North Park Music Scene 5.10
While “Stick” might not be the best name for an instrument, one look at Tom Greisgraber’s chosen music maker and it’s clearly an apt choice. An odd looking 10-string instrument, somewhere between a sitar and a guitar, its possibility for melody lines is virtually endless. Greisgraber, who performs at Acoustic Music San Diego on May 9, 7:30 p.m., has worked in the past with a range of performers from Tony Levin (King Crimson) to percussionist Rick Marotta, for this show teaming up with guitarist Bert Lams. Even beyond the novelty of seeing a largely unknown instrument in performance, virtuoso player Greisgraber delivers a deluge of notes on his “Stick” that’s both thrilling to see and hear.
Tom Griesgraber & Bert Lams: Sunday, May 9, at Acoustic Music San Diego, 4650 Mansfield St. 7: 30 p.m. All ages. $20-$45. acousticmusicsandiego.com.
Mixing art, photography and music, the monthly Sight & Sound show at Queen Bee’s continues to grow from strength to strength. On May 15, 7 p.m., San Diego’s culture junkies can take in the latest multi-media extravaganza across four rooms. There will be music from multiple San Diego Music Award Winner, hip-hop artist MC Flow and singer-songwriter Lauren DeRose, with more artists tba. As great as the music is, it’s the extras that make Sight & Sound a feast for the senses, such as the video screen wrapped around the stage, or the booths offering everything from jewelry to massage. Anyone jaded by the typical rock club setting for shows should check out Sight & Sound.
Sight & Sound: Saturday, May 15, at Queen Bee. 3925 Ohio St. 9 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. myspace.com/wtwpresents.
The annual North Park Festival of the Arts returns May 16, bigger and better than ever. Located on University Avenue, between 30th and 32nd streets, This year there will be six stages of entertainment, with literally something for just about every musical taste. Indeed, one of the highlights this year will be the World Music Stage. With a roster of performers alternating every 30 minutes, festival-goers will have an opportunity to quickly take in a veritable United Nations of sound, including selections from Finland, Zimbabwe, Spain, Greece and Japan. Other highlights include songwriter/raconteur Will Edwards, country singer Sara Petite and quirky indie band Martian Horses. Top spot however goes to Lights On, the post-punk group helmed by acclaimed producer Mike Kamoo and bassist Tim Hine, whose music has begun to show up everywhere from TV shows like “Gossip Girl” to movies such as “I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell.”
North Park Festival of The Arts: Sunday, May 16. University Avenue between 30th and 32nd streets. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All ages. Free. northparkmainstreet.com/fest/2010.htm.
San Diego is well-known worldwide for having produced legendary ‘60s garage-inspired groups such as the Tell Tale Hearts and The Gravedigger V, with the Creepy Creeps, who perform at Bar Pink on May 21, 10 p.m., the latest to join the party. Prone to performing in costumes ranging from cavemen to spacemen, the Creepy Creeps, bring fun back to music, complete with Vox organs, go-go girls and songs titles like “Seven Mau Maos.” This is a band that needs to be experienced as much as heard.
The Creepy Creeps: Friday, May 21. Bar Pink, 3829 30th St. 10 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. myspace.com/thecreepycreeps.
On May 21, 10 p.m., indie rockers Lualta will appear at the Kensington Club. Their moody, dark sounding songs cover a lot of ground, with echoes of The Velvets, the Stooges and other distortion laden, heavy-hitting groups. Currently performing in support of their latest album, “Nobody Loves You When You’re Down,” tunes such as “The Right Between My Wrong” walk the fine line between bombast and melody, resulting in tunes that are memorable and pack a punch, particularly in a live setting.
Lualta: Saturday, Friday, May 21 at the Kensington Club, 4079 Adams Ave., 10 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. myspace.com/lualta.
North Park Festival of the Arts Lineup:
MainStage
10 a.m. – The Elephant Project
11:15 a.m. – Trouble In The wind
12:30 p.m. – Martian Horses
1:50 p.m. – Josh Damigo
3:10 p.m. – Republic of Letters
4:30 p.m. – Wirepony
Bar Pink Stage
12:10 p.m. - Roxy Jones
1:10 p.m. – Sara Petite
2:10 p.m. – The Neverout feat. Nena Anderson
3:10 p.m. – The Dabblers
4:10 p.m. – Midnight Rivals
5:10 p.m. – Lights On
World Music Stage
10:30 a.m. – Chinese Music Ensemble @ UCSD
11:10 a.m. – Naruwan: Japanese Taiko drums
11:50 a.m. – Yuki Easter: Japanese Koto
12:30 p.m. – Girinata: Balinese Gamelan and dance
1:10 p.m. – Bandaritos: Afro-Persian music
1:40 p.m. – Appalachian Folk Music: Curt Bouterse
2:20 p.m. – Zimbeat: Marimba and Mbira music of Zimbabwe
3:00 p.m. – Merja Soria: Traditional Music of Finland
3:30 p.m. – Flamenco Arana: Flamenco dance and Music
4:10 p.m. – Rebetiko: Anatolian Greek Folk Music
Beats & Eats Stage
10 a.m. – A. Fitch & Friends
11 a.m. – John Riggs
11:30 a.m. – Bonnie Barnes
12 p.m. – Erwin M. Green
12:30 p.m. – Will Edwards
1 p.m. – Platypus Egg
1:45 p.m. – Archie Underwood
2 p.m. – I Love Your Broken Heart
2:45 p.m. – Chris Vanoy
3 p.m. – Fing
3:45 p.m. – Left in Company
4 p.m. – The Abstracts
5 p.m. – Lips
