Support local music with Sierra Madre Sue

Here's another plug that's long overdue, for my friends at the FRET HOUSE in Covina. Offering a wide selection of stringed instruments and accessories for sale or rent, complete service and repair, lessons, acoustic concerts and a friendly, knowledgeable staff has kept their doors open for 38 years, despite competition from much bigger stores and on-line shopping sites. Although I am not a musician myself, I have had the pleasure of getting to know many of the guys who work there, through seeing them perform at local clubs, and attending concerts in the Fret House's cozy downstairs venue.

On the first Saturday of every month, OPEN MIC NIGHT provides an opportunity for those who want to hone their skills or try out new songs on a small, attentive audience of mostly other musicians. Non-performers are also invited to attend, and it's only $1 to get in! More details below, or at: http://covina.com/frethouse/openmic.html

Pictured with me here is RICH SEYMOUR, son of FRET HOUSE owner Tom Seymour, OPEN MIC NIGHT host, and Sierra Madre neighbor! A top-notch guy.
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TUES. 7/1 - THE FOLK COLLECTION @ MEMORIAL PARK'S LEVITT PAVILION IN OLD TOWNE PASADENA, 6 - 7pm. On Raymond between Walnut & Holly. Gold Line train stop is Memorial Park. Americana/Folk.

JULY 1st - "TACO TUESDAY" @ MARY'S MARKET & CAFE IN SIERRA MADRE CANYON, featuring JANE FULLER, 6:30 - 8:30pm. 561 Woodland Ave. 626-355-4534. All ages, FREE. Limited parking. Yummy cheap tacos! Jazz Standards/Contemporary Blues.

WED. 7/2 - FARMERS' MARKET IN SIERRA MADRE - NEW SUMMER HOURS: 4 to 8PM.

THURS. 7/3 - ANNUAL 3rd OF JULY CONCERT IN SIERRA MADRE'S MEMORIAL PARK, featuring THE SHEDS and ALUMINUM MARSHMALLOW WITH THE AGE OF AQUARIUS HORNS, 5:30pm. 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. @ Hermosa Ave. Possible third band of local kids on at 5:00. Beer garden opens at 5pm & last call is at 10:30pm.

NOTE: the BUCCANEER closes early on Thurs. July 3rd - 10 or 11pm. 626-355-9045. go to 322 instead! see below:

THURS. 7/3 - MERCY & THE MERKETTES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8:30pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. R&B, Funk, Motown, etc. Dance floor! If the place isn't already packed by the time the beer garden closes at the Park, they will be soon!

FRI. 7/4 - SIERRA MADRE 4th OF JULY PARADE, 10am. Starts at the corner of Sunnyside & Sierra Madre Blvd. & proceeds east to Sierra Vista Park, where you can get hosed down by the Volunteer Fire Dept. at the end of the Parade! (Note: that is the ONLY area where water play will be allowed!) Watch/listen for local hillbilly-hippie-rock favorites HORSES ON ASTROTURF. Post-Parade Beer Garden, kids activities and live music in Memorial Park, 11am - 4pm.

FRI. 7/4 - DAVE OSTI AND DEANNA COGAN @ THE MAYAN BAR (inside the Aztec Hotel) in MONROVIA, 4 - 7pm. Note: earlier time, so you can go watch Fireworks! 311 W. Foothill Blvd. 626-358-3231. NO COVER. Full bar, limited food menu. Acoustic Guitar, vocals. Cool dude/Hot chick! http://www.davidvalentinoosti%20.com/

FRI. 7/4 - STEEL ROD @ BARNEY'S GRILL & PUB IN PASADENA. 93 W. Colorado Blvd. 626-577-2739. Full kitchen. No cover. Rock to Salsa. Fridays in July.

SAT. 7/5 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm. 1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443 . All ages. Red, White & BLUES Brunch under a big breezy tent. http://www.bigbbrenner.com/

SAT. 7/5 - the WRECKTANGLES and 5 other bands (Hell Surfers, Swords of Fatima, Carnage Asada (heck of a name there!), The Chump Change Gang, and Firethorn) @ MR. T's BOWL IN HIGHLAND PARK, with the first band at 7pm, and the Wrecktangles at midnight. 5621 1/2 Figueroa. 323-256-7561. Probably a $5 cover. The return of the Wrecktangles - Raghead, Leslie, Boo, Gavin & the other guy whose name I got wrong last time, so I'm not even gonna go there! Punk/Rock.

SAT. 7/5 - 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, with Rich Seymour as your host! www.covina.com/frethouse/

SAT. 7/5 - "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.

SAT. 7/5 - THE SHEDS doing their first ever ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE @ THE VERITY ROOM IN CANOGA PARK, 8pm. $10 admission. 7503 Topanga Canyon Blvd. 818-294-6883. Ska/Reggae/Punk.

SAT. 7/5 - MARTINI DIARIES 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. 7/6 - 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. 7/6 - THE MERCY POWELL QUARTET @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 1:30 - 4:30pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd . 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. No cover, all ages. Mercy, Josh, Marc & Peter Burke doin' some standards & jazzy stuff for your dining & listening pleasure!

SUN. 7/6 - WRECK 'N' SOW @ BARN BURNER RESTAURANT IN PASADENA, 5 - 8pm. 1000 S. Fair Oaks Ave. 626-403-RIBS. BBQ, beer, wine. Fun Bluegrass stuff w/great harmonies & snazzy overalls! The Dupuy Brothers and friends. http://www.wrecknsow.com/

SUN. 7/6 - THE SURFING SAFARIS @ MEMORIAL PARK BANDSHELL IN SIERRA MADRE, 6 - 8pm. 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. "Beach Party" tunes/Surf music. A great way to kick off Summer. In thar dude!

SUN. 7/6 - TIM TEDROW & TERRY VREELAND @ SIERRA CUP IN MONROVIA, 6pm. 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. 7/6 - "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 - they pack 'em in!

TUES. 7/8 - SLIGO RAGS @ LEVITT PAVILION IN PASADENA'S MEMORIAL PARK, 6 - 7pm. FREE concert in the park. On Raymond, between Walnut & Holly. Gold Line stop is Memorial Park - a good way to go. Celtic Folk.

TUES. 7/8 - 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

WED. 7/9 - FLAT TOP TOM & HIS JUMP CATS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS PAVILION IN TEMPLE CITY PARK, 7 - 9pm. FREE concert in the park. 9701 Las Tunas Dr. Food & beverages available for purchase. Swing.

WED. 7/9 - MAX BUDA @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar, great Italian food. No cover, all ages. Unique jazzy rock stuff from Chester & the boys.

WED. 7/9 - DAVID SERBY @ VIVA CANTINA IN BURBANK, 9pm. 900 Riverside Dr., next to the L.A. Equestrian Center. 818-845-2425. Full bar & great Mexican food. No cover. Americana/Country.

THURS. 7/10 - THE BLASTERS @ LEVITT PAVILION IN PASADENA'S MEMORIAL PARK, 7:30pm. FREE concert in the park. On Raymond, between Walnut & Holly. Gold Line stop is Memorial Park - a good way to go. Yes - THEE Blasters!

FRI. 7/11 - 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! http://www.davidvalentinoosti%20.com/

FRI. 7/11 - STEEL ROD @ BARNEY'S GRILL & PUB IN PASADENA. 93 W. Colorado Blvd. Call for time: 626-577-2739. Full kitchen. No cover. Rock to Salsa. Fridays in July.

FRI. 7/11 - WRECK 'N' SOW @ THE PRESS IN CLAREMONT, 9pm. 129 Harvard Ave. 909-625-4808. Full bar and kitchen. BLUEGRASS with the Dupuy Brothers & friends.

FRI. 7/11 - OCHO X @ THE BUCCANEER LOUNGE IN SIERRA MADRE, 9pm. 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. Full bar, no cover, pool table, 21 & over. Latin-influenced Rock jams. The Sotelo Brothers, Peter Burke, etc.

FRI. 7/11 - BETTER THAN BLUE @ BAR TWIST IN ARCADIA, 9:30pm. 48 E. Huntington Dr. 626-254-1760. Full bar, awesome food! Classy place, nice ambience, NO COVER, dance floor. Free street parking and behind the shops on the North side. Rock/Soul/Blues.

SAT. 7/12 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm. 1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443 . All ages. Red, White & BLUES Brunch under a big breezy tent. http://www.bigbbrenner.com/

SAT. 7/12 - 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. 7/12 - BETTER THAN BLUE "unplugged" @ THE CAPRI LOUNGE IN GLENDALE, 9PM. 1134 N. Pacific Ave. 818-956-8738. Rock, Soul & Blues. Felicia says come on down - it's a cool joint!

SAT. 7/12 - ADAM MARSLAND'S CHAOS BAND @ THE BUCCANEER LOUNGE IN SIERRA MADRE, 9pm. 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. Full bar, no cover, pool table, 21 & over. Indie/Powerpop with a Brian Wilson influence.

SUN. 7/13 - 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. 7/13 - DAVE OSTI & DEANNA COGAN @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 1:30 - 4:30pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. (Filling in for New Astroturf this week only.) Acoustic guitar/vocals.

SUN. 7/13 - "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 - they pack 'em in!

ADVANCE NOTICE DEPT.: get your tickets NOW for the annual Colorado Street Bridge Party on Sat. 7/19, and see a bunch of my favorite local bands in one night!! http://www.pasadenaheritage.org/

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