Support local music with Sierra Madre Sue

Phew! I made it. I am actually getting this out before the end of January, as I made a silent promise to myself to do so. A resolution you ask? Now let's not go and jinx it! Just trying to do my share to get the word out about some of my favorite bands and bars, and hope that I run into many of you who actually put this info. to good use! Happy 2011


WED. 1/26 - NEW ASTROTURF @ CAFE 322 in SIERRA MADRE, 7:30 - 10:30pm. All ages welcome - bring the family for dinner. Full bar & great Italian food! 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Folk/Rock & Classic Country.

WED. 1/26 – THE KARINA DENIKE BAND (aka the COTTONTAILS - also see Fri. 1/28) @ THE OLD TOWNE PUB IN PASADENA, 9pm. Corner of Fair Oaks & Union, in the alley behind the Container Store. 626-577-6583. Featuring good friend and Pub regular Steve Amato's nephew Michael McIntosh on piano.

THURS. 1/27 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 6 - 9pm. 1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443. Burgers, Brews & BLUES most Thursday nights. http://www.bigbbrenner.com/

FRI. 1/28 - THE MELLOW D'z (Dave Osti & Deanna Cogan) at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre, 5:30 - 7:30pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Great happy hour discounts on food and drinks from 4:30-6:30. Acoustic Rock faves.

FRI. 1/28 - SWING DANCE PARTY with FLAT TOP TOM & HIS JUMPCATS @ CAFE 322, 8 - 11pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar, great Italian food, dance floor.

FRI. 1/28 – THE COTTONTAILS @ THE OLD TOWNE PUB IN PASADENA, 9pm. Corner of Fair Oaks & Union, in the alley behind the Container Store. 626-577-6583. Featuring good friend and Pub regular Steve Amato's nephew Michael McIntosh on piano. "One of San Francisco's most exciting musical groups. Well-versed in American musical styles from the 1920s to the 1980s, they will belt out some old gin-house blues, riff on a Charilie Parker tune, and rock out on Black Sabbath, all in a single set." thecottontails.com

SAT. 1/29 - BILLY VERA & THE BEATERS @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. Reserved seating $10. 626-836-5414. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. Full bar & great food. R&B/Soul. They used to play here when it was the Sunset - about 30 years ago!

SUN. 1/30 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm. 1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443. BLUES brunch under a big breezy tent. http://www.bigbbrenner.com/

SUN. 1/30 - "OPERA TO BROADWAY" VOCAL PERFORMANCES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 7-10pm. 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. 2/1 - "JC & Friends Songwriter Serenade" @ MATT DENNY'S ALEHOUSE & RESTAURANT IN ARCADIA, 7 - 9:30pm. 145 E. Huntington Dr., between 1st & 2nd Aves. 626-462-0250. Full bar & kitchen, all ages. A weekly acoustic show of songwriters playing original songs, either as a solo or duo act, outside on the covered, heated patio. This week's artists: Sabrina & Craig, James Beauregard, Jay Leach, Karen Tobin. http://www.jchyke.com/

"TUESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA" @ CAFE 322 with QUIZMASTER DEANNA, 8pm. $2 per person to play, up to 4 on a team, CASH or gift certificates to the top 3 teams. Fun and educational! 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414.

"WEDNESDAY NIGHT PLATTER PARTY" @ THE BUCCANEER, 9pm. Bring your favorite vinyl records and play an entire side on the house turntable, commercial free! 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. No cover, full bar, friendly service!

THURS. 2/3 - COW BOP @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar & great Italian food. Cowboy Jazz, Western Bebop. Pinto Pammy on vocals. Lots of fun! http://www.cowbop.com/

FRI. 2/4 - THE MELLOW D'z (Dave Osti & Deanna Cogan) at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre, 5:30 - 7:30pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Great happy hour discounts on food and drinks from 4:30-6:30. Acoustic Rock faves.

FRI. 2/4 - DIRTY DAVE & THE DYNAMITES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 10pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar, great Italian food, no cover. Dave Osti, Moyes Lucas and Dave Batti. These guys truly are dyn-o-mite!

SAT. 2/5 - ST. RITA'S ANNUAL WINE TASTING EVENT AT THE ALVERNO VILLA, featuring live acoustic music from STEVE & STEVE. I believe entry is $10 and a bottle of wine. This is an Ellen and Andrea production, so you know it'll be good! Email me if you want more details or call St. Rita's at 626-355-6114.

SAT. 2/5 - OPEN MIC NIGHT @ THE FRET HOUSE 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! http://www.frethouse.com/

SAT. 2/5 - TREMOLOCO @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar, great Italian food, dance floor. TexMex Americana with Tony Zamora, Rick Shea, Bobby Robles, Johnny Vatos and more!

SUN. 2/6 - "OPERA TO BROADWAY" VOCAL PERFORMANCES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 7-10pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. Every Sunday evening. Get there early - they pack 'em in!

MON. 2/7 - MAX BUDA BAND @ THE OLD TOWNE PUB IN PASADENA, 9pm. Corner of fair Oaks & Union behind the Container Store. Enter thru alley off of Holly Ave. 626-577-6583. Chester, Jerry, Ted, Bruce, Peter and Nick on noisemakers. An eclectic mix of jazzed-up rock. One of my favorite bands. Every FIRST Monday night.

TUES. 2/8 - "JC & Friends Songwriter Serenade" @ MATT DENNY'S ALEHOUSE & RESTAURANT IN ARCADIA, 7 - 9:30pm. 145 E. Huntington Dr., between 1st & 2nd Aves. 626-462-0250. Full bar & kitchen, all ages. A weekly acoustic show of songwriters playing original songs, either as a solo or duo act, outside on the covered, heated patio. This week's artists: Mark Heffington, Lisa Sanders, Melanie Devaney, Dale LaDuke. http://www.jchyke.com/

"TUESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA" @ CAFE 322 with QUIZMASTER DEANNA, 8pm. $2 per person to play, up to 4 on a team, CASH or gift certificates to the top 3 teams. Fun and educational! 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414.

WED. 2/9 - RICK SHEA & THE LOSIN' END @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. Full bar & great Italian food! 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Americana/Roots/Country. My half-birthday.

"WEDNESDAY NIGHT PLATTER PARTY" @ THE BUCCANEER, 9pm. Bring your favorite vinyl records and play an entire side on the house turntable, commercial free! 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. No cover, full bar, friendly service!

THURS. 2/10 - DOUBLE NAUGHT SPY CAR @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar & great Italian food. At a total loss for words everytime I see them, I have to steal someone else's to describe them here: "the grinding Telecaster and spasmodic steel of Paul Lacques, the gurgling Stratocaster of Marcus Watkins, the revisionist/reductionist bass of Marc Doten, and the all knowing unyielding drums of Joe Berardi beguile, bewilder, bait, and beatify their audience -- and all with no pesky vocals or lyrics to water down the twang and throb."

FRI. 2/11 - THE MELLOW D'z (Dave Osti & Deanna Cogan) at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre, 5:30 - 7:30pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Great happy hour discounts on food and drinks from 4:30-6:30. Acoustic Rock faves.

FRI. 2/11 - GROOVY LEMON PIE @ CLUBHOUSE 66 IN GLENDORA, 9pm. 1200 E. Route 66. 626-914-0066. (Gregory James, Tom Jenkins, Jorge Mena, Gary Putman.) Classic Rock and beyond! www.glpie.com

SAT. 2/12 - TOM CORBETT & FRIENDS @ THE COFFEE GALLERY BACKSTAGE IN ALTADENA, 7pm. With Bill Knopf and special guest Mike Mullins (guitar & mandolin.) 2029 N. Lake Ave. For reservations or information call 626-794-2424. www.tomcorbett.net www.coffeegallery.com

SAT. 2/12 - RITA HOSKING and opening act RICK SHEA @ THE FRET HOUSE IN COVINA, 8pm. 309 N. Citrus Ave. 626-339-7020. $15. A great, intimate room, perfect for this Americana/Country/Folk double bill. http://www.ritahosking.com http://www.frethouse.com/

SUN. 2/13 - "OPERA TO BROADWAY" VOCAL PERFORMANCES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 7-10pm. 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. 2/15 - "JC & Friends Songwriter Serenade" @ MATT DENNY'S ALEHOUSE & RESTAURANT IN ARCADIA, 7 - 9:30pm. 145 E. Huntington Dr., between 1st & 2nd Aves. 626-462-0250. Full bar & kitchen, all ages. A weekly acoustic show of songwriters playing original songs, either as a solo or duo act, outside on the covered, heated patio. This week's artists: Trish Lester, Chad Watson & Pam Loe. http://www.jchyke.com/

"TUESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA" @ CAFE 322 with QUIZMASTER DEANNA, 8pm. $2 per person to play, up to 4 on a team, CASH or gift certificates to the top 3 teams. Fun and educational! 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414.

"WEDNESDAY NIGHT PLATTER PARTY" @ THE BUCCANEER, 9pm. Bring your favorite vinyl records and play an entire side on the house turntable, commercial free! 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. No cover, full bar, friendly service!

THURS. 2/17 - COW BOP @ VIVA CANTINA IN BURBANK, 8pm. 900 W. Riverside Dr., next to the L.A. Equestrian Center. Full bar & great Mexican food. Cowboy Jazz/Country Swing.
THURS. 2/17 - LISA FINNIE & FRIENDS @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. Full bar & great Italian food! 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Country/Jazzy Folk, and always quality musicians.

FRI. 2/18 - THE MELLOW D'z (Dave Osti & Deanna Cogan) at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre, 5:30 - 7:30pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Great happy hour discounts on food and drinks from 4:30-6:30. Acoustic Rock faves.

FRI. 2/18 - FRIENDS OF THE SIERRA MADRE LIBRARY'S ANNUAL WINE & CUISINE TASTING @ THE VILLA del SOL d'ORO on the Alverno Campus, 7 - 9:30pm. $60 Main Event; $80 Premiere - includes extras and earlier admittance. Tickets available now at the Library, Bottle Shop, Savor the Flavor, etc. Restaurant and winery samplings, auctions, magicians, live music from STEVE & STEVE, and more.

FRI. 2/18 - MERCY & THE MERKETTES DANCE PARTY @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 9pm - Midnite. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar and great Italian food. R&B, Disco, Motown, Rock, Blues.

SAT. 2/19 - DREAD ZEPPELIN @ T. BOYLE'S TAVERN IN PASADENA, with opening act THE GAS MOGULS, featuring Lance Cosgrove, Dave Shelton and Ben Rushing - reuniting their old band from the late 70's. 37 N. Catalina Ave., just N. of Colorado Blvd. (formerly Toe's Tavern and the Hanlebars) $10 in advance, $15 at the door. www.thegasmoguls.com

FRI. 2/25 - DIRTY DAVE & THE DYNAMITES @ CLUBHOUSE 66 IN GLENDORA, 9pm. 1200 E. Route 66. 626-914-0066. Full bar & kitchen. No cover. Dave, Dave & Moyes crankin' out some awesome Blues/Rock.

PLANNING AHEAD DEPT:
THURS. 3/17 - ST. PADDY'S DAY PARTY with GROOVY LEMON PIE @ T. BOYLE'S TAVERN IN PASADENA, 9pm. 37 N. Catalina Ave., just N. of Colorado Blvd. (formerly Toe's Tavern and the Hanlebars) www.glpie.com

SUN. 3/20 - ANNUAL WISTARIA FESTIVAL IN DOWNTOWN SIERRA MADRE - tons of live music and purple blossoms!

**NOW ACCEPTING ENTRIES FOR THE 2011 DOO DAH PARADE! Parade Day is Saturday, April 30th, 11:00am in East Pasadena. Be part of one of the most colorful and unique experiences around! Go to: pasadenadoodahparade.info -- and under "Entry Form" sign up now! Queen tryouts will be held on Sat. 4/2 at the American Legion.

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