If you’ve spent any time in Big Sur, chances are a shaggy hippie tried to sell you a “hand-carved jade pipe.” If it hasn’t happened to you, look in the mirror. You probably look like a narc.
Jade Cove in Big Sur contains the only concentrated underwater nephrite jade deposit in the world, and the location is a huge draw for jade lovers. Before regulations were put in place, divers used to haul boulders of the green gold to the surface, but these days individuals are only allowed to harvest jade using hand tools and can only collect what they can personally carry. Just for the record, if you have a choice between nephrite and jadeite, buy the latter—it’s rarer and more valuable.
I mention all this only because if you still want that hand-carved jade pipe, you can probably find it this Friday, Nov. 1, through Sunday, Nov. 3, when the 28th annual Big Sur Jade Festival returns, but in a new location: the tiny hamlet of Harmony on Highway 1 between Cayucos and Cambria.
The festival started in 1990 when the Gorda Steering Committee formed with the goal of acquiring property to create a community center. The first festival was held in Gorda with a handful of vendors and some drumming. It eventually moved to Pacific Valley School. There’s still no community center, but with funds raised, they bought the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade a vehicle and gear, and they’ve supported Pacific Valley School’s summer program. These days, there are more than 50 vendors and a lot more music.
On Friday at noon, KC Crow starts things off by leading a drum circle. Singer-songwriter Dave Tate, singer-songwriter Cate Armstrong, eclectic cover band Joy Polloi, and reggae artist Ras Danny follow through 6 p.m.
On Saturday, Tracy Morgan leads a 10 a.m. drum circle followed by Emerald Hills, rocker Dave Helwig, multi-instrumentalist Vince Cimo (Hot Fire Set), award-winning Americana artist the Dulcie Taylor Band, and blues act The Mojo Combo through 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Tom Costa leads the 10 a.m. drum circle followed by Choro de Ouro, psychedelic neo-prog folk jazz act the Zen Mountain Poets, rock and country band Rough House, and the genre-jumping Mighty Croon Dogs through 5 p.m.
Parking and admission are free for this family event.
Vina Robles Amphitheatre
The Vina concert season comes to a close this week when Nederlander Concerts and (((folkYEAH!))) present Australian rockers King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard on Sunday, Nov. 3 (8 p.m.; all ages; $64 to $266.76 at ticketmaster.com), with King Stingray opening.
King Gizzard’s music can best be described as triptastic—a mix of psychedelia, garage rock, jazz, metal, and synth-pop that frequently addresses environmental themes and connects to a fictional universe dubbed the “Gizzverse.” The prolific band has released more than two dozen recordings, most recently Flight b741, which has something of a blues-rock sound.
Also hailing from Australia, opener King Stingray is about to release their new album, For The Dreams, on Nov. 8. The band describes their sound as “Yolngu surf rock” and writes lyrics in both English and Yolngu Matha, a group of languages spoken by the Yolngu people—the indigenous population of Australia.
The Siren
Cover act Tommy Peacock & the Feathers plays on Thursday, Oct. 31 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; free), delivering hits from all decades—everything from Steve Miller to Nirvana to Rancid.
Another fun cover act, Riff Tide, plays on Friday, Nov. 1 (7:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; free). They can play everything from soul and funk to surf rock and more.
If you’re ready to have your face melted off, check out Damage Inc.—The Ultimate Metallica Tribute on Saturday, Nov. 2 (8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $24.71 at tixr.com). The band appeared on AXS TV’s The World’s Greatest Tribute Bands, and they were hand-selected by Metallica to perform as part of their 40th Anniversary San Francisco Weekend Takeover in 2021.
Get your fix of old-school punk rock when T.S.O.L. plays on Thursday, Nov. 7 (6:30 p.m.; 21-and-older; $24.30 at tixr.com) with Since We Were Kids and Division 13 opening. Formed in 1979 in Huntington Beach, T.S.O.L. (True Sounds of Liberty) started as a political hard-core band, but the original members were eventually replaced and lost control of the band name. In 1999, three of the four founding members—Jack Grisham (vocals), Ron Emory (guitar), Mike Roche (bass)—regained control of the name and are back at it. They have a new album, A-Side Graffiti, out now.
SLO Brew Live at Rod & Hammer Rock
Pink Talking Fish—A Fusion of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads, and Phish comes to Rod & Hammer on Thursday, Nov. 7 (doors at 7 p.m.; 18-and-older; $32.36 at ticketweb.com). According to the band, “Discovering connections is part of the fun: Pink Floyd’s ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ seamlessly fitting in the middle of the composition of Phish’s ‘You Enjoy Myself.’ Perfectly placing Phish’s ‘Sand’ into the groove of The Talking Heads’ ‘Slippery People.'”
Fremont Theater
Benjamin Tod & Lost Dog Street Band plays on Thursday, Oct. 31 (8 p.m.; all ages; $25 at prekindle.com). Frontman Benjamin Tod Flippo is joined by his wife, Ashley Mae (vocals, fiddle), and Jeff Loops (bass), to deliver heartfelt Americana, folk, and country. Tod writes emotive songs about struggle, addiction, and redemption.
After releasing a few independent mixtapes, rapper Rich the Kid (aka Dimitri Leslie Roger) eventually was signed to Interscope Records and immediately started charting with catchy hits such as “New Freezer” and “Plug Walk.” He also had a big hit this year with “Carnival.” See him on Friday, Nov. 1 (9 p.m.; all ages; $35 plus fees at prekindle.com).
Get ready for Boiler Bang Halloween with Ranger Trucco and Gudfella on Saturday, Nov. 2 (7:30 p.m.; 18-and-older; $20 and $30 plus fees at prekindle.com). “Ranger Trucco is a rising DJ and electronic music producer known for his unique blend of house, techno, and bass-heavy beats,” according to organizers. “Hailing from the U.S., he has quickly gained attention in the underground dance scene for his infectious grooves and high-energy performances.”
The Clark Center
Calling all parrot heads! Hear the music of Jimmy Buffett when Buffett’s Margaritaville plays on Thursday, Oct. 31 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $49.50 to $70.50 at clarkcenter.org). Expect hits such as “Come Monday,” “Bama Breeze,” “Son of a Son of a Sailor,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk.”
Beatles fans, don’t miss Ticket to Ride: A Tribute to the Beatles on Saturday, Nov. 2 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $53.50 to $74.50 at clarkcenter.org). The show opens with their greatest hits from the ’60s through to the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band era with authentic costumes.
More music …
Catch drumline fever when the third annual The ROAR Marching Band Field Show Competition comes to SLO High’s Holt Field this Saturday, Nov. 2 (5:30 to 9 p.m.; all ages; $10 general and $5 for kids 5 to 12 at the gate). “This highly anticipated event will showcase seven regional high school marching bands performing their competition field shows in front of a panel of judges,” organizers announced. “An award ceremony will follow the performances. Residents of all communities are invited to attend this family-friendly event.”
The SLO Symphony: Paderewski Gala comes to the Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Nov. 2 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $12 to $92 at pacslo.org). The Symphony is partnering with Paso’s Paderewski Festival to bring famed Polish Canadian pianist, Janina Fialkowska, to SLO. Hear Mozart’s Overture to the Magic Flute, Paderewski’s Piano Concerto in A minor op.17 with Fialkowska, and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition with the famous orchestrated version by Maurice Ravel.
This year’s SamFest comes to Ramona Garden Park on Sunday, Nov. 3 (1 to 4 p.m.; all ages; free), with live music by rock act Ghost\Monster and Shannon Lowrie and the Shantastics, food and beverages, vendor booths, raffles and prizes, face painting, a dunk booth, balloon animals, and a dance scholarship presentation and performances from The Studio of the Performing Arts. The event celebrates the legacy of local dancer Samantha Ford, who succumbed to cancer at 24. Funds raised will benefit The Pablove Foundation, which funds pediatric cancer research. Δ
Contact Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Oct 31 – Nov 10, 2024.