Americana in the Park concert series in SM's Gandara Park

McCabe's Guitar Shop and the City

of SM SPONSOR the second annual

Americana in the Park concert series in

Gandara Park, Sundays in September

(4, 11, 18 & 25), from 4 – 7 p.m.

The free series explores the arc of

Americana music from its roots to modern

forms, showcasing a diverse group

of S. California artists and styles. Each

concert features a family-friendly headliner

and opener.

• September 4: Singer-songwriter,

poet, author and culture bearer Tina

Orduno Calderon, will open the series

with a Tongva land acknowledgment

and blessing. A performance by

nine-time world champion Native hoop

dancer Eric Hernandez, followed by

Prince Diabaté and Friends. Considered

to be one of the leading kora players

of his generation, Prince Diabaté

and Friends performs with musicians

from many cultures.

September 11: Comprised of teachers

and staff from McCabe's Guitar

Shop, the McCabe's Hootenanny Collective

invites attendees to bring their

instrument of choice and to join a singalong

free-for-all. Next up the bluegrass

group AJ Lee and Blue Summit

perform a blend of country, soul, swing,

rock and jam musical influences.

• September 18: Folk rockin' children's

music group Earthworm Ensemble will

open for I See Hawks in L.A., a leading

Southern California alternative country,

Americana and folk rock band.

• September 25: The soul and jazz-inspired

music of Jacob G. and the Score

will open for Little Willie G. Nicknamed

"The Godfather of Brown-Eyed Soul,"

vocalist Little Willie G. gained fame

with Thee Midniters in the 1960s and

continues to thrill audiences with his

local East L.A. brass-infused Chicano

soul music.