VOLUME 7 | ISSUE 4 |
29
EarthFair Moon Stage/ April 24 Balboa Park One of the year’s biggest events, San Diego EarthFair takes place on April 24 throughout Balboa Park. Free and all ages, amongst the environmentally friendly exhibits and displays there will be four stages featuring entertainment, including one devoted to children. One of EarthFair’s key area’s will be the Moon Stage, at Park Avenue and President’s Way, booked by Donna Larsen, perhaps best known for her work with her band, Messengers. On hand this year will be: Dave Preston & The Grownups, Marie Haddad, The Hurricaynes, Donna Larsen and Messengers, Sara Petite, True Stories, Sometimes Julie, and Baird & Silva “Every year the music gets better and better,” Larsen said. “I totally enjoy having original artists on the Moon Stage and try to get a variety of styles throughout the day including pop, rock, country, blues, Americana, indie, and alternative. San Diego really has some outstandingly talented and gifted musicians who have generous hearts and are so willing to share all their years of dedication and practice with everyone at Earth Fair. Almost all of
these bands and musical artists are Award Winners!” She considers part of the stages success over the years as being down to her staff. “It has been especially wonderful the last couple of years working with my wonderful sound engineers, and having Paul Grinvalsky as sound designer, as well as to have great stagehands. I also get a lot of help from Messengers’ band members, Paul McGee, Randy Hodge, Jef Kmak, Lee Eddy.” Larsen notes that the musicians all volunteer, however she has a surprise in store for them this year. “We have a generous sponsor: Laurie Beltran of Modern Woodmen Financial! I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to be able to give the bands a little bit of cash as a “Thank you” for all the time and talent
Spotlight Shows / Top 5
A free, all ages, all day acoustic musical walkabout with multiple stages, dozens of artists 3) April 30 / Triple Threat: Women Who Rock - The Grand Escondido (7:30 p.m.) Hit filled tributes to Pat Benatar (All Fired Up), The Pretenders (Pretending Chrissie) and Linda Ronstadt (Heatwave) 4) May 8 / Wildchild at the Music 1) April 22 / Daring Greatly - NaBox (8 p.m.) vajo Live (9 p.m.) The rap legend and member of Multiple SDMA nominees with Lootpack is touring behind his a classic rock sound are promoting fourth solo project, Omowale their new album, Gird Valley 5) May 12 / Dennis Quaid at the 2) April 30 / Adams Avenue Belly Up Tavern (8 p.m.) Unplugged – Along Adams Avenue The acclaimed actor returns to rock (Noon) the house LOCAL NEWS | LocalUmbrellaNews.com /LocalUmbrellaMedia
they give all of us!” Although Larsen came to the public’s attention through her music, her introduction to organizing the Moon Stage came through a children’s book she had written, In My Own Backyard, circa 2013-2015. She had volunteered to play at the children’s stage for San Diego EarthFair but wanted to branch out a little. “As I progressed to writing more and more of what I call “popcoustic” material, not specifically for kids, I thought it would be fun to play a different stage and contacted the organizers of San Diego EarthFest, Carolyn Chase and Chris Klein, about that. They mentioned needing volunteers. I mentioned that I had produced the San Diego Indie Acoustic Original Artist Showcase and that I would love to volunteer to help with the Moon Stage. At that
time I guess they had no manager or producer for the stage, so they gave me a go! So I think this is my sixth or seventh year organizing this and producing this part of a huge event.” Larsen acknowledges putting this stage together each year can be daunting, but it’s time well spent. “I just love producing The Moon Stage!,” she said. “I love volunteering. And yes, it is a lot of work but so well worth it. Kudos to those producers who do this all the time! This is something I am proud to be able to bring to San Diego. To me there is no better cause than our beautiful Mother Earth. It’s just one little way that I can honor her and help bring awareness about our beautiful planet.” www.stayhappening.com/e/ the-moon-stage-at-earth-fairE2ISU7O02KG
San Diego Music Awards / TV Broadcast May 14 The 2022 San Diego Music Awards takes place on Tuesday April 19 at beautiful outdoor venue, Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay. 28 awards will handed out on the night, with a great line up of nominees performing live, Party, taking place at Humincluding Risphrey’s Backstage Live, where ton Diggs, Thee Sacred Souls, Rebecca Jade will be holding Mrs. Henry, The Sully Band, musical court. Funds raised Ira B. Liss Big Band Jazz Mago the Taylor Guitars for Kids chine, Tamar Berk and Slack program and the San Diego Key Ohana. Meanwhile, the Music Foundation. If you can’t Lifetime Achievement Award make the actual event, be sure will be given to soul music to tune into San Diego’s Fox icon, Jesse Davis. Those wanting to continue the night after 5-TV on May 14 at 6 p.m. for the awards show can head over an edited broadcast of the 2022 San Diego Music Awards to the SDMA Official After @LocalUmbrellaMedia ADVERTISE | Press@LocalUmbrella.com