Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival 2014 Lineup

Summer breezes… an intimate courtyard… free parking… and great music. Escape to Culver City for the 2014 Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival. Boulevard Music presents 6 free concerts on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. from July 10 through Aug. 14 in the palm-lined courtyard of Culver City City Hall. 

Curated by producer Gary Mandell of Culver City’s Boulevard Music, Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival offers something for everyone: Cajun/Zydeco from Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic (July 10); World Music with an emphasis on France from Jessica Fichot  plus Argentinian rock with great vocals from Los Pinguos (July 17) Classic surf music hits by the Beach Boys/Jan and Dean performed by Surf City (July 24); Hot Bluegrass with great vocals from the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band (July 31); Brazilian sambas/dance music from Katia Moraes & Brazilian Hearts plus Charanga and the sounds of Cuba from Orquesta Charangoa (Aug 7); and an eclectic mix of folk/bluegrass/swing/nostalgia from the Dustbowl Revival (Aug 14).

Avoid the crowds and parking hassles of other areas on the Westside. Parking is free for two hours in designated structures in downtown Culver City, and dozens of dining options are available within walking distance. Culver City’s downtown area is Southern California’s best-kept secret, featuring a wonderful mix of historic buildings, boutiques, theaters, galleries, and unique restaurants opening onto tree-lined streets.

Culver City’s Boulevard Music Festival is sponsored by The City of Culver City, Boulevard Music; Culver City Toyota; John Riordan Plumbing; LYFE Kitchen; Culver City Volvo & Mazda; Palm Court; Culver Studios; Bunnin Chevrolet; Sony Pictures Entertainment; Topson Downs; Victor Junior’s; Music Munchers; Cavanaugh Realty; Southern California Hospital; Public School 310; Courtyard Marriott; Culver Hotel; Michael Kayem Remax Estate Properties; D & E Associates; Ernie Ball; Dynagraphics; Culver City News; Culver City Observer; Steeldeck, Inc. and Chrysalis. 

Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival takes place on Thursday evenings at 7 pm from July 10–August 14. The Culver City City Hall Courtyard is located at 9770 Culver Blvd. in Downtown Culver City (corner Culver Blvd. and Duquesne Ave.). Parking is free for the first two hours in designated structures in the Downtown area. The courtyard opens at 4:30 pm. No glass containers or alcoholic beverages may be brought into City Hall Courtyard. For more information, call Boulevard Music 310-398-2583 or go to www.boulevardmusic.com. 

2014 Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival

WHAT:

Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival – Six free concerts under the stars in the intimate courtyard of Culver City City Hall. The 2013 summer series offers something for everyone including Cajun/Zydeco, world music, classic rock, country/bluegrass, Brazilian, Charanga/salsa, swing and more types of music. Enjoy dozens of dining options within walking distance. Even the parking is free for two hours in designated structures.

WHEN:

July 10 – August 14, Thursdays @ 7 pm (City Hall Courtyard opens @ 4:30 pm)

• Thursday, July 10 @ 7 pm: Cajun/Zydeco with Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic
• Thursday, July 17 @ 7 pm: World music (French at heart) with Jessica Fichot plus

Argentinian acoustic rock with great vocals from Los Pinguos

• Thursday, July 24 @ 7 pm: Classic Beach Boys/Jan & Dean tunes & more by Surf City
• Thursday, July 31 @ 7 pm: Hot Bluegrass/country from the  John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band
• Thursday, August 7 @ 7 pm: Brazilian Sambas/dance music from Katia Moraes & Brazilian Heart plus Cuban Charanga from  Orquesta Charangoa
• Thursday, August 14 @ 7 pm: Eclectic mix of swing, gospel, jug-band, bluegrass from the Dustbowl Revival

WHERE:

Culver City City Hall Courtyard

9770 Culver Blvd

Culver City, CA 90232

(corner Culver Blvd. and Duquesne Ave.)

ADMISSION:

Free

Also become an entry level sponsor by purchasing one of the 100 premium reserved seats at $10 each per show available at Boulevard Music.

Tickets may be purchased at Boulevard Music in person or over the phone.

PARKING:

Free underneath City Hall in the City Hall Garage.

Additional parking is free for the first two hours in designated structures in the Downtown area.

INFORMATION:

310-398-2583

www.boulevardmusic.com

www.culvercity.org

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

July 10:

Andre Thierry is a phenomenal talent who has been capturing the attention of other musicians and music lovers since he was a toddler. Andre’s French Creole heritage is deeply rooted in Louisiana although he was born and reared in northern California. Michael Tisserand, author of The Kingdom of Zydeco, considered the definitive book on the history of Zydeco music, wrote,

“Thierry is among the best of both the West Coast and the Gulf Coast, and he combines youthful vigor with a mature appreciation for his inherited tradition." The San Francisco Bay Area, which is home to some of the best blues musicians in the world, showed its appreciation by presenting Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic with the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame award for “Best Zydeco Group” in 2008. Andre continually raises the bar for Zydeco musicians worldwide. At only 33 years old, he is already a legend. There is widespread agreement that he is an exceptional multi-dimensional musician who has a finely-honed ability to merge traditional Zydeco music with hip-hop, blues, jazz and rock. Building from his love and respect for traditional Zydeco, his original music is a blend of old and new. His musical mastery enables him to create a unique sound for his and future generations while staying true to the past.

Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic will capture your attention and serve up an unparalleled musical experience that captivates your soul. If you like to dance, Andre will have you moving your feet all night long. As the late great Clifton Chenier once said about Zydeco, “if you dance, your aches and pains will disappear.” Andre’s love of all things musical and his passion for playing for his audiences delight dancers and music lovers everywhere.

July 17: 

Jessica Fichot—L.A.-based chanteuse, songwriter and accordionist, Jessica Fichot, is a lot like her hometown of Paris: French at heart, but with a soul that's truly international. Drawing from her multi-ethnic French / Chinese / American upbringing, her music fuses styles and languages, taking the listener on a twisting journey out of the French chanson tradition, into the lands of gypsy jazz, Chinese 1940's swing, international folk music, and into the wilderness of her imagination. Following the release of her albums "Le Chemin" (2007) and "Le Secret" (2012), she has performed packed venues in France, China, Spain, Mexico, Canada, and across the U.S. backed by her fiery band (clarinet/sax, upright bass, drums and guitar), and armed wth her accordion, toy piano and multilingual vocals.

Plus direct from their native Buenos Aires, Los Pinguos (“The Penguins”) crosses boundaries, performing a mixture of Latin rhythms, salsa, flamenco, reggae, rumba, Argentine rock, and sambas with Spanish guitars, a Cuban Tres, Peruvian cajon (box-drum) and harmonizing vocals.They have recorded the following CDs, Magia (2001), Camino Bueno (2002), Serenata (2003), Live in Los Angeles (2005), Peripecias (2006), California (2008) and 11.11 (2011). Los Pinguos have appeared on three of the famous Putumayo World Music compilation albums, Baila!, Radio Latino and World Party. They have performed worldwide in places such as India, Bali, The Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, and throughout the United States.

July 24:

Surf City Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of California’s Historic Surf Group the Beach Boys (From "Surfin' USA, Good Vibrations, Surfer Girl, God Only Knows, Help Me Rhonda, Fun Fun Fun, and countless more) with a perfect show for a Summer concert setting. These seasoned musicians have backed up the "Beach Boys", "Brian Wilson" and "Jan & Dean" for the last 15 years. Featuring Matt Jardine on percussion/vocals (Beach Boys, Jan & Dean & Currently with Brian Wilson), Don Raymond on guitar/vocals( Jan & Dean and Big Daddy ), Phil Bardowell on bass/vocals( Beach Boys & Jan & Dean), Michael Chanslor on keyboards (Jan & Dean) & Todd Tatum on drums( Jan & Dean ).

July 31:

Multiple Grammy winner John Jorgenson presenting the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band featuring four legendary musicians:  John Jorgenson on guitar, mandolin and vocals; Herb Pedersen on banjo, guitar and vocals; Jon Randall on guitar and vocals; and Mark Fain on bass. Jorgenson and Pedersen are founders (with Chris Hillman, formerly of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers) of the formative country rock band:  Desert Rose Band.

Jorgenson, known for his blistering guitar and mandolin licks and mastery of a broad musical palette, has earned a reputation as a world-class musician, as evidenced by his collaborations with Earl Scruggs, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Luciano Pavarotti, Bob Dylan and many others.  In 2008, Jorgenson won a Grammy for Best Country Instrumental with Brad Paisley and received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album with Earl Scruggs. Jorgenson, who has played with Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Jim and Jesse, David Grisman and others, has enjoyed a successful career with the Desert Rose Band and the Hellecasters; as a member of Elton John's band for six years; and most recently, in his John Jorgenson Quintet and John Jorgenson Electric Band configurations.  One of the elite Gypsy Jazz players in the world, Jorgenson portrayed Django Reinhardt in the Hollywood feature film Head in the Clouds.

The band also features the following superb musicians:

Herb Pedersen was a member of legendary bluegrass band The Dillards as well as bluegrass super-group Old and In the Way.

Jon Randall first gained recognition as guitarist for Emmylou Harris' band, the Grammy-winning Nash Ramblers.

Mark Fain toured and recorded as bass player in the award-winning Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder for 13 years.

August 7:

Katia Moraes and Brazilian Hearts which is a vibrant ensemble performing a repertoire of Brazilian music with many  influences from all over the world. The fabulous Brazilian singer, Moraes, with her electrifying performance and the band's tropical rhythms will turn City Hall into a Samba dance experience like you've never seen before.

The unique Brazilian singer/songwriter/lyricist/painter, Kátia Moraes, began her career in Rio de Janeiro in the 80's with her energetic band "O Espirito da Coisa" . Since then she has performed and/or recorded with top Brazilian acts like Sergio Mendes, Airto Moreira, Oscar Castro-Neves, Rita Lee, Elba Ramalho, Sandy and Junior, Banda Cheiro de Amor, and also with George Duke, Latin Grammy nominee Alex Acuña and Justo Almario's Tolú, Grammy nominee "Latin Project", and German saxophonist Praful.

Plus on the same bill a group that will make you want to get up and dance, Orquesta Charangoa. For over 15 years, Orquesta Charangoa has been a thriving force in Los Angeles’ vibrant Latin Music scene. What sets them apart from the rest? Authentic Cuban music in the Charanga style.  Charangoa stays true to the tradition featuring flute, violins, piano, double bass, timbales, congas and güiro. The story begins when founder and professional flutist, Fay Roberts travels to Cuba to study flute with the legendary Richard Egues of Orquesta Aragon fame, the composer of Cuba’s most popular cha cha cha, El Bodeguero. Fay returned home brimming with inspiration and with a suitcase full of music. The end result: the creation of L.A’s authentic Cuban music group, Orquesta Charangoa!

August 14:

The Dustbowl Revival is a Venice-based folk-blues orchestra that merges old school gypsy rhythms with bluegrass, gospel, jug-band, jump blues and the hot swing of the 1930’s to form a spicy roots cocktail. Known for their raucous dance-inducing live sets, the Dustbowl Revival plays what some call hillbilly jazz—the original front porch rock n’ roll. Think Dylan and The Band in Newport meets Louis Armstrong in New Orleans meets Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes on the beaches of LA. It’s young people playing high-energy, vintage music and it’s all written and composed by howlin’ and stompin’ 24 year old frontman Zach Lupetin who first envisioned putting together a kind of roots supergroup when he moved from Chicago (his father is a blues harp virtuoso who sometimes sits in), to Michigan and then to sunny Los Angeles three years ago. The goal? Why, to make people feel good of course.