The weekend gigs always get the most attention, so here's a plug for a friend who's doing a weeknight show – DAVID SERBY @ THE PIKE BAR IN LONG BEACH, THURSDAY, MAY 15^th at 9pm.  I haven't been to this venue yet, but I hear it's a fun place, and there's never a cover charge, which is a plus!  See the listing below for address and phone number. 

When I first met David Serby not more than two years ago, he was doing the open mic night that Dave Osti used to host at the Brass Elephant in Monrovia.  Since then our paths have crossed many times, whether he is on the stage performing or in the audience like me.  He is a talented guitarist and songwriter with a deep, sincere voice, and a life story that has given him a lot to write about!  Check it out and sample his music at: http://www.davidserby.com/home.html

FRI. 5/9 - DAVE OSTI AND DEANNA COGAN @ THE MAYAN BAR (inside the Aztec Hotel) in MONROVIA, 6 - 9pm Happy Hour.  311 W. Foothill Blvd.  626-358-3231.  NO COVER.  Full bar, limited food menu.  Acoustic Guitar, vocals.  http://www.davidvalentinoosti.com/

FRI. 5/9 - CLEMENTINE @ VITELLO'S IN STUDIO CITY, 7:30pm.  4349 Tujunga Ave.  Call for reservations: 818-769-0905.  3 Gals on guitar, banjo & mandolin, and Mark Switzer (of Rick Shea's band and New Astroturf) on Dobro.

FRI. 5/9 – STEEL ROD @ BARNEY'S GRILL & PUB IN PASADENA.  93 W. Colorado Blvd.  626-577-2739.  Full kitchen.  No cover.  Rock to Salsa.  5 Fridays in May!

FRI. 5/9 - THE IDIOTS @ THE BUCCANEER LOUNGE IN SIERRA MADRE, 9ish.  70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.  626-355-9045.  Full bar, no cover, cheap drinks!  Formerly "the Usual Gang of Idiots".  Tim Tutwiler, Peter Burke & Jeff Ingwalson (co-owner of Sierra Madre Books.)

FRI. 5/9 & SAT. 5/10 - "THE SUBS" (Better Than Blue's acoustic alter ego) @ the DOCKSIDE in WEST COVINA, 7:30 - 11:30pm.  3057 E. Garvey Ave. North.  In the bar area, but you can order food also.  All ages ok.  Joe Velosa, Danny Hesse, Felicia Bright.  Acoustic rock, soul & blues.   626-915-3474.  www.wearethesubs.com/

SAT. 5/10 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm.  1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443 .  All ages.  Saturday BLUES Brunch under a big breezy tent.    http://www.bigbbrenner.com/  

SAT. 5/10 - SIERRA MADRE SCHOOL FUNDRAISER @ SIERRA CUP IN MONROVIA, 4 - 11pm.  20% of all sales goes to the school.  Live music from Principal Bluemel's band "THE LATE BLOOMERS" at 7pm.  409 S. Myrtle Ave.  626-301-4214.  Coffee, smoothies, cupcakes, frozen yogurt, etc.   www.sierracup.com  Hey kids – you're Principal's playin' – you probably should make an appearance!

SAT. 5/10 -THE TUMBLING TUMBLEWEEDS @ THE COFFEE GALLERY BACKSTAGE IN ALTADENA, 7pm.   2029 N. Lake Ave.  626-398-7917.  $15. "WESTERN MUSIC REVUE."  Their debut CD comes out in late May. 

SAT. 5/10 - THE B.O. TRIO PLUS ONE, featuring JEFF STETSON, play "A MIXED BAG AND SOME BLUES"@ ZEPHYR COFFEE HOUSE IN PASADENA, 8:30 - 10pm.  2419 E. Colorado Blvd., just E. of Sierra Madre Blvd.  626-793-7330. Soups, sandwiches, coffee, tea, smoothies, etc.

SAT. 5/10 - ADAM MARSLAND'S CHAOS BAND @ THE BUCCANEER LOUNGE IN SIERRA MADRE, 9pm.  70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.  Full bar, no cover, pool table, 21 & over.  Indie/Powerpop/Soul with a heavy Beach Boys influence.

SUN. 5/11 - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

SUN. 5/11 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm.  1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443 .  All ages.  MOTHER'S DAY BLUES Brunch under a big breezy tent.   http://www.bigbbrenner.com/ 

SUN. 5/11 - MOTHER'S DAY MADNESS @ GRANT PARK SOFTBALL - ALL ARE WELCOME.  NOT A LEAGUE - JUST FOR FUN & THE LOVE OF THE GAME!  CORNER OF CORDOVA & MICHIGAN IN PASADENA, 3 BLOCKS WEST OF PCC.  BATTING PRACTICE 12:30, GAME TIME ASAP.  BRING YOUR GLOVE, BAT, CHAIR, ICE CHEST, GUITAR, UKULELE, ETC.  EVERY SUNDAY... 

SUN. 5/11 - THE MERCY POWELL QUARTET @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 1:30 - 4:30pm.  322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd . 626-836-5414.  Full bar and great Italian food.  No cover, all ages.  Standards & Jazzy stuff from Mercy, Josh, Marc & Peter.  "MOTHER'S DAY LUNCH."

SUN. 5/11 – STEVEN RADICE @ SIERRA CUP IN MONROVIA, 5pm.  409 S. Myrtle Ave.  626-301-4214.  Coffee, smoothies, cupcakes, frozen yogurt, etc.  Swing, Pop, Americana.  Ukulele, Guitar, etc.  www.sierracup.com

SUN. 5/11 - "OPERA TO BROADWAY" VOCAL PERFORMANCES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 7pm.  322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.  626-836-5414.  Full bar and great Italian food.  Every Sunday evening.  Get there early, as the place gets packed!

TUES. 5/13 - WRECK 'N' SOW @ THE PIKE IN LONG BEACH, 8pm - Midnight.  1836 E. 4th St.  562-437-4453.  Fun Bluegrass stuff w/great harmonies & snazzy overalls!  The Dupuy brothers, etc.

WED. 5/14 - MAX BUDA @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 8 - 11pm. 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.  626-836-5414.  Full bar, great Italian food.  No cover, all ages.  Unique jazzy rock stuff from Chester & the boys.

WED. 5/14 - DAVE GLEASON (Acoustic set) and THE RUNNING KIND @ VIVA CANTINA IN BURBANK, 9pm.  900 Riverside Dr., next to the L.A. Equestrian Center.  818-845-2425.  Full bar & great Mexican food.  No cover.  Americana/Country. 

THURS. 5/15 - DAVID SERBY @ THE PIKE BAR IN LONG BEACH, 9pm.  1836 E. 4th St., one block west of Cherry.  562-437-4453.  Full bar and dinner 'til late. No cover. Country/Americana.  http://www.myspace.com/thepike

FRI. 5/16 - DAVE OSTI @ THE MAYAN BAR (inside the Aztec Hotel) in MONROVIA, 6 - 9pm Happy Hour.  311 W. Foothill Blvd.  626-358-3231.  NO COVER.  Full bar, limited food menu.  Solo Acoustic Guitar/Vocals.  http://www.davidvalentinoosti.com/

FRI. 5/16 - OCHO X @ CHARCUTERIE IN SIERRA MADRE, 6:30 - 9pm.  120 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.  The newest restaurant and music venue in town.  Gourmet sandwiches, salads, imported beer/wine.  Indoor and outdoor seating.  Latin influenced rock/jazz jams.  The Sotelo Brothers, Peter Burke on drums.   

FRI. 5/16 - CHICO'S BAIL BONDS doing their semi-acoustic thing @ THE DOCKSIDE GRILL RESTAURANT IN WEST COVINA, 7:30 - 11:30pm.  3057 E. Garvey Ave. North.  626-915-3474. In the bar area, but you can order dinner there too.  Full Bar.  Blues.

FRI. 5/16 - HORSES ON ASTROTURF @ BAR TWIST IN ARCADIA, 9:30pm.  48 E. Huntington Dr.  626-254-1760.  Full bar, awesome food!  Classy place, nice ambience, NO COVER, dance floor.  Hillbilly Hippie Rock.  Vargas' Birthday Weekend! 

SAT. 5/17 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm.  1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443 .  All ages.  Saturday BLUES Brunch under a big breezy tent.    http://www.bigbbrenner.com/  

SAT. 5/17 and SUN. 5/18 - SIERRA MADRE ART FAIR @ MEMORIAL PARK, SIERRA MADRE BLVD. & HERMOSA AVE.  Live Music in the Bandshell and on the South Lawn, including Stephanie Bettman & The Boys, String Planet, Logan Coats, Ann Luke and more.  For info. and complete schedule, go to:  http://www.sierramadreartfair.com/  Thank you Charlie for another fine line-up!

SAT. 5/17 - DAVE TRAVIS with MARK HEFFINGTON opening for I SEE HAWKS IN L.A @ GELENCSER HOUSE CONCERTS IN CLAREMONT, 8pm.  Reservations/directions: 909-596-1266. $15 donation.  Country Rock/Roots Music.  www.gelencserhouseconcerts.com

SAT. 5/17 - THE FORTUNATE FEW @ THE BUCCANEER LOUNGE IN SIERRA MADRE, 9pm.  70 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.  626-355-9045.  Full bar, no cover, pool table, free parking, 21 & over.  Blues, with John Washburn on harp.   myspace.com/fortunatefewblues

SAT. 5/17 - MERCY & THE MERKETTES @ BAR TWIST IN ARCADIA, 9:30pm.  48 E. Huntington Dr.  626-254-1760.  Full bar, Lupe Mendoza's awesome food!  Classy place, nice ambience, NO COVER, dance floor.  R&B, Disco, Rock, Motown, etc.      

SUN. 5/18 – THE 48^th ANNUAL TOPANGA BANJO-FIDDLE CONTEST and FOLK FESTIVAL IN AGOURA HILLS, 9am – 6pm.  For complete line-up and info: http://www.topangabanjofiddle.org/index.html

Some highlights, thanks to Paul Dorn:

Murphy's Flaw (with VinFizFlyer and New Astroturf bass player Paul Dorn) is a contestant in the 9:30 - 12:30 slot.

Vin Fiz Flyer is a contestant in the 1 – 3pm slot.

Second Wind Bluegrass (with VFF guitar player Donn Cunningham) is a contestant in the 1 – 3pm slot.

Simon Pure(with Murphy's Flaw mandolin player Jarrett Lesko) plays the main stage at 5:10 to 5:40pm.

Fur Dixon and Steve Werner play on the Railroad Stage from 12 - 1pm.

Stephanie Bettman is on the Railroad Stage, 1 – 2pm

GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

SUN. 5/18 - BARRY "BIG B" BRENNER @ FIREFLY BISTRO IN SOUTH PASADENA, 11am - 2pm.  1009 El Centro. 626-441-2443 .  All ages.  BLUES Brunch under a big breezy tent.   http://www.bigbbrenner.com/ 

SUN. 5/18 - Have lunch with NEW ASTROTURF @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 1:30 - 4:30pm.  322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. 626-836-5414.   Full bar and great Italian food in a comfy setting.  STEVE VARGAS' BIRTHDAY BASH!

SUN. 5/18 - "OPERA TO BROADWAY" VOCAL PERFORMANCES @ CAFE 322 IN SIERRA MADRE, 7pm.  322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.  626-836-5414.  Full bar and great Italian food.  Every Sunday evening.  Get there early, as the place gets packed!

**THE SHEDS NEED YOUR SUPPORT:  to win a spot on the WARPED TOUR this Summer, my young friends THE SHEDS are competing against other up and coming bands.  It's not too late to register and VOTE for them on this site: 

http://battleofthebands.com/   and they already won the Conejo Valley Days Battle of the Bands competition!

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
 
FOR EVEN MORE COOL SHOWS & INFO., CHECK OUT THESE SITES:
http://cafe322.com/
http://www.myspace.com/piratedive
http://www.coffeegallery.com/home.html
http://www.myspace.com/americanarootsla
http://www.aliveandpicking.com/calendar.html
http://www.covina.com/frethouse/concerts.html

We're going to post links to past Music News columns, not because it makes sense to post outdated calendar items, but just so you can look up the name of the band that played at that place last Thursday that it's driving you crazy that you can't remember.  Actually, we may also add to some of the old columns by creating links at the blurb about an event, if we cover it and have either photos or videos that we've posted for that event.

3/14/08

3/7/08

2/29/08

2/22/08

2/15/08

2/8/08

2/1/08

1/25/08

1/18/08

7/6/07

6/29/07

6/22/07

6/15/07

6/8/07

6/1/07

5/25/07

5/18/07