Posted 11/14/12 – I have one of those perpetual calendars on my wall that I got over 20 years ago from the Metropolitan Museum of Art gift shop in New York City. It’s chock-full of family and friends’ birthdays and anniversaries and even a few deaths. I actually got it the year my Dad died (1990) now that I think about it. November is a particularly full month, but what makes it unique is that many of the birthdays I have noted are celebrities – Gram Parsons 11/5, Joni Mitchell 11/7, Bonnie Raitt 11/8, Neil Young, 11/12, Vin Scully 11/29 – as if I actually know them! Well, I did meet Bonnie once, Vinny three times, and Neil once, and I’ve been listening to their voices most of my life so I feel like I know them. When I was a teenager, I used to send Neil Young birthday cards every year, thru his record company – who knows if he ever got them? But when I met him years later and told him that, his response was, “Oh – that was you?” What a perfect answer.
“WEDNESDAY NIGHT PLATTER PARTY” @ THE BUCCANEER, 9pm. Bring your favorite vinyl records and play an entire side on the house turntable, commercial free! 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. No cover, full bar, friendly service!
THURS. 11/15 – BARRY “BIG B” BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 6 – 9pm. 1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443. Burgers, Brews & BLUES Every Thursday. They put a speaker outside so if you’re shopping at the South Pas. Farmers’ Market you can enjoy the tunes, but please do try the restaurant – you’ll be glad you did! http://www.bigbbrenner.com/
FRI. 11/16 – Clever Productions presents MURDER MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE @ The Old Spaghetti Factory in Duarte, 6-9:30pm. Watch and/or participate in the show while trying to solve the crime. $38 ticket price includes show, full dinner (4 entree choices), dessert, coffee/tea and gratuity. 1431 Buena Vista St. 626-358-2115. I went last month and really enjoyed it! More shows at this location 12/7, 1/4 and 2/1. For details and additional locations/dates go to: http://cleverproductions.net/
SAT. 11/17 – MERCY & THE MEER CATS @ THE BUCCANEER LOUNGE IN SIERRA MADRE, 9pm. 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. Full bar, no cover, excellent service! NO – this is not a misprint – a couple of Merkettes may make an appearance, but tonite it’s Mercy and the boys – Carlos de La Paz on guitar, Gary Butboy Putman on bass, and The Burke (Peter) on drums – no lack of talent there!!!
SAT. 11/17 – WRECK ‘N’ SOW @ THE PRESS IN CLAREMONT, 10pm. 129 Harvard Ave. 909-625-4808. Full bar & kitchen. Bluegrass, Americana, Old-timey Music. The Dupuy Brothers and friends.
SUN. 11/18 – BARRY “BIG B” BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am – 2pm. 1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443. Sunday BLUES Brunch! http://www.bigbbrenner.com/
MON. 11/19 – Quiz Nite trivia is at Lucky Baldwin’s Delirium Cafe in Sierra Madre with host Deanna Cogan. Arrive by 8:15 PM to secure a table for up to 4 on a team. Entry fee $2 per person. Win gift cards to the restaurant! 21 Kersting Court. (626) 355-1140
TUES. 11/20 – “JC & Friends Songwriter Serenade” 2-Year Anniversary Party @ MATT DENNY’S ALEHOUSE & RESTAURANT IN ARCADIA, 7 – 9:30pm. 145 E. Huntington Dr., between 1st & 2nd Aves. 626-462-0250. Full bar & kitchen, all ages. A weekly acoustic show of songwriters playing original songs, either as a solo or duo act, outside on the covered, heated patio. For this week’s artists go to: http://www.jchyke.com/
Wed. 11/21 – Not sure if Tony will be doin’ the “WEDNESDAY NIGHT PLATTER PARTY” @ THE BUCCANEER tonight, as it’s usually packed before, during and after Thanksgiving…
THURSDAY, 11/22 – HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! my favorite holiday
FRI. 11/30 – DEJA DOO DAH @ THE AMERICAN LEGION, POST 280 IN EAST PASADENA, 6:30pm. “We SHOW & You TELL” – Doo Dah films, story-telling, audience participation encouraged! $5 admission (I think), cheap chili dogs and even cheaper drinks! Proceeds benefit 3 worthy non-profits: The American Legion, Lightbringer Project (Doo Dah organizers), and Pasadena Museum of History (where the Doo Dah exhibit is on display thru Jan. 13) This should be alot of fun! The Doo Dah Deconstructed symposium at the Museum was hilarious!
SAT. 12/1 – MARK HEFFINGTON, SAMMY SANCHEZ, COUGAR ESTRADA and RAY AGULIAR @ NICK’S TASTE OF TEXAS IN COVINA, 8pm. 545 N. Citrus Ave. 626-331-2824. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. All ages venue/full restaurant. Americana/Roots music. “This group of friends individually have shared stages with artists as diverse as ZZ Top, Jackson Browne, Mickie Free, Frank Strazerri, Los Lobos and many more. Special guest Dana Gonzales spent time in the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Fishbone.”
MON. 12/3 – MAX BUDA BAND @ THE OLD TOWNE PUB IN PASADENA, 9pm. In the alley between Holly/Union, behind the big ugly Container Store. Eclectic Jazzy Rock. First Monday of every month. LOVE these guys! Just wish it didn’t have to be MONdays!
SAT. 12/8 – SURFIN’ WITH ELVIS @ THE BUCCANEER LOUNGE IN SIERRA MADRE, 9pm. 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. Full bar, no cover, cheap drinks! Surf tunes, Classic Rock, Hawaiian shirts. Sierra Madre’s Doug Appleton on drums. One month before Elvis’ Birthday. Thank you. Thank you very much!
SUN. 12/9 – “SECOND SUNDAY 80’s RELAX with D.J. DEEEE” at the turntable, 9-11pm. The Buccaneer Lounge in Sierra Madre. 70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-355-9045. Full bar, cheap drinks, nice vibe.
from the planning ahead department:
SAT. FEB. 2nd – COMBINED ALVERNO – LA SALLE DEJA VU SOCIAL – CLASSES OF THE 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Put it on your calendar now and spread the word. More details coming soon…. and you know it will be fun because my sister Ellen and I are on the committee!
Please remember to call and verify all info. before making plans. Everything is subject to change. This is show biz, after all…
Hope to see you out & about,
SierraMadreSue
sierramadresue@yahoo.com