MUSIC NEWS - The L.A. Acoustic Music Festival will make its debut June 6 & 7, 2009 on the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, CA. The two-day event, takes place during the Pier’s 100th Anniversary year, and will benefit the California Acoustic Music Project (CAMP ). CAMP provides artists-in-residence to schools on a salaried, ongoing basis through the curriculum of the Americana Project to ensure that every student gets the experience of music instruction every day.
The lineup for Saturday, June 6 will open with the Refugees, the all-female “power band” of Wendy Waldman (“Save the Best for Last”), Deborah Holland, and Cindy Bullens, followed by Joel Rafael, Eliza Gilkyson, and the extraordinary Jimmy LaFave, named “Best Singer-Songwriter” by Austin Music Awards, playing what he calls “red dirt music.” Following will be Richard Thompson, (pictured) the British folk rock legend and one of the world’s most critically acclaimed singers, songwriters and guitarists, then Natalie MacMaster, the virtuoso Cape Breton fiddler. Closing the night will be Bruce Cockburn, with his acoustic folk-jazz-based music that has expanded to include reggae and a harder jazz-fusion-tinged rock.
On Sunday, June 7 will be Sarah Lee Guthrie (granddaughter of Woody Guthrie) and Johnny Irion; Austin singer/songwriter Slaid Cleaves; and Stonehoney, with its neo-California country-rock sound. In the
afternoon, the deeply inspiring Woody Guthrie tribute (by the band Ribbon of Highway, Endless Skyway) will pay homage to America’s greatest troubadour. There's more Sunday evening with David Bromberg & the Angel Band, followed by David Lindley, (pictured at right) one of Southern California’s prototype singer/songwriters, known also for his guitar work in Jackson Browne’s recorded legacy. The festival will end with Nanci Griffith performing her brand of “folkabilly” music.
The L.A. Acoustic Music Festival is debuting this year as the well known Claremont Folk Festival takes a one-year hiatus, making LA Acoustic even more vital for fans of folk and Americana music. The Santa Monica Pier is a great location for a music festival, with a variety of entertainment, dining and shopping experiences, including the thrill rides of Pacific Park, a historic 1922 Carousel and an interactive aquarium. “Premiere” tickets for the event cost $130 (adults, both days) and $100 (children, both days), or $75 (adult, one day) and $45 (children, one day). General admission is $110 (adults, both says) and $80 (children, both days), or $65 (adults, one day) and $45 (children, one day). Tickets and information at LAAcousticMusicFestival.com or by calling (818) 621-8309.
UPDATE 4/5/09- The Kingston Trio, who famously transformed folk music from cult to pop status in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, has joined the festival lineup and will perform on Saturday, June 6 !
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