MAMA View By Middagh Goodwin
The End of Summer is upon us, the nights are hot and the entertainment is hotter. It is the end of the “fiscal year” for the Modesto Area Music Awards, Nominees will be announced and voting will go live September 1st. Take the next month and go see a band or two, check out some comedians, catch a small or big event and reacquaint yourself with Modesto Area Music. Get an idea who you might like to Vote for before the 6 week flood of request and pleas happen leading up to the Awards Ceremony October 14th at the fabulous State Theater. Remember the MAMAs celebrate the musicians, venues and events but it is your choices that pick the winners,
The Brewhouse has some great opportunities to see great talent. Aug 2nd, Callbox is performing a Free Show with the Whippoorwills(Nashville), Callbox is a great female fronted Alt Indie band featuring Victoria Boyington on Vocals. It is always a pleasure to see this band perform I know you will like what you hear. The 9th, one of the best new punk bands The Creepoids (featuring members of American Heart Throb) will be joining The Bombpops(Red Scare Records) for a night of high energy Punk Rock and Roll. The 15th come out for Laughs at the BREW HA HA hosted by Jimmie Menezes one of the 209’s hardest working comics and featuring Anthony K., Chris Teicheira, Gavin Myers and more. The Brew Ha Ha and the Brewhouse Comedy have done 12 events since starting last October and has become a great addition to entertainment in Modesto. Aug 16th, KeepItLit one of the area best Reggae bands joins Abbey James, a great Hip Hop talent from Stockton and Skunk Funk to celebrate BRAATA’s EP release. Colin Boyd long time bassist for BRAATA has decided to leave the band so see them one last time the way you all remember and pick up the CD to enjoy for years to come.
There are some fun things happening over at the Prospect Theater the 9th Respect the Prospect with Todd Day Wait’s Pigpen, Good Neighbor, Smokestack Relics and Urban Tumbleweed. On the 14th, a Joint Album release with Christine McGrew one of my favorite singer songwriters local or otherwise and The Rob Hill Band both fantastic acts and deserving of your attention.
Metal is king on Yosemite Blvd and alive and well at Spinnakers and the Other Place. Shows at the Spinnakers in August Domination Fest on the 2nd Dying Image, Scars ‘n Bars, Blacked and more hosted by Slay; 8th Bombs Overhead one of my favorite local Metal bands is hosting a show with NBL, ZDS, T.O.O.K. and the touring band All Hail the Yeti. At the Other Place, Hang the Kode one of the areas hardest working Metal acts is hosting NBL, ZDS and on tour Mobile Death Camp(OH).
For those into geek chic check out Stockton Con at the Stockton Arena August 9th and 10th. This is the third year of Stockton Con and it just keep getting bigger and better with loads of great guest including WWE’s Jake the Snake and Mick Foley to bands like Adam West the Bat, to Comic book writers and artist and tons and I do mean tons of comics and collectibles there is something for just about everyone.
Remember every Sunday morning at Cafe Deva, there is local acoustic music. So enjoy a bite to eat and a cup of coffee while listening to some great homegrown tunes. Sunday Nights at the Queen Bean you can find tomorrows MAMA winners today with the Queen Bean Open Mic(2013 Small Event) always something different and someone new. If you have not been to the fabulous State Theatre in awhile do yourself a favor and stop in, they have made some improvements in recent months a brand new state of the art digital projector and marquee out front. Each year the MAMA Awards are hosted at the state and it is one of the gems of the Central Valley.
Voting starts for the Modesto Area Music Awards September 1st so remember to check out all the nominees and pick your favorites www.modestoareamusic.com and as always Friends don’t let Friends miss great shows.
Bands, Venues, Comedians, Entertainers and Promoters send your contact info to beathappymusic@aol.com to be included in an online resource. Please include Name, Genre, URL, City and Contact Info.
