Gualala Arts Lecture Series presents:
City Songs Redo: Other Images of California

with Dave Bess
Monday, March 21, 2010, 7:00 p.m.
Admission is $5

Following up on last year's well received talk on California booster songs, Dave Bess returns to the Gualala arts lecture circuit for his March 21, 2011 talk on other images of California as represented by an all-new selection of songs. As an added bonus Bess will lead the audience in an amusing sing-along.

The 2010 talk focused on booster songs intended to paint communities across the state in a positive light to attract people. In contrast, this year Bess concentrates on local venues such as Gualala and Point Arena, some of which may be more irreverent. He may throw in a real estate song for Clear Lake Highlands in neighboring Lake County.

Some older residents who attended the Dixieland Band concerts sponsored by the local Lions Club may remember the rousing tune about the fictional world famous Gualala Falls located north and east or south of town. In a similar vein the 2011 song sheet will include tunes that may cause the Chamber of Commerce to disapprove.

The evening will feature several well-known local vocalists to provide colorful examples of the material he will cover. One has a sentiment that might strike a familiar chord with some xenophobic attendees. The refrain is

"There's a town I'm proud to call my own
And I'll say it, "Tourist Go Home!"

Now retired Bess, a college professor with a sense of humor, started gathering songs over thirty years ago. He taught at Cal Poly Pomona where he was Chair of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. Introducing songs into the curriculum spiced up his classes. His collection now numbers over 250.

This promises to be a most entertaining and informative evening.

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Join us in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Gualala Arts, 1961 - 2011

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.