L.A. Weekly Theatre Award in 1993, but this will be a post-Katrina version. It's an adult dark comedy, described as a cross between street theatre and Chekhov.

According to Margaret Cho, it is "an original, important, provocative work, and should be seen by everyone. Not just the sexy people."

ALOUD Series at the Downtown Library, 7 pm

2006-08-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

Free, $1 parking with your library card to validate. LINK

Listen to some really interesting people, and even meet them briefly if you are willing to buy their latest book. Make reservations for free tickets, or arrive a little early for standby seats. A few that are coming up in the next couple of months:

Annie Leibovitz - photographer of Yoko and John for Rolling Stone, and of Springsteen's butt for Born in the USA.
Alexander McCall Smith - author of the the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series.
Joseph Stiglitz - 2001 Nobel Prize winner in economics for Globalization and Its Discontinents.
Janet Fitch - author of White Oleander.
Frank Rich - New York Times columnist and Bush-phobe.

Anjelica Huston will also be making an appearance to introduce Irish novelist Edna O'Brien. For a complete list, check the ALOUD website.

Patti Page in Marina del Rey, Saturday 8/19, 7pm

2006-08-16T23:48:00.000-07:00

Free, $5 parking. LINK

Elvis died 29 years ago today. He more or less ended Patti Page's reign at the top of the charts. After Elvis, rock and roll ruled, Elvis was crowned the king, and almost everyone who came before was relegated to the adult contemporary ghetto on the radio dial.

People forget that Presley was a crossover artist, going from country to pop. Even more forgotten is that Patti Page was the first crossover artist, and her Tennessee Waltz was at the top of the pop, country, and blues charts at the same time.

Even though she would never come close to the acclaim she received in the early fiftys, Page has continued to record, earning a Grammy in 1998 for Best Traditional Country Singer. She's recorded over 100 albums, and had over 84 top 40 hits.

Is she still alive? Yeah.

Tennesse Waltz:

Music on Melrose every Sunday at the Gig

2006-08-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

From an email:

A free showcase, every Sunday night at The Gig (7302 Melrose Ave 90046), from August 20th -November 12th. Featuring an eclectic lineup of performers over a thirteen week period, The Platform is FREE to those 21+. 100% Voluntary donations will be collected at the door for AIDS Project Los Angeles (www.apla.org) and Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches (http://www.asianmarrow.org/)

Check out http://www.theplatform2006.com/ or www.myspace.com/everysunday for more details.

I don't usually cover this kind of stuff, because it's not really "free," it's a no-cover benefit. I think it would be bad form to show up and to not donate and buy drinks. You could sign up for the bone marrow donation program though. Last year at the Tofu Festival, the only open table I could find was at the bone marrow donation booth. The next thing I knew, they were taking a blood sample, and now maybe I get to save someone's life.

"Mathemagician" Arthur Benjamin in Encino, Thursday 8/17, 7:30 pm

2006-08-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

Free, with free parking. LINK

Here is something you can do for your inner geek. Dr. Arthur Benjamin is a regular Hollywood Magic Castle performer, as well as a professor at Harvey Mudd College. His show consists of seemingly impossible lightning calculations - much faster than using a calculator - and other feats such as memorizing 100 digit numbers. It's a lot more entertaining than it sounds, good for kids, but keep in mind that he wows them at the Magic Castle, where you must be at least 21 to get in.

He's hoping you will buy his new book, which was just released last week. Like most magic books, Secrets of Mental Math won't really enable you to do much unless you work at it. The book is co-written by Michael Shermer, who otherwise tells the truth about Uri Geller and the rest of those thieves.

This week's highlights: 8/14 to 8/20

2006-08-13T15:15:00.000-07:00

Free events Monday through Sunday. For a complete list, see the Event Calendar.

Pancho Sanchez in Newport Beach on Wednesday at 7 pm.
Lisa Germano in Hollywood on Thursday at 7 pm.
Inti-Illimani at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday at 7:30 pm.
The Société Anonyme's exhibition closing weekend bash, with music and cash bar, at the Hammer on Friday at 7 pm.
Patti Page in Marina del Rey on Saturday at 7 pm.

A freebie I missed: LA Tofu Festival

2006-08-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

I just came back from the LA Tofu Festival, where I pigged out on meatball sandwich, pad thai, teriyaki tofu, lobster balls, and tofu ice cream - well worth the $7 admission and $14 for food. But it turns out that they have a free admission coupon every year in the L.A. Times.

I'll keep a look out next year, and keep you informed.

Malibu's hidden beaches

2006-08-12T16:20:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure if a beach should be classified as "free entertainment," but I know where I'm going for my next dip in the Pacific. Jenny Price, blogging at LA Observed subsite Native Intelligence, provides user-friendly instructions on how to access supposedly inaccessible Malibu Beaches.

She includes useful hints on how to deal with the private guards hired by homeowners to scare you away. Her best bit of advice: Bring the Coastal Commission's phone number with you.

Jamie Lidell at the Getty, Friday 9/1, 6 pm

2006-08-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

Free, $7 parking. LINK

I've never previewed a show this far in advance before, but I've still got Al Green on the brain from his show at the Bowl nine days ago. And at least on his biggest hit, Multiply, a comparison to Green is legitimate. Supposedly he patterned himself more after Sly Stone, but I don't hear it.

Here's the write-up from the Getty:

Groove to the jaw-dropping vocal talent of Jamie Liddell, a boundary-smashing techno master who's shaking up the electonic music scene with a gleefully twisted version of R&B, doo-wop, and disco. Sure, he's got a voice Sly Stone (his hero) might envy, but how many soul greats live-loop their own vocals and create beats by stomping shopping carts full of junk? Don't miss Liddell's "one-man funk tornado"—retro soul with an irreverent attitude, served up in a whirlwind of cinematic, cabaret-inspired showmanship.

Yes, just like about 20% of the Google-universe, they misspelled his name.

Multiply:

Trout Fishing in America at the Getty, Sat. & Sun 8/12 & 8/13, 4 pm

2006-08-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

Free, $7 parking. LINK

TFIA is a Grammy nominated duo that specializes in performing songs from the point of view of a six year old. They've been called the Lennon & McCartney of children's music, and compared accurately with the Smothers Brothers. And they can flat out sing and play.

Bring food, drink (no alcohol), and sunscreen, or you can purchase food and wine there if you want. Come a little early or stay a little late, and let the kiddies peruse the Rubens exhibition. See, we're not so fat after all.

Listen to Morning Edition's story on Trout Fishing in America.

Stephen Bishop in Woodland Hills, Sunday 8/13, 6 pm

2006-08-09T13:13:00.000-07:00

Free, free parking if you are willing to walk. LINK

His hits included On and On, Save It for a Rainy Day, and It Might Be You - the theme song from Tootsie.

And last but not least, in Animal House, when Belushi grabbed the guitar and smashed it, the victim was Stephen Bishop. He still has the guitar.

It Might Be You:

Free* tickets for Boz Scaggs at the Wiltern, Wednesday 8/9, 8 pm

2006-08-08T16:56:00.000-07:00

The * means there is a catch.

It's a Goldstar event. That means that you have to pay $7 per ticket as a service charge. Still, it seems like a pretty good deal, if you are a fan.

Lido Shuffle:

Anna Nalick at the Grove in Hollywood, Wednesday 8/9, 7 pm

2006-08-07T18:47:00.000-07:00

Free, $2 parking. LINK

Recently, Nalick has opened for Chris Isaak and the Dixie Chicks. It's a store appearance, so it may be a short set.

Rolling Stone's review of Wreck of the Day:

Twenty-year-old Cali cutie Anna Nalick has a strong voice that summons comparisons to Fiona Apple and Alanis Morissette, and her songwriting has enough depth to be taken seriously but is light enough to make it on the radio. Wreck of the Day, her eleven-song debut, never quite leaves the coffee shop, stylistically -- guitars are strummed, not crunched; drums are brushed, never pounded. "Breathe (2 am)" is the obvious hit here, keyboards ebbing and flowing, creating a beautiful melancholy as Nalick shows off her smoke-tinged voice and precocious lyrics. "You can tell he's been down for a while/But, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles," she sings as strings swell. "Want to hold him/Maybe I'll just sing about it." She should certainly keep doing the latter.

Breathe (2AM):

Luis Conte at Hollywood & Highland, Tuesday 8/8, 7 pm

2006-08-06T14:25:00.000-07:00

Free, $2 parking with validation. LINK

As a percussionist and Afro-Latin band leader, Luis Conte works all the time; his list of credits at allmusic is about 800 long, including recordings with Eric Clapton, Madonna, and Ray Charles. And he's backed performers who are known for being obsessive about percussion, like Phil Collins and Santana (on Supernatural).

He even has an instructional DVD called The Studio Percussionist, so that you too can get studio gigs playing the congas. But first you should take his online lessons. Guess he knows his stuff.

For $10, you get two glasses of wine from Jekel Winery, and a small salad. All of the proceeds go to Project Angel Food.

A long solo backing Phil Collins:

This week's highlights: 8/8 to 8/14

2006-08-06T00:19:00.000-07:00

Here are a few free events for the coming week, Tue-Mon. For a complete list, check the Event Calendar.

Percussionist's percussionist, Luis Conte at Hollywood & Highland on Tuesday at 7 pm.
Men at Work's Colin Hay in Newport Beach on Wednesday at 7 pm.
Opener for the Dixie Chicks and Chris Isaak, Anna Nalick at the Grove in Hollywood on Wednesday at 7pm.
Afro-pop from Salif Keita at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday at 7:30 pm.
Jazz singer Barbara Morrison in Pasadena on Friday at 9 pm.
The SloMo Video Festival at the Hammer Museum on Saturday at 8 pm.
For the kids, Trout Fishing in America at the Getty on Saturday and Sunday at 4 pm.
Stephen Bishop sings on and on in Woodland Hills on Sunday at 6 pm.

Salif Keita:

Drum Downtown at the Music Center, Saturday 8/5, 10 am

2006-08-04T05:48:00.000-07:00

Free, parking $8. LINK

According to Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart:

The Drum Circle is a huge jam session. The ultimate goal is not precise rhythmic articulation or perfection of patterned structure, but the ability to entrain and reach the state of a group mind. It is built on cooperation in the groove, but with little reference to any classic styles. So this is a work in constant progress, a phenomenon of the new rhythm culture emerging here in the West.

Entrain is a word most commonly used in chemistry. I understand that several of the Dead were very knowledgeable about chemistry.

All ages are welcome. Percussion instruments will be provided, or bring your own. And if you can't get enough, over the next week, drum maker Remo is hosting three other drum circles in North Hollywood.

It turns out that drum circles are something of a business opportunity. Their are drum makers who promote them for obvious reasons, drum circle facilitation training, paid performance gigs, and even corporate teambuilding contracts to be had. And drumming in general is now being promoted as a way to help achieve health and well-being.

Drum circle with dancing:

What I'm paying to see tonight, 8/2

2006-08-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Al Green and Lizz Wright at the Bowl. Tickets prices range from $1 to $120, but the least expensive tickets now available are $16.

My advice is to never go to the Hollywood Bowl on the first day of general public sales in May. I tried it one year, arrived about 8:30 am, and didn't get my tickets until about 5 pm. And I got shut out on some tickets I wanted.

Subscribers get first shot at Hollywood Bowl tickets. I chose not to subscribe, but what I did do was buy 40 tickets almost a month before the general public, through the Encore program. HB customer service told me it was impossible unless I subscribed, but I got the tickets online anyway.

And I paid only fifty cents per ticket to Ticketmaster. Assuming they hide the program for non-subscribers again next year, I'll provide links next April.

The Platters in Woodland Hills, Sunday 8/6, 6pm

2006-08-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

Free, with free parking if you are willing to walk. LINK

Do you think any of the smiling faces in the above photo look old enough to have recorded Only You or The Great Pretender fifty-one years ago? Me neither. Like a lot of groups from the oldies era, there have been multiple versions of the Platters touring simultaneously. After all of the lawsuits, injunctions, and non-competes, when you are watching a live performance from a group this ancient, you are basically watching a tribute band.

The Great Pretender:

Film: Strange Fruit with director Joel Katz at California Plaza, Sunday 8/6, 8 pm

2006-08-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

Free, parking $5. LINK

Director Joel Katz presents his short documentary, which was previously aired on PBS, and presumably takes questions afterward. It was well reviewed, but I haven's seen it, so I'll rely on the Grand Perfromances writeup:

Strange Fruit masterfully combines history, biography, and jazz music. The film traces the genesis of the now –famous, haunting lyrics sung by jazz giant Billie Holiday. Originally written as a poem by Bronx-born school teacher-Abel Merepol, it becomes even more poignant knowing that the writer was Jewish. The history of the words, the song, jazz and the sad stain of black lynching in the American South makes it a must see for everyone.
"Southern trees bear a strange fruit,
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root,
Black bodies swinging in the Southern breeze,
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees.

Pastoral scene of the gallant south,
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth,
Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh,
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh.

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck,
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck,
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop,
Here is a strange and bitter crop."
- music and lyric by Abel Meeropol

Billie Holiday sings Strange Fruit:

Free TV Tickets

2006-08-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

I don't post about TV tickets, but this site seems to be a good place to start.

Fab Forever in Culver City, Thursday 8/3, 7 pm

2006-07-31T13:42:00.000-07:00

Free with free parking. LINK

I wouldn't ordinarily post on a tribute band, but this is funny. It seems that Fab Forever's manager, Jerry Peluso, originally helped create and manage another Beatles tribute band, Fab Four. But Fab Four dumped Peluso - ungrateful wretches according to him - and he recruited a new band, Fab Forever. I know it's confusing.

But then Fab Four tried to steal Fab Forever's Ringo. The whole sordid story is detailed at Tabloid Baby.

Fab Forever - Unplugged!

This week's highlights: 8/1/06 - 8/7/06

2006-07-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

Here are a few highlights for the coming week, Tue-Mon. For a complete list, check the Event Calendar.

Jazz great Jeff Hamilton drums at Hollywood & Highland Tuesday at 7 pm.
MTV fave Cheyenne Kimball at the Grove in L.A. on Wednesday at 7 pm.
For the kids, Circus Night in Pasadena Wednesday at 7 pm.
You are the star when you Dance Downtown (cha cha, salsa) on Friday at 6:30 pm, and then Drum Downtown the following Saturday morning at 10 am.
Moonlight tours of the Walt Disney Concert Hall Urban Garden on Saturday at 10 pm.
Rock & Roll Hall of Famers the Platters in Woodland Hills on Sunday at 6 pm.

Cheyenne Kimball:

Poco in Woodland Hills, Sunday 7/30, 6 pm

2006-07-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

Free, free parking if you are willing to walk. LINK

I don't have to like all of the bands I feature here, do I?

Poco in N.Y., for Japanese consumption:

If you are sick of my ramblings...

2006-07-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

...just bookmark this Event Calendar page, and you and you never have to listen to me again.

Raul Malo

2006-07-29T02:29:00.000-07:00

No show, but listen to his entire album released three days ago free. LINK

Light posting, because I just got back from Malo's concert in Vegas. Only had to spend $60+ in gas for a free concert. He'll be at the Coach House on Saturday and in Cabazon on Sunday, for $20 + the Ticketmaster fee.

So here's the freebie. Listen to his entire album here at CMT. Don't know how long it will last.

For those of you unfamiliar, Raul Malo is the former front man of the Mavericks, and has one of the great voices in all of music. Seeing him live for the first time, I was ready for his incredible range, but I was surprised by the power of his voice. His version of Suspicion rivaled the original, and the orignal singer too. I was impressed too by Robert Chevrier on piano. On a couple of numbers, Malo was singing nuevo country while Chevrier backed him with something that sounded a lot like Rachmaninoff. Sounds strange, but it really worked.

And finally, someone has done a great version of Feels Like Home. I've heard versions by Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt, but nothing before ever equalled the lyrics from Randy Newman's Faust. Listen to it on the CMT site. It's one of the great love songs.

Update: From Eric Alterman's review of the new album: "A beautiful record, through and through. If you don’t like it, you’re a bad person."

A medley of love songs:

Jeff Hamilton Trio at Hollywood & Highland, Tuesday 7/1, 7 pm

2006-07-26T00:07:00.000-07:00

Free, $2 parking with validation. LINK

One of my favorite musical moments comes from Diana Krall's Live in Paris Show. She's singing I Don't Know Enough About You, and just as she's ending a phrase, Jeff Hamilton hammers down with both hands on a couple of cymbals, and it's perfect.

Anyone could do that move. If you sat a five year-old in front of a drum set, it's probably the first thing he'd do. But it's like when Jack Nicholson arches his eyebrows at the camera; you know there's nothing to it, but it's sheer genius all the same.

I've never seen Hamilton with his trio. But if it's anything like his long time collaboration with the John and Jeff Clayton, expect rough, not smooth, jazz. If your idea of jazz is The Wave, you may not enjoy it so much.

For $15 or $20, you can take part in the wine tasting, this week from Hill Family Estate Winery. All of the wine is donated, and all of the proceeds go to Project Angel Food.

Bank of the West Beach Games in Huntington Beach, now through Sunday, 7/30

2006-07-25T23:12:00.000-07:00

Free, good luck with parking. LINK

The dude pictured above is quadriplegic surfer Jesse Billauer, who will be surfing on Sunday. And like I said, it's Ozomatli on Saturday.

The Games feature surfing, volleyball, skatebording, BMX, FMX, and now, a Texas Hold 'em celebrity contest. But I've never heard of any of the celebrities, because they're all surfers, volleyball players, skateboarders...

According to Transworld Surf, the highlight of the Games in years past has been G-String Mullet Man. Justin Cote observes:

I was watching him stroll under the pier and toward the water's edge when someone shouted, "Here he comes!" as if it were Jesus himself. Once he was positioned smack dab in the middle of the contest area, and with shorebreak lapping against his bare ankles, he stood up straight, put his hand to his forehead like a visor, and checked out the comp-just like any other fan, except he kept running his hand through his mullet, and 99 percent of his ass was there for all to see. The crowd went apeshit, which probably confused the finalists because nobody was riding a wave, but by then they were probably used to surfing being the sideshow.

Los Angeles Opera in Marina del Rey, Thursday 7/27, 7 pm

2006-07-24T22:14:00.000-07:00

Free, fee (?) for parking. LINK

They promise to sing "operatic greats," which means opera's greatest hits. Probably the best choice for a short attention span audience at a free outdoor venue.

Over the next 40 days, the L.A. Opera only has one other performance scheduled. Strangely enough, it's on the same day at the same time; at the Huntington Library for $35/$45. I guess we're getting a bargain.

They recommend bringing a blanket for sitting on the lawn. I recommend bring a jacket in your car - Burton Chase Park is right on the water, and it can get cold. I attended a Shakespeare production there once, and it's very nice sitting on the grass with the sailboats and the pelicans sailing by.

You can park elsewhere in the marina, and take the Waterbus one way for only $1. Or just get there early and cruise the marina for a couple of bucks.

Eddie Money in Newport Beach, Wednesday 7/26, 7 pm

2006-07-24T18:47:00.000-07:00

Free, with free parking. LINK

I wasn't an Eddie Money fan until he sang with Ronnie Spector.

Ozomatli in Huntington Beach, Saturday 7/29, 6 pm

2006-07-23T21:00:00.000-07:00

Free, don't know about parking. LINK

Wow, I just found out about this. I was going to write up the Bank of the West Beach Games, and almost by chance I found this concert. Finding a free concert from Ozomatli is a shocker, and a gift.

Ozo won Grammys in 2002 and 2005 for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album.

So far, Bank of the West is barely publicizing the concert. I'm guessing that since the Games already draw over a half million people over ten days, they don't feel any need to increase the crowd. Another band tba opens for them at 4:00, and I'd get there early.

More about the Beach Games later.

Ozomatli, with an earlier lineup:

This week's highlights: 7/25/06 - 7/31/06

2006-07-23T15:22:00.000-07:00

Because the Event Calendar is fully operational, I won't be posting tomorrow's freebies anymore. Every Sunday, I'll just give my take on the coming week's highlights, Tuesday through Monday.

Music:

Updated: Ozomatli in Huntington Beach on Saturday at 5 pm.
Eddie Money in Newport Beach on Wednesday at 7 pm.
The Los Angeles Opera in Marina del Rey on Thursday at 7 pm.
Lyrics Born at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday at 7:30 pm.
People in Planes at the Hammer Museum on Thursday at 8:00 pm.
Dakah Hip Hop at California Plaza on, Friday at 7:00 pm.
Independent Shakespeare at Barnsdall Park on, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7:30 pm.
International Laureates Festival at the Bing Theatre on Sunday at 6 pm.
Poco in Woodland Hills on Sunday at 6 pm.

Other events:

Bank of the West Beach Games at the Huntington Beach Pier on Saturday and Sunday at 8 am.

People in Planes:

The event calendar is done!

2006-07-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

All of the free events I could find through the end of the year are now loaded into the event calendar. The link to it will always be near the top of the right hand column. If you have any suggestions or corrections, please let me know.

I'm going to take a nap.

What I'm paying to see tonight, 7/22

2006-07-22T11:35:00.000-07:00

Tom Jones at the Hollywood Bowl. It's the wife's choice.

Otherwise, I'd be at the last of the spectacular Summer Sessions at the Getty. They are featuring Brave Combo's 21st century polka, as well as up to date versions of folk and klezmer.

Laser polka from Brave Combo:

The Bangles in Alhambra, Saturday 7/22, 6 PM

2006-07-21T00:41:00.000-07:00

Free, free parking. LINK

Click here for sample music clips (Amazon).

To me, the Bangles always seemed to be in the shadow of the Go-Go's. They did have two great singles though, Manic Monday and Walk Like an Egyptian.

Manic Monday:

What I'm paying to see tonight, 7/20

2006-07-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

"Amadeus" Live, at the Hollywood Bowl - scenes from Peter Schaffer's Amadeus, with Neil Patrick Harris and Michael York. Happy 250th, Wolfie.

Otherwise, I'd want to see Rocco Deluca at the Hammer Museum.

Here's Deluca on Jimmy Kimmel:

Dirty Heads, etc at Hollywood & Highland, Thursday 7/20, 8 PM

2006-07-19T19:31:00.000-07:00

Free, $2 parking for four hours with validation. LINK

Do you remember when you used to be embarassed to bring out-of-towners to Hollywood? It's a much nicer place these days, and one of the more accesible places is Hollywood & Highland. It's clean, well-lit, feels safe, and has great parking and trendy shops. For tourists, there are street performers on Hollywood Blvd, the Kodak Theatre, the Chinese Theatre, and across the street, the El Capitan. And in the evenings, you'll notice that many of the women definitely dress to impress.

I already knew that Hollywood & Highland hosted two free concert series; Fridays by the Fountain, and the excellent Wine & Jazz Tuesday.

But Jen at H&H just emailed me, and I learned about a third series called 3rd Thursday. Based on the poster above, the entire scene is probably way to hip for me. In addition to Dirty Heads, tomorrow night's lineup includes the Gray Kid and DJ Green Lantern. They also feature art and beer, not necessarily in that order.

About the Tuesday jazz series: On 8/1, Jeff Hamilton, the World's Greatest jazz drummer according to me, performs with his trio. And on 8/29, see an incredible young pianist, Gerald Clayton. And by the way, Jeff was the best man when Gerald's dad got married. I guess the jazz world is kind of close-knit.

Mavis Staples at the Santa Monica Pier, Thursday 7/20, 7:30 PM

2006-07-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

Free, with typical beach parking. LINK

Click here for sample music clips (Amazon).

From their press release (because I'm busy working on the calendar):

Soul and gospel legend Mavis Staples possesses one of the most recognizable and treasured voices in contemporary music. From her early days sharing lead vocals with her groundbreaking family group, The Staple Singers, to her powerful solo recordings, Mavis is an inspirational force in modern popular culture and music.

A 40-year-plus veteran of the music scene - a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and one of VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll - Staples (both with The Staple Singers and on her own) is responsible for blazing a rhythm & blues trail while never relinquishing her gospel roots. Her voice has influenced artists from Bob Dylan to Prince (who dubbed her "the epitome of soul") and she has appeared with everyone from the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Bill Cosby, Presidents Kennedy, Carter, and Clinton, to Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, Santana, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and many others.

Listen for a segment from All Thing Considered.

Mavis:

Independent Shakespeare at Barnsdall Park

2006-07-18T01:43:00.000-07:00

One of the things that's frustrating about being a dilettante is that when I attempt serious criticism, my observations usually have little depth. So I'll just have to resort to comparison instead.

I've seen a couple of lavish Shakespearian productions at the Ahmanson; the Independent Shakespeare productions on their rickety outdoor stage are an improvement. I enjoyed Sir Ian McKellen on stage in Acting Shakespeare; David Melville of Independent Shakespeare could hold his own on the same stage. Melissa Chalsma, who is a wonderful actress and director, is also on my short-list of most beautiful women. And it is a short list.

Their productions are not community theatre pick-up games. All of the actors are professional and excellent. An L.A. Times reviewer raved, and I mean raved, about their current production of As You Like It. Other reviews are posted here.

You can attend either Hamlet or As You Like It every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 through August 13. It's free of course, but bring money anyway. You'll most likely want to make a donation. And bring a coat or blanket; it can get cold up on the hill, even in July and August.

And if you think you don't like Shakespeare, you're wrong. Go.

The Event Calendar is working

2006-07-18T00:34:00.000-07:00

Finally got the Event Calendar working. (I referred to it previously as a search by date.) It's only complete and accurate through July 31, 2006. Entries after that date may be squirrely, so don't rely on them - yet.

Now you will be able to go to a particular date, and see the events for yourself. And you don't have to wait for me to tell you about tomorrow's freebies at the last moment.

I'm using Google Calendar, which is still in beta, so this is a bit of an experiment. But there appear to be some great features built in. After I fool with them, I'll let you know what I think.

When you want to view the calendar, just click the Event Calendar link in the right hand column.

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Tomorrow's freebies: Tuesday 7/18

2006-07-17T17:47:00.000-07:00

Slow posting, because I'm working on the search by date feature.

Soulicious for the lunchtime crowd at Pershing Square at noon.
About the best conga ever from Poncho Sanchez at Hollywood & Highland at 7 PM.
Susie Hanson's Latin Band at Redondo Pier (pdf) at 6 PM.

Pancho Sanchez:

Search by date coming soon

2006-07-16T16:51:00.000-07:00

Good news; you'll no longer be hostage to my posts to learn about an event. In fact, you may be able to go straight to the calendar and avoid Free In L.A. completely. I'm using Google Calendar to enable search by date, and I'm loading it up with everything I know about, through September.

And many more exciting features. ETA: this week.

Tomorrow's freebies: Monday 7/17

2006-07-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

For kids, Chris Ho plays pop and jazz in Canoga Park at 10 AM.
Mozart and Beethoven string quartets at UCLA at 1 PM.

Report: Summer Sessions at the Getty

2006-07-15T22:26:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the Getty. They had the second of three sessions, Global Delights, which I previewed here. Although two of the performers were DJs, and another, Karsh Kale, is a percussionist, I was surprised that there was very little dancing. Maybe it's just me, but I don't get watching a DJ.

Although I came to see Kale play the tabla, I actually enjoyed it more when he played on a conventional drum kit. It must have a cultural thing for me. His trio, with bass and keyboards, played with great energy, and the audience seemed involved at every moment.

The crowd was a real mix; lots of families with young children, lots of couples, racially mixed, but fewer Indians that I expected. They had three stages, three or four bars serving beer, wine, and a few mixed drinks, and a snack bar and a hot dog cart.

The galleries were open until 9:00 PM, so we briefly toured the Rubens and Brueghel exhibit, which is on loan. I'm not capable of reviewing the art, architecture, or grounds. But to borrow a line from a priest friend of mine, the Getty is the way God would have done it if he only had the money.

The last session next Saturday starting at 5:45, is 21st-Century Roots, which includes polka, klezmer, folk, and folk-dancing lessons.

Tomorrow's freebies: Sunday, 7/16

2006-07-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

Guided tidepool walk ($1) at the Point Fermin Marine Life Refuge at 7:30 AM.
Twenty performers and over five hours of music at the Blvd Music Festival in Culver City at 11:00.
Let them eat cake at Bastille Day Los Angeles at the Page Museum at noon.
Melody Takata mixes Taiko with odori and modern dance at California Plaza at 3:00.
Soprano Megan O'Toole sings Mozart, etc. in Long Beach at 4:00.
Bassist Dave Cullen and friends play jazz in Pasadena at 5:00.
Gary Puckett sings to Young Girls of all ages in Woodland Hills at 6:00.
Chamber Music in Pasadena at 6:00. (Or listen online or on-air here.)
The Jon Mayer Quartet plays jazz in Pasadena at 7:00.

and in Orange County...

Los Pinguos at the Huntington Beach Pier at 1:00.
Concert Pianist Sungae Lee at the Nixon Library at 2:00.
Garratt Wilkins (pdf) tempts Jimmy Buffett's team of lawyers in Dana Pont at 4:30.
Jumpin Joz in Yorba Linda at 4:30.

Groovy video of Gary Puckett & the Union Gap (1968):

Beach Boys in Alhambra, Saturday 7/15, 6:00

2006-07-14T23:44:00.000-07:00

Free, with free parking. LINK

Don't know how I missed this one until now. The Beach Boys will be appearing at Alhambra's Summer Jubilee in about 18 hours or so, their schedule isn't specific. I don't know how original these boys are; I know a few of them have died, and of course, Brian is on his own.

I went to the Brian Wilson concert at the Bowl last year, and it was one of the best ever. Those songs have amazing staying power.

Tomorrow's freebies: Saturday 7/15

2006-07-14T16:13:00.000-07:00

Updated: The Beach Boys in Alhambra at 6:00.
Mason Jennings at the Promenade in Santa Monica at noon.
Indo-hip hop-electronica from Karsh Kale, etc. at the Getty at 5:45.
As You Like It in Barnsdall Park at 7:30.
Diavolo Dance at California Plaza at 8:00.
Lorna Luft in Beverly Hills at 8:00.

and...

Aloha-fest at Ho`olaule`a in Lawndale at 10:00.
E-zone at the Skirball at noon.
The Chris Greene Project at the Sherman Oaks Galleria at 4:00 and the Sam Graham Trio at 7:00.
Esther Segovia sings tango at the L.A. County Museum of Art at 4:30.
Country sounds from Ann Marie (pdf) at the Redondo Pier at 6:00.
Feel-good movie The Dish in Mission Viejo at 6:30.
Travelin Band deja vu's CCR in Saugus at 7:00.
The music of Vera Cruz from Son de Madera in Pasadena at 8:00.
Screwball film The Awful Truth projected outdoors in Pasadena at 8:30.

A Karsh Kale music video:

Global Delights at the Getty, Saturday 7/15, 5:45

2006-07-14T14:21:00.000-07:00

Free, $7 parking. Link

I should have done a heads-up on this earlier. It looks good, almost four hours of hip hop and electronica from the Indian subcontinent. Here's the schedule on two stages:

5:45 - 6:30 Dub Lab Soundsystem
6:30 - 7:30 Dhamaal Soundsystem
7:30 - 8:15 Paul Livingstone and Arohi Ensemble
7:45 - 8:15 Dub Lab Soundsystem
8:15 - 9:30 Karsh Kale

Don't miss Tabla Beat Science member Karsh Kale. He plays the tabla, sings, and mixes, creating...tablatronica. Listen here as Kale eloquently explains the tabla, North Indian hand drums. His new CD is Broken English, obviously an ironic title once you listen to him.

Here is what the San Francisco Bay Guardian had to say about Dhamaal Soundsystem:

We can't take credit for our readers' choosing Dhamaal Soundsystem as this year's best electronic music act. But since we gave the collective of DJs, visual artists, and musicians a Best of the Bay award last year, we must admit we're pleased. Dhamaal, who recently put out their debut album, Dhamaal Soundsystem, and perform regularly at Club Six, are known and loved for their mix of breakbeats and live traditional South Asian instrumentation, accompanied by video art. They're loved so well, in fact, that cofounder Janaka Selecta was chosen by our readers as best DJ as well.

You can buy food and wine there, or bring your own food - no wine - as long as your picnic basket isn't too big. The museum itself is open until 9:00.

Bastille Day Los Angeles at the Page Museum, Sunday 7/16, noon

2006-07-13T23:47:00.000-07:00

Free, parking at the Page Museum is $8. Link

Whether it's an Irishfest or a Cajun festival, the one constant with L.A. festivals seems to be funnel cake. The vendors at these types of events tend to be interchangeable, with little requirement for authentity.

That will not be the case at Bastille Day Los Angeles at the Page Museum. because the French tend to be fairly snooty about their culture. Also, it's being sponsored by the French Consul General for Los Angeles. So don't expect to find churros either.

What you will find is a petanque competition - sort of the French verision of bocce - a waiter's race, street performers, and French wine and food for sale. On stage they will have hip hop, jazz, percussion, jazz, stand-up comedy, Tahitian dancers, and a Piaf tribute.

It goes until 8:00, and we are permitted to speak English.

FYI, Bastille Day is the celebration of a key event in the French Revolution. The rebellion overthrew an absolutist king who helped foster a massive national debt, a grossly inequitable tax system, and an atmosphere of religious intolerance. Thank goodness we could never have someone like that here in America.

Blvd Music Summer Festival in Culver City, Sunday 7/16, 11:00

2006-07-13T23:02:00.000-07:00

Free, with free parking. Link

Twenty acts over five hours, playing folk, jazz, blues, classical, and country. I'm not familiar with any of the acts, but maybe you are: Robby Longley, Dawn Hummer, Rick Shea, Bernie Pearl, Bob Jones & Mr. Pete, Matt Cartsonis, Ed Munter, Cerves McNeil, Chad Watson, Bruce White, Harris Levey.

Tomorrow's freebies: Friday, 7/14

2006-07-13T21:54:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the late post, I was at the Independent Shakespeare reading of Dr. Faustus.

Friday night jazz from Alan Pasqua at the L.A. County Museum of Art at 5:30.
As You Like It from Independent Shakespeare in Barnsdall Park at 7:30.
Film: Josephine Baker's 1927 debut in Siren of the Tropics at the Hammer Museum at 8:00.
Lisa Haley and the Zydekats at California Plaza at noon.
Dancing under the Stars in Pasadena with the Big Town Seven at 6:30.
Diavolo Dance Theatre at California Plaza at 8:00.

and...

Fridays by the Fountain at Hollywood & Highland with Masanga Marimba Ensemble at noon.
The Ken Garcia Band in Laguna Niguel (pdf) at 6:30.
Classic rock from the Answer in Mission Viejo at 6:30.
"Jazz for Moderns" (as opposed to modern jazz) from the Sam Graham Trio at the Sherman Oaks Galleria at 7:00.
Film: Movies in the Park presents Toy Story in Placentia (pdf) at dusk.
Uni & her Ukelel at Amoeba Music in Hollywood at 7:00.
Chicano music from Quetzal at the Levitt in Pasadena at 8:00

Here is Josephine Baker, not from Siren of the Tropics, but from her stage show Revue Negre:

Gary Puckett in Woodland Hills, Sunday 7/16, 6:00

2006-07-12T23:35:00.000-07:00

Free, with free parking if you are willing to walk. Link

Click here for sample music clips (Amazon).

Bring a folding chair and sunscreen to Warner Center Park. There are plenty of food vendors, and they're not bad.

As I was trying to crib from wiki, I read a claim that Gary Puckett was very unusual for the sixties, because he sang a great deal about female empowerment. And that appears to be true, with Lady Willpower and Woman, Woman, and This Girl Is A Woman Now. But the line that always got me was, "Girl, I know it's hard to be a woman." I always wondered how he knew?

Mason Jennings at the Promenade in Santa Monica, Saturday 7/15, noon

2006-07-12T22:41:00.000-07:00

Free, first two hours parking free on 2nd and on 4th. Link

Click here for sample music clips (Amazon).

Although the performance is outside on the Promenade, it's a Tower Records promo, so don't expect a long show. It will be an acoustic set, and he'll talk with fans and sign autographs after. The day before this appearance, he'll be at the Avalon on Vine with his full band, for $28.70 including the Ticketmaster fee.

NPR:

Singer/songwriter Mason Jennings is a storyteller first and foremost, but he also combines folk, blues and rock with subtle, effortless grace. Alternately backed by a band and accompanied only by his own guitar, Jennings' acoustic pop songs are honest, intimate and inviting.

He was showcased on the World Cafe radio show. Listen here.

Tomorrow's freebies: Thursday 7/13

2006-07-12T08:52:00.000-07:00

Rocco Deluca at Amoeba Music at 7:00.
Dick Dale at the Santa Monica Pier at 7:30.
Smoosh at Virgin Megastore in Hollywood at 7:00.
Bangkok 5 and Monsters are Waiting at the Hammer at 8:00.
A reading of Dr. Faustus by Independent Shakespeare in Barnsdall Park at 7:30.

and...

Classical organist Samuel Soria in Marina del Rey (pdf) at 7:00.
Film: "Napoleon Dynamite" projected outdoors in Universal City at 7:30.
The Crown City Bomber play rockabilly in Pershing Square at noon.
Jumpin' Joz swings in Westminster at 6:00.
El Mariachi Zacateca in Placentia at 6:30.
The Hodads rock Lakewood at 6:30.
The Mariachi Divas in La Habra at 6:30.
Brasil Brazil in Bell Gardens at 7:00.
High Street in Burbank at 7:00.
Surf City All-Stars in Culver City at 7:00.
West Coast Klezmer and Blakan in Pasadena at 7:00.

Here is Dick Dale with Misirlou:

Smoosh at Virgin Megastore in Hollywood, Thursday 7/13 7:00

2006-07-12T08:19:00.000-07:00

Free, park at H&H center for $2 with Starbucks $0.75 scone validation. Link

Click here for sample music clips (Amazon).

Asya is 14, Chloe is 12, and they've opened for Pearl Jam and Death Cab for Cutie, among others. They write all their own songs. And two years ago when they were young, they got a solid review from Rolling Stone.

It's a record store, so it's probably going to be a short set. Besides, you don't want them to play past their bedtime.

All Things Considered did a show on them in 2004, here.

Bangkok 5 and Monsters are Waiting at the Hammer, Thursday 7/13, 8:00

2006-07-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

Free, $3 parking. Link

The new Bangkok Five music video features five guys in leather, a couple with Big Hair, playing Sammy Hagar-ish music as semi-hot actresses in lingerie dance, lounge, and yes, crawl to the music. Is this 1983? I mean, what channel is Max Headroom on?

Obviously, I am out of touch and the wrong person to be running this blog.

Monsters are Waiting vocal lead Annalee Fery has an appealing, brittle voice, reminiscent of Lisa Loeb. I just wish I could make out the words she is singing more often.

(Come early to view some of Picasso's prints, drawings, and artist's books, because the museum is free on Thursdays.)

King of the Surf Guitar Dick Dale at the Santa Monica Pier, Thursday 7/13, 7:30 - updated

2006-07-11T21:07:00.000-07:00

Free, typical beach parking. Link

Click here for sample music clips (Amazon).

I once heard that Ravel's Bolero was inspired by factory machinery, not by the Spanish dance, and the only reason people hear a Spanish influence is because of the title of the song. In the same way, if Dick Dale had positioned himself a little differently, and used his given name - Mansour - he probably could have become known as the King of Middle-Eastern Guitar. Because when he riffs those exotic scales in Misirlou, I don't see Corky Carrol shooting the curl, I see a belly dancer in harem pants. With lots and lots of reverb.

There's no doubt of Dale's influence. But when you listen to live recordings of Hendrix or Van Halen, or Clapton, or Stevie Ray, the audience cheers and whoops the most when they slow down and hold a single note for several beats. It's the slow stuff that sets off the fast stuff. Dale never seems to slow down, and we tend to applaud him more for the degree of difficulty than for the music that results.

Update: After writing the above, I checked NPR and they corrected my misimpression. It turns out Misirlou is derived mostly from klezmer. It's traced back to its Greek and Turkish roots here.

Concerts at the Galleria in Sherman Oaks

2006-07-11T20:22:00.000-07:00

Free, $3 parking, free for 2 hours with validation. Link

Thanks to John Bwarie, LA Councilmember Greig Smith's Deputy District Director, for reminding me about the series of summer concerts at the Sherman Oaks Galleria.

It's kind of dumb that I needed reminding - I've was at one of the shows a few summers ago. I had just picked up out-of-towners at the airport, and stopping at moon unit's favorite shopping center seemed like a great way to introduce them to the LA experience. (We party like this every night.) The music was fun and competent, you can sit if you arrive early, and you can dance in the back anytime. And they gave multiple helium balloons to my 5 year-old niece.

There are a lot of concerts, every Friday and Saturday through September 4. No big names, unless you count last names only; Gina Eckstein is Billy's daughter. Many of the acts are booked through Rossi Music, meaning they are probably wedding bands for the well-heeled, but not so rich that they can book Tony Bennett for the gig.

Rocco DeLuca at Amoeba Music, Thursday 7/13, 7:00

2006-07-11T18:16:00.000-07:00

Free. Typical Sunset Blvd. parking. Link

Click here for sample music clips (Amazon).

If he plays more than one or two tunes, the set at Amoeba will be a serious bargain. Killer songs, great voice, and great on guitar and especially dobro. For myself, I hope he leave the sitar at home. And maybe Keifer will show up.

Listen to an interview and a few songs from WXPN's World Cafe here.

Tomorrow's freebies: Wednesday, 7/12

2006-07-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

Classic rock from the Answer in Fullerton at 6:30.
Country western from Sedona in Brea at 6:30.
Chamber music from Brass Pacifica in Pasadena at 7:00.
Bill Medley in Newport Beach at 7:00.
A capella from Perfect Gentlemen in Orange at 7:30.
The Fenians play Celtic Rock in Buena Park at 7:00.

The Fenians in Buena Park, Wednesday 7/12, 7:00

2006-07-11T10:02:00.000-07:00

Free, free parking. Link

Click here for sample music clips (Amazon).

Don't even think about hoisting a pint, because alcohol is forbidden in the park. Which begs the question: Can Celtic rock be enjoyed while sober?

From reviewer Tom Nelligan:

...there's the California quintet called The Fenians, who at first glance might appear to be one more typical Irish pub band, but these guys move well beyond beer-chugging singalongs on their recording Every Day's a Hooley [Mizen Head Music(2003)]. This is a witty and somtimes thought-provoking group, clever enough to open the disc with a cheerful account of alcoholic axcess slyly called "Token Whiskey Song" and then follow it up with a great and very unexpected bluegrass banjo and saxophone arrangement of the Tom Campbell/Linda Albertano 1960s classic "2:10 Train." There's a biting cover of Ewan MacColl's politically charged "Go, Move, Shift," a driving arrangement of the traditional "Night Visiting Song" with a soaring melody, and in the title track an optimistic bit of philosophizing that mixes a reggae chorus with a nod to the old chestnut "Tom Dooley." And happily, there's not a single fake Irish accent to be heard anywhere.

Stay tuned: upcoming free concerts

2006-07-10T20:42:00.000-07:00

Sugar Ray
Dave Alvin
Mavis Staples
Geno Delafose
Poco
Eric Burdon & the Animals
Jeff Hamilton Trio
Raul Malo
Cleo Laine & John Dankworth
Patti Page
Tom Scott
Bill Medley
The Los Angeles Opera
Nels Cline of Wilco
...and many others

Righteous Brother Bill Medley in Newport Beach, Wednesday 7/12, 7:00

2006-07-10T20:23:00.000-07:00

Free, don't know about parking. Link

Click here for Righteous Brothers sample music clips (Amazon).

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Orange County native Bill Medley returns to help Newport Beach celebrate their 100th anniversary. Although he's being billed as "Righteous Brother" (singular), he did have an okay career on his own, including "Time of My Life," featured in the film "Dirty Dancing."

The venue is the Bloomingdale's Courtyard of the Fashion Island shopping center. Free seating starts at 5:00, and will probably fill up fast.

Medley continued performing in the Righteous Brothers though until 2003, when Bobby Hatfield went to Rock & Roll Heaven. Their first single was "Little Latin Lupe Lu." I wonder if today that might offend the fine folks of Orange County.

Tomorrow's freebies: Tuesday 7/11

2006-07-10T11:50:00.000-07:00

Highway 61 spoofs Dylan in Pershing Square at noon.
Andres Trance sings Peruvian at Redondo Pier (pdf) at 6:00.
Alan Pasqua's inventive jazz at Hollywood & Highland at 7:00.
DJ Cut Chemist at Amoeba Music at 7:00.

A preview of Cut Chemist:

Staying home Monday video blogging

2006-07-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

Watch

Alan Pasqua at Hollywood & Highland, Tuesday 7/11, 7:00

2006-07-09T23:00:00.000-07:00

Free, $2 parking with validation. Link

Click here for sample music clips (Amazon).

The last time I went to an H&H Wine & Jazz Tuesday, it was a very complete show - two 45 minute sets with a brief intermission. The wine tasting part of the deal costs either $10 or $15 as I recall, and all of the proceeds goes to Project Angel Food. It continues every Tuesday until August 29.

Pasqua is obviously a very versatile guy, having backed Stanley Clarke, having played on Bob Dylan at Budokan, and having co-composed the theme to the CBS Evening News. He's also a professor of jazz studies at USC.

Pasqua will also be performing another free concert at the L.A. County Museum of Art on Friday, July 14.

Cut Chemist at Amoeba Music in Hollywood, Tuesday 7/11, 7:00

2006-07-09T20:50:00.000-07:00

Free. Link

Click here for sample music clips. (Amazon)

I had no idea how entertwined bossa nova and hip hop had become until I went to the Sergio Mendes show at the Bowl in June. Fully two-thirds of the show was dedicated to hip hop, including performances by Q-Tip and Marcelo D2. Who knew?

Speaking of which, DJ Cut Chemist's pre-release song "The Garden" is based on Gilberto's "Berimbau." His new album comes out on Tuesday, so you'll sort of be attending the release party. But for me, I still can't get used to the idea of DJs putting out their own CDs.

Cut Chemist was previously with Ozomatli, and just left Jurassic 5.

Prince Diabate at Amoeba Music in Hollywood, Sunday 7/9, 2:00

2006-07-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

Free, don't know about parking. Link

Click here for sample music clips. (Amazon)

Master kora musician Prince Diabate will probably be doing a short set at Amoeba. I had to look up kora on wikipedia:

The kora (French: cora) is a 21 string harp-lute used extensively by Mandingo peoples in West Africa.It uses a large calabash cut in half and covered with cow skin as a resonator, and has a notched bridge like a lute or guitar. The sound of a kora is like a harp, though when played in the traditional style, it bears a closer resemblance to flamenco guitar techniques.

Breaking: No lotus blossoms at festival

2006-07-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

The Lotus Festival today and tomorrow in Echo Park will be sans lotus blossoms, according to this story in the L.A. Times. Dragon boats will be racing as scheduled.

This weekend's freebies: 7/8 & 7/9

2006-07-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

The Lotus Festival in Echo Park, Saturday & Sunday at noon.
Klezmer Juice at the Skirball on Saturday at noon.
Preservation Hall Jazz band at Amoeba Music on Saturday at 3:00, and on Sunday at Warner Center Park in Woodland Hills at 6:00.
Trancontinental Rhythms - four different acts - at the Getty on Saturday at 6:00.
Celtic and bluegrass from Silgo Rags on the Redondo Pier on Saturday at 6:00.
Queen will be spoofed by Queen Nation in Saugus on Saturday at 7:00.
As You Like It at Barnsdall Park on Saturday & Sunday at 7:30.
Ska Cubano at California Plaza on Saturday at 8:00.
Michael James Turre and the Latin Jazz Team at LACMA on Saturday at 4:30. Listen to sample music clips of his big band stuff here. It's good.
Nocy at the Levitt in Pasadena on Saturday at 8:00.
Prince Diabate at Amoeba Music (probably a short set) on Sunday at 7:00.
Luther Hughes at the Levitt in Pasadena on Sunday at 7:00
Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn from The Capitol Ensemble with guest pianist Bryan Pezzone at LACMA on Sunday at 6:00.

And in Orange County:

Film: Nicholas Roeg's Walkabout in Mission Viego on Saturday at 6:30.
British Brass in Huntington Beach Sunday at 5:00.
Dean Colley (?) in a concert in the park in Yorba Linda on Sunday at 5:30.
Caravanserai (pdf) pays tribute to Santana in Dana Point on Sunday at 4:30.

What did I miss?

Click below to watch Ska Cubano:

Transcontinental Rhythms at the Getty, Saturday 7/8, 6:00

2006-07-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

Free, $7 parking. Link

Click here for sample music clips from Daby Toure, and here for clips from Janite & Olokun Prophesy.

I'm definitely starting my Saturday off early with this show. The Getty says they are presenting four different "masters of African rhythm." I never heard of any of them, but after watching a Daby Toure video (below), I'm sold. The other performers are Chris Berry and Panjea, Dub Lab Soundsystem, and Najite & Olokun Prophesy.

You are welcome to bring your own picnic in small containers, no alcohol, but you will be able to purchase food, wine and beer on site.

Here's the video from Toure:

Preservation Hall Jazz Band in Woodland Hills, Sunday 7/9, 6:00

2006-07-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

Free, with free parking if you are willing to walk. Link

Click here for sample music clips.

If you can deal with the sun beating down on you for the first 30 minutes you're there, the concerts at Warner Center Park are usually very nice. The acoustics are surprisingly good, and the audience is more appreciative than a typical Hollywood Bowl jazz or pop crowd.

I don't think of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band as a "jazz" band, since I don't sense any improvisation going on. They play a very traditional New Orleans sound, and no doubt some in the audience will bring their parasols to pump up and down to the beat. I understand that they play the same way in funeral marches, which sounds very cool.

They will also be performing at Amoeba Music on Saturday at 3:00, but record store sets are usually pretty short. And they'll do a set for kids at the Madrid in Canoga Park on Monday, 7/10, at 10 AM.

Ska Cubano downtown, Saturday 7/8, 8:00

2006-07-06T16:58:00.000-07:00

Free, but they are holding a fundraiser, $5 parking. Link

Click here for sample music clips.

The music is a meld of Jamaican and Cuban, but the stagecraft of Ska Cubano seems more like Desi Arnaz - or Ricky Ricardo even. I keep waiting for Lucy to come out from the wings. In trying to crib a little from online reviews, I had a hard time finding one that did not use the word "infectious." Dancing is optional, but smiling will be unavoidable.

It's at California Plaza as part of the Grand Performances series. Their new album comes out Tuesday.

Lotus Festival in Echo Park, Saturday & Sunday 7/8 & 7/9, noon

2006-07-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

Free, with free parking. Link

Ever hear of dragon boats? Apparently, there is a serious subculture devoted to them; there are at least 50 local teams devoted to paddling in dragon-shaped boats, as drummers pound out the beats. And unlike, say NASCAR, these races have the added effect of driving away evil and disease.

In addition to the races, the Lotus Festival features food from Asia and the Pacific Islands, traditional performers, an art show, health fair, arts and crafts for the kiddies, and fireworks to the beat of taiko drums. Last year's attendance was over 100,000.

Tomorrow's freebies: Friday 7/7

2006-07-06T13:24:00.000-07:00

Traditional Algerian music from Abdelli at the California Plaza at noon.
Fridays by the Fountain at Hollywood & Highland features Alberto Gonzalez Y Su Orchestra Salsa Caliente at noon. Buy a latte for validation and pay $2 for parking.
Dance under the stars in Pasadena with the Royal Crown Revue at 6:30. Click here for sample music clips.
Dance Downtown with free dancing lessons at 6:30.
Hamlet performed from David Melville and Independent Shakespeare at Barnsdall Park at 7:30.
"Degenerate art" (Hitler) in the silent film Pandora's Box at the Hammer Museum in Westwood at 8:00.
Congoles rumbas from Kekele at California Plaza 8:00.
Creole music of Louisiana and East Texas from Bonne Musique Zydeco in Pasadena at 8:00.

"Dance Downtown" at the Music Center Plaza, Friday 7/7, 6:30

2006-07-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

Free, $8 parking. Link

Shake it like a Polaroid picture to live music from the Hollywood Combo. There's a free dance lesson for beginners at 6:30, and the dancing goes on until 10. Dance Downtown is a free series of dances that goes on at least until October. Swing dancing lessons will be offered this Friday, and other dances such as bhangra (?), salsa, and cha cha will be featured over the next few weeks.

And remember: Slow....Slow....Quick-Quick

Tomorrow's freebies: Thursday 7/6

2006-07-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

Film: Shakespeare Behind Bars at Barnsdall Park, 7:30.
The Indigo Girls at the Santa Monica Pier, 7:30. (Or at almost the same time - 8:00 - you can watch them on online Amazon's Fish Bowl with Bill Maher. Click here for sample music clips.
Hair Guitar rocks the lunchtime crowd in Pershing Square, noon.
Robert David Hall (the coroner on CSI), Pat Colgan, and SuperTramp guitarist Carl Verheyen play folk and country in Culver City at 7:00. And Hall offers autographed toe tags.
The "Jimi Hendrix of the violin" (NY Times), Eileen Ivers, fiddles in Pasadena at 7:00.
Michael Andrew croons in Burbank at 7:00.
Film: Raiders of the Lost Ark is projected outdoors at Citywalk in Unversal City at 7:30.
Algerian music from Abdelli downtown at California Plaza at 8:00.
East L.A. sound from the Silversun Pickups, and psychedlic rock from Run, Run, Run at the UCLA Hammer Museum at 8:00. Click here for sample music clips from Silversun Pickups

Click below for a great Indigo Girls song:

Indigo Girls at the Santa Monica Pier, Thursday 7/6, 7:30

2006-07-04T23:25:00.000-07:00

Free. Link

Click here for sample music clips.

Amy and Emily have been together for over 20 years now. From an Amazon review:

Try to think of an enduring, widely respected, artistically progressive female songwriting duo. Now, try to think of one besides the Indigo Girls. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers have been pounding the folk-rock pavement since the early 1980s, filling the ears of eager listeners with their ethereal harmonies, lush arrangements, and evocative lyrics.

It will be interesting to see how their act goes over with the casual beach crowd. It's not their usual audience.

Tomorrow's freebies: Wednesday 7/5

2006-07-04T23:04:00.000-07:00

Classical music at the Santa Monica Pier at 7:00.
Children's entertainer Joanie Bartels appearing at the Levitt in Pasadena at 7:00.

Film: Shakespeare Behind Bars at Barnsdall Park, Thursday 7/6, 7:30

2006-07-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

Free with free parking, reservations recommended, donations accepted. Link

I've never been disappointed with anything from Independent Shakespeare, so I am looking forward to this film. This is from an their email:

SHAKESPEARE BEHIND BARS is an unexpectedly delightful documentary that follows the casting, rehearsal, and presentation of Shakespeare’s play The Tempest, by convicted felons inside Kentucky’s Luther Luckett Correctional Complex. Winner of ten film festival awards, SHAKESPEARE BEHIND BARS smashes many of our long-held notions about prisoners and criminals as we watch these remarkably unique actors prepare. First they cast themselves in roles reflecting their personal histories; then we see their individual stories interwoven with the plot of The Tempest as they delve deeply into the characters they portray and confront their personal demons.

A few years ago, an episode of the This American Life covered the same ground and it was fascinating. The filmmaker, Hank Rogerson, will be there at the Gallery Theatre to answer questions.

Fireworks on the 4th - updated

2006-07-01T23:07:00.000-07:00

The L.A. Times has posted over sixty fireworks demonstrations, most of them free.

As I've said before, if you like loooong fireworks shows, go to Woodland Hills.

If you want to dance to the 60's music of Gary Puckett and the Association, Moreno Valley (pdf) is the place.

The jazz and blues festival at Leimert Park from 1:00 to 7:00, followed by fireworks from the Coliseum, sounds intriguing. But I haven't been able to find anything from the Dept. of Cultural Affairs about who is performing, and when. So who knows.

For myself, I helped enrich Ticketmaster by buying tickets for Kenny Loggins at the Bowl.

Update: The Times has a new and improved list.

Report: Arizona Charlie's guaranteed no-lose gambling

2006-07-01T22:26:00.000-07:00

From L.A.'s largest suburb, Las Vegas.

Four of us went to Arizona Charlie's on Decatur to try our luck on the slot machines. Three of us won money, so the special promo had no effect on us, except that we were willing to bet larger stakes than usual - $3 a pull - because we had no way to lose.

But one member of our group dropped an even hundred, went to the cage with her Rewards Card, and received a $100 refund, just as advertised. Recommended - for as long as it lasts.

This weekend's freebies: 7/1 & 7/2

2006-07-01T01:10:00.000-07:00

Latin Eclectico with Kinky and Sidestepper downtown at California Plaza at 7.00.
The salsa/jazz/big band Henry Mora Orchestra on Saturday, and jazz singer Barbara Morrison on Sunday, in Old Pasadena at 8.00.
World music from Emeline Michele and Sara Tavares downtown at the California Plaza at 3.00. Click here for sample music clips from Tavares.
Shakespeare in the Park: Saturday and Sunday at Barnsdall Park at 7:30, and Saturday in San Pedro at 8:00.

Click below for Sidestepper

Tomorrow's freebies: Friday 6/30

2006-06-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

Conjuto Jardin - traditional music of Vera Cruz - at the Hollywood & Highland Center at noon. You can call ahead to order your lunch.
Party like it's 1939 with the Swing Syndicate at the Levitt in Old Pasadena at 8:00.
Shakespeare in the Park: At Barnsdall Park and in San Pedro.

Barbara Morrison in Old Pasadena, Sunday 7/2, 7:00

2006-06-29T14:26:00.000-07:00

Free, with free parking if you are early. Link

Click here for sample music clips.

From an L.A. Times review:

“Years ago they used to call jazz singer Dinah Washington “The Queen of the Blues.” Well, these days that title could very easily go to the dynamic,persuasive Barbara Morrison… If you’ve heard any of Morrison’s albums, … you know that she can deliver that rhythmically charged genre with consummate flair.”

She'll be performing at the Levitt.

Tomorrow's freebies: Thursday 6/29

2006-06-28T18:27:00.000-07:00

Go Bollywood with the Blue 13 dance company at the Levitt Pavilion in Old Pasadena at 7:00.
Shakespeare by the Sea performs Hamlet in San Pedro at 8:00. Bring a jacket, it can really get cold at night.
See Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at a walk-in theatre at Citywalk at 8:00.
Dance in the sand and listen to Poncho Sanchez at the Santa Monica Pier at 7:00.
Do you know what gypsy jazz is? Me neither. Find out from the Rhythm Brothers in Culver City at 7:30.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at CityWalk, Thursday 6/29, 8:00

2006-06-28T11:30:00.000-07:00

Free, $10 parking. Link
During the summer, the folks at CityWalk in Universal City have free movies on an outdoor screen. Tomorrow night it's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory starring Johnny Depp. Never saw it, but it scored a strong 4 stars from Amazon customers, and Peter Travers called it, "A treat for twisted children of all ages." And hey, it's Depp. Click below for the trailer:

This will not be an ArcLight experience. They're promoting it as a Party, not a movie, so don't expect demure manners from you fellow attendees. And oh joy, it's being "hosted" by a DJ.

It's going to be an every Thursday thing through 8/31, and films include Raiders of the Lost Ark, Shrek 2, and Ice Age.

Poncho Sanchez at the Santa Monia Pier, Thursday 6/29, 7:30

2006-06-28T00:44:00.000-07:00

Free, but I'm not sure about the parking. Link

Click here for sample music clips.

King of the conga, Poncho Sanchez, opens the free Twilight Dance Series at the Pier in Santa Monica. From their website:

Grammy-winning artist Poncho Sanchez is the undisputed champion of conga and a musician at the forefront of Latin rock. His imaginative rhythms have made him one of the most influential conga players and percussionists in Afro-Cuban jazz. A native of Laredo, TX, Sanchez moved to Los Angeles at the age of four, where he was deeply influenced by the music he heard in the Chicano neighborhood in which he lived. The youngest of 11 children, Sanchez taught himself to play guitar, flute, drums, and timbales before settling on the congas. After a period playing with local bands, he joined Cal Tjader's band in 1975 and was an important part of Tjader's pacesetting group until his idol's death in 1982.

I saw him perform twice last year, and if he is nearly as old as he looks, his energy is incredible. Your view of the performance will typically be obscured, because so many people get up and dance.

Kinky and Sidestepper downtown, Saturday 7/1, 7:00

2006-06-28T00:23:00.000-07:00

Free, but you'll probably have to pay $5 to park. Link

Here is the description from the Grand Performances website:

Grand Performances and KCRW are proud to present two genre-defying bands that have forged inroads into the collective psyche of critics and music lovers. Monterrey, Mexico-based quintet Kinky blends its juiced-up funk with rock, electronica, thick synth atmospherics and liberal sprinklings of rhythmic styles from the Americas. Bogota, Colombia-based Sidestepper’s groundbreaking music marries British drum-and-bass with salsa's brash horns and fluid piano samples. The sound is Latin electronica. Get ready to dance the night away!
KCRW DJs Ariana Morgenstern and Liza Richardson will host the evening.

Click here for sample music clips from Kinky, and here for Sidestepper clips.

It's at 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown LA.

Guaranteed no-lose gambling in Las Vegas - updated

2006-06-27T20:07:00.000-07:00

Free, unless you keep going after you lose $100. Link

Vegas is a suburb of Los Angeles, isn't it? Well, it is for me.

On the day you sign for their Ultimate Rewards Card, Arizona Charlie's casino will reimburse you for your slot machine losses, up to $100. Even if you don't enjoy slots, put $100 in the machine, play $5 a shot, and maybe you'll get lucky. If not, get your $100 back at the cage.

If you previously signed up for a Rewards Card, either at AC or at the Stratosphere, you don't qualify. Their are two Arizona Charlie's, one on Decatur, and one on Boulder Highway.

I'm going this weekend. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Update: It worked.