Entertainment Calendar from page 12. jazz blend, starting at 8 p.m. on the Annex stage in San Pedro. Influenced by Django Reinhardt and Hot Club style, the music has been described as a new kind of Gypsy jazz. Djangofest ’09 Artist of the Year, with guitar, clarinet, and a honed rhythm section, this “blazing quartet” brings the Hot Club to San Pedro. Cost is $15. Details: (310) 833-4813, www.grandvision.org Venue: Grand Annex Location: 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro
June 3
Blues Lovers Brian Young and The Blues Station Band will give a three-hour performance beginning at 4 p.m. June 3 at Godmothers Saloon. Details: (310) 833-1589 Venue: Godmothers Saloon Location: 302 W. 7th St., San Pedro
June 10
Carol Welsman Quartet Releases New CD Carol Welsman is an internationally acclaimed singer and pianist whose expressive vocal styling and dynamic stage presence have captivated audiences around the world. She has sold more than 60,000 CDs in Canada alone, something few jazz artists in Canada have experienced Carol’s newest CD, “I Like Men” Reflections of Miss Peggy Lee was voted Top 5 Album Pick of the Year 2009in USA Today. Details: (800) 403-3447 Venue: Alvas Showroom Location: 1417 W 8th St., San Pedro Calendar to page 17.
RandomNotes Summer Magic Begins with Music By B. Noel Barr, Music Writer Dude
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very summer we all like to get out away from our hot, and sometimes, stuffy houses to do something slightly different by enjoying our family, friends and random strangers in relaxed outdoor settings. This summer we have laid out some suggestions that you might not have considered and those we know you will be happy with. The concert season is already well underway with Coachella and Doheny already done and getting ready for the next year. We had four local festivals starting with the 28th Annual Topanga Blues Festival that happened on May 2, followed by the Blues Band Weekend with Brophy Dale, Big Rockin’ Daddy and a grip of other folks at Costa Mesa’s OC Market Place on May 12. The following weekend, Leimert Park in Los Angeles launched the Springtime Blues Festival May 17, with the aim of making it an annual event. The 22nd Annual Dylanfest in El Segundo brought 500 fans of Bobby D out into the beautiful Southern California sunshine. Finally, on May 26, the Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Festival with the legendary James Cotton headlining the two-day event. This is what I love about Southern California, we have a lot of
good music and the climate is the best, maybe outside of Southern France. Let the party begin. June 1 is Friday Night Live ROQ at the Races which opens with indie band Rebelution. This group has been selling out venues from New York to Los Angeles with their Peace of Mind CD. Other bands on subsequent Fridays are as follows: The Wailers, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Jimmy Cliff, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Iration, and X on July 13. Details: www.hollywoodpark.com The 5th Annual Santa Clarita Blues Festival fires up on June 2 .The one-day festival features Austin Scott and the Triple Threat Band, The Laurie Morvan Band and five other groups for another afternoon in the sun. This is a free event that takes place in Mountain View Park in Santa Clarita. Details: www.tomsrecovery.com. June 16 and 17, the Playboy Jazz Festival, is going to make this Father’s Day a happy one. This year the top of the bill goes to The Christian McBride Big Band and the Ramsey Lewis Electric Band with 18 other jazz and blues artists. Comedian Bill Cosby is the emcee of this 34th annual event. Details: www.playboyjazz.com.
The 26th Annual Long Beach Bayou Festival returns to the Rainbow Lagoon on June 23 and 24. This year we did not have the headliners like we had the previously. Particularly in the past two years The Bayou Festival stopped and it turned into a rhythm and blues show with Tito Jackson ending the two-day event. Last year we had Dr. John, who actually fit as a headliner for the festival. You could not get any more New Orleans flavored than the good Dr. John. This year we are back to the more traditional Cajun and zydeco sounds. Returning is Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie with 13 other (mainly) zydeco bands on the main stage. Barbara Morrison and Guitar Shorty are returning this year, with Sherry Pruitt and seven other groups working the blues stage. This is one of the most family friendly events going for a large festival. Lots of great food from Louisiana is served up and a large tented dance floor to shake a tailfeather. Details: www. longbeachbayoufestival.com. From July 12 to Aug. 30, some of the best local bands will come out to make your sweet summer nights groove with free outdoor concerts for the family from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Los Angeles Waterfront. Each week a different band and genre of music will be featured. Bring your chairs and enjoy the show. Location: Harbor Boulevard at Vincent Thomas Bridge, San Pedro Continued on page 17.
478 W. 6th St. • San Pedro 310.548.2493
ACE>> Arts • Cuisine • Entertainment
Tickets & Info: Williams Bookstore, www.WarnerGrand.org & www.WarnerGrandTheater.org
SUSHI BAR
Japanese Restaurant Sushi Bar 380 W. 6th St. • 832-5585
Sat 6/1, 7pm • “The Struggle” - This innovative pop-opera exposes the turmoil within ourselves. “We wear masks to hide the shame of our personal challenges. When will we stop pretending and become lovers of the truth?” A new work by Ashley R. Holmes presented by Triedstone MBC. NOTE: Due to some dark content and sensitive subject matter, parental discretion is advised. Tickets $15 cash at the door or http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/244749. Sat 6/9, 8pm • “San Pedro City Ballet’s 2012 Spring Recital: THE LITTLE MERMAID” - Students of this nationally recognized dance school, from beginner to advanced, take us to the magical underwater world of the Little Mermaid and her friends. Tickets $15 - $20 and information at sanpedrocityballet.org or 310.732.1861. Sun 6/10 •“Dancing on the Silver Screen” - Students of Lomita’s Dancemark Studio present their Spring recital inspired by dance in film. Tickets $15 - $20 cash at the door. For information, call 310.428.6761. Sat 6/16, 8pm • “On With the Show: Musicals From the Silver Screen” - Golden State Pops and a cast of exceptional singers bring Broadway to the Warner Grand with selections from classics including: “West Side Story”, “South Pacific,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Hairspray” and more. Tickets $15 - $45 at GSPO.org or 310.433.8774.
June 1 – 14, 2012
Fri – Sun, 6/29 thru 7/1, 2pm & 7:30pm • “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” - “Joseph” was the first Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical to be performed publicly. Encore Entertainers, one of the southland’s premier theatre training academies, presents a colorful, fully staged production of this smash Broadway hit. Tickets and information at encoreentertainers.org.
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