Culture

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.

Melina Paris

Melina Paris is a Southern California-based writer, who connects local community to ARTS & Culture, matters of Social Justice and the Environment. Melina is also producer and host of Angel City Culture Quest podcast, featured on RLN website and wherever you get your podcasts.

Recent Posts

The Case For Optimism This Election Season–Is all politics local again?

By Shawn E. Fields  The old adage that “all politics is local” seems a quaint…

22 hours ago

One District, Two Political Realities, San Pedro Breaks With Its Neighbors on Taxes, Voting Rights

Mayor Karen Bass lost the election, but she carried San Pedro, albeit only narrowly. Moreover,…

1 day ago

Port of Los Angeles Makes History with Back-to-Back Months Surpassing 1 Million Container Units

Reynold Hoover, LA28 Chief Executive Officer, left, and Gene Seroka, Executive Director of the Port…

2 days ago

Emissions Driven to Lowest Levels in Port’s Busiest Year

Strategic investments in zero-emissions equipment, greater use of shore power and more frequent visits by…

2 days ago

Letters to the Editor: Remembering Jesse Marquez, Railroad Accountability, Tariffs, ICE and a Nation Demanding Change

The Passing of a Friend This week, the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance marked the passing…

2 days ago

Random Happenings: San Pedro Nature & Art Soar: Live Raptors & Fall Open Studios, Nov. 21

  Meet Live Owls, Hawks and More at a Special Bird-Themed Nature Club at White…

2 days ago