Patch Blog: Free Billy Childs Concert Saturday

On Saturday, May 5 the will serve as one of the premier showcases of the

Between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., the Festival will present more than 40 musical acts at venues all around town, all free.

Five musical performances will be presented in the South Pasadena Public Library’s venerable Community Room. Styles offered will range from Classical to Jazz, and World Music all the way to Folk, Blues, and Country.

The Library program will lead off with the LA Clarinet Choir at 5:00 p.m. Founded in 2005, the LACC has become one of North America’s premier clarinet ensembles.  The group is committed to performing new original music and arrangements.

At 6:15 p.m. the award-winning duo AlmaNova will be presented. Flutist Jessica Pierce and guitarist Almer Imamovic, who reside in South Pasadena, are acknowledged masters of their instruments who have performed around the world. Pianist David Batt, who has recorded 3 CDs under the pseudonym Yrsan Daro, will follow at 7 p.m. with a set of solo blues-based improvisations. David is working on a forthcoming Classical CD and by day he also performs as the Assistant Finance Director for the City of South Pasadena.

At 7:45 p.m. Rick Shea and his band will perform a set that embraces traditional Folk and Country elements. Shea, a skilled vocalist and formidable guitarist, has released 5 widely-praised albums and has worked with many famous musicians including Roots Rock kingpin Dave Alvin and Rock legends, R.E.M.

The headliner of the show, South Pasadena resident Billy Childs will appear with his son, guitarist Aaron Childs at 9:00 p.m. Billy is a three-time GRAMMY® winning Jazz pianist/composer who recently released the album “Autumn: In Moving Pictures.” In mid-March, Childs performed with the Kronos Quartet at Disney Music Hall.

The free concert is able to be presented because of the partnership between the South Pasadena Public Library, the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library, the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, The City of South Pasadena, The Rotary Club of South Pasadena, Athens Services, and the Woman’s Club of South Pasadena. Special thanks to S & B Sound.

The is located at 1115 El Centro Street. No tickets or reservations are necessary but seating is limited. Refreshments will be provided. For more information on the Eclectic Music Festival which will present a wide variety of free concerts around South Pasadena on May 5, please refer to www.SouthPasadena.net.