Bernie Pearl at Folk Music Center

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Bernie Pearl Saturday May 23, 2009

Bernie grew up in the Los Angeles community of Boyle Heights. He took up the guitar in the 1950’s. Later, at his brother’s legendary Folk and blues showcase, the Ash Grove, he met, studied with, and often performed with greats like Lightenin’ Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb, and Mississippi Fred MacDowell as well as with Freddie King, Albert Collins, and Big Mama Thornton.Bernie played duets with John Lee Hooker at Gerde’s Folk City in Greenwich Village.

“They were my teachers,” he says, “and it wasn’t just music they were teaching. If you took Mance or Lightnin’ out fishing you got philosophy, history, and lessons in life”.

(Thanks for all those years of the Ash Grove, Bernie!)

$10.00

Call (909) 624-2928 for concert times, ticket availability and more information.Folk Music Center, 220 Yale Ave.,Claremont, CA 91711.http://www.folkmusiccenter.com/

Squeakin’ Wheels CD Release Party this Saturday

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Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Folk Music Center


Squeakin’ Wheels are seven musicians who fuse musical influences from a wide range of times and places. Their shows are like an aural tour through the American musical landscape of the past century. In a nod to folk traditions, old songs are reinvented and mixed in with originals by siblings David and Marguerite Millard.

Squeakin’ Wheels are not a traditional string band museum piece but a compendium of folk, country, blues, rock, and gospel flavors. Their soulful, vocal harmonies rubbing up against some rambunctious licks will help you re-imagine what folk music is.

(I’ll be working that night, but request “Red River Valley” — for Carl, OK?)

$10.00

http://www.myspace.com/squeakinwheels

Call (909) 624-2928 for concert times, ticket availability and more information.

Folk Music Center, 220 Yale Ave.,Claremont, CA 91711.http://www.folkmusiccenter.com/

Redneck Ninja at Folk Music Center Sat. Apr. 25

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Saturday, April 25, 2009

Redneck Ninja Featuring Pat Brayer & John York

PATRICK BRAYER

Patrick Brayer rose up out of the steeltown mire of Fontana California singing and writing, if not from, then about, a whole new dictionary of thought and word. His style has been called everything from Psychedelic Country, Catholic and Western, to Ezra Pound meets Hank Williams. His fans include the likes of everyone from Alison Krauss, Lyle Lovett, Leo Kottke, Ben Harper, John Doe, Alan Jackson, and Barry Lopez. As he always likes to say, “My songs lead a much more interesting life than I do, and I want to keep it that way.”

JOHN YORK

Through his work with The Byrds, Clarence White, Gene Clark, Rick Danko, and Nicky Hopkins, regional great John York has etched himself a permanent groove in the annals of American music. John currently has 5 CDs available. Arigatou Baby, Claremont Dragon, Sacred Path Songs, Clan Mother Songs (with Jamie Sams,) and Koto (with Yukiko Matsuyama.) The TV show “The Place Where I Am Dreaming” featured John’s artistic collaboration with his wife, artist Sumi Foley. Recently, John has composed and recorded music for the lyrics of Kim Fowley on West Coast Revelation.

$10.00


Call (909) 624-2928 for concert times, ticket availability and more information.

Folk Music Center, 220 Yale Ave.,Claremont, CA 91711.http://www.folkmusiccenter.com/


OPEN MIC NIGHTS – Last Sunday of every month. (THIS Sunday, April 26!)

6:30p (sign-ups and doors @ 6:00)Bring your own instruments; soundman and PA provided.

Bodhran Workshop at Folk Music Center


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Sunday, April 19, 2009 4:30 – 6:00pm

When I was young my mother gave me a drum

andtold me to beat it.

I’m still not sure what she meant by that,

but I might find out at this weekend’s Bodhrn Workshopat the Folk Music Center in Claremont.

The bodhrn is the heartbeat of Irish music.

This ancient frame drum is traditionally made

with a wooden body and a goat-skin head, and

is played with a double-headed stick called a cipn,tipper, or beater.

The modern Irish word bodhrn

is properly pronouncedbow-rawn,

like “COW brawn,” with a slight emphasis

on the first syllable.

You can bring your own bodhran or borrow one

from the Folk Music Center with valid picture ID.

Workshop cost: $20.00

Word has it that the Chieftains is looking for a new

bodhrn player. Here’s your opening.

Call (909) 624-2928 for information. Folk Music Center, 220 Yale Ave.,

Claremont, CA 91711.http://www.folkmusiccenter.com/

(Graphic by Magical Mystery Imagery)

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Uke Encounter Workshop at Folk Music Center

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Thursday April 16th 6:00-8:30 p.m. $20

An introduction to ukulele basics.

“Once you get hooked on this little guitar,

you can’t stop playing it.”

No prior music experience necessary.

(That makes all of us at Music Now blogeligibleto attend.)

John, Paul & George loved ukelele.

(Ringo used his for bongos.)

Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant is a big uke fan.

Will.I.Am of Black Eyed Peas creates instant uke cool

with his ukulele.

Made of everything from plywood and plastic

to rare Koa wood and steel — It is a mighty instrument

in a miniature package.

The event is Thursday, April 16 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Just think, $20.00 for the workshop andyou are on your first step to Carnegie Hall …

Shea Stadium … or Arthur’s Bath & Grille on lower East End.


Call (909) 624-2928 for information. Folk Music Center, 220 Yale Ave.,

Claremont, CA 91711.http://www.folkmusiccenter.com/


(Photo courtesy Magical Mystery Imagery)

Concert at the Folk Music Center

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Marc Ford Saturday, April 11, 2009

Guitarist Marc Ford, who is best known for performing and recording with The Black Crowes and Ben Harper, began his career with the blues-rock outfit Burning Tree in the late 1980’s.

Ford continued his association with Ben Harper and his band through the close of 2004, when he was called to rejoin The Black Crowes for their “All Join Hands” reunion run.

Few guitarists radiate such composure and dexterity on stage as Marc Ford and his searing licks and soul-jarring solos are often compared to those of Hendrix, Clapton, Allman and Page.

Call (909) 624-2928 for information on future concerts. Folk Music Center, 220 Yale Ave., Claremont, CA 91711.http://www.folkmusiccenter.com/