Summer concerts resurrect past superstars

by Valerie Rojas
Arts Editor

With the freedom of summer just a few finals away, a number of University of La Verne students are making plans for their two and a half months of summer bliss.

Some students will be retreating to the classroom to get ahead in the college game, while others will relax and make the most of this sunny season with trips to the beautiful beaches of Southern California or even the sweaty pits of a concert arena.

This summer, plenty of entertaining and perhaps even infamous acts are making their way to Southern California to get some hips shaking and toes tapping.

You can catch plenty of your favorite musical acts, and some of your least favorite, at venues all over Los Angeles county.

Some events may even be down the street from ULV.

The Glasshouse, located in Downtown Pomona, has been providing a place for many bands, both well known and unknown, to display their musical talents to crowds of music hungry fans for years.

“I enjoy the people and the set up of the Glasshouse. The people there are a lot nicer than those at other venues I have been to,” said ULV sophomore Ashley Savage.

You can catch bands such as Hepcat tomorrow evening and Pedro The Lion in just a few weeks.

This summer bands such as The Shins and Cursive will be taking the stage during such tours as the Plea for Peace Tour.

For more information about upcoming concerts at the local Glasshouse venue, visit www.goldenvoice.com.

Other small venues such as the Showcase Theatre in Corona or Chain Reaction in Anaheim, will be drawing in crowds of music fans who find their favorite bands are some that would never play an amphitheatre, let alone have a record contract.

The Showcase Theatre consistently holds regular battle of the bands style shows, cleverly called “Showcase Showdowns.”

“I enjoy the small band atmosphere of local shows,” Savage said.

For more information about the Showcase theatre visit www.showcasetheatre.com or www.allages.com for information about Chain Reaction.

But if big time acts complete with light shows and confetti, happen to be your thing, fret not.

There are plenty of rock n’ roll superstars making appearances in Southern California this summer.

Legendary headline maker Madonna will be appearing at The Forum in Inglewood May 24, 25 and 27 and at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim June 3.

“I like Madonna’s old stuff, but her new stuff is just not doing it for me,” sophomore Jennice Russi said. “I don’t know if she should be back on tour.”

But if Madonna can manage to pull herself onstage for another series of concerts in her third decade of superstardom, than Prince making his way to the Staples Center should be no shock at all.

Oh, but it is.

Prince will be appearing live at the Staples Center in Los Angeles May 26, 28 and June 3 and 5 to prove to everyone that this artist formerly known as the artist formerly known as Prince is more hip than ever before.

Summer could not be complete without a little surf rock courtesy of surf guitar legend Dick Dale.

He will be making an appearance at the Fender Center for the Performing Arts in Corona on June 19.

Dale is known for his impressive guitar skills and has provided the soundtracks for many of the cheesy beach movies we all know and love.

A little retro lovin’ is also in order and The B-52s are in charge of bringing it.

Appearing at the House of Blues in Anaheim on June 6 and the Avalon in Hollywood on June 9, these classic entertainers will bring the rock lobster straight to the love shack.

And if you just cannot seem to get enough of old fogies making a reappearance after their hay day has come and gone, check out rock shockers Kiss and the once beautiful boys of Poison at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on June 19.

If skateboards and skate punk get your heart beat going and your palms all sweaty, be sure to check out the popular Vans Warped Tour.

The tour consists of groups such as Bad Religion, Bouncing Souls, The Phenomenauts, Anti-Flag and many more, July 1 and 2 at Cal State Fullerton or July 7 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

No Doubt and Blink 182 will be teaming up for a concert at the Hyundai Pavilion at Glen Helen on June 26.

That concert will surely thrill teenage boys and girls alike, while making those who claim to have loved them before the mainstream conversion cringe.

The truly alternative Skinny Puppy will be putting on a show at the Henry Fonda Theatre on the weekend of July 2.

With so many acts to choose from, get ready to make plans for a summer complete with overpriced T-shirts, all the rock and roll you can stand, and friendly security guards.

For more information on these and other concerts coming your way this summer, visit www.ticketmaster.com.