Roy Zimmerman Takes a Bite Out of War and McCabe’s Goes Hawaiian

this Week on the Westside

By Tomm Carroll

Friday, November 9-Thursday, November 15--It’s nearly two months since the tragic events of September 11. Do you know where your sense of humor is?

Well, if you’ve still got one, and you’re ready for a little bit of the lighter side of the U.S. War on Terrorism, head over McCabe’s Guitar Shop in Santa Monica Saturday night. It is there that songwriter/political satirist/guitar teacher Roy Zimmerman will present his new show, "America Bites Back: an evening of musical satire aimed at military targets with some collateral damage."

Well known as former Foreman frontman, Zimmerman (no relation to Bob) has been poking fun at politics through music for years, and now has the perfect subject matter for his witty and intelligent lyrics. Thank goodness we still have (at press time anyway) freedom of speech in this country.

Musica Gratis: And speaking of the land of the free, there are several no-cost shows on the Westside this week. The Celebration of World Music concert Sunday evening at UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall on the campus in Westwood features the UCLA World Jazz Ensemble, the Bali Ensemble and the Korean Samulnori Ensemble.

Singer-songwriter Leona Naess performs a free set at Borders on the Third Street promenade in Santa Monica, and will hang out to sign copies of her new album, the creatively titled Tried to Rock You but You Only Roll. The show begins at 7:00 p.m.

Also on Monday night, celebrated new traditionalist bluesman Keb’ Mo’ takes part in the free Monday Meetings with Masters series at the Writers’ Boot Camp at Bergamont Station in Santa Monica. The show is billed as "informal conversation," but don’t be surprised if Keb’ brings his guitar along with him…

Other shows of note this week:

Friday

A triple bill of Substratum, Natural Afrodisiac (celebrating a CD release) and Kandace Lindsey funk things up at Santa Monica’s Temple Bar.

The blues, according to Blinddog Smokin’, emanates from Harvelle’s in Santa Monica.

Saturday

Billy Mumy’s band The Jenerators are back at Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier. Damian Joyce Bandter is the opening act.

Culver City’s Boulevard Music offers the off-beat folk sounds of Stinkeye and The Fetatonics.

Sunday

The world beat ambient power trio composed of American Paul Winter (sax), Brazilian Oscar Castro-Neves (guitar) and Armenian Arto Tunçboyaciyan (percussion) perform at the Skirball Cultural center in the Sepulveda Pass.

Monday

Head Young Dubliner Keith Roberts goes solo to headline Acoustic Night at 14 below in Santa Monica. Also on the bill are Sed8, John Maddox and Monica Rivel.

Lynda Kay and Lickity Splits greet the working week with a show at The West End in Santa Monica.

Tuesday

Sax man par excellence Jackie McLean joins piano great Cedar Walton and his trio (bassist David Williams and drummer Wynard Harper) for a six-night stand at Culver City’s Jazz Bakery, through Sunday, November 18.

No-nonsense blues babe Janiva Magness continues her Tuesday night residency at Harvelle’s.

Wednesday

Trumpeter Elliot Caine brings his Quintet to Lunaria in Century City for a dinner show.

Thursday

It’s ‘80s Ladies Dance night at Lush in Santa Monica with Fast Times and Novao on stage.

LEDWARD KA’APANA & CYRIL PAHINUI

McCABE’S GUITAR SHOP

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11

7:00 AND 9:30 P.M.

Cyril Pahinui	Ledward Ka’apana

Can’t quite get away to Hawaii for the weekend? Fear not, a magical part of the tropical islands comes right here to Santa Monica tonight – namely, the gorgeous and traditional Hawaiian guitar style known as "slack key."

Two of the genre’s most talented and chief proponents, Ledward Ka’apana and Cyril Pahinui, are the musical ambassadors who will bring the magic of ki ho’alu (slack key guitar) back to McCabe’s performance room. Solo artists in their own right, Pahinui, who hails from the main island of Oahu, and Ka’apana, a native of the Big Island of Hawaii, are also a formidable duet.

Pahinui’s latest solo album is Ka Ho'oilina Mau, released in 1999 on the Tropical label. Ka’apana’s is the 1998 release Waltz of the Wind (Dancing Cat). Both also have recorded separate duet albums with steel guitar virtuoso Bob Brozman.