August 9 - Upright Cabaret - Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford
Upright Cabaret brings some of the best vocalists of Hollywood and Broadway together for a live performance sure to knock your socks off! For their August 9th appearance, the Cabaret plays host to Tony Nominee Valarie Pettiford. Pettiford has had a distinguished career as a “Fosse Dancer”, working with Fosse in Dancin’ and Big Deal. She was last seen on Broadway in Fosse, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award. Her other Broadway and national tour credits include Sophisticated Ladies and the 30th anniversary tour of West Side Story. She made her West End debut in Chicago as Velma Kelly opposite Chita Rivera, and in 2005, she was “Queenie“ in Michael John La Chuisa and George C. Wolfe’s The Wild Party, where she received a Garland Award. On television, she has had recurring roles on House of Payne, The District, and Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and she has appeared on Criminal Minds, CSI Miami, Bones, Frasier, The West Wing, and The X-Files. Pettiford has also appeared in such memorable films as Stomp the Yard, The Wiz, and The Cotton Club. Currently, she is performing in Guys and Dolls at the Hollywood Bowl with Jessica Beil, Beau Bridges, and Brian Stokes Mitchell. Ms. Pettiford's website
Hearkening back to the days of supper clubs like the Coconut Grove, Upright Cabaret boasts one of the most extensive and diverse rosters of talent in the country. Broadway divas, talented troubadours, cabaret legends, Hollywood notables, pop sensations and many future stars have found their way to the Upright stage. Featuring stars from shows such as Wicked, Xanadu, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hair, this group has brought the Golden Age of entertainment back to life with style and sophistication. Upright Cabaret's website
August 16 - Grupo Falso Baiano
This hot young ensemble performs choro, a musical form created by blending African rhythms with the structures of classical music. Dating from the 19th century, choro has evolved into many forms including the samba while retaining its daring improvisation, highly sophisticated counterpoint, and syncopated Afro-Brazilian rhythms. Listen to mandolin, 7 string guitar, reeds and percussion create “the true incarnation of Brazilian soul”. Grupo Falso Baiano's website
August 23 - Double G
Composer, saxophonist, and impresario Geoff “Double G" Gallegos has pioneered a musical fusion of jazz, classical, and hip-hop that has delighted both fans and critics alike. Known for his leadership of local favorite the DAKAH hip-hop orchestra, he has played to capacity crowds at Disney Hall, Royce Hall, The House of Blues, the South By Southwest Music Festival, New Orleans Jazzfest and the 2005 Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl among others. Come help “shape the evolution of a new sonic consciousness” with Gallegos as he continues to challenge musical conventions. Double G's website
August 30 - John West
Fresh from selling out the Roxy, Louisiana native John West will arrive in Santa Monica fresh from triumphant performances in New York and London. This talented singer-songwriter creates soul without crooning, R&B without formula and pop without gloss. His musical influences range from Otis Redding, Cat Stevens, Jill Scott, and Jack Johnson, and fold together jazz and soul with a bluesy undercurrent. Catch this rising young star on the intimate Jazz on the Lawn stage while you can! John West's website
Where: Lawn of Santa Monica City Hall, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica
When: 8/9, 8/16, 8/23, 8/30; 5-7pm
Cost: free!
Parking: free after 4pm at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main Street
