Category Archives: Things To Do

BIG BEAR LAKE: Blues for the Zoo returns Aug. 3

Cafe R&B is one of the bands performing at Blues for the Zoo in Big Bear on Aug. 3. (Contributed Image)

Cafe R&B is one of the bands performing at Blues for the Zoo in Big Bear on Aug. 3. (Contributed Image)

Love the blues and/or animals? Check out the return of Blues for the Zoo on Saturday, Aug. 3.

The event, which is a fundraiser for the Big Bear Alpine Zoo (formerly known as Moonridge Animal Park), will be at the Big Bear Lake Swim Beach Outdoor Amphitheater.

Windy City Harmonica Breakdown is leading the full day of music, including an appearance Billy Branch. The Chicago blues headliners will be joined by some SoCal acts, too, including Cafe R&B and Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the show, with kids 10 and younger admitted for free. Parking is $4. You can pick up tickets in advance at the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce at 630 Bartlett Road, by phone at 909-866-4607, at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo Gift Shop at 43285 Goldmine Drive or online at www.bluesforthezoo.com.

Gates open at 1 p.m. and the music starts at 3 p.m. Concert attendees can bring beach chairs and blankets and the wim beach will be open to those at the event.

Saturday, Aug. 3, Big Bear Lake Swim Beach Outdoor Amphitheater, 41220 Park Ave., Big Bear Lake.

Visit www.bluesforthezoo.com for more information.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA: Sleeping Giant, No Bragging Rights play fest

Sleeping Giant will perform in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, July 27. (Contributed Image)

Sleeping Giant will perform in Rancho Cucamonga on Saturday, July 27. (Contributed Image)

The Nitty Gritty in Rancho Cucamonga is hosting the Nitty Gritty Fest on Saturday, July 27 with a number of impressive metal and hardcore bands.

Headlining the festival is the Redlands-rooted Sleeping Giant.

Riverside’s No Bragging Rights, fresh off a stint on the Vans Warped Tour, and Darasuum are among the other acts performing with an Inland connection.

The full lineup includes Rotting Out, Hundredth, Counterparts, Betrayal, Being As an Ocean, Dynasty, Herat to Heart, To the Wind, The Overseer, Troubled Coast, Deserters, Relentless and My Iron Lung.

Noon Saturday, July 27, The Nitty Gritty, 8680 Helms Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, $15, all ages.

Visit www.showstubs.com for tickets and more information.

 

TEMECULA: Suburban Legends headline July 27

Suburban Legends will perform at The Vault in Temecula on Saturday, July 27. (Contributed Image)

Suburban Legends will perform at The Vault in Temecula on Saturday, July 27. (Contributed Image)

Get ready to skank your heart out. Orange County’s Suburban Legends bring their third wave of ska tunes to The Vault in Temecula on Saturday, July 27.

The band’s most recent album, 2012’s “Day Job,” includes covers of Disney classics “Under the Sea” and “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” (Suburban Legends actually got its start playing around Downtown Disney.)

There are a number of worthy bands supporting the bill, including Inland masked punkers The Maxies (who still claim they’re from Greenland). Orange County ska-inspired band Save the Swim Team is also on the bill, as are The Skariginals and more.

6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27, The Vault, 41607 Enterprise Cir. N. Temecula, $12, all ages.

Also, if you haven’t heard it, The Maxies’ album “Greenland Is Melting” album is still fantastic. Warning: The language isn’t family-friendly on the whole album.

RIVERSIDE: Fox Performing Arts Center announces fall 2013 lineup

The Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside has announced its 2013 fall season. (2012/File Photo)

The Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside has announced its 2013 fall season. (2012/File Photo)

The Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside has announced its lineup for the fall and there are some return guests, like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and new performers to the area, including Bill Medley.

Here are the details of the initial fall lineup:
Sept. 14, Boz Scaggs
Sept. 24, The Rides (Stephen Stills, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Barry Goldberg) and Beth Hart
Sept. 28, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, with local openers Big Papa and the TCB
Oct. 12 and 13, “Stomp”
Oct. 26, Sheila E. and Jessy J
Nov. 1, Anjelah Johnson
Nov. 8 and 9, “Buddy-The Buddy Holly Story”
Nov. 22, “Million Dollar Quartet”
Nov. 23, ABBA Mania
Dec. 7, La Sierra University “Sounds of the Season”
Dec. 8, Masters of Harmony annual Christmas concert
Dec. 12, “The Addams Family” (musical)
Dec. 20, “Miracle on 34th Street) (film)
Dec. 28, Bill Medley and Darlene Love

The tickets go on sale at noon on Friday, July 19.

Tickets are available at the Fox Performing Arts Center box office at 3801 Mission Inn Ave. and via Ticketmaster.

The Box Office is open Monday -Friday from Noon to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. until showtime on days with a show. The box office Phone number is 951-779-9800.

The Fox kicks off its summer film series of Alfred Hitchcock films tonight, July 19, with “North By Northwest.”

For those of you following the saga of the Fox, the city is in talks with Live Nation to take over the operation of the venue.  Last month, the Riverside City Council extended the contract of current operator Bill Malone for three to six months while the transition happens. The press release announcing the events had Malone’s name on it.

If you want to know what might be ahead for the Fox with new leadership of Live Nation, check out this interactive graphic.

REDLANDS: Voodoo Glow Skulls to play Splash Kingdom

Voodoo Glow Skulls play Splash Kingdom on Sunday, July 21. (Anthony Munoz Photography/Contributed Image)

Voodoo Glow Skulls play Splash Kingdom on Sunday, July 21. (Anthony Munoz Photography/Contributed Image)

Splash Kingdom in Redlands has been not only keeping people cool this summer, but providing entertainment.

This weekend, Assuming We Survive will perform a free show at the park on Saturday, July 20.

Then, on Sunday, July 21, Riverside skacore heroes Voodoo Glow Skulls will headline a show that also includes Divide The Day, The StillWinter, Late Night Revival, Wreckin Katz, Lost Cause, Inside Riot and Willie Psycho.

Also, Adema will be performing at the water park on Aug. 3.

8 p.m. Saturday, Assuming We Survive, Splash Kingdom,1101 California St., Redlands, free, all ages,

4 p.m. Sunday, Voodoo Glow Skulls and more, July 21, $10, all ages.

TEMECULA: The Vault hosts Angry Samoans, new open mic night

The Coltranes will open for the Angry Samoans at The Vault in Temecula. (Contributed Image)

The Coltranes will open for the Angry Samoans at The Vault in Temecula. (Contributed Image)

The Legends of Punk and Ska Series continues at The Vault in Temecula on Friday, July 19 with The Angry Samoans.

The band will be joined by The Coltranes, Ready Steady Go!, DVT and The Walking Toxins.

The Vault is also kicking off its new open mic night (which will run the last Thursday of every month) on July 25.

You can get in for free with a donation of canned food, a clean pair of shoes or item of clothing. Otherwise, it’s a $2 donation to attend.

Email thevaultbooking@live.com for more information.

Angry Samoans, 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 19, The Vault, 41607 Enterprise Cir. N. Temecula, $12, all ages.

Open Mic Night, 8 p.m. Thursday, $2 or free with donation.

Visit www.thevaultconcerts.com for more information.

MUSIC: Electric Valentine vs. ‘The Stamos’

Electric Valentine just released their new album, "Circuitry." (Electric Valentine/Facebook)

Electric Valentine just released their new album, “Circuitry.” (Electric Valentine/Facebook)

Electropop act Electric Valentine (which started in Riverside and features former residents Chris Qualls and Lauren Baird, who used to be in A Kiss Could Be Deadly) just released their new album “Circuitry” this week and there’s a song named after a special Greek in all of our lives.

That’s right, before John Stamos fever took over with the big news of the Jesse and the Rippers reunion coming to “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” on Friday, Electric Valentine had “The Stamos.”

The video is amazing. Everywhere you look, there’s Stamos. (FYI, the lyrics aren’t family-friendly).

Also, that video made me want to watch this one, John Stamos singing “Forever.”

Back to EV, you might remember Electric Valentine from dancing to them in “Dance Central 2.”

Visit www.electricvalentine.com for more on the band.

They are having an album release dance party at the Silverlake Lounge on Saturday, July 20.  The Silverlake Lounge is located at 2906 Sunset Blvd. in Los Angeles.

UPLAND: Say True celebrates ‘Monument’ release at The Wire

Say True is celebrating the release of new EP "Monument" with a show at The Wire in Upland on July 19. (Contributed Image)

Say True is celebrating the release of new EP “Monument” with a show at The Wire in Upland on July 19. (Contributed Image)

Although The Ready Aim Fire! called it quits nearly a year ago, the demise of the group made way for a new project with big promise.

Say True, which celebrates new release “Monument” with a show at The Wire in Upland on Friday, July 19, sees former members of the group rising with a different sound.

The songs started with Donavan Foy, an Ontario resident and co-owner of The Wire, back when he was the drummer for The Ready Aim Fire!

“It wasn’t a big priority,” he said.

After the group dissolved, Foy started developing the songs that would become “Monument,” with The Ready Aim Fire! leader Dave Trautz. The pair worked on the songs and were really happy with the results.

Friend and fellow musician Mike Jimenez, of Science Fiction Theater, heard the songs and offered to play the drums on the tracks.

RELATED: Watch Science Fiction Theater on PE Live

Trautz, who engineered, mixed and mastered “Monument,” played most of the other instruments.

Although the group features members of The Ready Aim Fire! the sound is very different.

The songs on “Monument” have a similar sonic quality to those of Jimmy Eat World’s finest album, “Clarity.” Foy said the collection of songs became a bit of a concept album about growing up.

“The sound lends itself to nostalgia and reflection,” Foy said.

Listen to the songs off Say True’s “Monument.”

And there’s a bit of nostalgia with the live lineup, too, which features members of The Ready Aim Fire! Foy is the frontman, Trautz is playing bass and Gabe Rodriguez and Brandon Lancaster playing guitar.

“It’s fun to be playing with these guys again,” Foy said.

Another friend, Iron Sharpens Iron’s Seattle Gage-Chavez, is playing drums live with the band.

Say True hopes to play more shows around Southern California for the rest of the year, but Foy plans to do some writing as well.

“By the time we’re sick of playing these new songs we’ll have another batch,” he said.

For Friday’s show, Castle Pines, Upstate, The Letdown and Rob the Future are also on the bill.

RELATED: Watch Castle Pines on PE Live

7 p.m. Friday, The Wire, 247 N. Second Ave., Upland, $10, all ages, www.thewire247.com.

Visit www.saytruemusic.com or http://saytrue.bandcamp.com for more information.

Get the latest in local music news at the Audio File blog at http://blog.pe.com/audio-file and follow Vanessa Franko on Twitter at @vanessafranko.

RIVERSIDE: The Debonaires release new album ‘Movin’

Debonaires

The Debonaires have a new album and they’re celebrating with a release show at the Mission Tobacco Lounge in Riverside on July 20. (Contributed Image)

At long last The Debonaires are releasing their new album.

The band is celebrating with a release show on Saturday, July 20 at Mission Tobacco Lounge in Riverside.

The new album, “Movin’,” features Angelo Moore of Fishbone, Vic Ruggiero of The Slackers, and Chris Murray, the latter of whom is also performing at the show.

Plus, Quita Penas is on the bill, too.

8 p.m. Saturday, July 20, Mission Tobacco Lounge, 3630 University Ave., Riverside, $10, 21 and older only.

Visit www.facebook.com/thedebonaires for more on the show.

Check out some of the band’s music below:

RIVERSIDE: Concert raises funds for pedestrian killed in crash

Tribal Lust and the Horny Natives are playing a benefit in Riverside. ( Eric Amelang/Contributed Image)

Tribal Lust and the Horny Natives are playing a benefit in Riverside. ( Eric Amelang/Contributed Image)

A number of Riverside-based bands are getting together to raise money for the family of Michael “Micky” Manuel, a Riverside resident who was killed early in the morning of Saturday, July 13 when a drunken driver struck him.

The concert will be at Jack’s Bar and Grill in Riverside and will raise money for the funeral expenses.

The Logs, Tribal Lust and the Horny Natives, Judas Beefcake, Blackout Experiment and Lost Cause are bands that have already been announced for the event.

8 p.m. Saturday, July 20, Jack’s Bar and Grill, 10323 Cypress Ave., Riverside, donations accepted.

Visit the event page on Facebook for more information.