Kristen’s Concert Calendar: 12/20-12/26

Hope everyone’s gearing up for the holidays…after the Hotel Cafe Christmas party I attended on Friday, I’m finally starting to feel the spirit of the season. Unfortunately I am WAY behind with all the practicals (preparing for holiday travel, gift manufacturing, etc.).  Doesn’t help that my new computer is just not up to snuff (I need a tech savvy robot for these things).

Usually I venture to Philadelphia for the Christmas season. There is a fantastic show that takes place on the 26th each year supported by local radio station, WMMR. This year the Mistletoe Jam features IKE, SINAI, The Shakers, Venice Sunlight, and Anthony Renzulli Band.  I wish I could be there. But instead of spending the holidays with my musical family in Philly, I am opting to see my actual family in Missouri (to the grandparent’s house I go!). Have yet to look into concerting options in the Show Me State, so if anyone reading this happens to know of any good venues or local bands in the St. Louis region, let me know!

Unlike Philly, where over the holidays everyone is in town and local bands shows are plentiful, LA seems to disappear and shows become scarce. Still, here’s what I found:

Monday: Agent Ribbons at Bootleg Theater (midnight)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Midnight Magic (10pm)

Tuesday: Watkins Family Christmas show at Largo (9pm)
ALSO: Dead Country at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ASO: Amber Rubarth at Room 5 (9pm)

Weds: Jenni Alpert at Room 5 (7pm)

Thursday: last minute Christmas shopping

Friday: frantically processing my holiday presents

SaturdayMerry Christmas!

Sunday: recuperating from all that holiday cheer…

To Keep in Mind:

January 7th: Scarlet Grey at The Roxy
January 9th: Bonnie Dune at The Roxy
January 20th: Charlotte Martin at Bootleg
January 20th: Nikka Costa at The Roxy
January 22nd: Guster at The Music Box
January 28th: Free Energy at The Roxy
Feb 9th: Sarah McLaughlin at Nokia Live
Feb 9th: Tina Dico at The Troubadour
Feb 16th: Nicole Atkins at The Troubadour
Feb 26th: Josh Ritter and Scott Hutchinson (Frightened Rabbit) at The Music Box
March 1st: Biffy Clyro at The Troubadour

~ Kristen

What I am Thankful For…

Why MUSIC of course. Music of all shapes and sizes…but mostly music that moves me in its live format. I am also thankful for all those people in my life that have a similar appreciation for music…or that simply indulge me in my obsession by accompanying me to shows.

I am thankful to be living in Los Angeles, a city that has so much to offer music-wise. I can’t imagine going back to living a life in which there weren’t opportunities for fantastic live music every night of the week.

Although, I am spending the holiday in LA…working, Thanksgiving is a time to be thinking about home. I do really wish I could be in Philadelphia this weekend. Last night was WMMR’s Gobblaroo featuring a couple fantastic LA-based bands with Philly roots (The Shakers, Fat City Reprise) as well as Stonethrown, and the debut of Philly’s hottest new band, SINAI. I wish I could have been there…if you were, I’d appreciate reviews. Also, tomorrow night at The Grape Room marks the return of The Awesome Brothers, a collaboration of some of my favorite musicians gathering together to play some of their favorite songs. Musical bliss for sure. If you’re in town, don’t’ miss it!

Happy Thanksgiving to my music-loving family (both near and far)!

~ Kristen

And on that note, I leave you with the song that’s been playing on repeat in my head all day. Jonathan Singleton’s “Airplanes.” I would like to take this moment to point out that I DO like some country music…and that I wish that Jonathan would venture back to LA…and bring The Grove with him this time.  

Most Exciting News!

It’s official. One of my favorite venues…ever…is re-opening. The Grape Room (formally Grape Street Pub) is back in its original location on Grape Street in Manayunk, PA (outside Philadelphia). I’ve been hearing about this for awhile now, but it was just officially announced today on local Philly radio station, WMMR 93.3, by Jaxon and one of my very fave local Philly bands, Automatic Fire.

Grape Street was my favorite venue to see all my local bands when I lived around Philly.  Every Thursday, Jaxon used to host his Local Shots, an evening of fantastic local music. This is also the place where I discovered so many amazing bands including The Kin, Alright Junior, Mr. North, and Ludo

Too many amazing memories to even begin to recount!

I believe the place opens up April 1st, but the inaugural show on April 6th is NOT to be missed and features three of the best bands this town has every produced; IKE, Automatic Fire, and Jealousy Curve. If you’re anywhere near the area, you need to go and please report back.

And if you’re ever passing through Philadelphia on your travels, stop by The Grape Room and see some amazing music.

Sorry…no time for links and such (just google it)…busy weekend of music…I’m just so excited I needed to get this out immediately! Such a great thing for local music!!

~ Kristen

Kristen’s Concert Calendar: 12/20-12/26

Hope everyone’s gearing up for the holidays…after the Hotel Cafe Christmas party I attended on Friday, I’m finally starting to feel the spirit of the season. Unfortunately I am WAY behind with all the practicals (preparing for holiday travel, gift manufacturing, etc.).  Doesn’t help that my new computer is just not up to snuff (I need a tech savvy robot for these things).
Usually I venture to Philadelphia for the Christmas season. There is a fantastic show that takes place on the 26th each year supported by local radio station, WMMR. This year the Mistletoe Jam features IKE, SINAI, The Shakers, Venice Sunlight, and Anthony Renzulli Band.  I wish I could be there. But instead of spending the holidays with my musical family in Philly, I am opting to see my actual family in Missouri (to the grandparent’s house I go!). Have yet to look into concerting options in the Show Me State, so if anyone reading this happens to know of any good venues or local bands in the St. Louis region, let me know!

Unlike Philly, where over the holidays everyone is in town and local bands shows are plentiful, LA seems to disappear and shows become scarce. Still, here’s what I found:

Monday: Agent Ribbons at Bootleg Theater (midnight)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Midnight Magic (10pm)

Tuesday: Watkins Family Christmas show at Largo (9pm)
ALSO: Dead Country at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ASO: Amber Rubarth at Room 5 (9pm)

Weds: Jenni Alpert at Room 5 (7pm)

Thursday: last minute Christmas shopping

Friday: frantically processing my holiday presents

SaturdayMerry Christmas!

Sunday: recuperating from all that holiday cheer…

To Keep in Mind:

January 7th: Scarlet Grey at The Roxy
January 9th: Bonnie Dune at The Roxy
January 20th: Charlotte Martin at Bootleg
January 20th: Nikka Costa at The Roxy
January 22nd: Guster at The Music Box
January 28th: Free Energy at The Roxy
Feb 9th: Sarah McLaughlin at Nokia Live
Feb 9th: Tina Dico at The Troubadour
Feb 16th: Nicole Atkins at The Troubadour
Feb 26th: Josh Ritter and Scott Hutchinson (Frightened Rabbit) at The Music Box
March 1st: Biffy Clyro at The Troubadour

~ Kristen