Women, Hopefuls, Rodeos and a Room...

This week, The Station will be kicking of a couple of new musical events beginning with “Women On Wednesdays Jam,” in which the focus will be on female artists from the area performing original and cover material. The schedule is not set but will start as monthly happenings in the hope that enough artists will be available to make it a weekly gathering. The first event will be Wednesday. Host Toni Lee Baker will be joined by local favorites Jessica Brophy from Azure Moon, Jenny Starmack from Garageland Rodeo, Kimberly Flynn and singer songwriter solo artist Trish Pulido.

Then next Thursday, Feb. 17, another new showcase debuts — “Original Thursdays” featuring local original bands beginning at 8 p.m. The event will begin as a monthly event and increase as demand warrants. It kicks off with local favorite and Los Angeles Music Awards nominee for best rock album, Concord’s own fREEX. The band performs regularly throughout California – here’s your chance to catch their “freak show” at The Station.

Rounding out the rest of the month at The Station are some new faces and some old favorites. Friday marks the return of Azure Moon; The Grinders on Saturday. The following week is a three-day stand by Garageland Rodeo, who will be mixing things up a bit to keep it interesting — special guests will join the band Feb. 19 and there will be a set by GLR Naked (unplugged) Feb. 20.

Shows times Friday and Saturday are 9 p.m. with a 5:30 start Sunday.

Closing out the month is “Mostly Sonny” on Feb. 25 and 26.

Ray’s Lounge will have Steve Star’s “World Famous Open Mic,” now back to its previously mentioned Friday and Sunday schedule – beginning at 9 and 5 p.m. respectively.

Down the road at Armando’s, things will be moving right along with the West Coast Songwriters’ Association Competition on Wednesday from 7 to 10 p.m., followed by some jazz from Delbert Bump Organ Trio on Friday. Saturday brings us a bit of "Western Swing" with the West Coast Ramblers and Sunday it’s the First Americana Sunday of 2011 with the The Hopeful Romantics – this show sold out in December, so come early if you want to get a seat.

The following week, Feb. 14 and  will see the next installment of The Good Stuff Guitar Shop Blues Jam, which occurs the second and fourth Monday each month. Feb. 18 brings us another night of jazz with the Leo Vigil Trio, followed by The Caroompas Room on Feb. 19 – the name’s familiar because it belongs to Patch Editor Jim Caroompas, who fronts the band. This is a show not to be missed by anyone looking for a night of bluesy funky tunes from one of the area's best purveyors of such sounds.

Rounding out the month you can catch a Jazz Jam on Feb. 21, then a Bluegrass Jam on Feb. 23 hosted, of course, by Bruce and Red Rick. Had enough yet? Good, get ready for the return of Mal Sharpe’s Big Money in Jazz on Feb. 24 and more jazz with the Jim Butler Quartet on Feb. 25. Some "Freakfolkfunkpsychedeliccabaret" from The Curios will play Feb. 26. Then there's The California Honeydrops with some roots and blues on Feb. 27 and the short month concludes with The Good Stuff Guitars Blues Jam again on Feb. 28.

Phew!

Whatever your desire, go out there and find your musical joy. Keep your eye on  Patch for activities and activities of all kinds (the 5 Things column always has something of interest). Until next time, get fired up and enjoy your town and its musical venues.