OLD FESTIVAL, BRAND NEW VIBE:

THE 31^ST TOPANGA DAYS COUNTRY FAIR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, MAY 29 - 31^ST 2004

Featuring Michelle Shocked, Common Sense, Mystic Journey, Venice, Richie Hayward of Little Feat & more…

It is often said that if you remember the 60s, you weren’t there!

But with Topanga Days, the hippest, grooviest festival on the planet,

it is now possible to re-live those heady times.

WHAT:

Topanga Days is a three-day festival Fundraiser for the Topanga Community House in the heart of Topanga Canyon. Swear to Buddha, this historic country fair has the greatest 60s’ vibes going, full of fun hip, hep happenings: non-stop ethnically diverse music on two stages; a chance to score big with over 75 unique crafts; an electric, eclectic festival with hoola hoopers, belly dancing and more; a “mouth-gasam” of delicious, nutritious foods; a fun-filled Children’s Village, zany contests for all, and a good time to unite with old friends and new. Over the course of three days this family Fair attracts well over 10,000 people embracing the cultural diversity, which the Topanga Community is famous for.

WHERE:

Topanga Community House grounds, 1440 N. Topanga Cnyn Blvd., 90290.  Topanga Days Country fair is located in the rural setting within the beautiful Santa Monica Mountains, 6 miles north of the Pacific Coast Highway and 6 miles south of Ventura Blvd. 

HISTORY:

Originally this event was called the Topanga Strawberry Festival.  In 1973 it evolved into the 3-day event called the Topanga Days Country Fair and became California’s most talked-about fun festival. Approximately 10,000 people come to visit Topanga Days over the Memorial Day weekend the final day of which is preceded by the Topanga Memorial Day Parade.

WHO: 

Richie Hayward & The No Name Band — Richie, founding member of Little Feat will be featured at Topanga Days with The No Name Band during a weekend break from the Little Feat Summer Tour.  The No Name Band features as well local mega talented Eric Lynn, Robin Moxey, Joe Karnes & Nick Dias. 

In addition to being a founding member of Little Feat, Richie has recorded and performed with many notable artists including;  Eric Clapton, Robert Plant & Led Zeppelin, Joan Armatrading, Ry Cooder, James Cotton, The Doobie Brothers, Peter Frampton, Buddy Guy, Arlo Guthrie, Nils Lofgren, Taj Mahal, Christine McVie, Robert Palmer, Van Dyke Parks, Bob Seger, Carly Simon, Stephen Stills, Tom Waits, and Warren Zevon.  Richie is an internationally known musician who is currently on tour performing with Bob Dylan.   He is considered one of the best drummers in the world by fans and other musicians.  Richie & The No Name Band will be featured on Saturday at the Fair.

Michelle Shocked – Part Emma Goldman, part Betty Grable, Grammy Award Nominee Michelle Shocked is a dancing militant and partisan pin-up. With her album Short Sharp Shocked, she set out on a series of session recordings of swing styles, “blues with an upbeat,” which spanned the continent and the century, genre-busting so rambunctiously that she left a new genre in her wake.  Michelle will keep on rockin us on Sunday at the Fair with special guests sitting in.

Suzanne Teng and Mystic Journey — Just returning from a music tour of Singapore  and a favorite of the Topanga Community, Suzanne’s grace and style have made her and Mystic Journey a World Music favorite.  The band has evolved over the years and with the help of her partner Gilbert, has developed into an internationally known ensemble.   Suzanne recently released MILES BEYOND, the follow up album to her critically acclaimed solo debut recording MYSTIC JOURNEY. Miles Beyond was recently listed on Public Radio International's nationally syndicated radio show ECHOES as one of the TOP 10 albums of 2003.   Their music can be heard on radio stations in faraway lands such as Belarus, Russia and Saipan. Based in Los Angeles, they have developed a large following and perform at a variety of venues ranging from the large outdoor festival where their audiences are known to fall into beautiful spontaneous group dances – especially at Topanga Days!  Be sure to join them at the Fair on Sunday.

Common Sense— Often compared to artists like Sublime, Common Sense draws its influences from a vast array of artists such as Bob Marley, who’s uniquely crafted grooves and songwriting structure changed the world of music. The Beatles, who’s influence is easily found in the group’s clear and distinctive harmonies. As well as elements of Marvin Gaye and the overall Motown Sound, which lends itself to the foundation of the smooth Funk/R&B based composition found in many of their songs.  Topanga Days is honored to have them join their diverse line-up on Saturday.

Venice aka Pine Mountain logs, are a Topanga Days favorite and will return on Memorial day.

Venice is a band composed of two sets of brothers, Michael and Mark Lennon and Pat and Kipp Lennon. They are cousins who were born and raised in Venice Beach, California and they have been a staple on the California Club scene for years. They are known for their incredible 4 part harmonies and live shows. David Crosby has hailed Venice as...”the best vocal group in the country”.  Venice has toured or recorded with the following artists:  Jackson Browne, David Crosby, Stevie Nicks, Warren Zevon, Phil Collins, Sting, just to name a few.  Just returning from a sold out European tour, Venice will soon be releasing a live concert DVD “Live at the Royal Carre Theater”.  Venice’s recent CD, “Welcome to the rest of your life” (Sony/Columbia) has received rave reviews and is on its way to becoming their second Gold Record. 

MamaSutra has quickly become one of Southern California's most sought after acts.  Deep grooves, funky rhythms and sexy vocals punctuate jamming improvisations that keep fans coming back for more. The highly danceable funk the band provides is a testimony to the live experience and is best enjoyed in the company of others – at Topanga Days. The Southern California-based foursome brings to mind bands such as Sly and the Family Stone and early 70s Grateful Dead with their organ-heavy funk, jazzy saxophone, ripping guitar and sensual vocals while still somehow pushing their sound in such a new direction it creates it's own category... THE NEW FUNK.  Dance your heart out with MamaSutra on Saturday.

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Resination

With their high energy reggae will grace the stage on Sunday.  For over four years, Resination has been delivering rootical rhythms and conscious lyrics to people not only in their home town of San Luis Obispo, CA, but around the entire world. During this time they have built a huge following, continually packing venues, including some of the most prestigious clubs and reggae festivals, such as The House of Blues (Hollywood), The Coach House (Santa Barbara), Pier 23 (San Francisco) Avila Beach Reggae Festival (w/ Jimmy Cliff & Burning Spear) and many, more. Their first release entitled "Live at SLO Brew" captures their unique style of reggae, as well as their strong message of love, unity, and positivity. The strong vibe persists with there latest effort, entitled "Mash Down Babylon". The album has earned Resination a number of accolades, such as a second place “Album of the year" honor at the D.I.Y. Convention and a spot on “Creation Steppin Radio’s Top 30 Albums of 2003”!

Mother Jones Hailing from Los Angeles & Topanga, Mother Jones is American Rock 'n' Roll, fusing elements of blues, country, Motown, reggae & jazz in their music. Performing throughout California & the Southwest, Mother Jones is quickly generating waves on the radar of the jam scene.  A band born from diverse backgrounds across the country, Mother Jones captures audiences with incomparable versatility in their musicianship & energizing live performances. Their vocals stand out among other jam bands because of their power, creative dynamics, and soulful harmonization. Their original songs evoke an instant connection with the listeners. Their arrangements meld together many styles of music while retaining the song’s message. You can catch them on KPFK in Los Angeles where they are host Barry Smolin has given them strong kudos for rising to the top of the West Coast jam scene.  And you can catch them live at Topanga Days on Memorial Day.

White Buffalo

Features Jake Smith, one of the most talented singer songwriters to come out of LA.  In the vain of Townes Van zandt their haunting lyrics, and grooving sounds will usher us into the close of another memorable Topanga Days Weekend.  Everything about The White Buffalo - is larger than life - his stature, his style, his sound. Timelessly cool and charismatic in a way that draws comparison to greats like Cat Stevens and Johnny Cash, and with an evolved sense of wit and humor, there can be no mistake about it - The White Buffalo is his own man, translating his specific and unusual set of influences, interests, and talents into a distinctive blend of music and madness.  Join White Buffalo on Memorial Day.

Stay Tuned for Special Guests & Additional Musical Talent & to be announced soon…

Schedule with dates and times to posted soon on

TIME OF FESTIVAL:

11am-6pm on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.