Last Saturday evening I ventured to
LeStat’s West. It is one of San Diego’s
veiled gemstones, a comedy and music scene next to its sister Le Stats, a quaint
little coffee shop in the heart of Normal Heights. Their mantra “always open” holds true, as they have been open
everyday, evening and hour for the past 15 years. You are guaranteed to find your favorite
nonalcoholic drink at LeStats along with a few surprises….Jimmy Milano, Irish
Monkey or Cherry Bianca are just a few
of their espresso specials, or if you’re a tea drinker they sell a myriad of
caffeine and no-caffeine teas such as Earl Grey, Passion Fruit, Chai, Blood
Orange and Peppermint. They also sell
cold drinks, frozen drinks and smoothies along with a regular menu of breakfast
favorites, baked goods to die for, soups, salads, sandwiches and Paninis. If your appetite doesn’t lead you there the
live entertainment will. Le Stats holds events nightly featuring local,
national and worldwide favorite comedians and musicians. You can check out their calendar http://lestats.com/calendar/lc012014s.htm
Saturday evening was extra special, Donna
Larsen, Happy Ron and Lisa Sanders were singing. I arrived early for the show; they hadn’t
even opened the doors yet. I could faintly hear Happy Ron finishing up his
sound check. That evening I was flying solo; my friend who had originally
planned to attend with me opted for a night in with a book. I’m not exactly sure if it’s one of the perks
of being 41 or just a result of being single for so long, I don’t mind going
alone to events. Other people may think
it’s peculiar, but hey like they say “if you’re going to be weird be confident
about it.” As long as I am happy and I
am not hurting anyone else that is all that matters to me.
Speaking of happy, since I was there early
I was able to secure a seat front and center aka a FCC (front and center
crew). Maybe it is the schoolgirl in me,
I like to be in the front where I can focus, see everything and take a few
pictures.
Donna Larsen, also known as the Pop
Acoustic Goddess, started the show. According
to her website her music is “acoustic driven, original, insightful and
spiritually centered music resonates in your soul.” I couldn’t agree more, but you really have to
hear her perform live, Check her out: she has such a beautiful voice and gives off such a
positive peaceful vibe.
Then there was Happy Ron and the New
Hips. New hips—literal and
figurative. You wouldn’t know it by the
way he was jumping around on stage, but Happy Ron recently had double hip
replacement surgery. After months of
physical therapy you can see the extra spring in his step. Happy Ron also had his hips…Blake Lindquist
and Steve Piccus. True to his name, you
are guaranteed to smile and laugh when Happy Ron is onstage. There’s no sitting back and being a
wallflower or a silent observer, he brings the audience into his show with his
sing along songs. You can’t help but not
get involved. I can’t really carry a
tune and I find myself getting caught up into the moment. Of course he sang one of my favorites “Boy
Toy.” 
Finally, last but definitely not least,
Lisa Sanders, Brown Sugar (Karen Hayes) and the new sugarette Cuddles (Corine
Finnigan). According to Revernation Lisa
sounds like: James Taylor, Corrine Bailey Rae, Sheryl Crow, Amos Lee, Norah
Jones. I can see that, but honestly I think
Lisa is in a class of her own, especially when you hear her live. She will be the first to say she doesn’t sing
very many cover songs, but every time I hear her sing “I Fall to Pieces” the
hairs on my arms raise and I get goose bumps.
Lisa’s voice is indescribably beautiful.
I enjoy listening to her stories about growing up in Poway and writing
music. Although she didn’t talk about it on Saturday, one of my favorite
stories is when she teamed up with Steve Poltz to write “Rainbow” after her
father passed. Lisa shared exciting news about Corine Finnigan joining her and Brown Sugar and the upcoming release of her new CD. You definitely have to
attend one of her shows.
Check out Lisa Sanders:
“I Fall To Pieces”
“Rainbow” with Steve Poltz
Up Coming Shows:
Check out Lisa Sanders, Donna Larsen, The
Lovebirds, and Sierra West
Thursday, January 23 @ the Merrow
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