Folk-Psychedelic Album Release Show at Rancho Los Cerritos

Songwriter, Alyssandra Nighswonger, celebrates her new album, Will You Stay, with a unique sonic experience in the garden atmosphere of the historic Rancho Los Cerritos June 18. 

The evening will also feature performances by renowned poet, Derrick Brown, theatrical composer, Ellen Warkentine and DJs Lono Calls and Lili Bird. Nighswonger said, Will You Stay is an album about “those bittersweet times when you say goodbye to a part of yourself and get pushed to bloom.” 

It was recorded locally at The Compound Studio in Signal Hill. Inspired by influences like The Moody Blues and King Crimson, the work is immersed heavily in the Mellotron, played by Los Angeles multi-instrumentalist and producer, Fernando Perdomo. To create Nighswonger’s whimsical universe, the album also has R. Scott Dibble on Hammond B3 Organ, Joy Shannon on harp and percussionist, Slam, on vibraphone. Also featured at the event, Derrick C. Brown, who is a novelist, comedian, poet, storyteller and former paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne. Winner of the 2013 Texas Book of The Year award for Poetry, he is also owner and president of Write Bloody Publishing, which Forbes and Filter Magazine call “…one of the best independent poetry presses in the country.” 

Opening the event, Ellen Warkentine is a theatrical multi-instrumentalist composer/performer from Long Beach, now based in Brooklyn, New York. Her melodic work references avant-pop, early jazz, and vaudeville. She will be accompanied by harpist Chris Lyles. 

Rancho Los Cerritos is a landmark that echoes with history of indigenous, Spanish, Mexican and American California. The five-acre site contains beautifully preserved historic gardens. Tickets are available on Eventbrite, and the album is available on Bandcamp. 

The evening promises to be a dreamy one and stay tuned for an upcoming album review for Will You Stay.

June 18 — Will You Stay Album Release Show 

Time: 6:30 p.m. doors open

Cost: $12 General Admission or $28 VIP 

Details: www.eventbrite.com/e/alyssandra-nighswonger-will-you-stay-album-release-show 

Venue: Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach.