KCBX Radio, the Central Coast’s Public Radio station, is my go-to for classical, jazz, folk, bluegrass, blues, world, and many other kinds of music. The station is always dedicated to providing musical nourishment for a diverse palate, and the station’s annual Live Oak Music Festival reflects those tastes.
The Live Oak Music Festival is a beloved annual weekend of camping, art, food, and music. The festival takes place Father’s Day weekend and usually includes many families camping in the Live Oak campground for the entire weekend, not to mention the number of people who come in for just one or two days of the festivities.
Colorful and varied tents, trailers, and makeshift camps fill the ancient oak grove at Live Oak Camp, buzzing with dusty-footed music lovers enjoying the entertainment available at any of three stages, not to mention the included workshops, food truck pavilion, and fine arts show. The arts and food are as diverse as the bill this year, which includes artists from all over the globe.
The three-day event gets kicking on Friday, June 13, with main stage performances by Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas, Dustbowl Revival, the Zongo All Stars, Panga, and Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin with The Guilty Ones. Day two of the Live Oak Festival includes performances by Marley’s Ghost, The Lions, Blind Boy Paxton, Boogaloo Assassins, Shadowlands, Erin Inglish, Steve Key, and JD McPherson on the main stage. Sunday closes out the festival strong with Holly Williams, La Santa Cecilia, Lily and Madeleine, Eagle Rock Gospel Singers, Mendeleyev, and Railroad Earth.
The Live Oak Festival is a perfect, immersive camping adventure of epic musical scale, but is just as enjoyable as a one or two-day visit.
Tickets and a full roster of performers are available at liveoakfest.org.
New Times Music Awards are here
The New Times Music Awards return again this year, giving local singers, songwriters, musicians, and bands the chance to compete in several categories for a bronze Newtie! The competition includes six musical genre categories, including an “open” division, an award for songwriting, and album of the year. The winners must be available to perform at a live event on Aug. 28 at SLO Brew in San Luis Obispo to accept their award.
Local artists can enter up to three original songs in each of the following categories: country/Americana/folk; R&B/blues; rock/alternative; reggae/worldbeat; hip hop; and open. Three original songs can also be entered in the songwriting competition with lyrics, as can one album released between July 7, 2013, and July 7, 2014, for the album of the year competition. Each song or album entry costs $10. Entry deadline is no later than Monday, July 7. Interested artists can enter by following the New Times Music Awards link at newtimesslo.com, or use the form in this and subsequent issues of the Sun and New Times. A “Readers Choice” award will be voted on by locals, with voting ending Aug. 11.
Winners in the six genre categories will perform a live-judged show at SLO Brew on Aug. 28, with one group or performer winning Best Live Performance. The winners in songwriting and best album categories, as well as runners-up, will receive their awards that evening.
If you don’t have a song, album, or band to compete with, you can still stay abreast of the competition and cast your Readers Choice vote at newtimesslo.com after July 7.
Juicy jams
The Creative Juices Lounge in Guadalupe presents Mark and Larry performing June 6. Natural Remedy performs May 7. Shows run from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Creative Juices Lounge, 874 Guadalupe St., Guadalupe. More information is available at 219-0518 or creativejuiceslounge.com.
Queen of the Knight
The Chumash Casino Resort presents Gladys Knight performing June 12. Shows start at 8 p.m. at the Chumash Casino Resort, 3400 East Highway, Santa Ynez. Cost is $25, $35, and $45. More info: 1-800-CHUMASH or chumashcasino.com.
From Russia with songs
The St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble performs sacred Russian Orthodox as well as Russian folk music on June 13 at 7 p.m. at Nipomo Community Presbyterian Church, 1235 N. Thompson Ave., Nipomo. More info: 473-8059.
Ready for Resination
The Blacklake Golf Resort presents a Wednesday Night Summer Concert Series featuring Resination on June 18. The Blacklake Golf Resort is at 1490 Golf Course Lane, Nipomo. More info: 343-1214, Ext. 400, or blacklake.com.
Mestas at Grevino
Ca’ Del Grevino Café and Wine Bar presents live music every Wednesday night including a performance by Manny Mestas on June 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Café and Wine Bar, 400 E. Clark Ave., Santa Maria. More info: 937-6400 or dcp@grevino.com.
Radisson jams
The Radisson Hotel offers live music Fridays and Saturdays, including Juan Marquez performing June 13 and 14 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 3455 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria. More info: 928-8000.
Fresh off D’Vine
The D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro features Jerry Stickell on June 12, Andrew Beal on June 14, Tony Botello on June 17, and Kyle Reilly on June 18 with shows starting at 7:30 p.m. at the D’Vine Wine Bar and Bistro, 107 W. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. More info: 430-8356 or facebook.com.
Maverick country
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment each weekend, including the Ry Bradley Band on June 13. The Maverick Music Festival will include Jammin’ with Guy at 1 p.m. and an Old Santa Ynez Day Party with the Molly Ringwald Project at 9 p.m. on June 14. Suds, Songs, and Sandwiches with Owen Johnston is June 15 at 3 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Arts Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jun 12-19, 2014.