In this edition of Boss Ladies (a review column written by members for members), Unison Colthurst shares her Trouble: A Calamity Adventure, the latest project from the Calamity gang.

I have fallen in love with Calamity! Do yourself a favor and listen to their newest release Trouble: A Calamity Adventure radio play. I just sat in my driveway for 10 extra minutes instead of going into my house, not because I was avoiding the two sticky toddlers that were waiting behind the front door, but because I had to hear how these ladies were getting in and out of their own sticky situations. Calamity has taken a unique approach with this release, weaving five news songs into a half-hour modern radio program. With the surge in popularity of podcasts, radio programs are enjoying a renaissance, and these ladies are riding that radio wave with Trouble.

Trouble: A Calamity Adventure will be available on all streaming platforms in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you hear it here first!

In Trouble, you really get a sense of each band member's personality, humor, and of course, their musical talent  all through a girls road trip through the desert. Written by the witty and entertaining percussionist Catherine Barnes, the story's language and imagination (look out for the zombie trash panda!) makes me want to join them on this road trip--well, until it goes horribly wrong. Take a listen to find out what I mean. No spoilers here! 

The songs are a testament to why Calamity has been nominated for this year's San Diego Music Awards in the Best County or Americana Album category. Right out of the gate, their cover of Gillian Welch and David Rawling's song “Caleb Meyer" hits you with low velvety solo voices paired with tight three and four-part harmonies, and the soaring fiddle phrases of Patric Petrie, all backed by the band's trademark acoustic instrumentation. The third song, “Crazy Eyes,” co-written by Cathryn Beeks (ukulele/vocals) and Nisha Catron (guitar/vocals), flirts between tango and rock and roll while maintaining tight harmonies and moving the storyline along . The title track, “Trouble,” which features Roni Lee on slide guitar, is a musical version of watching our fab five stroll off into sunrise with the desert surrounding them, probably in slow motion, while drinking tequila. ​

​In Trouble, Calamity sure lives up to their name, and I can’t wait to hear the next part of the adventure. It's clear that bandmates Beeks, Catron, Barnes, Petrie, Marcia Claire (bass), and narrator Claudia Russell had a blast making this at Foxtail Studios in Escondido, and the fun is infectious. Look for upcoming performances (now featuring Lady Brain member Jules Stewart on drums!) on their calendar, and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram. I know that I’ll be checking out Calamity at one of the fun shows they have lined up soon.
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Follow along:
www.heycalamity.com
www.instagram.com/heycalamity
www.facebook.com/calamitytheband

There are so many wonderful opportunities to show up for your creative community this month! Here are your official Marching orders. (We like puns, deal with it).

Thursday, March 5 - Queer Folx Making Music at Gossip Grill in Hillcrest
This new curated quarterly series includes queer acts from San Diego to Iowa representing a multitude of genres . Performers include Mandi Jo (R&B/NeoSoul), Khalil Bleux (R&B/Soul), Tori Roze (NeoSoul/Jazz), Girlboy (Soul-Hop), and Rika-Rai (Inspirational/Soul). $5 Cover, 21+, 7-10pm. More info 

Friday, March 13 - Calamity at Grand Ole BBQ Flinn Springs in El Cajon
Three sets of fun and original folk rock music with Calamity! No cover, all ages, 5-8pm. More info

Tuesday, March 17 - SDMA Showcase ft. Lindsay White at The Merrow in Hillcrest
Join Lindsay White as she celebrates her San Diego Music Award nomination for Best Pop Album with a full band performance (including Jules Stewart on drums) at this nominee showcase. Also on the bill are Evan Diamond and Kimmi Bitter. 21+, 8pm-Midnight More info

Thursday, March 19 - SDMA Showcase ft. The Spiritual Motels and Gaby Aparicio at Humphrey's Backstage Live in Point Loma
San Diego Music Awards Nominee Showcase at Humphrey's Backstage Live, featuring Lady Brain Collective members Gaby Aparicio and The Spiritual Motels (Amy Day), plus Berkley Hart, Trouble in the Wind, Mohavi Soul, and the Johnny Tarr Quintet. $10 Cover, 21+, 6-10pm. More info

Monday, March 23 - San Diego Music Awards at House of Blues Downtown
We know, we know, this guitar-playing astronaut is getting a lot of love in this particular edition of the Brain Candy blog! Here's the main event! Tickets are on sale now for the 29th annual San Diego Music Awards. We're very proud of our nominated members and can't wait to hang with them on this fun night supporting the Guitars for Schools Program. $36-75, Doors 6pm, Showtime 7:15pm. More info

February is the shortest month of the year, but it is jam-packed with events from members of Lady Brain Collective. Mark your calendars for great music, art, and entertainment from the most creative womxn in town!

Saturday, February 1 - Corina Rose Collective Album Release w/ Shane Hall at EVE Encinitas
Groovy, funky spiritual soul and rock and roll! More info

Saturday, February 8 - Tori Roze & The Hot Mess at Amplified Ale Works in Pacific Beach 
Tori Roze & The Hot Mess brings you funky-jazzy-Neo-soul original music and cover jams at your fabulous neighborhood brewery featuring 16 original brews and delicious Mediterranean grub. No cover. 8-10pm. More info

Friday, February 14 - Calamity at De Oro Mine Company in El Cajon
Come solo or bring your sweetie to “the Ford Pinto of bars" De Oro Mine Company on Valentine's Day. Join the Calamity gals for some self-love, great music, games, and raffles. Three full hours of fun beginning at 8pm, no cover. 21+. More info

Saturday, February 15 through Wednesday, February 19 - The Muse in Winter: A Creativity Retreat in Taos, N.M at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House 
Restore, revitalize, and nourish your creative self where creative greats from Georgia O'Keefe to Martha Graham received creative inspiration. Writing, art, yoga, improv games for the intimidated beginner to the seasoned expert. With author/illustrator and creative coaching guru, Jill Badonsky. More info

Tuesday, February 18 - The Spiritual Motels and The Banduvloons with Touchtone at The Casbah
Come out and support Lady Brain members Amy Day, Karina Frost Moreno and KC Deichler as The Spiritual Motels and The Banduvloons make their Casbah debut!  9pm, $6, 21+.  More info 

Saturday, February 29 - Lady Brain Presents “Love in the Round" Community Gathering in South Park
Please join us for this historic leap year event at a private residence in South Park, where we will explore various definitions of and experiences with love. Our host Bonnie Nicholls will kick off the night, followed by a Nashville-style songwriters round featuring Astra Kelly and Carissa Schroeder. We will also showcase art by Barbara Rutherford. $10 advance tickets. Limited capacity seating; please make sure to RSVP early! More info

Saturday, October 19 - Rock The March Benefit Concert in El Cajon
Women's March San Diego presents an evening of music with several Lady Brain Members on the lineup, including premier activist band The Resizters who are releasing their new CD Upload Democracy (filled with all the resistance music you love), and special guests Veronica May, Lisa Sanders and Lindsay White, Best Singer Songwriter 2018 San Diego Music Awards! More info

Wednesday, September 4 - Julia Sage and The Bad Hombres at The Holding Company
Local band showcase.  Come on out and party with us!  Julia Sage and The Bad Hombres starting at 9 pm sharp. More info

Thursday, September 12 - Golden Howl at Til Two with The Strawberry Moons and The Powerballs
More info

​Friday, September 13 - Chris Avetta & Golden Howl at Moose Lodge in Oceanside

Saturday, September 14 - Kinship Cafe Singer-Songwriter Showcase at Eve Encinitas
This showcase at Eve Encinitas will feature short sets from six acts, each of which includes at least one woman, and four of which feature Lady Brain members: The Banduvloons, Dixie Maxwell and Lee Coulter, Mayzie Jean, and The Spiritual Motels (plus The Shift and Dulaney and Company).  7-10:30pm, $10, all ages.  More info

Saturday, September 21 - Calamity at Artwalk Carlsbad
Don't miss the gals from Calamity playing originals during Artwalk Carlsbad from 3:15 to 4pm. No cover, all ages. More info

Sunday, September 22 - Tori Roze and the Hot Mess at Coronado Music Festival
This inaugural three day music festival kicks off on Friday September 20, with Tori Roze and the Hote Mess headlining on Sunday, September 22. The family-friendly weekend features local and regional musical talent of all genres and visual art. This marks the first event for Coronado Music and Arts Foundation(CMAF), a nonprofit, whose mission is to provide cultural music and art experiences for at risk and homeless individuals including youth and special needs adults through a variety of settings in Coronado and San Diego. More info

Thursday, September 26 - Lady Brain Presents Community Gathering In Celebration of Life
Lady Brain Presents is back with a special art/music/spoken word showcase centering around the topics of death, dying, and existence. Join us at a private Ocean Beach residence around 6:30pm for sunset, social hour, and art viewing. Performances will kick off around 7:30pm. $10 Suggested Donation, proceeds will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. More info

Saturday, July 6 - Lindsay White at SheFest in North Park
Start your Pride partying early with this woman-centered event! Lindsay White will play a full band set at 12:30pm, but the full event runs rom 11am-6pm. No Cover. More info

Sunday, July 7 - Lady Brain Fest at Heritage Ranch in Encinitas
Twenty female-fronted acts on two stages. You don't want to miss this Lady Brain/Listen Local Radio production of the year! 12-7pm. $10-12 Presale, $15 Door. More info

Monday, July 8 - Julia Sage at Bar Pink in North Park
Julia Sage will be playing solo and sharing the bill with Wes Hawkins and Blake Dean! 9:30pm. Free.

Wednesday, July 10 - Lizzie Wann at The Ugly Mug in Orange, CA
This is also an open mic, so bring your own work to read too! 8pm. $3 Cover. More info

Friday, July 12 - Tori Roze and The Hot Mess, Chloe Lou & The Liddells, Ginger Cowgirl at Winston's OB
ALL Lady Brain bands on this bill! 9:30pm, $8 Cover. More info

Saturday, July 13 - Calamity at The San Dieguito Heritage Museum
31st Annual Deep Pit BBQ, using the same cooking method as the Olivenhain Colony did back in the 1890's. The Encinitas even features nonstop Americana music from 2pm to 7pm on 2 stages, as well as a Kid's Zone, vendors, silent auction, exhibits and more! $10 general admission, kids 12 and under get in free. $15 BBQ dinners available at 4pm. More info

Our June Community Gathering was such a magical night! Special thanks to our hosts at Lyrics Daycare for providing such a charming venue, to Karina Frost and the Banduvloons gang for working so hard on every detail, and to all the performers, volunteers, and attendees for coming together and supporting local women and music. We sent so much good energy out into the world! If you have a case of FOMO after seeing these pics and watching this vid, make sure you sign up for our newsletter so you can join us in the future! Many of our events are RSVP-only, so don't miss out on the exclusive intel!

Next up for Lady Brain Presents is our huge inaugural summer festival - 20 female-fronted acts on 2 stages! Better get your pre-sale tix now before prices go up at the door!

Photo Credit: OJ PICTURE SHOW

It's June! Allow us to tune you in to some of the coolest shows and events happening around town this month featuring our Lady Brain members! 

​Every Sunday - Mary Bee's Finding Harmony
This travel docu-series follows singer and host Mary Bee on the adventure of a lifetime across Europe as she makes friends with and sings with artists in different countries. The series focuses on the love of music and friendships grown during collaboration. More info

Saturday, June 1 - Art Around Adams
Many of our members will be performing as a part of this two mile art and music walk throughout the communities of Normal Heights and Kensington. The free festival is scheduled from 12-8pm, with performances happening at various venues and stages. More info

​Saturday, June 8 - Steph Johnson and Voices of Our City Choir at Laurel House Concert Series
Join Steph Johnson, Voices of Our City Choir, and special guest Eve Selis from 7-10pm at this private concert series in Oceanside. $25 Tickets. More info

Thursday, June 20 - Lady Brain Presents at Fair Trade Decor
Our next community gathering is going to be one for the books! Karina Frost has curated an awesome lineup (Ren Daversa and The Wicked Cool, Calamity, Trish Naval, and The Banduvloons) for your listening pleasure. She has also dedicated 15% of the proceeds from the door to Madre Assunta shelter in Tijuana. The venue is a really cool boutique in Coronado that is keeping its doors open after hours to welcome us into their space. Your attendance supports local business, local artists, and most importantly, our sisters in need. More info

Find more info about these and other member happenings over at our Calendar page!

Here are some live, local happenings from Lady Brain members going on this April! We hope one of these listings will inspire you to be physically present for some soul-inspiring, heart-healing art and music!
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Saturday, April 13 - The Spiritual Motels on Fallbrook Live Lineup
The Spiritual Motels (Amy Day's duo project with songwriter Omar Musisko) will be performing a Fallbrook Live event at the Pala Mesa Resort on Saturday, April 13th. Other acts on the lineup include SDMA winner Casey Hensley, Julia Othmer, Nick Crook, and Grace & Jesse Batey. 

Saturday, April 13 and Thursday, April 18 - Tori Roze & Johnny Alexander at Bella Vista Caffe
Some more awesome duo action for your ear holes - catch Tori and Johnny not once, but twice this month at Bella Vista Caffe in La Jolla from 5:30-7:30pm.

Sunday, April 14 - Marlo Smith and Ren Diversa at Makers & Music Vintage and Handmade Faire
Hang out with Marlo Smith and Ren Diversa from 10am to 2pm on Sunday, April 14 at Heritage Ranch in Encinitas for the Makers & Music Vintage and Handmade Fair.  

Wednesday, April 17 - Lizzie Wann Poetry Book Release Party
San Diego poet Lizzie Wann will be releasing her latest published work “The Hospice Bubble & Other Devastating Affirmations" on Wednesday, April 17 at Whistle Stop in South Park. (Pre-order copies now!) The event will include readings from Wann, Judy Reeves, Julie Corrales, Sharon Elise, and Robt O'Sulliven, with musical guest Lindsay White (full band, including fellow Lady Brain member Jules Stewart on drums).

Friday, April 19 - Astra Kelly at The Rabbit Hole
This great venue in Normal Heights supports live, local artists with free nightly showcases - come out Friday, April 19 from 6-9pm to enjoy some tunes from Lady Brain member Astra Kelly.

Saturday, April 27 - Adams Avenue Unplugged in Normal Heights
You can watch several Lady Brain performers at this year's Adams Avenue Unplugged free musical walkabout. Make sure to catch:

12:00pm - Marie Haddad - Kensington Cafe
1:00pm - CalAmity (ft. Cathryn Beeks) - The Ould Sod 
1:00pm - The Banduvloons (ft. Karina Frost & Lillian Lefranc) - El Zarape
2:00pm - Rosa's Cantina (ft. Carissa Schroeder) - The Rabbit Hole
7:00pm - Dixie Maxwell (w/ Paige Miller on percussion) - Lestat's West
7:00pm - Corina Rose - AC Lounge
8:00pm - The Spiritual Motels (ft. Amy Day) - Polite Provisions

Saturday-Sunday, April 27 & 28 - Mission Federal Art Walk in Little Italy
Just like Adams Avenue Unplugged, this (also free!) April event in Little Italy features an amazing lineup of local creatives. While at Art Walk, don't forget to check out some of our Lady Brain members!

Saturday:
11:00am - Allegra Duchaine
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Sunday: 
3:30pm - Marie Haddad - India & Fir St. (playing w/ band and special guests)
3:30pm - Jessica Lerner duo - Second Stage
5:00pm - Corina Rose - Cedar & India

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