MAIN STREET FOURTH OF JULY PARADE – was going to be at the top of my HIGHLY RECOMMENDED list for this week. But not this year.
It is something I have been proud to participate in for, I guess, 12-15 years. Many of those years it has been hard to process that the flag and patriotism had been co-opted by conservatives, even the far right, who were anything but patriotic in my opinion, waving those flags as though they alone owned them.
I am still determined that those symbols return to represent all Americans, who are proud of our democracy and Constitution and honor all the lives sacrificed to keep them, for 250 years. All Americans. Black, brown, women, immigrants, gay, disabled, and what about our neglected and abused veterans, so disdained and maligned by this draft dodger president. All. We the people. I am confident that day is coming, when we can all proudly wave the American flag and celebrate with fireworks.
But not this 4th of July. I can’t celebrate our incredible Declaration of Independence and improbable victory over the British king and all his military might, while so many in this government are paving the path for an American king. I have to join with Indivisible, the group that orchestrated the "No Kings" demonstrations on June 14, and other activist groups like The Women's March and 50501, to make July 4, 2025 a day of defiant messaging aimed at the current government.
WHERE
A “Free America” demonstration is scheduled for 12N - 3 p.m. at the Vermont and Prospect Traffic Triangle, 4757 Prospect Avenue, LA 90027. More info at: https://action.womensmarch.com/events/los-feliz-free-america-weekend
Organizers say this protest started in LA when Trump sent troops in, and has spread nationwide. Many traditional celebrations have been canceled across the city because of fear of ICE raids.
This was a last minute decision for me, and it makes me sad to miss our wonderful small town parade. Thank you to Daily Press publisher Ross Furakawa for enthusiastically participating and supporting it every year, and for loading a flatbed truck with the best bands, and for letting me sit in the cab with him.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:
JOHN FOGERTY – Fogerty’s songwriting and performances are very different from Paul Simon’s (see below) but comparisons could be made. Only seven studio albums from Creedence Clearwater Revival, but each one was overflowing with radio hits. (Remember radio?) As far as I know that rock scream vocal of his is intact. Not so many indelible hits after he went solo, but you know he will reel off lots of what made him famous. In fact, it is billed as “celebrates his career with a night of hits.” You just can’t miss this show. John Fogerty was, and is, absolutely amazing. You may be dancing and singing along for the whole show. And at these prices, it is the bargain of the summer. Sun 7:30 p.m., Hollywood Bowl, $24-168.
HOT CLUB OF LOS ANGELES – You can go to the Cinema Bar any Monday night, 9-11:30, for almost 14 years now, and hear these hot players run through Django Reinhart-style ‘30s jazz. This amazing ensemble is a treasure. Mon 9 p.m., Cinema Bar, Culver City, free.
RECOMMENDED:
THEATRICUM BOTANICUM: – We can always count on Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, outdoors in the Topanga Canyon woods, now in their 50th year. It is one of the very best theatre companies in LA, with a mastery of The Bard and moving, thought-provoking topical productions. Even though you have all summer, don’t delay, you really don’t want to miss any of these. I’m planning on seeing “Strife,” which sounds like today’s horrible headlines (“what compromise is possible when human dignity and health are on the line?”), this weekend and I’ll report back. Will Geer’s TB, Topanga Canyon,“STRIFE,” Sat 7:30 p.m., “A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM” Sun 3:30 p.m.,“MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING” Sun 7:30 p.m., $15-60.
TOLEDO DIAMOND – His decades-long Sunday night residency at Santa Monica’s Harvelle’s, the oldest blues bar in LA (almost a century!), is a treasure that you shouldn’t assume will always be there. Toledo choreographs (literally) a truly unique show, a blend of ‘50s hipster jazz and his dancing dames and a most modern smokin’ hot band that gets better all the time. Every Sunday 9:30 p.m., Harvelle’s, Santa Monica, $12.
PAUL SIMON: “A Quiet Celebration” – Disney Hall should be the perfect place to see this diminutive giant of music. How many iconic songs has he written and performed? Wait, “iconic” is inadequate. He has written dozens of songs that have touched our lives, made us smile, think, dance, laugh and cry and look at life differently. He will perform his new “Seven Psalms” but promises classics too so, smile, cry and dance in your seat. Right there in elegant Walt Disney Concert Hall. But that’s the magic of great music: to transport. Simon is 82 so go see him now. Wed 8 p.m., Disney Hall, LA, $248-330.
COMING ATTRACTIONS (also recommended): THEATRICUM BOTANICUM: “STRIFE” 7/5, 13, 20, 8/1, 10, 15, 22, 20 - “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING” 7/6, 13, 20, 31 - “A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM” 7/6, 12, 8/14, 20 - “THE SEAGULL: MALIBU” 7/12, 19, 25, 8/3, 8, 17, 24, 28, 9/6, 12, 22, 28, 10/3, 5 - “WINE IN THE WILDERNESS” 8/9, 16, 24, 30, 9/7, 14, 20, 27, 29, 10/5, 12; TOLEDO DIAMOND, Harvelle’s, 7/6, 13, 20, 27; HOT CLUB OF LOS ANGELES, Cinema Bar, 7/7, 14, 21, 28; JOHN FOGERTY, Hwd Bowl, 7/6; PAUL SIMON, Terrace Theatre, 7/7, Disney, 7/9, 11, 12, 14, 16; ALISON KRAUS, UNION STATION, Greek, 7/13; LIBRARY GIRL, Ruskin, 7/13, 8/10, 9/14, 10/12, 11/9, 12/14; “LIVE AID: When Rock ‘n’ Roll Took on the World,” CNN, 9 p.m. 7/13, 20, 27, 8/3; BRAHMS, GRIEG, LA PHIL, Hwd Bowl, 7/17.
DOWN THE ROAD (also recommended): SOUTHSIDE SLIM, Harvelle/s, 7/18; GERSHWIN, DVOŘÁK, LA PHIL, Hwd Bowl, 7/22; “THE PLANETS,”, LA PHIL, Hwd Bowl, 7/24; DAVE ALVIN, JIMMY DALE GILMORE, McCabe’s, 7/25, 26, 27. FATHER JOHN MISTY, LUCINDA WILLIAMS, Greek, 7/25; MEKONS, JILL SOBULE, Lodge Room, 7/26; FEMI KUTO, Fonda, 8/8; TEDESCHI TRUCKS BAND, Greek, 8/13; BEN HARPER & THE INNOCENT CRIMINALS, Orpheum, 8/24; FLAMING LIPS, MODEST MOUSE, Greek, 9/4; NEIL YOUNG, Hwd Bowl, 9/15; NINE INCH NAILS, Kia Forum, 9/18, 19; DWIGHT YOAKAM, Greek, 10/1; DENGUE FEVER, Alex’s Bar, 10/9; PETER ERSKINE TRIO, Sam First, 10/11.
Charles Andrews has listened to a lot of music of all kinds, including more than 3,000 live shows. He has lived in Santa Monica for 39 years and wouldn’t live anywhere else in the world. Really. Not even Kauai. Send love and/or hate mail to: therealmrmusic@gmail.com