Modesto Area Music Awards 2023

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Tag: unplugged

Arias

Arias

Unplugged View: Ariasby Aaron Rowan A rare extra layer of icing on the cake of Modesto Unplugged programming happens when a featured musician shares a name with an instrument or musical term. There was Viola: violinist & vocalist with the traditional Italian folk group PizziCali, one of the zestiest headliners I’ve hosted. There was Banjo […]

By August 2, 2023 Read More →
Somebody Feed Philomena

Somebody Feed Philomena

Unplugged View: Somebody Feed Philomenaby Aaron Rowan The ongoing Songlines series I’m hosting is like the global tasting menu featured on ‘Somebody Feed Phil,’ a food documentary show my sister introduced me to. Thus far, we’ve showcased music from Turkey and Canada, and this month we move on to the majestic country of Scotland, which […]

By March 3, 2023 Read More →
UnpluggedView: Tumbleweeds

UnpluggedView: Tumbleweeds

UnpluggedView: Tumbleweedsby Aaron Rowan I binged my way through Amazon’s ‘Jack Reacher’ series last month. I admire the character, that heroic hulking hobo who wanders around the country at will with no permanent address. In the show he comes to a small town because of a local musician he wants to learn more about, and, […]

By March 3, 2022 Read More →
Unplugged View: The Song Remembers When

Unplugged View: The Song Remembers When

Unplugged View: The Song Remembers Whenby Aaron Rowan & friends Welcome, dear reader, to the 100th UnpluggedView column. Here’s something special to mark this milestone: stories from a few of the great creative people I’ve worked with over the years, about pieces of music that carry a special meaning and the true-life tales that accompany […]

By November 5, 2021 Read More →
UnpluggedView: Go West, Young Minstrel

UnpluggedView: Go West, Young Minstrel

UnpluggedView: Go West, Young Minstrelby Aaron Rowan Songs of the traveler make up the soundtrack of my life. Chris Doud, who for years I’ve called the greatest songwriter in Stanislaus County, knows how to craft some mighty fine ones. This summer, the co-leading songwriter behind The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit released his latest solo […]

By August 31, 2021 Read More →
UnpluggedView: Pretty and Witty and Bright

UnpluggedView: Pretty and Witty and Bright

UnpluggedView: Pretty And Witty And Brightby Aaron Rowan Before the very colorful and very pointless-looking Spielberg remake of one of the great classic musicals comes to cinemas later this year, Modesto Performing Arts has quite the summer treat for you. Among the very first shows at the newly reopened Gallo Center is MPA’s fourth production […]

By August 3, 2021 Read More →
UnpluggedView: Some Like It Haute

UnpluggedView: Some Like It Haute

Unplugged View: Some Like It Hauteby Aaron Rowan I’ve always been a serious foodie, but I enjoy Burger King far more than any respectable foodie ought. Whenever I dine inside, I find their TV almost always tuned to the Food Network channel. I’ll sit and scarf my processed patty while watching their series ‘Chopped,’ the […]

By May 2, 2021 Read More →
UnpluggedView: Slow And Steady

UnpluggedView: Slow And Steady

UnpluggedView: Slow And Steadyby Aaron Rowan Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know when you’re gonna meet the Reaper. At least that’s the case if you should happen to visit a certain chocolatier in Asheville, NC which makes a truffle-infused with the dreaded Carolina Reaper chilli, among the very hottest peppers known […]

By April 1, 2021 Read More →
Unplugged View: Rip Tide

Unplugged View: Rip Tide

Unplugged View: Rip Tideby Aaron Rowan One weekend last month, a murder mystery game played out across Modesto – a detective adventure designed by CluedUpp Games and inspired by the infamous Jack The Ripper case. I missed out on that party, but that’s alright because I’ve gotten to enjoy plenty of entertainment provided by Modesto’s […]

By March 3, 2021 Read More →
UnpluggedView: Thus Spoke Alzara, Thus, Art

UnpluggedView: Thus Spoke Alzara, Thus, Art

Unplugged View: Thus Spoke Alzara, Thus, ArtBy Aaron Rowan Among the hundreds of gifted song crafters to pass through Modesto to appear at my listening-concert series, there is one with whom I have forged a particularly beautiful friendship. Alzara Getz belongs to a musical lineage that includes her father Dave Getz, who once kept the […]

By January 30, 2021 Read More →
Unplugged View: Music Box Superhero

Unplugged View: Music Box Superhero

Unplugged View: Music Box Superheroby Aaron Rowan “I can do this nightlife all day long.” – Garth Brooks If you have something fresh to offer as either a performing musician and/or as a presenter thereof; AND if you make it a priority to support and attend the events of others who do…you might be a […]

By December 1, 2020 Read More →
UnpluggedView: Homeward Bound

UnpluggedView: Homeward Bound

UnpluggedView: Homeward Boundby Aaron Rowan When I grow up, I want to be like George Clooney in ‘Up In The Air’ and travel full-time for a living. This is one of my favorite movies. Modesto even gets mentioned as one of Clooney’s destinations. Much like his character, I am most at home when I’m out […]

By November 3, 2020 Read More →
UnpluggedView: Welcome to the Machine

UnpluggedView: Welcome to the Machine

UnpluggedView: Welcome to the Machine By Aaron Rowan       I’ve featured a number of virtuosos over the past eight years. Now we’re living through a era dominated by virtualosos. Don’t expect any online showcases from Modesto Unplugged, though. That would go against everything I stand for as a curator of music. Like an […]

By August 29, 2020 Read More →
UnpluggedView: Opera In Open Air

UnpluggedView: Opera In Open Air

Unplugged View: Opera In Open Airby Aaron Rowan Signs of musical life are returning to downtown, and my opera friends are getting in on the action where some of the best action has been unfolding. Award-winning Modesto favorite Patty Castillo Davis and her bandmates have already given two outdoor concerts on the green of the […]

By July 3, 2020 Read More →
Unplugged View: Greatest Hits

Unplugged View: Greatest Hits

Unplugged View: Greatest Hitsby Aaron Rowan     Well, this isn’t exactly what I meant when I said I wanted a sabbatical. For the first time in 8 years of curating and supporting live music year-round, my culture calendar is disturbingly barren. In my book, COVID stands for “Cause Of Vanishing Independent Delights.” But if we somehow […]

By April 2, 2020 Read More →