> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Leaving ‘no stone unturned’ helped Vega stay the course
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/leaving-no-stone-unturned-helped-vega-stay-the-course/
- Published: 2005-07-28T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T07:31:47.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Entertainment, Pier, #archive-import

*Leaving ‘no stone unturned’ helped Vega stay the course*

*By Daily Press staff*

SM PIER — Grammy-nominated musician Suzanne Vega will return home tonight, along with grammy winner Marc Cohn, who will both perform under the stars of the Southern California sky.

One of the most anticipated concerts in the free Thursday summer Twilight Dance Series, Vega will open for Cohn, known for his multi-platinum “Walking in Memphis.”

Vega, originally from Santa Monica, ushered in the female, acoustic, folk-pop singer-song-writer movement that would include the likes of Tracy Chapman, Shawn Colvin and Indigo Girls, as well as the Lilith Fair phenomenon.

Vega grew up in Spanish Harlem and the Upper West Side of New York City. She began playing guitar at 11 years old and writing songs as a teenager. At first, record companies saw little chance of commercial success with Vega, as folk music was fading away from the public scene. But she persisted and her independent personality helped to support her musical career, Vega said.

“I’ve left no stone unturned,” she said. “This idea that I’m a fragile waif falls by the wayside when anyone listens to the range of subject matter and style. There is soft and hard, sexy and abrasive, traditional and experimental.

“My voice is very simple and because of that, it fits into different atmospheres, can take on what people might not expect,” she added.

Cohn will close the evening with a reprise of his catalogue of hits and possibly throwing in songs from his upcoming fourth album, due out in the fall.

A somewhat elusive and infrequent performer, Cohn got his musical career going by performing with a cover band when he was in junior high until he left home for Oberlin College. During all of that, Cohn learned how to play guitar and began songwriting. While at Oberlin, he taught himself how to play the piano. After transferring to UCLA, Cohn hit the coffeehouse and steakhouse circuit. In New York, he formed the band Supreme Court, which gained popularity. Cohn eventually went solo to focus on his own songs.

Concerts start at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday on the Santa Monica Pier’s west parking deck. For more information, visit www.twlightdance.org, or www.santa-monicapier.org. You also can call the pier information line at (310) 458-8900\. For bus information, visit bigbluebus.com or call (310) 451-5444, or visit www.mta.net.

Pier officials strongly recommend walking, biking and using mass transit to get to the concerts, as parking is limited. Parking is available in beach parking lots located at 2330 Barnard Way, located south of the pier, and 1550 PCH, just north of the pier.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 28, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/072805.pdf?ref=smdp.com)