FRANKLIN AVENUE CONTEST: Gilberto Gil and Devendra Banhart at the Hollywood Bowl

Thanks to the folks at Fanscape, we’re giving away a pair of tix to the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday, June 29. Gilberto Gil and Devendra Banhart are sharing the bill as part of KCRW’s World Festival, while The Album Leaf feat. Mike Heron from The Incredible String Band is opening.

More details here. The basics:

The inspiration for this pairing began with Banhart, a Texas-born, Venezuela-raised world-folk epicurean who exploded on the international music scene in 2002, quickly winning instantly devoted fans and hefty critical acclaim. He often identifies Tropicalismo pioneers as major influences, including Gilberto Gil, one of the most relevant contributors to the Tropicalia and bossa nova movements. The artistic match fit perfectly into the KCRW World Festival series, one that strives to present non-traditional, one-of-a-kind, concerts by pairing artists from different genres and locations from around the globe. Banhart performs in support of his fifth release, Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon.

Gil appeared on the very first year of the World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in 1999, and returns for the tenth anniversary of the series’ adventurous programming with a full band line-up, performing repertoire from his new release Banda Larga Cordel.

Want a pair of free tix? Email me your pick for absolute favorite spot to spend your summer in Los Angeles.

It’s as easy as that. Kid Formerly Known As Blogger Toddler will be choosing the winner in a few days, so enter now — at franklin_avenue(at)yahoo(dot)com.

FRANKLIN AVENUE CONTEST: Bright Eyes at the Hollywood Bowl

And the concert tix just keep on coming! Next up on the wheel-o-Franklin-Avenue goodness: Bright Eyes, with the L.A. Philharmonic, this Saturday, Sept. 29.

This sounds like the perfect early fall show to see at the Bowl — picnic, wine, jacket (yo, it gets cold there even in summer — and it’s now late September) and the sounds of Conor Oberst with the L.A. Phil.

Also on the bill: Indie rock heroes Yo La Tengo, as well as M. Ward. (More details here.)

Wow — this is an awesome show. Why the hell aren’t I going? I dunno. Oh yeah, I do — we’re now parents. Anyone wanna babysit Blogger Toddler? (No, I’m not actually going to let any of you babysit the B.T. I know you’d just throw him in your car and drive him to Vegas to make his picks.)

ANYWAY, to see the show, you know the drill by now. Email us at franklin_avenue@yahoo.com and be sure to specify Bright Eyes, since we’re also wrapping up Josh Rouse tix and will be announcing another huge contest in the next few days.

(Thanks to Fanscape for the tix!)

Maria’s Thursday Three

Shell, Glendale, 1927. Photograph by Edward Weston. (From huntington.org.)

1. Must See: A tribute to the work of world-renowned photographer Edward Weston at the Glendale Central Library next Thursday, September 27, at 7 pm. There will be a film about Weston’s life and work and this event, sponsored by the Glendale Historical Society and the Friends of the Glendale Public Library, is free. The Glendale connection? Weston opened his first photography studio on Brand Boulevard in 1911.

2. The Hollywood Bowl, still a really good thing to do in Los Angeles. You don’t even need to get the pricier box seats, it’s pretty fun in the nosebleed section. Bring a great picnic, some wine and don’t forget dessert. With the stars above and the performance below, I still marvel at the experience everytime I’m there. Too bad Mike is hatin’ on Rufus.

3. We recently tried the Flyaway Bus from Union Station to LAX and the ride went pretty smooth as a good alternative way to get to the airport. Just don’t stand in the wrong area at LAX when you’re trying to catch it back to Union Station ’cause you’ll be very sad when it ignores you… waiting there for a half-hour… with your bags… and a toddler who was a good sport about it. So sad. Also, please note that the buses are located at the very back of Union Station so have your friend or the taxi drop you off there instead of you having to lug everything back there.

Maria’s Thursday Three

Shell, Glendale, 1927. Photograph by Edward Weston. (From huntington.org.)

1. Must See: A tribute to the work of world-renowned photographer Edward Weston at the Glendale Central Library next Thursday, September 27, at 7 pm. There will be a film about Weston’s life and work and this event, sponsored by the Glendale Historical Society and the Friends of the Glendale Public Library, is free. The Glendale connection? Weston opened his first photography studio on Brand Boulevard in 1911.

2. The Hollywood Bowl, still a really good thing to do in Los Angeles. You don’t even need to get the pricier box seats, it’s pretty fun in the nosebleed section. Bring a great picnic, some wine and don’t forget dessert. With the stars above and the performance below, I still marvel at the experience everytime I’m there. Too bad Mike is hatin’ on Rufus.

3. We recently tried the Flyaway Bus from Union Station to LAX and the ride went pretty smooth as a good alternative way to get to the airport. Just don’t stand in the wrong area at LAX when you’re trying to catch it back to Union Station ’cause you’ll be very sad when it ignores you… waiting there for a half-hour… with your bags… and a toddler who was a good sport about it. So sad. Also, please note that the buses are located at the very back of Union Station so have your friend or the taxi drop you off there instead of you having to lug everything back there.

FRANKLIN AVENUE CONTEST: Rufus Wainwright Sings Judy Garland

On Sunday, Sept. 23, Rufus Wainwright re-creates Judy Garland’s 1961 performance at the Hollywood Bowl. He’ll be performing it at the same venue, at 7 p.m., with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and a quartet he has handpicked. (Details here. It’s a follow-up to his lauded Carnegie Hall tribute to Garland in 2006.

If you’ve never seen Rufus in concert, he puts on a great show. But I’m not so sure I need to see him do Judy Garland songs… but that’s just me being close-minded, I’m sure. (Maria emailed me earlier and said she wanted to go. I’m still on the fence.)

How ’bout you? Franklin Avenue has a pair of tix to give away… just email us at franklin_avenue@yahoo.com and tell us what you’d like to see more of in the blog. As usual, the BT will pick the winner! (Tickets courtesy Fanscape.)

We Have an Arcade Fire Winner!

As chosen by Blogger Toddler, reader Danielle Lindstrom has scored a pair of tix to see Arcade Fire and LCD Soundsystem on Sept. 20 at the Hollywood Bowl! Tickets courtesy Fanscape!

More tix to come in the next few days… keep reading.

FRANKLIN AVENUE CONTEST: Arcade Fire at the Hollywood Bowl

Canada’s Arcade Fire returns to the Hollywood Bowl on Sept. 20, joined by dancemeisters LCD Soundsystem. Known for their lush live performances, the Arcade Fire continue to tour in support of this year’s critically acclaimed release, “Neon Bible.”

Wanna check out the show? We’ve got a pair of tix courtesy Fanscape. Just email your name to this new address: franklin_avenue@yahoo.com

Blogger Toddler will pick the winner. Good luck!

FRANKLIN AVENUE CONTEST: Reggae Night IV at the Hollywood Bowl

You, the Hollywood Bowl, the nighttime Los Angeles sky, and reggae.

It’s Sunday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. Wanna go? Email us right now at the address above. Winner will be randomly chosen tonight.

Who’s performing? Burning Spear, Sly & Robbie, The Taxi Gang with Horace Andy and Cherine Anderson and a reunion featuring Wailing Souls.

KCRW’s hosting the concert, so you can tell Anne Litt why you haven’t pledged yet.

Here’s a description of the show:

Reggae’s grandmaster Burning Spear returns, plus reggae drum and bass pioneers, Sly & Robbie with the distinctive vocals of Horace Andy (last heard with Massive Attack). The Wailing Souls reunite after a 22-year absence. It’s a roots, rockin’ night not to be missed!

Thanks to Fanscape for the tix.