July 8, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Twilight Concert Series Week One: Thousands Enjoy Music From Jeff Young, Donavon Frankenreiter:

KCRW’s Travis Holcombe introduced the first of 10 free concerts on the Santa Monica Pier Thursday night to a myriad of bubble blowers, beach ball punchers, families, friends, and anxious music connoisseurs.

Expectations were met after Mayor Richard Bloom delivered thanks and turned the mic over to Jeff Young and the Song and Dance Society.

Australian singer/songwriter Dannielle DeAndrea opened with a solemn yet powerful rendition of Ella Fitzgerald’s “Blue Skies.” The vocalist took a step back to draw in the crowd and express a vulnerable moment about one and half songs into the groups’ set.

“I’m a little nervous,” she said to pianist and vocal counterpart Jeff Young.

DeAndrea seemed to turn her nerves into energy, and had no problem engaging the crowd with her eloquence and stage presence after that.

“When I first moved here, I was very scared because I was starting again in a field that I’ve been in for 20 years,” explained DeAndrea. “But I find that when I go home to Australia now – since we love the American and English music style so much – I have gained credibility.”

Jeff Young led his pact through a medley of new material, older songs influenced by his work with artists like Jackson Browne and Steely Dan, and even invited his friend Vonda Shepard to sing a couple with the crew.

Shepard was known for her recurring role on the TV series “Ally McBeal” as a resident bar performer.

“I was working with Jackson [Browne], and the woman that he normally hires to sing background vocals was Valerie Carter. Valerie was working with James Taylor at the time, and suggested Vonda to us,” said Young. “It was through Vonda that I met my wife.”

Shepard wore a wavy black dress that flowed in the Santa Monica breeze as her raspy voice bellowed a convincing cover of Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools.”

With the exception of his son and bassist Skyler, Young explained that this group – DeAndrea, guitarist Mark Goldenberg, and drummer Mauricio “Fritz” Lewak – had worked together in Jackson Browne’s rhythm section in the past.

“There’s something about the Song and Dance Society, it’s kind of a musical bond between these guys,” said Young.

Donavon Frankenreiter took the stage around 8:30 p.m. equipped with his iconic mustache, and the crowd gave a warm welcome. In between a melange of new and old material, the artist expressed his gratitude for an invitation to the event, giving praise to certain promoters and organizations.

“These free concerts on the Pier are incredible, everybody was so happy and peaceful,” said Frankenreiter. “I had never been to one of these, it was very enjoyable.”

A gregarious Frankenreiter and his Jack Johnson-esque sound kept the performance funky and fresh. And when his bassist Matt Grundy pulled a harmonica out of his bag of instrumental trickery during “What’cha Know About,” fans went wild.

Grundy also wowed the crowd with an array of instruments like the Ukelele and Banjo, yet he and Frankenreiter are notorious for even more curious weapons of resonance.

The antics didn’t end there as the whole group – Grundy, Frankenreiter, pianist Paul Clark, drummer Sean Macaulay, and bassist Jared May – erupted in a garage band rock session during the song “Move By Yourself.” The heavy rock ‘n’ roll tone echoed off the ocean break to sum up a beautiful kick off to this year’s Dance Series.

Just as the night was coming to a close, Frankenreiter turned his finale of “It Don’t Matter” into a true sing-a-long. Lobbing his microphone like a lasso to a bright-eyed fan in the front row, and the young woman surprised the audience with a confident delivery.

“I threw it to her, and she caught it. The rest is history,” Frankenreiter said with a laugh.

The Twilight Dance Series continues next Thursday, July 12 with The Mighty Diamonds and The Lions.

in News
<>Related Posts

Anti-Drunk Driving Resolution Introduced as City Council Honors Late Palisades Teen Killed in Crash

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Levi, who was set to attend the University of Virginia this fall, was killed by a drunk driver on May...

Free and Reduced Price School Meals Available for Eligible Families in Santa Monica-Malibu District

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Parents in Need Encouraged to Apply, SMMUSD Commits to Nutritious, Accessible Meals By Brandyi Phillips, SMMUSD Chief Communications Officer Santa...

Big Blue Bus to Raise Fares for First Time in Nearly a Decade

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

The fare increase aims to offset rising costs for fuel, utilities, and supplies, according to the agency. The Santa Monica...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary to be Celebrated with Vibrant State of the City Event

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, beach chairs, and picnics to enjoy during the performances Santa Monica will mark its...

Soprano Golda Zahra Returns to BroadStage For a One-Night-Only Musical Celebration

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Hailed as “the rising star of the opera world” by The Hollywood Times, internationally acclaimed soprano Golda Zahra makes her much-anticipated return to BroadStage in...

(Video) Hundreds of Drones Light up the Sky for Palisades to Celebrate July 4th

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The Event Marked One of the First Large Gatherings Among Palisadians Since the January Wildfires. The Event Marked One of...

Transform Your Life: The Free Virtual ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT Debuts July 18-20, 2025

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

The ONENESS GLOBAL SUMMIT, a transformative three-day virtual event, is coming, July 18-20, 2025, offering participants worldwide a free opportunity...

Santa Monica Home Defies Convention: Architect Eric Owen Moss Debuts Shape-Shifting Design

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Pistachio-Colored Marvel Boasts Curving Walls, Sharp Angles, and Challenging Design A striking residence in Santa Monica is turning heads with...

Caitlyn Jenner’s Friend and Former Foundation CEO Dies in Malibu ATV Crash

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

ATV Plummeted 350 Feet After Rear-Ending Vehicle in Malibu Sophia Hutchins, former CEO of the Caitlyn Jenner Foundation and longtime...

New SaMo Bridge Program Refers 56 People in First Month; 37 Connected to Services

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

According to city officials, the program is on pace to meet its goal of serving 260 individuals annually Santa Monica’s...

Multi-Family Venice Property on Rare Double Lot Lists at Over $5M

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

In total, the four units provide 5,398 square feet of living space A multi-family property located one block from Venice...

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...