Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 30, 2011

11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, July 30, 2011 


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

Eight Sundays of Free Summer Concerts

SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS:

Five Summer Songs 

You Need To Hear 

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 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. 

Airship – 
“Kids” – UK 
newcomers, 
Airship, 
sound like 
seasoned 
veterans. Their first single, “Kids” provide lively 
paced drums, low guitar riffs, and verses that 
augment into electrifying choruses. “Kids” is 
the just the right song for the summer. Fresh 
and invigorating, Airship may be the remedy 
you’re looking for in 2011. This explosive and 
intoxicating new track is a promising indication 
of what their full-length album may sound like 
when it debuts this fall. 

Cut Off Your Hands – “Buried” – Cut Off 
Your Hands recently released their sophomore 
album, “Hollow Out”, which features the beach-y, 
foggy, plenty of reverb gem, “Buried”. It’s a 
pleasant and multi-layered sound that’s quite the 
directional change for a band whose debut album 
was fairly loud and recurrently rambunctious. 
The band seems to be taking a note or two from 
fellow New Zealanders, Crowded Houses. And 
why not throw in The Smiths and Beach Boys 
for good measure? With a colossal line-up of the 
aforementioned influences, how could you not 
wanna take a peak inside? Nostalgia, anyone? 

The Echo Friendly – “Same Mistakes” – “Same 
Mistakes” is a darkly coated tune with dual vocals 
(female and male), reminiscent of the band, The 
XX. Although the least sounding summer song 
off the list of songs here, The Echo Friendly may 
supply the substance you need heading into 
autumn. This 4-piece rock band has abandoned 
their former sound and seems to be heading into 
mysterious terrain. Given the straightforward 
and honest lyrics, “Same Mistakes” may just be 
the emblematic song for the thirty-something 
year olds who haven’t grown up or have no desire 
to do so anytime soon. The band will be releasing 
a new EP later this year and despite whatever 
transitional era you may be in, The Echo Friendly 
could ultimately wind up as your guiding light. 

Real Estate – “It’s Real” – Ridiculously breezy 
and perpetually catchy, Real Estate have released 
“It’s Real”, the first single off their sophomore 
album, “Days” due out on September 27. “It’s 
Real” has squeaky-clean guitar riffs, wistful 
melodies, and remains positively upbeat. It’s 
short and sweet at less than three minutes long. 
The song floats on so effortlessly with such a 
crisp sound and summery vibrations. This season 
provided us with surprisingly strong albums, but 
the upcoming fall releases look to take it one step 
further. I’m no doctor, but Real Estate appears to 
show no symptoms indicating a disappointing 
follow-up record this fall. 

Mona – “Teenager” – Nashville rockers Mona 
are creating major buzz. Their self-titled debut 
LP is due out in September, but a sneak preview 
EP recently dropped this month. “Teenager” 
starts off like a vintage Kings of Leon tune, but 
quickly explodes into what may become the 
signature sound of this young and seemingly 
ultra-talented group of musicians. Their entire 
EP sounds utterly fresh and tight for 2011, yet at 
the same time encompasses a worn out feel to it. 
From the looks of it Mona is bringing good old-
fashioned rock and roll back into the forefront 
(where it belongs). I wouldn’t be in the slightest 
bit surprise if Mona becomes the premier rock 
band in 2012. 

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 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 - 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

Friday Night Live Returns to Sierra Madre

Beginning Friday, July 29th, downtown 
Sierra Madre will again be the site of live 
music in Kersting Court, as well as shoppers’ 
incentives for those in the neighborhood. And 
there’s a new twist this year: theme nights.
Opening week features the music of Ron 
Ellington Shy and Son, sponsored by Bean 
Town Coffee House. An outstanding singer, 
keyboardist, sax player, trombonist, drummer 
and dancer, Ron puts it all together in a 
dynamic style of non-stop music that fits all 
generations with variety, class, and energy.
The theme for the evening is “Outrageous Ties” 
and shoppers are encouraged to wear their most 
outrageous neckwear. During the course of the 
evening, one lucky tie wearer will be selected as 
the winner, and will receive a $25 gift certificate 
to Butterfly Effect Day Spa and a Sierra Madre 
t-shirt. Other themes will include Mad Hatter 
night, Hawaiian night, Groucho night and more.
In addition, anyone who spends $35 in a retail 
store or $50 in a restaurant during Friday Night 
Live hours (6:30 to 9pm) is invited to bring 
their receipt to the Chamber booth in Kersting 
Court. They will be entered in a drawing to 
take place the final week of Friday Night Live. 
Shoppers are eligible every time that they spend 
$35/retail or $50/restaurant – the more times 
they spend $35/$50 the greater their chances of 
winning. On the final Friday, August 26th, two 
lucky shoppers will have their names drawn to 
win a shopping/dining spree at Sierra Madre 
businesses that has an estimated value of $500!
Friday Night Live will take place in Kersting 
Court in Sierra Madre from 6:30 to 9pm on 
Fridays from July 29th to Aug. 26th. 

For more information, including an 
entertainment lineup, list of themes, and a list 
of businesses participating in the shopping spree 
giveaway, visit www.SMFridayNightLive.info or 
call the Chamber at (626) 355-5111.

Battlefield Angels: Saving Lives Under Enemy Fire From Valley Forge to 
Afghanistan by Scott Mcgaugh

A popular history of battlefield medicine from the Revolutionary War to 
the present, told through stirring portraits of our unsung heroes, America’s 
military medics and corpsmen. From foxholes and trenches, generations of 
young medics and corpsmen have willingly sprinted into enemy fire to save the 
lives of their fellow soldiers. Some paid the ultimate price, and many were never 
recognized for their selfless heroism. From the Revolutionary War to the wars 
in Afghanistan and Iraq, their stories reflect the proud history of America’s 
military medical corps and its pioneering contributions, which include 
the ambulance, sanitary hospital design, emergency surgical techniques, 
MASH units, and medical evacuation by helicopter (medevac). America’s 
military medical corps adopted advances in medical science, such as blood 
transfusions, antibiotics, and antiseptic surgical procedures, field tested them 
in battle, adapted them, and proved their value. Here are accounts of boundless courage, compassion, 
and resourcefulness from America’s forgotten heroes. But to the fighting men and women whose lives 
they have saved, they are battlefield angels.

Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World by Dan Koeppel 

A gripping chronicle of the myth, mystery, and uncertain fate of the world’s 
most popular fruit In this fascinating exploration of the banana’s history, cultural 
significance, and endangered future, award-winning journalist Koeppel gives 
readers plenty of food for thought. Fast paced and entertaining, Banana takes 
us from jungle to supermarket, from corporate boardrooms to kitchen tables 
around the world. We travel to early 20th century Central America, where aptly 
named “banana republics” rose and fell over the crop, while the companies 
now known as Chiquita and Dole conquered the marketplace. Koeppel then 
chronicles the banana’s path to the present, alarmingly taking us to banana 
plantations across the globe that are being destroyed by a fast moving blight, 
with no cure in sight and to the high-tech labs where new bananas are literally 
being built in test tubes, in a race to save the world’s most beloved fruit. Dan 
Koeppel, author of the critically acclaimed memoir To See Every Bird on Earth, is an award-winning 
outdoors and adventure writer.


Upcoming Community Events 

at Santa Anita Park ~

Foothill Unity Center “Back to School Fair”

Thursday, August 13, 2011

Santa Anita Park

www.foothillunitycenter.org

(626) 358-3486

Greek Festival

September 16, 17, and 18

Paddock Gardens at Santa Anita Park

www.pasadenagreekfest.org

(626) 449-6943

ISES “JAM”

International Special Events Society

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Paddock Gardens at Santa Anita Park

http://ises-la.com/

(626) 574-7223

Multi Chamber Social Media Seminar 
presented by HUTdogs

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Chandelier Room at Santa Anita Park

http://www.hutdogs.com/

(310) 821-1936

Arcadia High School Reunions

Class of 61, 66, 71, 81, 91

October, 2011

Chandelier Room at Santa Anita Park

www.arcadiaapaches.com

(909) 374-4835

Monrovia High School Alumni All Class “Day at 
the Races”

Sunday, October 30, 2011 

Infield at Santa Anita

http://mhsallclassreunions.info

For more information call (626) 574-6474


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
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