If you’re into the local reggae scene even a little bit, you know Vance Fahie. He’s fronted Resination for as long as I can remember, bringing good vibes and great music to a legion of Central Coast fans. Now Vance needs our help.
On Sunday, Feb. 12, Vance experienced multiple seizures, and after being rushed to the hospital and undergoing multiple tests, he was found to have a sinus infection that spread to his bloodstream causing sepsis.
“The infection in his bloodstream had traveled to his brain causing swelling and infection there,” bandmate Mike Jimenez explained. “It was determined that Vance will need to be transferred to Stanford or UCLA for brain surgery as soon as possible. Due to this, it’s obvious that Vance is unable to work or perform to pay for his mounting medical bills, everyday bills, or travel and lodging expenses for his partner and daughter, while he’s in surgery and recovering.”
That’s why this Saturday, March 4, SLO Brew Rock will host a benefit concert with The Kicks and True Zion (7 p.m.; 18-and-older; $12 at ticketweb.com). One hundred percent of tickets sold to this concert go to Vance Fahie and his recovery, and added donations would be much appreciated.
Not only has Vance be an integral part of the music scene, but he’s impacted thousands of children’s lives over the years. From 1998 to 2008 he worked for the city of San Luis Obispo’s Parks and Recreation Youth Services Division. He also oversaw multiple sites in the SLO School District including dual-immersion Pacheco Elementary School, CL Smith Elementary, Bishop Peak Elementary, and Hawthorne Elementary. He worked at the local YMCA and currently works at Bright Life Playschool.
Please give what you can.
Also coming up at SLO Brew Rock, check out Of Good Nature and the Wheeland Brothers next Thursday, March 9 (7 p.m.; 18-and-older; $17 at ticketweb.com). Of Good Nature mixes alt-rock, soul, groove, pop, and island sounds. Wheeland Brothers play “beach rock reggae.” This one will feel like a beach party.
The historic Fremont …
If you want to get excited about the upcoming Shabang music and art fest in May, head to Fremont Theater for the Shabang Battle of the Bands on Thursday, March 2 (8 p.m.; all ages; $15 at tixr.com) and watch five bands compete for $1,000 and a performance slot at Shabang. White Jagg, The Sandspits, Honeyboys, Couch Dog, and Cate Armstrong will go head-to-head to see who’ll join the rest of the Shabang lineup. You can buy tickets now for Shabang at Dairy Creek Golf Course Friday, May 5 (3 to 10 p.m.) and Saturday, May 6 (noon to 10 p.m.). The music fest is all ages; tickets at shabangslo.com.
If you want to visit New Orleans without having to leave SLO County, head to Take Me to the River NOLA Live! on Sunday, March 5, which will feature inveterate New Orleans scene makers George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners and Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen (8 p.m.; all ages; $46.50 to $56.50 at eventbrite.com). Both acts are featured in the soundtrack for Take Me To The River: New Orleans, a feature documentary film celebrating the musical history, heritage, legacy, culture, and influence of New Orleans.
Latin folk and dream pop singer Kevin Kaarl, who hails from Meoqui Municipality, Mexico, plays on Tuesday, March 7 (8 p.m.; all ages; $37.50 plus fees at seetickets.us). I’d never heard of him, but after some exploration online, he’s an amazing singer with a singular style. His super-chill delivery would be good for Spanish language learners to train their ear.
Finally, next Thursday, March 9, mark your calendar for Noche de Verano Sin Ti, the Bad Bunny Birthday Bash DJed by Cali Ally (8 p.m.; 18-and-older; $26 plus fees at seeticket.us). ¡Vamos a bailar!
The Siren’s
got you covered
Morro Bay’s only and best nightclub will have you circling the bases with four great shows this week. First, see “bluegrass ambassadors” The Henhouse Prowlers, on Thursday, March 2. They’re a band that’s been around the world, bringing American folk music to Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. “Using traditional American music as a foundation, connecting folk music and cultures the world over, the Prowlers incorporate international elements into their already robust repertoire of unique traditional American music,” their bio explains. Americana act Bremen Town opens the show (7 to 10 p.m.; 21-and-older; $15 presale plus fees at eventbrite.com).
If you’re in the mood for a unique, violin-driven blend of Latin, pop, and R&B, head to Patrick Contreras—Violin on Fire this Friday, March 3 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $17 plus fees at eventbrite.com). The Fresno-based performer has his own style and sound, which includes the likes of Santana and Gipsy Kings, and rhythms such as cumbia and salsa.”
Rock out with a double tribute show when The Faithfull and Alice Insane pay homage to Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains, respectively, this Saturday, March 4 (8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $18 plus fees at eventbrite.com). “Our goal is to bring that community together by re-creating the music, the energy, and the emotional intensity of a Pearl Jam show,” The Faithfull said.
Finally, local supergroup MiniNova (with Kenny Lee Lewis of the Steve Miller Band and Scott Martin of War) plays on Monday, March 6 (7 to 9:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; free). The Latin, jazz, funk quintet feature monster players, including the stellar rhythm sections of percussionist Jim Stromberg and bassist David Keif. Expect covers from Santana, War, the Steve Miller Band, Ray Charles, and blues standards.
More music …
Bluegrass fans, head to the Clark Center this Saturday, March 4, when The HillBenders take center stage (7:30 p.m.; $35 to $47 at clarkcenter.org). The group formed in Springfield, Missouri, in 2008, and their talented picking won them the 2009 Telluride Bluegrass Competition and the 2010 National Single Microphone Competition. They scored more acclaim when they took The Who’s rock classic and transformed it bluegrass style into “Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry.” Expect virtuoso musicianship and sparkling vocals.
The SLO Symphony presents Schumann and the New World this Saturday, March 4, in the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly (7:30 p.m.; ages 5 and older; $26 to $80 at pacslo.evenue.net), with violin soloist and Nipomo resident Mischa Lefkowitz making his SLO Symphony debut. Lefkowitz, born in Riga, Latvia, is a current member of the LA Philharmonic first violin section. In addition to Schumann’s Violin Concerto (arr. of Cello Concerto Op.129), you’ll hear Patrice Rushen’s “Sinfonia” and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World.”
Get in the mood for St. Paddy’s Day when The Weeds present Party for Paddy this Sunday, March 5, in the South Bay Community Center (4 p.m.; all ages; $30 presale at eventbrite.com, $35 at the door, and $20 for kids 13 and under). “This special St. Patrick’s Day celebration concert will trace the traditional music of the Emerald Isle to the New World, and emphasize the passing of musical traditions from the older to the younger generation,” organizers explained. “Watch the folk process unfold as John Weed (fiddle) and ‘Uncle’ Stuart Mason (guitar, banjo, mandola), two members of West Coast Celtic powerhouse Molly’s Revenge and Nordic band New World String Project, pass this musical lineage to next-gen banjo, mandolin, and fiddle wizard Tyler Weed.”
Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno will play their old-soul roots music at the historic Octagon Barn Center next Thursday, March 9 (7 p.m.; $20 presale at eventbrite.com or $25 at the door). They meld “Appalachian traditional music with fresh iconic melodies and the tightly wound vocal harmonies of indie folk,” organizers said. “Both Leva and Calcagno grew up in the Appalachian string band tradition, have noted parents in the old-time scene, and spent formative years running wild around festival campgrounds.” Δ
Contact Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Mar 2-12, 2023.