It’s OC Music Awards time and that is actually a good thing for all you non-musicians too. Thirty-five bands will compete for the title of Best Live Band and Best Live Acoustic in a seven week showcase that began January 5, 2010 at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa.
Over 500 music lovers turned out to the first of the free showcases, which are held at a different Orange County location each week. Bands are eliminated each week, with five remaining finalists competing for Best Live Acoustic at the Yost Theater in downtown Santa Ana February 26 and five finalists competing for Best Live Band at the Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa February 27. This year, besides the recognition and exposure, winners will also receive a $2,500 voucher redeemable at Fender Musical Instrument Corporation.
You can catch the winners and other nominated local musicians at the awards show at The Grove of Anaheim on March 3, along with an interactive Fender Lounge sponsored by the Fender University Program. Check out the showcase schedule to find a show near you.
And if for some reason you can’t make it out to any of them, stop by the Laguna Art Museum for the upcoming OsCene exhibit, with a music portion featuring a listening station of all 2010 nominated artists.
2010 Showcase & Awards Schedule
Tuesday, January 12: Live Acoustic
8 p.m., The District at Tustin Legacy, Tustin
Free; all ages
Matt Kollar and the Angry Mob (Huntington Beach)
Barrett Johnson (Santa Ana)
Billy Kernkamp (Costa Mesa)
Stacy Clark (Costa Mesa)
Canvas (Santa Ana)
Tuesday, January 19: Live Band
8 p.m., The Continental Room, Fullerton
Free; 21 and over
Handsome G (Costa Mesa)
We Are the Pilots (Anaheim)
Pawn Shop Kings (Santa Ana)
The Steelwells (Fullerton)
Argyle Smile (Anaheim)
Tuesday, January 26: Live Acoustic
8 p.m., Gypsy Den, Santa Ana
Free; all ages
The Vacuum Bell (Laguna Beach)
Kurt Hunter (Fullerton)
Marc B (Huntington Beach)
Mike Vitale (Fullerton)
I Hate You Just Kidding (Costa Mesa)
Tuesday, February 2: Live Band
8 p.m., Chain Reaction, Anaheim
Free; all ages
Moostache (Huntington Beach)
Halos (Brea)
The Colourist (Costa Mesa)
The Bolts (Irvine)
Blok (Irvine)
Tuesday, February 9: Live Acoustic
8 p.m., OC Tavern, San Clemente
Free; 21 and over
Skee (Sunset Beach)
Carly Layne (Laguna Niguel)
Parker Macy Blues (Orange)
Christina Dietz (San Clemente)
Allensworth (Huntington Beach)
Tuesday, February 16: Live Band
8 p.m., Gypsy Lounge, Lake Forest
Free; 21 and over
Duress (Huntington Beach)
The New Limb (Costa Mesa)
Dusty Rhodes and the River Band (Fullerton)
Stereofix (Costa Mesa)
The Color Turning (Santa Ana)
Friday, February 26: Live Acoustic Finals
8 p.m., Yost Theater, Santa Ana
Free; all ages
Saturday, February 27: Live Bands Final
8 p.m., Samueli Theater, Costa Mesa
Free; all ages
Saturday, March 3: OC Music Awards
8 p.m., The Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim
$25; all ages
