Musical Event Will Raise Spirits and Funds for Libraries

H.L. Mencken once noted, “No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.” And it is possible no one ever will, if the libraries continue to close their doors due to lack of funding.

Ironically, the Ventura County Library Services Agency is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Unfortunately the birthday cake may be delivered to a hearse idling in the parking lot of the mortuary: The system’s $10.5-million budget of three years ago has been whittled down to $5.5 million and there is talk of another million-dollar cut in June.

In an effort to reverse this depressing scenario, there will be a benefit concert starring Ojai local and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Chris Hillman, who will perform with several of his musical buddies.

Following his concert, there will be a dance demonstration describing the history of the library. Then everyone is invited to get into the act with a soundtrack provided by those Bay Area kings of swing, the Johnny Nocturne Band. The event kicks off at 8 p.m. Saturday at Harbortown Marina Resort in Ventura.

You remember the libraries, don’t you? They’re full of books and they are never open anymore. In Ventura, for example, the three branches are open a total of 72 hours per week. The Foster Library in downtown Ventura is open a mere 18 hours a week when it should be open 18 hours a day.

“It’s terrible,” said Trish Cavanaugh, volunteer community relations manager for the Ventura County library system and coordinator of the benefit dance demonstration. “We’re in a state of total unknown. No one is saying they will support the libraries, but there’s always money for new police cars.

“Three years ago, we lost half our funding and half of our staff--that’s why the libraries are closed. There’s five parcel tax measures on the ballot this month across the county. People need to tell their city councils and the Board of Supervisors that they want them to help the libraries.”

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Enter Michael Kaufer, promoter of the annual Ojai Bowlful of Blues, the weekly Sweet Thursday gigs at Alexander’s, and one who could read the writing on the wall.

“We decided we wanted to do something for the libraries,” he said. “We did a benefit for the 100th anniversary of the Ojai Library in 1993 at Libbey Park, and now we want to do one for the county.

“The money from the benefit will go to the Books and Materials Fund, which now is out of funds. There’s not a lack of funds--the government collects plenty of tax money--it’s a lack of conscience. We don’t want to be like Butte County, which closed their libraries recently. We can’t raise enough to keep them open, but we want to generate support.”

Hillman, formerly of the Byrds, has children who are card-carrying members of the Ojai Library.

“I’ve been asked to do Farm Aid, and that’s fine, but I prefer to do something for my own environment,” said Hillman. “If it has to do with literacy, I’m there. Something’s wrong when the government spends more on prisons than they do on libraries.”

Hillman actually is more well-known for his country rock stuff with the Flying Burrito Brothers and those country mega stars the Desert Rose Band. While those bands are firmly entrenched in the past tense, Hillman continues to make music.

“I’ve been planning an acoustic album for a long time, and I called on a lot of my friends like [David] Crosby and [Roger] McGuinn. It’s basically a lot of old ‘50s country duets--California country--very rootsy, the stuff I grew up listening to. It’s called ‘Bakersfield Bound’ and should be out on May 21 on Sugar Hill. After that, I’ll have an acoustic country album coming out on Rounder. I’m just lucky I can still make records.”

Johnny Nocturne is a big band that will get those swing dancers packing the dance floor. Led by sax player Johnny Firmin, a.k.a. Nocturne, the nine-piece outfit ably backs up powerhouse vocalist Brenda Boykin.

“It’s jump blues, swing-oriented,” said Firmin. “Our music comes from that gray period from 1945 to 1951, the decline of the big bands to the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. We play swing music that is historically accurate not because we’re traditionalists, but because the guys are capable of doing it. Swing is supposed to be relaxed, an eternal sort of groove.”

Playing eternally for a bunch of library lovers and swing dancers is gravy compared to some of Firmin’s early gigs as a member of another band.

“I’m from Fairbanks, Ala. They say it’s not the end of the world, but you can see it from there. I started playing when I was a kid. In the winter, it gets to 50 degrees below zero, and it was hell being in a marching band. Sometimes the spit would freeze in the valves.”

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The library event is not just for the Maserati literati. This is an affordable gig that provides a rare occasion for just about anyone to help out the libraries, and at the same time be a state patriot.

“For 15 bucks, this is a real deal; it’s going to be awesome,” said Cavanaugh. “I’m a swing dancer and the Johnny Nocturne Band is the best I’ve ever seen. And did you know that West Coast swing is the state dance of California?”

For more information on the show, call 646-7230.

DETAILS

* WHAT: Library benefit, titled “This’ll Be One for the Books, Baby.”

* WHERE: Harbortown Marina Resort Ballroom, 1050 Schooner Drive, Ventura.

* WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday.

* COST: $15 advance, $20 door.

* CALL: 646-7230.