music

May 2023 24

Steven’s Eventful April 2023

2023 Articles, Music, Steven Sanchez

by Steven Sanchez

The month of April was a great month for live entertainment. So far 2023 has been flooded with good concerts and comedy shows, but April went to another level. Now that Spring is here, more shows will be appearing to satisfy all tastes, but this past month really set the tone. The Central Valley always offers a variety, but this time around there was quite a bit happening in Bakersfield. There were many options in terms of genres ranging from classic rock, jazz, and stand-up comedy. These are the shows that Kings River Life had the privilege of covering.

May 2023 20

Shannon a & the Clams Bring Retro Vibes to Fresno

2023 Articles, Music, Steven Sanchez

by Steven Sanchez

If you combined ‘50s oldies and '80s punk, and if the eccentric filmmaker John Waters was looking for a band to put in a movie, or to provide the soundtrack to his retro esthetic, it would most definitely be Shannon and The Clams. They look and sound like they’re from another era, and they for sure live up to it.

May 2023 6

Keeping Life Alive: The Fresno Folklore Society

2023 Articles, Music, Tom Sims

by Tom Sims

Louis Armstrong said, “All music is folk music. I never heard a horse sing a song.” I am pretty sure that the first time I heard folk music, I smiled. I am also pretty sure that the first time I heard a sad folk song, it brought tears to my eyes.

Apr 2023 22

Fiddling with Fate By Diane Kelly: Review/Giveaway/Guest Post

2023 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow
& Diane Kelly

After watching the increasingly popular Bootlegging Brothers perform at the Hamilton County Bluegrass Festival, Hattie Hayes gets the brilliant idea to have the bluegrass band record a commercial jingle promoting her family’s Moonshine Shack. After minimal haggling over the fee, the three brothers agree to $1000 which still has Brody Sheridan grumbling over the details.

Mar 2023 29

Pink Martini Serves Up Musical Variety in Fresno

2023 Articles, Music, Steven Sanchez

by Steven Sanchez

On Saturday, March 11, at the William Saroyan Theatre, Pink Martini, the band that is a performing jukebox of multiple genres, entertained a Central Valley crowd in a collaboration with the Fresno Philharmonic Orchestra. All those musicians on one stage playing a plethora of different musical styles was unique to witness. The orchestra was conducted with preciseness and gravitas by Rei Hotoda. It was a United Nations of musical numbers that were presented ranging from different cultures, years, and languages.

Mar 2023 10

Rogue Festival Reviews: Blood Harmony/Tim Mannix, Magician

2023 Articles, Music, Rogue Festival, Terrance V. Mc Arthur

by Terrance McArthur

Blood Harmony—A performance by The Murray Girls, who create amazing vocal combinations that enhance everything from folk murder ballads to Sixties pop.

Mar 2023 7

Rogue Festival Reviews: Ashes to Ashes/Hmong Class 101/The Real Black Swann/Through the Veil/Rosegold

2023 Articles, Music, Rogue Festival, Terrance V. Mc Arthur, Theatre

by Terrance McArthur

In the Rogue show with music Ashes to Ashes, presented by the talented performer/director Kate McKnight, this funeral prayer refers to the death of her father and the ashes of love.

Feb 2023 27

Crafting and Writing Ashes to Ashes for Rogue

2023 Articles, Music, Rogue Festival

by Kate McKnight

After the death of both parents, and some other losses, I felt compelled to write a storytelling/solo performance show titled Ashes to Ashes: A Tragicomedy. It’s an exploration of my ability to land on my feet after adversity, and how I’m able to reinvent myself time and time again. In 2013, I wrote a solo performance show for the Rogue Festival that was in response to a series of misfortunes I had experienced the year before.

Feb 2023 18

It’s Rogue Festival Time Again!

2023 Articles, Lorie Lewis Ham, Music, Rogue Festival, Theatre

by Lorie Lewis Ham

It is once again time for the Rogue Festival, which runs from March 3-11 in Fresno. This is one of the highlights of the Fresno arts scene each year and it takes place in the Tower District. Recently we chatted with Jaguar Bennett, who is board president and lead producer of the Rogue Festival this year, to learn more about this year's event.

Jan 2023 28

Tony Imperatrice & This Music is Making Me Thirsty at Rogue 2023

2023 Articles, Mallory Moad, Music, Rogue Festival

by Mallory Moad

Most of us have seen one-person shows. Whether it be stand-up comedy, a dramatic monologue, or a musical presentation, it would appear that producing and performing in this simple form of entertainment is a piece of cake. You write and memorize your lines, jokes or songs, practice (maybe in front of your friends and family), then walk onstage to thunderous applause.