Teaming Up for Acoustic Harmony

When the Phil Salazar Band and the Cache Valley Drifters decided to join forces recently, what resulted was one formidable local acoustic group. A Sunday benefit performance will give acoustic music fans a chance to be entertained by the end product known as the Acousticats. Kim Loucks will open the show with an original acoustic music set.

Proceeds will support Loucks’ “Trash Totems” public art project and the Ventura Arts Council’s artist grant program.

“This concert is definitely for fans of acoustic music,” Loucks said.

“A lot of people call it bluegrass,” she said of the Acousticats style, “but it’s more a new acoustic sound taken from a wide range, including jazz and folk.”

During her set, Loucks will be joined by husband Phil Salazar.

“I will open and perform some original folksy, bluesy type of songs and he’ll join me and play, among other things, the conga drums,” she said.

As for the Acousticats, “they perform wonderful solos and there’s always a lot of hooting, screaming and carrying on when they play,” Loucks said. The concert will be held at the Plaza Players Theater, 34 N. Palm St., Ventura, in the Old Town Livery. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased at the Ventura Arts Council, 34 N. Palm St. Call 653-0828 or 652-0973.