The legend of the Violent Femmes’ big break is a classic “Kid, I’m gonna make you a star” tale. It’s 1981, and Chrissie Hynde and the late James Honeyman-Scott happen upon the nascent Femmes busking on the street near the Oriental Theater in Milwaukee, where their band, The Pretenders, is playing that night.
The rockstars offer the upstart kids a slot on the big stage.
LET ME GO WILD Veteran folk punk band Violent Femmes headline a show at Pomona’s Fox Theater tonight. The Milwaukee-based group has been together since 1981, and released its ninth studio album, We Can Do Anything, earlier this year on PIAS Recordings. You can read up on the Femmes in a feature by Mick Rhodes on page 19 of this edition. The show begins at 9 p.m.
CGU WOMEN’S STUDIES TALK “The Next Wave: Effecting Change Through Applied Women’s Studies,” a conference and celebration of Claremont Graduate University’s pioneering women’s studies program takes place at 8:30 a.m. A day of panel discussions will highlight the career possibilities of a long list of AWS alumni participants. Keynote remarks will be delivered by entrepreneur and leadership and management expert Sarah Smith Orr. Albrecht Auditorium, 150 E. Tenth St. More information is at cgu.edu.
NOBEL LAUREATE AT PITZER Pitzer College’s MCSI Speaker Series continues at 11 a.m. today with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ouided Bouchamaoui. Ms. Bouchamaoui will speak via a videoconference in Benson Auditorium. More info is at pitzer.edu/mcsi or via email at mcsi@pitzer.edu. 1050 N. Mills Ave.
It’s not quite the story of Lana Turner being discovered at Schwab’s, but it’s still kinda neat.
“The flute came to me in an odd way,” recalled award-winning Native American flautist Steven Rushingwind. “About 14 years ago I was a painter, living in Joshua Tree, and every time I’d finish a painting I’d always play my flute. It kind of gave it a little blessing.”
SCRIPPS HOSTS FREE CONCERT Performing at Scripps College’s free Friday Noon Concert series today is Francisco Castillo (Pomona College) on oboe and Kino Gil (electronics), with original compositions as well as music by Patrice Williams and Oswald Bernard. This event is open to the public. Balch Auditorium, 1030 Columbia Ave., Claremont. More info is available at (909) 607-3266.
Well-traveled troubadour Peter Case returned to Claremont in what has for some time been a favorite stop for the acclaimed singer-songwriter.
“I love the Folk Music Center,” Mr. Case said when the COURIER reached him this week at his San Francisco home. “It’s a great place to play.” Over the many appearances he’s made at the Folk, he’s grown fond of its unique qualities.
NEIL YOUNG Legendary rocker, folkie, author, inventor and auteur Neil Young will be appearing at the Fox Theater in Pomona on October 12 and 13. Tickets are $50-$150 and go on sale at 9 a.m. this morning. With Jackson Browne appearing at Bridges the week before, Claremont-area music fans are set for a busy October of concerts by Rock ‘n Roll Hall Of Famers. More information is at foxpomona.com/ticketing-info.
FRIDAY NIGHTS LIVE ROARS, SOARS ON Friday Nights Live sports a lively lineup this evening: Darby Ryan at Laemmle Plaza; the Harmony Sisters and the Little Big Band at Shelton Park; the guitar heavy jazz of the Marc Weller Trio at the Chamber of Commerce patio; and Enigma Flux at city hall. All Friday Nights Live performances are free and open to the public and run from 6 to 9 p.m.
LEFTOVER CUTIES AT SCRIPPS: The Leftover Cuties play a free 6:30 p.m. show at Scripps College tonight as part of the school’s ongoing Levitt on the Lawn concert series. Buzzbands called the Cuties “Jazz-pop that’s sweet as pie, but strong as whiskey.” The Los Angeles-based quartet is beloved for its retro-infused tunes backed by upright bass, horns and the occasional accordion.
NUTCRACKER AUDITIONS: Inland Pacific Ballet holds auditions today and tomorrow for all children’s roles for its annual production of The Nutcracker. The auditions will be held at IPB’s studios, located at 5050 Arrow Highway in Montclair. There is a $20 audition fee and additional production and rehearsal fees for those who are offered a role.
The city of Claremont and the Kiwanis Club’s annual free summer Concerts in the Park series continues Monday, August 29 at Memorial Park band shell with local Dixieland jazz band the Night Blooming Jazzmen. The concert runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Food concessions including burgers, hot dogs, quesadillas, ice cream, popcorn, nachos, candy and drinks will be available. Memorial Park is at 840 N. Indian Hill Blvd.
IT…IS…ALIVE! Claremont’s free outdoor concert series Friday Nights Live continues tonight with the Amanda Castro Band’s 1930s and ‘40s blues at the public plaza [near Laemmle]; RCR Band at Claremont Chamber; the Jackson Family Band at city hall and Vinyl # at Shelton Park. All Friday Nights Live performances are free and open to the public, and run from 6 to 9 p.m.
