Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Support local music with Sierra Madre Sue

Many of my favorite local groups have overlapping band members and, in a pinch, they often fill in for each other when someone is out of town or otherwise unavailable. This week's spotlight band is one I've never seen before, but I know 7 of the members from their other respective bands!

THE SIN TWINS RHYTHM & BLUES REVIEW is a 17-plus piece roadhouse blues band that has been playing Southern California blues clubs for over 25 years. Lead singers Detroit Dan and Toledo Tom are backed by the soulful female trio "The Fallen Angels" (featuring MERCY POWELL, FELICIA BRIGHT and DEANNA COGAN), the rhythm section "The Sinners" (including DANNY HESSE, JOE VELOSA, KEITH NEAL and BUGGS MANOCCHI) and "The Hellbent for Leather Horns".

If tickets aren't already sold out, you can catch their act this Saturday, June 7th at the Covina Playhouse. Call 626-331-8133 to find out. Three of the band members are pictured here: FELICIA, DEANNA & DANNY.
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TODAY!!! WED. 6/4 - VIN FIZ FLYER @ THE FARMERS' MARKET IN SIERRA MADRE, 6 - 7pm. In the City lot behind the Bottle Shop, etc. Bluegrass with a bit more fiz! Looks like I got my wish about live music... maybe I should wish for a winning Lotto ticket too! THIS IS A FREEBIE - SO PLEASE TIP THE BAND! and we're not talking about cabbage! http://home.earthlink.net/~vinfizflyer/

TONIGHT!!! WED. 6/4 - BLUES JAM SESSION WITH JOHN MARX AND THE BLUES PATROL @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11:30pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. No cover.

FRI. 6/6 - DAVE OSTI AND DEANNA COGAN @ THE MAYAN BAR (inside the Aztec Hotel) in MONROVIA, 6 - 9pm Happy Hour. 311 W. Foothill Blvd. 626-358-3231. NO COVER. Full bar, limited food menu. Acoustic Guitar, vocals. Cool dude/Hot chick - something for everybody! http://www.davidvalentinoosti.com/

FRI. 6/6 - THE SHEDS opening for GROUNDATION @ THE CANYON CLUB IN AGOURA HILLS, 7pm. 28912 Roadside Dr. $18.50. For tickets call: 818-325-5855. Ska/Reggae/Punk. Another big show for my young friends! http://www.myspace.com/shedrock

FRI. 6/6 (and NOT Sat.) - "THE SUBS" (Better Than Blue's acoustic alter ego) @ the DOCKSIDE in WEST COVINA, 7:30 - 11:30pm. 3057 E. Garvey Ave. North. In the bar area, but you can order food also. All ages ok. Joe Velosa, Danny Hesse, Felicia Bright. Acoustic rock, soul & blues. 626-915-3474. www.wearethesubs.com/

FRI. 6/6 – GROOVY REDNECKS @ BARNBURNER RESTAURANT IN PASADENA, 9pm. 1000 S. Fair Oaks Ave. 626-403-RIBS. BBQ, beer, wine. All ages, no cover. Raucous, rowdy, irreverant Country Rock! http://www.groovyrednecks.com/

FRI. 6/6 - BOBBY BRADFORD MOTET @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar, great Italian food. A fixture on the local jazz scene, Bobby Bradford is best known for his early 70's work with Ornette Coleman, and was one of my brother Rick's early musical influences.

SAT. 6/7 - "JUNE JUBILEE" @ AVESON CHARTER SCHOOL IN ALTADENA, 10am - 4pm. 1919 Pinecrest Dr. Live Entertainment by the students, 10am - 12pm and by professionals, 12 - 4pm. Silent Auction, Rummage Sale, Food samples from Healthy Living and Culinary Arts Depts., Games, confetti eggs, jumpies and more, Booths: plants, art, and handmade items, Hourly Raffles. All proceeds go to Aveson Charter School. Mario from Cafe 322's kids school.

SAT. 6/7 - JO JO & THE BOXBOYS @ TRADER JOE'S IN SOUTH PASADENA FOR THEIR ANNUAL CHILI COOK-OFF, 11am - 2pm. 613 Mission St. 626-441-6263. Some of the band members you may be familiar with - Felicia, Danny, Joe, Buggs and Keith - from various groups as Better Than Blue, The Subs, Chico's Bail Bonds, The Sin Twins, etc. Rock/Blues. Free chili sampling.

SAT. 6/7 - DAVE OSTI @ JOE'S PLACE IN DUARTE, 6pm. 1345 E. HUNTINGTON DR.-N.E. corner of Huntington & Buena Vista. (626)357-JOES. Nice coffee house. Free wireless internet. Solo Acoustic Guitar/Vocals. In the city of my birth! (and you thought I was born in Sierra Madre, huh?)

6/7 - "SATURDAY NIGHT SMOKEOUT" @ MARY'S MARKET & CAFE IN SIERRA MADRE CANYON, 6:30pm, featuring RAY HILL on keyboards, with tunes spanning the decades. "A great guy in his 70's who has a huge repertoire of all kinds of piano tunes. He used to do arrangements for Big Bands and he likes to tell stories about the pieces he plays....a real canyon treasure." 561 Woodland Ave. 626-355-4534. Limited parking.

SAT. 6/7 - DENNIS SANCHEZ @ SIERRA MADRE BOOKS, 7pm. 18 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., downstairs in the cozy living room. 626-836-3200. All ages, FREE! Singer/Guitarist.

SAT. 6/7 - Open Mic Night @ the FRETHOUSE in Covina. 309 N. Citrus Ave. (626) 339-7020. Always on the first Saturday of the month, and just one dollar for performers or audience. Sign-up starts at 7:30. If there aren't enough slots for everybody they'll make a list for the next month, and call you. Each act gets two songs or ten minutes, whichever comes first. The show starts at 8:00. They'll have desserts and coffee ready. Bring your friends and family and join the show! www.covina.com/frethouse/

SAT. 6/7 - THE SHEDS with THE ROUNDABOUTS and THE CHRIS MURRAY COMBO @ THE VERITY ROOM IN CANOGA PARK, 8pm. $10. 7503 Topanga Canyon Blvd. 818-294-6883. Ska/Reggae/Punk.

SAT. 6/7 - THE SIN TWINS RHYTHM & BLUES REVIEW @ THE COVINA PLAYHOUSE, 8pm. 104 N. Citrus Ave. It MAY be sold out, but call 626-331-8133 for tickets & info. (Their website is no help!) See above paragraph for more details.

SAT. 6/7 - RICK SHEA @ THE BUCCANEER LOUNGE IN SIERRA MADRE, 9:30pm. 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. Full bar, no cover, free parking in back. 21 and over. Honkytonk Country/Blues. Always enjoyable! http://rickshea.com/

SAT. 6/7 - MARTINI MEMOIRS featuring JEFF STETSON & friends @ COLOMBO'S ITALIAN STEAK HOUSE IN EAGLE ROCK, 10pm - 1am. 1833 Colorado Blvd. 323-254-9138. Full kitchen & bar. Jeff sez: first set will be Jazz & then evolve into "Acid-Lounge-Jazz-Rock!" 1st & 3rd Saturdays of each month.

SUN. 6/8 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm. 1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443 . All ages. BLUES Brunch under a big breezy tent. http://www.bigbbrenner.com/

SUN. 6/8 - GRANT PARK SOFTBALL - ALL ARE WELCOME. NOT A LEAGUE - JUST FOR FUN & THE LOVE OF THE GAME! CORNER OF CORDOVA & MICHIGAN IN PASADENA, 3 BLOCKS WEST OF PCC. BATTING PRACTICE 12:30, GAME TIME ASAP. BRING YOUR GLOVE, BAT, CHAIR, ICE CHEST, GUITAR, UKULELE, ETC. EVERY SUNDAY...

SUN. 6/8 - PASADENA CITY COLLEGE JAZZ GUITAR ENSEMBLE @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 11:30am - 2pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd . 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. No cover, all ages. Hmm… I wonder if Richard Reese had anything to do with this booking!

SUN. 6/8 - THE MERCY POWELL QUARTET @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 3 - 5pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd . 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. No cover, all ages. Standards & Jazzy stuff from Mercy, Josh, Marc & Peter. Note: later start time due to first band (see above.)

SUN. 6/8 - TIM TEDROW & TERRY VREELAND @ SIERRA CUP IN MONROVIA, 4pm. 409 S. Myrtle Ave. 626-301-4214. Traditional Folk Music. Gotta love the title of their latest CD: "Songs We Stole From Our Friends". Tim used to do the sound at the "Listening Room Concerts". These guys are great! http://www.trough.com/tedrow-vreeland/default.htm

SUN. 6/8 - "OPERA TO BROADWAY" VOCAL PERFORMANCES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 7pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. Every Sunday evening. Get there early, as the place gets packed!

6/10 - "TACO TUESDAY" @ MARY'S MARKET & CAFE IN SIERRA MADRE CANYON, featuring STEVE VARGAS on Acoustic Guitar & Vocals, 6:30 - 8:30pm. 561 Woodland Ave. 626-355-4534. Limited parking. Yummy cheap tacos! But save some dough for the poor musician - he's playin' for food & YOUR TIPS!

TUES. 6/10 - WRECK 'N' SOW @ THE PIKE IN LONG BEACH, 8pm - Midnight. 1836 E. 4th St. 562-437-4453. Fun Bluegrass stuff w/great harmonies & snazzy overalls! The Dupuy brothers, etc. http://www.wrecknsow.com/index.htm

FRI. 6/13 - DAVE OSTI AND DEANNA COGAN @ THE MAYAN BAR (inside the Aztec Hotel) in MONROVIA, 6 - 9pm Happy Hour. 311 W. Foothill Blvd. 626-358-3231. NO COVER. Full bar, limited food menu. Acoustic Guitar, vocals. "Special Friday the 13th Acoustic superstition party." http://www.davidvalentinoosti.com/

FRI. 6/13 - THE BIRCHES @ SIERRA CUP IN MONROVIA, 7pm. 409 S. Myrtle Ave. 626-301-4214. You may have seen the Birch Family at Sierra Madre's Wistaria Festival. Love these guys! Beatles cover tunes and more.

FRI. 6/13 & SAT. 6/14 - "THE SUBS" (Better Than Blue's acoustic alter ego) @ the DOCKSIDE in WEST COVINA, 7:30 - 11:30pm. 3057 E. Garvey Ave. North. In the bar area, but you can order food also. All ages ok. Joe Velosa, Danny Hesse, Felicia Bright. Acoustic rock, soul & blues. 626-915-3474. www.wearethesubs.com/

FRI. 6/13 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ BAR TWIST IN ARCADIA, 9pm. 48 E. Huntington Dr. 626-254-1760. Full bar & food menu, no cover. Nice place; service could use some improvement though - ask for Carrie to be your server. Blues, Rags & Stomps.

SAT. 6/14 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm. 1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443 . All ages. Saturday BLUES Brunch under a big breezy tent. http://www.bigbbrenner.com/

SAT. 6/14 - FREE BEGINNING GUITAR SET-UP & PLAYING WORKSHOP @ THE FRET HOUSE IN COVINA, 1 - 3pm. 309 N. Citrus Ave. (626) 339-7020. Owner Tom Seymour presents a workshop based on basic guitar set-up and care, and will discuss some beginning playing approaches. Very informative for all skill levels.

SAT. 6/14 - OPEN MIC NIGHT @ MARY'S MARKET & CAFE IN SIERRA MADRE CANYON, 6:30pm. 561 Woodland Ave. 626-355-4534. Limited parking.

SAT. 6/14 - THE B.O. TRIO PLUS ONE, featuring JEFF STETSON, play "A MIXED BAG AND SOME BLUES" @ ZEPHYR COFFEE HOUSE IN PASADENA, 8:30 - 10pm. 2419 E. Colorado Blvd., just E. of Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-793-7330. Soups, sandwiches, coffee, tea, smoothies, etc.
SAT. 6/14 - SNOTTY SCOTTY & THE HANKIES @ THE BUCCANEER LOUNGE IN SIERRA MADRE, 9pm. 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. Full bar, no cover, free parking in back. 21 and over. Special guest BUGGSY BOOGER on drums - should be a gas!
http://www.myspace.com/snottyscottyandthehankies

SAT. 6/14 - MERCY & THE MERKETTES @ BAR TWIST IN ARCADIA, 9pm. 48 E. Huntington Dr. Full bar and kitchen. No cover. DANCE FLOOR. Street parking and in the lot on the north side behind the shops - crosswalk in the middle of the block. R&B, Funk, Motown, Dance music. MercyAndTheMerkettes.com

SUN. 6/15 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm. 1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443 . All ages. FATHER'S DAY Blues Brunch under a big breezy tent. http://www.bigbbrenner.com/

SUN. 6/15 - Bring your Dad for FATHER'S DAY lunch with NEW ASTROTURF @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 1:30 - 4:30pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food in a comfy setting. Acoustic Folk/Rock, Classic Country. Special guest drummer TBA.

SUN. 6/15 - "OPERA TO BROADWAY" VOCAL PERFORMANCES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 7pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. Every Sunday evening. Get there early, as the place gets packed!

Please remember to call and verify all info. before making plans. Everything is subject to change. This is show biz, after all.

Hope to see you out & about,
SierraMadreSue
sierramadresue@yahoo.com

FOR EVEN MORE COOL SHOWS & INFO., CHECK OUT THESE SITES:
http://cafe322.com/
http://sierracup.com/
http://www.myspace.com/piratedive
http://www.coffeegallery.com/home.html
http://www.myspace.com/americanarootsla
http://www.aliveandpicking.com/calendar.html http://www.covina.com/frethouse/concerts.html

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