Bernie Pearl performances Dec & Jan

The Bernie Pearl Blues Band: Blue Mondays at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, December 5, 12, 19, 26, January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.

We have an open jam session following the band set at 8:00. You will hear the blues played and sung by not only our wonderful regular participants, but you just might be surprised and delighted by the appearance of extraordinary blues artists unknown to you - or to us. And, sometimes the great Lady B. herself joins in.

Here's an idea: If you love the Blues,why don't you plan to celebrate your birthday or other special event on a Monday night at Barbara's. It's a comfortable, intimate spot (a small theater setting), you can provide your own refreshments and, best of all, you get a real good blues show thrown in at no extra cost!

We've had several very successful events recently (book signing, birthday celebrations - including my own), and everyone left with smiles on their faces. Can't beat that!
Every Monday 8:00-11:00, regular cover $10/ musicians $5.

Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center, 4305 Degnan Blvd, LA 90008. (323) 296-2272.


Winter Jazz & Blues Festival at Barbara's.
Wednesday 12/28 - New Year's Eve. 4 Nights, 3 Stages.

Thursday, December 29. 8:00-11:00, Main Stage
The Bernie Pearl Blues Band, plus superb vocalist Sista Sherry Pruitt, and the nitty-gritty blues man, Jamie "Blues Boy" Powell.

Information and tickets at: www.barbaramorrison.com


Attention Long Beach! We have a gig at the El Dorado! 1/26/12

It has been a while since the Bernie Pearl Blues Band played in L.B. We will be leading the Thursday night Jam session at the legendary El Dorado Restaurant on January 26. We'll open with a set, and then open the mic for any blues musicians or singers who want to play. I'm really looking forward to it. Bring your own axes and amps. Admission and parking are free. 8:00-Midnight.

El Dorado Restaurant, 2400 N. Studebaker Rd. (at Spring), Long Beach CA 90815 (562) 421-2122

Barry Big B Brenner performances this week

Barry Big B Brenner
this week at ...

********************** ***********************
Firefly Bistro
THURSDAY NIGHT
DECEMBER 1st from 6-9pm
BURGERS, BEERS & BLUES

1009 El Centro Street
SOUTH PASADENA
(626) 441-2443
http://www.eatatfirefly.com

********************** ***********************
Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ
SATURDAY NIGHT
DECEMBER 3rd from 7-11pm
(BLUES DUO with Dutch Masters on Harp)

4611 Chino Hills Parkway
CHINO HILLS
(909) 597-1227
http://www.lucillesbbq.com

********************** ***********************
Firefly Bistro
SUNDAY MORNING
BLUES BRUNCH
DECEMBER 4th from 11am-2pm

1009 El Centro Street
SOUTH PASADENA
(626) 441-2443
http://www.eatatfirefly.com

********************** ***********************

For a Complete List of Big B’s Upcoming Shows,
Go to...

SHOWS http://www.myspace.com/barrybigbbrenner/shows
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/BigBBrenner
YOUTUBE http://www.youtube.com/bluesriff
WEBSITE http://www.bigbbrenner.com

ASPCA selected for Subaru's Share the Love event

The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that it has been selected by Subaru of America, Inc. as one of five charities to participate in its fourth annual ‘Share the Love’ event, now underway.

During the ‘Share the Love’ event – which will run through January 3, 2012 – Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to the customer’s choice of five charities, including the ASPCA. Since 2008, the ASPCA has been the top choice of consumers and has received more than $4 million from the event. This year, Subaru has added a social media component to “Share the Love,” inviting the Facebook community to allocate up to $250,000 by voting for the five charities participating in the event. Facebook users can participate by visiting the "Share the Love Charities" tab on the Subaru of America Facebook page. Within the tab, users are able to select one of the five charities participating in the event and submit their vote for that charity to receive a $1 donation from Subaru.

“Thanks to programs like this, the ASPCA is able to step in and provide assistance to animal welfare groups across the country when they are in need,” Elysia Howard, ASPCA vice president of Marketing & Licensing. “The holiday season already is a very heartwarming time, but we are truly touched by the generosity of the Subaru customers who‘ve helped us continue the life-saving work we do each day.”

"Share the Love is rooted in our commitment to our customers and the causes they care about the most," said Alan Bethke, director, marketing communications, Subaru of America. "We are pleased to continue the program for a fourth year and are excited about the expansion to the Facebook community."

In addition to the ASPCA, customers can choose to support American Forests, the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, Meals On Wheels Association of America and Special Olympics.

End o' Week Musings

It was a busy week, but not crazy-busy. Still, I am ready for the weekend and a nice break from things...

Last Saturday I played percussion and danced with Ad Hoc Consort at the Rancho de Philo winery in Alta Loma. It was rainy and cold, so the crowd was definitely down, although there was a steady stream of people trickling in to purchase the venue's famous triple cream sherry.

We were there four hours and played through all of our sets twice. The crowd was good because they applauded, took photos and asked questions. We especially like people asking about our instruments because they're traditional and some of them you rarely see today, such as the serpent horn and the dulcien. (Look those up and learn something new!).

In the evening I went with Carin and Tom to catch the Killer Komedy show at the Norwalk Moose Lodge in Whittier. The acts were pretty funny and it was definitely worth the $10 admission-- we got more entertainment than you get with a movie ticket! We're already planning to go back in January and Carin is even going to take the stage. She hasn't done her standup in quite a while and I've been encouraging her to get back into it. I know it will be fun for her and the audience too.

Aside from band rehearsal, my life has been on the quiet side this week. Next week, however, I hope will be a different story because I'm going to be off work and out of the office. I'm also planning to stay "off the grid" as much as possible, so I may or may not blog and tweet. I've just been keeping up such a horrendously busy pace for the past few months that my wonderful editor decided that I deserved a break... and who am I to say no?!

In rotation this week: Five Finger Death Punch, The Randies, The Sounds, Marc Black and Joe Walla.

Photos we got 'em: A couple animal photos and one yummy shot from the web.

Thought o' the Week: Do the right thing. I know that all the information regarding the Penn State scandal still has to surface, but the story so far got me thinking and made me mad. It's just another tale of people who are more concerned with how they might look or how something may affect their careers than about doing the right thing.

I'm going to use a weird example to make my point. When I was in high school I was often there until dinnertime logging in some mileage at the track. One evening, when my friends and I started our walk home, we discovered a white Samoyed dog in the road whining and covered with blood. He had obviously been hit by a car that didn't bother to stop. Despite his pain, he was friendly and seemed to understand that we wanted to help him, so he let us get him to a patch of lawn.

I went back to the school and called my father, explaining the situation. I knew he loved dogs and would probably help. My dad showed up and covered the back seat of his car with towels and lifted the dog in. This was kind of funny too because god forbid me or my brother - or even my mum! - dare take a drink in a sealed cup with a straw in dad's car, yet here was a strange dog bleeding and icky looking across the entire backseat.

In the end, the dog was fixed up good as new and - after trying to locate his owners - he ended up living at my friend's house, as their similar dog had recently passed away. Sammy, as they named him, had a happy and long life.

OK, my point here is that when we see something wrong or someone (or something) who needs help, we need to leave our fears behind and spring into action. Sure my dad could have told me to leave the dog for someone else to deal with or to call the humane society, but he risked dirtying his car and forking out money at the vet's office to aid a creature in need. What happened to those days? It makes me sick how people are so self-involved that they can't give of themselves no matter how small and especially when it can make a significant difference in the world.

When you have the opportunity to do the right thing, stop fretting about what might happen later and do it. You'll sleep better at night.

Have a wonderful thanksgiving and

Keep on rockin'

Mickie

Venice Vintage Motorcycle Ride Nov. 20

Hey everyone, two things:

First, the club wants to thank everyone that came out and participated last month in our 4th annual rally. They just keep getting better and better.

There are tons of great photos and video up on facebook. Which by the way, we will be shutting down our VVMC "Group" on FB and conducting business at our new home on the VVMC "Page". So go to http://www.facebook.com/VeniceVintageMotorcycleClub and click "Like" to keep up with all the hijinks and tomfoolery.

Second, this Sunday is our "Third Sunday" Vintage Motorcycle Ride - November 20th
So come join us!

All bikes are welcome, vintage and custom preferred.

We'll be heading north to Neptune's Net this month on account of Palos Verdes falling into the ocean. Hopefully they'll have that road patched up by next month.

See routes for all our rides here:
http://www.venicevintage.com/Rides_n_Maps.html

Meet at 10AM
Be gassed up and ready to roll out at 11AM

1625 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, CA 90291
(about a block north of Venice Blvd. @ Palms Blvd.)

"Ride...or hide."
-VVMC

For more info visit: www.venicevintage.com
Contact: Moto@VeniceVintage.com
Follow VVMC on Facebook and Twitter.

One Finger Riot releases single and video from new album

Work/Drink/Sleep” b/w “The Weasel” is the first single and video from Come Drag Me Down by One Finger Riot

[SOUNDCLOUD]
http://www.soundcloud.com/fanaticpro/sets/one-finger-riot-work-drink-sleep-single


[YOUTUBE]:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAtvTymYok4


Faris McReynolds is the man behind One Finger Riot, a name cleverly explained by the artist as “Pushing buttons with one finger to arrive at something musical.” Unlike so many musicians that become painters, the Los Angeles-based McReynolds found success as a fine artist first. Showing his work in galleries before he was even out of art school, McReynolds admits that “The success of painting actually isolated me from creativity.” With music as his new full-time creative endeavor, One Finger Riot’s Come Drag Me Down album is now scheduled for release on January 17th, 2012.



The album first single “Work/Drink/Sleep (out now via Post Planetary Records) is likely the sunniest moment on Come Drag Me Down and the video for the song reflects that. Though McReynolds directed the clip himself, he says that “I didn’t want to star in the video, so I only appear to put the story into action.” McReynolds can be seen at the beginning of the clip, writing life’s anxieties on balloons. The video also features artist Ashley Macomber who recently collaborated on a book of her paintings with Bonnie “Prince” Billy.



“The Weasel” is the unofficial album track that comes as the B-side of the “Work/Drink/Sleep”single. McReynolds describes the track as a “Deconstructed mellow groove that sounds like it’s played by a band whose members have had all of their fingers broken except for one on each hand.” More succinctly, he mentions Cornelius, Blur and Ween as musical touchstones.

Angeles Chorale to perform Messiah Dec. 10 in Pasadena

When asked for advice on how to prepare for a performance of Handel’s beloved oratorio Messiah – which the Angeles Chorale will present on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Pasadena – Resident Guest Conductor Donald Neuen replied, “To study it till you need Excedrin.”



If Neuen, who over the course of his career has conducted Handel’s masterpiece over 40 times and is renowned for his “historically authentic” presentations of Messiah worldwide, is exaggerating, it isn’t by much.



“One of the problems in Messiah is that people think they know it because it’s done so often. They’ve been hearing it since they were a kid. So conductors think they don’t have to study it with an expert or a scholar,” explains Neuen, who studied the work while on the faculty at the Eastman School of Music with two men whom he describes as knowing “more about the music of Handel than anyone since it was written” – Alfred Mann and Jens Peter Larsen.



“Therefore, they make the same mistakes the conductors they studied under made, and the mistakes just keep rejuvenating themselves,” Neuen continues. “But I learned note by note, for thousands of notes, song by song for 53 songs, exactly how they should go regarding every interpretive thing you could do – how passionate, how tranquil, how loud, how soft, how fast, how slow. Messiah can’t be mushy and gushy. It’s got to be wonderful, spirited, alive, crisp, with quick tempos and dance-like.”



This may surprise many – especially those who have heard Messiah performances as they’ve traditionally been performed since the 1920s – but, since his tenure at Eastman, Neuen has viewed baroque music as “innately jazzy.”



“Jazz didn’t get invented in New Orleans,” says Neuen with a smile. “Bach and Handel invented it in the late 1600s and early 1700s. They came in and said, Hey, let’s cook here. Let’s have more rhythm. Let’s have it exciting and tranquil and serene and powerful and delicate. You can scat sing to Bach and Handel just like you can to Duke Ellington and Count Basie. As Jens Peter Larsen used to say, fine Handel is just like fine jazz. So if you like fine jazz, come hear a jazz concert called Messiah.”



But even those who don’t necessarily thrill to the rhythms of jazz will leave the Angeles Chorale’s performance of Messiah exhilarated, says Chorale member and Chairman of the Board, Eileen Doctorow. “There is a spirit and energy to Don’s interpretation that is electrifying,” Doctorow explains. “It will be an uplifting performance like no other you are likely to hear.”



“Messiah is so beautiful,” adds Neuen. “It’s genius who created all this. And I don’t know of anybody who came to Messiah and said, Well, I didn’t like that. Yet it’s always a challenge to serve the piece. To get the forces – the orchestra, soloists, and choir – to bring the presentation up to the point where it lights a fire under the audience. To where it’s a perfect performance, with every note executed perfectly.”



Neuen concludes, “When you hear great singing, you not only hear the art but you hear the words. That can go right to your soul.”



Soloists joining the Angeles Chorale on December 10 are Anush Avetisyan, soprano; Cynthia Jansen, alto; Todd Strange, tenor; Michael Dean, baritone; and Mona Lands, harpsichordist.



Tickets for Messiah are available for $25, general seating, and for $17 for students with a valid ID. Season tickets for three concerts – Messiah, The American Experience on March 23, and Stories of Our Lives on June 9– are available as well for $65. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.angeleschorale.org or call 818.591.1735.



The First United Methodist Church is located at 500 East Colorado Blvd in Pasadena, 91101.

Soulwax releases new project

“Pin Ups” Mix/Video Premiered on Black Book

www.radiosoulwax.com
http://vimeo.com/channels/radiosoulwax

Electronic music pioneers & internationally renowned DJs, Soulwax, recently unveiled 'RADIO SOULWAX' - A pioneering Online & App driven audiovisual project. The project consists of 24 themed 1 hour-long mixes, each of which has a corresponding video. The visuals are crafted, inspired and lovingly animated using the imagery from the sleeves of the very records that shape each mix. The new hour, “Pin Ups”, is the most enticing yet!

The band says,“We sometimes buy records just for their covers...this is particularly true of our extensive collection of records with sexy ladies on. We've chosen 850 of these, starting with a visual collage of lovely legs, luscious lips, etc. & then making the music fit afterwards. This is in essence a reverse way of working, and god knows it was a huge challenge to find enough good musical bits to work with and cut up, but it definitely makes for an interesting show that can be enjoyed in many different ways.”

Watch “Pin Ups” at Black Book’s site , where it premiered. All of the hours released thus far are available at radiosoulwax.com and http://vimeo.com/channels/radiosoulwax.

A couple of Radio Soulwax mixes will be released each month until the completion of the 24 hours. Most importantly, it is free online to all, marking a new era in mixtape culture, home music consumption, direct to fan distribution and in the sharing of these experiences via new technology. Over 200,000 people have downloaded the free app and the site has received millions of hits.

RADIO SOULWAX has been over 2 & half years in development. It has evolved and morphed from a simple original idea to a full multi–sensory media experience. Do not be confused or put off by the use of the term 'Radio' here as music is but one side to this experience. Together with the projects artistic director Fergus Purcell they have also created a unique accompanying visual channel to boot, which would be just as much Music TV as it is radio - if such a thing still existed in 2011.

At times the visuals themselves have even driven, informed and helped re-imagine the audio parts you'll hear simultaneously. It is an integral part of the unique charm of RADIO SOULWAX and one, which is often the hardest to get across. Here, fans of animation, comedy, art or even god forbid, seventies sleeve nudity may well be tickled too. Musical train-spotters will also be in heaven! But here, each and every one of these painstakingly produced hours is fun, different and geared to trigger individual reactions unique to the viewer, listener, consumer etc.


RADIO SOULWAX is fun, chaotic and best of all - it is free. Due to copyright & publishing legalities - the content of the mixes broadcast cannot and will never be sold, which considering the time, money and love spent personally developing this project is utterly unique in itself, especially during this new age of the music industry.

In addition to the live online feed - Radio Soulwax is available to stream and download via a fully interactive iPhone/iPad/Android application. This can be downloaded from the Apple App store for iPad & iPhone & Google App store for Android and will allow users greater freedom to listen away from the broadcast schedule online.

For lovers of fun, music, art, technology, film, chaos or curiosity...RADIO SOULWAX is live at: www.radiosoulwax.com

The Stereophones record release party in Pomona Dec. 3

The Stereophones
album release and benefit show
8-11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
Aladdin Jr. II Restaurant & Cafe
296 W. Second St., Pomona
$8 presale / $10 door
www.facebook.com/MachinePomona

with MC Prototype and Word

The Stereophones are assisting in the fundraising efforts for the Gonzalez-Lopez family's medical expenses after the unexpected passion of their mother due to cancer.

Check out The Stereophones:
www.facebook.com/thestereophones

Support local music with Sierra Madre Sue

If you're looking for a great way to start your Saturday evening - my friend Lisa Finnie does a Happy Hour show at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre from 5 to 7pm. Accompanied by one or more talented musicians each week, she will delight you with her sultry voice and unique song selections while you enjoy delicious, inexpensive selections from the restaurant's revamped happy hour menu. Here is a picture of Lisa and me. We both worked for the Music Plus record chain many years ago!

THURS. 11/17 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 6 - 9pm. 1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443. Burgers, Brews & BLUES Every Thursday. http://www.bigbbrenner.com/

THURS. 11/17 - The Mellow D'z (Dave Osti & Deanna Cogan) at Oceanview Bistro in Montrose from 7:30-10:00 PM. Cozy bar with cool acoustic grooves, cocktails and yummy food! Happy hour menu from 4:30 PM till closing. 3826 Ocean View Blvd. 818-248-2722. www.ovbistro.com

FRI. 11/18 - The Mellow D'z at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre from 5:30-7:30 PM. Happy hour food and drink specials are from 4-6:30 PM. What a deal! Pace yourselves because...
Mercy and the Merkettes' dance party starts at 9:00 PM that same night. Don't miss it! R & B, Rock, Disco, Motown. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414.


FRI. 11/18 - PHIL ALVIN (of the Blasters fame) & the Americans @ Arcadia Blues Club in Arcadia, 10pm with opening act Bobby Bluehouse at 8pm. 16 E. Huntington Dr. 626-447-9349. $10 in advance/$15 at the door. Free parking on the street and in the lot behind Denny's. Full bar & kitchen. BIG room.

SAT. 11/19: FINNIE'S MUSE* returns for Happy Hour at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre from 5pm - 7pm. Country/Jazzy Americana.
*Joining Ms. Finnie this week - bluesman HANK VAN SICKLE on his enhancing, entrancing upright bass! Come dig some tunes and sample from the Happy Hour Menu. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. www.cafe322.com

SAT. 11/19 - SURFIN' WITH ELVIS @ Oceanview Bistro in Montrose, 9pm. Surf-a-billy from Doug Appleton & friends. Full bar & great food. No cover charge. 3826 Ocean View Blvd. 818-248-2722. www.ovbistro.com www.surfinwithelvis.com

SAT. 11/19 - OLD CALIFORNIO @ T. BOYLE'S TAVERN IN PASADENA, 9pm. Great Down Home Country Rock. 9-12pm. No Cover. 37 N. Catalina Ave., in the alley just north of Colorado Blvd. Formerly Toe's Tavern and the Handlebars. One of my favorite local bands!

SUN. 11/20 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm. 1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443. Sunday BLUES Brunch! http://www.bigbbrenner.com/


SUN. 11/20 - "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. 11/22 - "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. For this week's artists go to: 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 hi-fi, commercial free! 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. No cover, full bar, friendly service!

WED. 11/23 - DREAD ZEPPELIN @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8:30 - midnight. $10 cover. Tortelvis does Zep and other rock classics as only Tortelvis can! 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. Full bar & great Italian food. www.cafe322.com

FRI. 11/25- The Mellow D'z (Dave Osti & Deanna Cogan) at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre from 5:30-7:30 PM. Happy hour food and drink specials are from 4-6:30 PM. What a deal! Acoustic rock faves & harmony vocals. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414.

SAT. 11/26: FINNIE'S MUSE* returns for Happy Hour at Cafe 322 in Sierra Madre from 5pm - 7pm. Country/Jazzy Americana.
*Joining Ms. Finnie this week - bluesman HANK VAN SICKLE on his enhancing, entrancing upright bass! Come dig some tunes and sample from the Happy Hour Menu. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414. www.cafe322.com

SUN. 11/27 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm. 1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443. Sunday BLUES Brunch! http://www.bigbbrenner.com/


SUN. 11/27 - "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!

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

P.S. check out the new internet radio station - www.radioFISHBOWL.com - out of Sierra Madre, operating 24 hours a day, and in the process of building a variety of programming. I'll be doing a show once a week that will feature listings from my Music News calendar, assorted musical themes, interviews with local musicians and whatever else they let me do!