One:
Karla Kane, for the Palo Alto Weekly, who is also a musician and records under the name The Corner Laughers, published online and maybe in Friday’s paper a brief preview of my three-part concert series at the art center. I will quote her verbatim which is only fair since she quotes from me verbatim.
La Doña will perform at the Palo Alto Art Center on Aug. 7, 2021.
After a pandemic pause, Palo Alto’s Earthwise Productions is back in action, hosting live, local concerts. First up is a series of free, matinee shows at the Palo Alto Art Center at 1313 Newell Road.
On Saturday, July, 31 at 2 p.m., drummer Scott Amendola and saxophonist/composer Phillip Greenlief will perform as a jazz duo. Pianist/composer/multimedia artist Motoko Honda will open the show.
The planned performance for Saturday, Aug. 7, is already sold out, although a waitlist is available: San Francisco’s acclaimed La Doña (songwriter, trumpet player and vocalist Cecilia Peña-Govea) and band.
Guitarist/composer David James will perform with his trio at the Palo Alto Art Center Aug. 14, 2021. Courtesy Chuck Gee.
And on Saturday, Aug. 14, listeners can catch the David James Trio, featuring James on guitar and vocals, Beth Custer on clarinet and vocals, and Alan Williams on trombone and vocals. The trio will explore and improvise around new and recent James’ compositions.
The current fine-art exhibition at the Art Center, “The Black Index,” runs through Aug. 14.
“Although unofficially so, the Earthwise series is in dialogue with the art show, or a reaction to it, or a tribute. How do words, images and melody affect societal change? What is the distinction between the arts and entertainment? How does hearing new music influence the way you see or make art?,” according to Earthwise Productions’ website.
More information is available at earthwiseproductions.live.
Two: Yuriko Castillian, who I met at La Doña’s party for her mural at Mission and 26th, made hand-bills and a poster for my show, August 7. The show is sold out and admittance into the auditorium while the band is there sound-checking or performing will be limited to vaxxed people with reservations. People on the waitlist I think will be able to watch social-distantly from the parking lot or sidewalk. Or listen. Or hear. John Cage the avant garde composer would say that the ambient sound of the parking lot of nearby Embarcadero Road is inseparable from the music itself, from the show. In some ways the covid-protocols – -leaving the doors open — encourages the effect.
And1 The voice feature on my phone wants to change “vaxxed” to “waxed”….check out La Doña’s social media feet for related content, te lo juro. Also, while we are on the subject of words – -doesn’t “wax” in the sense of the full moon mean “growing” — if “wane” means shrinking, yet in the sense of hygiene or fashion when you “wax” you eliminate, don’t you? Also, “hyphy” in the headline does not quite fit. or I have no idea. I mean “hype” in the sense of two media tactics, an article, a flyer. I paid Yuriko to help me promote these shows, whereas I merely pitched Karla. I’ve been a fan of Karla’s band for quite a few years. Someday I hope she plays in one of my shows.
Bottom line: it will be good to be back with an audience and musicians. I will be monitoring the various health bureaus for how to optimize these events in terms of comfort and safety. We want audience but not crowds.
Plastic Alto with Mark Weiss 