Two chances are left, this evening and next Thursday, to catch the fast-fading, closing notes of the Summer Music Festival’s weekly concerts in the Courtyard at City Hall.
Tonight at 7, on the eve of Fiesta La Ballona, which opens a 3-day run tomorrow at Vets Parks, producer Gary Mandell has lined up a two-tiered headliner:
A jazz and western swing band is part 1, and the 2-hour evening will be rounded out with a folk music concert.
Cow Bop Mix is the name of the opening act, and to give you a notion of their sound a style, Jimmy Wyble, who played guitar with the western swing legend Bob Wills, says that “Bob would have loved this group.”
Talking the jargon of the performers, Mr. Mandell promises “swinging’ grooves, thrilling riffs and sweet vocals by Pinto Pam” in the first hour.
Guitarist Bruce Forman put Cow Bop Mix together six years ago, and they have toured extensively ever since.
The Folk Collection — whose name almost could be mistaken for a box of so-sweet chocolates — actually brings back the folk sounds that mesmerized America in the late ‘50s and through the ‘60s.
They perform the hits of the Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, John Denver and the Limelighters with songs like “Blowin‘ in the Wind” and the “MTA.”
A terrific family show, says Mr. Mandell, “and one reason is they love to do singalongs.”
