Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 23, 2011

11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, July 23, 2011 

SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS:

SEAPONY


THE PLAYHOUSE DISTRICT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS ITS 
8th ANNUAL FREE SUMMER JAZZ CONCERT SERIES

Eight Sundays of Free Summer Concerts

Pasadena, CA (July 2011) – The Pasadena Playhouse 
District Association sizzles this summer 
with its 8th Annual Free Jazz Summer Concert 
Series. 

 The concert series takes place every Sunday evening, 
July 10 through August 28, 2011 from 5 pm 
until 7 pm at the Vroman’s outdoor courtyard, 695 
E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. The 8th Annual Free 
Jazz Summer Concert Series is free and open to 
the public.The eight week series features an eclectic 
roster of up-and-coming and notable jazz performers 
such as the Jacques Lesure Group, Jamila 
Ford, Faro, and Latin Jazz Syndicate among other 
groups. From blues to Latin and smooth jazz, the 
free summer jazz concert series has something for 
all jazz lovers. 

 The full concert schedule listed below. In its 
eighth year the summer jazz concert series has 
provided the community with all-star jazz entertainment 
at no cost. 

 For additional information on the Seventh Annual 
Free Summer Jazz Concert series, contact the 
Playhouse District Association, 626.744.0340. 

 About the Playhouse District Association The 
Playhouse District Association (PDA) is a California 
non-profit formed in 1995, which serves 
to enhance and promote The Playhouse District 
as the historic, cultural, and thriving commercial 
heart of Pasadena. 2011 Summer Concert 

Schedule * 

July 10 - Donavan/Muradian Quintet 

July 17 - Jamila Ford 

July 24 - Elliott Caine 

July 31 – Joseph Pernicano 

August 7 – Latin Jazz Syndicate 

August 14 – Michael Haggins 

August 21 – Jacques Lesure Trio 

August 28 – Scott Martin Latin Jazz Soul 

* Performers are subject to change without notice. 

Go With Me 
is the dreamy, 
simplistic 
and melodic 
oeuvre from 
newcomers, 
Seapony. 
Originally from Seattle, this 3-piece band consists 
of songwriter Danny Rowland, vocalist Jen Weidl 
and bass player Ian Brewer. Actual drums are non-
existent, but in its place is a vintage synthesizer/
drum machine. Seapony’s debut record is 
composed of seamless fuzzed-out guitar melodies, 
reverb vocals, and beats from the aforementioned 
drum machine. The songs are hazy and wistful, 
but sometimes the lo-fi vocals make it difficult 
to decipher the lyrics initially. Often times you 
don’t know when a particular song starts or ends. 
Majority of the tracks are under three minutes and 
nearly all of them have similar arrangements and 
chords. Go With Me is a completely chilled-out 
record that doesn’t require all that much from the 
listener. Personally, I’m fine with that as long as 
you’re in that particular mood. If you seek higher 
meaning, take heed to another audible outlet. 

Like many summer indie albums pouring in 
by the dozens, Go With Me is idyllic and gentle. 
It’s the quintessential bedroom music played in 
the background of other things you are attending 
to. The twelve tracks fly by while it may be a 
good thing if you become tiresome of the same 
sound for 35 minutes. At the same token, if you 
dig the first track or two, you’ll most likely be 
content on how the rest of the album plays out. 
It’s a breezy and uncomplicated listen from start to 
finish. Seapony’s sound is surf rock meets noise-
pop. Songs like “Always” and “With You” feel 
like they were recycled off Beach Fossils’ debut 
record. The best comparison to another band 
they sound like is Best Coast (also with a female 
singer). Both bands suffer from not having all that 
much variety in their respective songs. However, 
there’s no argument that the tunes on Go With 
Me are lovely and cheerful, but don’t expect 
any songs to be grounded into your head after 
completion. Truth of the matter, you’ll probably 
have a difficult time remembering which song is 
which because of the overwhelming resemblance 
each consecutive song has to one another. 
At the end of the day, Seapony isn’t going to 
change you, but that’s just it. The expressive charm 
behind Seapony’s debut record is simplicity. 
The lyrics are lucid and the arrangements seem 
nearly identical in most songs. Despite the lack 
of diversity, Go With Me still delivers given the 
genre it’s coming from. It’s a sweet and carefree 
record that’s ultimately very likable. If you’re a 
fan of the effervescent pop rock complexion like 
myself, Seapony is definitely worth checking out. 
The replay value on Go With Me may not be 
present like other standout albums from this year, 
but played here and there should be just the right 
medicine. Like all good remedies, once you get 
too used to it, there’s really not much more need 
for it. 

SIERRA MADRE CONCERT IN THE PARK SERIES

Join the City of Sierra Madre this summer for 
the FREE Concerts in the Park Series which begin 
Sunday, July 10, 2011 and occurs every Sunday 
through August 28, 2011. 

The eight concerts are held from 6:00 pm and 
run through 8:00pm. All concerts will be held 
at the Memorial Park Bandshell, 222 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd. next to City Hall. Seating is on the 
green so remember to bring blankets and lawn 
chairs. Alcohol is prohibited. 

Spectators are encouraged to support local organizations 
that may provide refreshments. For 
additional information please contact the Community 
& Personnel Services Department (626) 
355-5278.

CONCERTS IN THE PARK SCHEDULE:

July 10 – Yvonne Perea (folk and blues fusion), 
sponsored by the Spero Foundation selling dollar 
street tacos, cookies, drinks and homemade ice 
cream by Pepper Marie’s Ice Cream.

July 17 – Woodie and the Longboards (beach 
inspired), sponsored by Sierra Madre Civic Club 
selling hot dogs, pie, ice cream and water. 

July 24 – Elvis (rock ‘n roll), sponsored by the 
Rotary Club of Sierra Madre selling items from 
the In-N-Out Truck

July 31 – Fairytales and Fantasy VI (musical), 
hosted by Southern California Lyric Theatre

August 7 – Ghost in the Machine (The Police 
and Sting Tribute Band), hosted by L.A. County 
Arts Commission

August 14 – Ray Bailey and the Rayletts - Blues 
and Jazz sponsored by Kiwanis and Friends of the 
Library

August 21 – Danny Dean and the Rockabilly 
Lovers (50’s Rock) sponsored by the Senior Community 
Commission selling desserts

August 28 – The Silver Beatles (Beatles Tribute 
Band) hosted by the Community and Personnel 
Services Department.


The Book Report

By Jeff Brown

ELVIS Plays Sierra Madre Sunday July 24th

CONVERSATIONS ON NON-DUALITY: TWENTY-SIX AWAKENINGS

by Eleanora Gilbert 

 A fascinating compilation of the 26 life stories of perfectly 
ordinary people and the different paths they’ve taken on their 
spiritual journey searching for oneness, completeness, and unity. 
From a rich variety of backgrounds, the people profiled here have 
been through extraordinary experiences leading to amazing new 
perceptions. They all shared a common sense of dissatisfaction 
with their lives and a longing for happiness, connection, health, 
love, fulfilling relationships, wealth, and freedom. As they 
reveal the means by which they each went about achieving an 
end to their suffering, from therapy to study with gurus, their 
stories range from funny to moving and tragic to inspiring, 
but there is a common element in their engagement with 
nonduality. In simple terms, nonduality means no separation, 
although it appears that there are separate individuals and 
objects in our world, in reality there is only oneness. It is this 
realization that has transformed the lives of these 26 ordinary 
men and women from many cultures and from a wide range 
of social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. Here they share their insights and wisdom.
WEEDS: IN DEFENSE OF NATURE’S MOST UNLOVED PLANTS 

by Richard Mabey

The true story and true glories of the plants we love to hate From 
dandelions to crabgrass, stinging nettles to poison ivy, weeds are 
familiar, pervasive, widely despised, and seemingly invincible. 
How did they come to be the villains of the natural world? And 
why can the same plant be considered beautiful in some places 
but be deemed a menace in others? In Weeds, renowned nature 
writer Richard Mabey embarks on an engaging journey with 
the verve and historical breadth of Michael Pollan. Weaving 
together the insights of botanists, gardeners, artists, and writers 
with his own travels and lifelong fascination, Mabey shows 
how these “botanical thugs” can destroy ecosystems but also 
can restore war zones and derelict cities; he reveals how weeds 
have been portrayed, from the “thorns and thistles” of Genesis 
to Shakespeare, Walden, and Invasion of the Body Snatchers; 
and he explains how kudzu overtook the American South, how 
poppies sprang up in First World War battlefields, and how 
“American weed” replaced the forests of Vietnam ravaged by 
Agent Orange. Hailed as “a profound and sympathetic meditation on weeds in relation to 
human beings” (Sunday Times), Weeds shows how useful these unloved plants can be, from 
serving as the first crops and medicines, to burdock inspiring the invention of Velcro, to cow 
parsley becoming the latest fashionable wedding adornment. Mabey argues that we have 
caused plants to become weeds through our reckless treatment of the earth, and he delivers 
a provocative defense of the plants we love to hate. 

Save Sunday July 24th for “Elvis in the 
Park” sponsored by the Sierra Madre Rotary 
Club. Fresh from Las Vegas, entertainer and 
singer extraordinaire Harry Shahoian www.
harryaselvis.com will be presenting the best of 
Elvis and performing on stage with his band. 
Always a home town favorite, Harry reconnects 
with Sierra Madre where the singer honed his 
craft in the early days as a waiter at Lozano, now 
WISTARIA.

Bring your lawn chair set up early as the town 
fills the entire landscape with coolers, blankets, 
and fans. Rotary is selling ice cream and the IN-
N-OUT Truck arrives at 4:30 pm to take orders 
near the Hart Park House at City Hall. Enjoy 
burgers on the lawn under the stars and live music 
by Harry. Not to be missed. 

Since the Rotary Club is a service organization 
dedicated to education, children’s wellness, and 
the eradication of Polio worldwide, Tom Brady, 
the new Rotary president will invite all citizens 
and volunteers to get involved and participate in 
the Sierra Madre Library fund raising program 
for the new children’s area. Come support a great 
cause and meet a shining star from Las Vegas 
who performs regularly on the Strip. This popular 
concert begins at 6:00 pm so come early and enjoy 
the small town atmosphere that is unique to Sierra 
Madre. Here’s a strong suggestion: Car pools, bikes 
and walking are always recommended for this sell 
out event. Bring plenty of cash and support the 
“Penelope Pig” found at Paul Mansour’s BestBuy 
Drugs to conquer Polio.

Volunteers are still needed to sell ice cream so 
please contact Peggy Beauregard peggybeau@
gmail.com This is one event you will not want 
to miss after the 4th of July Parade and evenings 
at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. It actually is one 
of the top 100 things to do this summer in our 
special place we call home. Sit under the stars, 
bring the family, and have a great time.

See you at the Park near City Hall on Sunday! 
Remember Rotary meets every Tuesday at 7:00 at 
the Sierra Room 611 Sierra Madre Blvd. and all 
are welcome. www.sierramadrerotary.com and on 
Facebook as Rotary Club of Sierra Madre.


Due to the high demand for her tutoring and education services, bookstore 
owner, Sally Morrison, is opening a new learning center here in Sierra Madre. 
Mindspring Education Center will cater to students (children and adults) 
interested in furthering their reading, writing, math, spelling, and 
comprehension skills. In addition, Sally offers assistance in study skills, 
homework, and test preparation. She also specializes in helping students 
with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. Those interested in summer 
sessions should contact Mindspring soon because space is limited.
As a result of this business expansion, Sally Morrison and Jeffrey Ingwalson, 
owners of Sierra Madre Books, will be closing the bookstore in June 2011. 
“We appreciate all the support we’ve received from our customers over the 
past few years, but are excited about our new venture. We look forward to 
continuing to be part of this community.”
For questions about Mindspring Education Center, please call (626) 355-1972.
For questions about Sierra Madre Books, please call (626) 836-3200.
Announcing:
The Opening of...
Mindspring Education CenterOne-to-One Instruction for All Ages37 Auburn Ave., Suite 7ASierra Madre, CA 91024(626) 355-1972www.mindspringEDC.com
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The Sierra Madre Playhouse 

87 W Sierra Madre Blvd 

Sierra Madre, Ca 91024

Reservations or Information: 

626-355-4318 

info@SierraMadrePlayhouse.org

ONLINE TICKETING:

www.sierramadreplayhouse.org


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com