HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:
KAMASI WASHINGTON – The brilliant saxophonist brings old school into the 21st Century. How good is he? This show is completely sold out, so you will have to go there early and pray, beg and bribe. Fri 8 p.m., The Ford, LA.
THE HOT CLUB OF LOS ANGELES – Virtuosic breakneck Django-style swing music (but no room for swing dancing!) in the tiny Culver City dive celebrating 75 years. Every Mon 9 p.m., Cinema Bar, Culver City, no cover.
EM – Still amazing, every Tuesday night. But nothing good lasts forever, so don’t push your luck. Go this Tuesday. Betcha, you’ll thank me. Every Tues 9:30 p.m., Harvelle’s, Santa Monica, $10.
RECOMMENDED:
TONIGHT! - The Splendor of SAINT-SAËNS – An apt description, even without Dudamel at the helm, it is a rare treat to get this much S-S: some “Samson and Delilah,” the “minuet-full stop-music box” “Cello Concerto No. 1” that was well-received after many had dubbed him too modernist, and then the magnificent, powerful “Symphony No. 3“ – “Organ,” indeed! Thurs 8 p.m. (invitation rehearsal, 9:30 a.m. - don’t put off becoming a supporting member any longer!), Hollywood Bowl, $1-130.
Poetry from MARIANO ZARO, HOLADAY MASON, JUDITH PACHT – I am familiar with the first two poets mentioned so I’m sure if Judith is also on the bill, she will fit in, and I’m pretty dang sure you will have a moving and ultimately uplifting experience. Mason had a successful career as a jazz singer, and Spanish native Zaro is a long time resident of Ocean Park, a teacher with six books of poetry to his credit. He might make you cry. Fri 8 p.m., Beyond Baroque, Venice, free.
THEATRICUM BOTANICUM – Seriously – everything they do is top rate, – acting, staging, costumes, writing. And often offering a banquet of food for thought. “TROUBLE THE WATER” - Fri 7:30 p.m., “WESTSIDE WALTZ” – Sat 7:30 p.m., “MERRY WIVES” - Sun 7:30 p.m.“ All shows Theatricum Botanicum, Topanga Canyon, $10-60 (discounts for seniors, students, teachers, veterans, AEA, ages 5-15).
THE KINGSTON TRIO – See? See? If there’s a show you really want to see and you think there may be one or two others within a 300-mile radius with the same idea, you should get those tickets ASAP. This one is also completely sold out, and McCabe’s has a lot fewer seats than The Ford, but, see advice above. Sat 8 p.m., McCabe’s, Santa Monica, $42.
ASH GROVE ALUMNI – An historic melding of the iconic folk music clubs of LA, with WENDY WALDMAN and a host of others, but the presence of JOE CHAMBERS of the pioneering gospel brothers quartet gone psychedelic soul (“Time Has Come Today”) is worth the price of admission alone. Sun 8 p.m., McCabe’s, Santa Monica, $25.
TOLEDO DIAMOND — The true hipster (when that sobriquet meant something way cool), choreographer to the stars, smoky svengali, showman supreme, Toledo always pleases, if you are ready for the very different. Every Sun 9:30 p.m., Harvelle’s, Santa Monica, $12.
TROMBONE SHORTY’S VOODOO BREAKDOWN – Did you have to postpone that trip to N’Awlins (again?), well, this Big Easy bash at the Bowl should hold you for a while, culturally and musically, as trombone thaumaturge Shorty brings Orleans Avenue and a few other friends to find the spirit: Tank and the Bangas, Big Freedia, Cyril Neville: The Uptown Ruler, George Porter Jr., Dumpstaphunk and The Soul Rebels. Wed 8 p.m., Hollywood Bowl.
BOOKER T. JONES – Few could be named who are such a walking history of great American music over the last six decades, at 17 he formed Booker T & the MGs, two black guys two white, in the early ‘60s, pre-voting rights, and they not only pulled off unheard of chart success as an instrumental band, they became the house band for the amazing Stax Records label, recording with Otis, Sam & Dave, Wilson Picket, Bill Withers, Carla and Rufus Thomas and probably God (“more cowbell!”). Even if he can’t ;find a keyboard, I would go just to hear his stories. Next Thurs 8 p.m., Skirball, LA, free ($20 parking), reservations required, none left but a few for walk-ups.
COMING ATTRACTIONS: ROY ZIMMERMAN, McCabe’s, 8/12; “THE WESTSIDE WALTZ” 8/12, 21, 27, “THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR” 8/13, 19, 28, “TROUBLE THE WATER” 8/14, 20, 26, Theatricum Botanicum; “APOCALYPSE NOW,” 8/12: ALFRED HITCHCOCK Series, Landmark Westwood, 8/12, 13, 14, 17. 18, CHEECH & CHONG, Saban Theatre, 8/13; NATHANIEL RATELIFF & THE NIGHT SWEATS, Hollywood Bowl, 8/14; LIBRARY GIRL, Ruskin Group Theatre, 8/14; TOLEDO DIAMOND, Harvelle’s, 8/14, 21, 28; HOT CLUB OF LOS ANGELES, Cinema Bar, 8/15, 22, 29; EM, Harvelle’s, 8/16, 23, 30;ROBERT PLANT, ALISON KRAUSS, Greek Theater, 8/18; TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND, Greek Theater, 8/19; “GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER,” Ruskin Group Theatre, 8/20; STEVE EARLE & The Dukes, 8/23, 24; DIANA ROSS, Hollywood Bowl, 8/26, 27; BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA, Burton Chace Park, 8/27.; “BEETHOVEN’s 9th,” LA PHIL, Hollywood Bowl, 8/30.
Charles Andrews has listened to a lot of music of all kinds, including more than 3,000 live shows. He has lived in Santa Monica for 36 years and wouldn’t live anywhere else in the world. Really. Send love and/or rebuke to him at therealmrmusic@gmail.com
