Galeria Gives Wide Variety of Talent a Chance to Shine

To introduce more San Diegans to one of the cozier performance spaces in town, Better Worlde Galeria is planning a number of special events. One of them, “The American Music Festival,” takes place Saturday and features a good mix of area talent.

The Mission Hills performance space consumes only a fraction of the 6,000-square-foot complex, which includes a coffee shop, art gallery, book store, clothing boutique and newsstand. Since relocating last November to its current quarters at 4010 Goldfinch, Better Worlde has raised its profile by producing an eclectic series of concerts. Such recording artists as Different World and Cindy Lee Berryhill as well as a May festival of underground bands have packed the 60-capacity venue.

The venue’s sound system is being upgraded for Saturday’s program, which is intended to spotlight several particularly American musical styles. Opening the program at 5 p.m. is boogie-woogie pianist Tom Mahon. He’ll be followed by the 30-piece Revival Time Gospel Choir, at 7 p.m.; the ad hoc blues duo of Robin Henkel and Earl Thomas (in Thomas’ last local gig before embarking on a European tour), at 9 p.m.; and Latvian-emigre- turned-local-bluegrass guitarist Andy Marder at 11 p.m. Better Worlde Galeria is just north of Washington Street. Donations will be accepted in lieu of an admission charge. Call 260-8007.

CAN’T REACH THIS: Nancy Jo Brown has been calling all over the country in an attempt to get the mailing address of her favorite MTV artist, Hammer. But Brown, 55, isn’t your typical fan. The local artist simply wants to send Hammer a photo of her most recent work--a large, ceramic sculpture of a hammer with the title of the rapper’s last album, “Too Legit to Quit,” carved in the handle.

“I’m not with the rock scene, I’m an older lady. But I like to watch him dance--he has tremendous energy--and I think ‘Too Legit to Quit’ is a good motto for artists,” Brown said in explaining her project. “It seemed very synchronistic that Hammer should appear in San Diego the same weekend my piece was accepted by the (San Diego) Art Institute for its mid-summer show.”

Brown was inspired by seeing Hammer’s videos on MTV, which she watches only in deference to her 25-year-old son. She did not attend Sunday night’s concert at the Sports Arena, but has since obtained the address of Hammer’s L.A.-based publicist. Brown claims she’s not after money or publicity.

“I just want Hammer to know that some older people, too, are aware that he’s a talented young man,” she said. The hammer sculpture will be on exhibit at the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park through July.

Since last week’s announcement in this column of the nominees for the second annual San Diego Music Awards, each of the two album categories have been expanded from seven to eight nominations. “Jungle Party” by Bill MacPherson and Worldbeat and “The Cowboys of Baja Have Stolen My Heart” by Deborah Liv Johnson have been added to the Best Independent Album list. Meanwhile, “Basket Full of Blues” by Jimmy and Jeannie Cheatham and the Sweet Baby Blues Band has been shifted from the Best Independent Album to the Best Album (national release) classification. All other nominations remain the same.

GRACE NOTES: The notion of a concert promoter keeping ticket prices low in the face of a recession might seem too altruistic to be true, but that’s what Len Paul claims is his motivation for charging only $6 per ticket to see some of the more notorious alternative and underground bands at the SOMA club, downtown.

Paul is bringing the following shows to the 555 Union St. venue in July: On Friday, “Summer Slam 2,” featuring Fishwife, 411, Shindig, House of Suffering, and Swivelneck; on July 10, Olivelawn, the Muffs, Dirt Clod Fight (L.A.), Chemical People, and Custom Floor; on July 14, “The Sidewalk University Tour,” featuring Shinehead, World A Girl, Sleepy Wonder, and the No Offense Band; on July 16, the Dwarves, Elvis Hitler, and San Diego bands Psychic Zoo and Unwritten Law; on July 25, Dead Milkmen, Ghoulspoon, and Chicken Farm; and on July 31, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Gangbusters. Call 239-7662.

Dan (“Sometimes When We Touch”) Hill’s July 15 show at Sound FX has been canceled, as has been his entire American tour. Negligible ticket sales.

Motown evergreens the Four Tops and the Temptations will perform at San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium on July 8, immediately after the Padres-Cardinals game, whose starting time has been moved up an hour to 6:05 p.m. All tickets to the game-concert are $12 and can be purchased by calling 452-SEAT.

Tickets for the July 18 Garth Brooks concert at the 32nd Street Naval Station are now on sale. Cost is $15 at all MWR outlets and $17 at TicketMaster outlets or call 278-TIXS.

The Artists in Action Club, an Encinitas-based collective that promotes San Diego-area original music and art, is seeking solo and duo acts to perform at its weekend series of acoustic-music concerts. Already booked for this “unplugged” series are ska-funksters Broccoli Shoeshine and Chris Torres (July 11, 4 p.m.), and Colour Circle and Blacksmith Union (July 18, 4 p.m.).

There is no charge to attend the no-smoking, no-alcohol showcases, which are presented in the AAC’s galeria, at 466 North Highway 101 in Encinitas (in Gold Coast Plaza, between Lou’s Records and the Pannikin). To be considered, performers should drop off a demo tape, black and white photo, and bio at the same address, or call 632-0770 or 942-0325.

BOOKINGS: (Tickets for the following concerts will be sold at all TicketMaster outlets unless otherwise specified.) The Levellers and Uncle Green are at Sound FX July 8 ($7). . . . White-maned maniac Leon Russell plays the Belly Up Tavern July 13, with Bernie Larsen opening ($15). . . . Upcoming Sound FX shows include the “Beatlemania” group July 17; Cracker July 19; the Mick Taylor Band July 24; and Bachman-Turner Overdrive July 29. . . . They Might Be Giants have confirmed a local concert slot: July 17 at Iguanas, with Freedy Johnston opening ($9.91 in advance, $12 night of show). . . . “Festival Musical,” a Latin music and dance fest designed to appeal to several age groups, will bring Magneto (sort of a Latino New Kids on the Block), La Mafia, and Sonora Dinamita to the San Diego Convention Center on July 18 ($25, on sale now).

CRITIC’S CHOICE: BAD-TO-THE-BONE CONCERT

A bad-to-the-bone, 21-and-up concert featuring the Beat Farmers, the Paladins and the Cadillac Tramps will be presented Friday night in the Main Ballroom of the U.S. Grant Hotel, at 4th Avenue and Broadway downtown. A limited quantity of $12.50 “homeboy” tickets to the 8:30 p.m. triple bill are available in advance at the Casbah (2812 Kettner Blvd.). Otherwise, $14 tickets are on sale at the Off the Record stores and through TicketMaster (278-TIXS).