SongwriterView
By Patty Castillo Davis
Hindsight is 2020
Reflection is clarity. Sometimes. It is educational for sure. We learn a whole lot about what is important or perhaps what we should have cared about. This year Modesto celebrates 150 years. How has our city changed? How are we honoring its gifts? Our local culture defines our evolutionary identity. In 150 years have we been inclusive to diversity? Are there more businesses owned by people of color and women? Are there more spaces available for art? Have women musicians found equal opportunities and pay and sponsorship avenues? Our local culture should influence our values, views and hopes when shared. We all create the change. Make the difference.
January at Deva Cafe is overflowing with an abundance of live music. You can enjoy a cross genre selection every Live Saturday Music Matinee from 10am to noon and Sunday Breakfast/Brunch Music from 10 to noon.
This month brings Vanessa Valencia 1/4, Tim Allen 1/5, Shella Joyner 1/11, Koala and the Golden Boy 1/12, Seth D Baker 1/18, Ffej Moore 1/19, Ashman, Nelson & Davis 1/25 and Téa on 1/26.
The Women’s March-Modesto will feature a rally full of empowering, suffrage and equality minded live music on Saturday, January 18 at Graceada Park. Mondo Mariscal, the 2016 Best Singer Songwriter/Unplugged MAMA winner is heading our way from up North. Mondo has a free show at Rivet’s on Thursday, January 16 from 8-11 pm. Catch his original material and renditions of our best-loved covers.
Pamela Rose, Singer Songwriter and Vocalist with the Zasu Pitts Memorial Orchestra is bringing her original musical retrospect-Blues Is A Woman, to the Gallo Center for the Arts. On Saturday, January 25 at 7:30 pm, this all-woman ensemble will take you on a musical journey on the lessons of life, love, heartache and tenacity aka The Blues. From Ma Rainey to Janis Joplin and all other SHEroes in between.
On Tuesday, January 14, six-time Grammy nominated Folk musician, John McCutcheon returns to the Modesto Church of the Brethren at 7pm to headline a concert benefitting the Modesto Peace/Life Center. Red Tail Ring, a Michigan based duo whose music reflects the current world atmosphere and aspects of social justice, will open this intimate concert. McCutcheonmodesto2020.brownpapertickets.com<McCutcheonmodesto2020.brownpapertickets.com>
Resolve to follow local artists’ band pages online, join their email lists and catch a show ( most are free).
Here are a few more glimpses at what January holds for a few of our artists- Vanessa Valencia will be at Koru Yoga Studio in Oakdale on 1/5 and at Garden City Healthcare Center on 1/8. Koala and the Golden Boy will be in Stockton at Mile Wine. This new year, I’d really like to write about those secret songwriters, those up and coming composers in our scene. Please send all artist info to pcdenterprises@yahoo.com<mailto:pcdenterprises@yahoo.com>
Happy New Year!
