Acoustic View By Aaron Rowan
The Strides Of March
Patty Castillo Davis and I have a shared mission for the days to come: the cultivation of the next wave of Modesto-area singer/songwriters. We’ve been scheming and scheduling for a few months now, and are making some very nice strides forward. The fruit of our labor is going to be fresh-squeezed and served up in March and April.
Wednesday 3/19, Patty will help lead a student songwriters’ clinic co-sponsored by Modesto Sound. Young composers (13-22 years) will have the chance to share their original works and get some mentorship from panelists including Patty, keyboardist and singer Marirose Powell, and local recording engineer Lucky Lew. The session runs from 5-7 PM at 3701 Pirrone Rd. (east side of Building B at Gregori High School.) Free event with limited space; call 209-573-0533 to RSVP.
Friday 3/21, we have a special showcase for your enjoyment: an evening of foreign-language music! Patty will be performing in Latin & Spanish; folk duo Vellamo will be visiting from Finland; Rozanne Gewaar (originally from Knysna, South Africa) will sing in Afrikaans; and ‘Valley’s Got Talent’ winner Francesca Bavaro will share her repertoire of French and Italian tunes. Prepare for a fun night of sing-alongs and more. Peer Recovery Art Project (1222 J St.) starting at 7 PM. $10 at the door.
The first weekend of April sees the third round of the Modesto Unplugged Music Festival. A steady stream of sweet sounds will fill the weekend, but the icing on this cake will be during the closing night showcase on 4/6, when the results of our inaugural songwriting contest shall be revealed. Over 40 entries were received – a great haul for our first year! Five finalists will have the chance to perform their songs in between the night’s featured acts, and the three top-rated songcrafters will leave with cash prizes and more.
Saturday 3/8, catch a local lineup including MAMA Award and LA Music Award winners Marirose & The Gypsies, acoustic rockers The Lodge Pole Pickers, and Jamie Byous at Hero’s Sports Lounge starting at 8 PM. $5 at the door.
Thursday 3/20, take a stroll up and down J St. for the monthly Art Walk from 5-9 PM. Old-time country artist Sparrow Grove plays from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Peer Recovery Art Project, corner of J and 13th.
Friday 3/21, Mark Lemaire & Twilight are the March feature at the Great Valley Songwriter Series held at Central Grace Church, 918 Sierra Dr. Mark & Cindy are a fantastic duo with a world of musical experience between them – if you’ve never seen them perform you’ll be in for a treat. Showcase is at 7:30, $10 donation.
Saturday 3/22, spend the afternoon enjoying a slew of local players, painters and poets at Play Shows Dot Org’s March Arts Festival. Among the day’s performers are Bethany Joseph, Rob Hill, Tawny Perkins, The House Of Orange, Jerrell Rossetto, Alida McKeon & The Geronimos, Stevie Vasquez, and Mattea Overstreet. The party starts at 4 PM at Hero’s Sports Lounge.
Thursday 3/27, Lydia Loveless, who just made the list of 10 new artists to know in ‘Rolling Stone’, brings her vintage country/rock & roll sound to Hero’s. She’ll be joined by local acts The Secret Hitchers and Christine McGrew. 7 PM, $7 cover.
The MUMfest 2014 lineup: -Friday 4/4 @ Café Deva, 6 PM: bluegrass/folk outfit The Driftless; post-rock synth rockers The Hot Dark; Nathan Ignacio; Mondo Mariscal; and Rachel Rivero.
-Saturday 4/5 @ Queen Bean, 1 PM: D Henry Fenton & The Elizabethians; Doug Adamz; Patty Hughes; indie folk trio Snow Apple (on tour from Amsterdam); and mountain dulcimer composer Steve Eulberg.
-Saturday 4/5 @ Center Stage Conservatory, 948 11th St., 7 PM: bay area jug band 5 Cent Coffee, Darlin’ Clementine, The Dustbowl Children, Patty Castillo Davis, and folk/world music trio Silver Mendez.
-Sunday 4/6 @ Peer Recovery Art Project, 1222 J St., 11 AM: Boscoe’s Brood; Dirty Cello duo; Mia Edsall; The Poor Valley Band; and Sparrow Grove.
-Sunday 4/6 @ Center Stage Conservatory, 5 PM: Cottonwood Creek; Katie Hell; McCoy Tyler Band; Nashville recording artist Ray Tarantino; and the Valley Forged supergroup, comprised of past and present MUMfest players from the Modesto area.
