Twilight Dance Series, Milongatron: July 25, 2011

Week 8:

Tango on the Timbers Featuring Milongatron

August 25th, 2011 FREE CONCERTs

thursdays

7pm-10pm

Tango lessons start at 6 pm

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About this publication This Twilight Dance Series guide has been created as a partnership between the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation and the Santa Monica Daily Press. It is intended to help concert-goers navigate the popular summer concert series.

Twilight Dance Series Table of Contents Pgs. 6-7

Time for tango

Pgs. 14-15

Milongatron brings a Latin flavor to the pier

Pier pals Tenants add a special something to the mix

Pg. 8

Spectator info

Pgs. 16-17

The low-down on the TDS

Future shows

The Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation is a non-profit created in 1983 by the Santa Monica City Council to preserve and enhance the pleasure pier experience for people of all ages and for future generations.

Publisher: Ross Furukawa Editor: Daniel Archuleta Designer: Darren Ouellette Special thanks: Martin Fleischmann, Steve Gibson, Craig Hoffman, Dennis Lin, Anne Railsback, Rob Schwenker, Brittney Seeliger, Steven Stuart, Taylor Van Arsdale

New Americana with Dawes

Pgs. 10-11

TDS map

Pg. 18

Make your way around the pier with ease

A look back

Pg. 12

Slacktone led a night of rocking surf guitar music during Week 7

Cheers!

Sonoma Wine Garden on the deck

For more information, visit santamonicapier.org, or call (310) 458-8901.

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Tango on the timbers Dance with Milongatron at this week’s concert S chwee Miguel’s tango outfit Milongatron returns to Los Angeles for another extended residency, this time to play the Santa Monica Pier’s Twilight Dance Series on Thursday.

The show will include tango lessons beginning at 6 p.m., an hour before showtime.

"What a tremendous privilege for the legacy of Argentine tango to play our golden-age grooves on a magical evening of summertime social dancing at the Santa Monica Pier,” Miguel said. “Can you imagine anything more beautiful than swirling in a sweet embrace as the soulful squeeze-boxes and sensual strings send you soaring over the bay toward the crepuscular silhouettes of Malibu by twilight? A fitting setting indeed, for these rich verses and profound sounds that allow milongueros to experience a full spectrum of heartto-heart dance conversation — the miracle of tango.”

As a singer/songwriter who plays piano, saxophone, and bandoneon, Miguel has performed throughout Europe, Asia, North and South America spanning genres from jazz and soul to hip-hop and tango. As a recording artist, arranger, and producer he has masterminded big band projects such as El Orquestazo and Critical Brass. Working as a dancer in Buenos Aires, he has graced the stages of many famous

venues including milongas (Villa Malcolm), estudios (Tango Lab), and teatros (Torquato Tasso). Locally, Miguel has performed with his Tango Ganas dance company at several important Los Angeles venues such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Beverly Hilton, Derby Club, and the Broad Stage as a principal choreographer for the vibrant Folklorico de Santa Monica troupe.

One only has to check out his videos to see how incredibly easy Miguel makes the tango appear. The preconcert lessons will take the audience through the step-bystep basics of tango making this rather daunting dance easy for all.

Miguel has hosted many regular tango events in Southern California over the years including the Ocean Park Milonga (OPM) and the Santa Monica International Tango Holiday (SMITH) bringing world-famous Argentine artists to L.A. in debut appearances. With this crystallization of Milongatron, Miguel and his fellow artists are brewing up a timely, tasty blend of Argentine tango grooves for the next generation of enthusiasts.

Miguel's Milongatron features a phalanx of Argentine

SEE WEEK 8 PAGE 7

Schwee Miguel and Milongatron

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2011 TDS lineup twilightdance.org • Aug. 25, Tango on the Timbers: Milongatron (tango lessons start at 6 p.m.)

• Sept. 1, New Americana: Dawes and Sonny & the Sunsets (plus the winner of Rusty’s Surf Ranch emerging artist competition)

• Sept. 8, A Night In Treme: (presented by Bloomingdale’s): Jon Cleary’s Philthy Phew, and

Donald Harrison Electric Band

week 8 FROM PAGE 6 virtuosos including violinist Pablo Hopenhayn, polymorphous omniphonist Pablo Goldstein, and bassist Oscar Lomuto, torchbearer of the golden-age orchestra that bore his family name. Rounding out the roster are powerhouse Dominican violinist Mishkar Nunez-Mejia, New York pianist extraordinaire Evan Griffiths, Angeleno multi-instrumentalist Mike Bolger, a constellation of internationally renowned bandoneon specialists, and a halfdozen legendary local recording artists.

The show at the pier promises to be legendary as members of Milongatron have played with myriad tango and symphony orchestras including Forever Tango, Los Gatos Azules, Esquina Carlos Gardel, and the Russian Philharmonic as well as Grammy-award winning groups such as Ozomatli, Santana, the Neville Brothers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Julieta Venegas, Andres Calamaro, Diego Torres, Divina Gloria, Sandro and jazz greats such as Art Taylor, Steve Lacy, Joshua Redman, Trombone Shorty and Rebirth and the Dirty Dozen.

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TDS survival guide Use these tips to help navigate this year’s concert series TDS store

Seating

Get your very own piece of this year’s Twilight Dance Series. The TDS Concert Store features T-shirts, Klean Canteens and glow sticks among other goodies. All purchases go to support the Twilight Dance Series.

Seating is not provided. You are welcome to bring beach chairs and blankets and sit on the pier deck or the beach. We ask that you bring low beach chairs. Many people do sit on the sand at the beach below the pier deck.

Tickets, cost

Food and drinks

No ticket or reservation is necessary for the concerts. And all of the concerts are free.

However, should you find yourself wanting to express your appreciation for the concerts you are welcome to make a tax deductible contribution to the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation either by donating online at santamonicapier.org or in person at one of the concerts by visiting the pier booth.

Alcohol consumption is not permitted in public spaces in Santa Monica. However, there are several full-service bars on the pier.

Food is permitted.

What time do the concerts begin and end?

7 p.m. — 10 p.m.

Parking Parking is available in the 1550 Pacific Coast Highway Lot, on a first-come, firstserved basis. There is no parking permitted on the Pier Parking Deck.

There are also a number of city structures located in nearby Downtown Santa Monica.

For more information, visit the City of Santa Monica’s parking site for directions and pricing at parking.smgov.net/overview.html.

For directions to the Santa Monica Pier, visit santamonicapier.org/location.

Bike valet There is a free bike valet located next to the beach bike path just south of the Santa Monica Pier. It’s the reward for being kind to the environment.

First aid/lost and found If you require first aid or assistance, please visit the pier booth/tent and we will contact the proper authority. If it is an emergency, please call 911. The lost and found will also be located at that location.

Pets Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Time for wine “Sonoma on the Deck” will be located on the pier overlooking the sand, where guests can enjoy a selection of specialty wine and beer, see the concerts in a relaxed environment, all while taking in the sunset overlooking the Santa Monica Bay. “Sonoma on the Deck” will feature locallyowned, award-winning Solsticio Wines from Argentina, California labels, specialty beer and more! Beer and wine will be offered for $5 and $8 respectively. Must be 21 years of age and present an I.D. “Sonoma on the Deck” is a perfect place to enjoy a summer’s night with great wine, friends and entertainment!

Volunteer The pier is always looking for a little help with the dance series.

Volunteers are needed to help with raising funds, assisting the crew and providing hospitality for artists.

If you are interested in assisting at the concerts, please contact us at (310) 4588901, or e-mail Anne Railsback at Anne@santamonicapier.org. Please provide the following information: • E-mail address • Phone Numbers: Cell/home • General availability • Special skills/interests • Fundraising ideas

Social media Tell us what you think about this year’s Twilight Dance Series. Post your photos, tell us a funny story or even rate the artists.

• twitter.com/SantaMonicaPier • facebook.com/SantaMonicaPier

Weather It never gets really cold, but after the sun goes down it can sometimes get a bit chilly requiring only a sweater or light jacket. It’s always a good idea to have something to throw on just in case.

Santa Monica Pier contact info Telephone: (310) 458-8901 Internet: santamonicapier.org Mail: 200 Santa Monica Pier, Suite A Santa Monica, CA. 90401

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"A nexus of culture, first-class cuisine, and unparalleled mixology at the ocean"

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True Food Kitchen 395 Santa Monica Place, Suite 172

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within walking distance of the Pier.

Santa Monica Pier Picnic Baskets To-Go

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Cheers on the pier Sonoma Wine Garden and Solsticio Wines partner with the Santa Monica Pier usic lovers will have a reason to toast at this year’s Twilight Dance Series.

Sonoma Wine Garden, located in the newly-renovated Santa Monica Place, partners with Solsticio Wines and the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation for this year’s series of concerts.

Located on the pier overlooking the sand, where guests can enjoy a selection of specialty wine and beer, see the concerts in a relaxed environment, all while taking in the sunset overlooking the Santa Monica Bay. Sonoma on the Deck will feature locally-owned, award-winning Solsticio Wines from Argentina, California labels, specialty beer and more! Beer and wine will be offered for $5 and $8, respectively.

Sonoma on the Deck is a perfect place to enjoy a summer’s night with great wine, friends and entertainment.

“We are very excited to be partnering with SMPRC and Solsticio Wines; it’s an honor to be a part of the summer concert series,” said Aaron Chaum, General Manager of Sonoma Wine Garden. “We feel this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase great wines in such an energetic

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setting. Being part of the community is important to us and we look forward to meeting our neighbors.”

About Sonoma Wine Garden Sonoma Wine Garden has something to offer every type of diner. Guests can lounge and enjoy appetizers and small plates in its casual garden setting or have a full four-course meal in the elegant white tablecloth dining room. Its cuisine features classics from the Mediterranean with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients from the gardens of Southern California. Its chefs visit local farmers’ markets to ensure that the menu reflects only the freshest ingredients available.

As wine’s birthplace, the cuisine of the Mediterranean pairs effortlessly with its expansive wine list, and transports the diner to an outdoor veranda in the heart of wine country.

Whether looking for a relaxed outdoor area to enjoy a respite from a long day of shopping, an elegant dinner for a special occasion, or a happening nightlife ... Sonoma Wine Garden is the perfect destination.

About Solsticio Wines The summer and winter solstices have long been marked with celebrations, festivals and rituals to recognize the change of seasons and the Earth’s rebirth. Solsticio Wines invite you to share in this ancient celebration and enjoy one of nature’s finest gifts — a lovingly handcrafted wine. Solsticio is the fruition of their life-long passion for great wines, and began on the owners’ very first trip to Argentina’s Mendoza province. Since then, Solsticio Wines have focused its time and attention on bringing the

very best of Argentina’s fine wines to you.

Solsticio is introducing two key varietals — a deep, rich Malbec and a light, refreshing Torrontes — that truly exemplify the tastes and textures of two very different seasons.

Online: Sonoma Wine Garden www.sonomawinegarden.com Solsticio Wines www.solsticio.com

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A special mix Pier merchants give historic landmark its unique identity hen your mailing address is a 101year-old international icon it makes sense to step outside of the lines to fit in.

The Santa Monica Pier is home to a colorful bunch of merchants and tenants who bring the historic structure to life and continue its legacy of being entertaining to one and all.

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Carousel “Happiness is a ride on the merry-goround,” read an old sign atop the carousel ticket booth and if anything were to bring back the image of old-fashioned fun, it’s the Santa Monica Pier’s historic carousel.

A carousel has been a long-standing symbol of the pier, with the first erected in 1916 under the Looff Hippodrome. The carousel that stands there today is a Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel that was built in 1922 and installed on the pier in 1947.

Husband and wife team Ed and Adriana Roth have been managing the ride since 2001, organizing its operation and maintenance on a daily basis.

The historic Looff Hippodrome was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, and Roth said she loves hearing grandparents tell their grandchildren about when they first rode the carousel during its early years on the pier.

“There are less than 10 carousels in the country that are as truly original as this carousel,” Roth said. “Every piece, every horse on the carousel is original to that machine. That is very rare.”

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merchants FROM PAGE 14

Heal the Bay Santa Monica Pier Aquarium The aquarium first opened under the pier’s east deck in 1996 as a joint venture with UCLA. Heal the Bay then took over operation of the aquarium in 2003.

“It’s definitely a community resource for families and for students,” said Randi Parent, community outreach coordinator for the aquarium. “It helps instill stewardship.”

Under Heal the Bay’s leadership, the aquarium has expanded to display more than 100 species native to Santa Monica Bay. They’ve also added a kids corner with books and hands-on activities and a pollution information corner.

“People, once they’ve interacted with the animals, everyone goes away from here feeling like they want to do more and be involved in making sure our neighbors in the water are healthy and happy,” Parent said.

Tom Bradley Family Source Center 5213 W Pico Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90019

(323) 692-0669

Trapeze School New York The Trapeze School flew into their Santa Monica location in 2008.

Classes include flying trapeze and trampoline, all with aerial views of the Santa Monica Bay. It’s not uncommon for a large crowd to gather in front of the school to watch the high-flying excitement.

South Valley Family Source Center 6931 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 201 Van Nuys, CA 91406

(818) 786-4098

Canoga Park Family Source Center Dennis P. Zine Community Center 21400 Saticoy St., 2nd Floor Canoga Park, CA 91304

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Upcoming TDS schedule Week 9 Sept. 1, New Americana: Dawes, Sonny & the Sunsets (plus the winner of Rusty’s Surf Ranch emerging artist competition. Begins at 6:45 p.m.)

Dawes “The best rock ‘n’ roll is never preconceived,” said Dawes’ Taylor Goldsmith. “It’s almost a country mentality: ‘This is what we do. We write songs.’ That’s how it is for Dawes.”

A self-described “American rock ‘n’ roll band,” Dawes represent everything pure and true about that fundamental delineation, four talented friends making music together, fueled by a shared belief in the power of their songs.

With “Nothing Is Wrong,” the Los Angeles-based band — singer/guitarist Goldsmith, his brother Griffin on drums, keyboardist Tay Strathairn, and bassist Wylie Gelber — continue to master their blend of singer/songwriter reflection with folk and country, all ringing guitars, soaring harmonies, and heartfelt melodies. After spending much of the past two years on tour, songs like “Coming Back To A Man” and “Time Spent In Los Angeles” have a restless, unsettled quality evocative of life lived on the road. A collection of songs that expertly builds upon the template laid by Dawes

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ARTISTS FROM PAGE 16

2009’s extraordinary debut, “North Hills,” “Nothing Is Wrong” sees Dawes displaying staggering growth and evolution while still manifesting their distinctive, unforgettable voice.

“We didn’t change up our approach too much and yet we were able to create something that I feel has a new identity from our first record,” Goldsmith said. “It’s definitely taking a step in a direction and at the same time, it’s maintaining what it needs to maintain.”

In 2009, Dawes emerged from the ashes of California combo Simon Dawes with North Hills, which drew instant acclaim for its rootsy revitalization of classic El Lay rock.

And like any American rock ‘n’ roll band worth its salt, Dawes followed up by touring nearly non-stop. As a result, Goldsmith was only able to write during rare free moments, in the course of brief visits home or while crashing at a friend’s pad for a few days. No surprise then that songs like “My Way Back Home” and “How Far We’ve Come” (featuring Griffin on lead vocals) are redolent of van fumes and road dust, rich with weariness and longing and restive reflection.

“Both of these Dawes records have been written in a one-to-two year span of time,” Goldsmith said. “With ‘North Hills,’ there was an ‘I just want to go somewhere and experience things’ quality. And then with this record, we’re in the thick of going out and playing shows and being on tour.”

Sonny & the Sunsets the albums “Silver Lining” and “Souls Alike.” On these recordings, Raitt covered the Cleary originals, “Fool’s Game,” “Monkey Business,” “Unnecessarily Mercenary,” and “Love on One Condition.”

Cleary has produced five recordings to date including his latest, a live recording from Sydney, Australia called “Mo Hippa,” which features a mix of the styles that inform the New Orleans’ sound — from island rhythms, to soul-drenched funk jams, to Mardi Gras Indian street-parades. www.joncleary.com

www.dawestheband.com

Sonny & the Sunsets Sonny Smith began singing while a patient at Warm Springs Foundation Hospital in Texas to amuse the other patients.

Quasi-mystical with a tendency to write about new-agey subjects such as hypnotherapy, extrasensory perception, fortune tellers, palm readers and channelers Smith has been given his own genre by the press as “pop supernaturalism.” www.sonnysmith.com

Donald Harrison Electric Band Donald Harrison is called one of the most important musicians of the new millennium by CBS Sunday Morning. A list of his accomplishments shows that he has developed into a musical category unto himself. In the classic jazz genre, he is the originator of the nouveau swing style which merges acoustic swing with modern R&B, second-line, hip-hop, (New Orleans African American roots culture), and reggae rhythms. www.donaldharrison.com

Week 10 Sept. 8, A Night In Treme (presented by Bloomingdale’s): Jon Cleary’s Philthy Phew, and Donald Harrison Electric Band

Jon Cleary’s Philthy Phew In the hallowed ranks of New Orleans “piano professors,” Jon Cleary is on the tenure track. Born in England and bred in New Orleans, Cleary is a triple threat combining soulful vocals, masterful piano skills, and a knack for composing infectious grooves with melodic hooks and sharp lyrics. He balances performing on solo piano, with noted funk band The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, and his new trio Piano, Bass & Drums, alongside a career as a notorious hired gun with the likes of Bonnie Raitt and John Scofield. Cleary is featured on vocals and keyboards on the recently released, “Piety Street” by John Scofield & The Piety Street Band. Cleary has toured with Raitt since 1999, and has appeared on

Jon Cleary’s Philthy Phew

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Sound of the sea Surf guitar filled the air during Week 7 of the Twilight Dance Series.

Slacktone, The Eliminators and The Duo-Tones brought the classic sound to its rightful home — the Santa Monica Pier.

The Eliminators

The Duo-Tones

Slacktone

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