Don't forget the four free Summer Concerts co-sponsored by the Topanga Banjo●Fiddle Contest and the National Park Service at the beautiful Peter Strauss Ranch on the second Sunday of July, August, September and October of 2008! Enjoy bluegrass, old time and/or folk music sittin' around the outdoor amphitheater under the shade of the giant old oaks. Parking and admission are FREE! Bring your instruments and join our jam session from 2pm to 3pm prior to the concert on the patio - or just come and listen. Come on out and enjoy an afternoon of great music from 3pm to 5pm for the huge cost of nuttin' honey!
Born of the timeless tradition of the all-night music session, Molly's Revenge is a dynamic, acoustic Celtic band known for its unique and infectious on-stage enthusiasm. The classic combination of bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, and song -- set against a backdrop of guitar, bouzouki, and mandola accompaniment -- guarantee an enjoyable experience for all fans of Scottish and Irish music.Molly's Revenge has performed at many of the top folk festivals and performing arts events in the USA, and prestigious events in Australia and China. Their arrangements of traditional Celtic jigs and reels bring these dance tunes up to date with a driving, hard-edged accent that always leaves audiences shouting for more. Their seventh full-length recording was produced by John Doyle, a founding member of Irish supergroup Solas. Guest performers on the new record include percussionist Fraser Stone (Old Blind Dogs) and Moira Smiley. The recording's release is set for early 2008.
"The instruments are traditional... but the wild passion they exhibit is thoroughly modern." MetroSantaCruz (CA)
"Nothing but sheer delight, enthusiasm, and joy on the entire album... the band was clearly having one hell of a good time." Corvallis (OR) Gazette-Times
"When I first heard the band in 2006, I was immediately impressed by their obvious love of the music, the energy of their live performances, and their excellent musicianship. They bring to the music a vitality and joyous creativity that excite even the hardest of hearts." --John Doyle, founding member of Irish supergroup Solas Instrumentation
Molly's Revenge is David Brewer: Bagpipes, whistles, and bodhran - John Weed: Fiddles - Stuart Mason: Guitar and mandola - and Pete Haworth: Bouzouki and vocals. Please visit the band at their Web site, http://www.mollysrevenge.com
California Bluegrass peppered with every influence you can imagine. Whiskey Chimp takes its audience on a genre-bending roller coaster of musical emotions. While making a clear nod to the bluegrass roots of their music, Whiskey Chimp is by no means letting it box them into a statically traditional and predictable format. They embrace string band music, yet treat it with a whimsical irreverence that could make the old guard shake their banjos in protest. Featuring tight four-part harmonies and blazing instrumental prowess, The Chimp, as they are affectionately known by their fans, takes its audience on a genre bending roller coaster of musical emotions. In order to capture the essence of their raucous concerts, the album “Ventura” was recorded live in the studio. Their live show is so outstanding that the Chimp was invited to play at the hallowed grounds of the famous McCabes Guitar shop in Santa Monica not once, but twice, to a rowdy and appreciative full house both times. With a “makes strange bedfellows” blend of musical history behind them (punk, heavy metal, country, mariachi, rockabilly, cajun and even a jugband) this group of friends has found a common ground in string band music. Whiskey Chimp features Chris Cairn’s traditional bluegrass banjo, Toby Emery’s punk vocals and mandolin, Bill Flores’ seemingly bottomless talent on accordian/clarinet/dobro/fiddle, Stanley Gonzales vocals and rock-n-roll ukulele, Brent Harding’s vocals and slapping upright bass, Mark Parson’s cajun-styled vocals and fiddle, Cory Scrivner’s roots and folk based vocals/guitar. Please visit the band at their Web site, http://www.whiskeychimpband.com
Before moving on to join Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys, Richard won First Place in Fiddle at the very first Topanga Banjo-Fiddle Contest in 1961. The Grammy and IBMA award-winning fiddler will be joined by other Topanga winners to provide an outstanding afternoon of music at Strauss Ranch. Please visit Richard at his Web site, http://www.richardgreene.net
From either the greater Los Angeles area or the greater Ventura/Camarillo area, take the Ventura Freeway (101) to the Kanan Road exit. Go south on Kanan Road 2.8 miles to Troutdale Road. Turn left on Troutdale Road and go two blocks to Mulholland Highway. Turn left on Mulholland Highway then make an immediate right under the arch into the Peter Strauss Ranch parking lot. Walk back across the bridge on Mulholland Highway and enter the main gate into the ranch. Free Parking.